Sunday, December 26, 2010

A Little R and R

I love winter and all the outdoor activities that it brings!  I am not only enjoying cross-country skiing, but also the time I have to read books!  My Kindle is so darn convenient, that it's scary.  If I want to read a book, I just click a button on my Kindle and "voila," it's there!
I am also looking forward to a full week of much needed vacation.
Wishing you and yours a very joyous Christmas and Happy New Year!

Friday, December 17, 2010

'Tis the Season

Yes, it is the season for family and fellowship! It's a time to once again to be thankful for all of our blessings. We can show our appreciation by giving back to others.
Just recently, our class received a thank you card from a family. We sent birthday cards to a little boy who is terminally ill. We wanted to brighten his day by sending him well wishes. When I opened the card, I was almost in tears. You see, he is having a rough time right now. The Lord is awesome and can do AMAZING things. I say a prayer today for this special little boy who has touched so many lives!
I have also come to the conclusion that "Learning is Messy" all the time. I am seeing so much progress, but I need to be comfortable with the fact that it is not going to be a clear-cut path. There are so many tools and paths that students need on the road of learning. Some are ahead, some are right on track, while others are trailing behind. Even though some are trailing behind, there has been much progress on their journey. Nonetheless, that isn't enough. We are under pressure, by state mandates, to meet a certain level of proficiency. I guess that is my main frustration...Never mind that a student made monumental progress from last year. According to the state, it still is not enough. Booo hoo!!! However, I will continue to move forward as a teacher and incorporate strategies that build up my class community and make it a fun and safe place to learn. Learning ALWAYS rocks!