Stickin' It Through Pays Off

Hello, Blog Readers.

What an overwhelming, doubtful and stressful Spring it has been. As you might know, I have been on the hunt for a teaching position at one of the 7 school districts that I have applied to (Allen, Plano, Richardson, Coppell, Frisco, McKinney and Highland Park). I have basically blanketed the entire Dallas area. Essay questions on applications were thoroughly answered, transcripts were sent in, resume with cover letters attached were sent to principals in these schools districts and anticipation of certification letters were sent in to Human Resources offices. The next course of action was to attend the job fairs for these school districts.

On March 28th, there were 4 job fairs from 8am-noon. Plano, Coppell, Allen and Highland Park. Because of the geographics of where each of these were located, I had to pick and choose which ones I wanted to attend. I decided to attend the Plano job fair since I am a graduate from there and Highland Park because it was the easiest one to attend after Plano because you go straight down 75.

I got to Plano early and waited in long lines with other aspiring teachers who were all various ages and different levels of experience. In 3 and a half hours, I was able to talk with 20 schools (there are 42 schools in all in Plano). More or less, each school stated the same pitch, "I'm sorry but we have no openings." It definitely put a dent my spirit. To be rejected over and over regardless of how much I expressed my love for teaching and all of the neat experiences I have had in student teaching did nothing. No worries, I still had Highland Park to go to. There are only 4 elementary schools in HP which was nice. But, when I got up to the 3rd principal, she stated how HP doesn't hire 1st year teachers because they don't believe that there are experienced enough. I wanted to yell back at her, "Then WHO GAVE YOU THE CHANCE WHEN YOU WERE 22 TO START TEACHING?!?!?!!?" but I bite my tongue, smiled sweetly and shook her hand thanking her for giving me the chance to talk to her and left. I felt defeated. Totally shook up. Trying to paddle through the mucky water I was drowning in.

But nothing dampens this girl's spirit. I continued to email teachers, went and dropped out my resume to school secretaries and continued to pray.

Then the greatest day happened.

I attended the Richardson Job fair this past weekend, April 18th to be exact. I arrived 30 minutes early before the job fair began believing that being early would give me an edge. While I waiting in line with the rest of the hopeful teachers, it started to mist. My hair that I had perfected minutes early was now drowned out like a vegetable that gets its timed mist at the grocery story. When I got inside, I checked in, received a badge that had my name and walked into the cafeteria filled with all of the school districts for Richardson.

The vibrancy of this job fair was unlike any of the others I have attended yet. Each table was carefully detailed with a theme to lure people over to come hear why their school is awesome. There were teachers dressed as fishermen "fishing for fabulous faculty", teachers walking around with milk mustaches proclaiming "moo on over to our school!" and even michael jackson's greatest hits playing. One table caught my eye. They were dressed as Harley Davinson drivers, even the principal herself had on all of the black leather and a bandanna wrapped around her hair. I introduced myself and she then proceeded to ask me detailed questions about my behavior management style, how I prepared for TAKS and how I deal with parents. I felt like I didn't have all of the right words to convey my thoughts but I must have said something right. After we talked, she gave me a card to have a formal interview with human resource people. I was escorted upstairs to a room filled with a principal who was going to do my interviewing. I was asked 35 questions dealing with all areas of education. She was not allowed to express how I was answering and add any additional thoughts. She just critiqued what I said. It was then taken to Human Resources where they were going to evaluate it and then I would hear back in the next few weeks.

When I got back downstairs, I visited more schools. The "o" word was finally said. Openings were found and they needed teachers to fill them. It was such a relief. I feel that this is where God wants me to teach! A handful of the schools are Tier One and others have ESL learners. I have a hunch that this is where I will end up. And I'm ready for the challenge. BRING IT!

I'm on going to write on my blog

I have wonderful news.  I got an A on my Teacher Work Sample (138 points correct out of 150.  If you divide that amount, it's a 92).  Teacher Work Sample is education's version of a thesis for all those U-Scholars and Honors kids out there who fingers are typing away at the moment before their big day comes.  My TWS ended up being a little over 60 pages.  I was thrilled.  A handful of my friends failed so the fact that I managed to pull off an A is miraculous.  This teaching thing is maybe meant to be.  

Last Wednesday, my kids took yet another practice TAKS Reading test.  The big day for these two tests is April 28th and 29th.  Tuesday we took a practice TAKS Math and somehow forgot that we were taking a practice TAKS Reading so when they came into the room and saying it on their assignment board, they let freak out screams.  Not going to lie, I would let them out too.  I do not enjoy TAKS at all.

Students were given their test, a quick pump up about remembering to use their strategies and to read every story twice if not three times.  While I was working on grading papers and job applications, one of my students raised their hand.  I walked over to him and stated that he was done.  It had merely been an hour and I thought he couldn't possibly be done unless he had done his very best work which for this one, he is notorious to racing through his work because he has it wrapped around his head that there is still a prize waiting at the end of the finish line for completing first.  I did not take the test from him until 11, 3 hours after the test was given.  He let out a grunt and I stated, "Do you want an A on this test?" And he apathetically stated, "I guess."  2 and half hours later, I picked up his test. 

