Respect and Character (Dorry Lopez)

Dear Dorry,

I have watched you teach several mini-lessons and no matter what the topic. strategy or activity, your students are engaged. what is the secret that you can share with all of us to make us better teachers? KK

KK and Family

When I was growing up, school was my safe haven, a place I wanted to be. In my classroom, I set up an environment that builds character, where values are taught and modeled as much as academics. All people and things are respected and cared for. Everyone is accepted and valued. the standards are high, and we are always trying to be better.

You asked how I keep my students engaged no matter what I teach. My students respect me. I have earned their trust and love by trusting and loving them. I treat them with respect. they want to hear what i have to say, because I want to hear wheat they have to say. their eyes are on me because that is respectful. When someone speaks, I ask the listeners, "Where are your eyes?" I teach them to engage, focus, and learn from what the speaker has to say.

I great my students upon entering with a smile and a greeting, and they do the same for me. At the end of the period, they exit my room in this same manner, with a smile and a closing remark. In my room, there are lots of humor and joy. Only positive "I can" attitudes are allowed. this keeps everyone upbeat with a willingness to learn. It is a happy place where it is real and genuine. Lives are shared. I share my life with them, and they share their lives with me. I get to know the whole child. We are like family. I listen. I focus. I am engaged in what they have to say. this is why they listen, focus, and become engaged in what I have to say.

It all very simple. It is modeling and teaching respect.

If I were ever told that I could not teach values and character building, I would have to turn in my keys, because that is the prerequisite for teaching academics. Minds are turned on with respect, but minds are shut off when there is no mutual respect.

I hope that you enjoyed reading my answer.

With love, Dorry

P.S.-Sorry this is so long but KK hit a passionate spot with her question.

The Book Fairy (KK Cherney)

Dear KK,
Can you please explain to us how you are able to manage everything the Media Center entails, such as teaching, keeping track of books, studio, and helping with tech problems?
Kristin Sharp


The Media Center in CCE is so much like a backstage behind a successful Broadway play - the Disney underground. So to answer your question of how I am able to manage everything in the Media Center is quite difficult. Two factors seem to come to mind that covers everything!

Point 1 -
Loving my job and the people I serve makes all things possible.

Point 2 -
Surrounding myself with the most positive energetic team of talented people that the world has to offer. they could work anywhere but they "choose" to work here for a common goal. thank God!!!

Take those 2 factors and a lot of other stuff and it becomes a perfect situation allowing me to flit around as Tinkerbell sharing the "Magic" of technology, real-life applications, literature, literacy experiences, and yes - even "fixin'" stuff.

I am living a dream... KK

Technology (Kristen Sharpe)

Dear Kristin Sharp,
A little birdie told me that you have been teaching our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students about some "high tech" computer capabillities during Media. could you share with the rest of us about it?
Love, Julie



I have been teaching the kids how to create digital stories using many of the exciting programs found on the Macbooks, such as Photobooth, I-Photo, I-Movie, and Safari. The kids are so excited when they enter the media center and see the computers set up that they can hardly contain themselves! They just can't wait to get started! I am amzed by how engaged the fchildren become in their work when they are on the Macbooks. They inspire me with their amazing creativity and ability to use a computer. In addition, using technology has eliminated almost all behavior problems because the kids want to be there.

To introduce the kids to the Macbooks, I teach them how to create a slideshow using pHotoboth and I-Photo. they have a blast taking pictures of themselves and distorting the photos. the objective is for them to create a slideshow with at least five pictures, music, and trasitions.

The second time I see a group of students, I teach them how to create an I-Movie. Currently the kids are conducting an author study and recording their research on the I-Movie program. the computers have a built in camera and microphone, so all they do is sit in front of the screen to record. Then the kids choose the clips they want and edit them. to complete their movie, they add a title page, music and transitions.

The kids have been working so hard during media! I am proud of their creations and determination to complete a project.

I am really enjoying working at chets Creek Elementary. It is a blessing to have the opportunity to be here. I have learned so much from the Chets Creek team. It is truly a dream job!
Mrs. Sharp

Tips From the Outside... (Cheryl Dillard)

Question to Cheryl: You have taught very successfully in another high performing school. As you have come to Chets Creek, what things do you notice that we do really well? Is there an idea that you think we should borrow from your previous experience? dayle

There are so many things that Chets Creek does really well, that I thought I would make a list.

1. Constant celebrating

• The teachers are always being celebrated, from a note in the weekly memo to the the Tinkerbell book/necklace to a lunch provided by PTA. Teachers are noticed for all the hard work they do.


• The first day back to school for both teachers and the students is amazing. My daughter has never been so excited for a first day of school and to find out our school theme (I kept it a secret from her).


