Check In Time...

As the year progresses, seemingly way too fast, it is time to check in! As a teacher I am happy to chat with parents, I enjoy corresponding with them (unlike some teachers). I think I provide way too much information but because the parents are away from their children for so long, they like way too much information!

But this time of checking in is a time to discuss parental concerns about school, home life, ask questions etc. But it is also a time for teachers to do the same: discuss concerns, progress thus far and to brainstorm with the parents if needed.

So parents, please do not be alarmed when a teachers requests a "check in" meeting. This is for your benefit alone!.
As a side note, here is this months bulletin board:
Its a combination of teacher work and student work!

Off and Running Really FAST!!!

You are most likely aware that the school year has already begun. For me, the title describes it best, it is off and running really fast! Once the children's feet hit the carpet of their new classroom for the first time, it doesn't slow down until after Christmas...

Growth:
Change and growth as an individual is tremendously important to me. But as a teacher, I feel like it keeps me current, renews my passion and it keeps me going with all of the things that are on my to-do list. So this year, my change or growth is that I am starting community outreach for my preschool classroom. I have been taught that you always give back, so I would like for my classroom and prayerfully the school that I am at to have a presence in the community. Now by the definition of community, we are reaching far beyond that. However, things in our community are not exactly age-appropriate for my class. However, we are still in our state and we are doing wonderful things. We have 3 community outreach projects for this school year; 2 that we rotate by month and one we complete monthly.

Rotating monthly, we will send either cards or banners to John Hopkins Hospital the children's cancer wing or to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Our one true "community" outreach project will be monthly and that is making lunches for the Light House Shelter.

For my three year olds, this will build the foundation that they will need to the thoughtful individuals that will grow up to be adults that will seek opportunities to give back to their community.

My hope for the school is that more people will see that although this is a big commitment, it is worth it. There are people who need our help, especially now with the state of the American people help is needed more than ever.

4 Weeks and Counting...

Excitement. Nervousness. Jittery. Ready to get started!

These are all of the emotions that I am feeling with four weeks left of summer vacation. As a Teacher I get this way. But even as an Assistant Teacher I was the same way. I don't like this haze period of waiting to get into the classroom and get things moving.

Again this year I am moving into a new classroom.(this is not my classroom)

So I have to get in that classroom and move things around 1700 times before they are in a semi-permanent position. However, that never lasts long because I am always self evaluating and reflecting which is portrayed in my classroom and hopefully in my children. I am constantly asking the WHY? questions that teachers have been urged and educated not too.

However, I think the reflection piece is so important for young people. The ability to think within yourself, to recognize mistakes, to question yourself of "why did I do that?" or "Why did that happen?" AND more importantly "How can I fix it?" or "How can I overcome this?" is an important life lesson that should be taught and learned.

Unfortunately, the alternative is generations of little people, growing up to be big people without the ability to:
1. Look within themselves to evaluate their other possibilities
2. To learn from what went well and to produce more of it
3. To peel away the layers of actions that didn't go so well and to believe in yourself enough to try out similar situations to gain different outcomes.

BUT I DIGRESS!

Getting back to the subject at hand...

Praise God, this year I will have the only 3 year old classroom and the classroom is already FULL! That is such a blessing. It is so hard to establish routines in the classroom only to have 2 or 3 more children to come in and need those routines established. But thank God the classroom is full, I have Mrs. Linda as my Assistant and I believe all will be well.

Hard Truths...

Tough love is about to commence in 3..2..1..

Unfortunately developmental, physical and emotional delays are apart of the global misfortunes that people become victims of. I, in no way, shape or form would ever wish any of these ailments on anyone.

However, God has placed capable people in your path to provide parents and other family members guidance and insight on things that seem off, awry, or things in need of fine tuning with your children.

In English: Teachers are trained and equipped to recognize areas of concern withing your children. They are with your children -in most cases- for more hours than the parents are during the week, definately during the day. They have built relationships with your family (or they should be or should have)and are well-educated with the age and developmental stages of the age groups that they are teaching.

