Preparation and planning for the upcoming season
Two to three hours of sleep, football is the reason!
Workouts and practice for the upcoming season
Two to three hours for each, football is the reason!
Film and game planning for the battle that ensues
Attention to detail so that we won't lose
Re-focusing the boys before they hit the field
Reminding them that we will not yield
Motivation through a loud yell
Piercing words; nerves and jitters quell
Encouragement and technique throughout each game
Tendencies and adjustments are never the same
Preparation and planning for the upcoming season
Two to three hours of sleep, football is the reason!
Workouts and practice for the upcoming season
Two to three hours for each, football is the reason!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
"My Sons..."
I have a few favorites this year...yeah, really. But my two most favorite students are Jordan and Devante. They refer to themselves as my "sons" and affectionately call me "dad." It's crazy. I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but that's what they've been calling me since late July. I'd only been at Coldwater for about three weeks by then. They're both sophomores, play football and baseball, and they're honor students. So, I guess it made it a lot easier for me to actually return the pleasantry and refer to them as "my sons." I have them both 5th period, and they both sit in the front row. They're very intelligent, I mean can compete anywhere intelligent, not just smarter than what's around them. They compete with each other for the highest "A" (in every class). That's what endeared them to me the most. They're two of just a few who've adopted my philosophy of "anything less than an A is a failure." Really, they live by this, and it has worked out for them.
Jordan wears #3, which I wore in college. After he found that out, he started calling himself "junior." He's the quarterback, and Devante wears #8. He's a wide receiver, the position I played in college. They stay in my back pocket, and I know that I'm making a great impact on them. We have very candid talks, and they're always in my car when we have to go somewhere. One of the things I'm most proud of is the fact that they willingly tutor other students, always have their shirts tucked in (finally), and exhibit total decication--academically and athletically.
Interestingly enough, Jordan and Devante have started a craze among my students. All of them are competing to be the next kid I "adopt." It's kind of crazy, but flattering. I think the other students saw how they both excelled in English 2 and football. It was nothing magical, just work ethic and dedication. I guess they're hoping I will adopt them if they dress, think, and act like Devante and Jordan. Either way, it's an interesting management tool that I proudly use.
It's funny because other teachers have noticed that they call me "dad." It keeps things light and it helps the day go by a little easier. They have matured, and so have the rest of my students. I know it's a product of the way my classroom runs. They're used to the consistency and it has influenced them outside of that hour they're in my class everyday. Kids like Devante and Jordan make me love my job even more. I know that I'm going to have at least two students who are happy to see me. They trust me, and it means a lot to have their trust. I talk about these boys all the time, and I'm excited to see what else this school year is going to bring.
Those are my two favorites...Jordan and Devante...My Sons
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Photo Essay: My Little Brother
I will say that I miss my little brother. He's in 9th grade now, and I never get to see him play football because I coach on Friday nights. He looks up to me, and we talk a lot. He's a much better athlete than I could ever be, and he's a whole lot smarter. So, here are a few photos of my little (big) brother...
He plays the sports I played (and now coach). It's kind of crazy that I teach kids that are the same age as my little brother. I hope he's proud of his big brother, because I'm definitely proud of him. I love my little brother.
Thoughts on the Portfolios...
Well,
I guess I haven't thought much about my portfolio yet. I do have a lot of pictures (mostly sports). I don't know if I'm avoiding the inevitable, or if it just hasn't made it to the top of my priority list yet. Either way, I know that I have a lot of work to, based on what I saw from last year's class. Last year's class had some very strong portfolios. I can tell that they all put in a considerable amount of work and effort. I liked the portfolios that had a distinct theme. I understand that the evaluators like that. Also, I think enjoyed the photo essays the most. Some of the portfolios had very nice info about their communities. It showed that those people really took time to immerse themselves in the culture of where they were teaching.
I liked the videos that showed a progression in teaching and classroom management, but there were a few portfolios that had too many videos. I don't think I'll have many on mine. I know that creativity is not one of my strongest assets, but I know that I'm going to have to find some somewhere so that I can compete with everyone else's portfolios. I want to have the best portfolio, and I really want to show what my two year experience is like. Oh well, I know what I must do now...time to get to it!
