....and so it begins

Hola everybody!!

So over a year ago, I started this blog for a Tech class.

Then I used it while I was traveling in Italy last summer.

And now, my blog is going to follow me into the classroom as I begin my final semester of my undergraduate career!! This semester I will be student teaching in the Madison, WI area.

My first 8-week placement (7th and 8th Spanish) began on Monday morning, bright and early at 7:30 am.  I traveled from my home (Aunt Paula's house) away from home (Cedar Falls) away from home (Dubuque) early Monday morning to Waunakee, WI.  Waunakee is a suburb of Madison, about 15 miles north of the town. It's one of the fastest growing suburbs in the area, which is evident in the growing numbers of the district.  Monday consisted solely of meetings, which were really helpful and interesting.  We had a District meeting with all the staff from the schools, where the Superintendent attempted to 'rally the troops' for another successful school year. It appeared to me that the troops were content with being in the auditorium.  However, I got a very different picture when the administration left the room, and a Waunakee Teacher's Association (WTA) union meeting took place. There were many teachers (and rightfully so) who were incredibly upset and voicing their concern about the new bill that was signed into law earlier this year by Governor Walker.  From what I gather, the bill essentially strips public employee's unions (which includes public educators) of collective bargaining rights.  As I understand, the bargaining rights are what unions use to negotiate contracts on behalf of the teachers, for things like health insurance, a duty-free lunch, working conditions and other things like that. Afterwards, we attended a World Language Departmental meeting with all the WL teachers of the district. That was fun to see all the faces that are spread across six buildings, and hear the exciting things they are working on and the goals they have for themselves and their students this year. We then attended building in-service for the remainder of the day.  I had my first embarrassing moment here.  As many of you can imagine, I was trying to be on my best behavior, and watch everything I said and did, and every look I made with my face, everything.  The only thing I didn't have control over (clearly) were my hands.  We were going through new teacher introductions, and of course, along with new hires come the student teachers.  Well, I was the final student teacher to be announced, so as Shad (my cooperating teacher) was introducing me, everyone started to clap for me.  Well, I started clapping for myself.... haha oops! I only did so like 3 times (we'll call it the 3 Ram Clap?!) and then I subtly seized the clapping and returned my hands to my lap and smiled, hoping that no one saw what was going on, and instead were paying attention to the principal, ya know- the boss, who was continuing to speak.  The building meetings consisted of diagnosing our personalities and discussing how we can all work together with other individuals who are different than us. We then had a potluck lunch, which I discovered, are amazing. Teachers are some awesome chefs! Not to mention in Middle School there are Family and Consumer Science teachers...which mean some serious good food. There was so much food on the tables, I was incredibly overwhelmed.  So overwhelmed that I forgot to get Snicker salad!!!!! I was so upset that I forgot it... unbelievable!! Not that there would have been any room on my plate...but for Snicker salad, I would have made room.  We ended the day learning about the districts Learning Management System, which is Infinite Campus (IC).  I've heard about IC before.  It seems to be pretty popular among K-12 schools.  So we got a little intro to that, which was my first exposure to something like that in a K-12 setting.  Then, we discussed what we would be doing on Thursday and Friday during Homerooms with the students, specifically regarding this new program in Wisconsin called Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).  Basically, the program is themed around showing kids what the expectation is for a specific area, and positively reinforcing that behavior.  I really like the idea they have with this idea, and it sounds like its only in its second or third year in the state and in the schools.  I'll be interested to see how the students respond and react to the information we share with them on Thursday/Friday during these sessions.  That was the end of Day One. It wasn't anything too overwhelming, but it sure was interesting for me. Learned about a lot of things, and was introduced to a lot of different ways of looking at things, and doing things than I'm used to in good 'ole Iowa.

