tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28820375582438925882024-03-21T18:56:16.654-06:00LearnStrongA way for me to share my thoughts and reflections. I treasure my encounters with other people in the education world and beyond. These path crossings help me to continue my lifelong love of learning!Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-20471284863297528992013-03-02T14:43:00.000-07:002013-03-02T14:43:15.878-07:00Elias Factor<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I've written about Elias a few times this year. I believe he is my starfish this year. The one I'm throwing back into that ocean to survive, thrive and succeed. Elias has made a connection with not only me but the SS teacher for 7th/8th grades. He wrote her a note basically saying he needed some attention. He wasn't feeling very positive, successful or acknowledged. Elias had the chance after this note to sit down with a few people in the MS academy. After this chat, he wrote <a href="http://kidblog.org/Trevista7thGrade/a6d3249a-9abb-45e8-b89c-f0fe55235b1f/the-truth-version-2-0/" target="_blank">this blog post</a>. WOW!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The adults that can affect Elias' world at school sat down yesterday afternoon to think outside the box. The challenge that is happening is the 7th and 8th grade students are not getting what they deserve. A good majority of the student's are not receiving good teaching, engaging lessons and positive attention enough due to the behaviors of about 15 students. Elias speaks about kids needing to respect teachers. However, we owe it to the other students like Elias to think differently about what their day looks like. The meeting lasted about four hours and the solution is in progress. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>As we were finishing up yesterday, the 7/8 SS teacher said, "Kinda cool that Elias is the kingpin in all of this!" </b></span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-50411753857889468862013-02-15T05:47:00.003-07:002013-02-15T05:47:43.895-07:00Another Day Like This<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"Can I show you something?" he quietly asked after the other kids had filed out. I figured Elias (the student who I've written about previously <a href="http://learnstrong.blogspot.com/2012/11/which-part-of-roller-coaster-is-this.html" target="_blank">here</a>) was going to show me a new game or some idea he was working on. He'd put something on a flash drive so he plugged it into my lap top. It was the end of the day and the hallway was chaotic as usual so I told him to open up what he wanted to show me and come get me from the hall. He did what he needed and then walked over and patiently waited for me while I wrangled with 7th/8th graders. I walked to my laptop and what he'd pulled up was not a new game or idea, it was the note in the picture below. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I could not hold back tears as I read this in front of him (and still makes me tear up each time I read it). This kind of note is priceless. In a year where I have been pushed well beyond my comfort zone and felt less than successful... WOW! Reminds me of the story of the starfish:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>No matter what has happened this year I feel good knowing I made a difference for this one student. That's all we can hope for in this world... that we make it better for at least a one.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The story doesn't end with Elias' note. I shared with him that most likely I won't be back next year due to some reprograming of specials type classes. I gave him my school email and said I want to keep in touch with him and that if he ever needs anything, I am here. I just checked my email this morning and found this:</b></span></div>
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I have had a great time today. You are one of my favorite teachers that i feel like crying because i only get to see you once this year. I hope that i will be able to keep you in my future generation because you are a really nice person to talk to someone who really understands who i am and what i do. I think this is the best time I've ever had. I feel better getting 7 hugs all in one day because that shows me that i have people who cares about me. I am going to miss you.</div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wow. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>On a completely different note, I also had something else pretty cool happen yesterday. My campaign to spread smiles at school with the little pipe cleaner peeps was not my idea as I shared before. I thought it proper to share what I'd done with the people who sparked my idea. I got this response.</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Hi Gia - This is amazing! One of our friends, who makes Little Heart Man (</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/littleheartman" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: initial;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/littleheartman</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">) will be so happy to see this. I love it that everyone is inspired by one another and that you're making these anonymously for your teachers as well as the students. If you do it often enough, I think there might be a lot of people who will be inspired by you and your work to do the same thing! I always try to pay it forward and you're definitely doing that with this project. Keep up the great work!</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>and this was posted on littleheartman's FB page as well:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;">New friends spreading random acts of kindness! We recently received a message from our friends at </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=409602692421815&extragetparams=%7B%22group_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/makeDCsmile?group_id=0" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: initial;">Make DC Smile</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;">, a teacher in Denver saw Little Heart Man on the Make DC Smile page and made her own little guys with signs inspired by Make DC Smile. She's been spreading good cheer by anonymously giving them to fellow teachers and placing them in random spots in her school for the students. We love these guys!</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-91843199799080988202013-02-12T05:35:00.000-07:002013-02-12T05:36:53.726-07:00Days Like This<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yesterday was a <i>Day Like This</i>. </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC6QKtB90dFWqRGRiJUQW5IHTOu3_POluhyphenhyphenlBtChwmx6sRvwtK76XvlZZ_2uBN-de9xSMOIOl8o6hdCiNmaKzi1NzPf0ubm8z26exwh8_AvKB8GCBrVRM4ggA8GX5OPUF40zunEE6MzMT/s1600/20130210_163116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC6QKtB90dFWqRGRiJUQW5IHTOu3_POluhyphenhyphenlBtChwmx6sRvwtK76XvlZZ_2uBN-de9xSMOIOl8o6hdCiNmaKzi1NzPf0ubm8z26exwh8_AvKB8GCBrVRM4ggA8GX5OPUF40zunEE6MzMT/s200/20130210_163116.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Started out with a fitting message in my morning reading about </b></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>it's not what's in our pockets, bank accounts OR the the things we have... It's about what's in our hearts. I spent the weekend making these little pipe cleaner people (got the idea from makedcsmile and little blue man on FB). My idea was to anonymously give them to a few people at school to make them smile.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Something about a new pair of kicks also started the day off well. I was a cool kid in middle school yesterday. Even had some of the kids who normally have nothing nice to say to me give me a compliment. One boy even chatted me up enough to ask what size they were. When I told him, he claimed that was his size and that I should take them off and give them to him. I felt connected.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Had a great convo with an AP about how I can use the data maps the classroom teachers work with to help me help kids in the computer lab. Again, I felt connected. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mondays and Thursdays cause me a bit of anxiety because I have 8th grade these days. Yesterday they came in to my room less overwhelming. Perhaps it was my attitude (a new pair of kicks kinda attitude) but I felt they listened to my lesson more than most other times. When it was time for them to get started and work.... THEY WORKED. I assessed the work they completed on the spot and had all but 4 or so complete the task. Everything fell into place during that class. I ventured upstairs to share the positiveness with my AP. While I was up there the student who had previously wanted to steal my shoes (he's one that is hit or miss on his work completion and attitude) stated " I did good in your class today huh Miss?" I was very glad to answer him with a, "YES you certainly did." Again, connected. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Days Like This. I bought a guitar a few years ago and have tried to learn to play it a couple times... unsuccessfully. This time, I'm hoping will be different. It already is. The music teacher started an after school guitar lesson group for students. I'm late in joining the group but that's ok. I like sitting with the kids and being on the other side with them. I also like letting them play teacher to help me catch up. One student sits next to me every time and helps, chats with me and yesterday kindly said I should learn Spanish (this is another thing on my bucket list- hopefully this summer). Again, connected but this time on a different level. I am their classmate in that room and I love that!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ended the day with an email from Denver Green School wanting to set up a phone interview. Made me smile knowing I'd passed step 1 (resume review) in their five step hiring process. I'm excited. </b></span><br />
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Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-9784278744248872182013-01-27T07:13:00.001-07:002013-01-27T07:13:09.972-07:00Just BREATHE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I came across <a href="http://oneword365.com/" target="_blank">One Word </a></b></span><b style="color: #20124d; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://oneword365.com/" target="_blank">365</a> a few weeks ago. The idea:</b><br />
