Had a parent call me last night conversation:
Parent: Ms Gerlach, my son C tells me he's only allowed to use the restroom 2 times a trimester and accordingly wet himself at home because he didn't want a demerit, i feel like that is not right".
Me: I think he misunderstood.
2 times a trimester=emergency restroom
6 times per day = reality (in certain times)
But I guess I got some point across?
Friday, September 2, 2011
WOW I can't believe we've done it!
Week 1 at my new school.. over
They said students in this city can't stay silent at breakfast/lunch...they did it
They said students in this city are bound to talk back...they're refraining
They said students in this city won't do their homework... they are
They said attendance in this city is poor...over 95% every day
They said parents in this city don't care...phone calls every night
They said things in this city are hopeless...they are not
They said students in this city are bound to drop out of hs and not go to college...these will
I'll be honest... parts of me definitely believed a lot of the above... the beliefs and ideas that people have held about students in this city, a city that has a "failing education system" and has had one for years.
I didn't think this week would go so smoothly, but today after seeing our children chant
"Where are you headed-COLLEGE! Will you succeeed-YES! When you succeed what will you do?-Change history give back to our community!"
I knew that we were on the right path!
That doesn't mean we haven't had struggles, Oh we've had struggles! The kids are starting to test us, to see if we're real. For some it's very difficult staying in their seat, and not talking out of turn is like torture. But they're doing it!
Do we have a ways to go? Most definitely. But ALL the hard work we've put in, the long hours, the month of PD have shown, and in a big way!
One of our students came to school today after being shot at the night before at a gas station, and spending the majority of the night in the hospital ER. When asked if he was sure he could be at school, if he wanted to go home he said
"Nothing stands between me and college".
If that doesn't say something I don't know what does.
Needles to say I'm inspired :) and ready for a great year!
They said students in this city can't stay silent at breakfast/lunch...they did it
They said students in this city are bound to talk back...they're refraining
They said students in this city won't do their homework... they are
They said attendance in this city is poor...over 95% every day
They said parents in this city don't care...phone calls every night
They said things in this city are hopeless...they are not
They said students in this city are bound to drop out of hs and not go to college...these will
I'll be honest... parts of me definitely believed a lot of the above... the beliefs and ideas that people have held about students in this city, a city that has a "failing education system" and has had one for years.
I didn't think this week would go so smoothly, but today after seeing our children chant
"Where are you headed-COLLEGE! Will you succeeed-YES! When you succeed what will you do?-Change history give back to our community!"
I knew that we were on the right path!
That doesn't mean we haven't had struggles, Oh we've had struggles! The kids are starting to test us, to see if we're real. For some it's very difficult staying in their seat, and not talking out of turn is like torture. But they're doing it!
Do we have a ways to go? Most definitely. But ALL the hard work we've put in, the long hours, the month of PD have shown, and in a big way!
One of our students came to school today after being shot at the night before at a gas station, and spending the majority of the night in the hospital ER. When asked if he was sure he could be at school, if he wanted to go home he said
"Nothing stands between me and college".
If that doesn't say something I don't know what does.
Needles to say I'm inspired :) and ready for a great year!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A new Year, New Posts :)
So, this year I'm embarking on a journey in a new charter school of Kansas City, funded by a very prestigious organization. I'm both excited, intimidated and scared at the expectations and results that all figure we will achieve. The school is set up after high-performing charter schools all over the country with a 7-5 school day for students, including science, reading, writing, math, history and P.E everyday. I will teach history.
I think those of us who are working there are hoping that the school will be outside the norm of what many Kansas City schools have become, and we are hoping that it will show the city that all students can learn, and in big ways. We're hoping it will be sustainable for us and for our students so that they all graduate from college.
Even though I have finished my Teach for America commitment, and was expecting that that would be some of the toughest times I've had in teaching, I think this year will definitely present its own challenges.
