Reality 101: CEC's blog for new teachers

Richard: NCLB Hits Home

The first two things I learned about special education were: 1) to be explicit in instruction and directions and 2) to create a culture of success for my students. I’ve learned those things are much easier said than done.

I started the school year believing my students were no more than two grade levels behind, based on their Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) scores, and I created my lessons accordingly. I provided common accommodations such as shorter reading passages, read-aloud tests, advance organizers, and as many graphics as possible.

After weathering many meltdowns and shutdowns, I looked at my para in utter confusion. I could not understand what was setting my students off. I had evaluated the incidents and looked at antecedents, behaviors, and student expectations, and I failed to find a common theme.

Theresa: Where Would We Be Without Mentors?

What defines a new teacher? According to the school district I work in, you are considered a new teacher for the first two years. (And here at Reality 101, it’s three.) Now that I am entering my third year of teaching, I wonder if I missed the finish line where one becomes less of a new teacher and more of a veteran teacher.

One sign that I have graduated from new teacher status is that I get more and more responsibilities at work. This year I have been asked to sit on administration interviews of teacher candidates and to take on students from different universities as they complete various requirements for their teaching courses.

As a first- and second-year special education teacher, I was lucky enough to receive mentoring services from an induction coach through the Chicago New Teacher Center. My coach last year gave me exactly the support I needed. When she came into my classroom, she would know if I was having a good day or a bad day; she would know when to take notes and when things should be “off the books.”

Allisence: Managing for Dummies

In 1991, Dan Gookin might have been the most ingenious dummy on Earth. Ingenious because he authored the first in a series of more than 1,600 books (take that, J.K. Rowling!). And a dummy because he dared to call pretty much everyone who can read the English language . . . a dummy.

And yet he got away with it. Why? Because his book, DOS for Dummies, explained to “the rest of us” what DOS is. I, for one, have not read this book, so I am still unable to call myself an enlightened DOS dummy. However, there is one For Dummies book that I could really use right about now: Managing for Dummies.

Pretty much every single class I’ve taken thus far in my masters and certification program has talked about how to collaborate with paraprofessionals, how to incorporate them in instruction, and how to create a classroom culture that embraces the strengths of all its members. I heard the same things so many times that it became quite ingrained, but none of it really hit me until I started teaching this year.

Richard: Where Did I Put My Cape?

What a first week! As a teacher in a self-contained classroom, I was aware that I would be teaching all the subjects to students in all grades, plus two elective courses. I was happy when I found out that I only had one eighth grader for one class, which meant I would only be teaching two grades for the majority of my day.

As the summer progressed, I decided to be proactive and begin lesson planning, which also helped me meet and build relationships with those need-to-know teachers who are the best of the best in their subjects.

Going into pre-planning, I felt assured that I was fully prepared and ready for my students. But by the end of day two, frustration consumed me. It was not the frustration that comes with setting up my first classroom or normal beginning-of-the-school-year stress. Rather, it was the sense that my school expected me to be Captain Planet.

Why Captain Planet? “Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart! . . . By your powers combined, I am Captain Planet!”

Jessica: Conflicts and Conflict Resolution

Tell me if you’ve ever experienced something like this:

Student: Teacher, Guy called me stupid.
Guy: Only because Student said I was a jerk.
Student: But he took my lunch spot.
Guy: I got to the table first.
Student: No, I got to it first.
Guy: No, I did!

(a quick glance at the lunchroom shows a good 20 empty seats)

Name-calling and petty arguments are the types of conflicts that most commonly occur at my school, and they are difficult for a third party such as myself to resolve. This is because of emotional investment.

Theresa: Tales from the IEP Meeting

When I was going to school for my master’s degree, I took one class in which we spent a lot of time conducting mock individual education program (IEP) meetings. What I remember most was how much anxiety they caused me. Thoughts would race through my head: How am I supposed to be in this meeting when I know nothing about the student? Won’t I know a lot more about the student when I am a teacher? Why are is everyone acting so crazy? They don’t act like that in real meetings, do they?

