More Intentions in 2024?

This tradition of writing intentions, I began about a decade ago after reading a blog post rationalizing the word change...gives one more grace when one initially fails at a resolution.  Grace...a beautiful thing.

As I look back over last year's intentions, I appreciate that grace, for I did not accomplish nearly enough, not even #1, which was to read Gone with the Wind...but!...I did begin this quite long text!  Therefore, this one remains as an intention!  Maybe this will be the year of accomplishments!

Here's to 2024 and 24 Intentions!

1. Continue to read and finish Gone with the Wind...as I know am reading this one for a Book Club.  This is actually the third year this novel has made this list of Intentions. Going to make this one happen this year!
2. Watch Gone with the Wind...only after having completed #1.
3. Lose 52 pounds...one pound a week...OR four pounds a month.  That wording is so much friendlier...and doable...or so says my friend Andrew P.
4. More water...less sodas.  
5. Read an average of one book a week.  Hummm...see #1!  
6. Attempt to complete several book challenges and clubs.  Click here to see the list! Why this challenge?  To push myself to read books out of my comfort zone!
7. Read the Bible through...again...and complete Bible Studies (before going to the group meeting!).
8. Teach with more focus on those who want to learn, hoping to inspire those who need more interest along the way.
9. Read one professional read every two months. I receive five a year (and may or may not buy more!) through a professional membership.  Get to reading, Tammy!  
10. Find good deals on books and buy/stock them up for 2024 Christmas gifts.  (I gave books away in 2022..but none as gifts in 2023.  Hummm...need to work on this one!)
11. Give books as gifts for birthdays.  This one will take some planning, as birthdays tend to slip up on me! 
12. Send birthday and thank you cards much more diligently!  At this, I am just so bad.  Really bad. Be better, Tammy.
13. Blog...more.  Write, reflect...just write.  I start off the year much better than I end.  Why do I stop...for I really do enjoy this reflection process.
14. Finish all the quilts I currently have started or promised to others AND make more quilts for others...and for me.  Gotta work on this...as I did not complete one quilt in 2022 or 2023.  Why not? My life has become too busy. 2023 was the busiest yet.  Need to slow down. 
15. Paint.  Yes!  So much fun!
16. Put away and pick up...especially in my car and house!  
17. Focus on my One Word:  more.  For this, I did create a notebook in which to take notes on all my words, as I now have 14 such words.  Yes, I hope to focus more on all of them.
18. Continue making time for my friend groups:  Meeting of the Minds and the Wildcats.  These groups mean much to me and keep me connected with their lives.
19. Be even more involved in ALA and WRLC...two literacy groups, especially since I seemed to burn out a little...need to revive that fire!  
20. Spend quality time with the fam, especially The Man and The Daughter.  
21. Plan more gatherings here at the house for the church ladies and my Bible study group and other friend groups.
22. Create and grow even more beautiful flowers than I did last year.  Especially begonias!  They love my front porch.
23. Keep up a list of Honey-Dos for The Man, for, one, he likes staying busy, and, two, I like his creations!
24. Maintain my National Board certification.  This is my year.

2024...going to be a good year!

How about you?  Resolutions?  Intentions?  One?  24?!

What a Busy Season October Is!

Yes, 'tis true, only four seasons exist, unless you are a teacher, in particular a high school teacher, and then the seasons of October and April now are added.   Welcome to my world!

Besides teaching five sections of English 11 and two pre-educator classes, I help with four groups/clubs and Homecoming and Prom.  Some say I am busy.  I say I am happy...just always playing on the job.  Maybe I am just blessed?

This year, our Homecoming fell the last week of September, resulting in the October Season extending even longer.  Add in Fall Break, grades due, (and make up work...ugh...my least favorite aspect of teaching), Red Ribbon Week, and...

Did I mention this is our 75th birthday at our school...so shall we add that celebration to the busyness of this year?

