November

It's hard for me to believe, let alone type, that I'm already 1/4 of the way into my third year teaching. I've done so much at school in these first few months of the year, I'm somewhat surprised that I still maintain almost 7 hours of sleep a night. Teaching is a challenging career, and my third year doing it has presented new challenges, like teaching an AP class. However, I feel invigorated by the new opportunities (roses), and by some of the challenges (thorns).

Not roses, but these dahlias in Austria were the most beautiful I've ever seen!

Some of my roses for 2017-2018 thus far include:

The quest for college pennants. Throughout the first few months of the year, I've reached out to dozens of colleges in an attempt to get promotional materials and pennants to display at my school. My school is working on creating more of a college and career culture, so I'm trying to help by acquiring materials to help assist in the development of that culture. It's really repetitive to send out all these emails, but it's exciting when I get the packages in my mailbox. I've received pennants from schools all over the country, and some I hang in my room, and others are hung in the halls to "decorate" my school and promote a college-going culture among our students.

My Passion Project: creating a high school transition program for my district. I'm working with my school's instructional technology integrator (and good friend) to work on a creating a high school transition program for middle school students who will come to our school. We're really excited to lead something positive for our school and district! It's been a lot of work so far, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. At the very least, it's opened my eyes to some of the challenges that administrators face, which has influenced my views on what I should get a Masters degree in-- Curriculum and Instruction, Administration, History...

I'm a Center for the Study of the American Constitution Fellow! This fall I get to spend time studying the text and origins of the U.S. Constitution and share what I learn with my colleagues and students. The Constitution is such an important and fascinating document, though it is ambiguous, that I really enjoy learning about it from experts. As a proud social studies nerd, this is an amazing honor and I'm counting down the days until I'm back in Madison studying the Constitution with other teachers from around the state.

However, with each rose must always come thorns.

Hall Duty. I thought I would really like having hall duty during one of my free periods this year, but it's proven to be quite challenging. Since I am a teacher in the hall, asking students if they have a pass, I tend to get roped into situations I don't really enjoy-- like confrontational students. It's emotionally draining, but I do feel like it's teaching me a lot about how to communicate more effectively with more challenging students. In this position I've truly learned that respect is earned, and being a teacher does not mean that I've "earned" anything. It's reminded me to live by the saying "you catch more bees with honey," and treat everyone how I would want to be treated. So, even though it isn't my dream job, I am growing as a teacher and person in a way that I wouldn't have without having this duty.

Sometimes I feel like a hamster on a wheel-- running for my life, yet going nowhere. Some days I'm enveloped with frustration (with myself, my students, administration, parents, society...), and others I'm on cloud nine, after a lesson goes well, or I accomplish a lot on my to-do list. If I've learned anything as a teacher, it's that it's extremely easy to get bogged down with the negative. But I can't live in a negative world; it's not healthy physically, mentally, or emotionally. The metaphorical roses in my life must outnumber the metaphorical thorns. I'm thankful for awesome and uplifting coworkers, and for my family's love and support. Finally, I'm thankful for the students who I've taught and on whom I've had a positive impact. I can't make the thorns go away altogether, but I can shift my focus back on the beautiful roses.

AP World History

Last month I spent a week at the AP World History Summer Institute, and it was pretty amazing, though exhausting! It was held at Northwestern University's downtown Chicago campus, just a few blocks from Lake Michigan to the East, and a few blocks off of Michigan Avenue in River North to the West. 

The institute ran eight hours each day, for four days, so needless to say, it was quite tiring. However, I learned so much about AP World History, and met some awesome people. We covered what the exam would look like, what is expected of the course structure, and of course, what is expected of the students to be successful on the AP exam in May.

Teaching an AP class is something I have wanted to do since I took my first AP class in high school. However, I didn't think that I would be able to teach an AP course, let alone one that I actually enjoy, until a bit later in my career. Being given the opportunity to teach high level students in a rigorous environment with high expectations is just what I would love to do as a social studies teacher! However, I am aware of the gravity of teaching a AP World History. I'm both nervous and excited about it, and I have already done a lot of preparation for the school year. Here is what I have done to attempt to prepare for the school year!

1. Read a lot. One of my biggest concerns of teaching AP World is that it requires me to have so much more knowledge of World History. To combat my fear of not knowing enough, I've been reading the textbook, Review Book, and AMSCO Book. While I don't feel like an expert just yet, I am pretty confident that I know enough to help my students succeed in Period 1. I've also read "fun" books for AP World, including A History of the World in 6 Glasses, and I just started An Edible History of the World. I highly recommend these books.

2. Joined the "AP World History Teachers" Facebook Group. I stumbled upon this Facebook group, and let me tell you, I am so glad I did. The group provides excellent support for new teachers, and I've learned so much by reading through posts, questions, and resources that people have shared. 

3. Talked to other AP teachers at my school. Another major fear I had was that if my students weren't successful on the AP exam, it would reflect poorly on me, and then I would face repercussions from administration. While I doubt that would actually happen after my first year of teaching the course, I still had that (somewhat irrational) fear. Discussing these fears with a fellow AP teacher helped a lot. She assured me that my position won't be in jeopardy if I don't have a high passage rate, as our school's overall passage rate isn't super high anyway. She advised me to teach the students to be prepared for college expectations, not for an AP test in May, and I will be very successful.

3 Great Things About My First Week Off

Cutest pic ever (source)

I've been out of school for about a week and a half, and let me just say, that it has not been dull. Yes, I get to sleep past 5 am (thank you!!!), but I've actually done a lot so far.

1. I got sunburned at Erin Hills. I know this in itself isn't good, but getting sunburned at Erin Hills means I got to go to one of the US Open practice days, spend time with my dad, and enjoy several hours in the sun. I've never been to a golf tournament before, so it was really cool to be immersed in that experience. The course was beautiful, with Holy Hill peaking above the trees in the distance. I can also see why people like to golf (you get to be outside for hours, ride golf carts, wear cute outfits, and enjoy nice weather), and why it's special to actually be at a tournament, rather than watching it on TV. The sunburn sucked, and now it's a really weird looking tan, but definitely worth it! Big thanks to my dad for taking me!