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Forget New Year’s Resolutions. Scrap that long list of goals you won’t remember three weeks from now anyway. Choose just one word.<br /><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. One word that you can focus on every day, all year long.</strong>It will take intentionality and commitment, but if you let it, your word will shape you and your year. It will guide your decisions and help you grow.<br />Discover the big impact one word can make.<br /><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One word. </strong><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">365 days. </strong><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A changed life.</strong></blockquote>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A pretty cool idea if you think about it. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My word for 2013- BREATHE.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I want to spend this year with the mantra of JUST BREATHE. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So much is going on in my professional world at the moment but I cannot write about it yet (but believe me I will). I am not yet ready to go public with my thoughts about certain aspects of this year. But the key for me to move through it with any kind of success will be to JUST BREATHE. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Successes I had this week:</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Had most groups engaged (I guess that's the word) enough in using http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/ that my nemesis- coolmathgames took a major back seat. EVEN for 8th graders. Although some of the comix they created were so not appropriate, I have to be thankful for them working right?!? </b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As I started working on my resume, I realized the hard work I've done in my career.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Opened myself to a new spiritual journey with <a href="http://jfc.org/">http://jfc.org/</a> I am in week four of just listening online to the messages but plan to move to the next step of attending in person. It has honestly made a difference in my life.</b></span></li>
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Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-50542127985749208102013-01-15T05:26:00.002-07:002013-01-15T05:26:21.509-07:00Making a few more Connections (finally)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been asking students in 3rd-8th grade to blog. Knowing that they may not have Internet access, I have not asked them to work from home. This particular student, who at times needs a lot of attention, took it upon himself to write from home. I DIDN'T ask him! It made my day to wake up and see that he connected with what we did in class and wanted to work from home. I have written about my challenge in connecting with students because I see them once a week for 45 minutes. Not an ideal amount of time for building relationships. What I learned from this 4th grader doing this is that, I have connected with him. I printed a copy of his post last Friday, wrote a note to him about how proud this made me and hand delivered it. I loved seeing his smile as I walked away. Small moments. Small moments. Small moments.<br />
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Last week also marked an interesting event during 8th grade. I am still working to engage some of the tougher kids. I asked the class to evaluate a few of the tools I've used with students in previous years. Eventually I hope to get them working on a project, but I wanted to see which of the tools engaged and excited them the most. One particular student (Barb- it was the one you saw challenge me when you visited), seems to be big in to music so I helped him get started with Garageband. He fiddled around with it and as we were cleaning up I asked him what he thought. He said, "I didn't get to finish." I told my AP about this event and he smiled and said- "What?? He actually wanted to finish something?" I'm not sure I fully connected with him, but it is hopefully a start. Funny side note about this kiddo- at the end of each class, he always visits amazon to find a 'lovely' song clip to blast as he leaves. This day, instead of being annoyed as before, I said "Hey, I really appreciate how you leave me with a song every time you're here." I'm thinking he does the song blast to make sure I acknowledge him?</div>
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Yesterday marked another interesting event in the 8th grade world. A young lady who is challenging to connect with for most teachers actually said, "You are my favorite teacher." WHAT?? I have her in a small math intervention group at the end of the day and the first few days, she wandered around instead of coming down to my room. She now comes down with the group and works. </div>
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I am realizing I have made connections with two challenging 8th graders. Next steps will be to work on building a relationship with them. I have made it clear that 8th graders are my biggest challenge and I struggle each time they are in my room. However... Small moments like these two make the challenges a bit easier to work with. I wrote about a <a href="http://learnstrong.blogspot.com/2012/12/starfish-and-dash.html" target="_blank">Starfish</a> and how you can't possibly throw them all back into the ocean to survive, but helping just ONE makes a difference to that one. Here's to making a difference with two in the past week. </div>
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<br />Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-31665545162038117392013-01-09T05:53:00.000-07:002013-01-09T05:53:25.893-07:00Back in the Swing of Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> I</span> had an <u>AMAZINGLY AWESOME</u> holiday filled with connections to my friends. I looked at my Google calendar just now and realize there wasn't one day of break that I didn't connect with someone <i>in person</i>. It felt good to talk <i>in person</i>. Yes... that old school <i>in person</i> connecting thing! Thank You! ~ <i>JP, MD, JM, MBG, AM, JL, SF, JE, RP, JW, KH, LBR, KP, CP, RP, KS, AS </i>~ You helped relight my spirit! </b></span><br />
<b style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">J</span>umped back into the swing of things with kiddos returning yesterday. I feel renewed, rejuvenated and ready for the second half of the year. My day started with one of my 1st grade spirit lifters. His eyes lit up when he saw me walk out in the morning to pick up my group. He stopped me and spilled excitement about the bike and helmet he received from his grandparents. He shared a story about trying to learn to ride it. I LOVED starting my day with that. </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A</span> smile also fills my heart when on recess duty two lovely little gals ran up and hugged the begeebers outta me. They are the same ones before break I remember in class throwing compliments at me left and right. They talked yesterday about missing me and how I was their favorite and one wondered how I got my hair like that because her mom liked it. The little ones are certainly my favorites. They still like their teachers and aren't afraid to say so! </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>he day continued and I had a successful lesson with my 35 first graders thanks to the para being present. This is the same lesson I tried to teach before break when my principal popped into observe. The site glitched so I had to quickly punt to a back up plan (always good to have a back up plan in the noggin). Still waiting to hear her thoughts on that day.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">M</span>y day continued to be great when I felt my approach to a couple kiddos (one first grade, one kindie) shift from previously. They are two that when it's time to line up to leave get a bit wound up. I had an a-ha moment (perhaps it was because our schedule changed a bit and I am now able to have 5 minutes of breathing time between classes and it helped ground me during the day) and decided to enlist them as special helpers. Boy was that a saver! </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">M</span>y day ended well when I asked for help with the 7/8th math group. While it's only five students, they are a challenge. I get it. They are in their last 30 minutes of an 8 hour school day. But I struggled to get them to work. Thanks to my fabulous AP for being supportive enough to come down and help. In the few minutes he was there working with a couple of the kiddos, I saw a way to approach the lesson with kids better. Support from your AP is pretty important!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-59058571418484832502012-12-31T12:59:00.001-07:002012-12-31T13:10:51.213-07:00I am plenty.<br />
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<a href="http://www.storypeople.com/storypeople/WebStory.do?action=product&storyID=1298&productCategoryID=1000#.UOHwq7aYH-V" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi62HZmYzG150AwiwTN73bLT2y_4lxD7ei9OBpahyphenhyphenP3D2M54JDXH6yKYnp37boRaGJrmJ30CUaKEcKtdCQ1xZ-KzFO7Sux3syuyUGbouro487DTka4kgQAoV-p_caV6LtLWc0PPZ-wWSxL/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-12-31+at+8.23.04+AM.png" width="323" /></a><b style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></b><br />
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<b style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The picture is from <a href="http://www.storypeople.com/storypeople/WebStory.do?action=product&storyID=1298&productCategoryID=1000#.UOHwq7aYH-V" target="_blank">Story People</a>. </b></div>
