And Any Other Required Duties

What does that sentence really mean?  Every teacher has read it on their contract and we assume that means morning duty, dance duty etc but this week I have thought a lot about that sentence.  As a high school teacher we do a lot that is not listed as a duty on our contract.  Prom is coming up the end of the month and each year somehow I end up in the middle of Promposals or someone that wants a date or wants a date with someone.  This year I ended up with the job of stopping a promposal to avoid public embarrassment when a student was going to say no. Guess that is “other required duties”.   Last week I noticed one of my students standing in the hall looking in my door with a desperate look.  I go to talk to her and she collapse in tears, ten minutes later she was feeling better after a heart to heart talk.  Guess that is “other required duties”. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am glad students feel comfortable coming to me if they need to talk, cry or get adult opinions!  When my own children were in school, I know they had teachers they would go to if needed.  

What else do high school teachers do that the community and parents do not realize?  There is the laughter and the high fives over test scores, athletic success and displays of their personal talents.  We advise students, write recommendations for college and scholarships.  We spread the word of job openings and follow that up with agreeing to be a reference.  We give tips for job and college interviews, and help them look up answers to all kinds of questions.  Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, teacher bonuses come in the form of thank you cards.  Take the time and write one or send an email to a former teacher of yours or your child’s teacher.  

Student Voice

You arrive at a PD meeting, you have no clue what is going on today except that you must be there are 7:30.  Someone else decided on the topics, when breaks are, how long they are, when lunch break is, how the information will be presented or anything else..  We as teachers feel we should have a voice in what we need to learn and how best to learn it.  Students feel the same way, they want a voice as well.

Now we all know that in education, sometimes students can have a say and sometimes because of rules and regulations we just cannot change some things.  It is still good to give them a chance to voice their thoughts and opinions.  They may have an idea that you had not thought about. How do we go about giving students a voice and more importantly convincing them that their ideas and opinions are welcome?

The first thing that must be done is to create an environment where students are comfortable having an open discussion.  The first day of school in your class would most likely not be a good day.  They have not had time to trust the teacher.  When you work in class, you let the kids get to know you and understand that you are willing to take their opinions and not judge them or put them down for what they said.  They need to know that your room is a safe place to offer ideas, thoughts and opinions.

Next we need to give them a voice.  Ask for their opinions; listen to what they have to say.  If a project is failing, ask them what they think is the problem.  If you are going to try something new, like gamification, ask them what rewards would motivate them most.  One of my classes will do almost anything for food but another class wants 10 minutes of free time.  It is much easier to ask than to guess and be wrong.

You can also give student's a voice in the big things.  Why are college students required to evaluate professors but high school teachers almost never ask students for an evaluation?  If a school is run for the benefit of students, why not have a student group that administration can consult with for ideas and suggestions?  When students are frustrated over a desision, why not ask students for idea.  It may not change anything or it may, either way at least students feel empowered.

How have in incorporated student voice this year?  First of all, I did have students evaluate me.  There were a couple surprises and I guaranteed students that it was anonymous and it was.  The problem was that a student made a comment that I would have liked to discuss more in depth but I could not figure out who the student was.  I have also asked students how we could improve our new Advisory hour, and how do they best learn, what distractions are in my room and how could I reteach a topic so they may better understand.  Or how would they learn better in groups, peer tutoring, lecture, investigation.

Student voice can also apply to a one-on-one conversation.  A student says they hate school, ask them why, give them paper to write down suggestions to improve school.  Make sure they know that you are not only going to read the list, you are going to investigate your ideas to see if any are realist.  Sometimes that voice is a quiet voice asking you to check on a student that is more quiet than normal and sometimes it is that loud voice that yells that he is going to drop out.  Sometimes it is an entire class saying this project makes no sence or a few students saying that the project does not work for them and can they tweek the assignments.  What is more important, learning or completing the project exactly the way you created it and used it for ten years?

Don't Kill Student Curiosity

Okay I admit it, I have not read a book in a while, I have gotten very busy with other things.  Having said that, I am addicted to reading The Innovator's Mindset and even joined a book study, #IMMOOC.  I teach high school and hear on a regular basis how students hate school.  I know some of them are more frustrated for the day verses every day but there are those who really do hate it.  How many hate it because they have lost the love of learning or maybe they were never sparked to love learning?  I do not know but I can do my part to make learning fun.  Hopefully that will ignite the curiosity of those who love to learn and those who have lost it.  Students today need to accept that they must be lifetime learners.  If they have lost their curiosity and love of learning, what are the chances of them staying involved in learning?  Sometimes that fun is a simple as corny jokes that are tied to the curriculum to help them remember the concepts.  One of my database jokes, you cannot create a new relationship if you have the old girlfriends around.  That helps them remember that they cannot create database relationships while they have tables open.  Yea it is corny and the kids agree with that but they laugh and remember the concept.  I believe that if laughter is associated with learning, it is a good thing.  Also so many students have very little in their lives to smile about, much less laugh. 

