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Conundrums and Impact

This is not the post I planned to publish this month. My intent for this post was to discuss rurality and its impact on Fort Smith teachers (I promise, there is an impact). But, it can wait until next month. Instead, let's chat about uncomfortable and awkward professional moments.  A couple of months ago, I interviewed for a local, rural high school principal position. I was stoked about the opportunity, so I Showed Up  for the interview! To prepare, I studied the population, the community traditions, the instructional strengths and weaknesses, and how the school leadership communicated with the external community. I even familiarized myself with local organizations interconnected with the school community. It was absolutely the best interview I have ever had. I actually drove away, terrified that I may be selected as the instructional leader of a high school when I have absolutely no high school experience.   Fast forward to May 18 and an invitation to interview for a middle schoo
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Introspection and Inspiration

When I opened Blogger, I was blindsided by the Adventures of 2010 Dana and her sparsely documented teaching debut. As I perused a first-time graduate student's conveniently forgotten basic writing, my impulse was to archive the posts. Then I thought, "Why?   Why would I hide such a journey?" Isn't it fitting that I revive my blog in my first year as a doctoral candidate? I think, "Yes!"   The Journey - A Beginning My first two semesters as a doctoral candidate have come and gone. Throughout them, I was stricken by COVID-19...TWICE!  I experienced academically induced anxiety and fear but, in the end, was overcome with exhilaration. I met (virtually) the world's most supreme group of collegiates (#CohortOne) with whom I laughed and wept. I felt confident, then I was defeated, only to persevere into assuredness.  The fall of 2021 and the spring of 2022 were semesters of growth. It has been said that there is a time for every season. This season was one of
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My license

So...it's the end of November, and I finally received my license.  Although it's only a provsional license....it still makes me feel more official!  Now, I will finally get to sign my contract. 
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Reflection

Before receiving this assignment, I had never been exposed to blogs.   Of course I had heard of “blogging”, but my computer use was limited to sending and receiving emails, updating my Facebook page, shopping, and completing homework assignments.   At the start of the assignment, I was thinking, “There is no way I will have time for this!” but, my feelings about my blog, which is located at http://danabrooks0777.blogspot.com/ ,   changed as I progressed through my first year of teaching.   My blog has become my confidante to whom I tell random happenings from my classroom.   My blog has become my way of reflecting on my days in the classroom and the way that I feel through my experiences.   My blog has become a tool that I use to share my thoughts, whether good or bad, and the growing pride that I have for my classroom and my students; I am proud to post what I have been teaching and what they have been learning. I realized, once I got into my own classroom, how much emphasis is place
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Back to School!

Well, Thanksgiving break is over.  My kids came back ready for another break and not wanting to focus.  And.....we have TLI testing next week.  This will be the first one that is a reflection of how well I taught the skills.  I am so nervous.  Although I have seen growth in myself instruction wise as well as classroom management wise, I still have so far to go before I will be effective.  I just hope that I am doing right by these children.  They deserve the best teacher and role model they can get, and I am striving to be just that. 
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It's Time for a Break!

Finally!  A chance to regroup.  A chance to breathe for a couple of days.  Just two more days til Thanksgiving Break....and it's much needed.  Although I realize that I need a break, I need to get ahead in planning even more.  I would like to return to school with the last few weeks of the quarter planned and organized.  Day by day I am recognizing my growth and I am learning what works in my classroom with my kids, and what doesn't.  I wish that I could go back to my first day and re-teach all of that material.  But, there is not time so I'll keep moving forward and try to build on those skills.  Each day, I am rewarded by one child or another.  My decision to become a teacher is reaffirmed and I know it's what I am supposed to be doing. 
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Input/Output

This whole week, in Math, I taught Input/Output tables.  There are two boys in my class who normally refuse to participate, disrupt the whole class, or just do nothing at all.  By Thursday, both of these boys were raising their hands and almost jumping out of their seats to answer the equations.  THEY COULD GIVE ME THE PATTERN, THE RULE, AND THE EQUATION!!!!   Friday morning, as these two boys walked into the classroom, they excitedly asked, "Ms Brooks, are we doing Input/Output Tables again?"  when I told them that we were, they shouted, "YES!", and gave each other high fives!  Today, I feel successful.  Today, I feel like a teacher.  Today.......I made a difference. 
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