Reverb 9-11

Prompt Day 9: What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

I'm not really a social gathering type of person. However, I was actually very glad that I attended my school's holiday party this year. There were lots of staff members and their partners that I was surprised to see. I did feel a bit awkward at first because my husband and I decided to sit at a table by ourselves. However, once more people arrived, and some folks sat at our table, I felt much better. This event helped me to break out of my shell and stop being so concerned with what others are thinking of me. Or, of what I am thinking about myself. I am still aloof at times--this is one of things that I'd like to change in 2011.

Prompt Day 10: What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

The wisest decision I made this year was to take classes through a licensure program with my school's district. I am learning so much about the craft of teaching. I love the practicality of the activities we are doing and have already started to use some of the strategies I'm learning with my students this year. I wish I had this information during my first or even second year of teaching!

Prompt Day 11: What are 11 things your life doesn't need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

1. I do not want to procrastinate any longer. I did not start this school year out on a positive note. I was angry and bitter at my previous principal because she was unethical and blind to some situations, and frankly I was (and still am some days) tired of teaching these crazy kids that no one knows what to do with. Therefore, I did not use the summer to create lesson plans for this school year like I wanted to and things just snowballed from there. Now that I know that things are better this year (new administration), I do not need to procrastinate. Some mini goals to break this habit include: writing lesson plans for the following week by each Friday, and grading as much homework and classwork as I can during my prep periods so I can leave work on time.

2. I do not want to be a nag to my husband any longer. We are both stressed out this year (school, classes, raising kids, finances, etc.) and need to cleave to each other, not stand divided. My mini goals to break this habit include: speaking out of love, taking a moment to decompress (drink something hot, take a bath, etc.), and savor the opportunities that we have to connect to each other one on one.

3. I do not want to be a complacent mother. I want my daughters (especially my oldest) to be able to come to me with any questions that they might have and not be afraid to share. My mini goals to be the best mother I can be include: making individual time for each of my girls (re-vamping our book club, concerts, etc.), and letting go of the negative self-talk that I am a bad person once and for all. If I'm confident, that will carry over into my relationship with my girls, and beyond.

4. I do not want every day of my life to be a daily grind. I want to choose one thing to do that makes me happy daily. My mini goals include: reviewing my list of things that make me happy and doing at least one of those activities each day.

5. I do not want to be aloof any longer. I have always been a shy individual and rarely had any friends. Although I've come out of my shell some, I still put up my shields when I'm in a new environment, and/or don't feel comfortable. This does affect my relationship with my in-laws. My mini goals to break this habit include: going out of my way to have a conversation, and actually taking through my thoughts when I start to pull away.

6. I do not want to live from paycheck to paycheck any longer. My mini goals include: setting up an automatic transfer from checking to savings, and cutting out any extraneous purchases.

7. I do not want to spend my entire summer break at home any longer. My mini goals include: finding affordable day trip options, saving money to travel to a different state in summer 2001.

8. I do not want to ignore the spiritual side of my life any longer. I truly need to find a community of like-minded individuals. I know that it will help me be a better person. My mini goals include: visiting nondenominational churches, and spiritual bookstores, and opening up and talking to people.

9. I do not want to be consumed with fear any longer. I want to live authentically; to truly be myself regardless of the outcome. My mini goals include: following "The Four Agreements" more closely, continue writing daily, and live with intention.

10. I do not want to be a teacher of students in an urban school longer than 3-5 more years. I'm starting to outgrow this position and am looking towards a different direction (what yet, I don't know). My mini goals include: start researching other career opportunities, talk with people who work in fields that I may be interested in, look for leadership opportunities.

11. I do not want to be unhealthy any longer. I want to exercise at least twice a week and eat 'cleanly' everyday. My mini goals include: utilizing our Y membership at least 1-2 times a week in addition to bellydance, packing lunch everyday, eating a healthy breakfast, taking a multivitamin every morning, and drinking half of my body weight in water.

Reverb Days 7-8

Prompt Day 7: Where have you discovered community, on-line or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

I've discovered quite a few communities in 2010, mainly at my place of employ. While over 30-40% of the staff has changed in the last 4 years, in 2010 folks have truly rallied around each other.

For 2011, I'd like to join a community of spiritually like-minded individuals. I don't necessarily want to join a church; on the other hand, it would be nice to have individuals in my life (besides my husband) who will hold me accountable for being righteous.

Prompt Day 8 Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find they're what make you beautiful.

Borrowing this idea from Analog Girl in a Digital World, here's a list of ten things that make me different.