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<b style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The words are pretty, spot on, AWESOME!!!</b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"> I have written many posts expressing my frustration, anxiety, fear, sadness and... HOWEVER! 2012 has given me nothing more than what it should. I stretched myself more than I ever thought I could. I have grown more professionally the last 6 months then I have in many years. I would not trade one minute of the experiences and events I've been through for something easier or less heart wrenching. </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-size: large;">So to 2012 I say <i><u>THANK YOU!</u></i> </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">To 2013, I say... <u>bring</u>. <u>it</u>. <u>on</u>!</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Because the truth is...</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am plenty.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have plenty.</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><b>I am more than enough....so much more</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19px;">(</span><a href="http://www.curlygirldesign.com/blog/index.php/view/new_year._new_word" style="font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;" target="_blank">taken from my ever favorite Curly Girl Blog)</a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-32279188226145569842012-12-29T09:11:00.000-07:002012-12-29T09:11:21.828-07:00I matter to this guy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I matter to this guy. </span>Laying on my couch yesterday this creature crawled next to me and fell asleep. It was a moment that made my whole spirit smile. He somehow manages to know exactly what I need at any given moment. Mostly what he helps me remember is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4p8qxGbpOk" target="_blank">All You Need is Love</a>! </b></span><div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">♬</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><i>"Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be"</i></span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">♬</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
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Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-11856728464242200132012-12-25T10:20:00.006-07:002012-12-25T11:58:53.972-07:00Time to reinvest in myself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cnuN0u8Uwx0lBs4VLdqtG2Lazb6rLQ3KPw8UZ-R8x9uLzHbHZUMuDNjXVF9AqRSiLSETTehCZ4hlW-Z5B0SQwAzlb_dy5srLMes1R51-efpfp6CBLhVcdUq-0ZqIoBTXlHXzVgMUNI3M/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-25+at+9.34.16+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cnuN0u8Uwx0lBs4VLdqtG2Lazb6rLQ3KPw8UZ-R8x9uLzHbHZUMuDNjXVF9AqRSiLSETTehCZ4hlW-Z5B0SQwAzlb_dy5srLMes1R51-efpfp6CBLhVcdUq-0ZqIoBTXlHXzVgMUNI3M/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-12-25+at+9.34.16+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Watching the Mumford & Sons "The Road to Redrocks" on this snowy morning. I loved watching these guys doing what they love, what makes them smile at the core of their beings. They were having an amazing time together on stage and how precious it was to watch this genuineness. The picture above makes me realize huge parts of my life that are missing at the moment. Joy. Laughter just because. Smiling because it's my favorite. I have let the stress of my job take a lot of this away. I have let the stress of my job take over my life. I have not worked out in quite some time. I know that physically fit for me means mentally fit yet when the students leave at 4:00 I am so spent. I have given every ounce of myself during the day I rarely have much left for myself. So the key for me as I return to school Jan. 7th is to recommit to the most important person in my life. ME. I once heard~ "<span style="background-color: white;"><i>You cannot give away what you do not have. If you don't have a pure and healthy love and regard for yourself, how can you possibly give that to anyone else." </i>I am not one for new year's resolutions but this time of year when I have a few moments to myself to sit and reflect away from the hustle and bustle of school life, I can't help but find things I need to shift gears on. The start is me recognizing how far I've ventured from myself. The next step is reconnecting. That is doable. That is necessary. (funny that one huge reason I'm having an a-ha moment this morning is I actually DID NOT wake up at 4:30... I somehow slept until 6, then successfully managed to fall back asleep until... 7:50)</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I feel blessed by the friends who offered to 'adopt' me for the day. I am thankful to have many close friends who know the challenges I face around the holidays and extend their loving arms to let me know I am truly loved in this world. My only hope is that you know each and every day you matter to me! </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So now that I have reflected on where I am at this moment, it is time to respond. When ya know better you do better. I am ready to spend the next twelve days shifting gears and getting my smile back in my spirit. </b></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Where you invest your love you invest your life."</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlVHXixAWvs&list=UUhPzV-uAKhVMguKI7RB8uGQ&index=25" target="_blank">Awake My Soul</a></b></span></div>
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<br />Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-15783012685384387542012-12-22T09:15:00.003-07:002012-12-22T12:35:50.262-07:00Letting you know you matter to me.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Letting you know you matter to me.</b></span></div>
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I watched <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FHdHUzRnms" target="_blank">this tedx video</a> this morning and afterwards felt i wanted</div>
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to let a few people know they really matter to me.</div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>jeannine</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>you are my oldest and dearest friend. you matter to be because i can always count on you to bring laughter and joy to my life. there is not one conversation that goes by that we don't find humor in something. i can talk to you about anything and everything and know i will never be judged. you have seen me in my darkest moments and have celebrated in my greatest joys. my life would never be the same without you. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>mel</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>you are an amazing person. i look up and admire you. you matter to be because you bring a gift of love, understanding and empathy to all who cross your path. you are my solid rock when i need to come back down or be picked back up. i have learned some of the greatest lessons about how to connect with not only students but people in the world from you. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>jae & sarah</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>you both matter to me because your friendships mean the world to me. we are the three single amigos that on a moments notice can be hanging out enjoying a tastey adult beverage or laughing til we cry because we can't get the wii to update. i have had the most wonderful year because of you two birds.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>perhaps </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>when we hang out and chat you have an amazing way of pushing my thinking. i have walked away from every conversation with you a better person. you matter to me because you help me look at the world in a different light. when i think of you i can't help but smile to know the world is a better place because you're in it.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>guy</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>you matter to me because without your support, guidance and insight i would be a a bit lost. i took a bit leap of faith this year and feel it is because of you that i have survived. you have a wonderful gift of seeing the possibilities in any given situation and helping those around you understand them too.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>wacker</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>you matter to me because you look out for me. it is because of you that i took my leap of faith this year. my life has changed significantly in the past 6 months because of your help. you believed in me.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>barb</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>you matter to me because you always have keen insight. i know that whenever i reach out to you, you will have a response that doesn't necessarily solve something for me, but helps me solve it for myself.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>jenny</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>my dear jenny, you matter because you are the truest, most genuine person i have ever known. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>**if you aren't listed above, please know you DO matter to me and i will certainly tell you how the next time we see each other or speak.</b></span><br />
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<br />Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-257728730547136102012-12-21T06:31:00.001-07:002012-12-21T06:31:31.043-07:00Nothing worth having comes easy...<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Start positive. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The student I wrote about previously <a href="http://www.jibjab.com/view/GK_5qIPXQkGnzqXbKZmdbQ?utm_campaign=URL+Copy&utm_medium=Share&utm_source=JibJab&cmpid=jj_url" target="_blank">here</a> got a lovely Christmas gift from my friend John. The student and John took a part an older Dell computer of John's and put it back together. It was really pretty awesome to watch the two work together in my room on a couple Friday afternoons. I dropped the computer off at the student's house yesterday afternoon. He was SO excited. Made me my spirit smile to do this for him. I realized the students excitement even more as I had a conversation with the 7th grade math teacher last night. Apparently the student has been talking a lot about the experience to him. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Yesterday at school the students were pretty wound up. Some were truly looking forward to some time off from school. Others were certainly anxious and not so much looking forward to the time off. I can relate to both sides of these feelings. Students not looking forward may be worried about what/when they will eat. Our school provides them with breakfast and lunch. They could be anxious about what there days spent at home will look like for a variety of reasons. I will not pretend to know what some experience, but I can be empathetic. I'm not sure I'll ever be 'normal' around the holidays but I do try every year to keep my chin up. I too am not 100% excited about spending time away from school. