This Little Light of Mine

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This idea of being a reflector in the classroom has been stuck on my mind. A couple of weeks ago I heard there was a Science experiment going on in Mr. A’s classroom so of course during my planning period I wanted to see what all the talk was about. The experiment was great and the kids were definitely intrigued but what stood out to me was the vocabulary. He was describing to the kids a specific element and how if something is shiny or reflective it has luster. So now not only do I want to be an amazing reflector of love and encouragement in the classroom, but I also want to be full of luster…if that makes any sense!

Within Teach for America we are always talking about this idea of transformational change. How do I take kids who have been labeled as “un-reachable” and transform them into incredible members of society. The sad and frustrating part is that I can’t transform every kid…and believe me I want to. If I could that would make me some sort of super hero which I would totally be okay with as long as the costume was legit!

Sometimes when I’m in my classroom and all my buttons have been pushed and the chaos begins to drown me I will start to sing a song in my head. I think back to when I was little and in Sunday school and I begin to sing to myself, “This little light of mine…I’m gunna let it shine…This little light of mine…I’m gunna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.” Of course I know that its not “my” light that is shining but the light that shines from my faith and my belief in these kids. It brings me back to reality and reminds of the promise I made my kids and myself that while I was in the classroom I would give them 100% of my energy and attention. This means making sure that the light I am “reflecting” is positive. These kids see enough negativity outside my classroom walls. Ephesians 2:10  ^“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Speaking of my classroom walls I think someone posted on Facebook to come visit my classroom this week. It felt like my kids and I were on display for investors, the Principle and the CEO of my school all week. I began to feel like what was once my space and my four walls to be my crazy self in was now a revolving door. It’s funny how my protective mamma bear comes out when the Principle brings people into observe my classroom and my teaching. One, I can feel the tension in the room as the kids stare at me to gage my reaction. Two I only have limited time with my students so in my head I’m screaming get out of my office I have work to do! On Tuesday alone I had 4 different groups come to observe my classroom.

Favorite moments of the week would have to be Thursday and Friday. I am finishing teaching my students about the “Gilded Age” the period from 1865-1900. We ended the week by talking about the rise of Labor Unions. It couldn’t have been a more perfect time to bring in a current event and show the students that unions are still active and people are still protesting. We looked at a video about the Teacher’s Strike in Chicago and how this strike surrounded a bigger issue: Education Reform. I think it was neat for the students to be able to connect something from the past to something in the present. I included some photos of my students working on their class project!

Testing the Water

This past week in United States History we studied the founding documents and discussed how America became an independent country. The hard part about teaching history is that a lot of the material requires the students to understand a lot of concept.  The best way for me to teach them over 500 years worth of history is to break it down as much as possible and to also find a way to apply it to their everyday lives. I think the day they and I both enjoyed this week was Thursday. I had the desk separated in to 6 groups with 4 group members. I wrote out six different real life scenarios concerning the Bill of Rights (The first ten amendments). For example " Jose’s grandfather has a collection of antique rifles, shotguns, and handguns. He keeps them in a safe in the house. His neighbor is afraid of guns and calls and reports Jose’s grandfather to the police. Can he be arrested for having the guns?" This one always gets the conversation going for two reason: obviously Texas is a big gun state and my students like to make it clear that they really appreciate their second amendment right. It's awesome to see them actually have a conversation with their classmates. It also proves to them how neat it is that we are able to study a document over 200 years old that still plays a part in our actual lives. In one class we even got into a discussion about gun control and whether we should have stricter gun laws. I know…It is only week two and we are already having class discussion...I am super proud!

I am currently the Social Studies Department Head at my school. Believe me I did not receive this position because of my vast years of experience in teaching or knowledge of History. Let's be real…I barely have one year under my belt but since I was the only Social Studies teacher that my school kept from last year the position became mine. It comes with no increase in pay and additional work. Yippie!

This week has also been all about the students seeing what they can get away with...aka "testing the water". They know teachers are human and they want to see what buttons they can push and how I will react. One of the hardest things I had to work on my first year of teaching was controlling the tone in my voice. This was difficult. I am a very happy and fun loving person but I did inherit a bit of temper and when a student pushes my buttons I literally have to make a conscious decision in my head to STOP remain calm and speak in my normal teaching voice. Proverbs 15: 18 "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention"

In every situation there is a common rule to follow always do what will De-escalate the situation. Whether it is two female students who may look at each other and start a verbal fight (I've learned that girls always go for the other girls weave) or two boys ready to show who is dominate you learn that you have to remain calm. It is a skill that that can't be taught I think it must be learned through experience. The hard part is dealing with the emotion that follows an intense encounter with students. Sometimes I cannot stop laughing other times its end with me in tears or on occasion a combination of both.

My mom always says that I'm a horrible liar because I wear all my emotion in my eyes. She says my eyes tell it all...I think my students would agree with her. Why are moms always right? I had a reminder this week that life is so precious and it really put things into perspective for me. Yes, I have great days in the classroom and I have frustrating days in the classroom, but at the end of the day I need to constantly remind myself how truly blessed I really am. I was so fortunate to be able to spend time with family in Dallas this weekend. I have an amazing family who has put up with my craziness and loves me unconditionally. Not to mention the caring and generous friends who put up with me on a daily basis. As always it has been a challenging week but I know that my purpose is to serve these students as best I can. Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."