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Sara the Teacher

Underperforming Schools

Sunday, March 14th, 2010 | Random Thoughts, Sara the Teacher | No Comments

I just found out this morning that the high school I graduated from in 1998 made the bottom 5% of underperforming schools in the State this week.

I graduated from A.B. Miller High School in Fontana. It was a great place to go to school. I was involved in the AP program, I sang in the choir, I ran track and cross-country, and I was a leader in a couple of clubs over the 4 years I was there. The school population was diverse (ethnically speaking as well as socio-economically). The teachers I had were outstanding. I had a solid group of friends. I look back on high school with fond memories.

And now, 12 years later, the school has been identified as one of the most “underperforming schools” in California. My heart is sad. Not because of what has happened to our school, but because politicians still think they can rank schools, teachers, and precious students according to some unrealistic scale of “success!” Among my group of friends who graduated in the 90s from A.B. Miller are teachers, architects, EMTs, stay-at-home-moms, accountants, reading specialists, speech therapists, and engineers. How could all of those students come out of such a “low-performing” institution? Clearly, the level of success our high schoolers have in the future is more a reflection of their family and personal desire and motivation to achieve high standards than the ranking of schools by the government!

I feel very passionate about this (as if you couldn’t tell!). So many of us who go into education do it because our hearts give us no other options. Yes, there are some lousy teachers out there (and I had a few over the years), but there are some phenomenal people in our schools as well. As Christ-followers, our calling goes even beyond where our hearts lead us. We know, without a shadow of a doubt, that our classroom is our mission field. We have been called by our Creator to love his kids…and NOT just the ones in higher achieving, more exclusive communities.

I am an advocate for public education. Nate and I plan to send our children into our community’s schools. We are a part of the education process as parents. Our children have a responsibility to their family and to themselves to work toward success. The government (state and federal) will not scare me about our schools. I know that to the politicians, our kids are nothing but numbers and test scores; as well as one of the greatest strains on the economy. However, I choose to believe that God is greater than any of that. Public education is a wonderful and important part of our community. The success of our future generations lies in relationships (with friends, families, teachers, community members, and churches), not in the numbers and lists provided by out-of-touch government officials.

The Fun Time of the School Year

Friday, February 5th, 2010 | Random Thoughts, Sara the Teacher | No Comments

Second semester started this week. This is when teaching middle school really gets fun. I’ve set up my routines and procedure and we’ve created a positive classroom climate. The students know what to expect (for the most part) each day and they seem to come to class eager for daily adventures. Don’t get me wrong, I still work with adolescents who like to break out the attitude, but overall, life is good!

We were just wondering if, um,….

Thursday, January 14th, 2010 | Sara the Mommy, Sara the Teacher | No Comments

So, I haven’t told very many of my co-workers that we’re expecting. I’ve been wearing “chunky” clothes for the past two weeks to cover up my growing (but small) belly because I just haven’t been ready to tell my students. Well, Tuesday, a couple of girls in my 5th period class were snickering and whispering to themselves. They even asked my co-teacher if I was expecting. She told them to ask me, but of course, they didn’t.

Today is Thursday. I was informed by another teacher (and friend) that this small group of girls was growing and now several of my students from different classes (!) were wondering if I’m pregnant. They were discussing it in her homeroom this morning. She told them they should talk to me.

It’s not that I don’t want the students to know, it’s just that I was trying to hold off for 1 more week. Well, I can see that’s not going to happen! So, today during SSR, I pulled out the 3 girls responsible for this little “rumor” and asked them if they wanted to ask me a question. It was quite cute the way they all giggled and looked at each other. Italy was the only brave one among them. “Well,” she started, “We were just wondering if” *giggle, gigle* “I mean, um, are you…” and this she literally whispered “pregnant?”

I smiled and told them I am, and they all sighed and gave me a hug. I figured I’d make it a learning point and let them know they were always welcome to ask me instead of asking around. After all, I heard from someone who heard from someone else, and boy, if I wasn’t pregnant, I sure would feel pretty lousy to think that all of these people now think I’ve gained weight that I could be pregnant! I told them it was better just to ask me up front. Afterall, I can be a really nice person. (-:

So, the word is out. And the best part is, I don’t have to wear “chunky” clothes anymore!!

A Tough Year

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

It’s finally over, the 2008-2009 school year. For some reason this was one of the toughest years of my teaching career. The students last year (2007-2008) were a sweet bunch. Perhaps I expected the same from this year’s class. The 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 groups were challenging due to behavior issues. This group, however, was quite different.

