a lesson on kind words

We had a rather powerful peace lesson on Wednesday. The purpose was to talk about hurtful words versus kind words and their effect on us. 

in the morning, we all drew our own self-portrait (the teachers included). in the afternoon, we all began with our own picture. We then rotated pictures one person to the left. i then told the children that they had to crumple the paper they now held. They looked mortified. None of them wanted to, but for the purpose of the lesson they did. We then rotated left once more and crumpled the pictures again. Afterwards, we gave the pictures back to their owners and I told the children to smooth out all of the crinkles from their pictures. None of us could.

i explained that our words are like the crinkles in our pictures. What we say cannot be taken back, whether kind or hurtful. if our words are hurtful they create crinkles in our friends. No matter how we try to smooth out the hurt, it's still there. Saying sorry is a wonderful thing but it cannot take away our words. 

i explained that i noticed that none of them wanted to ruin their friends' pictures and hurt them, so why would we want to say hurtful words? They agreed that we wouldn't. We agreed that we would be careful of our words to ensure that we weren't "crinkling" our friends, moms, dads, or siblings.

The lesson became rather emotional and some of the children did cry. i was told by many of them that they hated this lesson. i had to tell them that i did too. it was a difficult conversation but a necessary one.

i explained to the children that they are all wonderful, smart, beautiful students and that i know they are friends. But sometimes we just need reminders. When the lesson ended, one of the third-grade boys asked if we could read the notes from the friendship box (students can write notes about the kind things their friends and classmates have done or said). 

On Thursday, we made new self-portraits to display in our classroom.

On Friday, whilst the littles were in art class, i put all of the pictures on the wall with a banner that reads "NO MORE CRINKLES". it was amazing to see them all file in after art; once they saw that i'd hung up the pictures they frantically looked for their own. They found all of their friends and complimented the hard work that they'd put into their pictures.

it was beautiful. Those are the moments that i love. The small moments that i know will last. The small moments that make a great change. They're beautiful.

our crinkle-free pictures displayed on the wall

it's chaotic but i love it

The last few months of school have been wonderful, chaotic, full, magical, stressful, busy, and all the kinds of adjectives that you can think of.

All throughout college i was told that the first year of teaching would be the hardest; i would simply be trying to keep my head above water because it would be so difficult. While that definitely has an alarming amount of truth to it, it's also not quite so...awful as it had always been made out to be. The staff at my school has been absolutely amazing by making sure that i am as successful as i can be. 

Yet, i will admit that there have been those days where it's all i can do to not cry because of the stress. There have also been those days when i do go home and cry because i simply can't hold it in.

Thankfully, those have been few and far between. As chaotic and stressful as it is, i can see where it's blending together.

A couple of weeks ago, i had the opportunity to go observe another Montessori school with Miss Liz. it was one of the best things we could have done. Neither of us have seen a full-fledged Montessori classroom before; so to see the way another school functions was really powerful. We were able to see the similarities in both schools and what we could add to our classrooms.

i have loved my first year of teaching so far; my students, the staff, my classroom,...all wonderful. i'm excited to continue finding things to add to the room and see my students grow academically and socially. They make all of the work worth it.

So i guess that's it. School effectively consumes the majority of my time but i love it. And i honestly wouldn't trade it for anything.

beginning a new life

it's week three of my new life as a real honest-to-goodness elementary school teacher. Let me tell you, it is no walk in the park; but i love it to pieces. The first day was better than i could have hoped for. i introduced myself, everyone met everyone, and the class began on some basic regular works as well as some free works. it went smoothly and surprisingly all of last year's students now returning as second and third years remembered me (mind you, this is after i only met them a couple of times and then didn't see them for three months). it was adorable! i got so many hugs and it just melted my heart.

The following two weeks have not been the easiest in my life but they have been fulfilling. While it's difficult work and i can feel myself beginning to let the stress in (some tears may have been shed yesterday) it's a work i love and i'm excited to go back each day. My 26 little students have become so precious to me and i want to see them all succeed and grow to their fullest potential. Some days are tough for different students; this makes it a little tough on me and Miss Julie. However, it never makes me love those students any less. i may not quite understand their situation or their choice to do something, but i love them anyways because they are my student. By taking on this role as teacher, i have chosen to help teach them how to make better choices. How else are any of us going to learn the ins and outs of anything without a few mistakes along the way?

