Summer Plans

  Now you can almost smell that first cup of coffee or tea you'll be drinking after leisurely waking up in the morning.  It's a well deserved experience that teachers look forward to from March on.
   After a little time to decompress, it's time to evaluate the school year.  Not for some form that will be filed in some far away folder but for yourself!  A little distance helps to review what worked and what didn't.  I always found that, even if I didn't want it to, thoughts about the year seeped into my brain.
   As teachers, we don't turn off our brains at the end of the day.  There were times I wish I could leave it behind but teachers are constantly evaluating themselves.   "How did that lesson go?  Why didn't that student understand the material?  How can I teach that lesson and target everyone's levels?"  These are the questions we hear inside our heads. Non-teachers don't realize the pressure we put on ourselves!
   So take some cleansing breathes, sleep a little late (if you can), and take life a little slower.  When those ideas about how to "spice up" your direct instruction sneak into your thoughts, you'll be ready to explore some new ideas and techniques.
   Have a great summer and you'll hear from me in August.  RELAX and RENEW!

Time to make a difference.

   There's only 3 weeks left.  For many of you it's hard to believe, maybe it went too fast or maybe it didn't go fast enough.  It has been a turbulent year for teachers.  Thrown into the "political pool"  feeling like you are without a life preserver is no fun.  However, there seems to be hope.
   I was pleased to open up my NYSUT magazine to see articles about reviewing the current testing situation and a rally scheduled for this Saturday, June 8th in Albany.  For a while, it seemed that the unions were being bullied, like many of the local school districts.  I'm thrilled that there is action  responding  to the testing situations thrust upon our schools.  
   Two of the articles in the magazine were especially disturbing to me.  One article on page 5 expresses the possible experience of an 8 year old child being excited about school.  And then, having her hopes dashed by testing pressure.  The other article is on page 10 about a 4th grade student who was waiting for surgery and in comes a teacher to administer to him the 4th grade test!  Are you kidding me! Something is seriously wrong when we insist on testing children in the hospital!  
   On page 12 of the magazine, there is a "Do It Yourself" insert that gives you the website to send a letter to Commissioner King describing what's going on in your classroom and some possible solutions.  The website is www.nysut.org/tellit.  Please take the time and let others know about your experiences and how you're feeling.  It will make a difference!