I'm excited though, to embark on this adventure with amazing colleagues, some who I have known for several year, even lived with. The year will be exciting for us, two of us engaged,one newly married, and others who are experiencing their own excitement.
I hope to be more consistent with my blogging this year, and hope that I can also keep it more sin typos (I'm still thinking in Spanish).
So, the year will begin August 1st, kids come August 29th. For the next week I'm just going to relax after a summer of writing curriculum and planning for the new year. That way I'll be refreshed and ready to begin :)
I think those of us who are working there are hoping that the school will be outside the norm of what many Kansas City schools have become, and we are hoping that it will show the city that all students can learn, and in big ways. We're hoping it will be sustainable for us and for our students so that they all graduate from college.
Even though I have finished my Teach for America commitment, and was expecting that that would be some of the toughest times I've had in teaching, I think this year will definitely present its own challenges.
I'm excited though, to embark on this adventure with amazing colleagues, some who I have known for several year, even lived with. The year will be exciting for us, two of us engaged,one newly married, and others who are experiencing their own excitement.
I hope to be more consistent with my blogging this year, and hope that I can also keep it more sin typos (I'm still thinking in Spanish).
So, the year will begin August 1st, kids come August 29th. For the next week I'm just going to relax after a summer of writing curriculum and planning for the new year. That way I'll be refreshed and ready to begin :)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Test Scores-indication of success?
I can not believe I have slacked as much as I have on my blog, but what can I say, things have been busy!
Where to start? Well first I love being with my students, every day is a challenge, I want to pull my hair out more often than I'd like to admit, and there are so many frustrating aspects of this job, but somehow in the end I keep coming back day after day, putting in 200%, loving my kids and wanting them to succeed.
With all the changes in the district (new superintendent, new curriculum, new expectations, etc) there have been many changes in my school. I have noticed a change in all staff, one of more content/happy to a more stressed/on edge staff. Principals, coaches, and teachers are all quick to bite, and feeling the pressure that is being put on us, which we in turn are putting on our kids. It's kind of nuts to think that everything a child can learn can be measured on one end of the year assessment, that will either make or break the student, teachers, principal and school.
Just today I got back some scores for our Predictive test, that will tell us "how are students are doing" and "how well they will do on the test". It is to not only measure our students growth and knowledge, but often times feels like it is also a judgment on us as teachers. That being said, I was extremely disappointed when my students scores instead of going up, went down. So technically, according to this tests, my students have essentially gotten dumber, and it is my and my principals fault for this to occur.
While these were my first thoughts, that I will admit first led to tears, they were then followed by a more logical thought process. "No, you know you're students have made gains. G-can now read in both Spanish and English on a 2.5 level! A-is writing more and more everyday Y-actually knows words in English J-is asking to read books in all her free time, T- is asking me if he can show me what he has learned. I KNOWWWW that even though it is state-mandated coming from the central government that we take these tests, they are not indicative of my students full knowledge.
They are however indicative of a few things:
a. Our school's test scores are honest, we did not fudge the results.
b. We are not "Teaching to a test" and while we may not get results on a standardized test because we have not spent all our time teaching testing strategies, our students are still learning.
c. maybe the way we are teaching is not useful for the way we are being measured.
d. maybe they way we are being measured is not useful for the way we should be teaching.
This is not to be said to complain of the district, or my school, but more of a reflection to think about my teaching practices and what is expected of my students and I. I know that I will continue to put 200% for my babies, and that no matter what a test score says I KNOW my students are learning. I see it everyday in their critical thinking skills, their love of reading, their continuous questioning and giving explanations and their joy in being at school. I will not let what a test score says affect my passion towards this profession and will continue to give my all for my 50 students.
Where to start? Well first I love being with my students, every day is a challenge, I want to pull my hair out more often than I'd like to admit, and there are so many frustrating aspects of this job, but somehow in the end I keep coming back day after day, putting in 200%, loving my kids and wanting them to succeed.