The Bottom Line:
Teachers are parents' first line of defense. They are on the front lines in each families war on the best education for their children. So seek the information that they have for you. Pick their brains, discuss anything that you may find questionable and be proactive about the situation; prayfully before there is a situation.

Please, if you feel the need, seek the professional expertise of a second opinion however, please do not disregard the professional opinion of the teacher that has worked seemingly tirelessly with your child as well as your family for some one who evaluated your child through either a series of one on one test or though five minutes of adult interaction. Dig deeper and resolve the deeper issues not just dissolving the debris on the surface.

**My sincere prayer is that this ranting really helps a parent, another family member or even a friend of the family find the answers or even some resources to put them on the path to the answers that they need.**

**Continuing that same prayer, I pray that this ranting renews the passion within that weary teacher that is short on patients and big on issues, that is questioning the zest that he/she has for the job that they do so well** Keep on keeping on!!!

What do Teachers do in the summer?

Teaching three year old children you learn not to be surprised by the questions that you are asked as this age group is naturally inquisitive.

As a circle time conversation, I asked the children "What will you do during your Summer break?" After they supplied their fun answers a child turned to me and said "Ms. Tomika what will you do in the summer?" -I had to construct a fun answer (which I will include at the end) but this is what a Teacher does during the summer.

Hopefully most Teachers are enjoying lots of down time. Fun at the beach, fun with the family etc. However, in my experience, it is not always fun and games for teacher. Here are a few things that I will be working on during my summer break.

1. Organization:
During the school year I try to stay organized but the days fly by really fast. So during the summer when you have some down time or for me, before my true vacation time starts, I organize.

2. Clean
Organizing and cleaning are similar but very different. In a classroom, cleaning means sanitizing, removing unwanted items, recycling other teachers unwanted items into my classroom.

3. Planning, Planning, Planning...
I am a planner. So I am always thinking what to do ahead of time. Getting a head start on my planning will help me once the school year creeps closer and closer. I try to plan The First 6 weeks of school which will allow me plenty of time once school starts to plan ahead.

4. Execution
Weeks before children arrive, Teachers are arranging the classroom and rearranging to make the space perfect for the children and their families that will be arriving soon.


Now as you know I didn't tell the child who asked me about my summer break plans all of this so I stuck to the fun plans of hanging by the beach, in the pool and with my family- which are all in the plans but the not so fun stuff is the more pressing info for me.
As a teacher or educator, how do you handle all of your teacher responsibilities and summer time fun during the summer?

Summer Fun

Parents across our nation have been thinking about this for months. Some have acted on it but others, procrastonators haven't and are looking for some professional input. Well, here is some information for the parents who are clueless to what to do with their children during the summer.

To start, Parents please remember that children are people too. They have hectic schedules (for thier little bodies) and they need some down time too. From cheerleading practice to soccer practice from visiting Grandparents to play dates with neighbors, our children need their rest but they also need their fun and down/relaxing time. In looking for a summer camp or summer activities, try to remember when you were a child and what was fun for you.

1. Look for places that offer a balance.
If acedemics are important to you and you believe that there should be a continuation of acedemics over the summer, please be sure that there is a balance. I personally believe that there should be acedemics throughout the summer. So find a way to balance it and you will have a happy camper.

2. The Full fledged summer
Allow the children to enjoy thier summer; I mean really enjoy the summer. No homework, different experiences throughout the summer with family and friends.

3.Acedemic Camps
Camps that specialize in acedemics but offer something fun such as robotics (math) or geology (social studies) technology etc. Along with acedemics, these camps usually offer swimming or something else fun. (back to the balance)

These choices are very good for children but also quite expensive for the parents. There are fun, low cost even free activities that children can enjoy.

Girl scouts and boy scouts offer wonderful summer activities, there are volunteer opportunities and every child enjoys swimming or a picnic in the park.

I hope this helps, please leave a comment to let me know as well as for any questions you may have.

A Spring Cleaning

As you have already noticed, I have changed the look and dispersed of the clutter on my blog...My Spring cleaning...I appologize for leaving my followers high and dry without a entry since January. But its a new day and there is more to come!

Happy Spring Almost Summer!