I have a lot of things that I believe that I carry into my classroom. They are probably the essence of who I am and what I will teach. I will explore some of these beliefs in this writing so that I might consider if they are what I really want to put forth in my classroom. I believe that you have to read to become a good reader, and write to become a good writer, and do math to become proficient in math. I believe perfect paractice makes perfect, but your beginning practices you can only do your best.
I do not believe children should be allowed to be direspectful to anyone. I do not believe that young children can not learn to read and write quite well. I do not believe that there are normal children that can not learn. I do not believe that sustained chaos is good in a classroom. I do not believe that children can simply sit down and write to a specified request without preteaching.
Beliefs are the essence of what I teach
I don't believe we think highly enough of children's abilities
Recording everyones responses with such a simple writing option will give all kids voice an ability to feel they can meet the mark and do it well. I don't know a single kid that does not like to listen to themselves! Fun! Fun! Fun!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Teacher as Leader, Teacher as Facilitator
I have learned that their are a lot of things that you can teacher that you can not do well. You can reasearch nand learn with a student. You can listen and praise and see growth. It is an amazing thing to see a student pass you up and leave you in the dust. This year I had a district employee ask a student (who I have worked with on the violin---which I do not play), if I played violin as well as he did. His response made me laugh. He said, "No, but she could if she wanted to. She could do anything she wanted to."
One thing I do not think you can teach others without practicing it yourself is being a leader. This has to be a part of you life that others see and benefit from. You can talk about the qualities of a leader, and what you would want to see in a leader; but the most effective leader is one who exemplifies leadership in their daily life. If you are not living it, how can you be a facilitator? Facilitators are suppose to be people who have something to share that will be helpful, motivational, or encouraging. If you have not proven yourself as a leader who in the world would want to listen to what you have to say? So lead on and see where it leads you, and whose lives you have an opportunity to impact.
One thing I do not think you can teach others without practicing it yourself is being a leader. This has to be a part of you life that others see and benefit from. You can talk about the qualities of a leader, and what you would want to see in a leader; but the most effective leader is one who exemplifies leadership in their daily life. If you are not living it, how can you be a facilitator? Facilitators are suppose to be people who have something to share that will be helpful, motivational, or encouraging. If you have not proven yourself as a leader who in the world would want to listen to what you have to say? So lead on and see where it leads you, and whose lives you have an opportunity to impact.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Enlightened Musings
I recently had one of those enlightening moments that bring a momentary clash of cultures and thinking. You take a deep breath, step back, and realize you are experiencing something that is not the norm for you. You can pass the moment off, or reflect, internalize, savor the experience, and note how you felt. I chose to do the later and found I was going down a road that many of our village youth must travel when they leave their isolated village norms and come to Anchorage or some other large metropolitan area. Wanting to better understand why so many of these youth do not do well once they leave the village, and often come home to a nonproductive life in their old environment, I decided to pay very close attention to things that were out of my norm.
I was raised in a small Alaska village and have spent the last ten years in one as well. So, I felt that I might be able to experience, to a lesser degree, what our village youth must go through when leaving the comfortable habits of their culture and village. This interesting divergence began when our writing class was assigned to travel around to different place in Anchorage and write. At our first stop I followed my fellow classmates into a coffee house where we would begin our first writing. Wonderful odors waft through the air and the constant sound of contented voices gave a feeling of relaxation. The emotions and troubles of the morning drained away and a new appreciation for life slowly seeped in. This was a place where one could slide into a peaceful quiet spot in the midst of activity and barely be noticed.
It was wonderful to stand amidst a crowd and not be the center of attention. It was as if I was a shadow that was attached and yet almost invisible. I learned something while in this detached state of being that gave me a delightful chuckle. Did you know that a utilakit is still a kilt. I thought I was looking at a tattooed motorcycle man in a skirt. However, a brave threesome of women asked this ape of a man about the pleated skirt. Thus, I learned about a new brand of men’s clothing. To think, I didn’t have to do a thing, but stand in the shadows and pay attention. This is a comfortable state of being.
