My focus for this section was Billy teaching for the day. I wonder about Esme so distinctly hearing her voice and seeing her actions in this young mans mannerisms throughout the day. I loved that she followed through with this. I also really loved that she participated and took his role for the day. She managed to turn what could have been a HUGE behavior issue complete with conferences, office referrals, suspensions, tons of paperwork, and red tape into an assessment and in essence a learning opportunity for more than just Billy. What a truly powerful experience...RED FLAG...I hope no other kids get the wild hair to misbehave this badly in hopes that they'll get to do what he did. I can totally see that coming back to bite her!
After the rest of this section, it's almost better for me to think about which situation I find the least appalling...
1. Having someone openly criticize the way I've chosen to decorate my classroom.
2. Having my students STAB a substitute.
3. Having someone actually demean or belittle the instructional choices I made based on what my students needed at that moment in time.
4. Or...the entire Madame blow-up creeping back up AGAIN.
I can certainly see how Esme arrived at a point that was just moments away from quitting. Actually, as brash and as cocky as she is...I'm rather shocked she was convinced NOT to leave.
Now it's your turn...
Reaction:
What is one section in this part to which you found yourself reacting emotionally? What reaction did you have? Why do you think this section evoked this emotion from you at this time?
Connection:
Is there anything specific from this section you can connect back to a course from your Junior year? Think specifically in regard to Logical Thought, Child Development, Creative Expressions, etc.
Extension:
So many things I want to know---but the one quote I keep getting pulled back to for you guys this time is toward the bottom of page 102.
"Only those who do not understand us have reason to fear us."
I see quite clearly how this quote comes into play in a powerful and meaningful way for Esme at the point in the journal in which it is used. What does it mean for you?
There will be no new post during the 4th of July week.
Our next post will be added July 13th.
It will cover February 21st up to but not including April 1st.
I sent all of you an e-mail with the internet posted pre-planning and first day of school dates for all the districts we use. I hope by this time you've made contact with your host teacher and have things worked out.
I'd like to have a welcome back party once this all gets underway. I'll be posting plans for that soon.
I hope you are all finding ways to squeeze in some relaxation and fun as we wind down our summer.
Please be safe during the 4th of July Holiday.
Love ya!
Mean it!
Dr. VW
Reactions: the part i reacted most to is more of an on-going problem due to Mr. Turners lack of ability to be pleased. He told Esme that he "wished that i wouldnt put so much energy into my classroom and more into the whole school". I feel as though she has done far more than most teachers usually do especially for her first year. She has every reason in the world to be frustrated with him. I think he is being very ridiculous and nitpicky with Esme and it isnt fair.
ReplyDeleteConnections: Esme did a great job stirring up the childrens imaginations by creating the time machine full of books. This reminded me of literacy and creative expessions because of the way it madethe students want to read. It was a new way to entice creativity and love for reading. I would love to create something like that for my classroom! It is such a great idea.
Extension: i feel like this quote could be used in just about any new or different situationbecause most people are at least nervous to try something new and may therefore fear it until the situation becomes a regular or familiar one. This makes me think of the way we are learning to teach compared to that of the close to retiring teachers who would rather not changetheir ways. However,as we have learned, there is always room for new things and change in the teaching world. I do not think we should fear the unknown, but imbrace it.
(Katie Allen)
ReplyDeleteReactions:
I reacted most to Mr. Turner telling Esme to focus more on the school and less on her classroom. More than that, I was fired up! Esme has already been doing more than her job and he is still not pleased. He is actually hoping I think that she'll do his job as well. When he mentioned that the book assembly was last grading period and this was a new one, I wanted to yell at him! That whole situation and his actions of trapping her in his office were so unprofessional and ridiculous. Poor Esme!
Connection:
I'm not sure what class it'll connect to, maybe even classroom management, but I loved Billy teaching. I agree with you that it could come back to bite her, but I think it was a great learning experience for everyone involved. All the students, especially Billy, were able to see what difficulties Esme faces everyday and how their behavior affects that. I'll be interested to see how Billy's behavior changes from now on.
Extension:
This quote stuck out to me as well as I was reading the section. Esme is probably the first teacher that has taken the time to really get to know these kids and where they come from. She has invested in their lives and really become a constant that they can trust. She's also taught them to respect themselves and believe that they have value. When that substitute comes in and starts degrading the children, its apparent that she doesn't understand them. I think its an important reminder for us that we need to "earn our right to be heard". Students aren't going to listen to you merely because your name is on the door and they're told too. You have to first understand them and then they'll be more apt to work with you. Then, you don't have to fear.
