Is the Grass Really Greener or is it Artificial Turf?

Oh.. the joy of being a classroom teacher.

We are generalists in out duties, but we immerse ourselves in every subject in an effort to become specialists in all that we explore with our students. We are told that something is a top priority, along with 100 other things that are as well. We explore new educational strategies and instructional models in an effort to give our students the best learning environment in a sincere effort to reach all learning styles and both engage and challenge every student at all times through all subject areas.

To be honest, I sometimes feel like a professional juggler. Having said that, I wouldn't want it any other way. I love the rush and the unpredictability of the classroom, BUT.....

The technology projects that I also love to do are getting tougher and tougher to tackle with my students. The pace of the day and the limited time I can work and devote to them can suck the life out of many things. I have started to blog with my students as of last week, and they are really loving it. As a matter of fact, I am anxious to see their articles this week. My mind has been racing with music video ideas and how I can tie one to a curriculum area that we are currently exploring. (My last 2 classes have made such videos, and they were incredibly motivating and fun reteaching opportunities. They also help me to gauge what other projects my students would like to tackle.)

Lately I have been looking at the role of a technology teacher, and to be quite honest there is much that interests me. A technology teacher has more freedom to interpret the curriculum and create projects that leap "off the page" so to speak. They also must collaborate with the classroom teacher to ensure that it is anchored in curriculum. I am sure that it is not all smiles and bubble gum though, as there are some tasks in the role that might not be as rewarding. My main concern is the connection that I wrote about in my last entry. When you are a 'specials area' teacher, is there less 'ownership' of a class? I hate to definitively say "no", but from my point of view there would have to be. You are seeing almost the entire student population and not just those 23-26 kids that you are the primary person responsible for. That connection (for me) is one of the biggest rewards of teaching. I wonder how things would feel different if I was not their classroom teacher.

I'm not going anywhere, but it doesn't hurt to wonder. I'm just wondering aloud I guess.

Connections: text to self, text to text, text to world, class to self

My class has been exploring the characteristics of good reading. One of the things we learn that good readers do is make connections to literature to make what they are reading more meaningful, more relevant and to enhance comprehension.
When I think about what is the best about teaching, the connection with the students is one of the first that comes to my mind. We spend so much of the day with them, and we become partners in what we learn, explore and share. We model for learning academic skills, acceptable behavior and social interaction. It is the connection with the classroom and my students that makes teaching truly fulfilling.
I am also lucky enough to keep in touch with some of my students after they leave me. I do see my kids when they are in 5th grade, but now as my former classes get older, they move into middle and high school.
One rather touching moment was my birthday. I received a few emails and cards from students that had moved on from the walls of room 25. That really touched me. I am honored to played a role in their lives, and I thank them most graciously for doing the same for me.

Cheers.