With all the changes in the district (new superintendent, new curriculum, new expectations, etc) there have been many changes in my school. I have noticed a change in all staff, one of more content/happy to a more stressed/on edge staff. Principals, coaches, and teachers are all quick to bite, and feeling the pressure that is being put on us, which we in turn are putting on our kids. It's kind of nuts to think that everything a child can learn can be measured on one end of the year assessment, that will either make or break the student, teachers, principal and school.
Just today I got back some scores for our Predictive test, that will tell us "how are students are doing" and "how well they will do on the test". It is to not only measure our students growth and knowledge, but often times feels like it is also a judgment on us as teachers. That being said, I was extremely disappointed when my students scores instead of going up, went down. So technically, according to this tests, my students have essentially gotten dumber, and it is my and my principals fault for this to occur.
While these were my first thoughts, that I will admit first led to tears, they were then followed by a more logical thought process. "No, you know you're students have made gains. G-can now read in both Spanish and English on a 2.5 level! A-is writing more and more everyday Y-actually knows words in English J-is asking to read books in all her free time, T- is asking me if he can show me what he has learned. I KNOWWWW that even though it is state-mandated coming from the central government that we take these tests, they are not indicative of my students full knowledge.
They are however indicative of a few things:
a. Our school's test scores are honest, we did not fudge the results.
b. We are not "Teaching to a test" and while we may not get results on a standardized test because we have not spent all our time teaching testing strategies, our students are still learning.
c. maybe the way we are teaching is not useful for the way we are being measured.
d. maybe they way we are being measured is not useful for the way we should be teaching.
This is not to be said to complain of the district, or my school, but more of a reflection to think about my teaching practices and what is expected of my students and I. I know that I will continue to put 200% for my babies, and that no matter what a test score says I KNOW my students are learning. I see it everyday in their critical thinking skills, their love of reading, their continuous questioning and giving explanations and their joy in being at school. I will not let what a test score says affect my passion towards this profession and will continue to give my all for my 50 students.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Year is Definitely Rolling
WOW I can't believe how quickly time flies nad how buy I always seem to be. Somehow it's already October!
Year 2 BY FAR way easier then year 1, however, still teaching is definitely a tough job! IT's "DARK OCTObER" when the honeymoon period of the beginning of the year is over and it becomes real that there are no days off for quite a while.
I'm LOVING My kids and having the same group of students! i have quite a few new ones (i get new kids every day) but they are all for the most part meshing quite well.
I started out with 21 kids on one roster and 22 on the other and we're up to 26, 26. Granted most of these kids , well ALL are native Spanish speakers so that's making my job of teaching them in Spanish all the more easier. For example, I got a new girl today from Cuba, who doesn't speak a word of English, great for me, hard for the English teacher. (She's teaching math/reading this year, i'm teaching science/ss/reading)
Our new school is WONDERFUL we just got a new playground the rooms are bigger nad cleaner and everything is on one floor. The neighborhood is in the "Murder Factory" zipcode, but I really feel quite comfortable in my school and gettting there. THe neighbors are all quite friendly and it really feels like a safe place.
I'm glad to be working w/ the same staff and adminstration, even though all of us have been a bit cranker some with intense expectations from the district (which is a good thing), people being out ( i had 40 kids for a good 1.5 weeks while the other 4the grade teacher was out sick, subs don't really exist in the district). But I think things are really shaping up.
We're really being held accountable this year, and ironically half the things we are being told we "have to do" a. either make sense or b. i'm already being told to do by teach for america.
So all in all i'm actualy quite content. THat doesn't mean that the constant work, geting on kids, grad school half my life isn't stressing me out, but overall i'm quite happy and the year is QUITE a bit easier than last year. It's amazing what "street cred" being a 2nd year teacher gives to students at the school who know and respect you.
