Teacher "stuff" (quite an oldie but since I haven't added anything in a long time I figured it was better than nothing!!)

The Teacher That I Am

Joanne Katz 2009

It’s August. The sun is shining and I am sitting on my pool deck covered in suntan lotion with lemonade and a good book.  I’m reflecting on the teacher that I am vs. the teacher that I’d planned on becoming.  Today…I’m thinking that I haven’t turned out too badly.  Let’s see:

I’m always calm and even-tempered:25 9 year olds high on Halloween candy don’t make me crazy. I’m able to get through the day before Christmas vacation with the same restraint that I show on any other day.

I’m patient: I give each child the time he/she needs. I don’t feel that they have to fit the mold. I change the mold for each child.  I see standardized tests for what they are: Bench marks that will help us see where we need to go.

I’m fair and caring: I don’t ever have favorites.  I respect each child for who and what they are and there are no children that annoy or irritate me.  Each child knows that they are important and valued.

I’m fun and creative: I can always come up with activities that the kids enjoy while still managing to cover the curriculum.  After all, if the kids want to be here, they will learn more.

I’m prepared and organized: No matter how crazy my life gets or how many committees I am asked to be on, I always take the time to prepare well in advance for each day.  I keep myself organized because organization is a vital skill for life. If I don’t model it, how can I expect my students to learn it?  I owe that to my kids!  They shouldn’t have to pay for the craziness of my life!

I’m informed and up-to-date:  I take the time to attend every staff development opportunity I can.  I read current journals and texts that apply to my curriculum.  That way I can be sure to give the kids the best possible opportunities.

Like I said, I haven’t turned out too badly…because it’s August, and this is the teacher I see.  But of course that’s not the whole truth.  That’s why July and August were created-so teachers can reflect, regroup and plan for a brand new year; one where I haven’t made any mistakes…yet.  One where there is still potential.  Hopes, dreams, plans!! If it were June, I would be seeing a different teacher.  That June teacher is one who is focused on missed opportunities, one who is second guessing herself, time running out, could-a, should-a, would-a.  One who should calm down and slow down. One with a lot of regrets.

But that’s not the whole truth either. I know that now, because July and August give me back something that I only discover when I have this time; the kind of time where I can slow down and calm down. The kind of time where I can read all those notes and cards from students and parents.  The kind of notes from a student that say, “I never felt like I could do math before I had you.” Or the note that comes years later that says, “You were the first teacher who said it was OK to be me.” It’s the time when I run into a parent in the aisle of a store and they get teary as they tell me that the time their child spent with me was a turning point in their lives; how I was different because I cared and let them know.  That’s why July and August were created. So I could leave that June teacher behind and become that September teacher once again; the one who can take the time to stop and smell the smell of new crayons.  I can do that because it’s August and sun shine, suntan lotion, lemonade and a good book offer a filter and rose colored glasses.  And I have notes and store visits.  I can get excited about the future, and plan, and reflect back on the teacher that I am.  I am thinking that I did not turn out too bad.  (Or is it badly??)  J

Pretty soon it will be September and it will be time to get going.  The smell of new crayons is calling me!!

♪ ♫ Someday I’m gonna be famous….do I have talent? Well…no! ♪ ♫

♪ ♫ Someday I’m gonna be famous….do I have talent?  Well…no!  ♪ ♫(Brad Paisley)

                                                      by j

I remember the first time I made the discovery. I remember the exact moment. I don’t know how old I was, but I am guessing it was around 10.  We were at the Ice Capades. My family didn't do a lot of things that cost money but my dad loved the Ice Capades, or got discount tickets through work, so we went several times growing up.  I remember standing in the hallway holding my coat in front of some dividers. Other spectators were rushing by. We backed up so we weren't in their way. I could see in between the dividers and hear what was going on.  I moved closer to check it out.  Skaters were getting ready.  They were looking in mirrors, fixing costumes, checking make-up, hugging, and giggling with excitement and nervousness.  The costumes were frilly and flashy. They practiced poses and moves. They were poised and confident and giddy! I was captivated and so drawn in that it felt like I was part of the scene! These days I sometimes struggle to remember what I had for breakfast, but I remember with clarity that exact moment when I said, “I want to do that!”  Not, that I wanted to be a skater, but that I wanted to do…that!  I wanted to be one of the people who looked in the mirror, checked my costume and make-up, hugged my fellow performers and giggled out of excitement and nervousness! I wanted to feel the confidence that comes out of knowing that I was well prepared. I wanted to wear things I would never dream of wearing and say things I would never dream of saying in front of people I would never know or have to explain myself to.  The only problem was…well… talent!