I noticed right away how immature they all seemed in September. They were also quite naive, which was a surprise for an 8th grade teacher. But the characteristic that set them a part from all other students I have taught is that they were LAZY! It was really discouraging. I have never had so many students simply not do anything. I would have preferred a little 8th grade attitude, but these kids gave me nothing. I am used to students who hate math and don’t understand basic concepts. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy my job so much. When you start to unlock the mystery of mathematics, most students begin to find success. Success is addicting and many students begin to enjoy the subject and put forth more effort. Not so with this year’s class. Too many of them worked far below their potential. They weren’t motivated to do anything. I care so deeply for my kids and put my best foot forward everyday I enter my classroom. I pray God will use me in the lives of my students and depend on Him to renew my strength everyday. God is faithful and I know He gave me the motivation everyday to go back into a classroom full of unmotivated students. For that I am grateful.

Yet, as the school year drew to a close, I found myself checked out. I just didn’t really care anymore. I was so burned out I began feeling quite cynical (of course the talk of “pay reductions” next year didn’t help matters!).

That’s not me!

I am a “glass is half full” kind of girl. I love making “lemonade”…I took on 8th graders for goodness sake! But my heart is sad. My passion has fizzled a bit and I’m discouraged when I look at today’s youth. It breaks my heart to think of what the future holds for this year’s students. Even if most of them do graduate from high school, no one is going to want to hire a young adult who doesn’t care about working hard and thinks they deserve good things.

I hope and pray that this summer will be relaxing. I pray that God will renew my passion for middle schoolers and help me see the good in them. I refuse to become the kind of person who “can’t believe what this world is coming to.” I will not shake my head and say, “Kids these days…” I will look at our community of 8th graders through God’s eyes, with a heart of compassion.

10 Happy Things

Friday, February 27th, 2009 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

As mentioned in my previous post, this is a tough time of year in the classroom. I am weary and I find myself focusing on the negative things that happen each day with my students. Today during lunch, however, I had a change of heart and realized that there are many, many wonderful things happening in my classroom these days. So, here are 10 things, in no particular order:

1. I have 10 boys and 2 girls who hang out in my classroom every day during lunch. They are a sweet bunch of kids. As of late, the boys (8th graders, by the way) have been building forts and other structures with my “linking cube” and other math manipulatives. The have brought their little lego guys and made up whole story lines. It is pure bliss (and quite funny) to listen to them “playing.”

2. My special student (from a previous entry) has had a fabulous past 2 days. She has been rational, quiet, and cooperative. I like that side of her.

3. The spinner puzzles project was a hit. I taught my students about probability using spinner puzzles (think “Twister”) this week. The last 2 days have been spent making up a puzzle of their own. The puzzles now look fabulous hanging on the back wall of my classroom.

4. I got a great review from my Vice Principal this week. She observed me teach my students a lesson about interest last week. I taught them all about buying a car and how interest rates vary according to your credit score. I proceeded to give them a dose of reality by giving them a credit score based on their current grade in my class. She said she *loved* it and was especially impressed that not one student asked to leave the classroom to get a drink or go to the restroom during the entire 90 minutes!

5. My lesson plans are made through the next two weeks (I guess you have to be a teacher to appreciate that one).

6. Some of my students are really taking their goal-setting journals seriously. It’s encouraging to see them reflect on their responsibility and hold themselves accountable for their work habits and behavior each week.

7. I’ve had several students call me this week for help on their homework (I give them a special number to call me directly when they need help). It’s taken a while, but I’m convincing them that teachers really do want to help them learn…they just have to be responsible and make the effort to ask.

8. Open House is next Thursday and my room is pretty much ready (again, you kinda have to be a teacher to appreciate such a thing).

9. I’m not on the list of teachers who will probably loose their jobs at the end of the school year. I’ve been at CCMS for 4 years and have “tenure” status. I am so grateful for my job.

10. It’s Friday! And…I don’t have any homework this weekend.

Teacher’s High

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 | Sara the Teacher | 2 Comments

I’ve experienced “Runner’s High,” and I’ve definitely had some good days of teaching, but today probably tops them (or at least comes pretty close!). I taught my students an algebraic lesson using the “Fourfold Way.” We created toothpick patterns (with toothpicks), figured out recursive rules, and plotted points from a table. My students did so well! I always write in colors to differentiate between steps and to point out patterns, but today I had my students write in colors as well. I couldn’t believe how well that worked! They were understanding (on an elementary level) linear functions! And they *all* were involved. Every last one of them! My students…the “Far Below” and “Below Basic” scoring kids were understanding algebra and asking good questions!