Why, just the other day i incorrectly taught how to write a 'c' in cursive. i thought it looked rather funny and it wasn't until i had written it in a word that i realized my mistake. Right then i called for my students' attention and let them know that i had made a mistake and fixed it by showing them properly. The responses were heart-warming; "it's ok Miss Emme, we all make mistakes", "Ya, we're not always 100% right all the time", and so on.

You know, even though the beginning can be a wee smidge rough, it's the moments like those that tell me that am 100% in the right career. i couldn't imagine not being there to see the light shine behind those children's eyes and see them grow, if only a little so far (even when they don't particularly love a work they've been assigned).

My thoughts are a little haphazardly woven together but that's ok. At least my professional notes are well-articulated. As i explained to one second year girl who asked why i love that sideways eight so much (the infinity symbol), i love the idea of good things forever. That's what i think when i see infinity and that's what i think when i teach these children. They are at a new start of forever and i want to help them develop all the good things for a great forever.

becoming a Montessorian pt. 2

it's nearing the end of my summer training and i will admit that it has been as intense as everyone had told me; thankfully, it was mostly due to having so much information given to me in such a condensed period of time (granted, there was some regular homework stress thrown in every once and while).

The summer journey has been amazing, to say the least.

To say the most, well, i'll tell you.

The last eight weeks have been filled with arithmetic, botany, zoology, language arts, music, history, geography, and the Great Lessons. The vast majority of those content areas are commonly taught in the traditional school system. However, the Montessori method utilizes materials that take children from the concrete concept to the abstract. A lot of it is even foundational work for what they'll be learning down the road in middle and high school. These materials (like the golden beads, nomenclature cards, and puzzle maps) have helped me and my colleagues to even understand these contents to a greater degree.

it's kind of humbling to see just how much even we, as teachers, still have to learn in life. We certainly don't know everything because we are lifelong learners; yet, the amounts of extra knowledge (some of it review and some of it new) is essential to be able to provide those same experiences for my students.

it's also astounding to see how close i've come to my new colleagues. Eight weeks is a short amount of time, but spend eight hours a day with them and they've become great friends. Everyone comes from a different background and has been drawn to a Montessori school for a different reason. But we all ended up here in this training program together and i've come to appreciate everything that they have to offer. We've all come to work together as a team over this short period of time and i am sad to say that i won't be seeing them everyday after this week. However, i am happy to say that they are all going to be amazing Montessori teachers in their new classrooms (plus, we still have our Tuesday night classes to look forward to).

This week has also brought with it the great reality of becoming a teacher. Emailing parents, putting together testing schedules, checking curriculum maps, updating my planner with all of the school dates...it's all coming together. i just about panicked Monday morning when i wasn't exactly sure what i needed to be sending to my class parents and how do i word the email and how much do i say about myself just yet? Thankfully, i have an amazing staff and director to work with who were able to answer all of my questions and the emails were sent without fear (well, without MUCH fear). i have received some fantastic responses and i can honestly say from those replies that i could not have asked for a better group of parents and students to work with this next year. it's helped to begin calming my own nerves as a first-year teacher.

The nerves will come and go (as they always do) but i'm confident that i'll be able to make it through. it's all a part of the journey to becoming a Montessorian and i am still very near the beginning of that.

a revolutionary education

Education is ever changing. it's constantly developing with the latest research in child development, brain development, and societal norms.

By studying teaching i've come across (or been sent) various TED talks and articles pertaining the hackers, the innovators, and even the do-nots of education.

i've compiled a few of my favorites because they speak to what educating children SHOULD look like.

(P.S. i think a Montessorian education is a fantastic way to achieve these things)


Logan Laplante explains how he hacked his education for the better:

 "when i grow up i want to be happy...i want to continue being happy"

Sir Ken Robinson explains the importance of creativity:

"creativity is as important in education as literacy"

Glennon at the Momastery blog explains how one teacher made sure no one fell through the cracks:

 "the most brilliant Love Ninja strategy i have ever encountered"

the most brilliant Love Ninja strategy I have ever encountered - See more at: http://momastery.com/blog/2014/01/30/share-schools/#sthash.HO7M6EJy.dpuf

the most brilliant Love Ninja strategy I have ever encountered - See more at: http://momastery.com/blog/2014/01/30/share-schools/#sthash.HO7M6EJy.dpuf

the most brilliant Love Ninja strategy I have ever encountered - See more at: http://momastery.com/blog/2014/01/30/share-schools/#sthash.HO7M6EJy.dpuf

the most brilliant Love Ninja strategy I have ever encountered - See more at: http://momastery.com/blog/2014/01/30/share-schools/#sthash.HO7M6EJy.dpuf

http://momastery.com/blog/2014/01/30/share-schools/

Christopher Emdin explains why we need to teach teachers how to create magic:

"magic can be taught!"