Me at my favorite place-- the Merch Tent (pre-sunburn obviously)

2. I spent time with my grandpas for their birthdays. My grandpas share the same birthday four years apart, which is super awesome. I got to spend time with both of them last week, which probably wouldn't have been possible if I was still in school. I love talking to my grandpas about their lives and childhoods. As I get older, I value my time with them so much more, and am grateful they are both here with me today.

3. I'm planning a trip to Europe!!! The first weekend after school let out, a couple teacher friends and I got together and planned a two week trip to Europe for August! I am so excited-- we're going to the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic and Austria.

3 Things I Learned This Year

I finished my second year teaching! Though this school year was challenging, I think back at all of the opportunities I've been given and the connections I've made, and feel satisfied.

Last year was a whirlwind-- it was stressful, exhausting, exhilarating, and fun. I honestly remember very little from last year, though, other than frantically making (and changing) lesson plans every night and weekend. It was so much work, but ultimately I feel accomplished as a teacher.

I've learned so much over the last two years, but because this year actually didn't feel like I was constantly in the middle of a tornado, I feel that I can reflect on this year with much more clarity.

Below are three things that I've learned in my second year teaching at Central--

1. I sought out like-minded educators in the building. My first year teaching was so overwhelming that I didn't get to be as social as I would have liked. However, with a year under my belt, and more confidence, I found some people who have similar mindsets and passions, which has made my experience here so much better. They inspire me to be better and remind me why I became a teacher.

2. I said YES to new opportunities. I was definitely a "yes" person this year, and I'm really really happy I did it. First, I said YES to co-advising National Honor Society, then I joined a few book studies, and took COMP training. I said OMG YES to several Professional Development Travel opportunities that changed my life. And finally, I said YES to teaching an AP class next school year. Though some people advise against saying yes to too much, I am so happy I did. My students also pushed me to try new things. I worked on making curriculum more relevant to students, and will continue to do so. Ultimately, I became a teacher to educate students, and I hope that all of the opportunities I take advantage of will help me be a better one.

3. I took care of myself. After my stressful first year (everyone's is stressful, right?), I wanted to make sure that I got some "me" time this school year also. I am a history nerd through and through, so my idea of a good read for pleasure is something like Guns, Germs and Steel. I tried to read for pleasure more this school year, and also make time to watch my fave reality shows once in a while. I also spent a lot more time with my family, which is awesome when you're an adult! Don't tell them, but my parents are actually pretty cool.

All in all, I am pleased with year two at Central High School, and though I don't want summer to go by too fast, I am looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities that next year brings!

3 Good Things Outside of School

Last week was a very difficult one in my personal life. School stress, for the first time, took a backseat to life stress. However, school didn't disappear-- it's responsibilities remained, the school year was coming to a close, but not before it ramped up to the busiest time of the entire year.

I started this blog as a way to remind myself how wonderfully inspiring and challenging it is to be a teacher. Those three things reminded me that each day is filled with good-- as is each student who sits in my classroom. But when my life at home took a downturn, I had to turn my positive focus to that. I have to remind myself of the beautiful, unique and formidable my own life is.

1. I bought a bike! It's exactly what I wanted, including the price. I bought an almost-new Electra Townie from a rummage sale, and I couldn't be happier with it. I've taken it on a few rides already, and am loving it. The only problem is where I'm going to store it. I don't want to keep it at my parents' house full-time, but I'm not sure where I can put it in my apartment. #nogarageproblems

2. I got my state park pass for 2017 (and was able to remove all traces of my old one on my windshield). One thing I've committed to doing more is taking advantage of all the beauty Wisconsin has to offer. So many people seem to think Wisco is a boring state, but it's actually pretty amazing, if you're willing to see the beauty. So far, I went to Point Beach State Park, but am planning on going somewhere this weekend-- possibly my trusty Lapham Peak or Pike's Lake, but perhaps Lions Den Gorge. Either way, I can't wait to spend more time off the couch, out of the classroom, and in nature.

3. I bought like 5 books for AP World History (School-related, I know, but I'm just so excited #nerd). I'm teaching AP World History next year, and am super super excited about it. I can't wait to challenge myself and students to be better and learn more. This is really nerdy, but I would like to write the entire year's curriculum by the end of the summer, and I think I can do it!

Summer Plans

I think this goes without saying, but I am so excited for summer! I enjoy the much-needed mental break from academics, as well as the chance to improve my own life by traveling and taking time for myself.

Some of my travel plans for this summer include:
- Detroit, MI to visit Chris when he's working there
- New York, NY for a vacation with Chris
- Philadelphia, PA-- a quick trip to learn some American history!
- Washington D.C. for a few summer institutes to learn more American history!
- Eagle River, WI to spend a week up at the family cottage on the water
- Kansas City, MO to visit Chris when he is home

Those are my big plans for this summer! I don't include too many Wisconsin plans/trips, but I'm sure there will be a few day and weekend trips in places around the state (I'd really love to go to Door County and Lake Superior this year!). I am so excited to stay busy by traveling and experiencing more of what our great country has to offer.

When I'm not traveling this summer, I hope to do several things around my apartment and to improve myself.
- Start listing some of my lesson plans and worksheets on Teachers Pay Teachers
- Organize all of the bins full of stuff in my closet
- Purge my place of all of the stuff I don't need (my apartment is small, and I really need to start living more minimally)
- Decorate my living space into something that fits my style
- Read at least a few of the books that have been on my summer reading lists over the years
- Plan a few units of my courses, including my new AP class
- Get-- and ride-- a bike around the city!!

And those are some of the "improvement" things I hope to accomplish this summer! Looking forward to a relaxing and productive summer!

Monday Inspiration #2

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Tomorrow my school is getting teachers pizza for lunch, and I am very excited! It's definitely the little things in life sometimes.

I enjoyed some of my own "appreciation" time this weekend in northern Wisconsin with my family and friends. Our cabin for the weekend was right on the rushing river, and in the middle of the woods-- such an amazing weekend getaway. Though the weather was cool, we rafted down the Peshtigo River, which was exhilarating. I'd only gone rafting once before, so I was a little bit nervous this time. However, it was amazing! It also gave me a greater appreciation for my state. Though Wisconsin doesn't seem interesting, it is so full of hidden gems and natural beauty that sometimes I can't imagine ever leaving.