I guess I haven't thought much about my portfolio yet. I do have a lot of pictures (mostly sports). I don't know if I'm avoiding the inevitable, or if it just hasn't made it to the top of my priority list yet. Either way, I know that I have a lot of work to, based on what I saw from last year's class. Last year's class had some very strong portfolios. I can tell that they all put in a considerable amount of work and effort. I liked the portfolios that had a distinct theme. I understand that the evaluators like that. Also, I think enjoyed the photo essays the most. Some of the portfolios had very nice info about their communities. It showed that those people really took time to immerse themselves in the culture of where they were teaching.
I liked the videos that showed a progression in teaching and classroom management, but there were a few portfolios that had too many videos. I don't think I'll have many on mine. I know that creativity is not one of my strongest assets, but I know that I'm going to have to find some somewhere so that I can compete with everyone else's portfolios. I want to have the best portfolio, and I really want to show what my two year experience is like. Oh well, I know what I must do now...time to get to it!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
First Day of School: Second Edition
Well,
The first day of school this year was easy. Not much to report. I guess the greatest thing was that my polka-dot bow tie was the subject of a lot of conversation. The principal introduced me as the "new coach on campus," and that was basically it. I knew a lot of the boys already because I'd been on campus with football workouts for about three weeks.
Organization was great, and we only held kids in the gym for about 15 minutes. We followed the normal bell schedule, and the day went by very smoothly. It was refreshing to have high schoolers this time. I love the 7th grade babies, but I feel at home with high school.
I will say that I was exhausted by the end of 6th period. I have classes from 7:45-2:45. 1st and 3rd period is English I, 2nd period is English III, and 4th-6th periods are all English II. Every kid on campus knows my name already, and apparently they all heard that I was "mean" by the end of the first day. So, I guess the day was a success. I scared some kids, I didn't have to hold classes for hours, and I didn't feel like a first-year teacher. Moreover, we had a great football practice after school. I was comfortable and it was a good day.
The first day of school this year was easy. Not much to report. I guess the greatest thing was that my polka-dot bow tie was the subject of a lot of conversation. The principal introduced me as the "new coach on campus," and that was basically it. I knew a lot of the boys already because I'd been on campus with football workouts for about three weeks.
Organization was great, and we only held kids in the gym for about 15 minutes. We followed the normal bell schedule, and the day went by very smoothly. It was refreshing to have high schoolers this time. I love the 7th grade babies, but I feel at home with high school.
I will say that I was exhausted by the end of 6th period. I have classes from 7:45-2:45. 1st and 3rd period is English I, 2nd period is English III, and 4th-6th periods are all English II. Every kid on campus knows my name already, and apparently they all heard that I was "mean" by the end of the first day. So, I guess the day was a success. I scared some kids, I didn't have to hold classes for hours, and I didn't feel like a first-year teacher. Moreover, we had a great football practice after school. I was comfortable and it was a good day.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Letter to the Rookies
Hello Rookies,
This is DK, and I have some simple advice. Be confident, know your stuff, and don't be afraid to lead. You are going to be inundated with instructions, words of wisdom, and forewarnings. I'll let Ben, Ann, Dr. Mullins, and everyone else do that for you. I just want you guys to know that confidence goes a long way. It is immediately conveyed to your students that you aren't second guessing yourself. It also shows the other teachers around you that you aren't tip-toeing around like you're scared. Lastly, it always makes you feel like you're in control of every situation.
Know your stuff basically means that you have to be knowledgeable about as much as you can. The most important thing is obviously your content knowledge. If you don't have a good grasp on that, then you will be deemed ineffective. Once you have that down pat, make sure you are aware of surroundings, events, policies, etc. Having a good grasp of pertinent information can be very beneficial because you will find yourselves in a variety of situations--all of which you can't be totally prepared for in summer training.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAD. I'm not saying that you should step into your new situations (summer school/ your assigned school) trying to take over. Since you're in the program now, you must have some leadership qualities about yourselves. Use those qualities. Make sure you show everyone around that you can be trusted to make things happen. If you develop leadership skills through the summer school program, you will position yourselves to step into those types of roles in the fall.
We'll get to know each other this summer, and throughout the year, but I think that this little letter will help you out. BE CONFIDENT, KNOW YOUR STUFF, AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAD!!!
This is DK, and I have some simple advice. Be confident, know your stuff, and don't be afraid to lead. You are going to be inundated with instructions, words of wisdom, and forewarnings. I'll let Ben, Ann, Dr. Mullins, and everyone else do that for you. I just want you guys to know that confidence goes a long way. It is immediately conveyed to your students that you aren't second guessing yourself. It also shows the other teachers around you that you aren't tip-toeing around like you're scared. Lastly, it always makes you feel like you're in control of every situation.
