The 18-hour field trip

This past Friday, all 4th & 5th graders at my school took a field trip to Austin, Texas, where we all visited the Capitol & the Bullock Texas State History Museum, along with dining at Cracker Barrel, a dining hall at UT-Austin, & the Golden Corral.

It's safe to say that our day was jam-packed.

The Capitol

Though we did so many neat things within the heart of Texas, my favorite part of the trip had nothing to do with any of the scheduled events. My favorite part of the trip was a conversation I had with a student in my class.
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Background: This student & I bash heads a lot. I am still trying to figure out how to motivate this child to work hard. This student is BRILLIANT, but an attention-seeker to the max. Inappropriate comments, words, actions...you name it - this kid has probably done it.
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I decided to have a seat next to this student while traveling from one destination to the next, & tried to strike up a conversation. We talked about sneakers, Jordans to be exact, & this child suddenly opened up to me.

He talked about his family. He talked about the problems his sibling are/have faced. He informed me about the local Fort Worth gangs. He asked me questions about college. He questioned me about my family.

I was shocked to learn about the hardships he has faced, things he has seen in his life, & knowledge I wish I could swipe away from his brain. No wonder he acts the way he acts, I thought. I spoke when asked a question, but I mostly just listened. I think he appreciated that.

During that bus ride, a relationship began to form. Today, the first day back from the field trip, lacked the usual disruptions from this child. He seemed to be, dare I say, motivated.

Realizing that being a great teacher means forming true relationships with students is daunting...but equally rewarding. I'm becoming more and more emotionally invested in these 9 & 10-year olds. They are unique, goofy, troublemakers, learners, talkers...I could go on & on - but mostly, they are wonderful :)

Holiday

A few days off of work was exactly what I needed. I slept, slept, slept during my Thanksgiving break, taking in some sunshine & quality time with the family.

The first half of the year is almost over - I can't even believe it. In four short weeks, winter break* will be here! Off to plan for 20 more meaningful days...back to the grind!
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*In need of a holiday gift? A fellow 2012 DFW CM's mother is creating Teach For America holiday bracelets - $10 of each sale goes directly for TFA! Here's what the bracelet looks like:

"One Day"

Somos como una familia.

My friend & TCU journalist Jordan Rubio recently captured a snapshot of my classroom through interviews & video, titled "TCU alumna impacts local students through Teach For America program."

My 4th graders will be future movers & shakers.

These are my babies. They are my family.

Feedback

I love feedback. Constructive criticism, helpful tips for improvement, etc...I can never get enough. Recently, my MTLD (Manager, Teacher Leadership Development, sorta like my Teach For America mentor) observed my teaching. I got this wonderful email from her after the visit:

What I love about this email is that it contains concrete action steps I should take in order to improve. Fabulous.

Teach for America, Fort Worth ISD & my alternative certification program (The New Teacher's Project) aren't the only channels in which I can get feedback. Turns out my students are good for that, too.

This one almost made me cry. Tears of joy, of course!

"I hope to graduate from college in class of 2025. I think this because you are my best teacher I ever had in my life.  

 I said this because I believe that you can make a change. We can go to 5th grade and you can be here in 4th grade so you can show them all the things you showed us so they can believe that they can, which they are because you are the best 4th grade teacher I ever had. You are like a different version of "Mr. Ortega." That is how you are to me.

The best thing is you are a second mother to me. Thank you teacher!" 

Lovin' those frogs.

These notes of positivity are what keep me going.

Other happenings these past few weeks:

My class made it to the end of the 6 weeks dance party.

After-school tutoring has begun.

My class took a field trip to the FTW library & learned about Native Americans. 

TCU journalism major Jordan Rubio came to my class as a guest speaker
to tell students about reporting.

Running club is in season! Did I mention I'm assistant coach? Pictured above
is the actual coach, Mr. Nava. 

Two of my students celebrating running club post-survival.  

Sucky October

October sucks.

I love my kids, my fellow teachers, & my school, but I am tired. I'm tired of not yielding fabulous test results, not being the greatest teacher to walk the planet, not having perfectly perfect lesson plans created each day, etc. I mean, are my expectations completely unreasonable??

Yes, yes they are...at least, they are for me, a first-year teacher with no background in education.

Fort Worth ISD math assessment grades - class average was a 53% :(

I've come to the realization that teaching is a combination of 1)experience, 2) fabulous organizational skills, & 3) great internalization/knowledge of the content being taught. I'll get there.

Focusing on my strengths in the classroom has helped keep me more positive. I've been adorning my classroom with TCU decor, investing my students in their future by talking about college & "dream" job goals. I'm bonding with my students; I care deeply for them, & I *think* they are beginning to connect with me.