Oh, I also learned that they now make coffee drinks other than vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. Three Musketeers! Who would have though! Candy bar coffee and everyone knows what dry, wet, and some other foam term means. However, I have to ask as I have no idea what options they have offered me. At this point I was way out of my comfort zone and at a loss as to what to order. I felt lost, dumb, embarrassed, like fading into a mist, and not standing in a line where they might ask me one more of those unintelligible questions again. I really must have been in the bush to long!
Our next stop is the library. How do I feel? I think I feel something attune to awe. The nice wood on shelves, counters, displays and furniture are more wonderful than anything I have seen for year. The soft chairs with moveable desk tops attached, the beautiful shiny hard covered books, and the crazy colorful chairs in the children’s area all amazed me. There is nothing to compare it to in our school library or anywhere in our village. Two elevators in a library---oh my goodness!!! How do I feel? Overwhelmed! Tears ran down my cheeks as I contemplated how our village children must feel to enter life beyond a village. In past years I have had some dealings in most of the great cities of the United States and Canada, and yet I felt very out of place. My past ten years in the bush made me feel like I am standing in a fortress of beauty. Yes, it stirred my emotions to the depths of my being.
As we moved on towards our next destination, downtown Anchorage, I realize that the conversations around me solicit unbidden emotions. I was at a loss when conversations centered on commercials and house pets. Why did I feel like this? We only watch videos and small cats and dogs are fox and bear bait. Big dogs are for warning and protecting. They rarely come indoors and would never come past the entry where we keep shoes and coats. The conversation is quite foreign and hard to slide into my village norm.
During our writing times my colleagues wrote three to four pages to my one. I wrote constantly! What did I do differently? Do they write faster or bigger? Do I stop and unknowingly think, or was I just that much slower? They raise their writing to a level that requires abstract thinking. I have to listen closely, and even then I have moments of grasping in order to catch where their wonderful words have taken them. How do I write? Concrete, factual, order of sequence---why? That’s what my students and village value. A good earthy story teller is of great worth. How do I feel? Small, out of place, vulnerable, uncomfortable.
Open market! Guitar music and singing! Yes, something normal and comfortable. However, after a half hour, my ears felt assaulted by the noise and mass of human racket. I wanted to escape to a quieter world. This was an arena full of wonderful things, color, and a variety of people, but there was just too much stimulation. A classmate tapped me on my on the shoulder to let me know it was time to go. How do I feel? Saved!
This narrative of events took place within a four hour time frame. I noted how some of the events that transpired around me made me feel. This opened my eyes a bit wider and helped me understand to a greater degree how our young people coming in from the villages must feel in a magnified way. Without friendly support, it would be very easy for them to long for the norm of the lifestyle they had grown up in. It is hard to feel like you are not really a part of things going on around you because you can not quite relate. Some interactions actually make you question your value and make you wish you could disappear. Is it any wonder that our village youth either return to their villages or get caught up in drinking and drugs. Both are escapes. How do I feel now? I do not want to reflect any deeper as I found it often made me feel small, depressed, worthless, withdrawn, emotional, and defeated. I think I will just go back to my village for another year!
I was raised in a small Alaska village and have spent the last ten years in one as well. So, I felt that I might be able to experience, to a lesser degree, what our village youth must go through when leaving the comfortable habits of their culture and village. This interesting divergence began when our writing class was assigned to travel around to different place in Anchorage and write. At our first stop I followed my fellow classmates into a coffee house where we would begin our first writing. Wonderful odors waft through the air and the constant sound of contented voices gave a feeling of relaxation. The emotions and troubles of the morning drained away and a new appreciation for life slowly seeped in. This was a place where one could slide into a peaceful quiet spot in the midst of activity and barely be noticed.
It was wonderful to stand amidst a crowd and not be the center of attention. It was as if I was a shadow that was attached and yet almost invisible. I learned something while in this detached state of being that gave me a delightful chuckle. Did you know that a utilakit is still a kilt. I thought I was looking at a tattooed motorcycle man in a skirt. However, a brave threesome of women asked this ape of a man about the pleated skirt. Thus, I learned about a new brand of men’s clothing. To think, I didn’t have to do a thing, but stand in the shadows and pay attention. This is a comfortable state of being.