I pretty much made this face the entire time...

My motivation for today is to enjoy the simpler things in life-- a weekend away with the people you love, a nice glass of wine with dinner, stopping at a local cheese shop to get a few treats. This weekend truly made me appreciate all of the great things and people I have in my life, even if I don't always value them as much as I should.

One way to discover what your state has to offer is to go to the website "Only In Your State." I like to look at potential destinations, activities and restaurants here.

Monday Inspiration #1

I think I was probably the last person to discover TED Talks on the internet. But I love watching them. Sometimes I'll put on a TED Talk and then another, and then another... until my whole evening is gone! I watch TED Talks to learn about topics on which I know little, and on topics I want to broaden knowledge I already have. I highly recommend watching TED Talks that interest you.

I've decided that on Mondays I'm going to post something that inspired me from the week before. I hope that by sharing my "Monday Inspiration" you will be inspired to learn more about a topic that you're passionate about.

Today's Inspiration is a TED Talk that I found about the longest study on happiness, by Robert Waldinger. The study began in 1938 (he is not a founder of the study...), and follows the subjects' lives for 75 years.

- The first lesson of the survey is that loneliness is toxic-- and fostering connection leads to longer lives.
- The second lesson is that the quality of your relationships does matter. Having good relationships has a major positive impact. "The people who were most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 were the healthiest at age 80." Wow.
- Finally the third lesson is that good relationships protect our brains. Being in a secure relationship with someone you trust leads to stronger brains and greater brain health.

Sure, these results aren't that groundbreaking, but they're proven to be true. While fame and wealth are what we strive for, building our relationships leads to strong positive results that chasing money does not.

This TED Talk inspired me to continue working at the relationships I have with my family and friends, since it will lead to a better life and greater happiness as I get older. It reminded me of what's important in life-- not money, not fame, but happiness and positive relationships.

How One Nice Comment Changed My Day

Thursday marked the fourth day back from spring break. I love teaching school in spring because the weather is so nice, and it really puts everyone in a good mood, I think. One challenge about teaching school in the spring is that students are just itching to get out of the classroom-- the weather is nice, summer break is within reach. I can't blame them, though. I, too, am looking forward to some time off to read for fun, and prepare for next year :)

Anyway, my students have been a little squirrely this week, so keeping them focused has been a challenge. I've worked to pack each hour full from bell to bell in order to keep the kids focused on a task. Overall, it went pretty well.

One student, though, said something very nice about me on Thursday during class, that I haven't forgotten (and it's now Sunday night). He was talking to another student about the assignment we were working on-- a DBQ and argumentative paragraph about the effects of the Industrial Revolution. He said to the classmate, "This assignment is easy because I know how to do it. Ms. G's been showing us how to do this all year. I wish more teachers would be like her. She's the best."

My heart burst! I don't think the student knows I heard him say it, and it really turned around my day for the better. I'm always working to be the best teacher I can be, and I often question my teaching methods, wondering if there is a better way to teach something. Well, I can now rest assured that with that particular student I am doing the right thing. And it feels really good.

I will never again underestimate the impact a positive comment can have on someone.

3 Good Things About Wednesday

Today was my first full day back in the classroom after spring break. I have to say, I was a little bit nervous. We're so close to the end of the year, and the weather was pretty nice today... I was concerned that my students would be in full on summer mode and completely disengage from school.

Yeah, I'm happy to admit my fears were mostly unrealized. Today was a pretty good day, and I feel excited to come back tomorrow and continue the final push to summer break.

1. Given the choice, most of my students would rather be in school than working full time right now. When I posed this question last year, I received the opposite feedback. It was pretty heartwarming to hear that overall, my students feel positive about school, and that though it is a challenge, getting a high school diploma and going to college is an important goal for them.

2. We have an educational consultant work with us monthly to observe and critique our teaching. I always get a tad bit nervous when someone comes into my classroom to observe, but ultimately I always have confidence in my lessons. I work hard to try to challenge and engage my students in world and U.S. history. Today she watched my class and gave me some very good feedback! She thought my lesson was great, felt that I pushed my students to do higher level thinking (and own their learning!), and gave me some good ideas to help elevate future lessons. 

I have a feeling I'll learn a bit more about this man this summer!

3. I am going back to Washington D.C. this summer!! I found out this week that I was accepted to Ford's Theatre's Summer Institute for teachers, and am currently on Cloud Nine. I will get to spend a week in Washington D.C. learning about Lincoln's legacy, the Civil War Era, and Reconstruction. I am passionate about these topics, and can't wait to learn more from experts in the field, research primary and secondary sources to use in class instruction, and spend more time with teachers who love history like me!

AVID Showcase Day

Today I attended an AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) Showcase at Madison East High School. First and foremost, it was incredible! I didn't have much in terms of expectations, because I didn't really know what and AVID showcase was, but this FAR exceeded them!

An AVID Showcase is basically full day of immersion into another school's AVID program. AVID Demo schools have incorporated both the AVID elective and the AVID strategies into content area classes. They work hard to be a "model" for new/young AVID schools to learn from and be inspired by.

We first got an overview of AVID, which was helpful, since I hadn't received a "proper" overview of AVID from an AVID employee yet. AVID's main tenets are Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading, and it encourages growth historically underserved students, and their futures in college. Then we moved into the school specific AVID plan, goals and data. I was so surprised to see the growth in Madison East since the implementation of AVID strategies in content classrooms.

As if that wasn't enough to hook me, we then toured Madison East and observed five or six classes, ranging from Spanish to AVID to Math. I really enjoyed this part because we got to see how AVID strategies are implemented in classrooms on a daily and basis. It reinforced that AVID practices are really best practices that apply to all disciplines. Walking the halls was amazing too, because it gave me so much inspiration. Teachers actually post work that students do in the halls, and there are tons of posters urging academic excellence and college readiness. I loved seeing the commitment to learning, and the expansion of education beyond the classroom.

We ended the day with a student panel and then a Site Team panel. Overall, I had an AMAZING day, and it inspired me to implement more AVID strategies in my classroom (and in the halls!). I learned that AVID's strategies aren't difficult to implement, per se, because many teachers already use their techniques. I want to do more to help my students strive for excellence both in and outside of my classroom!