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We had our staff holiday party last night at a pretty good winery just up the road from our school. I enjoyed the Syrah for sure! As I sat there amongst people I hardly know, I could feel my impish social skills lurking around. I felt awkward. I felt out of place. I listened as groups talked about their awesome teammates and how well the year is going because they have each other to lean on. I really don't like that I keep coming back to the feelings of loneliness and aloneness I've felt in my position at school but there they were again. I know I have the power to work on this challenge in my life but for right now my spirit is so broken I think the best thing to do would be to spend some time in these next couple weeks mending my spirit with some much needed Giatime. This week has left me... well... I'm not sure of the word for it.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>End positive.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Today we have some teachery things to do and won't have students in the building. Since students won't be there I can wear my Wonder Woman Converse shoes to school. This makes me happy. </b></span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-39679056176982890572012-12-20T05:46:00.001-07:002012-12-20T05:46:30.577-07:00I'm not hungry, or thirsty, or any of that stuff. What I'd REALLY like is a hug.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Yesterday was plain awful. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Yesterday was plain awful. </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Sitting here this morning trying to pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again in a new day. I am not ready to put yesterday into words because I am still not sure how. But feel the need to get the events down so I can remember, reflect and do better.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day started with a crazy snow storm so I left ultra early to miss the nut jobs who live in Colorado but have no clue how to drive on a snowy day. I was excited because I had gifts to give a couple friends and other ones for the school giving tree. I love being able to put a smile on other people's faces. It makes me feel great. The morning moved along to include my AP not being able to make a meeting about SGOs with me. He is an amazing AP and must feel like Stretch Armstrong or Gumby all day. I just wish there were more of him to help support the specials teachers. (that's a whole other conversation... why are specials (art, music, tech, PE etc.) left to feel like they don't matter and are just a babysitting squad?) Move ahead to when my principal popped in for an observation with first grade. That was so NOT awesome. </span></b><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first grade group has about 35 students. Yesterday the para professional that usually comes into to help had been pulled to help give some kind of assessment to other students. It is two days before holiday break. Students did not get outside recess due to the snowstorm. Here's how the lesson went. 35 students sitting on the rug to listen. I had students standing up asking to use the bathroom, another who somehow cut her finger and needed assistance, others who were rolling around the floor or crawling. Once we were somewhat settled enough to perhaps here the directions, the site I was planning to have them work on wasn't working correctly. Good thing I'm a master at back up plans and was able to scramble to plan B. Students went to computers and started working. I scrambled around to make sure students were on track with what I'd asked. Half were trying to use the first site I showed that didn't work. Awesome. So I let them try then redirected to the back up plan. I had two students fighting over a chair and neither would budge. So I left them saying one needed to move and I'd be back. Thankfully one did. I tried to get to most all students to see that they were doing what was expected. Most were thank goodness. The lesson ended with getting them somewhat in two lines ready to leave so the next group already waiting in the hall could come in. I am nervous to debrief with my principal about the lesson. It is difficult to have the only time she's been in my room be one like this. I had a conversation with a friend about evaluations and he tried to get me to look at them as being good experiences. He said they should help me grow as a teacher. I get that but I am so stinking sensitive and want to feel someone sees me teach a successful lesson. I'm not sure that one was and don't want to look like I don't know what I'm doing. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Move forward to the end of the day 7th/8th small math intervention group. Getting five students down to my room should be doable. Most days I can get two of them down easily. Yesterday was no different. They were excited for the dance after school. I got that and tried to make the deal that we'd work for a bit and then they could chat. That didn't work as they talked over me, one continued to text right in front of me. But hey... ONE was actually working. So I decided to relent and worked with the one who actually cared and needed the help. The others chatted. For some reason they needed to know my name ... wait.... THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW MY NAME. That felt great considering they've been in my room many time since August. Then they wanted to know if I lived with a boyfriend. I said I live with my dog. They then proceeded to say my dog was ugly and that it was sad that I live alone. That felt so NOT AWESOME! Two things ran through my head. One- I obviously lack in the relationship building department with these kids. (that's a whole other convo as well... I don't feel relationship building is a priority at this school). Two- these middle school kids are tough!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day ended with my volunteering to sell tickets at the 7th/8th grade dance. This was. Thankfully I was only there for an hour and for the most part it was a typical middle school dance. We had the few who were not allowed to come in due to behavior. Had someone smoking pot just outside the entrance doors. Had some upset girls because their friend who was not a student at the school couldn't come in. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't start positive on this post so I need to end positive. Today is the last day with students before holiday break, Jeeter just made my day by sleeping on my lap while I typed this post, I get to wear jeans to school today, and my lil first grade friend came up to me in the cafeteria yesterday and gave me a hug. Sometimes that's all it takes to make life a little brighter is a hug.</span></b></div>
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Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-37410611748685581902012-12-14T05:35:00.002-07:002012-12-14T05:35:17.615-07:00Small Moments are Key<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwej5svKL3OIjOyIYQc9nRBJqjXSulKPlJNOAeAVfrjesLyFx3blIHCH09nZUTWMUJb8Pz5yC5gVEFudffj6SkSLWJmOD_dp9IXqqqo6P4GwsCOLeOBy6jCZSTtLUo0nsBs24hW2ey08g/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-12-13+at+1.37.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwej5svKL3OIjOyIYQc9nRBJqjXSulKPlJNOAeAVfrjesLyFx3blIHCH09nZUTWMUJb8Pz5yC5gVEFudffj6SkSLWJmOD_dp9IXqqqo6P4GwsCOLeOBy6jCZSTtLUo0nsBs24hW2ey08g/s320/Screen+shot+2012-12-13+at+1.37.23+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week has been interesting. Good moments included my lil first grade buddy Tatyana sitting and chatting with me one morning and even asking what I liked to do when I wasn't at school. Pretty cool for a youngster to ask this of an adult. Made me feel like I wasn't just the 'computer teacher' as many students refer to me, but a person as well. The week also felt successful when I was able to get a resistive 8th grade girl into my room at the end of the day for the math intervention time. Not only did I get her in the room (the prior two days she wouldn't come downstairs with the group and was found wandering somewhere in the school) but she worked and asked questions. The same girl when I saw her yesterday morning arriving late, pulled me aside and asked if I'd walk with her to class because she didn't want to walk to the room alone. Small moments are key. I've been working on the setting of a story with 1st/2nd graders. The picture above is one that made me smile. It was a 2nd grade boy who really did a nice job illustrating the setting from the story we heard. Again a fantastic small moment.</span><div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The week did not pass without the usual 8th grade drama and challenges. Our fearless AP finally took some time to try to recover from being really ill. Good for him but we all certainly have missed him! The week marked the return of a very 'spirited' 8th grader who spent time at <a href="http://denverpace.blogspot.com/p/about.html" target="_blank">PACE Program</a>. It is amazing how one single student can dramatically change the vibe and environment. Teachers were talking last Friday at the end of the day that the vibe felt pretty good. We felt like we were moving a bit forward and making some progress. Well, that conversation did a complete 180 by Tuesday. This one student had the boys who were starting to be manageable acting up. This one student had the girls falling all over themselves and each other clamoring for his attention. I get a piece of why the girls were acting the way they were- he's the 'bad' boy. This one student... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Thursdays, the 7th/8th graders get some extra social time from 3:30-4:00. We haven't had success in trying to provide this to them partially because of their behaviors during this time. Yesterday was... well interesting to say the least. The art teacher and I are the only teachers in the basement and we had the pleasure of hosting the two 8th grade classes for 'fun' time. It started poorly with trying to get them down two flights of stairs. I have to admit most came down just fine. But this one student- was the last one and of course had to be escorted so he'd actually make it into my room. Students were in our rooms for all of 5 minutes before they started to creep into the hallway. So here I was trying to manage students in the room who were not interested in their usual coolmathgames but rather wanted to use the big space in my room to spar, wander around and generally annoy each other. I ended up standing in the door way with this one student and two other boys. I have to say I was sweating and quite nervous. One was being pretty humorous for a short bit trying to pass some really old headphones I have off as being "the new Beats by Drake". He did make me smile but it was short lived as he moved on to sitting at my chair, nosing around on my laptop and even picking up my scarf and putting it on. Again I was nervous and sweating. I could continue the happenings but... you get the idea. I chatted a bit with my AP after school about the event and said I'd like to problem solve. He sure but asked what problem are we trying to solve? Good question! I realized the Thursday fun time is problematic because the adults are trying to say it is the students extra social/reward/fun time but we are dictating it. We were forcing them to go outside for an extra recess for awhile. Then we switched and are now forcing them to move with their homeroom classes to the specials teachers rooms on a rotational schedule. Time to rethink once again. Rethinking is good. Changing things that aren't working is good. Being flexible is good. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Start positive. End positive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On a good note, I was able to get several grades doing a word cloud using Tagxedo. I started by showing them MLK's I have a Dream speech in text and then in a word cloud. It felt successful as they created their own word clouds about themselves. Even this one student managed to get a girl nearby to type the words he wanted to use, print it and go pick it up for him. I enjoyed hearing the excitement from one 6th grader that I'd hung his up. Small moments are key.</span></div>
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Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-31515743488149588762012-12-05T06:15:00.001-07:002012-12-05T06:15:25.314-07:00Had a Flow Kinda Day<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Had an Flow kinda day yesterday with a couple groups. I've talked a lot about 7th/8th but yesterday was not about them (probably because the group of 7th graders only had 15/22 in the room for various reasons). </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Yesterday was about this:</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The ginormous 1st grade group that when I walk them in expands to be a very long snack of spinning, jumping and twirling kids.</b></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>For some reason when we finally got into the building and stopped in the hallway to regroup... They were magically, somehow, in a relatively quiet and straight two lines. This made me smile. I didn't really do anything different but WOW! was I impressed. I quickly let them know. As we walked the short walk to my classroom, they continued the behavior. WOW! again. As we settled in the room they listened, then got to work on the task. WOW! times three now. They worked on keyboarding and most seemed to be doing well. When I stopped them to get their attention so we could switch tasks, I had 100% of them turn from their computer screens and look at me. I am wowed with this group because of the previous fourteen or so times I've had them, it has been nothing like this. I'm hoping what happened is going to continue. I'm hoping we are moving away from so many Ebb days and more into Flow days.</b></span></li>
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<li><b style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The sixth grade group that came into my room.</b></li>
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<li><b style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had a student who seemed to be stepping up as a leader in the group. When they were lining up outside my door, he was helping get them quiet and settled. I saw that he appreciated the leadership role and it seemed to help calm the group more quickly. When we moved into the room and began to work, I had some choosing to improve their WPM score from last week as we spent a bit of time on keyboarding practice. They CHOSE this, I have options of what they could do. I have not seen the students show a desire to work yet. I very much enjoyed it! Again, I hope to see more Flowing days here.</b></li>
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<li><b style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I rearranged my teaching set up- projector, 'desk' etc.</b></li>
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<li><b style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I have had most classes 13 or so times but they way I had it set up before, I looked at the back of student's heads for the most part while I taught. Then when they went to the computer to work, guess what I saw more of... yep, the back of their heads. So, Monday I changed it up. I admitted to the groups why I did it. I admitted that I felt awful that I was still asking their names when I did some quick notes about their progress during class. I made the promise to work on learning their names.</b></li>
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<li><b style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So- I tried working more on the names during the kindergarten class. I asked for their names while they worked and then used their name when I spoke to them. I'm hoping that when I see them in a week, I will be able to retain a few more of the names. It's important to me that they are not just a student walking into my room for 45 minutes each week. I learned the value of relationship many years ago from my dear friend Melissa. She is a wonder at this skill that so often is the most difficult to perform. </b></li>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>On a side note, it is funny that a day like this happened when I was running on just a few hours of sleep. Funny how life in the teaching world works!</b></span></div>
Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-16568943924506481882012-12-01T08:47:00.000-07:002012-12-01T08:47:10.677-07:00Starfish and Dash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: purple;"><b>My close friends know this time of year always sends me off kilter. This year is no different. I attended my aunt's funeral yesterday. I had not seen her in many years nor had my mom. Not really sure why, other than my family is my family (which is a long and sorted story). The pastor gave a lovely service where he called upon the group to say a word that described my aunt, or share a story about her. I thought it was a great way to make the funeral what it should be, a celebration and remembrance of someone. He read two stories that I've heard before but they were much needed right about now.</b></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><b>The first:</b></span><br />
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<strong>How Do You Live Your Dash?</strong></blockquote>
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~Linda Ellis~ </blockquote>
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<strong></strong>I read of a man who stood to speak<br />At the funeral of a friend.<br />He referred to the dates on her tombstone<br />From the beginning….. to the end<br />He noted he first came to her date of birth<br />And spoke the following date with tears,<br />But he said what mattered most of all<br />Was the dash between those years.<br />For that dash represents all the time<br />That she spent alive on this earth…<br />And now only those who loved her<br />Know what that little line is worth.<br />For it matters not, how much we own:<br />The cars…the house…the cash,<br />What matters is how we live and love<br />And how we spend our dash.<br />So think about this long and hard….<br />Are there things you’d like to change?<br />For you never know how much time is left<br />That can still be rearranged.<br />If we could just slow down enough<br />To consider whats true and real,<br />And always try to understand<br />The way other people feel.<br />And be less quick to anger<br />And show appreciation more<br />And love the people in our lives<br />Like we’ve never loved before.<br />If we treat each other with respect,<br />And more often wear a smile….<br />Remembering that this special dash<br />Might only last a little while.<br />So when your eulogy’s being read<br />With your life’s actions to rehash<br />Would you be proud of the things they say<br />About how you spent your dash?</blockquote>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And the second:</b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333366; font-family: Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "I made a difference to that one!"</span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>I can't help but be reminded that my life is always as it should be. I have struggled this school year with so many things but these two stories are swimming in my head right now and helping me understand a bit.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>I have to know that I cannot make a difference in all my student's lives but if I just make a difference in one or a few it DOES mean something. I can't be upset that those darned 8th graders make me frustrated, shed tears or want to melt down. I need to look at the one(s) I am reaching. I need to feel good about the ones who know my name and say it (instead of the generic Miss). My frustration to me is a good thing because it reminds me I care and want to do the best I can. If I'm doing something that isn't working, I want to fix it. If I can do something I'm doing a little better I will. I care. I like this about myself. I think the thing that is the toughest right now is the feeling of being alone. I work in the basement at school with just one other teacher. She is great but we rarely have time to chat or connect. The teachers bring their students to my room, and drop them off or pick them up without much of a hello or friendly smile. So I am certainly missing the feeling of being connected with the adults in my school. I'm told being a specials teacher is usually like this. I don't like that! My aloneness continues as I come home to be alone some more. I want to find a way to make this better for myself in both aspects of my life. Again- I care and I always am wanting to do better for myself and others. Perhaps I need to just let go of the handle of control and let the wind carry me. To not be afraid to walk alone or to like it, embrace it and accept it.</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>The other story about the dash is timely as well. It makes me think about how I am spending this dash of mine. Makes me think at my eulogy how will my dash be talked about? </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>My life is as it should be. </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><b>(This post is more of me needing to reflect and reset a bit with my whole attitude. Have felt quite negative lately and that is not a place I enjoy being.)</b></span><br />
Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-78331971656442068792012-11-18T07:16:00.000-07:002012-11-18T07:16:10.715-07:00Staying in the Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">F</span>riday was a good day</i>. <a href="http://learnstrong.blogspot.com/2012/11/which-part-of-roller-coaster-is-this.html" target="_blank">I wrote a few weeks ago </a>about a student who wants to do better than what he currently knows. I was able to connect this student with a friend of mine in the computer world. The picture is one I will treasure. I look forward to watching this young man grow and reach for his hopes, dreams and goals! <div>
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I finally treated myself yesterday to a much needed massage. I have to laugh at myself. During the massage, I found it quite difficult to relax and not try to help the masseur with moving my arm or leg. He kept having to repeat- this is my job, relax, let me do this. Funny for the massage but not so funny when I stop to think how I am like this with students. I am the one directing them, trying to get them to understand that being in the computer lab is not about coolmathgames.com! Even the 1st graders ask to play this game. Old habits are hard to break. I feel like I am making progress in the rituals and routines department and for some classes with the blogging I've started. The 4th graders were excited to hear they could jump on the blogs if they have Internet access at home. This made my day! I had older students going to the younger student's blogs and giving them some comments. It was cool to hear them say, "I had a seventh grader comment on mine!" </div>
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I was observed through our districts <a href="http://leap.dpsk12.org/" target="_blank">LEAP program</a> week before last during the seventh grade class. The peer observer and I sat down a few days later to reflect upon what he saw. We talked about how the blogging is teaching them HOW to communicate. The group he watched are middle school students. These students want to be heard but honestly have no idea how to do it in a way that will give them positive results. The blogging they've done, at times, is less than what I expect and want but I have to realize it is a start. I reached out to the world via social media and was able to have them walk in the room last week and see they all had comments from other people. They were heard. I hope to continue this for just a bit longer and then get them on some digital storytelling. I won't completely abandon the blogging but need to keep it fresh and engaging in my room. </div>
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I feel like I'm all over the place with this post but that's how I am these days with my thinking. I have a million ideas, thoughts and feelings that flow through me each moment and it's hard to organize and capture them at times. I woke this morning at the usual 5 AM (darn body clock) and was able to get to my Google Reader- came across this blog post by <a href="http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2012/11/you-may-be-walking-wounded-but-teacher.html" target="_blank">Vicki Davis- "You May be the walking wounded, but Teacher, stay in the game!"</a> that made my morning!!! I love being reminded that I am not alone and even though I don't hear it said outright, I'm helping kids. The important lesson I'm now being reminded of (heard it from a friend on a personal level a couple weeks ago) - <i><b>How people feel is sometimes better shown not directly said.</b></i></div>
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Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-1392600313354457982012-11-03T09:05:00.001-06:002012-11-03T09:05:19.226-06:00Which part of the roller coaster is this?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seriously! </span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My week could not have been more of a roller coaster. The ups downs and all arounds were quite the ordeal. Jumped on the ol' scale today and my stress diet is working- down 8 pounds since school started. Hmmm... not sure that's how I want to do it though.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to share a moment in a teaching career that only comes along every once in a blue moon. I started my students blogging. It has been an interesting adventure with the older students. Many aren't taking it seriously, some don't get it, others think it's boring. Well one student blew me away with what he posted. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>The Truth</b></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="color: blue; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"I love to work with computers. I want to be able to work with computer hardware such as hard disk drives, ram, cpu, etc. So what if i’m not like other (not to be racists) black people running down the streets selling drugs and alcohol and other bad stuff. No one should be criticized for the good things they do. I like fried chicken and Kool-aid but that doesn’t mean you have to make fun of me. They say that black people are good at every sport. I’m not that good at every sport but I give it a try regardless how hard or easy it is. No I’m not a nerd I just want to be a good black person to be a good example of what a black person should do that are making us look bad. So what if like to work with computer a least I make tons of money. I’m not trying to be mean but I’m just telling you the truth."</i></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't prompt him to write this in any way which makes it even more beautiful. I was beyond floored with it. I decided being a computer dork myself I realized I could try to connect him with a couple friends who were in the biz. One friend posted a comment to his blog offering words of wisdom. He even took it a step further with this email</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<i>Gia,<br /><br />I was moved by this request. I’ve posted on the blog but I’d like to take this a step or two further.<br /><br />I recently moved into a smaller place. I have 3 computers ( no monitors, but I might be able to find one ) I would like to donate to this to your student. I would even be willing to work with him and teach him a thing or two about building computers. Let me know if this is something your student would be interested in.<br /><br />Thank you so much for this opportunity, I started just like him. The black sheep, with little or no friends due to my “nerd” like talents.<br /><br />Simply amazing, thank you.</i></blockquote>
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A friend of mine put it perfectly, "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">It's moments like this where our passion, our love and our dreams collide."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've been reading my posts along the way you know my struggles and the experiences I've had fall a lot to being told that what I've asked them to do is F-in BS. So I have to say this event could not have come at a more perfect time. I shed a lot of tears and was questioning why I'm doing this A LOT this week but I have to say </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would do it all again because of this one moment. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I'm not sure what part of the roller coaster this is but I'll take it! I will also take this weekend and smile from ear to ear because it will be spent being with amazing friends and eating an omelete my dad makes. </span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-21025951046685208682012-11-01T06:17:00.002-06:002012-11-01T06:17:52.328-06:00A little light is still flickering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to admit I am struggling with shaking it off (<a href="http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/stories/persistence/shake.shtml" target="_blank">story reference</a>) and stepping up at the moment. I feel like the shovels of things covering me and breaking me down are coming faster and weighing heavier than I can endure. I follow a teacher in Connecticut- Paul Bogush- via his blog. I came home yesterday frustrated, tired, sick (lovely cold has destroyed my voice which makes teaching the past 3 days a train wreck). I came across a recent post he did <a href="http://blogush.edublogs.org/2012/10/29/why-i-continue-teaching/" target="_blank">"Why I continue teaching..."</a>. </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really like what he says here: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I remember reading about how when tragedy strikes, people who knew peace and prosperity before the tragedy can recover from it quickly once it is over, and knowledge of how it once was allows them to persevere. Those who were born into it suffer, often lose hope, and quit. All of those people who are searching for results on “leaving teaching…” I wonder how long they have been teaching? Do they remember what it was like to enter the profession at a time when there was hope? When you could innovate without crushing federal and district policies? Do they remember back to when if you needed to do something to help kids you just did it…there was no paperwork, committees, and six layers of bureaucracy to get through?"</span></i></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You can’t teach anyone anything other than facts. In order for someone to learn something from you, you must be answering a question that they have. Your role as a teacher then, is simply to get kids to ask questions. No questions, no learning."