Getting over myself – Foolish Wand-Waving

Classroom management, Discipline, Getting over myself

Chapter 39: It’s Not About You

Posted on April 17, 2019 by redforkhippie

No matter how carefully they’re constructed, teacher-ed programs cannot fully prepare you for your first year in the classroom. You just have to experience it, eat a few mistakes, and make adjustments until you figure it out. That said, life is easier when you understand one very important fact:

Kids’ behavior is not about you.

You have to address disrespectful behavior, but how you address it is up to you. When one of my students does something out of character, I find out what’s going on before I respond. Continue reading “Chapter 39: It’s Not About You” →

Evaluations, Getting over myself, Growth, Professionalism

Chapter 34: Weighed in the Balance

Posted on March 12, 2019March 12, 2019 by redforkhippie

Last week, I spent an entire blog entry singing the praises of my boss and telling y’all how much I trust her.

I wasn’t lying. I do trust her. I enjoy her visits to my classroom. I have a good time with her. But there are moments when I really don’t want to see her, and Thursday morning was one of them.

Thursday morning was my semiannual observation.

Intellectually, I know my boss isn’t going to torch me on an evaluation. That’s not how she operates. She sees me doing cool stuff with the kids several times a week and consistently praises my lessons. But I had a bad experience with an evaluation my first year teaching, and 22 years later, it still bothers me.
Continue reading “Chapter 34: Weighed in the Balance” →