After one of my colleagues (Mrs. Givhan) looked at my blog, she made the comment that my picture really did not look like me! I have to admit that the photo in my personal profile is one of my most favorites. Well, it actually isn't me, but it is a total picture of how I felt after spending 10 days last spring break with UAM students. The photo is actually on a postcard I bought in Budapest and I do have a better one that I may share with you at some point! However, because I have not met some of you, I didn't want you to be too surprised when you see me in September. With that in mind, I will place a photo that looks a little more like me.

This Saturday will be a big day for me--the big 60! I think I really am beginning to feel old--but I'm sure I will get over it. I have so much I want to learn and do that I guess I will just have to live to be 200 yrs. old. I'm pretty sure I really don't want that to happen--so I'll just keep cramming things into my days for now.

I love your blogs! I love reading about your experiences and can't wait to see photos of your classrooms. Also, I am learning so much from you (It's great to be a teacher with such technology-smart students!) Katherine Hilton shared information to help me get my "compost pile" in my title. Now I just have to have time to get it done.

So much for now. I am having so much fun looking at your blogs. (Where do some of you of find all those gadgets?) Keep up the good work!

First Week Musings

And so it goes, another semester has begun. It seems I take so much time "getting ready" for students-- in whatever shape or form-- and sometimes forget the "human element". Gavin, my 4th grade grandson, was so worried, almost to the point of being ill, about starting 4th grade. Of course, he made it through the day and later told me how excited he was about his teacher and his new class. I wonder how his teacher greeted a scared 8-year old and, by the time the day was over, had him convinced 4th grade was a good place? As a teacher, what is more important in my "planning" for students--making sure I have something to "cram into their heads" or creating an environment that says "this is a good place for you--a place where you will be safe physically and emotionally"? ( I just love Maslow's thoughts and ideas!)

Reading DB postings from the MAT students today was sheer joy! Even though they have been teaching only a few days, I read responses such as "I really love teaching", or "I made it through the first few days and it's still fun". As I read between the lines, most were still excited. I worry about those I did not hear from. I've heard "through the grapevine" that some of them are really having problems. I know their jobs are tough--probably tougher than anything I've ever experienced. But I also have confidence that maybe tomorrow each one of them will have a positive experience that will get them through the day. All it takes is one smile, or one light coming one in a student's eyes to get you through that particular day. Even after 30+ years teaching I still look forward to those little miracles that tell me I am in the right profession, that what I do really matters. Teaching must always be a "one day at a time" experience.

I just hope that I am able to convey to all my students that even though teaching is a tough job, those moments will come when you know you are making a difference--even if those moments are few and far between.

Welcome!

I am so excited to "see" you all again! All this blogging is new to me and I hope you enjoy it. Please be patient with me (as I will be patient with you) and let's try to make this a positive learning experience. You will have a lot of freedom in your blog creation--just remember to stay within the guidelines provided in the syllabus. Don't hesitate to share your good days and no-so-good days with your online community of learners. Don't forget to post your photos of things you do in your classroom. I would love to see room set-ups, bulletin boards, a picture of yourself after a long, long day of teaching :), or even a great project completed by your students. The ideas are endless! Also, be thinking about how you can use this technology in your classroom. I can't wait to see what you do!

Composting...thinking...learning

Learning begins when you, the teacher, learn from the learner, put yourself in his place, so that you may understand what he is learning and the way he understands it...
--Soren Kierkgaard