Katie...you extension comments literally sent chills down my spine. You couldn't be more right. She's taken the time to show them she trusts them, values their lives, sees potential in their futures, and will give them 100% of her energy in and out of that classroom. She's earned the right to not 'fear' them whereas others in that school still seem to demand respect that they'll never receive.
ReplyDeleteKrista & Katie...Mr. Turner does seem to be holding Esme to a higher standard or expectation than the rest of her colleagues but I have to remind myself that we're not reading the journals of the other teachers. I can only HOPE that he's just as unprofessional and obnoxious with the rest of the teachers as he has been with her...that way I can at least come to the resolution that he's just a jerk in general and not simply 'picking' on Esme. However, I think when he hired her...he knew she was a first year teacher and I believe he hired her (and many others) based on their looks and the idea that he could control them because of their lack of experience. I believe Esme has shocked him in the way she has reacted. This is one of those times that she REALLY needs to be made aware of her rights and not get trapped in the uncomfortable situations we see happening with him again.
Reaction: In these entries, I found myself getting more annoyed with Esme's attitude. I understand that the administration is ridiculous in their demands, and that she is definitely right when she tells herself that everything she is doing is right for the kids. I don't, however, think that she is handling it well. Whenever she is confronted by Ms. Coil or Mr. Turner, she responds like a child. The way she retaliates and talks back frustrates me. She could get so much further and continue to do what she wants for the kids by handling the situation like an adult. The fact that she continues to do things her way is enough for the administration to be after her all the time, but when she talks back and behaves like a child, she gives them more fuel for their fire.
ReplyDeleteConnections: When the class did their unit on Native Americans, I was reminded of creative Expressions. The lessons and activities they did, gave the students the opportunity to really be involved and experience as much of the subject as they could. At the end, all of those students had memories of personal experiences they can now connect to for the rest of their lives.
Extension: I thought this quote was a good way to sum up the community in Esme's class. It clearly applied to the situation with the substitute teacher,because she came into the class as an "outsider" and tried to impose her own rules with little regard for rules and routines already in place. I also felt that it could be extended to cover the relationship between Esme and Mr. Turner. He doesn't understand her, the way that she works, or her relationship with her class. This fact scares him, which is why he tries to control her. He feels like if he can get her to change her name or move some pictures around, he will eventually gain power and be able to change the way she does things.
Reaction: I really reacted to Billy teaching the class. I loved that she actually went through with this instead of just threatening to do it. Growing up, I can remember several teachers threatening to do the same thing that Esme did, but not one of them ever followed through. This showed her students tht she was serious and she means what she says. I also think it was a good experience for Billy, as well as Esme.
ReplyDeleteConnection: When I read this section, I, like Emilie, saw a connection to the Native American section. I was immediately reminded of Dr. D and how she always told us to refer to them as Native Americans instead of Indians. I also was able to connect this section to our creative expressions class because she integrated the topic of native americans into several other subjects and used creative things such as making up names to help the students learn.
Extension: I really like this quote. I think it is true that it is easier to fear something when you do not understand it. Once you understand something, it becomes more familiar and not as scary. The cohort is a great example of this. At first, everything is so new and seems so complicated that it is scary, but once you understand how it works, it isn't quite as scary!
Emilie...I couldn't agree more...Esme's brash and 'in your face' attitude has certainly not won her any support in the administration area of her school. She could use a lesson or two on tact but I think that perhaps she'd still choose to do things her way regardless of what anyone said to her.
ReplyDeleteCaylin....Native Americans indeed but then to have someone say in such a condescending way "I did indians when I taught kindergarten" in front of a group of 5th graders who were into the unit, had connected with the material, and had made it a part of who they were is what set me off on this one! Okay...you DID it in kindergarten does that mean I can't take it to a higher level and in your words 'DO' it with my 5th graders?
Reaction: Something that struck me the most emotionally was when Ms. Coil decided to change Esme's room. I would have been furious if someone had come into make minor changes like that, ones that really didnt matter in the larger scheme of things. I was pleasantly surprised when I read how Esme handled it. While it was bold of her, moving Coils flower pot definitely got Esme's point across without having to say anything angry or mean. While Esme does have quite the backbone and I am unsure if it is always necessary, I hope that one day that I can stand up for the things I know are right because I know I can sometimes crumble in this area when I have a higher authority telling me what to do. Ill just have to learn!!