I am most excited about a new group we are kicking off...yes, Southerner Sidekick, a Big Brother/Sister sort of group, where we match a high school student with an elementary or middle school kiddo with the sole intent of even more ensuring academic success.  This week, we are finally to the match-up phase.  Excited I am about this endeavor.

Today, November begins...and, yes, I breathe a bit of sigh of relief that the season of October has now eased on by...or blurred on by?!  And...the temps in Arkansas have cooled right down to freezing (no in-between for us!), so we are feeling fall and loving it!

Oh...shall we end of October's Good Reads?  My current young adult read is The Inheritance Games, which I need to finish so I may pass on to some of my more avid  teen readers.  Yes, I like...and recommend to you!

Please share your current favorite read!

Between a Rock and a Hard Spot

If you should have heard that writers should stay away from cliches, then, (oooops) I hope you skipped the title of this post!

Having completed three weeks...or 13 days (of 163) of school, we are off to an amazing start.  I suppose.  Already, though, my "hard" reputation precedes me, no matter how much easier I become each year, no longer giving homework (or so rarely as to not even count), deleting assignments (not that students are always aware of this), and implementing more "games" and activities, which is a really good decision, regardless of my reasons.

This is one of the differences in kids these days, as my students from my first 28 years, while thinking this, would not have said it to my face.  I would say that, for the most part, young adults do not see themselves as rude, though; they simply say what they think, whether the words should be uttered or not.

Let's face it:  two people's definitions of a word may just differ, as is the case with the word hard, for students would definitely consider a teacher who "works" her students bell to bell would be hard and, yes, to some, such teachers are even "mean."  Nevermind, in that teacher's brain, she is simply doing her job...yes, you know what she is paid to do.  Oh!

You see, based on my 32 years of teaching, I have come to the conclusion that three types of teachers exist.

1. Teachers who love kids...and like teaching.
2. Teachers who love teaching....and like kids...or even love kids...but they love teaching more.
3. Teachers who love kids and teaching.
4. Teachers who do not even like teaching...they love the paycheck...or coaching.  I would hope that this teacher, also, falls in category 1.

I know a lot of 1s and 4s.  A lot.

I know a few 3s.  These are probably the most rare...or, at least, in my experience.  In this day and age, in our current society, they are the blessed ones.

My current problem?  I am a 2. I love teaching.  I can teach anything.  Yes, anything.  I just need enough time to learn the topic, and I can teach the material.  To any age group.  This is just what I was born to do.

My current problem?  Twos are the least-liked teachers and are considered "hard," if not "mean."  

I am tired of these words.  They hurt, even when coming from kids whose brains are not developed, who cannot even understand why a 2 is a 2.

So.  Therefore.  Yes.

Last year, about Spring Break, I began a transition.  I know I cannot be a one, but I do want to be a three.  So how is this going for me?  Not sure, for after that kiddo stopped by during lunch to tell me what his friends had said about my class last year...and that, so far, he just did not think I was a hard teacher, well, I had to set a moment and process.  I have given no homework this year, and nearly 100% of my students still have a 100%.  

Then, this happened.  

Twice, in one week, two graduates returned and thanked me for teaching them as I did when they were juniors (not seniors...juniors), for their professors know Mrs. Gillmore and know her students will do just fine in Comp 101.  I had to stand and process that, too.  I know how to get kids ready for college and to take the ACT.  

I want to be a 2...for that is who I am.  In my district, though, I need to be a 1.  I think I would have to retire to truly be a 1.  Therefore, I am working more diligently to be that 3.

For instance, I have been planning Grammar Time and a lesson on parallel structure.  Tomorrow, we will play Kahoots and, what I hope, is a game that visually creates sentences with parallel structure.  Yes, I think they will enjoy the class...and I will, also.  For this, they will receive a nice, healthy grade.  (Let's save grade inflation for another day/topic, shall we?)

Will I teach as much as I did the first 28 years?  No.   Therein, remains the rock and that hard place.

