Making a Difference

I was the long-term sub in a world history class at a local high school for seven weeks until the BOE decided to bring a qualified teacher into the classroom. I was given a one day notice the new teacher would be taking over on the following Monday. I am now back to relying on the sub system to call me for sub assignments. A recent sub assignment was for a teacher in the classroom across the hall from my "former" classroom. My "former" students had varying reactions when they saw me in the hall that day. Some said they were mad at me for leaving them, didn't want to talk to me and kept walking. Others stopped to give me hugs and told me they missed me. Some students mentioned they missed my worksheets. A few students complained they hadn't learned anything since I left, other students complained their grades were dropping with the new teacher, but they all wanted me to come back. I was surprised how many students said they missed me, and I was even more surprised when the trouble making students gave me hugs. If you read my previous post you would know my time in the world history class was not all sunshine and rainbows. It took a few weeks for the students and I to develop a working routine and to develop a good teacher-student relationship.

You never know the impact you have on students until they show/tell you. The students' reactions were a pleasant surprise and a confidant booster for my self-esteem. I feel as though I made a difference in their lives. To me that's what teaching is about, making a difference.

~Jonnie

Never Say Never

It's been a long time since Kelli and I have posted on this blog. Kelli has a good excuse, she's recently got married and she's working on her Master's. I'm still trying to figure out what career I want to pursue when I grow up. Which I may have stumbled upon it thanks to a long term sub position I had for one month.

I was the long term sub in a special education classroom. During the experience I told myself and others I would never want to work in the special education arena because I did not believe I was capable of working with children in the special education program, or dealing with the paperwork, the liability, and the parents. Ha-ha-ha on me, because when that long term position ended I was shifted to a long term position in a regular education classroom.

Almost every day I say I will quit, or I want to quit. I have learned I do not work well with regular education students. Or maybe it's just the students I have because if you knew what I have experienced in the past month with these students, you may be more sympathetic to my case. After two to three weeks with these regular ed students I signed my butt up for the special education GACE (Georgia Assessment for Certified Educators).

I never thought I would want to work in special education, but I have learned through experience most, not all, children in the special education program have respect for adults, sit quietly in their seats, are almost always on task, and never make me want to go home and drink a whole bottle of wine.

~Jonnie

Step Back and Back to School

I haven't written here over the summer for a couple of reasons. For one, it's been a very busy, but very, very fun summer. My husband and I got married in the middle of July while I was taking graduate classes, so most of my time was consumed by wedding planning, moving, showers, papers, and reading.

But I have to say, in spite of it all, it has been a great, great summer. I have started to think of it as an escape into my real life, and it has been great. I planned a wedding, and more importantly, planned the beginning of my life married to my best friend. I helped teach some great kids at our church's Vacation Bible School. Even my classes weren't that much of a burden because they were fun: A Harry Potter literature class and a sociolinguistics class!  They may not appeal to everybody, but this nerd had a great time. Then the Olympics started and who doesn't love the Olympics?  It gave me a chance to get back to the good things in my life where subbing all school year constantly reminds me of the struggle I've had trying to start a career as a teacher. I thank God this summer let me escape that for a little bit.

Most of the school districts around here started school again yesterday, but this year I looked at it much differently. Since I graduated from college and became a certified teacher, the start of each new school year was another year I hadn't gotten a full-time job. It's not that schools don't hire teachers in the middle of the year--many of the interviews I've had have been in the middle of a school year, for positions to start immediately-- but it reminded me each year that I wouldn't be rushing in to pre-planning and doing what I had gone to school to do. That's the other reason I haven't written. Toward the end of last school year, I decided to take a step back from the job hunt, complete my Master's and maybe think of other ways in which I could use my abilities. My summer of escapism was an extension of that decision. I'm not giving up--in fact, I would gladly still take a job if I was offered one--but, just like a student, already trying as hard as possible, can't "try harder" to learn something, I can't just "try harder" to push down the wall that's stopping me. Instead, I'm going to back up and get a new perspective on the whole thing.  It's been getting me too discouraged and too cynical, and I need to get out of that for a while. I took a break from writing this blog as part of my step back.

