Walk Tall

Pre-planning: Year 3

2008-08-06T19:03:00.003-04:00

This year, I'll be teaching 6th grade ELA & SS (inclusion/two-person team). Our in-service starts approximately 3 weeks from now and the students come back to school Sept. 2nd. I'm very anxious this year because I'm due in mid-January and I haven't had to balance a newborn and job responsibilities in a long time (my only child just turned 12)!

I'll probably notify my principal of my intentions this month. Ideally, I plan on taking 12 weeks maternity leave and come back to school around mid-April. It all depends on my family finances and the baby, of course!

My areas of focus for school year '08-'09 is consistency, consistency, consistency. I know what I want my classroom to look like, what rules and expectations I want my students to follow, etc. I just have to make sure that I hold up my end of the bargain. This'll definitely be my 'make or break' year as this still doesn't feel like the 'right' thing for me to be doing right now. Onward and upward!

News that just might affect my teaching

2008-06-22T22:36:00.002-04:00

The last day of school was June 18th and I've been on straight cruise control ever since, lol! My principal let me know that she'd like me to teach 6th grade ELA and SS for next year, which is cool. I'll also be on a two-man team which is a bit of a change but I'm sure that I'll adapt quickly.

The news that just might affect my teaching this year? I'm almost 10 weeks pregnant! My husband and I have been trying for quite some time; as a matter of fact, I was scheduled to have surgery on June 24 to fix some defective 'equipment'. Obviously God has other plans in mind!

I've only told 2 very close coworkers as it will be quite apparent in the fall that I'm expecting anyways, lol! I'm slightly concerned about maternity leave (the baby is due on January 20th) but I'm sure everything will work out in time.

Post Break

2008-04-29T17:54:00.001-04:00

This is our 2nd day back from Spring Break and all is well. The children were a bit rowdy on Monday but we seem to be getting back into our routine. I finally passed my state's certification exam for English/Language Arts (woohoo) yet I feel slightly nervous about next year--I'm trying to stay put if I can help it!

There's a lot that I'm thinking about as we get closer and closer to the summer:

--Should I work (part-time) or just enjoy the break?
--What if my Principal doesn't hire me for the 2008-2009 school year?
--How do I become the best ELA teacher ever?

In the meantime, I'm looking for cool ideas to implement these final weeks of school (we've started "Holes" any suggestions?)--only 8 more weeks and counting!

Privilege Meme

2008-01-16T16:53:00.000-05:00

I found this meme on Miss A's blog. I would say that my childhood was primarily working class with middle class aspirations. I bounced around quite a bit between my mother, my father, my grandmother, and a family friend's homes so I've experienced everything middle class and below--from the stigma of a parent receiving welfare to living in a suburban neighborhood.~Laniza

From What Privileges Do You Have?, based on an exercise about class and privilege developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. If you participate in this blog game, they ask that you PLEASE acknowledge their copyright. To participate, bold the items that apply to you.

Father went to college (community college)
Father finished college
Mother went to college (my mother had a full basketball scholarship but did not finish because she was pregnant with me)
Mother finished college
Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor
Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.
Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.
Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.
Were read children’s books by a parent.
Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18 (violin lessons in 5^th grade-I wished that I kept up with it!)
Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18
The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.
Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.
Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs.
Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs
Went to a private high school
Went to summer camp (local Boys & Girls' club)
Had a private tutor before you turned 18
Family vacations involved staying at hotels
Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18
Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them
There was original art in your house when you were a child
You and your family lived in a single-family house
Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home
You had your own room as a child
You had a phone in your room before you turned 18
Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course
Had your own TV in your room in high school (Granted, it was black & white! Ha!)
Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college
Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16

Went on a cruise with your family
Went on more than one cruise with your family
Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.
You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.

2008-01-12T19:05:00.000-05:00

Well, 2008 is turning out to be a great year thus far! While I'm still on the fence about remaining in the teaching profession, I feel a lot more secure in my abilities than last year. I am so grateful for the following at my new school:

--supportive administration
--having an inclusion teacher in 2 out of 3 classes
--small(er) class sizes (average is 15)
--increased salary
--more professional opportunities
--being a positive role model to students (one student in particular told me that I was his 1st black teacher. This is significant because the school district has over 70% students of color. Where have all the teachers of color gone?)
--receiving help and pats on the back when needed
--having a structured curriculum (oh man, was this a nightmare for me last year!!)