• The team building that takes place over the summer to welcome new teachers is amazing. It is like Chets Creek 101 and really helps prepare you for the school year. It is a week full of info followed by a social gathering with your mentor
  

2. Good use of time

• The weekly memo fills us in on the upcoming events so that we don't have to hear it all in a faculty meeting.


• Meetings are held in the morning which keeps them short and sweet. WOW days are well planned, organized, entertaining.

3. Amazing coaches (and I'm not just saying that because you passed the book to me!)

• The coaches are an excellent resource. They are always available and help to lighten the work load instead of add to it.
  

4. Resource and planning time with your team

• Wow! - enough said!

5. Bulletin boards

• I can actually walk through the halls at Chets Creek and learn from them. The bulletin boards aren't cookie cutter and they give you a look at what is taking place in the classroom. thinking outside of the box is encouraged!

6. Book of the Month

• I have thoroughly enjoyed introduction to the book of the month. It is obvious that they are well thought out and chosen for a reason. The ideas that are presented with them are a wonderful resource.

I have thought all week about what you could borrow from my previous experience and I had a hard time coming up with anything. The one thing that helped me as a teacher at my last school was the dining room management plan. I know that is the one place that many students have a hard time following the rules. Each teacher had the same sheet (called the Golden Paw) and on it was a list of the expectations and a place for the student names. Each day the whole class could earn a 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 according to the five expectations that were listed. Classes that earned a 5 each day for a week would get a golden paw sticker on a chart that was displayed in the cafeteria. If received all 5's and only one 4, you receive a silver paw. classes that received a Gold or Silver Paw for the week were announced on the morning news on Monday and Had a chance to earn a stuffed tiger in their room for a week. It was helpful to me because I could look at the sheets and see which students had problems at lunch and how my class did overall. If they did not clean up after themselves then that would be marked on the paper. I know this seems like a lot, it actually ran very smoothly and helped me to reinforce good behavior and correct inappropriate behavior in the dinning room.

Balance (dayle timmons)

Question: dayle,
I know your dedication to young learners and the teaching profession is steadfast and I admire that about you. We've talked about this before, but would you share with me and others (that may need to hear your words of wisdom), how you have managed to keep these two areas blanced throughout your career as an educator? I struggle with this daily and often carry guilt in one area or the other? Please reassure me that I am not crazy!!!
All my admiration,
Elizabeth

You’re not crazy, Elizabeth. There is nothing more difficult than trying to be all things to all people. Balance, for me, like for most moms that work, came over time. I learned that you CAN have it all, you just can't have it all at the same time! These are some of the things that worked for me along the way. I share them in hopes that they might be helpful to someone else…

1. I have always considered my life at school as my own personal mission field. I believe that God put me on this Earth to be a teacher, to minister to those around me including my peers, the children and their families. I really do believe that I am doing God’s work every day and that colleagues, children and parents that come into my life come by Divine appointment (usually because of lessons I need to learn instead of lessons that I need to teach!), so I have never resented the time that school takes. I feel a deep moral obligation to do this part of my life right. My life goal has always been to make a difference and most of time, I believe that teaching allows me to do that. My advice: Think about why you teach, what it really means to you - and find the joy in it.

2. I am very organized so I usually have a good idea of what needs to be done. I am a very good manager of time. I usually have a list (that used to be in my head but lately I have to write it down!) of “things to do.” Some of the things are for school and some are for home. When the kids were little, I tried to include them in my “to do” list – even if it was something for school, but mostly I always kept the “to do” list accessible. When the kids were out or occupied, I would work on the “to do” list, knowing that I couldn’t get too absorbed (which is the key) because I needed to be available to them as soon as they were “back.” Children, especially, have to know that they come first. My advice: Always have an on-going plan for getting things done. Never put off until tomorrow what could be done today.

3. I have always known when things were just “too much.” Most of you know that after Courtney was born I stayed home for a year, went back to work for a year and just couldn’t juggle it all. I felt like I wasn’t doing anything well. I have always felt God’s hand in the personal part of my life. He gave me a family for a reason and He has very high expectations! Being a teacher, a wife and the mother of two was just too much for me at that time in my life. Even though some people have called me driven, and I personally thought that staying home was the end to any kind of “career” aspirations I might have had (how could I have known all that would happen to me AFTER I came back to work!) I was able to make the decision to stay home very easily. I stayed home until Courtney went to Kindergarten. Although we hadn’t prepared for me not to work, and things were extremely tight, I have NEVER regretted that decision, because it gave me peace. My advice: Don’t get overwhelmed with your life. It will rob your happiness. Know when enough is enough and always know what the greater priority is in your life.

