I'm OK with Second Place

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If you are around primary kids at all, you know it's all about being first, primarily to the dot outside the classroom. No amount of discussion can dismiss this idea. So with unyielding energy they bound toward the door, irregardless of the amount of ice on the pavement outside said door.

We all know winning (in all types of forms) feels fantastic. Case in point: the #1 reason for teaching kindergarten is the rock star status you achieve (hence the winning feeling). I feel like Taylor Swift, maybe an older Taylor, but Taylor none the less, as I walk the hallways, cafeteria and playground. Shouts of, "Ms. Foley!! Ms. Foley!!" pepper the air in high pitched shrieks. Running kids with arms outstretched and smiles etched ear to ear hug me with true, altruistic, love.

And I'm not talking just current students, but many of my students from all grades (K-5). Granted they get to 3rd and hugging is no longer cool, but I have a few die hard fans that still visit my room with great enthusiasm...marveling at the midget furniture that was once too big for them, smiles envelope their face as they talk of fun times in the kitchen area, sparkling eyes look at me with true happiness and say, "I miss you, Ms. Foley!"

It's the reason I have an open door policy. "Come back any time," I say then realizing it's typically recess time. But I sincerely mean it. Those kiddos get me through my toughest days as a teacher. They pick up the slack since there is only 1 me. They empty the recycle bin, they clean the tables, they hand out snack, they sharpen the pencils, for the pure joy of it.

So it was no surprise when one of my kiddos, now a fifth grader stopped by, clutching a Christmas card. "You are just the sweetest!" I said as a smile made it's way across my face. A quick hug and she was on her way.

I tucked my prize aside, saving it for later.  As evening approached I opened the handwritten card which started softly..."Dear Mrs. Foley, I hope you have a splendid Christmas" I beamed ear to ear. "Honestly," it continued, "you are the reason kindergarten is my second favorite grade (fifth/this year is my fav)! Merry Christmas."

I chuckled, out loud, several times (If you know me, it's what I do, sometimes at totally inappropriate moments. Luckily, I was alone.). I thought to myself my letter had a certain Dear John-esque feel to it. All those years in first place, only now to be ousted by fifth.

And then it hit me...why had I not been ousted years ago? Of course your kinder teacher holds a special place in your heart, but your heart is big, there is room for more. And my happiness turned a little gloomy as I thought about it. No, not every kid is going to click with every teacher, but my own education was littered with such great memories of connections teachers made with me.

I had Mrs. Chormicle, who I adored, for K and 2nd. I enjoyed Mrs. Skinner in 1st (although I was afraid of her daughter, the class para). I loved Mrs. Locke in 3rd who gave me her copy of, "Island of the Blue Dolphins." In 4th, Ms. Smith was divorced, with red hair, glasses, and an outgoing personality and I loved her. She was followed by Mrs. Dassler in 5th. She was a brand new teacher and I adored her. I even went as far as to solicit funds from classmates to buy cake mix and frosting for an end of the year cake I made for her.

I am guessing that's why it surprises me when students do not have a long list of favorite teachers. Since I had a good experience in elementary I think other students will as well.

I don't blame the teachers, but I do blame a system that says, "do more with less time, and hurry it up." A system that, due to class sizes and other constraints, depletes any time to learn, really learn about the students we teach and to connect to them.

I sometimes do it myself. I have so much to focus on, academic wise, I simply must move kids along, I don't have the time to hear what happened this weekend, or at home, or with their dog. But when I do allow enough time to listen I realize how much the students yearn to connect with their teachers. How needy they are to let me know that mom bought them a toy, that grandma is in town, or that their little brother is really mean. And so this last week I took extra time to let students blather on, uninterrupted, about life's moments and it made me smile, ear to ear.

Academics are important, but not without an emotional connection first.

So to the fifth grade teacher who took over first place I say, "Bravo! Way to make an impact!" I hope to be ousted more often. Second place is a great place to be.

Making My Way in K: Dear President Elect: It's time to clean it up.

Making My Way in K: Dear President Elect: It's time to clean it up.: You don't know me. Call me stranger 10 million. Oddly, a high school friend of mine met you at a friend's birthday party and recentl...

Dear President Elect: It's time to clean it up.

You don't know me. Call me stranger 10 million. Oddly, a high school friend of mine met you at a friend's birthday party and recently posted the pic she had taken. So it's kind like 8 degrees of Donald Trump, but not really.

I've amassed an extensive collection of family history and there's one quote that has always stuck with me over the years. Extended family in Utah remarked, "Don't throw a rock, you might hit a relative." It's partially funny, because it's based on the small town nature of Utah, and the constant intermarriage of many a neighbor. You could, literally, hit a relative. However, it's premise rings true: we should treat others as if they are our brothers, sisters, aunts, cousins. You get the picture.

My friend commented how nice you are in person. That the presumed apocalypse to come is highly unlikely. I hope she's right, I'm not as worried about the apocalypse, I know who is my King, but I am worried for my kids. And that's why I want to say it's time to raise the bar and clean it up.

