Summer Goals

After being inspired by a couple friends' blogs, I've decided to make it a goal to add an entry every day this summer. It probably won't be witty, and I'm not sure people will even read it, but I think it'll be worth it. Of course, every time I get super excited about blogging, things tend to get difficult. I decided to start by taking pictures of the flowers outside:

1. Couldn't find camera.

2. Found camera.

3. Camera decided to stop taking pictures and give black screen of death.

4. Stepped in dog poop. 

Epic fail. 

Today I made an attempt to pack up my classroom and finish my grant paperwork without much success. It's day 4 of running after an extended break due to a severe case of laziness; a quick jump on the scale sent me straight to the treadmill with no end in sight. My motivation to shed this year's stress induced binge eating poundage is for my best friend to surprisedly exclaim in six months upon her return from Italy, "Rachel, you look so skinny!!" Bring it on. 

Diego enjoying the summer sun. 

I have to admit I had nothing to do with the growth of these flowers-- they just kind of... appeared.  

One more thing!

I had my final evaluation a couple weeks ago. It was incredible and I am so blessed to be where I'm at. Sue said wonderful things about me (and I'm not writing them here to brag, but to document what they were so I don't forget when I've been teaching for fifty years.) She said that she was truly impressed with me & could not rate me at an 'average' score, even though most first year teachers receive them. She told me my classroom management skills were 'above average' (even though I feel like I struggle with that area the most!) She also said that most first year teachers seem nervous for a while, or unsure of themselves, but she did not see that in me at all.. I displayed confidence throughout my whole first year. 

Our school is a joy to work at and I am thankful to have had the best first-year ever. Praise the Lord. 

The end is in sight!

Wow. 2 months since the last post. A lot has happened since then... I guess in life, not so much with teaching. I went to Peru to visit Annie (it was AMAZING) on my first spring break as a teacher. Mike and I celebrated ONE FREAKING YEAR of marriage. What the heck... where did this entire year go? We cruised to the Bahamas last weekend and it was glorious. I feel that it will help me get through the rest of the school year.

I can't believe that there are only 4 weeks left. Four! My first year of teaching is almost complete. Did I do enough? Will they be prepared for 7th grade? Do they realize how precious they are to me and how much I care about them? I hope so. I think it will be tough to say goodbye to my first-ever students. I couldn't have asked for more wonderful kids. 

This year has been a blur! I am so out of it right now, but I guess it's been that way the whole time. I'm really excited to plan this summer and expand on the things that we worked on this year. Teaching is a wonderful job, because there are always ways to improve! I'd like to work somewhere in the summer, but a part of me wants to hang out the whole time. I guess I'd get bored after a while, but maybe not! :) 

That's about it. We're getting a puppy sometime soon and starting to look for houses. It's an exciting time in the Checchia household...

Today was a good day.

I feel like I'd be doing myself a disservice if I didn't put into writing the "mini-successes" I experienced today. It's nice to have something encouraging and positive occur in the classroom that grounds me, helping me to remember why the Lord called me to this profession to influence tiny young minds...

Okay, the first. On Wednesdays in my elective we do W.O.W. or "Word of the Week." For this leadership-based class, I try to incorporate important words to try to get them to journal and talk as a class what they've experienced in regards to the word. Today's was 'perseverance.' It was a breaking moment... a couple of the students really opened up and shared how they've embodied perseverance in their lifetime. One guy shared how a year ago his brother was in a devastating car crash, with debilitating injuries and his brain functioning capacity not quite at 100%. You could really hear and feel the student's pain behind his words as he shared how his brother persevered through intense physical therapy, and how he had to deal with the loss of their close relationship. He was hurt at first by his brother's changed personality due to the brain injury and the complete transformation of their once-close relationship, but now there is healing both physically and mentally with his brother and their friendship. What a powerful experience...