This student made a 98.  The first time that he took it this semester, he got a 50.  A 48 point increase, not too shabby eh?

Lots of my students made A's.  It was beautiful.  Mrs. Humphrey and I were so excited.  I love when my students do well.

Next weekend is big.  I will be heading to Dallas for Teaching Job for Coppell, Plano, Highland Park and possibly Allen (if times permits).  This is where I will be meeting numerous principals from each elementary school in the districts there.  I'm nervous, not going to lie.  I'm crossing my fingers and toes for job interviews.  

Okay, that is all for now... I'm going to work on sending more cover letters and resumes to principals.  Enjoy today's beautiful weather.

Really, REALLY?!!?!?!?

Hello all you readers out there that read the latest and greatest of my blog entries.

It is March 5th.  Scary thought, I know.  I'm sitting in my apartment relaxing, such a foreign word to this year.  I feel like I never really stop.  Even when I'm sleeping, I'm running through in my head what I have to do the next day.  

There are a stack of papers staring at me right now (my kids would say I found SMAPHO.  And I would receive a penny for that last sentence), waiting anxiously to see if they will receive any purple ink marks. (side note.  I don't like grading in red. I would rather grade in purple or green).

It is FINALLY Spring Break.  Today was the longest of days.  My kids had the jitters.  Nobody could sit down.  They received their progress reports for this nine weeks this week.  A good chunk of them aren't doing too hot.  Due to the fact that they never turn in their assignments.  Even daily assignments (you would think daily assignments would be easier to do.  We do it together in class.  The only task that they have is to follow along, ask questions when needed and turn it into the tray for their class period.  Apparently that is a hard task for a nine year.

The task of writing your name on your paper is hard too.  It's two words you have heard from day one and somehow we can't get the pencil on the top of the paper to write these down.  On average, when I'm grading 78 papers from them, I will have 14 that don't have names.  Having 78 students, there is no way that I can decipher their hand writings.  Especially when they are circling letter choices.  But o do they have attitudes when their work is missing.  These last two days, I would read off who had missing work and my kids would run up to me accusing me that I had lost their work or thrown it away. Then I would ask them to check their purple folder and wha-la, there it is, perfectly placed there as if the homework fairy had placed it there herself.  If the fairy didn't give them fairy dust, I run off extra copies for them to do.  They complain doing the same assignment twice but my statement is, would you rather have the zero or some credit?  

Next week, I'm headed to Seattle slash Vancouver with the roommates plus Jenny and Melissa.  I am SOOOOO EXCITED!  It is going to be so much fun traveling to another country together.

Favorite Quote from today

Miss Chambers asks student: "Where are you going for Spring Break?"

Student: "I'm going to Memphis to see Elvis."

(puzzled look on my face)

Student: "You know, the King of Rock and Roll?"

Love Bugs

I wasn't full teaching this week.  It was a nice break from the hectic life of me trying to rally in my 4th graders from changing classes, marking charts of kids that aren't prepared/talking/throwing objects across the classroom/forget their homework.  So I decided to brainstorm how to describe each of my class periods and this is what I came up with.

My 1st period are my Patty Procrastinators.  I race the halls every week trying to gather all of the assignments that they haven't turn in on time.  Their behavior charts resemble a mosaic of colorful "2's" and "3's." 

My second period class are my hardest workers.  They are good at following directions the first time and still "aim to please." If they could receive a TAKS score for their effort, they would have commended performance.

My 3rd period class are my frequent flyers.  IF they earned points for how many times they came up for help, they could earn a trip to the North Pole to if Santa is real.  Ironically, this is the cream of the crop group.  They constantly question everything.  You name it.  They will ask it.

Attention Getters.My fourth period class is filled with class clowns.  They are the quirkiest and most theatrical group.  The class ratio is 13 boys and 7 girls.  I often find the boys desperately trying to to get my my attention

One of my favorite parts of my career is the statement of fashion trends.  In our 4th grade, we have it all.  We have the t-shirt/jean short trend, we have the sunday dress and running shoes look, we got the more barrettes in one's hair than someone can count look, we have the socks that are pulled up to the calf look and even the argyle sweater and wind pants look.  I love it.  They are so confidence in their own fashion ways that they could care less what everyone thinks one of 4th graders.

One of my 4th graders yesterday asked me if my boyfriend's name was J Crew. I told him yes.

Snippets

I can't remember the last time that I wrote a blurb about my whereabouts so before I hit the hay, I will give you brief snippets of my life and what it entails.  

On Friday, I turned in my Teacher Work Sample.  62 pages double spaced with charts.  Probably the most strenuous and insane project I have done to date.  I had to write a unit covering either Science or Social Studies (I taught about Early Colonization in Texas) then devise learning goals that covered TEKS that also related to the Contextual Factors that were found in my class, teach the unit itself, produce a pre and post assessment to see what the raw scores of each of the learning gains were and after teaching the unit if they were any learning gains out of the students (I'm proud to say that all of my students had positive learning gains. I must be doing something right, eh?) discuss any changes that were made during the unit.....I think you get the idea.  I'm glad it's done.

