Sunday, August 14, 2011

Daybook August 15, 2011 : Teachers And Blogging Advice

image

Outside My Window

I am preparing to go out in the heat-to the garage- to pack up

recent finds/treasures for upcoming Market Day sales,

where we will have a booth.




I may be holding a running hose over my head,

it is so hot,

which is actually a good idea.

 

 

I Am Thinking

that the pep talk email I just sent my beginning teacher interns

(I have 11 this year)

IN NO WAY

will prepare them for the weeks ahead.


So,

as we all do,

when the prognosis is challenging-

we focus on other things…


I said things in the email like

*dress nicely

*organize your classroom

*prepare for the first day of class

*call me any time of the day or night

*I will be in your classroom this week to see you.


FYI-

in the state of Texas

a public school teacher works 187 days per school year.



That teacher’s yearly salary is calculated for 187 days.



When a Texas teacher is ‘off’ during the holidays

or the summer,


they are receiving pay for days already worked.

Their yearly salary has simply been divided by 12 months.



A Texas teacher must have a bachelor’s degree,

must have completed the certification process through an accredited agency (at an additional cost of around $4000)

and must have passed two state board exams-

one in his/her content and one in pedagogy and professionalism.


 

I  Am Thankful For…  teachers.


I was a teacher.

I am now teaching teachers.

My oldest daughter, before becoming an attorney was a high school teacher,

My middle daughter, the librarian

, was an elementary science teacher,

and my youngest daughter is a high school English teacher.



While under the weather , I read….blogging articles and advice by experts.

 

Here is what I decided.

‘You have got to be kidding.’ 


                                                                    Here is my advice.

I am no expert-

just a rebel.

*Blogging is a dynamic activity.

I blog to write.

More really is more.

I must write more to be able to write more.

This makes perfect sense to me.


*Blogging should be mutual.

It is not all about me

and how I feel, especially if I don’t feel like

readers feel like I have a blog they want to visit.
 

I should be spending a proportionate amount of time

supporting

YOU.

It should never be one-sided.


*Blogging photography can be rewarding and frustrating.

Most of my photos are crooked.

I said once,

I need a tripod for ME.

Maybe I need to measure my legs?

I am going… to stop now.

 

It really is all about the simple things for me.

I just have complicated thoughts!

10 comments:

Beeutiful by Design said...

My mother is a retired teacher and my sister-in-law and brother-in-law are teachers. It is a calling for sure those who give so much and yet are generally unappreciate in our community.

Agree with the blogging advice -more is more with writing. When I'm not blogging regularly it's hard to get back in the swing of it and I miss it dearly.

Olive said...

My daughter is studying to be an English teacher and I will have her read this post. I recall when I first started blogging you were so very helpful to me in so many of your posts about blogging. It is so important to stand together.

Stacey said...

Amen friend! I love teaching so much.

My son had a little stand off with someone yesterday when they said teacher's make too much money. He set the person straight. :)

joanne said...

I just can't praise teachers enough! I will always be sorry that I didn't choose a career in teaching, I really think it was my calling but life got in the way. Thank you to all the wonderful teachers out there..;j

Pondside said...

I've been a teacher and some part of me will always be a teacher, no matter what I do.
I loved your advice to your interns!

Loui♥ said...

Laura..
I am not a teacher..
nor ever have been..
but I APPRECIATE teachers..
i was fortunate to have the most caring and
inspiring teachers who believed in me ..
showing me the way to knowledge..
and so much more!!!
I totally get everything you said!!
and loved the message..
hugs..
Loui♥

Elizabethd said...

I was a teacher (special needs), and it never leaves one. I'm still a teacher inside!

Sharlotte said...

I love this post.
Sharlotte

Connie in Hartwood said...

I went to school to become a teacher, but I never had a classroom ... I had children instead, and I became a teacher to them and to their friends ... as a volunteer, reading tutor, Girl Scout leader, team mom, and many other more subtle ways. Today, my girls are grown and I teach people how to garden and how to grow roses. I want my 'students' to succeed ... isn't it the same with all teachers?

The best part of blogging for me is the interaction with others. Making new friends, blog friends.

Crooked photos are fine. Just tell folks that you did it that way on purpose.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

My only daughter(I also have two sons) is entering her senior year in college. She is studying be a teacher also(K-8). In Massachusetts you have to have a Masters degree. You can get a job with you Bachelors but within 5 yrs I believe you have to have completed you Masters. So much education for so little pay.

 

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