Faith's Findings

What They Don’t Tell You About Teaching   Teachers are constantly giving.  Teachers are constantly learning:                 learning how to teach better;  learning how to reach their students;  learning how to start up programs;  learning how to adjust programs;  learning how to be what each student needs. Whether its by 30 or 130, a teacher is constantly in demand by his/her students. There are so many aspects in teaching that no one sees. Now, this is not a post about anti-education or trying to dissuade someone from being a teacher. But, this is about lessons I’ve learned in my first 5 years of teaching. It. Is. Tough. Learn to say No!  Have boundaries. As a teacher, I can promise you this: You will be frustrated with yourself some days. You will be frustrated with the politics most days. You will b...

Phenomenally Not Me "That's not me. I mean I like it, but I can’t relate. I don't feel like that. I don't see myself as pretty and I don't have the confidence she walks around with." she said. And my heart cracked a little.   As I swallowed back the tears that formed, I wanted to grab her and tell her she was beautiful—that she was phenomenal—that her story was worth being told. I wanted to tell her that we have failed her.   "I get what she's saying. I want to be that, but I only see what I'm not in the mirror." From there, my classroom turned into a heart to heart between young ladies about the pressures of this world. And from there, I was able to sit back and I knew exactly how to finish the following letter. Dear Teenage Girl, I see you walk these halls hiding behind a facade.  I see the unhealthy relationship you let define you.  I see the drive in you to be wanted. Loved. Accepted.  I see the ...

A High School Teacher’s Humble Opinion on “13 Reasons Why” The kids were all talking about Hannah Baker and Clay Jensen. “Did we get two new students that I haven’t met?” Turns out, these are characters from a book (that I never got around to reading) turned Netflix series. By now, you would probably have to have been living under a rock to not know what I am talking about. If that offends you, oh well.  I saw some blogs that called for parents to not let their kids watch it.  I watched the show for myself and swore all of my students to secrecy as to not ruin details for me. All I knew was that my kids that are usually consumed with rap songs, inappropriate jokes, Coachella (still not sure what it is), kegs, and whatever else were having real meaningful conversations about some real taboo topics.  So, I sat down and watched the 13 episode series. I am not going to lie— It was tough to watch.  It was graphic. But, life is graphic.   ...

I once heard someone say something to the effect that a teacher's brain is like have 37,485 internet tabs open at once. Well, friends, I am here to tell you that is absolutely 100% correct. If you have ever wondered why teachers are exhausted by the last bell or the real reason we don't know what we want to eat, it is because for the better part of the day we are making numerous decisions, thinking our own thoughts, being needed, being called all kinds of names, teaching, trying to teach, laughing, crying, trying not to cry, trying not to laugh, becoming a master at holding our bladders, and answering the most off the wall questions.  The latter is why I am writing. Over the last two or three days, I have secretly kept a log of just some of the things that I have overheard students saying. Consider this just a glimpse into a teacher's day. “Planks will define your 6 pack 10 fold” “You smell like fountain water” “Look big puddin’!” “Anime man. Weird ...

During any moment throughout the school day, a teacher's brain has 3,486 thoughts running.  I have seen an internet meme that has about 3,486 internet tabs open as an example and I couldn’t agree more. So, if we are using that as an example, one of those tabs is his or her soundtrack--the soundtrack of lyrics to songs that we can't sing out loud. Lyrics to songs that are probably inappropriate, but somehow seem appropriate in our adult mind that lives in a non-adult world at school.  So, before we begin this testing season this week, I wanted to share some of the soundtrack that runs through my mind. However, you must not read if you are going to judge:) Who knows, maybe you can relate to a song or two! Teacher’s Soundtrack with Lyrics: Anytime while on duty:  "Y'all better not fight in this [place]" In the classroom on any day where anything might distract them: “Y'all gon' make me lose my mind up in HERE, up in here  Y'all gon' make me go all out...

A  teacher's brain on the first day of school is a scary place. Actually, it's a scary place anytime. At any given point there are 5-10-15 thoughts happening, while managing a group of learners. It's exhausting, but it will keep you on your toes.  Here's a glimpse into my brain today: *alarm goes off* "Noooooooo!!!!!!!! It can't be!! Omgah the kids are coming today." "What am I going to wear? No. No. No. Yes!" *at school* "I bet the copier is full. Or jammed." "These new kids---will I like them? Will they like me?" "Why am I so hungry???" "Seriously, need a potty break." "Why did I wear these shoes?"  "Who invented bras anyway?" "It's only 9am?!?!?!" "Why won't that kid stop whispering while I'm talking?" "Seriously, dude, I know you're still texting or snapping or whatever." "Oh, yes!!! They believed my bluff!!" "Oh crap!! Tha...

As I have been preparing for the beginning of a new school year, a new school year where I am the teacher from day one I might add, I have been pondering: why is this so stressful?   I am a teacher and society believes I only work 9 months out of the year for roughly 8 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Some of us know what a far cry from reality that this is. However, that's another blog. Yes, I have had the past 6 weeks off for summer and I have traveled and had a blast. But, there were conferences, trainings, workshops, etc.  All in preparation for the upcoming school year.   So, my job picks up in a few days when I have students with me again. Why is this so stressful? Other people work 12 months out of the year and I have done that, but I never felt this kind of stress.  My only analogy I have here is that the beginning of a school year is like being given a newborn baby. You are given this baby and you only have 9 months to teach this child everything the...

Sorry I am late posting this--I know none of you were able to officially start your New Year without it--hahaha! Every year, I write a reflective end of the year blog around New Year's Eve. In past years, I have reflected month by month complete with pictures for this post. However, this year, I think I am changing it up---I mean my two readers don't really care, do you?!?---okay then! 2013 was full of lessons, discoveries, and journeys, but in this blog, I will relive the 13 highlights of '13. 13 highlights of 2013 Lost weight ---This is a continuous journey, but 35 pounds and 26 inches lost and kept off is a big deal!! Next year, well at the end of this year, I hope to be posting a picture in my first two piece swimsuit---hahaha--okay I won't scar my two readers:-) Teaching ---What a glorious and surreal event---I am officially a teacher in Rapides Parish. Scary, right?!?! It has been such a wild ride getting to this point that I can't help but feel...