First Quarter Down!!!

Last week was the hardest yet this year. Not only was it physically taxing, but mentally as well.  Tom and I often pray before we are off to work. Tom was praying with me and he said "Lord watch over Shari during this roller coaster day".  That was exactly as it seemed.  Up one minute and down the next.

The conferences were both Wednesday evening and Thursday and into the evening on Thursday.  I was triple booked at some of these conferences.  No time to collect my thoughts, and I tried to make it to each and every one. 

The highlights were as follows:  Wednesday, I went to two different conferences for two different children, who have been adopted during the last couple of years.  One child was in fourth grade and another in kindergarten.  I met with the adoptive parents.  In both cases, they have been blessed with the most amazing, happy, considerate, and overall amazing children you could ask for.  It made me want to adopt more children.  Tom did not agree.  I thought about how resilient children are.  I thought about how wonderful and blessed these students are to have the parents that chose them.  In each case, there was the nervousness of meeting with their child's teacher.  In both cases we were happy to report that these children and making big gains academically and socially.  Each conference was so happy. I think this was the part of the roller coaster ride where you know the tricky stuff is yet to come.

I met with a set of parents whose child had just been diagnosed with a learning disorder.  We suspected it all along, but to actually see and visit with the scared parents was another matter.  This is the part of my job I love and hate all at the same time.  I wanted to take those parents, hug them tight and promise them that I will do all I can to help their child.  I wanted to tell them that it WILL be alright.  Their child is going to grow and learn and be a VERY high functioning member of society. These things were said and in the end, everyone was in tears.  The parents were crying because they had "lost" their perception of a perfectly "normal" child.  They blamed themselves.  I cried because I am honored to serve this family. I cried because there was a time when I too "lost" my perception of a perfectly "normal" child.  If I have anything to do with it, this child will learn and grow. This was the part of the roller coaster ride where you are going up hill and you know a drop will come.

On Thursday, the roller coaster plunged down fast.  It took my breath away. It would have been the moment when they try to take your picture so that you can prove you survived the scary fall.  I went to a conference on a child that I had worked with last year.  The student made much, much academic growth.  I was so pleased.  The parent had been a little difficult, but I expected there to be one sour apple in every batch.  The parent said, "when I am done with the teacher, I would like to ask you a couple of IEP questions".  No problem, I said. The thought actually went through my head, "What have I done now?" I serviced her child, I have responded to her emails. I honestly couldn't think of a reason why she would have a problem.  She came to my office and proceeded to question everything I do with her child. I was floored. I called in administration and I think they sort of set her straight.  My team was so supportive.  I just sat and cried for a moment and then I was mad.  This was the very thing I had feared.  This was the fall.  The good thing is, I will not change a thing about how and when I teach this child.  The bad thing is, I am a perfectionist and I beat myself up all weekend.

I read something about Perfectionism vs. Excellence.  When we are perfectionists, we set our selves up for the fall.  It's all black and white. Either we are successful or not.  If we strive less toward perfection and more toward excellence, then we are more apt to be successful.  We appreciate the process of achieving our goal.  Did the sour apple upset me? Yes.  Did it cause me to reflect on my teaching, tweak it, and make it better? Yes. I am trying to appreciate the process and strive for excellence.  I want to look at this incident as a learning experience not as a failure.  I need to look at it as part of my strive for excellence and not perfection.

I want to think of the coming week as the part of the ride where we are pulling back into where we first got on the ride.  It's a new full week with a normal schedule.  There may be some surprises, but I suppose it's all a process to becoming the best teacher I can be.

TTFN

Working Hard

Work is kicking my back side right now.  I am in the middle of preparing for report cards and parent conferences.  I always get so nervous about talking to parents.  I do my best and I work so very hard, but I am always fearful that this is not enough.  I love my students and I always put them first and do my best to be the teacher they need.  I am praying that things will go well.

Tom and Becca have decided to try out for another community play.  The play will be "Fiddler on the Roof".  I know I will be coaxed into making some of the costumes.  This deal will take place in April.  I am proud of them but I sure dread the constant work, time away from home, and making costumes.

Laura is busy with her school production of "The Crucible".  I guess the girls got Tom's DNA when it comes to acting.  This is not my thing, but I love watching my family shine.

The next couple of days will be crazy busy getting all the school stuff taken care of, but I am really looking forward to the weekend and perhaps a bit of rest.

TTFN.

Back Home Again

The last week has been a blur.  Writing training, site planning, care team meetings, IB conference, IEP meetings, etc....  I feel like I will finally get back to teaching this week.  It was all fun, especially the IB conference, but I am "plum wore out".

At the International Baccalaureate Conference in Denver spanned Friday evening through Monday afternoon.  I was accompanied by eight co-workers. I learned about how to integrate IB practices into my classroom.  All of the IB verbage finally makes sense to me.  I also learned how fun my co-workers can be.  When I got home, Tom asked me if there was anyone that I didn't care for after spending all weekend with them.  I realized that no, there is not one person I don't like.  We really appreciate and value each other.  I know I have said it before, but I really love Antelope Trails Elementary. 

This week finds the Russell home busy as usual.  Becca is working on a "movie" for her IB Exposition project.  Laura has a role in her high school production of "The Crucible".  She is also busy trying to keep her head above water in her IB curriculum.  Tom has been sick with a stomach bug. He is about over it, but not back to normal just yet.

Yes, IB is a whole theme in our home.  I teach the IB Primary Years Program.  Becca is a student in the IB Middle Years Program and Laura is a Junior in the IB Diploma Years Program. 

It's Wednesday night and I am looking forward to a restful and healthy weekend.