Freewrite: First Days in Byhalia.....

So.....

This is actually an eager post. I've spent the last two days at Byhalia Middle School working with the football team and getting my classroom together. It's been tiring, yet exhilarating, because all I see right now is POTENTIAL.

Football:

It has been interesting working with the football team so far. We have had 9 kids there working out in the mornings. I know you're thinking,"You can't play football with 9 kids," but that's all we have right now. For reasons out of the coaches' control, only 9 have really been coming all summer. It's a bit disheartening, until the ones who get up and come at 8 show how much they care about working hard and winning. Once we start workouts at 8 my excitement spikes as if we have 50 kids there. I was introduced to them, then we immediately got to work. They knew within the first 5 minutes that Coach King is a hard-worker, very tough, but very encouraging. They immediately showed me respect and we established a great rapport. Then, I got them on a leg circuit that we used to do in college....."Coach King, this hurts!" I smiled, told them it was ok for it to hurt, and immediately got them on the 2nd round of the circuit. 

We have been very efficient with time. We have maximized the effort and teaching levels. It's been great to see the excitement in the kids' eyes. I think that they are motivated by a new, young coach, who is going to work them and actually teach them some real fundamentals of football. It's been awesome for me so far. Apparently, there are around 35 kids on the team; we'll see once school starts, I guess. For now, we're going to work with what we have, build a strong foundation, and focus on the potential of this team.

Classroom:

Whew! I walked into a room with no air on, dust and cobwebs everywhere, and desks stacked in a jumble. I immediately thought: POTENTIAL! My initial thought was that this room is spacious, which is good, so I will have room to make this a great learning environment. I also knew that it would take a lot of time and effort to get things in order. I got dirtier cleaning up the classroom than I did working on the football field with the team. I was sweating and covered in dust. My iTunes kept me moving and motivated. I have made tremendous progress in two days, and I can't wait to have the finished product next week. I got my textbooks today, all 140. I'm still trying to figure out my organization plan and how things will work with my setup, but I know I'll find the best way to maximize potential and get optimal performance from the students. 

I met Mr. Lance, the school custodian, today. He said, "You look like a first-year teacher." I laughed and said, "Yes, sir. I am." I then proceeded to ask him if he had any advice..........He laughed, rather interestingly, and said, "GOOD LUCK!!!" We shared that laugh, and I knew from his reaction that this is gonna be harder than anything I've done in my life. I'm not discouraged, I'm excited and ready to take on this challenge. All I keep thinking of right now is Potential, Potential, Potential..........

DK

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It's Over, It's Over, But It's Far From Over.....

I know way too many people here right now that I didn't know in May, who the heck are y'all? I swear it feels like the past couple months we been everywhere and back but, I'm gonna remember it all. What am I doin'? What am I doin'? Oh yeah, that's right, I'm doin' MTC, I'm doin' MTC. Livin' the teacher life right now man, and this is what I'm gonna do til it's over, til it's over.....but it's far from over!!!

That's how I feel about this MTC whirlwind experience. For the last two months, we have met and interacted with so many new people. In addition to that, we have been inundated with information, anecdotes, admonitions, warnings, and advice. That's why I feel like I've been everywhere and back. I'm not overwhelmed, but I definitely feel like I have signed on for a beast that I have no clue how to effectively defeat. 

Living this "teacher life" is pretty interesting. The fact that every meaningful conversation now includes me going off on some tangent about teaching is a sign that I am now a teacher. The jokes are about teaching, the horror stories are about teaching- everything is now related to teaching. It already at the point where other random events are somehow paralleled to teaching. I was watching a movie the other day and found myself comparing my classroom management to how a mayor ran his city. What? Really? I had to go do some push-ups to remind myself that there is more to DK than teaching.

Anyway, the major questions about summer training: What was helpful? What wasn't helpful? What questions do I still have? How do I feel?

What was helpful?

