This morning, I had the opportunity to attend my school's 5th grade graduation ceremony. Now, when our school does an event, we do it up BIG! We have an awesome student body, teachers, administrators and parents. The multi-purpose room (schools are no longer building auditoriums anymore) was filled with many proud parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, etc...Needless to say, it was standing room only. It was a time to celebrate. Think of all these students have accomplished since they entered kindergarten. They began with learning concepts of print, the alphabet letters/sounds, number recognition, counting...In first grade, the children then began to learn to read, write sentences (paragraphs and stories came next), reading simple books with 2-3 word sentences (level 1-2) to reading more complex books progressing to levels 15-16. These levels may not mean much to people that aren't in education but these are major benchmarks for students, teachers, parents, administrators, etc...By second grade, they are learning grammar, reading narrative/expository books, retelling with detail, creative writing, science and social study units, multiplying, telling time, etc...Holy cow, by the time they get to the end of 5th grade, it's hard to even imagine the wealth of knowledge these kids have acquired!
I think you get the jest of the academics of elementary school. These children learn a wealth of information that lays the foundation for their continued educational careers. Being successful in elementary curriculum will help the children be successful in middle school and hopefully, the domino effect with go forth into their high school and college education making them life-long learners.
Teachers in elementary school not only teach the 3 Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic), we are responsible for teaching social skills like sharing, cooperating, and helping them learn to make good choices like following rules to stay safe and be considerate of others. We teach character education traits like perseverance, kindness, integrity, respect and responsibility.
My hat is off to the educators of elementary school students. What an awesome responsibility we have to influence the structure of a child's educational experience. It is a pleasure to have that ability. I have been teaching for 26 years. I love watching a child make gains in his/her learning. I love seeing the "light bulb" come on when a concept is mastered (oh, the smile of a child that has finally got it)! I love being able to see a struggling reader in first grade awarded an exceptional reading certificate for 5th grade graduation! I swell with pride because I see the result of hard work and diligence. My eyes swell with tears of joy that I had influence in a child's life to be successful!
Days like today make me happy that I choose to be an "educator of many."
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Busy, Busy, Busy June
When Greg and I got married on June 12, 1990, we knew it was a busy month. The day we became a family (Greg, me, Gregory, Tiffany and Sarah), Father's Day and Tiffany's birthday... wow, it was like we were celebrating every weekend! We still celebrate these special days and we have even added more occasions to celebrate. Tiffany and Clint's wedding anniversary is in June. Ryan, our newest family member, has a birthday in June (actually, it's today).
This week begins the official summer season for Taylor. She finishes her sophomore year at Heritage High School. She gets a break from school and early morning seminary. I know she's excited! She'll be finished on Tuesday.
Sarah will be leaving this week, Saturday, June 11th, to join Ryan in LA. I will say I'm sad to see her go but at the same time have to celebrate because they will be starting their new life together. Another exciting happening in June this year, Clint has a two week R&R from Afghanistan! Tiffany is counting the days to their reunion and mini vacations. (She has planned lots of fun things for them to do...can't say, it's a surprise for Clint!)
So bring on June. I'm ready to celebrate anniversaries, Father's Day, birthdays, summer, and whatever else just happens to be added to the Dixon Family calendar.
This week begins the official summer season for Taylor. She finishes her sophomore year at Heritage High School. She gets a break from school and early morning seminary. I know she's excited! She'll be finished on Tuesday.
Sarah will be leaving this week, Saturday, June 11th, to join Ryan in LA. I will say I'm sad to see her go but at the same time have to celebrate because they will be starting their new life together. Another exciting happening in June this year, Clint has a two week R&R from Afghanistan! Tiffany is counting the days to their reunion and mini vacations. (She has planned lots of fun things for them to do...can't say, it's a surprise for Clint!)
So bring on June. I'm ready to celebrate anniversaries, Father's Day, birthdays, summer, and whatever else just happens to be added to the Dixon Family calendar.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The End
As most of you know, I have been a teacher for 25+ years. I work with Wake County Public Schools. My first year, was 1985. I was pregnant with my first child, Sarah. I had just graduated from Greensboro College the previous May. I have been teaching with Wake County ever since then. It has become my identity. You know how you relate to others by being someones mom, someone's daughter, someone's wife, someone's sibling. Well, I also find myself relating to others as being someone's teacher. (over the past 25+ years, I've taught bunches of kids) I even have former students go to college to become teachers. I have even taught with one of my former first graders (Amanda Vaughn Dixon-no relation). Shoot, my own daughter is a teacher (she teaches those BIG kids in high school).
Anyway, at this point of the year, I would jot down lesson plans in my trusty plan book. I would plan lots of fun, end-of-year "learning experiences." These experiences usually included outdoor activities like field day and picnics at the local park and always a "recognition awards day." On the last day of school for the year, I'd always write "The End" in my plan book with a smiley face.
Well, this year is no exception. There have been a few changes all my years of teaching: (1) I have moved from the regular classroom (K-4) to a resource classroom teaching literacy and ESL students (very rewarding) and (2) I am at one of those horrible year-round schools....arghhhh. When I write, "The End" in my plan book now, it is only a matter of days before a new year begins. There isn't any down time to rest, reflect and rejuvenate. We literally close the school year and open the next school year in one week's time.
I enjoy my chosen profession even if I am getting near "The End" of my career. I have probably less that 5 years before I am able to retire. Until then, I'll continue writing "The End" in my plan book and enjoying all the lives I touch. I know my life is touched by so many in my school community. I hope everyone in the teaching profession enjoys closing out another school year and can reflect on all the events of the year with a smile in your heart. Try to remember the times that influenced you to become an "educator of many."
Anyway, at this point of the year, I would jot down lesson plans in my trusty plan book. I would plan lots of fun, end-of-year "learning experiences." These experiences usually included outdoor activities like field day and picnics at the local park and always a "recognition awards day." On the last day of school for the year, I'd always write "The End" in my plan book with a smiley face.
Well, this year is no exception. There have been a few changes all my years of teaching: (1) I have moved from the regular classroom (K-4) to a resource classroom teaching literacy and ESL students (very rewarding) and (2) I am at one of those horrible year-round schools....arghhhh. When I write, "The End" in my plan book now, it is only a matter of days before a new year begins. There isn't any down time to rest, reflect and rejuvenate. We literally close the school year and open the next school year in one week's time.
I enjoy my chosen profession even if I am getting near "The End" of my career. I have probably less that 5 years before I am able to retire. Until then, I'll continue writing "The End" in my plan book and enjoying all the lives I touch. I know my life is touched by so many in my school community. I hope everyone in the teaching profession enjoys closing out another school year and can reflect on all the events of the year with a smile in your heart. Try to remember the times that influenced you to become an "educator of many."
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