On a Serious Teaching Note....

    Being out of school for summer does amazing things for a teacher. It's so nice to be able to step back and think about things without the stress that being in school everyday can bring on.  I was reading some "life" quotes on Pinterest, and came across the one above.  Reading all those wise quotes sometimes gets me all serious and reflective about my own life. 

   While initially the above quote reminded me of how I hope to raise my own daughter, it also made me think about all the little lives I have an impact on during the school year. While I teach 8 year olds, I realize my real hope for these children is for them to group up to be successful in their lives. While skills, standards, and standardized tests are pushed down their throats, in the end what really matters is that we are impacting these children in a positive way that prepares them for life. Yes, I want my students properly educated, but in the end, I really hope to impact them in a way that makes them work to be a better person. A way that makes them treat others with respect, while loving themselves enough to work throughout their lives to overcome obstacles to make something of themselves in this world. The world is an ugly place, and sometimes I think as teachers we really don't realize we may be the one and only happy place for some children.  We may be the only person who ever makes them believe in themselves or make them feel like they are worth something. Yes, I know the idea of trying to save the world is a long lost dream for many teachers. But, even if you make that child feel worthy and loved for one day in their live, though they may still go down the wrong path, I believe you did make a difference...if only for a day!

Let me get off of my serious soapbox and just say,  I hope as school starts back and all the daily mess comes in, that I remind myself I'm preparing these babies for much more than some 3rd grade curriculum dictates. So for the ten months they are in my care, I will do all that I can to prepare them for life!

National Board Certification...Go for it!

      I mentioned in my last post, that this past year I became a National Board Certified teacher.  I cannot begin to explain to you the amazing feeling it is to achieve that.  I would recommend to any teacher to take a chance and go through the  process. It will make you look at your students and your approach to teaching in a way you never thought possible!

   I'm not going to lie and say it is by any means easy. It is in no way comparable to any college course you've taken or paper you've ever written. In the same respect, it will affect you in a way that no other college course or experience ever has.  I started researching the process a couple of year's before I actually dove in and went for it.

  It was A LOT of work. It took a lot of time, but it was well worth it. I'd suggest if you are thinking about it, or just even curious about it, to first go to the National Board website (http://www.nbpts.org/), and read the requirements for whatever certification you are interested in. My particular certification is an Early Childhood Generalist.  If you look under the "Candidates" tab, you can read all of the portfolio directions to see exactly what is expected.There you can download the Standards and the Portfolio directions. This isn't a modified version of the directions. These are the same directions every candidate who has paid tho go through the process downloads and uses.  Read through the standards., and really ingrain them into your brain and into your teaching.  Then I'd suggest looking through the portfolio instructions to help you plan out your entries.

Angela Watson (LOVE HER), from The Cornerstone for Teachers, has awesome resources to getting started and organizing yourself through the process. I utilized every single one of her tips,and it was a HUGE help to me! 

Also, many states offer scholarships to go through the process, and then monetary incentives once you have certified. I'm lucky to work for a system that offers a nice incentive for achieving the certification. Look on the National Board website to see what your state and particular school system offers!

This is definitely one of those things, where I know if I can do it, anyone can! There are so many amazing teachers out there who need to get some proper recognition!  I really feel National Board Certification is a way to set yourself apart as the amazing teacher that you are. Feel free to email me if you are wondering about the process, or need some assistance! I'd be more than happy to help!

Back to Blogging!

    Hi everyone!

   I'm Amy!  I've decided once again to try to set up a teaching blog that I plan on actually keeping updated. When I first started blogging with my students (several years ago), blogging wasn't quite the rave yet. Now everywhere I look there are  super,adorable teaching blogs, with some amazing teaching ideas. While, I by no means am as talented as those teachers, I decided I'd give blogging about my teaching/class etc. once again.

   I have been teaching for 7 years, 6 of which have been with 3rd grade. I absolutely love 3rd grade (although there are times when I think I can't handle the standardized testing pressure another day longer), this is still my absolute favorite grade. I recently became National Board Certified, and that is an accomplishment I am so proud of. It was quite a tough process, but I'd challenge any teacher to go through it. You will be amazed at what you learn about your own teaching through it. Feel free to ask me any questions if you are thinking of going through the process. I feel like I've let the "politics" of teaching really bring me down this past school year, and I hope by blogging I'll be motivated to ignore all the mess and focus on my passion for teaching! I look forward to sharing my love of 3rd grade with all of you!!