Now all I have to do is carry this positivity to the end of the year :)!

2007-11-12T11:52:00.000-05:00

Hello?! Is this thing on? lol!

I'm still teaching :). My last period group has pulled a 'switcheroo' on me and become my favorite group of students seemingly overnight. They are so... goofy, just like their English teacher :). My focus has shifted slightly as there's been a lot of tragedies in my family within the last few months (my paternal grandmother died in June, my paternal cousin died in October, my maternal cousin suffered 3rd degree burns on her face and back in late October). I still feel like I'm keeping my head barely above water some days... however, I'm gonna give this my best try. Only 7 months 'til June :).

>>>

2007-10-03T16:28:00.000-04:00

I've been fighting a cold on and off since last week. I took yesterday off because I sounded like Barry White's female cousin, and today, while teaching my first period class, I lost my voice! Needless to say, the 7th grade VP insisted that I go home. My husband is heavily leaning toward me taking tomorrow off too. But, goodness, 2 1/2 days of sick time and it isn't even the middle of October yet? Oh well, I have to be able to speak in order to teach! Off to make another cup of lemon zinger tea.

Sick but No Sick Time

2007-09-25T20:36:00.000-04:00

Ugh! Going into my 3rd week and I've been really questioning why I'm being called to teach right now. There's obviously some message that God is trying to get me to understand... is it humility? Compassion? Competence? Self-Worth? Sacrifice?

In the past five years, I've gone from full time college student, to part-time bank teller, to full-time customer service rep, to charter school teacher, to public school teacher and I'm still not satisfied. I feeling like teaching ain't my passion, and it's getting harder to get up and go to school everyday.

What I'd like to do (which is what I was *thisclose* to getting this past summer) is advise students of color about the college admissions process or collect oral histories of African American elders for a museum or college/university. In the meantime, I suppose that this year will be my chance to stack money and set goals for an escape date sooner than later.

Fellow teachers, any advice that you have about 2nd year burnout, charter vs. public schools, quarter year crisis, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

Week #1

2007-09-17T16:29:00.000-04:00

Well, I made it through the entire week without crying. And then... the tears came late Sunday evening. The differences between this school and my old school are profound!

Old School:

small, 'close-knit' environment (children often in the same classes together year after year)
some parents/teachers have too close of a relationship w/ administration, resulting in many unprofessional situations
no school-wide curriculum
limited resources for special education/talented and gifted children
long hours, low pay
reasonable teaching load (1 class each--ELA & S.S., Sustained Silent Reading)
remained in the same room for 2 out of 3 classes/ my own filing cabinet & storage space

New School:

larger, more impersonal environment (children coming from a wide variety of schools/educational levels)
administration has a backbone (my assistant principal is the bomb and will suspend a child in a heartbeat)!
pacing guide, scripted lesson plans for the 1st three weeks
somewhat adequate resources for special education/talented and gifted children (although not enough paraprofessionals and aides to go around)
shorter hours, better pay
reasonable teaching load (3 classes of ELA + duty 2-3 times a week)
floating for all three classes, no filing cabinet or storage space beyond what the regular teacher gives

So, while I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to continue to teach, I've got to find my niche so that I'm not stressed out on Sunday evenings. Mainly, I need to find a way to balance the paperwork, get the discipline issues in order, and prepare as much as possible for the next day before I leave the school building.

Day 1

2007-09-10T16:42:00.000-04:00

Well ya'll, I made it! Day 1 down, 179 left! Overall, it was a good day. I started off strong by reviewing my classroom expectations and procedures with the kids. I'm a floater this year and I have 3 preps so it's going to take some time to smooth out my schedule. Right off the bat, I can tell that my 1st period and last period groups have been in 'sub mode' aka I'm still gonna try to get over on this teacher even though I clearly acknowledged her request, so I've got to get them back into shape quickly. Thankfully, there's a school wide discipline policy so that should alleviate some of the chronic line-steppers. Speaking of that, teachers, how do you handle students who constantly test the rules? I have about 3-4 students in each of my classes that I'm going to have to keep a tight leash on, at least for the first couple of months.