You see I teach...kindergarten. I am the beginning of their adventure in learning and each year I gain 20 or so kids, not students, because once they cross that threshold we have relationships akin to families. I am their part time mom, in addition to their teacher, and for some I can be the only stability in their lives. So when someone hurts my kids, I don't take it lightly.

I had several kids show up the day after the election worried they would be deported. DEPORTED for God's sake. These are kids from mixed families who ARE citizens and should have absolutely no reason to have this on their mind. They should be enthralled with our unit on spiders. They should be overly excited about what game will be played at recess. They should be naive, carefree, and enjoying a youth that goes much too fast in our society. They should not be coming to me with huge, soulful eyes that speak volumes of their worry. They shouldn't have to worry about what will happen to them because of an election. They shouldn't have to fear their heritage.

I wish you could have been there the day they approached me...full of fear and fright...not comprehending that it was an election, not a death sentence.

I canceled the rest of my lessons on voting. I will not bring up a subject likely to bring emotional turmoil to 5  year olds. FIVE YEAR OLDS. So I say step forward boldly, own your words, repent, and make it right. Let them know that draining the swamp doesn't mean shipping them somewhere. because we were all immigrants at one point. My Irish ancestors faced with starvation left Ireland. My Danish ancestors, converted in their country, came as LDS members. My German great grandfather resided in a Baltimore orphanage before being raised by an uncle. When WWII hit, all 5 of his sons went to battle the country he was from, because it was the right thing to do, HUMANITY was at stake.

Funny thing: I am still worried about humanity.

Today, while working 10 unpaid hours in my classroom, on a legal holiday, because my job entails far more work than 1 can get done in a work day (I invite you to stop by any time if you are up to the challenge, it's not for the faint of heart) I asked my 6 year old daughter what she had heard about the new president.

She said, "I heard he says it's OK to grab girls by the vagina." Oh, HELL no.

Let that marinate a bit with you. Imagine your daughter coming home and saying that to you. Would you be livid? You should be. People say things to be funny or to fit in that later bite them back. And some just say how they feel without caring how it impacts others because those "others" aren't important to them. Irregardless, you cannot be any of those people anymore. You have stepped up to a place where those traits should not be. You need to tell the masses that being hurtful to others, based on skin color, lifestyle, or gender is not OK.   Making "America Great Again" needs to start with KINDNESS. Set the example, tow the line, because no one gets out of the swamp without it.

Sincerely, a flabbergasted mom

Making My Way in K: A Box and a Dream: Thank you Kevin Honeycutt!

Making My Way in K: A Box and a Dream: Thank you Kevin Honeycutt!: This week, for STREAMing into Learning (my summer learning camp), my daughter wanted to learn about TVs. As I pondered how we could make a...

A Box and a Dream: Thank you Kevin Honeycutt!

This week, for STREAMing into Learning (my summer learning camp), my daughter wanted to learn about TVs.

As I pondered how we could make a TV (knowing full well an electronic version was out of the question) I had a vision pop into my head. Maybe we could make one with a box? What would it look like? I knew it wouldn't be a true version of a TV, but something akin, and then the A-Ha moment hit.

In February of this year I had the very good luck of being sponsored by the NCCE (Northwest Council for Computer Education) to attend their annual Pacific Northwest tech conference (it ROCKS by the way). While there I was able to hear keynote speaker Kevin Honeycutt talk. I was connected with Kevin on Twitter (the GREATEST place to find teacher PLNs) but I wasn't prepared for his awe inspiring presentation. Turns out Kevin is a man of many skills: speaking, teaching, creating, mentoring, writing, just to name a few. Seriously, Kevin makes you want to be a better person!

I was eagerly listening to Kevin when a picture popped up on the ginormous screen: it was of a box of some sort, that young, school age Kevin had turned into a TV-esque book report. I remember it had knobs, and rollers of some sort. He turned the roller and the book report rotated through the front of the box. Duplicating a live TV show of the book in question.

I was mesmerized.

I thought it was the coolest idea, so unique, so simple, yet so creative...

I thought Kevin was about to talk about creativity or thinking outside of the box (or with a box :).

Instead he spoke of how he struggled through school, how he created his book report design only to be told later that it wasn't the "right" way: the way the teacher wanted it.

I was deflated. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Teachers teaching to the middle in a my-way or the highway fashion, running over creativity in the process. I could see why it happens: a teacher assigns a project, it has a rubric, a project presented doesn't match the rubric. Now what?

At that point...when faced with what to do (Do I follow the "rules" and deem it inappropriate even though it met the same end goal?) I would always default to human, as in, I'm not omnipotent and I don't pretend to be. Rather than channeling Darth Maul, who is unable to get past following a prescribed set of instructions (i.e. the rubric, the rules) and declaring full compliance is mandatory (as in no room for creativity~ the master is all powerful), I choose to channel Obi-Wan, able to take in information (the rules, the rubric), think about it (the TV-esque book report), ponder it (Damn, that's creative!) and respond with a positive mindset (This isn't what I imagined, it's even better).

