Commitment

Any student with enough commitment can graduate high school.  They may have to be willing to put in extra work and many hours of homework for some, but anyone can graduate if they are

committed to do so.  But how much easier is it if everyone is committed to that student and every student graduating.  The student can have fewer hurdles if others around them are also committed to them graduating.  If the parents are committed and at a young age stress the importance of an education.   If they also make regular school attendance a value and a habit at a young age.  Parents need to support their child’s efforts by expressing how proud they are of their children.  But is also is not all on the parent’s shoulders. 

School boards should be committed to making decisions that will benefit the students.  They are in the situation that they make decisions based on the student body as a whole and rarely make decisions based on individual students but their decisions to make an impact on the student and how successful they will be at hitting their graduation goal.  Administrators must do their part in the commitment process as well.  Superintendents must be committed to making decisions that are in the best interest of the students.  Building principals have more connections with the students than other administrators so their commitment is more personal.  Principals need to have the time to get to know the student.  Their commitment needs to include the student’s background, goals and history.  Sometimes they need to be committed to working outside the box to benefit the student.

But when it comes down to it high school teachers spend at least 45 minutes a day with a student and therefore see the individual student more than other staff.  Therefore, teachers must always be committed to their students.  That commitment must be part of their job every day.  Teachers must always be prepared for class and make sure lessons are understood by all, as well as communicating with parents.  Teachers need to be committed to making sure students understand that you are on their side, you want them to be successful.  Students need a teacher or staff member they can go to when they need advice or help with a problem.  You cannot teach a student that comes to class hungry everyday yet a teacher or staff member may be able to solve the problem and allow student to learn.  The student may need extra help or tutoring to understand the concepts better and quicker.  If a teacher is able to do that for the student, the student’s graduation goal will be easier for them.  Many times a student may have much bigger issues at work blocking their graduation goals.  Some students do not have committed parents, some have parents that work a lot of hours to make ends meet, some are homeless and others fight depression and anxiety issues.  If a student has just one teacher or staff member they can go to and share these struggles, that person may be able to help, or just listen or direct them to resources or specialists that can assist them with these serious issues.

If a student wishes to graduate, they must be committed to doing the work to earn the diploma.  We need to also remember that when it comes down to it, I will quote Hillary Clinton “It takes a village to raise a child” likewise it takes a village, or an entire school staff and parents, to be committed to a student’s graduation if the student is going to reach their goals without excessive stress added to their life.

Thanks to Jeremy, one of my students, for suggesting this topic.

A Teacher's Summer

My Summer Lunch Series!

Summers off, nothing to do.  Most good teacher laugh at comments like that.  Summer is a fantastic time to educate, re-energize and pre-plan.  I always look forward to several conferences that I attend and many times present, for opportunities to network with other education professionals as well as learn new technology and teaching techniques. Some of these conferences waive registration fees if you present.  This is one way to contradict district cuts for professional development. especially if it is a local conference that does not require hotel expenses.  I realize many learn a lot through PLN on social media, or youtube or other online options but I still need those live conferences to re-energize my teaching passion.  Speaking of re-energizing, by the end of May some of the negatives in education can get you down, paperwork, jumping through hoops that don't really help students, unmotivated students, but summer gives me time to forget that.  I like to spend the summer cleaning my rose-colored glasses and focus on the good in education like students that I will never forget, improving lessons or classes, helping struggling students and watching students learn and mature.  I spend a lot of time in the summer cleaning and reorganizing my classroom.  There is always a stack on good notes, thank you notes, and memories that need to be added to the memory book.  I also have new ideas for FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and set up some meetings with my officers.  I will research new teaching techniques and find ways to implement them in my classes as well as doing some reflection on my classes and fix any lessons that need improvement.
I look forward to spending some time with those that I wish I made more time for during the school year.  I call it my Summer Lunch Series.  I have lunch with wonderful people, one at a time, to reconnect and laugh.  I enjoy lunch with my children (well, they are actually adults but...) my sisters and brothers, colleagues, friends, nieces, nephews, and former students.  

Grand kids are a joy!

My advise to teachers, refill your bucket.  If that means catching up on housework, reading your book list, or spending time with family and friends, but take some time to plan and re-energize for next school year.  It will make you a better teacher.

Attending Extra-Curricular Events

Students are involved in way more than just class and they are very proud of those activities and it does not matter if it is BETA Club or the high school baseball team.  That provides a great way for teachers to get to know their students outside the classroom and build a relationship with those kids.  I know it means a lot to those kids and especially if you have a student that you are struggling with.  You don't have to go to every baseball game, just pick one to attend.  Plays and music concerts are not so plentiful to pick dates from but the kids still appreciate your attendance.  Or watch for jerseys, if you have half the freshman basketball team in your class you can cover a lot of kids with one event.