‘Tis a good day in Mrs. Jones’ world…

A Rather Random Update

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 | Sara the Teacher, Sara the Wife | No Comments

This first week of school seems to be going quickly! I have met all of my students and they appear to be a good group. Their mathematical level is very low (some of them are still struggling with “borrowing/regrouping!”), but I’m up for the challenge. It’s somewhat of a welcome relief after all the teachers I’ve come in contact with these past few weeks. I’m “home” again!

Several of my students from last year have stopped in to say “hello” over the past couple of days. The high school campus is right next door to the middle school. It’s good to see them again. They are growing up. This year’s kids seem so much younger and don’t know “my ways” yet. I will not worry though; I’ll whip them into shape soon enough and will cherish them as much as the others (I hope).

I’ve been listening to John Mayer‘s latest release “Where the Light Is, Live in Los Angeles.” WOW! Is he ever a good blues guitarist! I can’t get enough of this two-disc set! I think my new favorite song (at least for this week) is “In Your Atmosphere.” Whew…good stuff.

My cousin Emily (yes, she’s my cousin) had an awesome post yesterday! Sure is cool to work on the Warner Bros lot… Go here to read about jamba juice and zac levi…

Nate and I had an incredibly relaxing weekend over the Labor Day holiday. We were given an amazing gift of a getaway weekend at the Four Season’s Biltmore in Santa Barbara. We got hot stone massages, ordered room service, had a champagne brunch, rode bikes to Stearn’s Warf and lounged by the pool. It was AMAZING! It was our first experience with such luxury. Our cottage was across the street from the beach and we listened to the ocean 24/7. It was true bliss! I shall write more details about our weekend at another time.

Until next time, friends, I hope you all are making a smooth transition back into the regular schedules and routines the Fall brings…

Here We Go Again…

Thursday, August 28th, 2008 | Sara the Teacher, Sara the Wife | No Comments

It’s a new school year!

Surprisingly, I’m *not* singing the end-of-summer blues like I was last year. It’s been a good summer, and I’m grateful for some time off.

Some of my summer highlights include:

spending a week in Tahoe with Nate’s parents and the Stewart family
taking a tour of the Warner Brothers Studios (thanks, Emily!)
spending a weekend thrift-store shopping with my grandma and mom
having lunch with some neat women
traveling to Philadelphia and New York for my precious friend’s wedding
spending lots of busy (but fun) days with our friends Dan and Sandra (I miss you guys!)
spending the weekend with my beautiful friend Taryn
watching the Los Angeles Galaxy play a few games at the Home Depot Center
running the America’s Finest City Half-Marathon (in San Diego)
watching as much Olympics as NBC could air

In addition to all of this “fun” stuff, I had the opportunity to do some staff development (a.k.a. “teaching teachers”) in the Stockton Unified School District and Compton Unified School District. Both were very interesting experiences! I think I expected a little too much from these teachers. I thought they would be great students, excited about learning a new math program. Boy was I wrong! There were a few teachers who eagerly accepted our teaching, but I was surprised by how many teachers were very, very difficult students. I even caught a few teachers cheating (copying homework from others, answering test questions together, etc.). I was so disappointed! I really did not expect to be in the presence of a bunch of overgrown, whiny 8th graders! Alas, it was not all bad. It was a great experience and I actually had fun (after all, just like in my classroom, I had to convince these people that what I had to say was interesting and important…a challenge I love). Who knows if this experience will lead me elsewhere, but I was grateful for a few weeks of something new (and a little extra money on the side).

So, now, more than ever, I’m ready to go back to my classroom. I’m excited and the back-to-school nightmares are minimal. Despite the many, many challenges our schools face in the state of California this year, I am thankful for a new school year and a great job.

I *love* new beginnings…

My First Business Trip

Friday, August 8th, 2008 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

I just got home from my first ever “teacher” business trip. I have been working with the Introduction to Algebra math program and UCLA over the past 3 years, and this year I was asked to help train some new teachers in Stockton. It was a good experience. I haven’t quite decided if I *like* teaching teachers (they can be worse students than 8th graders!), but it was a good challenge for me.

I will return to Stockton next week for the second half of the training, and then head over to Compton for a week with a new group of teachers. Way to end my summer with a BANG!

From the business side of things, our hotel was nice (it was the first time I ever stayed in a hotel room by myself), and my team (Connie and Phyllis) was a blast. I was definitely tired of eating out by the middle of the week and plan to take some of my own food next time.

It was a great experience!

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i think she really means it…