There were plenty of helpful things from the summer training. The most impactful thing from the beginning of the summer was the Deficit Model workshop with Buck. It was very important, and I think it made some of my classmates, who aren't aware of their own biases, more cognizant of deficit thinking and how it plagues kids in the schools like the ones we will be teaching at. 

The obvious thing was Summer School! Summer School was extremely eventful and helpful. I never found myself stressed during summer school. I was a bit frustrated a few times from some evaluations, but never stressed. I loved having a full classroom where I could really enforce rules and be a disciplinarian. I also enjoyed step club, although it was probably more frustrating than the actual classroom. Nevertheless, I learned a lot about myself, and I know that I made an impact on at least a few kids. 

Dr. Monroe's class was awesome. She is so excited about education. Her excitement was more than necessary because we had to go after we got back from summer school. She is very understanding and very encouraging. Her class was great.

What wasn't helpful?

ROLE PLAYS.....Although I understand the assumed practical relevance, the structure just wasn't helpful for me. Most of the scenarios seemed too unrealistic. I know that I don't have any classroom experience, but some of the role plays I went through were utterly ridiculous and most unhelpful.

What questions do I still have?

Well, I don't think I really have any questions left for those who have had a hand in my training this summer. My questions lie within myself. I am not doubting myself at all, but I have questions about how I will do things and how I will organize my life well enough to make sure that I can operate at an optimal level so that I can maximize the potential of my students in the classroom and on the field. Everything that lies ahead rests on me figuring myself out and getting myself together. 

How do I feel now?

I feel great. I am very confident in myself. I know that I will have some growing pains, but I think I am very prepared for this new challenge. It also helps that I will be in a very supportive environment with lots of MTC people around. I am ready to get to Byhalia Middle School and do great things. I am excited about coaching, and about teaching. It's going to be a whirlwind experience, but I feel confident that I will do more than survive.....I will thrive!!!

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Reflections on "Coach Huff's" First Year

   Admittedly, receiving the assignment of reading a 2nd years' entire blog didn't incite any excitement or happy thoughts. My initial thought was, "this is absolutely ridiculous!" I really did not want to take the time to read someone's entire blog that covered a year of MTC experiences. Nevertheless, I was thankful for the assignment because I had a chance to gain perspective through the insightful and thoughtful reflections of "Coach Huff." 

   I chose to read Schuyler's blog because we are very similar in many ways. First of all, we played football in the same conference in college; we were actually rivals. Moreover, we are both in Byhalia, and will be coaching football. We have also had a few candid conversations about the realities of teaching, coaching, and everything else that entails being a part of MTC. I even found out, through reading his blog, that we are the same personality type. We are both ISTJ, which is quite interesting because we immediately related to each other. 

  I was pleasantly surprised to find that Schuyler didn't have a blog full of whining, complaining, and crying. It was refreshing to read about his experiences without all of the melodrama and "woe is me" that seems to plague some of the other 2nd year blogs. He spoke, very openly, of failures and successes, neither one seeming to be more important than the other. From that, I gathered that he kept himself very centered amidst all of the chaos and stress. I really hope to have that same kind of reaction for myself one year from now. 

  Being an athlete, and coach, Schuyler's reflections on his position as a coach were most compelling to me. Coaching immediately endears you to the students and the community. They see you in a different light, a more positive light, that makes them feel more comfortable with you. Now, with that coaching position, it is imperative to understand the amount of responsibility that comes with that. Schuyler said it best when he came to the realization that for some of the kids he serves as a father, brother, cousin, and friend. The impressive aspect of that realization was that it came well after football season when one of his players needed him more than ever one day in his science class. I already know that I am going to be seen as the "mean teacher. " That is something that I'll actually relish. Nevertheless, I know that I must find a way to build a rapport with the kids where a tremendous amount of respect, and trust, are ever-present in our interactions.

   So, reading Schuyler's reflections from a year in MTC were eye-opening, encouraging, and entertaining. I'm hoping to have him as my mentor for the year, as this will be a great way to continue learning as much as I can from him.