Will my students (did I mention I do not have the advanced kids?) still be more than ready for college English having had my class as juniors.  Not sure.  Maybe not?  Therein, lies that uncomfortable spot between that rock and that hard spot.  But, is teaching to that level really fair when so many of mine will not attend college?  No.  Probably not.

Isn't life interesting?  This year, I began year 33 and still do not have all the answers!

Quiet an Achievement!

How do you have a quiet yet quite competitive class you ask?

Have the students work on their nonverbal skills and build the tallest tower…all while the timer counts down the time. Then…have two tables join their towers together…shhhhh, no talking! Very interesting!

As part of English 11, students, also, receive oral communications credit. This means that more deliberate skills are embedded within the class. No better time than to begin than on the fourth day of school!

Don't kids just love a competition? Just total engagement!

And…as a whole-class presentation, we shared our future stories. See the last pic for my sample! I do have plans...for one day!...as retirement begins to approach.

Last Wednesday, I began year 33. As ready as I was not (what an incredible busy summer), I was still excited to return and begin again. I will know...one day...when that last year will begin, but until then, here we are to have fun, learn along the way, and better prepare these students for their future stories...and for mine! Maybe...just maybe, I will one day have a booth in one of those cutesy antiquish, booth-filled stores. Maybe!

#CommunicatingTheyAre

#BoughtMoreBlocksToday!

#CrashNotAGoodSound

#FutureStoryMoreFunAhead!

Bee a Stakeholder

Dr. Stacey Donaldson, NBCT

Yesterday, I learned this word.

Tomorrow, I will share this word.

In the meantime, I am reminded of a story someone…probably a parent?…maybe a teacher or admin?…needs to read.

Please count the number of stakeholders involved in this story…

Picture it:

Five of us gathered week before last in my room for our parental-involvement luncheon. Yes, that Mexican takeout tasted amazing. Yum! (Before you get jealous…mine grew cold before I could finish…but soooo worth it!)

This soon-to be future student of mine began to share about his summer job…an internship at WRMC. Soooo proud he was of that name badge (had it on that day!) Yes…there’s one of the stakeholders!

As we ate and chatted, one of us mentioned about his going to UACCB and earning his welding certificate. Dad looks interested. Son/student looks interested. (AKA…dad…when he walked in? Yes, stakeholder #1.)

So off I go to find out from the counselors if this is doable in this kiddo’s schedule. Why, yes, it is…but this student will have to go and take the Accuplacer in the next three days and score a specific number.

Hummm…well. I just met this student and his dad and am not sure how obtainable that score is…but…never let them hear the doubt. Never.

I return and share and immediately hear dad say, “I will go with you.”

Fast forward six days to Open House. I turn from my current conversation to see above student walking straight to me, holding up a piece of paper with a lot of words…and one row of numbers…all higher than the minimum score he needed.

Oh, yes! Happy dance and atta-boys…right then and there. For, yes, there stood grinning-dad, too!

I sent them on to chat with others…and soon learned and met him again the next day when he (and dad) came back to re-do his schedule as he now has welding as a part of his Future Story…because of the life-changing agreement we have with our partner UACCB.

Please hear me: mom, dad, teacher-friends, sometimes, we need to be assiduous/diligent in our listening, chatting, planting seeds, cultivating…for the harvest awaits…with plenty who need a gentle nudge from you and me and all the stakeholders that it takes to see a future story to reality.

My favorite stakeholder?

The student?

The dad?

The teachers there at the lunch (we three teachers outnumbered son and dad!)?

The counselors?

The admin…who said host the lunch?

The school…who dreamed up this tremendous parental involvement encounter?

White River Health for the intern opportunity?

UACCB for their partnership?

All the others a part of all the above?

My favorite? The dad. There at every step.

If you are thinking, “I sure wish that for my child.”

Here’s how:

1. Never let them hear you doubt…be assiduous

2. Connect with a stakeholder…who will connect with another…for this is just all doable.

#EverLearning #ILikeWords

#FutureStory

#BeeAStakeholder

Prom: Perfect and Personality!