My Spring Break Trip to Washington D.C.

White House

I fortunately was able to go on a trip of a lifetime (for me) over spring break-- Washington D.C. I had never been there before, and as a huge fan of American history, I knew it was going to be one of the best trips of my life. And it definitely did not disappoint!

I did so many things on this trip, like walk Arlington National Cemetery, tour the White House, and visit the House and Senate Chambers of the capitol. I ate my way through the city, also, dining at Georgetown Cupcakes, Old Ebbitt Grill, and Good Stuff Eatery (best burger ever!).

This trip was packed full of new experiences, sights and knowledge for me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I walked more than 40 miles in five days, and learned how to navigate the Metro like a local. Because my boyfriend Chris had to go back to work part of the way into the trip, I was also able to spend a bit of solo time exploring, which I appreciated as well.

Selfie at the Lincoln Memorial

Probably shouldn't be smiling about this place, but I was just so excited to do more Lincoln stuff

Georgetown was so cool

Museums I visited

- National Archives Museum

- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

- National Museum of African American History and Culture

- Air and Space Museum

- National Portrait Gallery

- Smithsonian American Art Museum

- Museum of Natural History

- National Museum of American History

- Library of Congress

Tours I took

- White House (!!!)

- Pentagon

- Capitol Rotunda/Crypt

- House and Senate Chambers

- Arlington National Cemetery

- Ford's Theatre

Major Landmarks I saw

- Lincoln Memorial

- Washington Monument

- Jefferson Memorial

- FDR Memorial

- MLK, Jr. Memorial

- JFK Gravesite

- Arlington House

- Capitol Building

- Supreme Court 

- Library of Congress

Food!

- Luke's Lobster

- GCDC (Grilled Cheese DC)

- Good Stuff Eatery

- Shake Shack

- District Taco

- Georgetown Cupcake

- Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken

- Old Ebbitt Grill

- Farmers Fishers Bakers

Library of Congress

Tidal Basin

Ways I'm Building a Community in my Classroom

One of the most challenging aspects of teaching in an urban high school is building relationships with students and building a positive classroom community among them. My students come to school from all over the area-- from a few blocks away all the way to across Milwaukee. One thing I've been proud of in my first year teaching was that some of my classes became really close knit and even administration noticed how great of an environment it was. Though I don't feel as content with my classroom environments this year, I am going to continue to work to foster positive relationships with my students and among my students.

Below are three ideas I have or have already put into place:

1. I ask students to reflect more than before.
In all the education-related book clubs I've participated in, one common buzzword seems to show up in all of them-- REFLECTION. This is a practice that is beneficial to both teachers and students. Part of being positive members of communities is being in touch with your own strengths and weaknesses, and thus, being a person who is working toward constant improvement. This helps build the important character trait of empathy, which many teenagers (and adults!) lack. I hope by giving my students opportunities to reflect on their behavior, performance, and interests, I will help strengthen empathy in them. I can't speak to my success so far, since I don't have any measurable results, but so far I'm feeling encouraged!
To learn a little more about Empathy vs. Sympathy, check out this video on Youtube.

2. I have students work in groups and partners
One good way to get to know someone is to work with them. When working on projects in my U.S. History class, I have students work with partners, sometimes of their choice, sometimes assigned. I do this so that students don't just work with the same person all the time, and so that shy students can make some connections with other classmates without as much anxiety. Collaboration helps students get to know each other, and hopefully build community.

3. Community Building/Restorative Classroom Circles
I have not implemented these into my classroom yet, but I've been part of them several times both at the administrative and building levels in my district. At first I was skeptical about how they may be able to help build community, but in the circles that I've joined, I really do think I've been able to better get to know my co-workers, and vice versa. From answering "harmless" questions about favorite meals, stores, etc. and working up to more personal questions, I believe that using these will be a powerful tool to create and grow bonds between the individuals in my classroom.
If you are curious about Restorative Classroom Circles, I highly recommend this website.

Reflecting on Youth Frontiers Respect Retreat

Today our sophomores all participated in the Youth Frontiers Respect Retreat. It was such an eye-opening experience for me, as an observer of the day rather than a participant. In all honesty, I had low expectations going into it. My students were skeptical, and I reminded them to try to keep an open mind-- and by the end of the day, they'll all probably be crying! Normally, I feel like "cheesy" or "corny" events like this won't resonate with my students. Sometimes I'm right, but I'm glad that today I was wrong.

Upon walking into the field house, I was so surprised to see the students all sitting in groups together-- like they never do this willingly in my class! In the morning they played fun team-building and relationship-building games. It was fun to watch the screaming contest and burping contest. I also it was Most of the kids really got into it, and at the very least, were willing participants.

The Youth Frontiers leaders also told some great stories with important and relevant morals, like acceptance and empathy; and one of the leaders-- Dan-- wrote and performed some great songs.

The last activity brought all of the sophomores together to think about and discuss what each person could do to improve their experience at Central. Would they choose to put effort into respecting themselves, respecting others, or standing up for someone else? After students reflected on this individually, students had the opportunity to grab the microphone and share what they wrote with the entire class.

I was nervous for this. It's so intimidating to stand up in front of all your peers and share your thoughts. However, many students did. And they had great perspectives to share. They spoke about the importance of respecting yourself in order to respect others, standing up for people being bullied, and showing respect to classmates to make Central better. Some students' comments brought tears to my eyes. It was so devastating to hear that they struggled, but also very heartwarming to see them take a chance and put themselves out there. It made me proud to teach these young adults, and proud to be a teacher at Central.

DEAR: Drop Everything and Reflect on Wednesday

I'm writing this blog post after a long and tiring day. My students were state testing in social studies during my class today (Wisconsin's Forward Exam), and it was rough. I can't wait until Day 2 of testing is OVER!!!

What worked?
Testing on computers is so much easier than on paper. I think that all standardized tests should be on the computer, including the ACT. I know that logistics may not make that possible, but it would be awesome.

What didn't work?
Testing on computers also sucks because I have to take all my students to the library to do it. This inherently causes extra conflict, because I'm moving students to a new location, with different people, and more distractions. My students were very distracted.