O yes, I have come to the realization that my favorite subject to teach in school is science.  I love doing experiments with my kids.  Next year, my goal is to have a garden somewhere at my school where my kids and I can learn about the growing process of different plants (ie. fruits and vegetables) and have a garden of our own.  Wouldn't that be neat?

I have the Teacher Job Fair on March 4th.  It's just around the corner and I haven't even begun thinking about it.  Part of me is freaked out because all I hear about is how awful our economy is and how there are no jobs to be found and then the other part of me knows that I will find a job at the perfect little elementary school and will begin the great adventure of refining my teaching tactics to be one of those teachers that kids talk about at their high school graduations and how they made an impact on their lives.  That's what I want to be.  Pretty neat dream.  You should jump on the band wagon. I'm pretty psyched.

Okay, that's all for now. Until next time...

My Heart and Soul Poured Out Into Words

In my senior year at Baylor, I have the opportunity to work with a group of incredible fourth grade students.  During my experience in the classroom this year, I have begun my lifelong journey in becoming the educator that I dream of being.  An interaction with a student that touched my heart was with a boy who has Asperberger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism in which the student lacks appropriate expression and has difficulty interacting with peers.  One day in class, I was searching for an overhead sheet with math vocabulary and he came up from behind me.  I asked him if he needed anything and he stated that he just wanted to give me a hug.  As he was running back to his seat, I realized why I had chosen this profession as a career. 

 My philosophy of education is to develop children's faith within themselves.  I believe that in order for a student to be successful, he or she must have the confidence to accomplish their dreams.  As an elementary teacher, I have learned the depth of children's vulnerability.  They cannot have faith in themselves if we don't have faith in them as educators.  Regardless of what learning styles a child possesses, I do believe that each student is capable of reaching his or her potential.  It is up to us as teachers to instill students' full capacity and celebrate their unique personalities while inside the classroom.  My goal is to teach with authenticity.  Faith in my students is an expression of my love for them.  Each child has something to offer.  It is up to a teacher to allow students to explore their gifts.  

New Year, Goals are in Place, Dreams Waiting to be Reality

Today is my last day in Plano. I leave for Waco tomorrow. It's has been a superb Christmas break. Confession. I was a little apprehensive at the beginning of the break. I was technically done the Tuesday before Thanksgiving so I thought it was going to move slow like pond's water (that's a common phrase that comes out of my mom's mouth. Something moving as slow as pond's water. I've never personally sat by a pond to see how slow the water actually moves but I'm taking my mom's word on it. She's usually right about things).

Like others, I have tried to make a list of New Year's Resolutions to accomplish before I'm doing another countdown and wondering who is going to be the lucky man to receive a New Year's kiss. Here is what I have come up with so far.

1. Graduate - I feel like this is a given. Something that is sitting on a silver platter that I will pick up on May 16th. But it's not! I still have 15 weeks of my internship, science seminar, Teacher Work Sample and evaluations done by mentor teachers.

2. Find a Job-this is one of my resolutions that is dicey. I know, there are so many teaching jobs in every district, you have nothing to worry about, blah blah blah. But mind you, there are thousands of college graduates doing the exact same thing I am doing right now. Fighting for the same jobs that I am. Everyone dreams of having their perfect job. Being in an elementary school that feels like a hand in a glove. But you have to stand out a little bit more than the rest. That's what I've been picking my mind at during Christmas break. What can make me, Claire Chambers, stand out a little bit more than the others?

I think the fact that I have had a year long internship at a elementary school for student teaching will get the ball rolling for being unique in a line-up of college graduates. Many education majors only work with a class for merely 15 weeks. But Baylor seeks to have college graduates from the school of education to work with a class for a school year. While in my internship, I have worked with 80 kids (4 different homeroom classes rather than one), and also have taught different subject to another 60 kids (the other 3 homeroom classes at Spring Valley). This makes teaching 140 kids (soo many names) and working alongside 7 different teaching styles. Pretty neat, eh?

Since I've been at Baylor, I have working in every area of my degree. Freshman year, I worked with a 1st grader named Stephanie Nava, Sophomore year, I worked in a kindergarten class at Bells Hills Elementary, Junior year I taught 2nd grade (the best grade) in the Fall, and 3rd grade in the Spring. And this year, I'm teaching 4th grade. So my EC-4 degree will show evident that I've dapped into each area.

Whew, maybe one of my new year's resolutions should be to move onward. Not freak out but take what I have and run with it.

Sounds good.

O, something yall can think about. In an elementary class, there is a theme to the room. When I think back to what I enjoyed in elementary school, I think of ballet, the color pink and American Girl dolls. Not too great for a class theme. Do you guys have any ideas on what could be fun for an elementary school class???