Oh, I also learned that they now make coffee drinks other than vanilla, caramel, and chocolate. Three Musketeers! Who would have though! Candy bar coffee and everyone knows what dry, wet, and some other foam term means. However, I have to ask as I have no idea what options they have offered me. At this point I was way out of my comfort zone and at a loss as to what to order. I felt lost, dumb, embarrassed, like fading into a mist, and not standing in a line where they might ask me one more of those unintelligible questions again. I really must have been in the bush to long!
Our next stop is the library. How do I feel? I think I feel something attune to awe. The nice wood on shelves, counters, displays and furniture are more wonderful than anything I have seen for year. The soft chairs with moveable desk tops attached, the beautiful shiny hard covered books, and the crazy colorful chairs in the children’s area all amazed me. There is nothing to compare it to in our school library or anywhere in our village. Two elevators in a library---oh my goodness!!! How do I feel? Overwhelmed! Tears ran down my cheeks as I contemplated how our village children must feel to enter life beyond a village. In past years I have had some dealings in most of the great cities of the United States and Canada, and yet I felt very out of place. My past ten years in the bush made me feel like I am standing in a fortress of beauty. Yes, it stirred my emotions to the depths of my being.
As we moved on towards our next destination, downtown Anchorage, I realize that the conversations around me solicit unbidden emotions. I was at a loss when conversations centered on commercials and house pets. Why did I feel like this? We only watch videos and small cats and dogs are fox and bear bait. Big dogs are for warning and protecting. They rarely come indoors and would never come past the entry where we keep shoes and coats. The conversation is quite foreign and hard to slide into my village norm.
During our writing times my colleagues wrote three to four pages to my one. I wrote constantly! What did I do differently? Do they write faster or bigger? Do I stop and unknowingly think, or was I just that much slower? They raise their writing to a level that requires abstract thinking. I have to listen closely, and even then I have moments of grasping in order to catch where their wonderful words have taken them. How do I write? Concrete, factual, order of sequence---why? That’s what my students and village value. A good earthy story teller is of great worth. How do I feel? Small, out of place, vulnerable, uncomfortable.
Open market! Guitar music and singing! Yes, something normal and comfortable. However, after a half hour, my ears felt assaulted by the noise and mass of human racket. I wanted to escape to a quieter world. This was an arena full of wonderful things, color, and a variety of people, but there was just too much stimulation. A classmate tapped me on my on the shoulder to let me know it was time to go. How do I feel? Saved!
This narrative of events took place within a four hour time frame. I noted how some of the events that transpired around me made me feel. This opened my eyes a bit wider and helped me understand to a greater degree how our young people coming in from the villages must feel in a magnified way. Without friendly support, it would be very easy for them to long for the norm of the lifestyle they had grown up in. It is hard to feel like you are not really a part of things going on around you because you can not quite relate. Some interactions actually make you question your value and make you wish you could disappear. Is it any wonder that our village youth either return to their villages or get caught up in drinking and drugs. Both are escapes. How do I feel now? I do not want to reflect any deeper as I found it often made me feel small, depressed, worthless, withdrawn, emotional, and defeated. I think I will just go back to my village for another year!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Day 7---our research refletions
Wow, we have covered a lot of turf and have written a great variety of genres. Some have been actually hard on me. It has been years since I have had any time to be reflective, and it has touched a deep emotion at times. We have moved on to more factual things today and that is much more comfortable. I looked for books and information backing the fact that I believe very young children can be taught to write a nice paragraph. I was relieved to find numerous sources with a great number of suggestions on how to do this very thing. This gives me even more confidence and greater resources on just how to accomplish this very task with fun and ease. Of course we know it is never really all that easy!!! We can teach, but we can not open those little mind at just the moment we would like.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Revised: A Person of Influence in My Life
A Person of Influence in My Life
In our lives we are occasionally blessed to have a person that leaves an enduring print on the path we trod. There is one such person that comes to my mind that had a life changing influence on my views, and who I have become. She was not a dynamic individual at first glance. She dressed very conservatively, was very quiet spoken, never shared her opinions unless asked, and was not a beauty in appearance. How could such a person have such an impact on me? Perhaps if I share some of the things that happened between us over several years time you will come to the same conclusions that I did.