Hustlin'

2007-08-30T22:06:00.001-04:00

Well, here's a quick update of the events that have happened since last week:

1) My team teacher gave his resignation on Monday, leaving me as the only upper grade teacher left on staff from last year.

2) The VP finally decides to assign me English (6, 7, and 8th + a section of writing).

3) I had an interview with a unionized charter school yesterday.

4) I received a telephone call from my local public school district yesterday afternoon requesting my presence at the new hire orientation this Friday (Last week, I had an interview w/ a Middle School principal. She used to work at my high school and basically hired me on the spot, contingent upon the district hiring me under a waiver until I become fully certified).

5) Ever so leery of charter schools, I called the unionized charter school back today and told them that I found a position elsewhere.

6) I turned in my letter of resignation to H___h___ charter school shortly after receiving the telephone call from the public school system.

So, public middle school comrades, tell me what I'm up against! I already know that I have to go in there firm and no nonsense for the first couple of months. And I know that the teaching load will be different and I'll have to deal with a variety of students that you don't typically find in charter schools (pregnant students, students with special accommodations, etc.). Also, I haven't heard anything back from Human Resources yet. I was an 'at will' employee, so I'm not sure if that means that I have to sign any exit paperwork or not.

Update

2007-08-23T00:09:00.000-04:00

Thank you, everyone, for giving me some solid advice on how to handle this latest nonsense. I did in fact speak with the Principal yesterday morning in person. According to him, my schedule would remain the same as last year (6th grade Humanities). However *cue dramatic music*, the new vice-principal later calls me up to her office and informs me that I will in fact be required to teach 6-8 grade Science and Social Studies. She promises an aide, support materials, etc. but I don't think she understands that I have no flippin' interest in Science, and trust me, I did support my case in a rationale manner!

The only step holding me away from a preliminary teaching license is passing the State licensure test in Middle School Humanities. Once I do that (lord willing I'll have my passing score by December 20007), then the last step is mere paperwork. I did inquire about any last minute teaching opportunities in my local public school system with my former guidance counselor just to see what's up... I tell you, this whole situation has really left a sour taste in my mouth about teaching, and most especially, about ineffective administrators. While it wouldn't be fair to the kids to jet once the school year has begun, what sense does it make to agree to teach something that I know I have no passion in?

Changes

2007-08-21T11:14:00.000-04:00

I just got off the phone with one of my team teachers and the shit has officially hit the fan! I'm 3/4 of the way certified as a 5-8 grade Humanities teacher (I work at a charter school which does not require their teachers to be certified at the time of hire). Please explain to me why:

--I may be teaching 6-8 grade Science (I have NO experience with science beyond my k-12 education. Hello, my degrees are in African American Studies and Gender/Cultural Studies!!)

--I called the principal yesterday and explicitly ASKED him if I would still be teaching 6th grade Humanities as I want to be prepared with lesson plans for the first 2 weeks. According to that conversation, he said that I'll still be teaching 6th Humanities.

And the kicker
--The principal has not called me yet! Rather, these changes was relayed to me at least 2 times removed (school secretary, team teacher).

I have to curb my initial reaction to this bullshit and calmly explain my position tomorrow. Here's my initial script:

I am concerned about some recent changes to the Middle School staff at H______ Charter School. In the interests of the students and preparation for the State examination, I would prefer to remain in the subject matter that I have some expertise in: Humanities. I understand that change is inevitable, however, if at all possible, the school should retain/attract a teacher with more direct experience teaching or working in a science-related field for the Middle School level. I hope that you take my concerns into account while preparing for the new school year.

Fellow teachers, I need your feedback. How would you handle this situation? Should I get my certification, give my 2 week notice, and leave these suckers in the dust? Has this ever happened to you?

On (not) Liking Kids

2007-08-18T18:16:00.000-04:00

http://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/today8.html

“We don't like our kids. This is a country, this is a nation of people who don't like their kids.” ~

Frank McCourt

Is this true, U.S.A.? Do we really not like our kids? It seems like such a juxtaposition; we live in a country with an extraordinary amount of resources for (wealthy) infertile couples who want to have children, we offer our children extracurricular activities ranging from baseball practice to yoga. Yet, having recently finished my first year as a teacher, McCourt has touched a raw nerve. He's right, we don't like our kids.