Out of 32 years in this career, I have attended nearly 30 proms (just one of the perks!)…soooo many kid-making memories!

Must give a thumbs up to our Mr. Hodges…his ideas receive a superior rating. For sure. Glad to be on his team.

Our organizers, decorators, and chaperones created a night never to be forgotten! Seriously and thank you!

Prayers were answered, and the weather was amazing for…

• walking Main Street
• watching caricatures being drawn
• smiling for and admiring so many pictures being taken (thanks to all who shared…and will share!). Note to self: take more photos!
• admiring dressed-up kiddos (just wow!)
• witnessing both sides win baggo (well, maybe!)
• taking a 360 trip (fun!)
• watching the line at the Ice Cream truck (yum!)
• listening to one of the waiters share her happy Prom-watching memories
• enjoying dinner with two who stand for what they believe
• encouraging technology to be my friend…again! (Thanks to Deirdre, Chelsea, and Susan and their hot spots!)
• cleaning up in record time…the second (or was it third?!) winds kicked in!

In all, a six-hour adventure we took!

Then…the serious side…waiting to hear they all made it home safely. These kids will never know…until they become teachers and parents…how many prayers are prayed for them.

And…should you be involved with the Child Advocacy Center…thank you…thank you…thank you for sharing your decorations with us!

And…should you be a part of the Volunteer Reserve Team that served our school family last night…thank you!

#LoveWinWins

#LeftPlanningFor2024

Another Chance...Another Week

 Life moves on after the ACT...and what an amazing feeling that is!

This week was the dreaded speech week...within the English 11 class, each also receives credit for oral communications.  I could argue for sides of allowing this dual credit...but that should be for another post!

My brags for the Worker Bee speech (present a Women's History Person, a president, and a person from own inner circle...telling about about their work ethics and two work stories on each):

• Recently, two girls transitioned into my class.  They were both prepared.  They both stood and spoke and performed outstandingly!  So very proud of them!  For the flip of that is that I had nearly 30...yes, 30 otthers who were not prepared and did not speak.  I.  Do.  Not.  Understand!
• James...he volunteered to go early, was actually ready, stood and spoke.  Love to see maturity happen right before my eyes.  
• Two kids stood and spoke...and I stopped them...redirected them...had a learning moment...and they presented the next day...spot on...right where they needed to be.  Sometimes, a Take 2 is needed.
• Other Highlights:
• On Monday, during a Zoom during which I asked clarification on the Top 10, I learned that all my kids who placed during a state Ed Rising Conference now qualified to attend nationals in Orlando, Florida.  Yay!  But...now to gather them and work through each's requirements to register, as most of their competition entries had to be uploaded, also.  What a stressful day!  Now...of course...by the end of the day, I had learned some ways to have simplified the process, but by 4:00, eight were registered and ready!  About this I am most excited because several have never flown, been to Florida, stayed at Sea World.  With them, I will journey on a life-changing trip, for, yes, my way will be paid, too.  Nice!
• The rest of the week was a whirlwind of activity pulling together the Eastergram fundraiser for Ed Rising...when was all said and done, we had sold about 600 Eastergrams.  Much we learned about the organization of this quick-turn-around endeavor and several changes will be made!  But...all-in-all...a success for us, which, actually, gives them a budget to fund a lending library for our community.  Yay!
• Last night, I attend the school play.  I am ever amazed by the talent of kids that sits seemingly dormant until the right teacher, the right event, the right moment comes along and this talent springs to life.  

And...I was sick this week.  But...you do what you gotta do!

Now, today...Good Friday.  So good for so many reasons.  Right now, I seem to appreciate most that we have no school today...a day to recoop from two very busy week...and to ready for our church's Easter Extravaganza tomorrow...and Easter Sunday...and Prom next Friday...and Celebrate Literacy the week after...

I am blessed.  I do my best to get the most out of each day here in my little area of the world.  Most days, I feel like a success.  For that, I am very thankful!