Year 2 BY FAR way easier then year 1, however, still teaching is definitely a tough job! IT's "DARK OCTObER" when the honeymoon period of the beginning of the year is over and it becomes real that there are no days off for quite a while.
I'm LOVING My kids and having the same group of students! i have quite a few new ones (i get new kids every day) but they are all for the most part meshing quite well.
I started out with 21 kids on one roster and 22 on the other and we're up to 26, 26. Granted most of these kids , well ALL are native Spanish speakers so that's making my job of teaching them in Spanish all the more easier. For example, I got a new girl today from Cuba, who doesn't speak a word of English, great for me, hard for the English teacher. (She's teaching math/reading this year, i'm teaching science/ss/reading)
Our new school is WONDERFUL we just got a new playground the rooms are bigger nad cleaner and everything is on one floor. The neighborhood is in the "Murder Factory" zipcode, but I really feel quite comfortable in my school and gettting there. THe neighbors are all quite friendly and it really feels like a safe place.
I'm glad to be working w/ the same staff and adminstration, even though all of us have been a bit cranker some with intense expectations from the district (which is a good thing), people being out ( i had 40 kids for a good 1.5 weeks while the other 4the grade teacher was out sick, subs don't really exist in the district). But I think things are really shaping up.
We're really being held accountable this year, and ironically half the things we are being told we "have to do" a. either make sense or b. i'm already being told to do by teach for america.
So all in all i'm actualy quite content. THat doesn't mean that the constant work, geting on kids, grad school half my life isn't stressing me out, but overall i'm quite happy and the year is QUITE a bit easier than last year. It's amazing what "street cred" being a 2nd year teacher gives to students at the school who know and respect you.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Nervous/Excited
Ok. second time writing this post thanks to blogger erasing it the first time.
So i'll be brief because I'm lazy. I"m just excited for this year to start! Nervous though because I know what to expect and I know what I want my class to look like (and what I DONT want to do thanks to last year!)
My classroom is pretty much setup with some great stuff i didn't have last year, 3 computers, a writing workshop station, a small group instruction center, cubbies... it's looking good! If I can get some 10's to paint it it'll be good to go! :)
But at the same point i'm very scared.... I know there are so many mistakes I made last year as a first year teacher and I want to do everything perfect this year which is of course impossible, but i'm going to try :)
i'm excited that school is starting at 7:30 and ending at 2:30 b/c i'll actually have time to do stuff AFTER school this year and maybe feel like a human being? ( a little bit?)
We shall definitely see but regardless I think it's going to be a great year. I'm once again soo happy to have my staff and prinicpal and think we will blow the district out of hte water with our results. The curriculum the district is creating seems great, HOPEFULLY we'll get it soon, and be able to use that in our planning. Regardless things seem to be going in the right direction and I know we're going to take hte nation by surprise!
EXciTED For year 2010/2011
So i'll be brief because I'm lazy. I"m just excited for this year to start! Nervous though because I know what to expect and I know what I want my class to look like (and what I DONT want to do thanks to last year!)
My classroom is pretty much setup with some great stuff i didn't have last year, 3 computers, a writing workshop station, a small group instruction center, cubbies... it's looking good! If I can get some 10's to paint it it'll be good to go! :)
But at the same point i'm very scared.... I know there are so many mistakes I made last year as a first year teacher and I want to do everything perfect this year which is of course impossible, but i'm going to try :)
i'm excited that school is starting at 7:30 and ending at 2:30 b/c i'll actually have time to do stuff AFTER school this year and maybe feel like a human being? ( a little bit?)
We shall definitely see but regardless I think it's going to be a great year. I'm once again soo happy to have my staff and prinicpal and think we will blow the district out of hte water with our results. The curriculum the district is creating seems great, HOPEFULLY we'll get it soon, and be able to use that in our planning. Regardless things seem to be going in the right direction and I know we're going to take hte nation by surprise!
EXciTED For year 2010/2011
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