I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. I tend to believe that they are like me when it comes to teaching: they have an open mind, they differentiate, they acknowledge strengths and needs of students and provide appropriate instruction. They advocate for their students when needed, just as a parent would. When a student does something unexpectedly incredible they rejoice with full-on joy. When a student makes a mistake, as we all do, they respond with compassion and assistance. When a student does something disappointing (i.e. being unkind, or violent) they pause with sadness and then immediately begin to brainstorm ways to change the behavior to a positive. Most importantly, and in tandem, they reflect upon themselves and search for ways to grow. Knowing that, just like their students, they are never perfect, never finished, always a learner.

What I realized, from Kevin's extraordinary keynote (Did I mention how inspiring it was? EVERY school district should have Kevin present; I was THAT impressed.) is that these are not common traits amongst all teachers and that greatly saddens me. As a profession we need to be tasked to be listeners of our students, their lives, and their needs; this will help keep individuals from becoming invisible.

 I use a new lens now... to look at teachers... one in which I am no longer naive. One in which I acknowledge that, as much as I'd like it to be true, not every teacher is flexible. Not every teacher is looking to grow from what their students can teach them. Not every teacher sees their self as merely another student in a different school (Life) from which to learn. And so as I finish dual summer learning camps, camps based on learning through nature & interest (project based), and reflect upon their incredible success to spark kids and teachers alike I hope to carry the torch forward. My only desire: to inspire flexibility and growth in others so that creativity is never stifled and students, all students, at all levels, feel successful.

Kevin--Thank you for inspiring me to do better, to be better, and to realize I can make a difference to so many. If you are ever this way, and enjoy towns with lots of cows, stop by and see us. And without further adieu, here are our Honeycutt inspired TVs. Rock On, Friend :)

Painting with our favorite colors.

The finished project. This one is called, "Me, Sierra, SiSi."

Sierra took pride in that hers is vertical rather than horizontal.

D's finished project is titled, "9 Little Monkeys."

 It includes tree branches to propel the paper forward for viewing. 

A hole in the back allows for highlight via flashlight. 

Pride is evident. :)

STREAMing into Learning: Perfumy Goodness

We just finished our 4th class at my Summer Learning Camp aptly called, STREAMing into Learning. STREAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math. Educators may recall the term STEM, which is still widely use, for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Then someone said, Why not art? And I started to hear not only STEM but STEAM. Well, not to be left out, reading finally joined the acronym to create STREAM. Now, from what I hear, it's all in. And I like it that way. I do. I think a good teacher meshes all of it anyway.

I started this camp to help scaffold my unwilling learner (my daughter) into learning. I made it in a way I would want to learn: hands on learning, nature centered, student driven. And its been a hit, not only for my daughter, but for the kiddos involved.

The first week (two days) we identified trees, plants, and flowers. Dissected a Shasta Daisy, explored a terrarium filled with millipedes, pill bugs, and earth worms. Painted water color scenes of what we saw. Built a robotic bug and talked A LOT because by sharing we learn :)

At the end of our second day (first week), I asked the kiddos what they were interested in doing the following week. They, amazingly, all at once said Potions! And thus the ideas for Chemistry week started.

Now we have ended with two days of authentic learning, and project based discovery. What I had was high engagement and knowledge retention. They don't forget as they are in charge (mostly! ;)

I don't know about you, but I get BORED with the same thing...I like to think outside the box, explore topics of interest, go PLACES, spend time learning about what interests ME, not what someone tells me I need to know. And do it in a calming atmosphere. Nature does it for me, it might not for you, and that's OK as long as we can both get what we need via DIFFERENTIATION.


For those not familiar with the "D" word, it equates to each person getting what they need, but at their level. We want everyone to soar. Sadly, differentiation is not used to it's full potential. Folks still talk about teaching to the middle. Which equates to leaving out the high kids as they already know it, and leaving the most struggling learners to sink or float. Yet, there are new ways of thinking, new bridges to adventure, if we are willing to take the time to stop and check them out. Kinda like pulling alongside the road and checking out something interesting while knowing nothing about it. There is beauty to be found by trying.

I get change can be hard, but keeping the brain in motion is good. Same ol' Same ol' = Your Brain Not Exercising. As teachers we should model what we want our students to do. If we want our kids to learn, we need to become learners.

And with that I created my first quote using Word Swag :)

Happy Adventures!

All Aboard the Grumpy Train!

Maybe it's the late night working on my National Boards

Or the amount of times I heard, "No. I don't want to" yesterday

It could be my swollen, painful ankle caused by nothing

Or the amount of time I've wasted this week trying to solve my own problems 

Possibly it's the inability to find my tribe

Or maybe, just maybe, it's because the goat ate the tiny tree seedlings I was growing....

But I definitely have a one way ticket on the Grumpy Train today.

I realized it when I work up at 530 yet failed to get out of the bed until 630. 

It happens.

I'm usually a positive person. I espouse the good of Mindfulness and zest for life on most days.

 But today, today I'm grumpy.

How do you get over your grumpy days?