1. I love to learn about what makes a person 'tick'. I can spend hours listening to or reading about a person's life story. One day, I would love to record/write down African American elders' autobiographies and/or memoirs for a living.

2. I have overcome a lot of obstacles in my 30 years on Earth, the two most significant being living with a drug addicted mother (she's been clean for a year now, thank goddess) and having a child at 16. Thankfully, those obstacles have not prevented me from becoming a successful adult.

3. I have an active imagination. I was an only child until I was 13 years old, so I used to often make up elaborate games to entertain myself. I think I scared my mother into thinking I was crazy because I used to talk aloud to my dolls all the time. Maybe I was really communicating with angels?

4. I have a benevolent spirit. I honestly would love to live in a community where it wouldn't seem suspicious to make cookies for your neighbor, etc. I wish more individuals cared about their fellow man.

5. I love anything to do with color!! I appreciate how color appeals to the senses.

6. I love to sleep in! My ideal work schedule would be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (with full-time pay and benefits, of course)!

7. I am very observant. It takes me a while to warm up to people, however, once you're my friend, we're friends for life, haha!

8. I am a fighter when it comes to my right to be independent. I like to do things my way, and if I am convicted about something, I rarely change my mind.

9. I am very goofy. There's nothing like a good laugh! :)

10. I am a great listener. People often ask me for advice, and I like being needed in that way.

December 6--Make

Today's Prompt: What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?

Well, I always strive to be artistic, but never really follow through on it. I've tried my hand at crocheting (fail), drawing (fail), and coloring. I would love to make a piece of pottery one day, and I will definitely clear some time in 2011 to do just that.

Reverb Prompt Day 5--Letting Go

To get writing more often, I decided to sign up for Reverb 10, "reflect on this year and manifest what's next".

Today's prompt is the following:

Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

Let's see... the first thing that comes to mind is letting go of my previous expectations of teaching. I honestly thought that my fifth year in the profession would be so much easier. I've been challenged by apathetic students, low test scores, changing my teaching style, asking for help, and honestly relying on my instincts when dealing with the children and adults in my building.

I've let go of my enthusiasm for the profession. Teaching urban middle school students English/Language Arts is not my passion. An intuitive reading that I had recently suggested that I look into teaching from a spiritual perspective. I am open to that; however I need to take the steps and position myself so that I am meeting the right people at the right time. Perhaps 2011 will be that time to truly let go of this version of teaching and open the door to other aspects of this field.

Ch, ch, change!

My class sizes have been reduced slightly (largest class is now about 29-30 students). Technology is up and running in my room as of today (sweet)! An Instructional Leader will be in my room at least 2 times a week to co-teach a class. And yet, I still feel like I'm not prepared! Lots of changes have been thrown at me this year. New administration, my oldest started high school, my youngest started daycare, I've started an evening class, and I still haven't figured out a system to keep on top of all the paperwork. It'll get there, slowly but surely.

Beginning of School 10-11

Well, the past three days have had more ups than downs. Here's a breakdown:

Pros:
*new administration that says what they mean and mean what they say
*concrete rules, expectations, and procedures in place from day 1
*students shared what they think 'good' teachers and 'good' students do
*reputation as one who can 'quiet a class down' (THAT'S SO AWESOME!!)
*compliment from a department chair on how well-run my classroom is

Cons:
*very large classes (34 kids!! no aide)
*disrespectful students (already made 3 phone calls home)
*technology not working properly in my room
*feeling unprepared

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I know that some of the cons will work itself out as our numbers settle. Still, I can't wait for this three day weekend, glory hallelujah!!

Ideas, Thoughts, and all that Jazz

Still in vacation mode but, here's a couple of thoughts floating in my head:

1. I had an okay school year as far as being comfortable with lesson planning & implementation/presentation. I definitely want to increase the amount of project-based learning & real life connections for my next group of students in the fall.

2. Change is coming down the pipeline. We have a new principal, and I know that a couple of my co-workers will no be at the school in the fall. In the past, I've had a tendency to 'jump ship' when things got hectic (and trust, things were mad hectic at the end of the school year), but I'm not feeling that this year. Not to say that things are all good, but I'm more willing to wait it out than before.

3. I'll be taking a couple of classes starting in the fall to move up to the next level of licensure. Eh, it's free so I'm not going to complain too much. I just have to really make sure I'm managing my time well to be on top of my game, teaching and non-teaching wise.

I'll be back in August with some planning strategies, etc. for the new school year.