Year Two Down - Lessons Learned from Teaching So Far!

I just finished my second year teaching third grade at a title I school in Florida. Craziness! My mom taught for 30 years, and I spent countless summer days and afternoons in her classroom while growing up. I watched her spend Sunday afternoons working on lesson plans for the upcoming week. I watched her invest so much of her own money to make her classroom a home away from home or buying materials to make lessons more engaging. I watched her connect with students and have them come back years later to tell her of her impact. I grew up in the shadow of an incredible teacher, and saw all of the difficulties of public education firsthand. But, nothing can fully prepare you for what it's like to be a public school teacher until you have your own classroom and you are the one responsible for those students walking in each morning.

I'll never be a first year or a second year teacher again, and the fact that I've packed up my classroom and I'm getting ready to close out this season in Florida that jump started my career blows my mind. There have been days where I have left my classroom so frustrated that I chose teaching, and other days where I couldn't wait to tell my mom or Alex about what happened at school and how much I enjoyed teaching that day.

Before I start my third year in third grade (but in a new state!), I want to make sure I reflect on some of the lessons I've learned during my first two years. Maybe a student teacher will read this or someone who is spending his or her summer dreaming and preparing about the group of students that will enter their first classroom ever in August. Either way, here's a glimpse into what I've learned during my first two years teaching.

1. Don't Compare Yourself to Others 

Ah man! This one is something that I think all teachers struggle with, but it can be especially debilitating for new teachers. You come out of college with a thousand different ideas and strategies that you want to implement. Your district will no doubt have new programs or assessments or whatever else that they're implementing. You will see ideas on Pinterest and teacher blogs that are phenomenal that you will want to implement right away. You will have veteran teachers on your grade level that are doing incredible things that you will want to make happen in your classroom too. As a new teacher, I have definitely struggled with wanting to be able to do it all, and then feeling defeated when my best efforts fell short and my classroom didn't look like so and so's or when my science block wasn't as "good" as the teacher bloggers. JUST STOP. One of the best pieces of advice I was given was to pick one thing at a time to become an "expert" on. Pick one aspect of your teaching that you really want to hone in on, and become really good at that before moving onto something else. Last year, I chose to become an "expert" on math small group instruction. Next year, I want to focus on integrating science and social studies into math and reading more. Never stop learning and growing as a teacher, but realize that comparing yourself to other teachers is a waste of time. You have a set of skills and strengths that are uniquely yours.

2. Don't Be Afraid to Ask Lots of Questions

How do I take attendance? What does DEA stand for? Where do my students go for rainy day dismissal? How do I look up STAR assessment data? What do I do to help a student who has TERRIBLE handwriting? What can I do to deal with a student with this type of behavior problem? How do I contact DCF about suspected abuse/neglect? You will have no less than a million questions throughout the year. Don't be afraid to ask them. Other teachers and people at your school are usually more than willing to help you in whatever ways they can. There was a time when they had to ask the same questions. It's how we learn. There is so much newness that comes with teaching, and you learn by asking questions.

3. Have Fun With Your Students 

There is plenty of time throughout the year when you're in "business" mode, so it is totally okay to take time to let them be kids. My kids love doing brain breaks (GoNoodle is the best!) throughout the day when we transition subjects. I always dance and sing along with my kids during the brain breaks. If you're using manipulatives (i.e. Geoboards) as part of a math lesson, give your kids a few minutes before you get started to "explore" and play with the materials. Plan lessons that are engaging and fun! Get your students up and moving frequently. Even if it's as simple as getting them up for 30 seconds to do jumping jacks or hopping like a frog. If I ask my kids what they remember about our year they often say things like "when we made ice cream!" or "when we had a rounding snowball fight" or "when we dabbed during a brain break!"

That one time I dressed up as Katniss for "Book Character Day." 

Brain breaks = awesome

Any lesson that is edible is a good one!

4. You Need a Personal Life

It's okay to turn off "teacher brain" on the weekends. In fact, you need this time! There are going to be times in the school year that are extra busy (back to school and February for some reason!) and require you to work extra on the weekends. But, for the most part, you NEED time to step away from thinking about teaching in order to really thrive when you are at school. Use your planning times efficiently so that you can take less work home with you.