Tuesday was a complete work day in our classroom. Most of the decorations and setting up was already done by Shad, but we finished putting away the things that aren't being used right away, and getting the tables and chairs all set up.  We went out for lunch with some colleagues (which sounds REALLY weird when I say it aloud), and that was really fun. They are a little bit older than I am, but we made conversation- just the basic getting to know you stuff.  Of course, once it came out that I was a nonnative and a Bears/Cubs fan, you can believe they (the men) started throwing punches left and right trying to get me down about my teams. But don't fear, Dad- I was strong and I stood my ground.  I even told them I brought my apparel here with me, so I can wear it proudly when I want. In the afternoon Shad and I read through some materials and brainstormed a bit and bounced some ideas off one another.  And then we went and used the SmartBoard a bit, to help familiarize myself with it a little bit. I haven't had much experience with it, but I can't wait to figure out more things about them! They are so fascinating to me, and Shad said the students LOVE them! It really is amazing what they can come up with now.  And that was about it.  Shad and I went over what we're going to do for the first two days of school.  Our schedule is on an A/B rotation, so what we do on A days will be carried over to what we do on B days- which is nice for planning and adapting, because we will have plenty of trials with a lesson plan, and have many opportunities to adapt plans to make them better, and to try different techniques and methods.  Also, Tuesday I was caught. Caught by a teacher, who saw that I clapped for myself on Monday. Obviously I played it off.. "ha ha jokes on the new guy"..... but really, I was mad that someone caught me! Ugh! I thought I totally got away with it! Guess not! Now I'm wondering how many other people saw me make a fool of myself.... darn.

And finally- today.... Wednesday. The last day before the students arrive. We had an inservice with the World Language department today about literacy. Basically we talked about literacy and what it meant to us, and how to use literacy in the different levels. This department's goal is to implement literacy in each level, and to have the students prepared to begin reading at a collegiate level when they arrive, which they feel they could do a better job for their students. All the teacher's had some great ideas, and I actually was able to include some ideas that I had, and my opinion about certain activities too! I felt very much a part of the group, and very comfortable to be able to share my ideas and get some feedback on them.

All in all, the past three days have been great. I'm really happy I'm where I am right now. I think the two placements I have this semester, are going to be GREAT representations of the extremes of particular environments.  I think these experiences will help me decide what sort of setting I want to be in, and what sort of setting I can thrive in.  I've always wanted to be in a low-income school, so the second half of the semester will be my chance to see if I can really make it or not.  On the other hand, the opportunities to try new technologies and methods with so many students is a great chance for me to really get a grip on this whole teaching thing.  But I guess that is what student teaching is all about anyways, huh?

I'd say the #1 question I've been asked thus far is "How did you end up in Madison from Iowa?" There have been quite a few people who asked me why I wanted to come to Wisconsin to teach... especially after all the hullabulloo that went down last spring. And in all honesty, as I listen to what these teachers are currently going through, I ask myself the same thing. But then all I have to do is take a drive on East Wash, or go for a stroll by Lake Monona, or look at all the different people that live in this area to remember why I wanted to be in Madison in the first place. It wasn't for the job. As we all know, no one really goes into education because of the money... I wanted to live in Madison because of the culture and the people and the experiences that are here! And as I'm seeing firsthand, the culture and people are active citizens. They believe in what they believe in 110%. And the passion they have for their beliefs is admirable, to say the least.

And now it's time to bring on the students! Today was our last day of peacefulness in the bathrooms and hallways.  My last day of being Emily and 'the student teacher,' and my chance at backing out has now passed. ;-)

Here's what I am going to use when I introduce myself on Thurs/Fri to our students.  It's my first time using Prezi, so it's by no means perfect- but I thought that I might as well try something new- what's it gonna hurt right?!

Emily's First Day of School Intro Presentation


**And for those of you won don't speak Spanish, here is what my presentation says:
"Ms. Powers
Basic Information
I am 22 years old.  I am an education and Spanish student. I want to be a teacher, like Mr. Fanta (my cooperating teacher). I like to read, listen to music, play sports, run, and watch tv shows.

Where am I from?
I am from Dubuque, Iowa.  Dubuque is near Illinois and Wisconsin, and is along the Mississippi River. I am a student at the Univ. of Northern Iowa.

And some things that are very important to me....
I love the Chicago teams, especially the Bears and the Cubs!  Yes! I'm sorry, but it is the truth kiddos!

I am very excited for this time with you! If you have any question, please ask me!





I'm glad I can share with you all in this journey! I hope all is well with everyone of you and your families! You are all in my thoughts and my prayers!

Love,
Emily