I am forever a learner. Let's start with a little background. I have been teaching for 20 years. Wow. That is only part of the story as I am only half way through my career. Teaching is my passion. Since the 3rd grade (although my mom says 1st), I have wanted to be a teacher. All was going well until about 8 years ago. I had found my niche in teaching upper elementary (mostly 4th grade), found my best friends in the wonderful colleagues at my school, and my home life heading in the direction I had always wished upon a star for (yes, I also love Disney). Then something happened. I GOT BORED! I found myself wondering if I had taught a lesson before (of course I had, just not that year!). I worried that I was no longer giving my students my best. If I was bored, then my students had to have been bored as well. At the time, I figured I just needed a small change. So I volunteered to teach a combo class. Since I teach in California, there is always (unfortunately) a combo class at my school. This helped me to be motivated and passionate once again. For a little while. Then last year, I had one of the worst years of my teaching careers. Now, in the scheme of life and teaching, it was not as bad as it could have been. I realize there are schools where students live in complete poverty and come to school with nothing, or teachers who have to worry about violence to themselves and their students on a minute by minute basis. This was not the case. For me, the worst year came from a class of students who were apathetic to almost everything I did. I tried rewards, negative consequences, project-based learning, technology, everything I could think of. I blamed previous teachers for not teaching the students the required standards, the parents for not supporting education, and the students for not caring. What I didn't look at was my teaching. Once again I WAS BORED, and now I was also STRESSED! I began this year with a renewed spirit. There was a new class of students who were willing to try new things. After a few months, I started to notice that my teaching was becoming once again the same as it always had been. I was teaching a combo class of 4th and 5th graders. Thanks to the new Common Core standards I was trying new things in some areas, but overall things were the same. Then in December of 2015, suddenly I made the decision that I needed to change. I began to look at ideas I had seen through Twitter, Facebook, and educational blogs about changing my teaching and classroom. So in the last three months, I have changed a LOT of what happens in my classroom. I am becoming more student centered. We are still doing project-based learning (maybe not the true definition of it, but we are on our way), there is a lot of technology being integrated into our activities, and we now have flexible seating (see pic below). While there are still days where things do not go as well as I would like, each day I am enjoying teaching and learning from my students. What I have learned in the last three months: - Students actually participate more when they get to choose how/where they sit (not something I would have ever thought possible) - Technology can be a wonderful tool if used for more than just specific websites (although they have their place) -Teaching is a lot more fun when it is student centered for both the students and me -Twitter is my new favorite place to get inspired -Teaching will always be my passion, especially if I am willing to learn new things to keep it interesting!
18 Comments
3/29/2016 07:54:13 am
So proud of you Dianne! Glad you are leaping down this path full force, your students are so lucky!
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Dianne
3/29/2016 08:22:17 am
Thank you. Love seeing what you are doing as well!
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Cori
3/29/2016 08:11:20 am
Kuddos Diane! It has been fun watching this transformation! Your students and colleagues are lucky to have you. Keep taking risks!!
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Dianne
3/29/2016 08:23:52 am
Thanks, Cori. It was one more path for my one word/sentence "willing to fail" that you started with us.
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Cori
3/29/2016 08:49:51 am
I love it! Keep it up!
Amanda Fleming
3/29/2016 11:57:54 am
Dianne, your students and your colleagues are lucky to have you. I have learned a lot working with you.
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Dianne
3/29/2016 03:34:14 pm
Thank you. It is my support system, including you, who push me to be better!
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Andrea
3/29/2016 12:40:44 pm
I'm so grateful to have you in my life. You have always, and continue to be inspirational! You are innovative, willing, and able to bring kids from here (wherever they are) to anywhere!!!
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Dianne
3/29/2016 03:34:54 pm
I was the lucky one when you came to the View! So grateful for all you bring to my life!
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Joy
3/30/2016 08:49:13 am
I have seen your teaching through my own three kids and then working side by side for two years. You were ALWAYS a great teacher! Your students are very lucky to have someone who is so motivated to try new things though. So exciting for you. Looking forward to more blog.
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Dianne
3/30/2016 09:46:49 am
Thank you, Joy. I loved working with your kids and beside you. I'll let you know when the next blog is out.
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Elissa
3/30/2016 11:25:51 am
It has been so wonderful to watch your transformation (mostly via twitter and in the staff room) this school year! I am so glad you are reinvigorated in your teaching this year. You are an AMAZING teacher and you renewed spirit shines bright in your classroom! Can't wait to see what else you will come up with!
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Dianne
3/30/2016 12:54:21 pm
Thank You!
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Tracy
3/30/2016 09:56:46 pm
Great job starting this adventure and I enjoyed your post.
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Dianne
3/30/2016 10:41:53 pm
Thanks Tracy! It's definitely and adventure.
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Thank you for being brave and telling your story. Thank you also for not accepting giving anything less than your best to your students! Many many teachers reach the point where you were and it takes courage and risk-taking to change. Way to go! Your classroom sounds like a wonderful place for learning!!
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Dianne
3/31/2016 07:47:04 am
Thanks for your words of encouragement!
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Jenny Goldman
4/8/2016 11:00:52 pm
Powerful post. Honest. Brave.
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Author20+ year teacher, mother of 2 kids and 2 dogs, wife, lover of all things M&M, interested in tech in the classroom, and changing up my teaching Archives
March 2020
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