Rita Pierson explains why teachers need to care for their students:

 "No learning can occur without a significant relationship"

Also, David Steind-Rast talks about being grateful to be happy. Always good!:

"it doesn't make for equality, but it makes for equal respect"

becoming a Montessorian pt. 1

  First day of the journey!

Last week i began the Montessori training program at Westminster College. Up to that point everyone at Walden would tell me that it is definitely an intense program but completely worth it. That, along with knowing i had quite the commute ahead, had prepared me for this.

Right?

i mean, i only just finished school so i’m still in that mode. And yes, all of that knowledge and schemata has come in handy (APA formatting? Such a pro!). What i wasn’t prepared for was the transformation process.

The Montessori Method is not only an educational theory/philosophy; it’s a way of life. it’s a way of recognizing the spirituality in all things. Everything has purpose, goals, and ways of going about life (sound like Pocahontas?). it begins with the individual’s spiritual preparation by developing patience, control of the will, commitment, and humility. Maria Montessori said, “we have to watch ourselves most carefully. The real preparation for education is a study of one’s self. The training of the teacher who is to help life is something far more than a learning of ideas. It includes the training of character, it is a preparation of the spirit”.

It starts with ‘you’; or rather, with ‘me’. in the Observation course, Paul Epstein questioned, “if we can’t even properly take care of ourselves as adults, how can we be expected to properly care for the development of children?”

Wow.

Two weeks of theory, cosmic education, and personal care plans came into focus. Obviously, i’m in this program/profession to teach children. i care for children and i want to make a difference. But how can i truly care for these precious spirits, these precious individuals, and help them reach their fullest potentials if i am not in a spiritually healthy mindset myself? if i’m exhausted, cranky, rushed, crammed,…how can i honestly focus on the development of the children entrusted to me?

i can’t.

Thus, knowing oneself - one’s wholeness, being, spirit – is essential in the preparation of the teacher.

This astounded me. Not because i don’t agree with taking time for myself to be whole and healthy, but because I didn’t realize how essential it is in my professional goal. i want to make a difference, change children’s lives for the better, and save the world to the best of my ability.

On the way home from FHE on Monday, the folks in the car got into a discussion about desires to save the world and what that means. According to The Lawyer and Mattycakes, people who say they want to save the world are younger than 25; those older than 25 have moved past this illusion and continued on with their lives.

i listened to the conversation and explanations; all the while thinking inside, “but i AM going to save the world”. it’s not about donning a masked cape to flit through the skies and fight crime. it’s about guiding a child through the sensitive stages of his life; helping him develop self-regulation, concentration, and an overall thirst for knowledge; helping him navigate the societal norms set in place and the politics of the classroom culture. it’s about guiding him to understand who he is in this world; helping him understand that he plays an integral part and the world would be in a sad state without him; guiding him to find where he came from.

Now, you can take these thoughts from the religious perspective of a Mormon teacher. While my religious beliefs do influence these thoughts (there’s no way for them not to), it’s so much more than that. it’s an extension of my beliefs. My thoughts are about the knowledge that i will be playing a vital role in the lives of these children, their children, and their children’s children. Will the children in my classroom thrive? Will they become leaders, inventors, those who push beyond the expected? Well they sure have that potential. Every one of them can be ANYTHING they so choose.

What a great responsibility it is to be the teacher of these children. i’ll admit it’s slightly terrifying. But it's also exhilarating because i know i can succeed in this task; and becoming a Montessorian is a wonderful journey in becoming that teacher. 

a real-life teacher (the story)

it's truly amazing how this opportunity played out. i had applied for nearly 20 summer jobs and was attempting to network for Fall teaching positions since my USOE license was still being processed; none of them were panning out. Then a previous colleague recommends Walden.

From the moment i walked in and was greeted by the elementary director, i knew this was where i wanted to be. it just felt...right. The initial interview was short and to the point with some light-hearted discussion. An appointment was immediately made for the following day to volunteer in the classroom i would potentially teach. Let me tell you, it only made me fall more in love with this school. While i wasn't extremely familiar with the Montessori teaching style, that short experience made me want to be an expert in it. The catch was, in order to be hired on for this position i would need to take part in a Montessori training program over the summer and the following school year (to this i thought "i'm still in school mode since i only just graduated, so now would be the perfect time to certify with another credential").