Additionally, my students didn't really put much effort into testing, which was disappointing for me. I know that part of it was because they don't really see a value in the test if it doesn't directly affect their grades. It's really hard to make students see value in something, when I don't even know what the value is.

What can I do about it?
In terms of the Forward Exam, I don't think there's much I can do to improve the value of the test, since I have little control over it. I'll have to spend more time brainstorming.

3 Good Things for March Madness Monday

Today was difficult. I wasn't feeling well, my lesson plan was less prepared than I wanted, and I forgot to bring a lunch. Additionally, we are still over three weeks out from Spring Break! I think I'm more excited for Spring Break than my students are.

Yes, today was difficult. But I made it through, as I do everyday. On tough days like today it is more important to find positive aspects in order to boost my morale. So I am jumping back into the "Three Good Things" format for today. Because I need it.

1. Attendance was amazing today! I strategically scheduled a quiz for today because I knew that after this weekend I would need a little break, and I wanted to give my students the weekend to review for the quiz. One thing I didn't consider was that attendance may actually be better on Mondays than other days of the week, like Fridays when I usually give tests. Thanks to the great attendance today, the vast majority of my students completed the vocabulary quiz! It's about the little wins sometimes...

2. I'm getting more involved in AVID at my school. My school's academic dean, and leader of AVID, asked me to help out with tutorial days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's not a super big or important job, but I'm super excited to learn more about AVID and play a slightly larger role in AVID at my school.

3. A lot of my Freshman know a decent amount about World War I. I gave my students a quick pre-quiz on WWI vs. WWII today. Basically I gave them a list of topics, events, people, etc. and they had to differentiate them between the World Wars. Most of my students got about half correct, which was awesome. The pre-quiz gave me a much better idea of what my students know (which happens to be bit) so I can be a better teacher to them.

Professioal Development Day

Today we had a professional development day during which I watched a documentary called Most Likely to Succeed. This documentary was basically a case study of High Tech High, a charter school in San Diego, California. High Tech High utilizes project based learning and does not adhere to state and national standards. The documentary shows that this concept has both strengths and weaknesses, which were interesting to explore throughout the film.

The leader of the film session, the district's Instructional Technology Specialist, provided us with many reflection questions and resources to consider during and after the documentary.

I found High Tech High's story to be highly engaging and interesting, however, the real world quickly came crashing down on me. My school in particular, has a lack of resources, state standards to follow, and community constraints. Though I was inspired by Most Likely to Succeed, the reality of my situation prevented me from truly buying into the message.

Relevance, personalization and meaning are words used more and more frequently to describe high quality student learning experiences.

How do these words resonate with or relate to the work you do as a teacher?

These words definitely resonate with me as a teacher, especially in my goals and learning targets for lessons and units. Relevance is the concept that I work hardest on in my instructional planning so far this year. I try my best to make the content I teach in history as relevant to modern issues and student lives as possible. 

However, this is not easy. I find myself to be a little out of touch with my students' cultures, though I am not much older than them. However, I found during Election 2016 it was somewhat easy to raise the topics of politics and social issues. And when discussing the Black Death, I related it back to the recent Ebola problems of the last few years.

Basically, though it's not easy, I MUST MAKE MY CONTENT RELEVANT TO MY STUDENTS.

That is the moral of my story today-- I'm going to work hard to make my subject relevant and though I may not always be successful, all I can do is try.

3 Ways I Get News

Admittedly, I find myself reading the news through Facebook a lot more than I should. With all of the #fakenews abound, I've really got to be careful about getting it from Facebook. However, getting news from FB isn't all bad, and can be a great way to dip your toes in the massive ocean of national and international news.

As a government teacher, I have to be well-read on all current events, and be knowledgeable about ALL perspectives of news outlets. Here are some *legit* ways I get my news:

1. I get The Skimm. This is my go-to every morning when I get up. The Skimm sends you an email every morning with updates on the news, including jokes, quotes, and hashtags. It's the best way to introduce yourself to reading the news, because it's short, explains everything, and uses verbiage that pretty much every person will easily understand.

2. I read The Hill. This is my favorite site for up-to-the-minute news without much bias. I really appreciate that the Hill's perspective and tone is mostly "center" biased, with readers who are both liberal and conservative. If you want the facts, this is the place to go.

3. I follow news outlets with multiple perspectives. Though it would be comfortable to stay within my own ideological box when it comes to reading news, it's BETTER to also read articles written by sites that represent views that are different from mine. Many Americans are disappointed in how polarized our government has become, but part of that is due to the polarization of the American people. This is because we surround ourselves with views just like our own. We read news that shares our views, we discuss with people who share our views, and we get into pointless shouting matches with people who don't share our views. In order to move our politics back toward the center we have to begin immersing ourselves in perspectives that are outside of our comfort zones. It will make us all more empathetic citizens. #Illgetoffmysoapboxnow

We've made it through February

The road through February is looooong.

Can we all just agree that February is like the worst month ever? I am SO GLAD it's over. SO SO SO GLAD.

But now it's March, and Spring Break is somewhat in sight (only like 37 days!). This time of the year is stressful, depressing, frustrating and tiring all in one. But some good things happened in February, so I can't complain too much (though I did notice I complained a lot more in February than in other months).

1. I am forming some great bonds with my students. This seems to be the time of year when students become more "attached" to teachers, and I actually feel like some of my current students might like and appreciate me. Some students even stand up for me when other students do rude stuff! That seriously feels so nice-- I can't think of anything else that compares to it.

2. I'm in a book club/study. An assistant principal at my school is leading a small book study with a few of us teachers, Innovator's Mindset. I really enjoy being part of this book club because we all share similar mindsets on education, and it's really inspiring to work with them. I cannot overstate the value in reading books with other people (who are similar to you!). It really improves my outlook!

3. My boyfriend came to visit. I don't get to see Chris too often because he lives out of state (for now hopefully!), so I really try to take advantage of the times he does get to come back. I hadn't seen him since Christmas Break. It definitely adds more "stress" to my life not being able to see him or spend time with him. However, it does make me value the time I do have with him so much more.