Sometimes is means having snacks for hungry students, they cannot learn if they are hungry.  Sometimes it means taking time to listen to a student, it is tough to teach a student that is stressed out or upset.  I want students that walk in to feel more like they are at home, low stress and safe.  Students are then more willing to try something new, or accept failure, or feel free to speak up if they feel safe and welcomed.


I also decorate my classroom with various hand made quilts and student paintings.  I tell them the theme  of my room is find your talent and put it to use.  I tell them the stories of the quilts and paintings and the skills required for each.  Then I encourage them to explore what interests them and to put forth the time and effort to develop their interest and skills. 

Currently I have the honor of assisting one of my FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) students this week and last as he finishes up a project for competition.  His event is 3D Animation and I know nothing about it.  My job was things like have the lab open for him and install the software that he needed on computers.  He has worked on this project for months just because it is his interest and he is self taught.  He has spend a huge number of hours on this project and has loved every minute of it, even the failures.  It is so much fun to watch him work and I love to listen to him explain what he is doing.  This is what learning is all about!  He was curious about animation and went on to learn about it, that is so exciting.

We must teach students to love learning so they continue to learn.  Hopefully they do not look back at their school years and cringe.

College for the Neglected Child

For years there has been discussions about getting low income students into college.  There is another group of students that that need some major attention, the neglected student.  Unfortunately most of us know a few, those kids that live at home with one or two parents but the parents do nothing for the student.  Many times these are also poverty kid but not always.  They are the students that get themselves up for school, do their own laundry,  and work a part-time job.  Their parents don't come to parent/teacher conferences, don't return calls or even show up for athletic or recognition events.  Many times they yell and fight with each other a lot.  They do not show affection to their kids or help them out.  They may be in and out of jail or they just do not care about their children.  Many of these kids want to have a better life but the process is overwhelming.  Not only is the cost shocking, they struggle with the process.  There are so many basic skills that they have not witnessed or been taught how,  like speaking to a sales person, dealing with frustration or asking off work.  These parents are not going to fill out the FAFSA form for their kids or even help them fill it out.  These parents are not going to take them to college visits.  They are used to "the world being against them" leaving them quick to give up with frustration.  When they encounter problems with the FAFSA, they want to give up.  Many of these kids we ask, how did that apple fall so far from the tree; the kids are so different from their parents.  These kids are often problem solvers, bright, hardworking and proud.  They are in no hurry to ask for help, they are going to try to do it all themselves but college many times is the exception.  Some of these students have no transportation or drivers license so they cannot visit colleges on their own. There are some colleges that are arranging so students can stay in the dorms during breaks and even summers to combat the issue of homeless students or students from difficult homes. The best thing, in my opinion, for some of these kids is to go away to school and get away from their situation but how do they move into the dorm.  Who is going to tell them what they need. They could get a full ride scholarship and the parents may not be willing to help them move away to a dorm, or not even support the idea of them going to college.  The student has their plates full with school, work and maybe even babysitting siblings.  This leaves no time for community service but most scholarships ask about community service.

Maybe it is not my problem.  I raised my children and never neglected them.  Why does it have to do with me?

Years ago, Hilary Clinton said, "It takes a village".   I did not agree with her at the time but now understand.  We are all chained together in life.  Make it your job to help one kid become a stronger link in the chain.

If You ask, They will tell you!

I got brave and created a form for students to evaluate me.  I promised the students that it was totally

anonymous and it was, although after reading the results I wish there was some way I could track who answered a few of the questions.  If you are faint of heart or thin skinned, I am not sure you are ready to ask your students to do this.  They are  bluntly honest but it does give them a voice and you something to think about.  I learned a lot from the results, some made me happy, 100% of students reported that they knew exactly why their grades is what it is.  There was other data that upset me, like the fact that one student feels I do not treat them with respect and five report that I am not fair to them.  These two pieces of data drive me to wish I could find out who reported this.  What would I do if I knew who answered in that way?  The students that do not feel I am fair, I would like them to explain why so I can do some evaluation and decide if their complaints are justified.  Next time I do this I think I will keep it totally anonymous but I will add a question for them to explain if they feel they are  being treated unfair or are not respected.