Fast-forward to my very first IEP meeting as a special education teacher. It was two years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I was very new and thought that all IEP meetings were like the ones practiced in my classes or imagined in my head. Boy, was I wrong!

This was an initial evaluation for the student, and his mother was hesitant about the whole idea of special education. When it was time for introductions around the table, I said, “Hi, I’m Theresa, the special education teacher.” The parent became so irate at the idea of her child needing special education that she rose out of her chair and stood over me in such a way that I almost felt threatened.

Allisence: 5 Things Making a Comeback

I love the way Converse All Stars look, but I’m not such a fan of how much they cost, so I bought some look-alikes. During a recent visit home, my dad took one look at my shoes and commented that Converses were “in” when he was young because they were affordable—and now everyone’s paying $60 for what should be cheap shoes.

This got me thinking about all the things that are making a comeback. Supposedly the current economy is causing everyone to subconsciously reminisce about happier times. I don’t know about that, but I do know many things besides ’70s clothing seem to be enjoying a comeback.

So here’s my list of top five things making a comeback this school year.

Chalkboards. While the rest of the nation seems to be moving toward SMART Boards, I’ve been blessed with a chalkboard. You know, those dusty green wall-hangers kids with sensory issues don’t like? That being said, my school is at capacity this year, so we’re using classrooms that haven’t been used for years. Guess I’ll have to limit the black clothing. . . .

Theresa: Stocking Your Classroom with DonorsChoose.org

Back-to-school has always been one of my favorite times of year. I look forward to seeing the great sales every Sunday. Who doesn’t love crayons for 25 cents, notebook paper for a penny, and rulers for 50 cents — the deals just keep coming!

However, what I really love (and hate at the same time) is when the teacher catalogues start coming in the mail. I will spend too much time drooling over things I wish I could have in my classroom. I mean, who doesn’t want a traffic light decibel reader or a wireless Eggspert in her classroom? But then reality sets in when I look at the prices, and I begin to wonder if there is some magical classroom out there that actually has all of these great things. Or do all teachers drool at the catalogues as I do?

Richard: Teacher Induction — Family Style

As a new teacher to Henry County Schools, you must go through a week-long teacher induction program (TIP). If you talk with veteran teachers, you are warned of the stereotypical monotone presenters (think Charlie Brown’s mom) spouting endlessly about policy and procedure.

Luckily, my TIP experience was the complete opposite. It made me feel as though I am a new member of a family that is excited to have me there and will support me throughout my first year and career within the education system.

As I got out of the car Monday morning, my stomach was turning and my mind steadfastly preparing for three days of boredom. However, by the time I reached the front door I couldn’t believe where I was. Administrators from the central office and school leadership were outside and within the lobby of the auditorium, greeting us with smiles, taking time to have conversations with us, and providing a welcome unlike any other. Within an hour, district officials had us laughing and even singing a song about how excited we were to be in Henry County Schools!

Jessica: Hot Fun in the Summertime

I have two schools. First, there’s my working school. As the name suggests, it is the school where I work. It gives me paychecks and fun lunchtime conversations. I get a nice summer break from this working school.

Then, there’s my other school, the one I attend. I just finished the last of my credential courses and am now working on my master’s. This schooling sometimes feels like it will never end, which means that on good days I fancy myself the perpetual student, and on other days I call myself a glutton for punishment.

I’m entering my second summer in a row when I haven’t been truly “off” from school, due to textbook-reading and paper-writing assignments. This summer, I have the added pressure pleasure of these lovely, looming words: literature review.

Allisence: Designing My Dream Classroom

There’s a story that during the Vietnam War, a certain prisoner survived the torture of being in a cell all alone for years by planning, in incredible detail, a dream house that he would build once he returned home. In his head, he knew exactly how many nails, how many 2x4s, and how many tiles he would need. When he got home, he built that house and, in terms of the materials he had estimated in his head, was only off by one plank of wood.

This summer, I’ve been pretending to have a smidgen of the ability that prisoner of war had and designed my dream classroom. I’ve planned out, in incredible detail, all the cute little students, where each table and desk will be, and the collaborative general educators I’m going to be working with next year.