Things were discussed, i chatted with Westminster College (where i will be taking the program), and i decided that it was all worth it to teach at Walden.

That same week i was offered the position!

i was able to take the last couple of weeks of school to volunteer in the classroom and get to know my future students. My class will include a mix of first, second, and third graders (the 6-9 age group of the Montessori method); meaning that this year's first and second years will be my second and third years in the Fall.

Honestly, i believe that none of the other potential jobs worked out because i was meant to take this opportunity; to use my summer to certify in Montessori teaching and fill the position at this school. it's where i need to be.

a real-life teacher

The results are in, folks, and...i got the position! i couldn't be happier and i am so incredibly excited to join the team of teachers at this school. i was able to patch up the wee little bit of road to make this work. it feels correct; this is where i should be.

Before summer school starts, i have the opportunity to go into the classroom for a few more days and get to know my future students a little better. How utterly fantastic! When i met the kids previously i just fell in love with their little selves and now i actually get to be their teacher. i truly feel just...honored with the opportunity. i can't wait.

Because i am a real, honest-to-goodness teacher of the kiddums now. is it August yet??

grown-up decisions

it's hard to be a grown-up. And believe me, i definitely do not have it figured out (obviously) but i am trying. Again, it is difficult.

i've been spending time since graduation trying to figure out where i'm going to be next year. Working is the preferred answer. Teaching is the most ideal answer. But where? i tell ya, a most ideal option has crossed my path this week and i just feel good about it. Almost giddy. i shadowed one of the teachers at the school and got to work with some of the students to see just how this school's program worked. The result? The giddy feeling in my little heart. Then...

One of the metaphorical bumps in the metaphorical road of life came along and almost threw me from the road (metaphorically, of course). See, i like having a plan. i always have a plan and i feel great about my plans. When things don't go according to plan i have a hard time figuring out if it's because there's something else better for me or if i'm supposed to patch up that wee little bit of road to make my plan work.

Which lands me in my current position. Debating. Praying. Contemplating. Rewriting my plan 5 different ways. Napping. Researching. Making potential new plans. Seeking counsel of those who have their lives in order.

it's a lot. Hence why napping is part of that list. Making the decision and seeing it through will definitely be rewarding in the end but unfortunately my feelings towards grown-up decisions at the moment are more as follows:

so many fab things!

Miss Momo is a married woman. And they are really the cutest little Hoosier couple you'll ever see. The wedding was small, simple, and absolutely beautiful. i am so excited to see them begin their married life because they are so good for each other and together.

Last week at school was Teacher Appreciation Week. Which, when your students know what that means, is a very darling thing. The girls in my class brought me flower clippings and homemade cards throughout the week. it was so sweet because they simply love being at school and they seem to really enjoy having me as a teacher. it makes those slightly rough days worth so worth it because each of these kids is just amazing.

 Being a teacher means i also get Spring Break (huzzah!). Great things, right? And it really has been a lovely week. it began with a wonderful getaway to the Midway house with the fam and some friends for General Conference. We ate, we played, we were spiritually fed. it was fab. The kids and i had a blast as we played tickle monster, built a mini-fort, and watched Frozen (obviously). That lead in, plus going with the Lawyer and some friends to the Provo Rehab Center to sing hymns (simply amazing. There are some really sweet folks there), just spelled for a fantastic week. The weather turned for the Spring-ier rather than continuing Second Winter which meant it was time to play outside. The Lawyer and i went to the park to read the other day and decided it was so nice to be there that we should gather up our friends and come again to play.

We did just that and had a rather good turnout. i made cupcakes, we brought some snacky things, and great playing was had by all. Miss Momo and her man ended being at the park playing Corn Hole AT THE SAME TiME (it really was a surprise) and they joined us for a wee smidge. They left for dinner and a pickup game of soccer started which ended up being the best thing ever. You know it's been a successful Spring/Summer day when your feet are grass-stained from playing outside. Simply lovely.

The Lawyer also got me hooked on Arrested Development and we're only two episodes away from finishing the whole series. i have to admit (considering i am now hooked) that it really is a fun show. Ever so punny and full of all things hilarious.

