Thursday, June 5, 2008

It's BAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

That's right... The quest for National Board status is back in my life. I am taking my (4 hour) assessment tomorrow where I will be asked 6 different scenario based questions about children that range in ages from 4-8 and cover each academic area: literacy, math, science, social studies, children's play, and physical education, health, and safety. I have devoted my day today to prepare but I'm at a loss for how to really get ready for this. There is only so much you can do since there isn't really a way to study. I am reviewing the standards, re-reading my entries, and looking at the rubrics they have given me for the assessment. Other than that I'm just going to have to go into the Assessment Center tomorrow with my fingers crossed with a lot of faith that I can get through this and do my very best. Please send good thoughts/prayers/what have you my way tomorrow from 8:30 until 1:00!
I'm kind of upset with myself for not taking the assessment right after I mailed off my portfolio, but I needed a break. I don't know what would have been better... taking it when I was overloaded with the National Board jargon/process OR taking it now that I've given myself a break. Regardless, this has been the most difficult thing I have ever gone through and tomorrow after my assessment, I vow to put this all behind me and enjoy my summer break! No reason to worry or stress when I won't know whether or not I got it until the end of NOVEMBER!!! ARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

What The????


My sister and I were at the park this afternoon when she told me about a Kindergarten teacher in Florida who had a child voted out of the classroom by his classmates. Shocked, I immediately turned to Google to read this article. I am just sick thinking about how this little boy must be feeling. His teacher needs to resign because clearly she is not in the right profession and her actions are not in the best interest of her students. This is horrible in any situation but knowing that this child was under going tests to determine if he has Aspergers and the teacher did this????

To be honest, there have been instances when I have been so frustrated with the students in my classroom, including those with Autism. Last year I sat down next to J, a boy in my class who was diagnosed with Autism when he was 3, and told him we had to come up with a plan so we could both get through our days together without getting upset with one another. We came up with a secret signal just for me and him so I would know he needed a break and he would wear his weighted vest and run errands for me around the school. Other times, when he was really acting out I arranged for him to assist with recycling and he would check everyone's recycling bins to make sure there weren't items in there that could not be recycled. I understand how difficult it can be to be a teacher. I have lost my cool from time to time but at least I know patience is a must and public humiliation of any child is a definite NO!!