This lady came into my life when I entered 6th grade. We had moved into a small Alaskan village on an island in the Kodiak archipelago. The first day of the school year the tides were high and water was up around our house to such a degree that my two brothers and I had to put on hip boots and try to find the higher ground in order to make our way above the water level, so we could get to school. (This water issue was due to the recent earthquake that had caused our island to sink between 6 and 13 feet---depending on the location). We arrived at our new one room school with wet pants, boots and feet. We weren’t sure what in the world we should do about our plight and debated on leaving when the teacher opened the door and greeted us with a huge smile. She said, “Take off your boots and drain the water out, and we will hang them up in here over the heater. Then we will go downstairs to my apartment and I’ll find something for you to wear while I wash and dry your clothes.” She found us warm clothes and a cup of cocoa to take back up to class where she proceeded to introduce us to our new classmates. We found that this was a normal type of response to whatever situation might come into our small classroom. There was always a gentle and thoughtful action that exuded from her very being. We were only blessed by this teacher for one year. It was with great sorrow that we bid her goodbye at the end of the school year.
Three years later high school was looming before me. This was a huge change as I would have to leave our village and go to boarding school. The town of Kodiak was in the process of building dorms so that they could help meet the needs of Alaska high school students. The dorm was not going to be ready for at least a year, so we were put in peoples’ homes. I was placed in a home with a woman that had recently lost her husband and mother. She needed someone who could help her with her four young children. The situation was not ideal and within a short time began to deteriorate. One dismal day I found myself locked out with a note saying that I was not to return. I was 13, and totally alone. I went to the boarding student councilor who had been having weekly updates about me from my boarding home parent. I had no idea there was a storm brewing in our home, and the problems that I was accused of causeing were not even issues that were or had ever been a part of my life.
I had to radio my parents and let them know I was on the street. My mother was on the next plane to town and after a day found me a new home. Yes indeed, it was that kind and generous teacher I had in 6th grade.
This lady lived in a “microhouse”. It was so small two people could hardly pass each other in the living room! My new “Mom” was in her 60s, but she insisted I had to have the only bed in the house because I was a student and needed my sleep. She would not bend on this, so she took the couch, gave up her closet, and personal space. During this year I remember things like accidentally loosing the spaghetti noodles down the sink just as company was coming in the door for dinner. She just laughed and said everyone had moments like that. I was so embarrassed and she was so gracious and smoothed it over so quickly that the company didn’t even know of my blunder.
Then, there was the time she was teaching me to drive, and due to removing a coat I drove us off the road, flew over a creek, and into a field. She just laughed and said, “Well, I guess we know not to do that again.” A fellow helped us get back on the road, and she got back in the passenger seat! I was shaking so bad I had no desire to drive again, but I knew the expectation so followed through. There was no condemnation and no stories ever told. The following year, this generous woman rented a larger home so that my younger brother could join us until she retired the following year. We have no memories of anything but generosity, kindness, and encouragement during our time with her.
There was such a stark difference in how this lady lived and what I had experienced in my life. I wanted to have the views and attitudes that made her such an amazingly sweet person who was never defeated by anything. I once asked her what made her so different. She assured me that if I saw any good in her it was because Jesus was a part of her life, and He helped her be who she was. I took that to heart and determined to follow her example. This amazing woman has been my model through many difficult circumstances, and I feel blessed that she has left her print on my life. I pray that as I work with so may young lives that I might have the opportunity to likewise leave my mark on those that will come after.
In our lives we are occasionally blessed to have a person that leaves an enduring print on the path we trod. There is one such person that comes to my mind that had a life changing influence on my views, and who I have become. She was not a dynamic individual at first glance. She dressed very conservatively, was very quiet spoken, never shared her opinions unless asked, and was not a beauty in appearance. How could such a person have such an impact on me? Perhaps if I share some of the things that happened between us over several years time you will come to the same conclusions that I did.
This lady came into my life when I entered 6th grade. We had moved into a small Alaskan village on an island in the Kodiak archipelago. The first day of the school year the tides were high and water was up around our house to such a degree that my two brothers and I had to put on hip boots and try to find the higher ground in order to make our way above the water level, so we could get to school. (This water issue was due to the recent earthquake that had caused our island to sink between 6 and 13 feet---depending on the location). We arrived at our new one room school with wet pants, boots and feet. We weren’t sure what in the world we should do about our plight and debated on leaving when the teacher opened the door and greeted us with a huge smile. She said, “Take off your boots and drain the water out, and we will hang them up in here over the heater. Then we will go downstairs to my apartment and I’ll find something for you to wear while I wash and dry your clothes.” She found us warm clothes and a cup of cocoa to take back up to class where she proceeded to introduce us to our new classmates. We found that this was a normal type of response to whatever situation might come into our small classroom. There was always a gentle and thoughtful action that exuded from her very being. We were only blessed by this teacher for one year. It was with great sorrow that we bid her goodbye at the end of the school year.