DEAR: Drop Everything And Reflect on Friday

I decided that I really enjoy the "DEAR" model for my blog today (found in the book Innovator's Mindset). There were so many good things, but I also want to be more reflective about what I could've improved.

This week my students did A LOT of reading. As much as I feel kind of bad giving them DBQs and articles, most of me feels good about it because my students don't read enough. Thinking back to when I read Readicide, I agree that my students don't have enough tenacity when it comes to reading. Because my students don't get enough opportunities to read at home, it's my responsibility as their teacher to help them read more and read better.

The topic this week was the slave trade and slavery in the Americas-- a high interest topic. The students looked at many primary sources this week, including ones written by former slaves like Olaudah Equiano. There's no better way, in my opinion, to help students understand the gravity and impact of a subject than to read the actual words of someone who experienced slavery firsthand.

What worked?

• My lecture on Monday about the slave trade went amazingly well. Most classes had so many questions we barely got through the notes by the end of the hour (when they probably should have taken like 15-20 minutes). That was extremely gratifying for me because it did prove that when I lecture about high interest topics it does engage the students. 
• Showing students primary sources and also giving them more context for each source proved to be successful as well. 

What didn't work?

• I horribly timed most of the assignments this week because I didn't expect to get so many student questions. Everything was kind of a hot mess in terms of starting and finishing. 
• I wish I would've done the slave experience documents differently. In the past, I've grouped the students, had them read just a few docs, and then had them be the teachers for their classmates. I regret choosing not to do that this year, since students seemed to be pretty exhausted by the end of the day Thursday.

What can I do about it?

• I definitely need to be more creative with the teaching of primary sources (jigsawing, or something), because they can get pretty boring. 
• I'm also going to make more of a point to create some context for important primary sources. Like showing a quick video clip or telling an interesting story about the source or its creator.

DEAR: "Drop Everything and Reflect"

As my Monday wraps up, I feel a little bit better about my situation as a teacher. Mondays are hard, but I made it through. I'm not going to take time to write three good things today, but instead I'm going to "Drop everything and reflect," as suggested in the book Innovator's Mindset that I am reading with a few teachers at school.

What worked today?

• I think most students enjoyed watching CNN Student News (now called CNN10). I show it only once a week at most, and I think it's doing a good job of drawing students into the current events of the world. I hope that they are starting to see connections between the past (what they learn) and the present (what they see and experience).
• I also assigned students to create an advertisement for the "New World," as if they lived in the 1500s. That went mostly well because students were able to use some creativity and not have to do as much writing as they have been doing lately!

What didn't work?

• Though most students are just fine writing a five sentence reflection on today's episode of Student News, some students struggle to listen/watch and write. Perhaps in the future I can model the expectations and give them tools to make it easier for them.
• Man, I just hate given notes-- I only had one slide of notes today, but it was boring. I need to brainstorm some ways to give students information quickly without boring them to death through Power Points. 
• Some student just straight up refused to do the New World Advertisement because they "can't draw." Even when given alternate choices they refused to do it. That type of closed mindset makes me pretty sad and is something I'd like to change.

What can I do about it?

• In relation to the boring notes: Possibly I could add more questions into the notes to make them more interactive. And in today's case I probably could have had students brainstorm positive and negative impacts of the Columbian Exchange and simply supplemented that with notes.
• I am going to do a lot more modeling and illustrating of my expectations for student news, etc.
• I need to implement growth mindset more, and help students adopt that mindset more. It's ok to fail, and it's ok not to be "good" at something. But it's not ok to give up.

3 Things About Burning Out

I've felt inexplicably burned out since Christmas break. My job hasn't changed much; the challenges have remained, and the positive moments still show through. But I am tired and uninspired most of the time. I don't feel much pride admitting it, but it's true. As much as I want this blog to be positive, I also need to honor my truths and admit when things aren't really going well.

In the last few months I've learned a lot about myself through introspection. At times I feel like I'm more in touch with my identity than ever, confident that I'm great at my job and it's my destiny, while at other times I feel more lost than ever before, curious about what my life would be like if I made a change. I find myself thinking about my purpose and future, wondering what's best for me (and especially contemplating if what I'm doing now is best for me in the future).

Getting in these "funks" obviously isn't ideal, but I imagine that all teachers-- and people-- must have burned out periods once in a while. Here's what I've been doing to try to relieve myself of this feeling.

1. I've tried to commit to exercising. Going to the gym is not really my thing, we all know that at this point. But I've gone to spin class a bunch and am working out at home too. Finishing a good spin class makes me feel accomplished on days that school isn't really fulfilling.

2. I'm reading more. Because I'm going through a bit of an existential crisis in my career, I want to learn more. Reading has definitely helped that-- I'm working on Smartest Kids in the World and You are a Badass right now, and both are enlightening (albeit in very different ways!). I also make more of an effort to be educated on current events, which can be depressing, but I would much rather have knowledge than ignorance.

3. I'm resting. Not completely sure if this is the best thing to do, but I hope it helps. Most days I feel physically, mentally and emotionally drained after school, but I have so much work to do at home, that I don't really rest. I've been trying to rest more on the weekends and sleep. I definitely haven't been oversleeping-- I barely get 8 hours on a Friday or Saturday night. But I strongly feel that I must recharge my batteries on the weekend through rest and relaxation, especially with how I'm feeling. Falling into a rut isn't really an option, so I still make plans and go out, but I try to take advantage of the times I'm not busy.

3 Great Things About Lincoln #LoveforLincoln

My friend Lincoln and me in Springfield Illinois - September, 2016

Me with a cute mold of Lincoln in Detroit, Michigan - August, 2016

Everyone knows that my favorite person of all time is President Lincoln. Ever since joining the Civil War Club at my elementary school in 5th grade, I've had a deep respect for Abraham Lincoln. Over the years I have learned more about him and his presidency, and my admiration has only grown. In honor of his 208th birthday (February 12th, 1809), I have to share my love for LincolnI could talk (or write) for hours about why I think he's so great, but I will limit my list to three.

Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield, IL - visited in September, 2016

1. His accomplishments represent the American Dream. Abraham Lincoln was born in poverty, and grew up with less than one year of formal education. Lincoln's own father didn't want him going to school and wasting his time when he could be working. But Lincoln recognized the value of education, and virtually taught himself to read and write. He even taught himself law. He worked many different jobs, including as a rail splitter, lawyer and finally politician. Though he came from humble beginnings-- literally a single-room cabin-- he eventually was able to purchase a large home and employ cooks and workers. Lincoln did not live with a hand out for what he felt he deserved; he worked for it, and reached the highest office in the land by doing so.

What Lincoln's childhood one roomed cabin may have looked like - Springfield IL, 2016

2. He always had room for reflection and growth. In reading many of Lincoln's early speeches I've learned that Lincoln was always revising his opinions on important subjects. Slavery was the most controversial subject during his lifetime, and he almost constantly shifted his views on slavery, varying from at one time desiring to colonize African Americans, to arguing for their legal equality in the United States. I can appreciate a person who reflects on situations and opinions and grows from experiences. It's always OK to admit you've changed your mind, and I appreciate that Lincoln did that.

Lincoln and his Cabinet, National Archives

3. He saved our country. Upon Lincoln's election to president in November, 1860, southern states almost immediately began seceding. Lincoln didn't want war, but he more strongly desired union, and was willing to fight for it. Though he didn't start the war, he worked tirelessly for four years to end it, re-unify the country, and eventually free the slaves and offer them citizenship.  Lincoln wholeheartedly devoted himself to saving our great (and young) nation, and did some things that many others wouldn't. For example, his cabinet was made up of his political rivals because he wanted to ensure that on every topic he would receive sound advice from knowledgeable men. In my opinion, with almost any other person in his position, we would not be a single nation today.

I'll close with one of my favorite Lincoln quotes-- this one spoken in February of 1861:

"I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot."

3 Good Things for Last Week

I had such a busy week last week that I forgot to write about my good things! It's both awesome and awful to be busy. While I enjoy always having something to keep my mind occupied, I also like to have free time to relax and do my own thing.

Last week was extra busy because I had meetings after school almost every day, and lots of classroom and non-classroom planning. My weekend was kind of busy, too, because Chris and I went to Chicago for Valentine's Day weekend. It was so much fun because we went to the Field Museum and celebrated Lincoln's birthday!

Selfie with the Lincoln statue in Chicago - it's 25 feet tall!

1. It's the little things... I literally almost ran into a student in the hallway during passing time on Wednesday. Normally I say excuse me and students ignore me-- it's all very unpleasant. However, on Wednesday, one of my former students actually slightly moved out of the way and said, "Oh I'm sorry, Ms. G." It was so nice! Like really, I felt so much better just hearing a student say that.

2. The preparation for the NHS blood drive is going well! Last week began registration for the annual National Honor Society blood drive, and it went fabulous. We registered over 100 people in less than two days. I was overwhelmed by the number of students willing to help.

3. The principal gave me a great compliment. I had a chance to have a nice discussion with my principal last week, and it was so great to talk with her. She gave me one compliment that stood out, though it was small. She said, "I think the world of you and [another teacher]." I think she sincerely meant it, and it's always a great confidence booster to get kind words from administration. I won't forget that conversation anytime soon.

3 Things for a Decent Day

I really hate Mondays so so so so much. Getting up early, figuring out if I have everything I need for the week, adjusting to the students again-- it's all not fun! By Tuesday, I'm usually on top of my game, but Mondays are definitely an adjustment every single week.

Because Mondays are so difficult for me, even as a teacher, I do have empathy for my students. I'm not quite as strict as other days because I know it must be challenging for some of my students. Today, we talked about deadly diseases, and read about the impact of European diseases on the Native Americans. I really enjoying studying this because science is very interesting to me, even though I am a history teacher.

1. I started reading a new book-- Smartest Kids in the World. I'm only on chapter 1 right now, but it's really really good. I am very excited to learn more about WHY students in the U.S. test scores are so mediocre. I also have enjoyed reading about the international test given to students around the world, and how it was developed. If you're looking for a fun book to read that is also "educationally" stimulating, I highly recommend this book.

2. My 5th Hour students have actually sort of started to police each others' behaviors. This hour is by far my most challenging-- not because the students are "bad," but because they are ALWAYS TALKING. First semester was frustrating for me because I never felt like I could get a full thought out. However, some students have also become frustrated, and they have begun to kindly remind the class to "STOP TALKING." It may not be the best way to handle these situations, but it is nice to know that not all students want to be disruptive and they care about learning.

3. We looked at the Columbian Exchange today, which is always a fun topic for me. We talked about our perfect meals, and students analyzed whether their meal was mostly "new" or "old" world foods. I didn't get through a lot of content, but I got to know my students a little better, and it was fun. I'm hoping that the fun we had today, and the connections we made will help me in the long run.

3 Good Things for an Exhilarating Week

As I sit here at the end of one of the most exhausting weeks of the year so far, I reflect on the wins and losses. This week was full of great loss, but it was also a week with a few big (huge, even) wins. I worked pretty much nonstop last weekend to make a few cool new lessons for the week. Though it was tiring, I am SO SO SO glad that I did it.

Making new lessons that haven't been vetted by anyone, or tested a few times, is scary for me. But it's also a major part of being a good and fulfilled teacher. I have to take educational risks to get the reward-- feeling satisfied and accomplished! My new lessons were well received by my students, taught them something, and made me feel accomplished. My good things for this week are related to my new lessons.

1. Seeing honest learning taking place in my classroom. My lesson on Tuesday and Wednesday surrounded the discovery of America, and attempted to blow up students' perceptions that Christopher Columbus deserves credit for discovering America. Students look at Columbus, Leif Eriksson and Zheng He, and make conclusions about the discovery of America. I absolutely loved seeing the students' faces when they learned that the vikings made it to America 500 years before Columbus, and when they learned that Columbus wasn't the valiant hero they were taught.

2. Hearing encouraging parent feedback. In relation to Point 1, a parent of one of my students gave me some fantastic feedback about that lesson. She told me that her daughter came home and constantly talked about what she learned, and showed real passion for what she learned that day. She explained how upset she was that Columbus had a holiday, when he wasn't actually that great of a guy, and not even the first European to discover America. I can't even clearly express how insanely happy this made me. It was a comment that for sure made my week.