Here's the thing. My second period is loud and all about themselves. They have a hard time monitoring the verbal vomit that emits from their mouths, but while this student was sharing his story, you couldn't hear a pin drop; they were completely mesmerized by his words. I had goosebumps the whole time as I watched them all experience true empathy for their peer... something that is not to be taken lightly with 7th and 8th graders. Another important factor was that we created an environment where this student felt 'safe' and comfortable sharing such a painful moment from his life. That, to me, is where our success as teachers lie. Our classrooms need to be a place where different youth from all walks of life can be, even if for one moment, unified by a common bond. 

Another thing has been happening in Teen Leadership is that my students are noticing the things we've covered about advertising; everyday they're excited to tell me about a 'product placement' example they saw in a movie, or how they noticed gender stereotyping in commercials. One girl (who is so bright but hides behind the ditzy-girl persona that so many take on... myself included!) told me when she was playing "Candyland" last night, she noticed how there were distinct 'boy pieces' and 'girl pieces,' which she found kind of odd. I LOVE IT! I didn't want them to think advertising was evil or anything, but I wanted them to be able to notice the ways our society targets different audiences and how teenagers are the biggest market. It was pretty exciting. 

Lastly, we're going over newspapers in Language Arts. I was really excited, because a lot of my students had never picked up a newspaper before. But Della posed a thought that really made me think... how can I incorporate experiences like the ones that are happening in Teen Leadership into Language Arts? What more can I be doing to ensure that my students have the same kinds of powerful moments as they can have in TL? It's hard for me to wrap my mind around managing my time and infusing (little by little) important life-skills and experiences. Like art. And culture. Up until this point it's been disconnected.... we have structured vocabulary, reading, grammar, whatever. But how can i make it more meaningful for them? How can there be an underlying, experiential purpose behind what we learn in Language Arts? We just read "Hoot..." what more could I have done to emphasize the environment, or bullying, or being a new student? I felt rushed with all the half days we had during the novel study, and I feel like I dropped the ball on what could have been done. But alas, it may all be a part of being a first year teacher. I'ms ure I'll look back on this year and laugh, realizing over the summer the ways that I can make the year phenomenal. 

I am le tired.

It's Thursday, one step closer to Friday. Funny how I usually update when I'm putting off doing the things that I'm supposed to be doing. Like ironing tomorrow's clothes. And making a lunch. And getting coffee ready. Recently I've felt that the chores are never-ending... like I can't seem to get ahead or maintain an equilibrium. There's always something to do! But I guess that's just how life is. 

The kiddos are starting to have what the seasoned teachers affectionately call "Spring Fever." They're reaching a point where their focus is now on each other rather than school and their teachers... which of course is normal, but slightly frustrating as the teacher! Fortunately it wasn't that long ago that I was in school, so I forgive their obnoxious behavior. Although sometimes they make me want to pull my hair out. I'm so very thankful that the issues I deal with are minor compared to what they could be. I don't have any real behavior issues other than the typical middle school squirreliness. My parents are wonderful and I haven't had any problems thus far. My main obstacle will be to keep their focus after FCAT in 3 weeks. I hear that it's a nightmare trying to keep them on track... fortunately we'll do another novel study so hooray for that. 

I've reached a point where I feel like I'm having a crisis. Actually, I think I've experienced the crisis over the course of the entire school year. but whatever. FCAT is in 3 weeks. Did I prepare them enough? Are they ready? What more could I have done? I often feel like a failure, like I'm wasting their time and so much more could have been done within a 50 minute block. As a teacher, I know there will always be more than I can do. Always always always. I just hope that I've instilled in them SOMETHING, whether it be a love for English or just a sense that they were loved by me as their teacher. What a crazy job.

And more budget cuts are being made.... Crist wants more property tax cuts. Florida schools receive 70% of their funding from this tax. We're already taking millions of dollars in cuts. It's ridiculous. There are 8 counties in Florida who currently do not have money to pay their teachers come April. Ack! We are in an okay position (I'll be receiving all my paychecks) but the amount they have to cut from our county alone is devastating. So sad. But we will press on; I don't really know any better, and I know this is where the Lord wants me. So He will provide... or lead me towards another calling! :)