Three years later high school was looming before me. This was a huge change as I would have to leave our village and go to boarding school. The town of Kodiak was in the process of building dorms so that they could help meet the needs of Alaska high school students. The dorm was not going to be ready for at least a year, so we were put in peoples’ homes. I was placed in a home with a woman that had recently lost her husband and mother. She needed someone who could help her with her four young children. The situation was not ideal and within a short time began to deteriorate. One dismal day I found myself locked out with a note saying that I was not to return. I was 13, and totally alone. I went to the boarding student councilor who had been having weekly updates about me from my boarding home parent. I had no idea there was a storm brewing in our home, and the problems that I was accused of causeing were not even issues that were or had ever been a part of my life.
I had to radio my parents and let them know I was on the street. My mother was on the next plane to town and after a day found me a new home. Yes indeed, it was that kind and generous teacher I had in 6th grade.
This lady lived in a “microhouse”. It was so small two people could hardly pass each other in the living room! My new “Mom” was in her 60s, but she insisted I had to have the only bed in the house because I was a student and needed my sleep. She would not bend on this, so she took the couch, gave up her closet, and personal space. During this year I remember things like accidentally loosing the spaghetti noodles down the sink just as company was coming in the door for dinner. She just laughed and said everyone had moments like that. I was so embarrassed and she was so gracious and smoothed it over so quickly that the company didn’t even know of my blunder.
Then, there was the time she was teaching me to drive, and due to removing a coat I drove us off the road, flew over a creek, and into a field. She just laughed and said, “Well, I guess we know not to do that again.” A fellow helped us get back on the road, and she got back in the passenger seat! I was shaking so bad I had no desire to drive again, but I knew the expectation so followed through. There was no condemnation and no stories ever told. The following year, this generous woman rented a larger home so that my younger brother could join us until she retired the following year. We have no memories of anything but generosity, kindness, and encouragement during our time with her.
There was such a stark difference in how this lady lived and what I had experienced in my life. I wanted to have the views and attitudes that made her such an amazingly sweet person who was never defeated by anything. I once asked her what made her so different. She assured me that if I saw any good in her it was because Jesus was a part of her life, and He helped her be who she was. I took that to heart and determined to follow her example. This amazing woman has been my model through many difficult circumstances, and I feel blessed that she has left her print on my life. I pray that as I work with so may young lives that I might have the opportunity to likewise leave my mark on those that will come after.
Friday, June 4, 2010
A Person of Influence in My Life
In our lives we are occasionally blessed to have a person that leaves a print on the lives of others. There is one such person that come to my mind that had a life changing influence on my views, and who I have become. She was not a dynamic individual at first glance. She dressed very conservatively, was very quiet spoken, never shared her opinions unless asked, and was not a beauty in appearance. How could such a person have such an impact on me? Perhaps if I share some of the things that happened between us over several years time you will come to the same conclusions that I did.
This lady came into my life when I entered 6th grade. We had moved into a small Alaskan village on an island in the Kodiak archipelago. The first day of the school year the tides were high and water was up around our house to such a degree that my two brothers and I had to put on hip boots and try to find the higher ground in order to make our way above the water level so we could get to school. (This water issue was due to the recent earthquake that had caused our island to sink between 6 and 13 feet---depending on the location). We arrived at our new one room school with wet pants, boots and feet. We weren’t sure what in the world we should do about our plight and debated on leaving when the teacher opened the door and greeted us with a huge smile. She said, “Take off your boots and drain the water out and we will hang them up in here over the heater. Then we will go downstairs to my apartment and I’ll find something for you to wear while I wash and dry your clothes.” She found us warm clothes and a cup of cocoa to take back up to class where she proceeded to introduce us to our new classmates. We found that this was a normal type of response to whatever situation might come into our small classroom. There was always a gentle and thoughtful response. We were only blessed by this teacher for one year. It was with great sorrow that we bid her goodbye at the end of the school year.