3. Picking a textbook for U.S. History. One great thing that took up a couple of my evenings was viewing presentations about possible textbook options for U.S. History next year. I've never been part of the process before, so I'm excited to be part of it and learn more about the curriculum-creating process.

2 Things for the First 2 Days of the Semester

Tomorrow is Friday, and I could not be more excited! I really want to go out for a fish fry tomorrow(very Wisconsin), but we'll see. This week has been pretty exhausting, as it is the start of a new semester, but I'm overall happy with how it's gone.

1. I "reset" the expectations of my class. And the students actually responded pretty positively. I was really afraid my plan to limit cell phone use in class would epic fail, but it surprisingly didn't! Most students complied immediately and I hope it continues. I think part of the reason why I had success is because of the way I framed my cell phone "rules." I made sure to explain to students that I wasn't doing this to hurt them, or make their lives difficult, but rather, that I want them to be successful, and I'm keeping these expectations in place to help them be successful. I even had a student give me his phone at the beginning of class today because he knew it would be a distraction!

2. Some of my students really appreciate my teaching! I gave students a mid-year survey to fill out to help them reflect on their performance in class, as well as help me get to know my students a little more. The final survey question asks students if there is anything else they want me to know about them. A few students were so kind and took that opportunity to compliment my teaching in a really genuine way. I really appreciated it!

3 Good Things for a Day Without Students

Semester One is finally over, and I am so so so relieved that I made it through unscathed. I felt like I was drowning last year, but this year I was prepared and organized, which resulted in an easy "record keeping day" for me. I planned the first few weeks of the semester, made some new assignments, and found some great articles to connect the past and the present.

Basically me right now (or as the students would say, "Me af")

1. I'm excited for the next few weeks. In World History, we are embarking on my favorite unit-- Exploration, and in U.S. History we are beginning with Immigration. I know that I'm a nerd, but I love teaching both of these topics. I firmly believe that the students can sense when I am not passionate about a subject, and reflects in their behavior. Hopefully I will see excited and engaged students reflecting my behavior.

After a rough end to first semester, it is encouraging to feel excited for the fresh start.

2. I've got a long list of books to read. My reading list is probably the longest it's ever been, but slowly I will chip away. In terms of "fun" reading, I would really like to read An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood by Jimmy Carter. Though not remembered as a successful president, Jimmy Carter is an inspiration to me, and I hope to expand my appreciation for him reading this book. In terms of "work" reading, I hope to start Smartest Kids in the World by Amanda Ripley soon. 

Source: Ingram Publishing

3. I'm touring the Pentagon while in D.C.!!! (as long as my background check clears...) I've done hours of research over the past few weeks to ensure that my trip to D.C. with Chris is packed with awesomeness, and one thing I've booked is touring the Pentagon on Good Friday. This trip will not be relaxing at all, but all of the walking will be so worth it. Only 80 days until this "bucket list" trip!

3 Good Things for Exam Week

Oh, exam week... I'm so torn about how I feel about it. On one hand, it's incredibly stressful, but on the other it's kind of awesome to have three days of open afternoons to get work done (without students!). I would probably have to say the stressful part outweighs the awesome part, though.

Thankfully, I am a fast grader, and my exam grades are all in. So now I can spend the weekend preparing for the second half of this challenging school year. Below are three good things that happened at school this week!

1. One of my students who is not doing well in my class got a 75% on the exam. I'm not sure how he pulled it off, but I'm pretty sure he didn't cheat. It gives me hope that even the students who do little in my class are actually learning something.

2. The principal put the word out to a few teachers to get together 16 students for a volunteer opportunity at one of the middle schools next Friday. As National Honor Society co-advisor, I sprang into action, and recruited NHS members to help. I'm so excited that I did it, and even happier that I can see my role in NHS is making a positive impact on the school. I really hope to continue chasing this feeling. I would love to expand the scope of NHS at my school in the future.

3. I've had a lot of time to reflect on the past and plan for the future this week. We will be diving into my favorite unit of world history next week -- Exploration. I'm so excited to teach students about it, and I'm going to spend a good chunk of my weekend planning the unit. Yay!!!

3 Things I'm doing for Me

This time of the school year has been difficult, to say the least. I love my job, but the end of the semester is ROUGH! I've recently been coping with increased apathy and decreased grades from my students. It's extremely difficult for me to continue to be positive and upbeat when I feel like I'm talking to a wall.

However, once in a while I have to step back and remind myself that "this, too, shall pass," and not ALL of my students are apathetic. Though this percentage of apathetic students is pretty high compared to last year, there are still some students who care about my class and their grades.

As my career in teaching progresses, I've begun to learn that my personal life needs to be balanced with my work life. It's so easy for me to get swamped in school work (especially the negativity that comes with it), so in order to have a well rounded and positive life, I must also search for happiness outside of my career. I have to divest myself from teaching a little bit because if I don't, it will have large negative consequences on my wellbeing.

Source

1. I'm planning a vacation to Washington, D.C.!!!!! If you know me, you know that my "holy grail" trip is D.C. As a gigantic U.S. History fan, there is no better place for me to go than there. I will be going this Spring Break, and have already packed my trip full of amazing destinations. I'll be there for the Cherry Blossom Festival, the 152nd Anniversary of Lincoln's Assassination, to tour the Pentagon-- and more! I am so grateful that I finally get to go on this trip, and can't wait to go (less than 90 days now!)!

2. I am working to improve my health and wellness. I've never enjoyed going to the gym, or doing any physical activity other than shopping, but as I get older, I am learning that my health is important, and maintaining a good body inside and out now will lead to better health later in life. I am by no means content with my current workout routine, but I am moving in the right direction-- and that's all I can ask for right now!

Source

3. I am investing in experiences more than things. Shopping has always been my favorite hobby, but clothes and accessories aren't really all that emotionally fulfilling. One of my resolutions was to invest in experiences more than things-- aka buy less clothes and more concert tickets! I've already purchased tickets to Eric Whitacre's concert in Milwaukee this March, and I've never been so OK with spending $70. I also will be seeing Red Hot Chili Peppers at Summerfest, and hope to see Horseshoes and Hand Grenades a few times this year, too.