Thank goodness October is almost over.

Fantastic 5 - method used for math word problems

some classroom rules...

TCU investment

Trying to reach that high level of blooms!

Name tags for desks

Goals-oriented behavior management tracker

class goals poster

goals are placed on every test :)

Kids, we're going to college.

Today, my students told me that they have moms & dads that work 3 a.m. to 8 p.m.

My heart broke for them.

As a teacher, I have assumed the role as a "mom" - type figure. I never realized this would be part of my role as a teacher. How terrifying.

I attempt to incorporate real-life connection to each lesson I teach, & understand that this is more important than ever, since parents are away, working to support the family. Here's a poster I made tonight:

 

Kids, we're going to college.

"y will always keep on trying"

Teaching has left me with little time to just be outside the classroom. When times get rough, I have to refer myself back to this note my student wrote me:

"At first I was nervous but then my teacher started being nice to me. When I first got here and then I started liking what she started teaching us but I still miss my last year teacher but I am happy because I have a better teacher who is always pushing me around to always do my best in everything, like if I am not good at something then I will always keep on trying even if they don't tell me. I will always no matter what I will never ever give up on them just like I know they will never give up on me no matter what and I will love them more if they teach me more so I can have my brain filled with a lot of facts and some fun stuff."

Love the struggle

Today is Friday, September 14, 2012 - the day I, Bianca Nicole, complete my 3rd week of teaching 4th grade. I've had 3 weeks filled with faculty meetings, lesson plans, minimal sleep, lots of coffee...

I'm exhausted.

Teaching has been one of the most challenging tasks I have ever taken on. I have SO much to learn, & just not enough time. I want to be the best I can absolutely be, yet I am nowhere near exemplary. I'm not used to struggling so much - I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water, one step away from drowning in work. 

But when I think of my students, I know that they need me. They are absolutely wonderful. They remind me that I need to try my best, that we are on the same path to reach a common goal, that "one day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain excellent education."

I'm learning to love the struggle.

My 19 new children

 My days clocked into work begin officially at 7:30 a.m., & end at 4:40 a.m., but in reality, a teacher's day is much longer. I aim to arrive at school at 6:50 a.m., teach, & leave at about 5:30 p.m. (on a good day). I continue working from home until it's time for bed, then do it all over again.

I'm waiting for the day when teaching "clicks." So far, I don't feel like a teacher. I don't feel like I know what I'm doing. I do know that I'm learning, though. A LOT. At least I have that!

Here's my 3 weeks of school in photos:

First day of school. My students told me what a good teacher should do,
& I wrote it on the board.

My officially official teaching badge!

I got an apple from one of my students...it made my day :)

Dora the Explorer birthday invitation from another student. Adorable.

De La Rosa candy from a student.

My class, in action.

Teaching my students about the 2012 presidential election. We listened to
Michelle Obama's speech from the Democratic Convention.

Gotta get them reading!

In line in the hallway. Did I mention I have 15 boys, & only 4 girls??

Cualitativo vs cuantitativo

 Things I've been able to do in Fort Worth during my minimal free time...

Fort Worth Food Truck - absolutely delicious, with a wonderful atmosphere

Red velvet & banana nutella cupcakes from Red Jett (a food truck)

"See How They Run" at Circle Theatre

Logo designing for Daniel Silverman Photography

Attending weddings in beautiful places

Flying through the sky amidst travel

My babies.

The Classroom

 I just completed my first week of training at my school, T.A. Sims, & finally met all the other teachers & staff, woo! I can safely say, knowing that I have 9 TFA Corp Members & MANY wonderful teachers around me, I am as supported as can be.

With that being said, being the "new teacher" is still extremely overwhelming. I've been setting up my classroom this week, & boy, was it STRESSFUL. There are specific rules to how a bilingual classroom needs to be set up (example - Spanish words must be associated with the color red, while English words are with blue). I've had to clean, organize, & design my classroom, which I've never done before, whist preparing for the first week of school. I was lucky enough to have some help cutting, stapling & laminating from Daniel.

My classroom essentials are in place. I still have a lot of work to do, but now it's time to complete lesson planning.

Other things this week: Meet the teacher night was yesterday (Thursday, Aug. 24) & was absolutely wonderful. I met 9 of my future students + parents. The majority of these students came from another TFA Corp Member (& TCU Alum!), so I already have some things in common with them :)

4th grade me! So long ago...time to go back!

Entering my classroom

Sorry not sorry about the teacher carrier :P

Outside of my classroom

The 4th grade nook

Fish tank!

T.A. Sims main hallway

The gymnasium

The library