Three years later high school was looming before me. This was a huge change as I would have to leave our village and go to boarding school. The town of Kodiak was in the process of building dorms so that they could help meet the needs of Alaska high school students. The dorm was not going to be ready for at least a year so we were put in peoples’ homes. I was placed in a home with a woman that had recently lost her husband and mother. She needed someone who could help her with her four young children. The situation was not ideal and within a short time began to deteriorate. One dismal day I found myself locked out with a note saying that I was not to return. I was 13, and totally alone. I went to the boarding student councilor who had been having weekly updates about me from my boarding home parent. I had no idea there was even any problem and the problems with me were not even issues that were or had ever been a part of my life.
I had to radio my parents and let them know I was on the street. My mother was on the next plane to town and after a day found me a new home. Yes indeed, it was that kind and generous teacher I had in 6th grade.
This lady lived in a “microhouse”. It was so small two people could hardly pass each other in the living room! My new “Mom” was in her 60s, but she insisted I had to have the only bed in the house because I was a student and needed my sleep. She would not bend on this, so she took the couch, gave up her closet, and personal space. During this year I remember things like accidentally loosing the spaghetti noodles down the sink just as company was coming in the door for dinner. She just laughed and said everyone had moments like that. I was so embarrassed and she was so gracious and smoothed it over so quickly that the company didn’t even know of my blunder.
Then, there was the time she was teaching me to drive and due to removing a coat I drove us off the road and flew over a creek and into a field. She just laughed and said, “Well, I guess we know not to do that again.” A fellow helped us get back on the road, and she got back in the passenger seat! I was shaking so bad I had no desire to drive again, but I knew the expectation so followed through. There was no condemnation and no stories ever told. The following year, this generous woman rented a larger home so that my younger brother could join us until she retired the following year. We have no memories of anything but generosity, kindness, and encouragement during are time with her.
There was such a stark difference in how this lady lived and what I had experienced in my life. I wanted to have the views and attitudes that made her such an amazingly sweet person who was never defeated by anything. She has been my model through many difficult circumstances, and I feel blessed for having known her and being a part of her life.
This lady came into my life when I entered 6th grade. We had moved into a small Alaskan village on an island in the Kodiak archipelago. The first day of the school year the tides were high and water was up around our house to such a degree that my two brothers and I had to put on hip boots and try to find the higher ground in order to make our way above the water level so we could get to school. (This water issue was due to the recent earthquake that had caused our island to sink between 6 and 13 feet---depending on the location). We arrived at our new one room school with wet pants, boots and feet. We weren’t sure what in the world we should do about our plight and debated on leaving when the teacher opened the door and greeted us with a huge smile. She said, “Take off your boots and drain the water out and we will hang them up in here over the heater. Then we will go downstairs to my apartment and I’ll find something for you to wear while I wash and dry your clothes.” She found us warm clothes and a cup of cocoa to take back up to class where she proceeded to introduce us to our new classmates. We found that this was a normal type of response to whatever situation might come into our small classroom. There was always a gentle and thoughtful response. We were only blessed by this teacher for one year. It was with great sorrow that we bid her goodbye at the end of the school year.
Three years later high school was looming before me. This was a huge change as I would have to leave our village and go to boarding school. The town of Kodiak was in the process of building dorms so that they could help meet the needs of Alaska high school students. The dorm was not going to be ready for at least a year so we were put in peoples’ homes. I was placed in a home with a woman that had recently lost her husband and mother. She needed someone who could help her with her four young children. The situation was not ideal and within a short time began to deteriorate. One dismal day I found myself locked out with a note saying that I was not to return. I was 13, and totally alone. I went to the boarding student councilor who had been having weekly updates about me from my boarding home parent. I had no idea there was even any problem and the problems with me were not even issues that were or had ever been a part of my life.
I had to radio my parents and let them know I was on the street. My mother was on the next plane to town and after a day found me a new home. Yes indeed, it was that kind and generous teacher I had in 6th grade.
