Working in Education through the Language Lens

With any hobby/sport/profession, there is a new language to learn. In education we called the jargon we use "edu-talk" and it can often be a barrier for the lay person, especially families. We become so immersed in it though, that sometimes we hardly realize we are using acronyms and key words that have little meaning to others.  You might feel that way when you look at the picture below of my crossfit workout from this morning. I remember the first day last July walking in to my 'box' (what we call the crossfit gym) and looking at the 12ft wide x 8 ft tall white board wall and thinking...... "um..... waaat?" A fish out of water! Working with language learners on a daily basis, I'm well aware of their 'fish out of water' feeling - and what signs to look for, that indicate their understanding and lack of understanding.However, this post this morning is not as much about language learners, as it is about learners in general. In actu...

What does a goat have to do with teaching or education in general? I saw this video of a little goat named, "Frostie the snow goat" that came across my FaceBook stream. I always hesitate to watch animal video's because I'm a softie - I cry at the drop of a hat when it comes to animals (especially hurt animals). I haven't even watched Bambie for goodness sake because I've heard it's sad! Ok, so back to education...... watch first - then this will all make sense http://www.rightthisminute.com/video/update-frostie-snow-goats-walks-again What if Frostie was left to die? What if Frostie was never seen as having the possibility to get around, let alone walk again? Yes, I know Frostie is an animal and not really comparable to children (although my 4 legged kids are pretty near and dear to my heart). So into the classroom? What if we saw our kids as 'already failed'? What if we saw little "Johnny" or "Jane" as without hope? ...

Why do home visits? In order to conduct my doctoral research, I had to enter the homes of parents as I collected their personal narratives. I remember hesitating every time I arrived. I was not invested in them as part of my school family. They would be data - of important work? yes, but I knew that I was not there to build relationships.  Fast forward 4 years and 6 weeks! During my  6 week summer PLN around the topic of family and home engagement - home visits came up. I made it a goal then and there to incorporate home visits into the foundation of my program. I cannot service students for 30-45 minutes each a day and build any kind of relationship. Work has to be done outside of the ABCD's (and by that I mean the walls of our building). I've always been fascinated by bridges. My family and I got to cross a few different bridges in the past, both figuratively and literally. The most recent bridges we all cross was while playing Frisbee golf. I recall my eldest s...

Sometimes I'm not sure who is more excited/nervous for the first day of school, the teachers or the students or the parents. My first day of school with students happened at the Elementary building I work in. This was an intentional choice as I knew I had several "new" to school families in the 4th grade and K level and I wanted to be there for them.  I couldn't wait to get to school! I left my house early, dodged the middle/high school traffic and walked the buzzing hallways to capture some classroom pictures. Teachers had worked tirelessly to prepare their rooms. Custodians had swept and cleaned and the school displayed a shiny welcome with vibrant colors and personalized doors (and for a moment I wished I was a student about to enter these hallways). I met my newcomer at the door as she exited the bus and she greeted me with a huge smile. I asked her how the bus ride was, to which she excitedly replied "it was fun, and a bit loud!"....

Open house used to be my least favorite night of school. While classroom teachers had set their rooms up and prepared personalized packets for each of their new students, I would wander the halls or worse yet sit in my ELL classroom hoping people would visit me. Well why would a new family walk into a classroom that isn't clearly marked aside from my name which meant nothing to them. I This year was clearly different. I had a new perspective about engaging parents - thanks to my awesome PLN that began with "Beyond the Bakesale" book study. I placed myself in the library right next to the transportation table where families would be checking bus numbers and routes (second busiest to fee payment table). Students came up and hugged me or waved from afar, we even snapped some family pictures and selfies with the kids :) I had also given each home room teacher a few (color photos- with a please see me ~in the library~ note on top, with my email and cell phone below). I also ...

As I sit here in my work space at one of my three schools for the new school year, I will admit feeling overwhelmed! I re-shelved books and laid out my personal items to make the classroom feel more welcoming with international relics. The fact that the work room I now have is half it's size due to having to share with another staff member doesn't bother me at all. What is overwhelming is having to deal with some of the more mundane back to school tasks and arriving at my mailbox to find not one, not two but 5 new ELL enrollment forms. I know my schedule is always in flux as I change it to meet the language demands of my students. However, I'm starting the year not knowing who my para-professional will be, never stepping foot as a teacher in two of my three buildings and already the paperwork is creating a nice little pile on my desk corner. This year I brought a few extra items from home to personalize my space. A linen hanging of Green Tara who is tattooed on my...

Week 3 #ptcamp video reflection http://youtu.be/GzNZjLf View blog LsNY?list=UUNS2sA6NfJflr1Sxict0cAQ

On mother's day this year my husband took our boys shopping, and with absolutely no idea what amazing gift they would give - I eagerly awaited Sunday morning. They love giving hints (aka torturing me), and this year the hints were quite confusing. It's alive! (no not a horse), it's big! (deceptive), and it was in the back of Brian's truck hiding under a tarp. My mind raced thinking about chickens (we eat a farm's worth of eggs each week), to a reptile (I've been wanting a lizard/dragon) - but each time I guessed, I was told " I was wrong". So with slight trepidation I uncovered the tarp Sunday morning to find a truck load of small vegetable and herb plants. They were giving me the gift of a garden. A gift that took an entire sunday to execute (grumble grumble) however it has been the gift that has literally kept on giving. This space had been selected years ago. Now time to do the wor k. Soil bought and leveled Brian putting t...