4. I am a morning person. I get up early so when the kids were little my husband and I worked out a compromise. I got up before the kids got out of bed and left for school. I did all my planning before school at school (it’s so quiet and you get so-o-o much done!) and was ready to leave when school was out so I could be home for the kids. Jimmy coached so he was not available in the afternoon and early evening. He did all of the breakfast, dressing, getting to school and I did all of the being there after school, dinner prep, homework, afternoon activities. It gave each of us individual time with the kids and also gave each of us guilt-free time to do what we needed to do for work. My advice: Work with your support system so that you have time to do what you need to do (I love Karen Morris’ suggestion in an earlier post of one night a week at school, which is the same idea).

5. Decide what’s really important to you and get rid of the stuff that you’re doing just because somebody else thinks you should. For instance, Secret Santa was one of those activities that I had to let go. I LOVE Secret Santa but one year I realized that I spent as much time stressing over Secret Santa gifts as I did buying presents for my own children. Secret Santa was just too much for me. Now I go and enjoy the breakfast and don’t feel one bit guilty about not participating because I know it was the right decision for me. I could give you dozens of examples. My advice: Be intentional about what you choose to do. Align your time and passion with your belief system. Free yourself from guilt.

I wish I could say that I have it all figured out and that I never get stressed any more. That’s not true, but I do know to listen to my heart. When I feel overwhelmed, I know that something is out of balance, and that’s my internal signal to really think about what’s going on in my life and to straighten things out before things get too far out of balance. Often it means trusting my relationships, being honest with myself, and asking for help.

I have a special place in my heart for young mothers. You have the whole world open to you if you can use the energy and wisdom of your age and yet still see life through the eyes of your child. You are preparing our next generation of children to take their place in our world, not only in your homes, but in your classrooms. This time in your life is your legacy…

With great expectations, dayle

Julie At Your Service (Julie Middleton)

Question: Dear Julie,
We all know that "Customer Service" is extremely important in our business, how and why do you maintain excellent customer service daily?
Moena

Dear Moena,
I have to say that it is not always easy to smile and be kind to every person that walks in the door, but I really do try to to that. I am a people pleaser and that makes me always wanting everyone to be happy, even those people who are furious about something and want to see someone right away. Sometimes all I have to do is listen and that makes them feel better. There are those that are never happy no matter what you do but you never know when you might actually make a difference in someone else's life--so I keep trying. I am always reminding my children that you should never underestimate the power of your actions. One small gesture can change a person's life. I really believe that we are put in each others lives to impact one another in some way.
Love, Julie Middleton

Co-teaching (Elizabeth Conte)

Question: Elizabeth,
I know what an extraordinary educator you are and I learned so much from watching you. Now that you are working with your fantastic co-teacher, Randi, What are the perks and obstacles that you have found since recently becoming a co-teacher? any suggestions for the first year teacher who will most likely be co-teaching in the near future?
Danielle


Oh Danielle, you make me smile!

Co-teaching is very different from single teaching. Here are the perks and obstacles we have found so far this year:

Perks:

• Finding a teacher who shares my philosophy and passion for students was key to making our co-teaching situation work. A big bonus was finding someone who values family-life as much as I do and understands when I need to be mommy or wife instead of teacher!
  
• We keep each other motivated and challenge each other to continually strive to improve as teachers.


• Learning how to parallel teach and finding that it truly impacts students' learning in a very positive way. it takes a lot more planning and preparation, but it's so worth it!


• You don't have to write sub plans when your co-teacher is going to be out... wow, that's a relief.


• You know that old saying, "Two heads are better than one," Well, it's true. I learn so much from Randi every day!


• Reaching all your students, especially those low babies, is more realistic in a so-teaching situation. We both are teaching mini-lessons for each workshop and pulling small groups or conferencing one on one during work periods. We don't job share...we are both teaching all day long.

Obstacles:

• Getting used to saying "we" instead of "I" when I communicate with parents. I was so used to saying "I" or just signing my name to notes...it took me a while, but I think I've got it now.


• Time, time, time... co-teaching is not a time-saving strategy. You have to plan together, reflect together, conference with parents together, etc... the list goes on and one. Be prepared to spend time on the phone with you co-teacher.


• I have an easy-going personality and can be quite flexible when it comes to my classroom...this really helped when transitioning to co-teaching. As long as you keep flexible and are ok with re-developing your classroom together, this won't be an obstacle

Suggestions for Danielle:

• Really put some thought into who you might co-teach with. Look for someone who shares your teaching style, discipline style and philosophical beliefs about teaching and children.
  
• Think about your reason for co-teaching---it really can be a great benefit for students, but only if you have the right mindset going into it.


• Should you decide to co-teach, be prepared to learn SO MUCH and establish a great relationship with your "partner." It really can be a WONDERFUL thing!


• Always know, my door is always open and my phone is never turned off, should you need a listening ear or some hopeful advice.
  
  

Elizabeth