Know your stuff basically means that you have to be knowledgeable about as much as you can. The most important thing is obviously your content knowledge. If you don't have a good grasp on that, then you will be deemed ineffective. Once you have that down pat, make sure you are aware of surroundings, events, policies, etc. Having a good grasp of pertinent information can be very beneficial because you will find yourselves in a variety of situations--all of which you can't be totally prepared for in summer training.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAD. I'm not saying that you should step into your new situations (summer school/ your assigned school) trying to take over. Since you're in the program now, you must have some leadership qualities about yourselves. Use those qualities. Make sure you show everyone around that you can be trusted to make things happen. If you develop leadership skills through the summer school program, you will position yourselves to step into those types of roles in the fall.
We'll get to know each other this summer, and throughout the year, but I think that this little letter will help you out. BE CONFIDENT, KNOW YOUR STUFF, AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAD!!!
Teacher Skill I Want to Work On...
When I began to blog last summer I knew that one of the most important factors of my growth as a teacher would be reflection. The ability to reflect, and the resolve to implement changes from reflection, are things that I have been working on. That said, I know what aspect of my teaching needs to be tweaked. Interestingly, this epiphany came through teaching a unit on fables.
After the MCT2, I knew the kids would be exhausted with school. Nevertheless, they knew that we would continue to have "real school" in my classroom until the very last day. I was searching to find something that would be relevant and interesting. I chose fables. Fables seemed like a good idea because I knew I could incorporate Character Education. Introducing the kids to simple stories that taught valuable life lessons gave us a way to do some reading, easily comprehend, and apply the lessons to our lives. I told them that I would be doing self-reflection along with them. So, we read this very simple fable called "The Wind and the Sun."
Here it is...The wind and the sun were arguing about which of them was stronger. They agreed to a test, the winner being he who could make a traveler remove his coat. The wind blew hard and tried to tear off the traveler's coat, but the traveler only wrapped it around him more tightly. When the pleasant sun warmed the traveler, he took off his coat.
This short fable was so powerful to me. The moral is that "kindness sometimes works better than force." How does this apply to me? Well, I approach my classroom like I approach coaching. This can be good and bad--depending on the situation. I've learned that I have to dial down the intensity in the classroom sometimes because it can be a bit intimidating and off-putting to the kids. I'm not saying that I'm going to be less passionate, but I know that if I want to be as effective a teacher as possible, I must be able to use different approaches in the classroom to obtain the desired results.
I am definitely going to work on this during the Extended Year Program. I want to be conscious of when I can handle situations differently. Moreover, I know that an adjusted approach will endear me to more students, more quickly. I just want to make sure I have this skill honed when school resumes in August...I know it will greatly benefit me.
After the MCT2, I knew the kids would be exhausted with school. Nevertheless, they knew that we would continue to have "real school" in my classroom until the very last day. I was searching to find something that would be relevant and interesting. I chose fables. Fables seemed like a good idea because I knew I could incorporate Character Education. Introducing the kids to simple stories that taught valuable life lessons gave us a way to do some reading, easily comprehend, and apply the lessons to our lives. I told them that I would be doing self-reflection along with them. So, we read this very simple fable called "The Wind and the Sun."
Here it is...The wind and the sun were arguing about which of them was stronger. They agreed to a test, the winner being he who could make a traveler remove his coat. The wind blew hard and tried to tear off the traveler's coat, but the traveler only wrapped it around him more tightly. When the pleasant sun warmed the traveler, he took off his coat.
This short fable was so powerful to me. The moral is that "kindness sometimes works better than force." How does this apply to me? Well, I approach my classroom like I approach coaching. This can be good and bad--depending on the situation. I've learned that I have to dial down the intensity in the classroom sometimes because it can be a bit intimidating and off-putting to the kids. I'm not saying that I'm going to be less passionate, but I know that if I want to be as effective a teacher as possible, I must be able to use different approaches in the classroom to obtain the desired results.
I am definitely going to work on this during the Extended Year Program. I want to be conscious of when I can handle situations differently. Moreover, I know that an adjusted approach will endear me to more students, more quickly. I just want to make sure I have this skill honed when school resumes in August...I know it will greatly benefit me.
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