Best Practices

I have always wanted to be a teacher, well that is not entirely true during the late 80’s I did want to be a lawyer so I could work with Jimmy Smits. Other than that a brief time I wanted to be a teacher. I think most of us can think of a time when you wanted to grow up to be something or someone. You might have your dream job or you might have decided that when Mr. Smith asked me, “What I wanted to be,” really doesn’t count as a dream job. I love teaching and I think I am a good at it. Not every day but most days. Sometimes on the bad days I forget why I started out wanting to be a teacher.

Why did I think working with young children seem like a good idea? Did I really want to say 100 times a day, “Tie your shoe” or “Sit down please so we can get started.” They are both nice phrases but that is not the reason. I wanted to help them become good students, learn to enjoy books like I do, love math (even though this is not my best subject), and to realize that history is doomed to repeat itself if we do not learn from it.

This week I was lucky enough to go to a great conference. I think conferences are nice and you do learn from them but, I do not like to leave my kids. That is a whole different blog. This conference as I was listening to some of the presenters I realized I do love my job! There were comments, views, and ideas shared on what are “best practices” in the teaching field and I was doing some of those things, not all but more than half. I had different ideas come to me and I think I solved a problem at school. I also realized again that laying a strong foundation before the house is built is important. I am not putting up the walls or ceiling I am the base and if that is not level, firm, and strong it will not matter what the rest of the house looks like, the house will fall.

So what does this all mean? It means we need to celebrate the little things. I need to be happy if Jonny sits down for 10 minutes when yesterday he only sat down for 5 minutes. I need to tell those teachers on the Elementary Team, “Thank you” because they are fantastic to work with. I need to remember that some days are going to be bad but a smile will go a long way. Last but not least use the biggest tool in your tool belt, mine is passion for learning.

Monday you might see a different teacher on your campus. One that is renewed with a passion for learning is willing to continue to solve problems, and one that is willing to hire Jimmy Smits if he wants to be a teacher at my school. Most importantly there are two groups I would like to thank, first to the teachers of my own children they are better people because of you. Second, thank you to those parents who have entrusted me with their children I have enjoyed them more than you know. Remember if you can read this thank a teacher, it is because of them you can read.

Role of Parents

The hardest part of being a parent is not the joy but the heartache. Noelle has not slept through the night for a long time. I would love sleeping throughout the night. With her foot she is up more because her other leg is hurting. It is hard when she doesn’t feel good because it hurts not only her but myself also. When Tyler and Katie got their midterm grades and got straight A’s I couldn’t have been more proud. It is hard to get straight A’s, it isn’t an easy feat but both Tyler and Katie did it.

What is the biggest role of a parent? This has been debated for a long time. I think the most important role is to teach children the different between right and wrong. Yes, having a roof over their heads, food in their bellies and the basic necessities are very important. They are in fact necessities. Once their basic needs are taken care of, we as parents need to teach our children to become better people. This might look different to different parents. That is okay because we have to do what is best for our little family.

As a teacher I know that parents are the most important influence on their children at a young age. If parents teach respect at home, respect is shared in class, on the playground, and any other activities the child is involved in. If parents don’t teach respect then children will not see the importance of respect. I have a family that I have grown to love at school. I have seen these boys turn into wonderful young men. Every morning when I see these boys they are so respectful and ask if they can help me. This is because of how importance respect is at home. I know that as these boys get older they will show the same respect to young women they date and eventually marry. Why, because their father has taught them to respect women.

So what are you teaching your children? I hope I have taught and will continue to teach the difference between right and wrong. I have tried to show them the importance of respect and why we should respect those around us. I am not a perfect parent but I know that it is my duty to do what is right for my own family but teaching your children to do what is right. They will hopefully become great citizens and community members.