If you really, just do not have the time to go, then at least ask students as they come in to class, how
did the game go last night or I heard you had an amazing solo last night.  With social media, some of the concerts may be found on YouTube for you to listen to at least part of a concert.

Whatever you do, try to attend some events, the kids will appreciate seeing you and knowing they also have your support outside the classroom.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Someone was really smart when they made Teacher Appreciation Week in early May!  This was the best Teacher Appreciation Week I have ever experience.  We had apples on our desk one morning, the workroom was decorated, we had lunch several times and even coffee and donuts on Friday.  The greatest part was how the administration publicized it to students using email and Twitter.  Students were also handed index cards and encouraged to write something and give it to a teacher.  I am sure some students stuck them in their book bag never to be seen again but many followed through.  I received one from a student who I had only in class this semester and she was usually quiet.  She wrote how much she enjoyed my funny stories and how amazed she was at the patience I showed students.  It made me feel so good!  A boy wrote me a letter thanking me for what I had done for him and how much he was looking forward to his class with me next year.  How awesome is that!


Thank yous are priceless and appreciation is always a good thing! In the process of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are continuing to teach students by showing them how show their appreciation and how much it is valued by others.

I fought burnout this week, what a coincidence.  Those letters are prized possessions that will go to my memory book next week. But more importantly, they cured my burnout and reminded me that I am making a difference and that is why I went into teaching.  I do love my students and I will cry next week when many of them graduate but happy that I have helped them grow into amazing young people that will make the world a better place.

Building Relationships

Several years ago I sat and listened to an international student talk about the differences between teachers in the United States and those in his home country.  He talked about the limited interaction between teachers and students.  Months later I sat in a Ruby Payne workshop as they presented research on the link between grades and if a student likes the teacher.

I, personally,  am a big believer in building relationships between students and teachers.  Teachers should not be a student's friend but teachers are more effective when they have a relationship with their students and know more about the student's background.  That relationship can be built on something as simple as attending a band concert or cross country meet to support the students you have in class.  Congratulating them on an award or victory will show the student that you do care about them.  If a student suddenly changes, then stop them for a moment after class and ask them if everything is okay or if there is a problem they need

help with.  It also helps if you make it known to your students that you arrive to school early and stay after if they need help or have questions.  You can also talk to counselors, attendance clerks and nurses about students that have been absent or that you are having learning or behavior problems with.  Many times they can shed light on health issues or home life situations that affect the student's daily lives.  I have even made postcards that say "Thanks for being a good kid, your cooperation is priceless.  Mrs. Taylor".  I randomly give out the cards and

many value them so much the brag about getting one or post them in their lockers.  The students realize that they are noticed and their behavior is appreciated.  

All these things together work together to give students the confidence to come and talk when needed.  Many times that something is simply an adult to talk to, or someone to listen or give advice.  Sometimes its a breakup, sometimes family problems, personal problems, class issues or to share good news.  The result is the teacher understands the student more and therefore the teacher is more empowered to teacher that student is a way that is more successful.  Or maybe the student will respect the teacher more so when that same teacher needs to discuss grades or behavior with the student, the student will respond more positively because they know the teacher honestly cares about what is best for them.  And lets be honest, no matter how much work we put into that amazing lesson, what the students really want to know is does the teacher really care about me or not.

The teacher wins to because it is so satisfying to see the students succeed and come back and tell you how successful they are and thank you for taking an interest in them and contributing to their success.

Community Service

It is so important for students to get involved in community service!  They do not realize what they also get out of it until they actually get involved.  First they need to locate a volunteer organization or activity that fits the student's interests.  If they love animals, check out the human society.  If they love to play music for an audience, check out the retirement homes, they love music and visitors.  If they have a tight schedule, look within their own community to rake leaves, shovel snow or babysit for neighbors.  Students learn the value of giving back to their community.

There is another advantage to students, most college applications and scholarship applications also ask about community service.  I teach a college readiness class and I encourage students to keep a log of community service.  A simple list of what community service they did, when, how many hours and the name of an adult that could verify if needed.  It may be a good idea to keep some kind of contact information on that person as well, a phone number or email for later use if someone needs verification.  The student may also use that contact information to request a letter of recommendation for a scholarship, college or job.

I recommend students start giving back to their community when they are young but start documenting when you become a freshman in high school.  Start small and investigate lots of opportunities to decide what is the best fit for them.  If they do not know where to start, call the local United Way, they usually have a list of organizations needing help.  Also check with high school teams and organizations, swim teams need volunteers as timers, clubs need help with their competitions and many club do community service as part of their regular activities.  If that does not yeald enough ideas, start contacting local organizations, retirement homes, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, March of Dimes and the list goes on and on.  Just get involved!