</span></i></span></blockquote>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The part about getting kids to ask questions has always been important to me but such a tough thing to accomplish. Kids somewhere in the middle of Kindergarten seem to lose that wonder, that curiosity, that desire to learn more than what is presented to them. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I needed his words and thoughts yesterday and again today as I reread it and head off for another day at school. </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also needed and appreciate a conversation I had with a mentor friend yesterday afternoon. I shed <u>a lot</u> of frustration tears and he just listened, empathized and then helped shine a light on how I can shake a bit of IT off and step up. ~ Thank you MW- you always inspire me.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also needed a text convo with another mentor friend who said, "You are not a failure. The job we have to do is not the one we prepared for." ~Thank you GP- you honestly have not wrecked my life, more so you are helping me grow.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So as I venture off for another day, I will look for the small successful moments to get me through right now.</span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-80813191688430914762012-10-31T11:39:00.001-06:002012-10-31T11:39:38.962-06:00Isolated<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sitting here during my lunch time on a Wednesday. Let me expand on that- sitting in my classroom eating lunch alone, like most days. There is a teacher's lounge upstairs but rarely is someone in there during this time. My feelings of isolation and feeling alone in such a big school continue to churn in my stomach. It is not a good feeling to walk in each day, chat with the one other person in the basement a bit and then spend the rest of my day pretty much by myself. I am not used to sitting an eating lunch alone- it doesn't feel good or make me feel a part of the staff here. I'm told that specials teachers are usually the ones that are left to be thought of last, a side thought. I am supposed to have a peer observer from the district stop in next week and watch me teach a class. I chatted with him yesterday about what he is expecting or some look fors but didn't really get a clear idea. I plan to just do what I do when I teach and see what feedback I get. That doesn't feel good either. Guess I'm in a place of not really feeling good. I still know I made the right decision to leave my comfort zone but I didn't expect I'd be put on a dessert island left to fend for myself. I may be whining a bit but I miss the connections with teachers that a classroom teacher experiences. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not only do I miss the connections with teachers but the connections with students. Seems like the 592 students step in and out of my room so quickly, I hardly know a thing about them. I don't feel like I'm connecting with anything here. I feel like a true misfit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shake it off and step up?</span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-31192913799202258832012-10-20T09:56:00.002-06:002012-10-20T09:56:30.512-06:00It's a balancing act that I'm losing right now....<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had a failed 8th grade lesson on Monday. I scrambled to find something for the other 8th grade group on Thursday. I came up with getting them going with blogging. I am finding it challenging to connect with what they are being taught in math, literacy, science or social studies because the teachers are finding it challenging to teach with they need to teach. There are probably about 13 extremely 'spirited' students who are preventing the rest from learning. This in all honesty PISSES ME OFF! I am frustrated that there are students in each class that do want to learn but are in classes with others who overshadow the whole class with their behaviors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Back to my trying to blog with the 8th grade. I found some college prep essay topics and also included some very basic topics for them to choose from. One of the topics was about a day in your life that you'd change if you could. I chose to write about this one as a way to model my expectations. I wrote about wanting to change not going to my brother's birthday party in 1996. I wrote about my sadness that he took his own life ten days later and how I wondered if it would have been different had I gone to his birthday to connect with him. WELL... as I was reading this to the class and starting to get emotional, one student's music started to blare out of his headphones so I could hear it at the front of the room. Total distraction to the entire class. I stopped mid sentence, walked over and proceeded to spend 3-4 minutes getting the student to hand over his headphones. It was a complete power struggle and he even stood up and stepped into my personal space to try and win. I finally got the headphones, walked back over and continued to read my blog post. I was emotional and truthful with these kids in hopes that they could see me not as this foreign white teacher in the room but someone who has seen tragedy and has felt painful emotions. I wasn't sure how the students would react to this but figured it was worth a shot. I dismissed students to their work station and as always needed to reteach and explain directions again and again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The student who I took the earphones from continued to be off task and disruptive. I walked back and forth behind students computers helping and wanting to chat with what they were writing about however, I spend most of the time with about five students trying to get them on task and working. The earphone student had is uniform shirt off his body and just hanging around his neck, he was trying to log in as a student sitting two seats down and was not doing what had been asked of him. (He ended up posting this after my push "<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 19px;">I want to be a bo$$ uggh like ricky rozay.") </span> Another st</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">udent was sitting there with a blank screen and was getting up zooming screens of other students. I never got to look over the shoulders of many other students to see what they were writing because they were quiet and working. I HATE that I spent so much time and energy on just a handful of kids. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought for sure when I had a chance to review the posts students made that hardly anyone did what they were supposed to. However, I was wrong. I realized as I read through the postings that I had touched kids with my honesty and openness. I had a few write about similar losses of family members. I had students put effort and thought into writing about things they would change in their community. I had kids who wrote about things they do when they aren't in school. Somehow I still feel I failed the class by spending so much time with the disruptive ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How do I let go of the need to focus on the over the top disruptive students and move towards the ones who are engaged and on track??? Do I just choose to redirect once and let them be? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-29446922670624497672012-10-16T05:58:00.004-06:002012-10-16T05:58:48.582-06:00Shake it off and step up. But HOW?I found myself Googling for help this morning. The search was something like "teaching inner city middle school students." I have no idea how to narrow the search to make it more relevant. I want to help these students but have no idea where to start. I had a big fat fail of a lesson yesterday with an 8th grade class. It took about 12 minutes to get them in the door and a call to the security guard to help a few stop blocking the door for other students to get in to get them settled. As I think back it was about 4 that were the issue. I feel awful for the the majority who were sitting in front of me ready to learn and listen. Let me rephrase that- I FAILED the majority of those students. However, I have no idea how to start teaching a class when the four or so disruptive ones are so disruptive the others can't listen. I am not afraid to admit I need some help. My school is very focused on Content Learning Objectives along with the entire district. Let me say clearly that I understand the importance of these objectives.<br />
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However, these 7th and 8th grade students can barely sit in a chair for a lesson/directions/instruction/discussion of no longer than 10 minutes. It's not that any of the middle school teacher's aren't working hard to create engaging and meaningful lessons. We all are working extremely hard trying to look at curriculum maps, objectives, standards and have them guide our designs.<br />
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I want to know how to teach a class of 30 8th graders. My role in the building is to connect with teachers to create lessons students can complete using technology in my room. I started the first few weeks getting them to realize my room would not be the place where they came in and played coolmathgames (a website that has the title 'math' in it but has very few true math games). We started in MS Word so they can get some functional word processing skills. This is so NOT how I want to teach these kids but many are so concrete that I have to so we can possible move forward.<br />
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However, I spend my 45 (well by the time we settle and actually work it's about 25 minutes) minutes pacing behind their work stations making sure they aren't on PhotoBooth (which I've deleted off all machines and is a bummer because who knows what kind of fun assignment I could create with that!) or coolmathgames or looking up random pictures or changing the settings on the computer so the Internet no longer works.<br />
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I am admitting I need some serious support with Middle School students in this population. They are students that are coming from broken homes where Grandma is raising them, or their dad was shot on the border in a drug deal gone bad, or Grandma is raising them but doesn't speak English.... my list could go on and on and wouldn't sound much different from a lot of other inner city schools. So how do I tap into other schools that have been here, are here and seem to make progress?<br />