5. It's All About Relationships 

Get to know your kids. Ask them questions about their home life. Find out what games they like to play or what shows they like to watch. Find out if they love Minecraft or Pokemon the most. Kids are forever telling stories so pay attention to their ramblings (at least some of the time, lol!) because they will teach you a lot about who that kid is beyond just being a student. Within appropriate bounds, open up and share about your personal life. Kids love to know what their teacher does outside of school. One of the coolest things this year was getting to share about my engagement with my kids because they had heard about Alex all year long. Being a teacher is so much more than just impacting their academic growth! You get to spend 180 days with them. Make them count.

One of the students that made my first year teaching so memorable!

One of the most fun days this year was when I got to bring Alex to work with me. My kids loved having him there

6. Always Look for How You Can Learn and Grow 

When a lesson goes wrong and then the fire drill goes off. When you get a complaint from a parent. When you get a new student in April that speaks zero English. When a student cries because a new concept is so challenging for her. When a student drops his pencil box and everything in it goes EVERYWHERE. When some sort of hot mess happens at dismissal and you end up crying in front of a grandparent.

Things are going to happen that no class in college could ever really prepare you for. One of the best things that my mom has done whenever I call to tell her these stories is to ask me "how can you learn from this?" Even in the situations where I'm frustrated and feel like I'm not in the wrong she'll have me reflect on how I can learn and grow from it. This has been huge! Everything that happens is meant to grow you as an educator and person. A fun bonus is that you can usually find some sort of meme or quote to relate to any situation that will make you laugh about the situation.

TRUTH.

ALSO TRUTH.

7. The Full Moon Effect is LEGIT

I don't know what it is, but there is something about kids' behavior when there is a full moon. Also, the craziness before Halloween, Christmas break, Valentine's Day, and spring break is unparalleled. I don't need to say much more other than that you can pretty much always tell when there is a full moon. You'll understand once you've been in the classroom!

8. You Are Never "Just a Teacher" 

Most people will never see how hard you work and all the hours that you put in, and that's okay, but don't fall into the trap of saying "I'm just a teacher." There is no one else that can teach those kids entrusted to you like you can! You will mess up and make mistakes. You will have to apologize to your kids sometimes. You will fulfill a million different roles (nurse, counselor, problem solver, organizer, etc.). You will learn and grow and be stretched more than you thought was possible. But, you will also get some things right and it will make your whole year when a parent tells you that this is the first year that her son has loved coming to school.

Now to enjoy the rest and relaxation of summer vacation, and to get recharged for starting year three in August! 

Teaching is… {Guest Post}

Good morning, sweet friends! I am SO excited to share with you a guest post on a topic that gets me fired up…being a Christian teacher in public education. It is my hope that Amanda's insight will encourage and challenge you.

When Samantha asked me to do a guest post about my experiences teaching I was thrilled. I have never done one before and the content is definitely something that needs to be heard. I prayed hard about what to say and how to share.

First a little background…

I am Amanda and I blog at life.faith.travels.love &food; blogging for me encompasses a lot. I love to write and to scrapbook so it’s somewhat that, but then I figured out that I do have a lot to share about teaching and my faith. I am now in my second year of teaching fifth grade and the school that I teach at is Title 1 [or for non-teachers, inner city- low income & low test scores]. Last year I really had no clue what I was getting myself into and this year my group would be your typical definition of inner city kids.

As Samantha has mentioned many times on her blog, teaching is so much more than being in the classroom. I actually wish my job was thinking of creative ways to deliver the content. Sadly, most days, lesson planning actually gets put on the back burner.

My job title is teacher but my job description cannot be put into so many words. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that most do not even see. There are meetings with other teachers to plan, trainings to make sure we are doing the right thing, testing to prove that we are teaching, paperwork again to prove we are teaching, meeting with parents to develop some sort of relationship (this is hard for me especially because most of the parents at my school hated school or just automatically assume a phone call is bad) so it’s my job to convince them to try to work with me for the benefit of their child. Then there is a lot that the government puts into place where depending on state/county can change, but politics will always be politics and I will just leave it at that.

