by Krissy.Venosdale | Sep 26, 2010 | Reflect
Earlier this week, I came across one of my old favorite books, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. I love that story and the way the mouse continues his pursuit. That mouse, I thought to myself, is exactly like the kids I work with every single day. The endless questions, the desire to attack problems in multiple ways, the need for time to be creative, and the way it repeats. Nope, my kids aren’t hungry for cookies, although they’d be thrilled to have a treat! They are hungry for CHALLENGE. It is our job to feed them. 🙂
If You Give a Gifted Kid a Challenge
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by Krissy.Venosdale | Sep 24, 2010 | Reflect
I loved reading your inspiration and used random.org to choose a number this morning……the winner is… Comment #4:
I teach because I want to cheer for children who may not have anyone cheering for them! I teach because I want ALL children to feel loved and appreciated! I teach because I want to be a better person and my students challenge me daily to become better! I teach because school does not have to be boring! I teach to bring life to education; but what the students don’t know is that teaching gives me life!
Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts and Beth Moore, and I’ll get your book in the mail! 🙂
by Krissy.Venosdale | Sep 21, 2010 | Reflect
Why do you want to teach? It is a question heard in likely every single interview for a teaching job. I don’t remember exactly what I said when I was asked that question almost ten years ago, but I am sure it is different from what I would say now. I had the wonder-eyed, ready to change the world feeling when I was fresh out of college…just couldn’t wait to decorate a bulletin board and lead a line down the hall. Embarrassing to admit now, but THAT was what I couldn’t wait to do. Soon after that time, reality set in. Standardized testing. Budget cuts. Kids with no home support. Kids who struggle in everything they do. Kids who don’t struggle and need challenge. Kids who are misunderstood. The list goes on…and on. The list that drags you down, makes you question, at those really dark times, if you really even want to teach anymore. But, at the end of the day, the bell rings, the sun sets, and you end up with the promise of a brand new day ahead of you. You go back to the classroom, your kids come in, and somewhere along the way you realize that your purpose is so much more than just to teaching reading and math. You’re there to inspire kids. You are there to understand them, reach them, and help them be the best they can possibly be.
I’m feeling this way today because I finished reading “Teach Like Your Hair’s On Fire” by Rafe Esquith. The book is full of reality. Full of ideas. Full of inspiration. Please answer the question, “Why do you teach?” I look forward to being inspired as I read your comments. 🙂 Afterall, we’re all in this together.
by Krissy.Venosdale | Sep 10, 2010 | Reflect
I received an email today that Honeywell is now accepting application for their 2011 Teacher’s Space Academy program. I wanted to share this experience here and a link to the application. I would encourage ANY teacher to apply. Honeywell knows that one teacher touches the lives of many students. With 50% of engineers set to retire in the next few years, it is critical that we get our kids involved in Math, Science, and Technology. Last year this time, I was teaching my 6th graders about animals and ecosystems. This year? We have been researching the history of rocketry and look forward to building our own model rockets in the next several months. Our science lessons have really “Taken Off!” so to speak.
Are you convinced yet? Please go apply!
I’m really not sure if they pump something magical in the air down in Huntsville, but I came back obsessed with rockets, space science, and NASA in general. 🙂 If you have any questions about the program or filling out the application, please feel free email me. As far as “tips” for the application, all I can say is that they want to know that you are going to carry the curriculum back to your school with you and share it with others. Their goal is to inspire the next generation of students in math, science, and engineering. Please consider applying. You will not regret it… I promise! Best of all… you get your very own Blue Flight Suit! Imagine grocery shopping in that!! Arriving at the deli counter to take the last rottiserre chicken, only to have the person in front of you take it? Wearing the Blue Flight Suit will guarantee they step aside and let you have it. Wouldn’t you do the same for an astronaut just back from space and hungry for chicken??? 🙂
Flyer: http://www.spacecamp.com/img/edu/2011HoneywellTeach.pdf
Application Online: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PWNZFPT
Please let me know if I can help in anyway!
NOTE: The Blue Flight Suit is not know to contain any magical powers, but it IS cool.
Krissy