The reminder that subbing presents comes in addition to having too many let-downs from interviews like the one Jonnie describes in her last post. I have been to many interviews for many different positions, some of which I have referred to in pervious posts. I have been nervous, relaxed, enthusiastic, even apathetic. I have tried to apply all the interviewing tips I've ever gotten, even switching them up experimentally. Only once have I been offered the job, and then it was a job that I couldn't possibly take because of the location. It would have been temporary anyway. Granted, I think some of this has to do with the fact that most of my interviews have been for positions teaching Spanish, which was my minor, not my major. If any of my potential employers thought this has made me less qualified than other candidates, I understand. Otherwise, I've come to the conclusion that if there's anything I can do in the actual interview to change their minds, I don't know what it is. Hence the step back.

I'm still going to substitute teach this year, partly for the money and partly for the sake of not separating myself completely from the school systems. I will be in a different district this year, though, so I will have more stories to tell in addition to the ones from the past I have yet to share. My change in district might even make for some interesting comparisons I can write about later. I will also be taking an Educational Research class this fall which I'm sure will bring me back from the escape of my summer, but this is the first class in education that I will take while I'm all right with the fact that I am not teaching right now. I will be able to look at the field with a slightly different perspective. I don't know what will come of that new perspective, but I'm okay with whatever it is.

So, if, by chance, you're reading this and you're in the same boat with Jonnie and me, I don't want to encourage you to give up. Don't do that. Chances are, you're the type of person the education system needs but doesn't want right now. I know we all need the money, but if there's any other way you can get it or live without it, don't be afraid to give that a shot while you're waiting. You can easily lose yourself in trying to figure out how to please potential employers, but that's no good to anybody.

When I look at my experience having taken a step back, it looks a little more trivial now. That is comforting in itself, but what is more comforting is that I know things will happen when God wants them to.That's so commonly heard among Christians that it almost sounds cliche, but, you know, that might be because it's one of things we have to remind ourselves of the most.

Thank you for reading,
Kelli.
Jeremiah 29:11

The Way I See It #17

I wasn't sure if I wanted to share this on the blog, but obviously I have decided I do want to share it. Here it goes...

I had a job interview this past spring for a teaching position as a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at a local high school. I was thrilled when I saw the job listed on teachgeorgia.com, I immediately filled out the application and delivered it in person to the Board of Education. A few weeks after turning in my carefully filled out and reviewed application, I received a phone call from the principal asking me if I was interested in an interview. Of course I said yes and the next day I anxiously drove to the high school. I arrived almost 20 minutes early. Despite my confidence in getting this job I was a nervous wreck during the interview. Side note, I have been through several interviews in my life. Also, I've received interview tips from my university mentor, husband and former co-worker. Not only have I been the interviewee, but I have also been the interviewer. I always give short, simple answers. During this interview I kept giving short answers and the interviewers kept asking me if I had anything more to add. Asking me if I had anything else to add to my answer did not help my wavering confidence. However, I was praised by one interviewer for graduating with honors and earning a minor in Child and Family Development. I am pleased to say I did show my personality in the interview because I was able to make them laugh with my witty humor and smile (showing personality in interviews is something I struggled with in the past). When the interview was over I was ready to get home and relax.

My husband, sister-in-law, former manager, and friends were confident I would be offered the job. I was confident I would be offered the job because I believed I was the best qualified-I was praised for my minor in the interview, who else would better qualified than me? Three days after the interview I sent the principal an email saying thank you for the interview and the opportunity to learn more about the school. Two weeks passed I had not heard anything so I called the principal to ask if a decision had been made. The principal did not remember me. My heart started racing because that was the first clue I was about to receive disappointing news. After reminding the principal  who I was and which job I was interested in I was told with apologies the interviewers had selected someone else. Somehow I held my composure to say thank you for the interview and good-bye. As soon as I pressed the end call button I burst into tears.