Even though I just listed a huge list that could be discouraging, the one thing that I really do wish would change in our public school system was the view on Christ. I pray every morning on my way to school and every afternoon on my drive home for my students, the other teachers, and for myself to let God use me as his tool for that day. Instead of being able to teach about God’s love I have to show it.

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity… Titus 2:7

In my experience, with some students, they have never heard [or been shown] how to treat others with kindness and love. God has me going to battle every single day in my classroom without even being allowed to mention Him. I have to break down walls of children who have seen more in their short life than I would have ever thought a child would have to experience. They don’t know any other way and it constantly breaks my heart. I am their confidant when no one else will listen. I have to be strong with some of the stories I hear. I have to hold it together and teach them how to love one another as Christ loved us. I have to love them when all they want is to push me farther away with an attitude you would not believe.

Teaching is so much harder than I thought it would be. Yet, with all that being said I don’t even know if I could do anything else. I know I am where I am supposed to be, with the population I am supposed to be with. [yes, I do have extra paperwork because I am at a title 1 school]. I don’t know if I could teach at a “better” school as some have told me so it would be easier.

God didn’t intend for it to be easy or he wouldn’t have sacrificed his only son for Love.

I know this didn’t make teaching look glamorous and happy as most view it as but I do love it. I love seeing a child grow and learn how to interact with someone they thought they could never get along with. I love that moment when they “get it” and a student knows they have something to be proud of. I love the hugs I receive as I load them on the buses. I love sharing my life with children in hopes that through me they will see the Lord and come to know Him and have a relationship with Him despite the fact that it is “against the rules” in public school.

I believe that I am a teacher for a reason. I know I am good at it. I know I have a lot to learn. I trust that God has a plan for my students.

{Amanda and a few of her students last year}

My respect for Amanda continues to grow more and more as I get to know her heart. Teaching is one of the hardest jobs and I am grateful for how she provided a realistic perspective while still conveying her passion. Be sure to visit her blog and send some encouragement her way!

Where my heart is…

The first group of kids to capture my heart nearly three years ago.

Two summers from now I’ll hopefully be prepping and planning for my very own classroom. Woah! The classroom that will become a home away from home for a group of students. The privilege and responsibility of that is huge and is something that’s always in the back of my mind as I get closer to that classroom. I have no idea where I’ll be teaching. America or overseas? Private or public education? I just know that my heart is to be in the classroom. My passion for elementary education surprises me sometimes because I can truly say that I never dreamed of being a teacher. Now I can’t imagine pursuing anything else.

But there are moments when I question whether my passion for teaching will stand strong once I’m finally in my classroom and I have 20 faces looking to me day after day. As the daughter of a teacher, I know fully that teaching is so much more than just having a group of students sitting around your rocking chair during story time…

You have a group of very diverse students dependent on you. Students with a wide range of abilities and learning styles. Students that each come with very individual background stories and specific needs. The strengths and weaknesses represented in your classroom are limitless. Not to mention the disabilities that can be present and as the teacher you’re responsible for differentiating instruction so that every child learns the material. There are Common Core Standards that you’re responsible for having your kids master because they will be tested. And you will be judged as a teacher by how well or poorly your kids perform. Then there’s behavior management which is so critical and can be oh so challenging. You have some students that teach you more about patience than you ever wanted to learn.

On top of the teaching, you have faculty meetings, grade level meetings, bus duties, etc. There are days of professional development. You may sponsor a school club or be asked to organize the Relay for Life team at your school. You work to communicate with parents by making phone calls, setting up conferences, responding to emails. You work with the special education teachers to figure out ways to best help the students that you share. You’re an advocate for your students because sometimes you’re they only one willing to do so. As a teacher, you willingly spend your own money to make your classroom the best it can be. You spend your own money to buy supplies and activities to hopefully make learning fun and tangible for your kids. You get to school early to prep for the day and are often there long after the kids have gone home. You spend your Sunday evenings planning and weeknights grading. You wake up in the middle of the night worried about your student that doesn’t come from the happiest home.