This lady lived in a “microhouse”. It was so small two people could hardly pass each other in the living room! My new “Mom” was in her 60s, but she insisted I had to have the only bed in the house because I was a student and needed my sleep. She would not bend on this, so she took the couch, gave up her closet, and personal space. During this year I remember things like accidentally loosing the spaghetti noodles down the sink just as company was coming in the door for dinner. She just laughed and said everyone had moments like that. I was so embarrassed and she was so gracious and smoothed it over so quickly that the company didn’t even know of my blunder.
Then, there was the time she was teaching me to drive and due to removing a coat I drove us off the road and flew over a creek and into a field. She just laughed and said, “Well, I guess we know not to do that again.” A fellow helped us get back on the road, and she got back in the passenger seat! I was shaking so bad I had no desire to drive again, but I knew the expectation so followed through. There was no condemnation and no stories ever told. The following year, this generous woman rented a larger home so that my younger brother could join us until she retired the following year. We have no memories of anything but generosity, kindness, and encouragement during are time with her.
There was such a stark difference in how this lady lived and what I had experienced in my life. I wanted to have the views and attitudes that made her such an amazingly sweet person who was never defeated by anything. She has been my model through many difficult circumstances, and I feel blessed for having known her and being a part of her life.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Day Two of Blogging Thoughts
I had never applied the word "digging" to my writing before, but found it to be quite stimulating. It was quite enjoyable. In fact, I hated to quite. I really appreciated where the process took me, and hope to work more on this particular piece of writing. When it is finished, I think I will send it (with minor revisions) to the person I wrote about, so that they might know the impact they had on my life before they die (she is well into her ninties).
Falling down the page is also a new term for me. The process of this writing piece brought all kinds of ideas to mind. I have a whole unit nearly thought out and plans on how to encourage fellow teachers to give it a try in their classrooms. I see great things happening for students as they apply this process.
Productive and fun day!
Falling down the page is also a new term for me. The process of this writing piece brought all kinds of ideas to mind. I have a whole unit nearly thought out and plans on how to encourage fellow teachers to give it a try in their classrooms. I see great things happening for students as they apply this process.
Productive and fun day!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
First Impressions of First Writing Group
Delightful, enjoyable, and enlightening are words that come to mind as I reflect on our time as a group of four this afternoon. Woderful works of encouragement and insight flowed like honey on each head. A few wonderful words can make the soul lighter and somehow make you feel good about yourself and work for a few brief moments. Yes, I can do this and I can learn more and improved and be transparent and receiving of new thoughts and ideas.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Where I Came From and Where I Am Going
Where I Came From and Where I am Going
My beginnings were in a small Montana mining camp. Life was simple and the surroundings were beautiful and often extremely windy. The placid atmosphere was shattered when the government announced that the mine was no longer needed and would need to be closed. Where would these families find new homes and new beginnings?
This was an easy answer for my father. He had always wanted to go to Alaska to catch the big fish. So, one spring morning we loaded up a Volkswagen bus and headed north. It was a wild summer of camping and fishing. Somewhere along the line the money ran out and my Dad and a friend that had accompanied us, began to play for dances along the way to make needed funds to continue the camping and fishing. My mother rode in a couple of rodeos with the intent of making some extra cash, and then at the end of the line, Homer, she took a job as a restaurant. The school year was about to begin and no plans had been made for what was next so my dad took a job in Seldovia and we made a quick move. I was starting 3rd grade and was in for a new look at life. My father’s job lead him to various placed from Kodiak to Akutan working as a bookkeeper (fishing and hunting in his spare time). Eventual we moved to Port Wakefield on Raspberry Island (off Kodiak Island).
I wouldn’t say that I was an exceptional student during these early years. School was a lot of work for me. My parents always told us that you can do anything you are big enough to do, and I believed them. I always set my goals high and nearly killed myself off trying to meet them. This determination got me through college, though I would not say I really learned how to be a good student until near the end of that time.
After raising a family of seven children I have acquired a deeper appreciation for learning and teaching. I have learned to value things like character traits, respect, kindness, thoughtfulness, and sacrifice. Without these all the book learning in the world will not make you a successful person. This has made me into a teacher that focuses more on a person as a whole and has given me a greater understanding of meeting student needs at levels that are not only academic.