I felt so crushed not to be offered my dream job, the job I went to college for, the job that required me to pass a $200 teacher certification test. I felt as though if I can't even get hired for a job I'm qualified for, how will I ever get hired? Thankfully, I am surrounded my amazing supportive people who helped restore confidence in myself. I was not offered the job because I was not good enough, I was not offered the job because they simply did not like me. Simple as that. It hurts to think these people did not like me, but it is true. I was and am qualified for that teaching position, it came down to liking me and they did not. Everything happens for a reason, and I was not meant to have that job. The job for me is still out there, and when the time is right, it will be mine.

My new addiction is Pinterest, and I found this quote that goes along with the lesson I learned from this experience.

~Jonnie

Happy Summer

We're past the halfway point in July, and once August arrives my phone will be buzzing with calls from the sub hotline again. This school year will be different because I changed my substitute profile from everything to just high school. When my phone buzzes I know there is a sub assignment available at one of the high schools. Middle school is not for me, which is why my degree is in secondary education. Though secondary covers middle grades up to high school, I prefer the high school students. To each his own. 

I hope everyone has had  a wonderful, safe and fun summer. Enjoy the last few weeks of relaxation. 

-Jonnie

Moments Like This

Sometimes teachers or staff at schools treat me like I'm a stupid person. Sometimes students treat me with no respect. This post is about the times students have reminded me why I went to college to become a teacher.

Two students at a middle school once told me I was the first teacher they knew who fully understood children. There are students I've subbed in their class only once who yell out, "Hi Mrs. J!" as they walk down the hall to their class. Some students will stop me in the hall to chat. Once I walked into a classroom and a student ran up and hugged me.

Yesterday I was sent to cover a class during my "planning" period. The class was assigned to work on a study guide and most worked together to complete it. I was talking to the students closest to the teacher's desk. The students wanted to know what I thought of the area since I moved here. I told the students I believe there is a lot of racial tension in the area. One of the students gave me a high-five when I said this and told me she was happy she was not the only one who thought the same thing. I told the students it really surprised me the first time I sent a student out of the room for being disruptive and off-task, the student exclaimed, "It's because I'm black!" (I did talk to the student when he returned to class to explain why I sent him out of the room. I've subbed for his teachers several times since the incident and his behavior was excellent every time). I also told the students about the time a student called me a racist when I asked for him to hand me his Bop-it toy and ear buds. I explained to the students who were listening I knew the student was only seeking attention and was trying to get a reaction from me. My only reaction was to tell the student to sit down and do his work. After my two short stories the students shared with me times when a teacher has written them up.

One student explained he was at his locker and there were other students at their lockers as well. While he was getting his stuff out of his locker a teacher came up to him and told him it was not locker time and he needed to put his stuff back into his locker. The student tried to explain to the teacher he needed his notebook and book for class. The teacher took the student's explanation as back-talking and wrote a referral.

After listening to the student's story I told him in situations like that one it is better to keep your mouth shut. I know you were only trying to tell your side of the story, but when a teacher or adult is giving you instructions to do something, it's best to follow the instructions and keep quiet. If you try to explain your side of the story it will only be interpreted at being disrespectful and back-talking. It's ok if the person doesn't know your side of the story, you know your story, let them keep their side of the story. I know it's frustrating, but it's better than receiving a referral and spending days in ISS. Sometimes adults don't understand children and their actions, thoughts, and motives. Sometimes you just have to deal with misunderstandings.

The student just stared at me and said, "You're amazing." The girl who gave me a high-five said, "You should be principal."

In those moments when students feel like an adult took the time to listen to them, took the time to understand them, those are the moments I love. I may only work as a substitute teacher, but I can make a difference in a child's life.

~Jonnie

The Evils of the Call Button Part 1

One of Jonnie’s posts  shows the good side of the call button. When you’re only going to be in a classroom for a day, the call button can be a life saver, but, in long-term situations, the call button is a black hole of trouble from which there is no return.I learned that through a series of very bad experiences.