I’ve barely scratched the surface but thoughts like these are what fill my mind as I work toward becoming a teacher. Even knowing the responsibilities that come with being a teacher, I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be. It will be one of the hardest things I ever do, but my heart is to be in the classroom. My heart is for the kids that will enter our classroom day after day. It’s my passion to keep growing and learning so one day I can be the kind of teacher they deserve.

My heart is in the classroom.

A little hard to read, but I’m so thankful for encouraging professors…”I tell ya Sam, kids who are assigned to your classroom are going to be very blessed indeed!”

If you’ve been around me for any short time it will be easy to see that my heart is to be in the classroom. I have a passion for teaching that continues to grow and gets me fired up. Ever since I first spent time with a class of second graders, education has buried itself deep in my heart. But here’s the thing about pursuing elementary education...it’s so much more than what people think. I’m not going into teaching because it’s easy and I get to “play with kids all day, I’m going into teaching because it’s going to be one of the hardest things I ever do and hopefully I’ll positively impact one of those kids’ lives that I’m with day after day.

I’m convinced that I’m meant to be a teacher and I’ll continue to pursue that wholeheartedly. I’ll be faithful to the calling that wedged itself in my heart.

P.S. To any teachers out there, you have my highest respect. Your job is the farthest thing from being easy, but you continue to pour yourself into your kids. In a society where teachers are generally undervalued, know that there are many others who do value you! I appreciate the example that you set for me and other future teachers. Thank you for walking into your classrooms day after day with passion and purpose!

Where It All Started…

My love of teaching, that is. I’m not the girl who grew up playing school or pretending that my stuffed animals were my students. I didn’t know from the first day of kindergarten that I wanted to be a teacher. I’m the daughter of a teacher, so I spent more than enough time in my mom’s classroom. When the school bell rang at the end of the day I wandered down to my mom’s room and spent time there long after the other students had gone home. There were lots of summer days that I accompanied her to school to help her prepare for the next year. I quickly became a pro at die-cuts, laminations, bulletin boards, etc. I saw how hard teachers worked first hand, and I didn’t want to go into that. So I thought. 

Now, fast forward to my senior year of high school. I had the opportunity to complete an externship. A certain number of seniors were allowed to leave school early each day to spend time in a job field that interested them. I liked the idea of leaving earlier each day so I applied and was accepted. I thought I wanted to extern at a non-profit organization, but I had trouble finding one. My mom had lots of connections with other teachers in the district, so I decided I would extern in a second grade class.

When August rolled around I contacted my mentor teacher to see if I could help out during the teacher work week. I spent a few afternoons getting to know her while we put the finishing touches on her classroom. I was even able to stay during orientation to meet “our” new second graders. The moment I met my first student, I was smitten. Their nervous and excited smiles warmed my heart, and I had no idea at the time how much these kids would become a part of my life.

When the school year started, I left half-way through the day and drove to the elementary school. Each day that I arrived I was welcomed by a chorus of “Miss Samanthas!” These lasted all year long and I loved it. I helped in any way that was needed whether that was stapling, grading, working with individuals or small groups, and so on. I also went on all the field trips throughout the year. I really treasured those days we were able to get out of the normal school environment.

Each afternoon that I spent with these second graders I learned more and more about them. I learned about their academic strengths and weaknesses. I learned what their favorite subjects were. I learned about who played soccer and who took dance classes. I learned about their family dynamics. It’s cliché to say, but the relationships I developed with these kids were priceless. I felt so privileged to watch them grown and change over the course of an entire school year. 

Slowly, education wedged a way into my heart that couldn’t be ignored. I NEVER thought that I would want to be a teacher, and I started to ask God whether He wanted me to pursue elementary education. I distinctly remember writing in my journal my hesitancy as to whether this was His plan or mine. Over the year, He confirmed multiple times that He was calling me to be a teacher. I just knew that this passion was from Him. I talked about my kids all. the. time. My friends heard more than enough stories and I came home every day to tell my parents about the world of second grade. One afternoon, my mom told me that my face lit up every time I talked about my kids and teaching. Her observation meant the world to me.

