Shonda's Education Blog

This too shall pass

Shonda — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:27:26 +0000

If I can endure for this minute
Whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is
Or how dark the moment may be-
If I can remain calm and quiet
With all the world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me
When everyone else seems to doubt me-
If I can but keep on believing
What I know in my heart to be true,
That darkness will fade with the morning
And that this will pass away, too-
Then nothing in life can defeat me
For as long as this knowledge remains
I can suffer whatever is happening
For I know God will break all of the chains
That are binding me tight in the darkness
And trying to fill me with fear-
For there is no night without dawning
And I know that my morning is near.

Helen Steiner Rice

1st grade at Idlewood

Shonda — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:53:02 +0000

I know without a shadow of a doubt that upper elementary is definately the grade span for me. I am so grateful to be with such a wonderful mentor teacher, but I’m really missing my 4th grade students. I am missing the content that we discuss and the depth to which we discuss it. With first grade, everything is pretty much watered down and basic and it’s killing me. I’m hoping things will get better…

Pre-K or K…here I come!!!

Shonda — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:08:22 +0000

I am EXTREMELY happy that this semester is approaching its end. It has been a long, hard journey but I can almost say, I made it. My mentor teacher and my field supervisor have both been God sends who have made this experience one of the best of my life. Throughout the entire process, they both provided me with the constant encouragement I needed to keep my head up and continue this uphill journey. I grew very close to my 4th graders, and after observing other grade levels, I have concluded that I love 4th the best, overall. So, spending the spring semester with Pre-K or Kindergarten is going to be somewhat of a challenge in the beginning. I don’t do very well with crying and neediness, but I will put forth my best effort to be a good teacher candidate, and I pray that the time flies by.

As the world turns…

Shonda — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:24:52 +0000

I sit and wonder what our future as teachers will be like. I was reading articles today from several different states that are faced with budget cuts to education. In particular, I was glued to the ones from Alabama. I have a strong desire to return home to teach, but I am overcome with the fear that, because of the budget cuts to education, that desire won’t become a reality. Now, I wonder how our nation got to this point where education is not as valued as it should be. Whenever there are financial troubles, it seems that education always takes the biggest hit. Why is that? Somehow, the government can find $700 billion for a financial bailout, but no one is sending money to schools for an education bailout. What happens to our children who are stuck sitting in overcrowded classrooms with unhappy teachers who are burned out and stressed out? When will we get our priorities straight and turn our focus to providing the necessary funds to provide our children with a quality education? As the November 4th presidential election draws near, I wonder how many teachers are asking themselves the question: “At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, which of these candidates has my best interest at heart, as a teacher, and the interest of our children? Which of these candidates has an education plan that benefits me as a teacher and the well-being of my students? Which of these candidates will fight to avoid teachers having to worry about pink-slips because the school system does not have the necessary funds to pay them their salary?”

It frustrates me to no end that teachers across the nation have to live in fear of a pink-slip because of budget cuts to education. Where do our priorities as a nation lie?

One Word Check-In

Shonda — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:22:46 +0000

Overwhelmed!!!

May 23rd: America’s Next Top Teachers…

Shonda — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:35:44 +0000

Pangea! I really feel some kind of way about that name.

I must say that I am so proud of all of us for making it through our first class together. I absolutely enjoyed this class because it has opened up my eyes to so many different issues. I once was blind but now I see!

Now, 23 of us will continue on with the hope of becoming America’s Next Top Teachers.

The prizes that will be awarded to the winner(s) are: a lifetime of learning, the joy of helping a child succeed, the excitement to be who you want to be, the opportunity to change a life…

Please leave comments for the prizes to be added to the list!

May 22nd: Idlewood Elementary

Shonda — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:27:48 +0000

Despite being very very very sick today, overall today was FANTASTIC! I absolutely enjoyed the time we spent at Idlewood. My most favorite part of the entire day was the time I got to spend with my little student Shamari. She was really sweet. I am so happy that she was able to open up to me and answer my questions while asking her own questions for me to answer. My experience with her was very enlightening. After today, I am even more excited and enthusiastic about teaching.

My second favorite part of the day was when we participated in the morning meeting song with the 1st graders. We had a blast! 1, 2, 3, 4 Come on Shonda, hit the floor. We’re so glad you’re here today. Hooray, Hooray, Hooray!!!

I can’t wait until the day comes when I will be able to do things like this with my own class!!!

Today has fueled the burning fire inside of me to become the best teacher I can be!

What are your thoughts about our day at Idlewood?

May 21st: Censorship

Shonda — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:41:09 +0000

Today we discussed censorship in public schools. Information, books, etc. can be censored for a variety of reasons. I personally feel that censoring materials may not always be a good idea. I think even if public schools censor certain materials, students will still find a way to obtain this material. I also think that censoring will lead students to seek information elsewhere which could lead them to a lot of untrue, unsupported information. In addition, not all parents may agree with the idea of censorship. So, how should a public school system deal with this? How could they accommodate for the parents who agree with censorship and for the parents who disagree with it?

May 20th: The bad apples

Shonda — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:21:33 +0000

Today in class we discussed how teachers often feel that the disruptive behavior they experience in their class from certain students can be remedied if they get rid of the “bad apples.” However, that is not always the case. Why? Because as soon as they get rid of those “bad apples” more “bad apples” surface to take their place. So, what is the purpose of getting rid of the so-called “bad apples” if more “bad apples” are going to surface when they are gone? As a result, if the teacher continues with this mentality that getting rid of the “bad apples” will solve behavior problems after a while he/she won’t have any students left.

What are your thoughts about this getting rid of the bad apples mentality?

May 19th: “No child left behind” is leaving behind a lot of children

Shonda — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:34:21 +0000

So, basically as long as a child can go to school and successfully bubble in answers and “pass” a standardized test they are not getting left behind. Right? As future educators, our job will be “teaching to the test”…Right? How is teaching to a standardized test effective for students? How is it ensuring that no child gets left behind?

Another problem I have is with “standardized” testing. The test is testing to whose standards? We have learned that students are culturally diverse and different cultures have different values. So which culture’s “standards” are being tested? What about the students who are no a part of that culture? How does the test benefit them?

Can someone please enlighten me?