I went into my second long-term sub position knowing it was temporary but indefinite. The high school English teacher had had a medical emergency at the very beginning of the year and was recovering from surgery. Most of the students had never met her. I was the only teacher they could associate that class with but, at the same time, not the real teacher. I knew it. They knew it. Their parents knew it. I did the best I could do, but I admit, it was a disaster.

I did try though, and part of trying was reading all the rules and procedures I could. I had learned that lesson from my first long-term job.  One of the procedures I found was the school-wide policy on teachers responding to cell phone usage in class. I was impressed that there was a school-wide plan  posted on the wall for everyone to see. Hallelujah!

The instructions were easy:

1.       When a teacher sees a student using an electronic device such as a phone, MP3 Player , or electronic tablet of any kind, he/she will collect the device from the student.

2.       The teacher will then label the device with the student’s name and place it in a secure place.

3.       The teacher will then call the front office using the call button and an available adminstrator will come to the class and collect the device.

The first time a student’s device is collected, he/she may reclaim it at the front office upon dismissal. For all subsequent offenses, his/her parent/guardian will need to claim it at the front office and further disciplinary actions will be taken.

Sounds good.

So, shortly after I found this, I caught a student blatantly using his iPhone during class in the last class of the day. I walked over and demanded he give me the phone. He gave it to me but he protested loudly, attracting the whole class’s attention.

I hit the call button.

I heard the clerk in the front office answer.

“Yes, how may I help you?”

“I’m in Mrs. Schulemann’s class and  I need an administrator to collect a phone.”

There was a suspicious pause on the other end of the intercom. I tried to save face.

Please tell me she knows what I’m talking about. The employees of a school don’t always know  or follow the published policies, but those policies are usually my only chance at appearing as knowledgeable as the other teachers.

“Um, ok. I’ll let them know.”

“Ok, thank you.”

The boy I took the phone from still looked shocked, but the other students started arguing. Some laughed and said teachers never did that anymore. Others swore vehemently that it happened to them all the time.

Oh Lord, help me.

Surely enough, a few minutes later, there was a beep from the intercom. This time I recognized the assistant principal’s voice.

“Ms. Gregory?”

“Yes?”

“ You can give the phone back to the student. I’ll come talk to you about it right after the bell rings.”

NO! Come get the stupid phone! Don’t you realize what you’re doing?

“Ok. Thank you.”

I gave the phone back to chants of “Yeah! That’s right!” from the rest of the class. Face lost.

The bell rang shortly after that, dismissing the students for the end of the day. I sat there  ten minutes waiting for the assistant principal to come talk to me about the phone incident, but she never came. She wasn’t in her office when I checked there either.

I figured it was a case of an over-zealous substitute trying to follow antiquated rules that the rest of the school had long ago forgotten but had never officially taken off the books. It happens.

However, the next morning in the hall I passed a non-teaching faculty member, (I call her that because I don’t know what the heck her job is) and she asked me how things were going with the class. I gave her as generic an answer as I could; it’s a hard situation but I’m hanging in there, blah blah, blah.

(Side note: My fiance and I went to the same elementary school, and this woman worked there at the time. Neither of us liked her then either. She doesn’t remember us.)

Then she asked, “ And you had a cell phone or something at the end of the day yesterday?” as if she was confused and concerned.

“Yeah, I did. I took it up and called the office for them to come get it.”

Her voice grew very cheery, but she suddenly became very interested in the wall. “Yep! That’s what you do!”

Could’ve fooled me! Heehee!

Later on in this little adventure I passed an administrator coming out of a classroom carrying a plastic baggy with a labelled cell phone in it.

Now on my Christmas list

You see, the problem with the call button is that when you use it, you transfer classroom leadership from yourself to the school administrators. This can sometimes work, but you take a lot of risk doing it. In this case, I ran the risk of being directly contradicted in front of students who already had little motivation to follow me. 

~Kelli 

P.S. I believe smart phones and other similar technology could be used productively in class for several reasons, but I was following school policy and another teacher's lesson plans.