I found a way in high school.  Talent was still as issue.  While I had some minor roles, I eventually discovered directing. That did it.  I got to be one of those people behind the divider!  We laughed, we hugged we were confident and nervous and excited and ready! I helped with flashy and frilly costumes and fix make-up. (And even wore some myself)Those times were so memorable!

Again, I found a way through teaching.  For the past ten years I've been the drama club director at my school. Along with a group of fourth and fifth graders, we laughed, we hugged, we were confident and nervous and excited and ready!  There were flashy and frilly outfits and lots of make-up. Again…memorable times! 

This year was my last year as director.  I take with me so many happy memories!  Somehow I know it’s not entirely over!  It’s just time to move on!! Time to find another way to express my non-talent!!  J I wonder what’s behind the next divider!

Tri-ing Times!!

So, all triathletes have gone through the trials and tribulations of learning all that goes with being a triathlete: Getting in /out of a wet suit without imitating the Tasmanian Devil, getting on/off bike without falling , clipping bike shoes on/off , remembering to remove goggles when transitioning to bike, and so on. So I shouldn't have been surprised that selecting and using nose plugs for swimming would be so complicated. First, there are several types to choose from, ranging in price from about $3-$6. One had a strap that went around your head to secure it. I used to wear one of those for my glasses (dork alert) as a young teen and still bear the scars of taunts and spit balls from every kid who ever sat behind me in Junior high. Obviously the only choice was to buy the most expensive one, because we all know the most expensive one is always the best. So in the pool I go! It only takes about 5 minutes to figure out how to wear it. Surprisingly, it doesn't go in your nose, but on the outside and

pinches your nostrils shut! Who knew?? Off I go. After 1.5 laps it’s gone! I find it floating 2 lanes away. Fortunately, I was the only one in the pool. So I reapply it differently. This works well for 2 whole laps and then…floats off.  After lots of experimentation, I manage to go 3-4 laps prior to losing the plug. I was getting pretty good at swimming with one hand on nose and one in water. Is there a Jewish nose version?? BTW, no sneezing yet, so in spite of all the stress…SUCCESS!!

It starts!!!

Stuff....
Dictionary.com (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/stuff?s=t) says:

stuff

  [stuhf]  Show IPA

noun

1.

the material of which anything is made: a hard, crystalline stuff.

2.

material to be worked upon or to be used in making something: wood, steel, and other stuff for building.

3.

material of some unspecified kind: a cushion filled with some soft stuff.

4.

Chiefly British . woven material or fabric, especially wool.

5.

property, as personal belongings or equipment; things.

6.

something to be swallowed, as food, drink, or medicine.

7.

inward character, qualities, or capabilities: to have good stuff in one.

8.

Informal. action or talk of a particular kind: kid stuff; Cut out the rough stuff.

9.

worthless things or matter: to clean the stuff out of a closet. Synonyms: junk, debris, litter; refuse,waste, rubbish, trash.

10.

worthless or foolish ideas, talk, or writing: a lot of stuff and nonsense. Synonyms: blather, gibberish,rigmarole, nonsense, twaddle, claptrap, balderdash.

11.

Sports.

a.

Baseball. the assortment of pitches that a pitcher uses in a game together with the ability todeliver them in the proper manner at the right speed to the desired spot: He saved his best stuff forthe tougher hitters in the lineup.

b.

spin or speed imparted to a ball, as by a baseball pitcher, a bowler, or a tennis player: a pitchwith plenty of stuff.

12.

Informal. journalistic, literary, artistic, dramatic, musical, or other compositions or performances: Bachcomposed some splendid stuff.

So what will follow will be about the material that we're made of...things we need to work on...sometimes unspecified...woven from our lives..personal...sometimes hard to swallow...will show our capabilities (and limitations)....be kind of informal...some might call it worthless or foolish...(and if Lou writes it) will probably be about sports...(and if I write it) will probably be dramatic...But basically it will be a place for our "STUFF"...Hope it's worth your read!!