On Monday i made myself a book list (surprise, surprise, i know). i've done this countless times but this book list is different. BECAUSE it's in a jar. That's right. i always read the same things which isn't terrible due to the fact that i love them so much; i would like to branch out though. Get into the classics and whatnot. This is hard for me. i like the books i like because they suck me in. i get carried away and don't come back until the adventure is over. i have a hard time believing that's going to happen with the classics. Probably because i had to write papers on the couple i read back in high school...Anyways. So each book was put on it's own wee bit of paper, folded up, starred (it has to be cute, right?) and piled into my darling little star jar. Now, as i finish a book and need something else to read, i simply pull out a slip of paper and read that book. Wonderful, right? i started with Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck per the Lawyer's recommendation (his first recommendation is currently all checked out at the library). So far, so good. it's no Harry Potter but it is nice. We'll see how the rest of these pan out.

i was able to go visit the cemetery this week as well. i feel bad because it's been so long since i've taken flowers over to the family and Reeves (mine and Ethan's adopted buddy since the tree next to his grave provided excellent shade). For a bit there i tried to take flowers every so often to Grandma, her family, and Reeves. And then i forgot. But no longer! They all have fresh, happy, colorful flowers! AND they moved Reeves grave! i almost couldn't find him because he's no longer by his tree. He's out in the open sunshine. Thankfully, i did find him.

Life has some fab things going on. All of the above plus my upcoming graduation and a potential teaching job for next year (when i know if it's a for sure or not, i'll actually explain about that). Just, fabbity-fab things.

Am i smarter than a 5th grader? (pt. 2)

The results are in, folks!

Finally, the answer we've all been waiting for...."My name is Emme Toth and i AM smarter than a 5th grader!"

Or at least, "My name is Emme Toth and i AM qualified to teach children!"

Either way, i'm really just thrilled that the official scores have been posted. Not only did i pass, but my scores were above average across the board!

So watch out world, just a few short months and i WiLL be a honest-to-goodness, real teacher.

Yay!

expectations of failure

The other day i was hanging out with the Fireman telling him all about the UCSS Conference i attended that day. The UCSS is the Utah Council for Social Studies; essentially i attended classes all day to learn how to better teach Social Studies in my future classroom. My cohort sisters and i were expected to go for class (it was that or watch a conference and write a paper). What began as a bit of an unsure Saturday turned out to be absolutely phenomenal and full of amazing activities.

i was so excited about everything i had learned that i had to tell the Fireman all about it when we were hanging out later that day. At one point i turned to him and told him that i could stop talking about the conference if it was boring for him. He told me to keep going because it was cool to see me so excited about this.

Afterwards he told me that i'm going to be an amazing teacher.

You have no idea how much that meant to me. While i know my teachers all want me (and my cohort sisters) to succeed, while i know that they're preparing us to the best of their abilities, it seems like all they tell us lately is that we're not going to succeed. At least not for the first year or so. it feels like they keep telling us that we're only going to be keeping our heads above water the first year, that the first year is the most stressful year we'll ever face, etc.

Just once, while i know they're all rooting for us to succeed, i wanted one of them to tell us that we're going to be phenomenal, that we're going to succeed, that we're going to help our students succeed because that's the whole point of any of this. Again, i know they're only telling us it's going to be hard to help us prepare, but at some point it gets to be extremely discouraging. At some point it almost sounds like we're expected to fail and, in turn, fail our students.

So that one comment, "you're going to be an amazing teacher", from a guy i'm still getting to know, made a world of difference. Here's to you, Fireman, for reminding me that i (and my cohort sisters) can succeed.

Am i smarter than a 5th grader?

Well i'll officially find out in 10-15 business days.

i took the Praxis this morning which is essentially Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Except in the TV show you win/lose money. The Praxis determines if i can graduate and get my teaching license.

Essentially you have four sub-tests; one each for Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. The questions can be on just about anything related to those subjects that an elementary school child should know. And it's absolutely terrifying because i haven't learned most of this stuff since i was actually iN elementary school.

i finally got the test taken care of this morning after a weekend of studying random history, grammar, and fractions, and science. Technically i won't be getting the official scores for 10-15 business days, BUT the computer gave me a tentative score for each sub-test. And? i PASSED! With really good scores i might add.

Now i don't want to celebrate too early but the tentative scores DiD say that i passed so i'm going to hold onto that until the official scores come in.

Hopefully then i'll be able to actually say "My name is Emme and i AM smarter than a 5th grader" or at least "My name is Emme and i AM qualified to teach". You know, both are good.