After many years away from Alaska, opportunities arose that brought me back to the bush with my own family. We returned to a two room school. My husband and I were both secondary teachers. One of us had to go for and elementary degree while teaching. I fit better with the younger ages, so I was the one elected to the task. It took six years of minimal sleep, but in the end I had two masters!!! Who would have ever thought! Each class I took gave me some new thought or practice to incorporate into my teaching style and understanding of education. I have found that you are never too old to learn new tricks, and yes, you can become a better teacher with age. Old dogs can learn new tricks!!!
I think I will continue to learn and improve. I believe I will walk away from this class with new thoughts and insights that I can apply, and that I can pass on to others. My biggest hurtle is probably making time to become more proficient in technology. We live at a time that is almost foreign to me when it comes to the technological advances. I have learned a lot in this area, but I find myself hard pressed to keep up with the understanding of my students when it comes to computers, phones, i-pads and any other gadget that has buttons to push or slide. I guess I am heading into the cyberspace age with the hope that I can hang on and stay in the race.
My beginnings were in a small Montana mining camp. Life was simple and the surroundings were beautiful and often extremely windy. The placid atmosphere was shattered when the government announced that the mine was no longer needed and would need to be closed. Where would these families find new homes and new beginnings?
This was an easy answer for my father. He had always wanted to go to Alaska to catch the big fish. So, one spring morning we loaded up a Volkswagen bus and headed north. It was a wild summer of camping and fishing. Somewhere along the line the money ran out and my Dad and a friend that had accompanied us, began to play for dances along the way to make needed funds to continue the camping and fishing. My mother rode in a couple of rodeos with the intent of making some extra cash, and then at the end of the line, Homer, she took a job as a restaurant. The school year was about to begin and no plans had been made for what was next so my dad took a job in Seldovia and we made a quick move. I was starting 3rd grade and was in for a new look at life. My father’s job lead him to various placed from Kodiak to Akutan working as a bookkeeper (fishing and hunting in his spare time). Eventual we moved to Port Wakefield on Raspberry Island (off Kodiak Island).
I wouldn’t say that I was an exceptional student during these early years. School was a lot of work for me. My parents always told us that you can do anything you are big enough to do, and I believed them. I always set my goals high and nearly killed myself off trying to meet them. This determination got me through college, though I would not say I really learned how to be a good student until near the end of that time.
After raising a family of seven children I have acquired a deeper appreciation for learning and teaching. I have learned to value things like character traits, respect, kindness, thoughtfulness, and sacrifice. Without these all the book learning in the world will not make you a successful person. This has made me into a teacher that focuses more on a person as a whole and has given me a greater understanding of meeting student needs at levels that are not only academic.
After many years away from Alaska, opportunities arose that brought me back to the bush with my own family. We returned to a two room school. My husband and I were both secondary teachers. One of us had to go for and elementary degree while teaching. I fit better with the younger ages, so I was the one elected to the task. It took six years of minimal sleep, but in the end I had two masters!!! Who would have ever thought! Each class I took gave me some new thought or practice to incorporate into my teaching style and understanding of education. I have found that you are never too old to learn new tricks, and yes, you can become a better teacher with age. Old dogs can learn new tricks!!!
I think I will continue to learn and improve. I believe I will walk away from this class with new thoughts and insights that I can apply, and that I can pass on to others. My biggest hurtle is probably making time to become more proficient in technology. We live at a time that is almost foreign to me when it comes to the technological advances. I have learned a lot in this area, but I find myself hard pressed to keep up with the understanding of my students when it comes to computers, phones, i-pads and any other gadget that has buttons to push or slide. I guess I am heading into the cyberspace age with the hope that I can hang on and stay in the race.
Day one of the journey
The day is at an end and a new learning curve is under way as blogging has begun. We have an interesting and nice group and the time looks as if it will prove to be fun as well as benificial. My computer is outdated and not prone to showing some of the informations, except in that crazy foreign box language. I am sure we will manage to get over that hump, and maybe I should ask for an update on windows when my birthday roles around.I am getting in the mood of things, and am looking forward to reading some of the many books that have been placed at our disposal. I already have some ideas to share with our younger teachers that may benefit their classes as well next year. I best read the book first to make sure the author's ideas are what I got from a quick preview! Until tomorrow!
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