Another thought is that I should have them identify what class they are in.  A student complains that I move to fast and it would help a lot to know what class they are currently taking.  I would like to repeat this evaluation every year but next time I will open it up on a day I have a sub so they feel they have plenty of time to complete it without me in the room.

I found out that I wanted perfect scores in everything.  I was freaking out about one student response that most of the time I was fair regardless of race or religion and five saying I wasn't fair but my principal assured me that I should be very pleased with the numbers.

Ninety six percent of the students reported that they believed they would use what they learn in the class they will use in college or work and 43% reported they learned something new everyday in my class.  They also shared comments that are constructive criticism and others expressed their love for the class or the fact they felt at home in my classroom or they wanted to spend the day in my room.  That is good to know as well.

I am glad I did the evaluation.  I learned a lot and I will use it to make me a better teacher and improve my classes.  It also gave us a chance to discuss the fact that in college, they will be asked to evaluate all their teachers.  I will do it again and I encourage others to try it.

Attention for the Good Kid

Sometimes it gets easy in an busy day to overlook the "good kids".   We get busy grading, creating lesson plans, completing paperwork, modifying lessons to match IEPs and managing students that disrupt.  We work to help our students of poverty and those living in a challenging home life.  Along the way we cannot forget about the "good kids".  Many times there

A sample of one of my postcards

are overlaps, for example, many sped kids are also the good kids.  The good kids are the ones that help you look forward to going in to work each day.  They also hold on to us on days we are "threatened to jump off the cliff".  I do my best to not overlook them.  Now many of them I see in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) which I sponsor and I get a chance to interact with them and get to know them but what about the rest?  Sometimes it can be a simple as a pat on the back or a comment on an assignment or report card.  You know the ones, those short comments on a paper like, "thanks for turning in your assignment on time again" or "excellent following directions".  The report card comments to show your appreciation and recognition for their politeness, kindness or attention to details.

I have found one quick and easy way to acknowledge these kids and they tend to love it.  I have postcards made up and I keep a stack on my desk.  They are not elaborate, just thanks for being a
good kid, but many of the kids are thrilled to get them!  Some have told me they taped theirs up inside their locker or on their locker doors.  Some put them in their senior books and others put them in the front cover of their binders.  The first year I printed myself on cardstock but last summer I ordered a 50 when vistaprint.com had sale, best 10 bucks I spent!
 Friday I took an idea from Facebook and recorded telling some of my students that they were one of the reason that I came to school each morning.  It only took a few minutes and I am not sure who loved it more, me or the students.

Take a minute, do something to remind yourself of those wonderful kids that are the definition of "good kids".

A Student's Reality

I have always said I grew up on a rose colored street.  I am from a big family that loves each other and would do anything for each other.  My parents were married 45 years when dad passed away.  They were always proud of us and they were awesome parents and I have lots of happy memories from my childhood.  We assumed everyone lived pretty much like we did.

I got a blunt reality about how far my home life is from some of my students this week.  Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is sit and listen.  One boy was telling me about the violence he witnessed on the streets the night before.  He talked about seeing the victim on the street and how upset some were, but he had seen a lot and he was used to it.  Really?  He is 16 years old and he is used to seeing bodies in the street!  I am 53 years old and have never seen a body in the street!  As my jaw was sitting on the floor, I listened as he talked about the fact that he feels safe at school and that he could act like a kid but when he was home he had to act like an adult in order to stay safe.  He went on to talk about when a teacher gets upset with him, sometimes the "crib" comes out and he gets defensive and mouthy like he would when he is in the community.  He went on to talk about how he can be sad or broken inside but smiling on the outside.  He talked about the number of people in his family that had died because of violence and how his dad is almost nothing to do with him.  His dad has even told him that he does not want him.  He rarely sees dad but he comes around wanting to spend Father's Day with the kid.  He talked about if he dies it will kill his mother and how close he felt he was the night before to that reality.  He was concerned about the violence in the community that night but he promised me he would stay in the house that night to stay safe.

He is 16 years old!  He is only 16 years old and seen so much that I never have!  I was shocked to my core that a kid in my class is "used to seeing violence".  This is the kid that I am trying to teach.  This is the kid that gets into trouble at school.  This is the kid that has trouble getting his homework done or his device charged.  This is the kid that struggles to pass classes.

And we wonder why?