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So I try every day to breathe and find some simple things that brighten the day. Yesterday the smileable moments were: A Kindergartner walking in my room and saying "You're pretty teacher." A student at the end of the day who has stayed a little longer to help me get all the computers logged off. Having a delicious shredded pork burrito with my parents at Lucero's. A chat with a coworker at the end of the day realizing I am not the only one struggling for these students to succeed. And as always the highlight of my every moment- my dog Jeeter.<br />
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So with a cup of Peet's coffee this morning, I am headed in to school to keep on keepin' on.Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-23716060270263213582012-10-12T06:07:00.001-06:002012-10-12T06:07:15.887-06:00In a Nutshell...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As all previous weeks have been, this one was once again a roller coaster ride. HOWEVER, I did have better class sessions with the 7th and 8th grade classes. Perhaps they are beginning to connect, trust or something with me. Yesterday I had the tougher of the two 8th grade classes and was able to see them actually get work done. One young man and I shared a smile even. He was typing sentences about himself and needed another idea he is pretty low academically so I knew if I was going to get anything out of him I really had to connect with him to get him to write. I was throwing out ideas and I said, "Tell me your girlfriend's name." His eyes lit up and he replied, "you want to know my girl's name?" Then he proceeded to ask me how to spell her name. I took this as a good opportunity to joke with him so I said, "dude, ya have to know how to spell her name so you can write her mush love notes." and his response, "I don't that miss." Usually when he has come to my class, which is sporadic due to behavior, he is pretty tough. Yesterday I felt successful with him. I need those small successes for sure!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other highlight of my week was a little 1st grade girl that I saw each morning. Her dad would stand next to her line and wait until we walked in. I leaned over one of the mornings and said she had a great personality. In which he replied, "She's a handful!" Made me laugh because as he walked away she was barking orders that he better bring her home some cheese bites or else. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have been working with students using MS Word the past few weeks and look forward to diving in to some projects with them next week. I know it is not best practice to tease out a program and teach it in isolation but really felt I needed to build some routines and rituals around something simple. For the most part students did well. Some struggled with just the basics. I have some project ideas lined up for 3rd-8th but have yet to think of something for k-2nd. Part of the problem is having 2nd grade classes with 30 students and no para professional to help. I want to be able to do projects with them but need to think and research how I can be there to support so many when their needs are high. Just realized I am rambling here. UGH.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So in a nutshell - side story for a minute.... I bought Jeeter's halloween costume and took his picture. I used the picture as my computer desktop background to connect with kids. They loved it. Although some struggled with seeing he was a dog in a squirrel costume! Ha. It was a picture that I needed this week to make me smile..... In a nutshell, upon reflection- the week was pretty good. I just don't feel I've taught them anything they've learned for school yet. HOWEVER, feels like I'm making those connections and building relationships which in my opinion will take me farther than anything! Happy Friday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-51118908647066921182012-10-07T15:41:00.000-06:002012-10-07T15:41:04.889-06:00My Skin is Getting ThickerAnother week is done. On Fridays the essentials team (art, music, pe & tech) are put on different tasks instead of seeing students. Today I will be venturing up to the 7th/8th grade Science room to help. I wish I could say I was excited about spending more time with the tough ones. I am certainly learning that their anger, hurtful words and flat out disrespect are not entirely directed at me or the adults in the building. They have learned these behaviors, habits and lack of respect from many parts of their lives. Unlearning and breaking these habits will be tough but necessary to change the culture of the building.<br />
Yesterday the principal popped in to my area and room to informally observe me with the 8th graders. I was not jazzed about the idea because the group is extremely difficult just to get in the room to sit for a lesson. However, she got to see first hand how a few of the students behave during instruction. She ended up escorting one out of the room for disruptive behavior. I wish I knew how to engage them and be able to keep classroom management intact. I've tried to show them some cool tech tools during the electives block at the end of each day but a handful just want to play coolmathgames.... which has about five games that actually have math value.<br />
We had another teacher decide to resign, making it three. I get the work is hard and it really will take a lot of perseverance to stay the course with these kids. I just don't like that the middle school students could see the second teacher's exit as a sign they have power over the situation.<br />
<br />Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-91006025458968072352012-09-28T06:13:00.004-06:002012-09-28T06:13:57.744-06:00Riding the Roller Coaster Have to admit my gut twists into knots when I know the 8th graders will be walking through my door. They are certainly a presence. Big bodies, big attitudes, big voices. Yesterday went better than the week before with them. They came in, I quickly gave my directions and lesson and they were off to work on the computers. I am teaching them to use MS Word (wish it was Google Docs but that's another story). The lesson was simple AND I learned from the previous week to have some step by step directions for them so I wasn't repeating myself 30 times. I used a Flow Map from the Thinking Maps program with screen shots of the steps. What a smart move if I do say so myself. Even the 3rd graders were able to use them. (note to self- make directions like that for all tasks).<br />
What I've observed with these students is they don't all know HOW to learn. Some are well below grade level so of course when they are asked to do some of the tasks they shut down and become disruptive because it IS simply too hard. I am trying to set clear expectations, be consistent, be fair. I at least have them to where they venture down from the 3rd floor to the basement and somewhat line up outside the door to hear directions. This is important rather than having them just filter into the room sporadicly on their own time. Then I've moved from having them sit on the rugs on the floor to letting them sit in chairs. I try to make my time with them listening to me short, sweet and to the point. Routines, routines, routines.... hard to create when I only see each class once a week. The 8th grade yesterday was the best I've seen them. I paced the room walking behind the students reminding them to use the gold direction page for their next step. Their task when they finished mine was to play cool math games. Apparently in previous years this was some they did and enjoyed. I don't see how their favorite games had anything to do with math but at least they completed my task and were happy, quiet and calm. I enjoyed chatting with some of the students about the games. I know if I can build relationships with them my job will be not necessarily easier but less gut wrenching.<br />
On a side note, the day wasn't completely good. Walking in the hall back to my room during my lunch time, I had to restrain a girl who was face to face with another getting ready to fight. WOW! Girls are mean!!!!!! I've said for many years there needs to be a program for girls where they learn at a young age how to survive. I see it start at such a young age where girls lose confidence, don't know how to make friends, how to be friends, how to let "silly" girl stuff roll off their backs. For some reason boys do these things easier (most of the time). Guys make each other mad, but they generally don't let it fester and ruin a friendship. Hmmm.Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2882037558243892588.post-43330022114865983972012-09-26T05:46:00.001-06:002012-09-26T05:46:10.164-06:00Small SuccessesOne of the 7th grade groups was in my class yesterday learning some word processing skills. The last time they were in, I had two particularly 'spirited' boys that were quite disruptive. Yesterday I started class chatted with one trying to set the class up differently. I reinforced how I wanted him to act and said I knew he could do it. The other boy I had to move to a different computer station because his usual one wasn't working. He grumbled and griped but I chatted quietly with him as well. Well, my quiet chat strategy worked! Both boys were less disrupted and actually worked. What I have known for many years is that building relationships will trump all when it comes to the classroom. I sat in a training yesterday for No Nonsense Nurturing and was again reminded of this important element to a classroom. I am hoping that the connections I'm making with some of the 7th and 8th graders during their elective time at the end of the day will start to filter into the times they come to the class with their other classmates. The group I have is only 15 or so kids who are exploring some various tech tools. Yesterday while chatting with a few of them, I had the aha idea of having them do some learning about things they're interested in and then somehow teach me or the class. For example one student was looking up Otter Box cases and talking to his friends about how they work. Another was looking up info on a new gaming system he wants. These are the things I need to build from and hopefully build a relationship with.Gia DeSelmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06405934866686310894noreply@blogger.com0