Throughout my first year in college, I was able to spend time in first, fourth, and sixth grade classrooms. My passion for education has continued to grow stronger and I genuinely love being the classroom. Everything within me knows that teaching will be one of the hardest things I ever do, but I’m meant to fulfill this calling. I’m so thankful that God chose me.

My sweet second graders...the first class to ever steal my heart.

What I Wish I’d Known From Year One

{First grade...1996-1997}

My mom just completed her 30th year teaching and I want to brag on her a little bit. Anyone who has spent time around a teacher knows how hard and long they work. There is so much more to the job than just spending your days with kids. My mom has poured herself  into her students over the past 30 years and I admire her more than she knows. I’ve grown up in her classroom and spent countless hours in the place that has been her home away from home. I've also had the joy of watching her in action many times where she transforms from "mama" to "Mrs. Shepherd." She has such a calm and loving presence as a teacher while maintaining a firm grasp on behavior management. There is no doubt that she was meant to be a teacher.

She spent the majority of her 30 years in the primary grades until she decided to take on middle school the last four years.

She has taught:

3 years of pre-k {2 of which were ESE}

5 years of kindergarten

15 years of first grade

3 years of second grade

2 years of 6th, 7th, 8th grade reading {ESE}

2 years of 6th grade language arts

{Second grade...she was pregnant with me here!}

I find myself going to her all the time for advice and questions about teaching. I love hearing her stories and soaking up the wisdom she has. I asked her to share what she wish she had known from year one. Here is what she said:

1. Keep a journal of all the funny things your students say and do.  You can pull this out when you're having a stressful or rough day to remind you why you went into teaching...the kids.

2. Have a set time for schoolwork each day (you NEED a personal life).  This becomes even more important when you're married and/or have children! It's okay to stay late one or two days a week, but have a set time to leave the other days and stick to it.

3. Be open to teaching a different grade level (you may love it!). I spent many years in the primary grades and was hesitant to teach the upper grades. When I moved to middle school, I discovered that I loved the older kids just as much as the little ones. I wish I had tried 3rd, 4th, or 5th...I would have loved it.

4. Understand that even the best teachers will occasionally be criticized by a parent. There will be many parents that encourage you, but you won't always "jive" with every single one. Know that this happens to the best of teachers!

5. Know that God gave you that challenging student to teach you something. They will stretch you and test you, but you will also learn from them.

{Second grade...I absolutely adore this picture.}

I can't wait until my mom can help me in my classroom! I'm sure she will see many of her strategies utilized in my classroom that I've learned from her over the years. After all, they do say "like mother, like daughter."

Why I Want To Be a Teacher

My favorite class of second graders from my externship.

There are a multitude of responses I receive when I tell someone that I am an elementary education major. Some are encouraging and supportive while others assume that I do not know what I am getting myself into. Regardless of the response I receive, the smile on my face grows wider each time I proclaim that I am going to be a teacher. I believe wholeheartedly that teaching is a calling, and that God has created me to be a teacher.

My deepest desire is for the children in my classroom to know their immense worth and that there is at least one person in the world who believes in them. As much as I want to be a part of my students’ academic growth, I equally want to influence their emotional and social growth. I want to laugh with my students and be their biggest encourager. I want them to leave my classroom knowing that they do matter.

Most of all, I want to love on my kids…even when they test me and seem unlovable. Every day my students will stretch and challenge me, and when I'm overwhelmed I will remember just how much patience and grace God has lavished upon me. I realize that I may be their only example of Jesus, and with that comes a tremendous privilege and responsibility.

My dreams and expectations are huge, but I am not naive. I understand that there are numerous problems and headaches that come with being in the system of education today. From the alarming attrition rate of teachers, to lack of parent involvement, to the decreased funding for education, and so on. Being an educator’s daughter, I have been exposed to the education system all of my life, and have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Each year, I witness the trials and frustrations that my mom experiences, but I also see the triumphs and immeasurable joy that far exceed the difficulties. Even though educators are facing more issues than ever in the past, my love for teaching continues to grow stronger.

Simply put, education is my passion and my heart longs to be in the classroom. In Mark 9:37, the Lord said, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” Each morning that I receive my students into my classroom, I know that I will be fulfilling His purpose for me.