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DK On Video...2

Well, well, well.....DK still looks good on video, while teaching. 

I was definitely looking forward to this video because I probably had my best lesson of the summer that day. Friday, July 2, 2010 was a great day in the very brief teaching career of DK. I had a Jeopardy Review game planned for my lesson and I was looking forward to improving on my initial try at a class review game. I am alluding to my reflections from one of my earlier blogs when I talked about how my Jeopardy review for the first test was a failure. That was the one day when my classroom management wasn't up to par, and there was not nearly enough clear instruction to facilitate fun and learning at the same time. That being said, the review on July 2 was remarkably better in so many ways. 

First, I gave clear instructions. I communicated my expectations clearly. That established the right atmosphere for fun and productive work. They saw that I had an alternate assignment ready and they already know that "Mr. King doesn't play!" I already had roles chosen for students. I had a scorekeeper, and team captains. Plus, I told them who they would be teaming with instead of letting them just sit anywhere they wanted to. The actual Jeopardy powerpoint was better structured and the technical difficulties that plagued the first attempt were all but eliminated from this lesson. The kids had more fun because everyone had an equal opportunity to succeed, score points, and get a great review. I also did a better job of giving explanations and working through thought processes for some of the questions. The actual review component of the game was much more thorough. 

The most impressive part of the lesson was that I RAN THE ENTIRE REVIEW FROM A CHAIR!!!!!

Talk about classroom management!!! I'm pretty sure that I'm the only first year, maybe the only person all summer, who ran an entire lesson from a chair. Yes, I am very proud, and I am my biggest fan for this. I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment after this. Plus, I had a visitor, or two, come in and witness the greatness of DK at work. 

Nevertheless, the most exciting part of this lesson was that just about every kid was completely engaged in the review. That means that they were actively participating in retrieval of answers, teamwork, competition, and policing each other. It was definitely a proud moment for me. I felt like the kids were so ready for the test. The subsequent grades showed that the majority of the kids were very prepared; I know that I contributed to that. 

The video shows my confidence in myself and in my kids. I'm glad such a strong lesson was captured because it is tangible evidence of growth, maturity, and learning, on my part. 

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DK On Video...

Well, I must say that, first of all, I look good on camera! No, really, I do. You can't go wrong with a purple bow-tie and cuff-links, right?

Unlike most of my classmates, I wasn't dreading watching myself on camera. I've felt confident and prepared since Day 1, so worry and nervousness never had a chance to settle in. I think I may try to video myself at least bi-weekly during the school year just to keep a constant evaluation log of myself. 

So, I actually had a chance to see my first 1 1/2 lessons on camera. Part of my very first lesson was taped at the end of someone else's video. That first lesson that was videoed halfway through was on "text structures." I taught about cause and effect, problem and solution, and comparison and contrast. My set was exciting and it really got the kids involved. Anytime you use Kobe and Lebron and talk about the NBA finals, you are sure to get a reaction from the kids. My first lesson, at least from what was videoed, was great. Hearing the stories of some first lessons failing miserably, I decided that I had to start off with a bang; I had to put myself in a position to start with confidence.

My first full video happened that next monday. I was now teaching a literature unit and going over plot structures. The lesson in particular was about "rising action." Not the most exciting lesson, but I think I managed. I thought I had energy, but the footage showed me that I really needed to work on being more energetic, and creating that feeling throughout the classroom with every kid. The lesson was very straight-forward and they seemed to grasp the concept. It was just very dry and lecture-like. I was happy with my classroom management, though. I was quick and consistent with consequences and the kids were attentive and very participatory. 

My biggest problem with the two lessons wasn't classroom management, movement around the classroom, or content knowledge. I was struggling with coming up with appropriate assessments that helped me accomplish the objectives I set. My formal and informal assessments left a lot to be desired, but I wasn't discouraged or worried because I knew that would come with time. My lessons have gotten considerably better in the past 4 weeks and I cannot wait for the opportunity to view my July video and compare and contrast my growth as a teacher.

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