If we did, I wouldn't have had to advise a student on whether or not he was ready for his first kiss. Or give up part of my lunch to make sure that one of my female students ate something every day. Or have to explain to one of my students the difference between a true friend and an enemy. Don't get me wrong, I know that compassion is part of being an effective teacher. However, there's only so much that one teacher can do with the limited resources. Some days, it really does seem like many of my students' parents just don't like their kids. Thoughts? Comments?

Thursday Thirteen #1

2007-08-16T13:00:00.000-04:00

I came across this meme in the past and thought it was cool! The object of the meme is to come up with 13 facts about yourself each Thursday in order for your readers to get to know you better. 


Thirteen Things about  Laniza 


Thirteen Books That Changed My Life

1)The River Where Blood is Born by Sandra Jackson-Opoku--I love everything about this book, especially the way that Jackson-Opoku weaves in African and Caribbean spirituality, and the history of Black folks on colonized lands(Caribbean, Africa, Americas) into one cohesive narrative about a particular family tree.  If I could take one book with me to a deserted island, this would be it.

2)The Color Purple by Alice Walker--Celie.  'Nuff said.

3)By the Light of My Father's Smile by Alice Walker--Again, like The River Where Blood is Born, this book reverberated the power of the spiritual and the physical worlds and how they collide in fascinating ways.

4)Beloved by Toni Morrison--As an undergraduate, I enrolled in a seminar about the novels of Toni Morrison.  The professor had us read Beloved alongside the actual court case that the novel was based on (see Modern Medea: A Family Story of Slavery and Child-Murder From the Old South by Steven Weisenburger).  While Beloved does not stay totally true to the actual facts, nonetheless, it offers the reader a glimpse of why a mother would rather kill her baby than see it suffer through slavery.

5)Wild Seed by Octavia Butler--This book literally did change my life.  
I had enrolled in an upper level English course which had Wild Seed as one of the required texts.  In a nutshell, Wild Seed is a tale about two shape shifters and their altering of reality, creating a new 'pattern'.  I loved the story so much and became fascinated with the author and her other writings as a result.   It just so happened that my professor was producing a documentary about Ms. Butler and had encouraged me to apply for funding so that I could accompany her.  To make a long story short, I ended up receiving funding and had an incredible time with Ms. Butler.  That trip solidified many of my dreams and goals today.

6)When I Was Comin' Up: An Oral History of Aged Blacks ed. Audrey Olsen Faulkner, et. al.-- This was one of my first exposures to the Oral History field and I fell in love.  This is one of my ultimate goals: To be an oral historian, documenting the lives of elderly African American women.

7)Sacred Woman by Queen Afua-- Practical advice on how to be a sacred woman in the 21st century.  While I don't agree with every principle in this book, overall the knowledge is impressive.

8)Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison-- The opening boxing scene.  'Nuff said.

9)In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez--This was my first exposure to Las Mariposas.  Powerful stuff.

10)The Ground Beneath Her Feet by Salman Rushdie--Simply exquisite.  Rushdie packs a lot into this novel (Elvis, race/class/gender, boy risks life to get the girl back)

11)Dreamer by Charles Johnson--An imaginative take on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life

12)Black No More by George Schuyler--I love this satirical look at the Harlem Renaissance and its key players.

13)The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz--This book is so simple, and yet in its simplicity lies 4 complex thoughts or agreements.  The hardest agreement for me?  Be impeccable with your word.
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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday.  Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!  If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments.  It’s easy, and fun!  Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well!  I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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2007-08-14T13:47:00.000-04:00

I have been blogging in one form or another for at least 4 years now. Here's where I'll write about my experiences as a 6th grade Humanities teacher at a small charter school in my hometown. My first year teaching at 'Chance' charter school was bittersweet. This year, I want to foster more of those sweet moments. My action plan for school year 2007-2008 includes:

1) Creating a consistent classroom management plan implemented on Day One. What is the 'buy in' for students to behave well?
2) Viewing each lesson from the vantage point of the students--Am I reaching all of my learners? How will the students show what they've learned? Is the lesson engaging from start to finish?
3) Balancing work/life responsibilities.

I want to be the best teacher possible. My students deserve no less. Let the show begin!