ReplyDeleteConnection: The biggest connection I made to a particular class during this section occurred when Esme talked about her Native American lesson. It reminded me of our Cultural class and what we have learned about using the right words and respect when addressing any culture that is unfamiliar to us. I loved what she did and I didn't think for a second that the students dressing up was too young. While reading this part all I could think about was Dr. D. saying dont you even think about calling Native Americans "Indian's" Good memories =)
Extension: This quote is pretty deep and when looking at it on the surface it sounds pretty brash. For me this quote shows that for anyone outside of Esme's classroom they may see her style as outlandish, pointless, and slow paced. What they dont realize is that it is full of life and while Esme may seem very forward she has the best intentions in mind which you get to see when she decides not to quit. This quote doesnt just apply to her classroom but to many aspects of life. When we as people fail to understand something or dont take the time to understand it we automatically draw assumptions that feed out fear. For instance, thinking that anyone from Iraq or Afghanistan is a terrorist. No one takes the time to understand these types of American's and just ignorantly stereotype them to be something they are not. These stereotypes which are fed by the fear that we have for terrorists as a whole.
Jessica...I agree she's brash and in your face and as others have pointed out...this may not be the BEST technique to use in an effort of proving your point or getting your way...It does however make it quite clear that she's not gonna bend over or back down or let you walk over her. I believe there is a fine line between standing your ground and quite frankly being an obnoxious ass. I think Esme has tiptoed right up to that line quite a few times in my book already but like you...I admire her confidence to do this as I know my tactics would have been FAR, FAR less in your face and obnoxious! :-)
ReplyDeleteReaction: I hated it when Esme's class was critiqued for the posters being too high or a work table needing to be on the left side instead of the right. Teachers are so put upon and are expected to give "102 percent." Is it really necessary for pointless criticism which how no validity to effect their day as well?
ReplyDeleteConnection: To me, Esme making Billy teacher for the day reminded me of the types of behavior managment we talked about. However, what I am unsure of is how to classify her approach. Its not entirely behavorism, like her use of the word Homework as punishment. I honestly don't know how to classify it. I think it may have been poor judgement for him to be teacher for the entire day. It is a huge administration battle in the making.
Extension: I hate cookie cutter. I have never thought of myself as a cookie cutter teacher and I certainly don't think Esme is. When people don't understand your methods, your personality, and your way of teaching, they get nervous. Things are by the book, standardized, and safe. Things might even look, heaven forbid, chaotic. However, my memories of fantastic teachers center around unusual and unique teachers....who may have scared some, but only because they were scarily good at what they did.
Oooh...I love that quote...being "scarily good at what you do." Can we find a way to put that on our cohort shirt this fall? :-)
ReplyDeleteReaction: I would have hit that woman that came in to rearrange the room. I don't know if I'm OCD or what, but I usually need things a certain way in order to feel comfortable. I guess I just arrange things to be cute, but mainly functional. Esme's teaching style is not always understood, so that woman and no right to come in and try to rearrange a room using methods she didn't even understand.I loved the fact that Esme went in and moved her plant. It was a nice way to stick it without being disruptive.
ReplyDeleteConnection: When the secretary came and and rearranged the room, it made me think of how some of the changes she tried to implement were not developmentally appropriate. When she tried to move the artwork to where the children couldn't see it, she was thinking of herself and not the students. No wonder she doesn't have her own classroom anymore... I also liked how when learning about the Native Americas they made masks and learned dances from their culture. Very "Creative Expressions"esque.
Extension: That quote is very significant to life in general. I think a lot of people, including myself, hold back on life because the fear of the unknown. So many conflicts in history between people have been because they simply do not understand each other. I think that learning about different people and ways of life can help us branch out and accept our differences and try new things.
Reaction: The whole Mr. Turner deal is ridiculous. If Esme is doing well with her class, he wants her to do well for the school, and if she's helping out with the whole school, he wants her to focus on her class. How can a man that cannot be made happy run an institution that should be filled with happiness?
ReplyDeleteConnection: The unit on Native Americans reminded me of Dr. D and how as teachers we need to stay culturally aware and appropriate of all peoples. Not once did she call them Indians, but instead she respected who the tribes and people were as a group, and taught the children in a manner that allowed them to learn respect for each individual tribe.
Extension: The Malcolm X quote dives into many different diversity stereotypes for myself. How many times have we been afraid of someone just because of how they look, dress, act, or where they come from? And then once you get to know that person, you realize there was nothing to fear at all? It means that we as teachers need to get to know our students wholly before judging them or being afraid of them. Otherwise, if we let our fear of the unknown rule us, we will never be successful in making them successful.