differentiation. . . vulgarity

It is a dirty word among teachers.  A vulgarity.  

An expectation, with no clarity nor exemplars.

Everyone in education knows what this curse means.

Yet no one knows exactly how to spot it.  How to make it happen.

Not because we are opposed to it and all its benefits to kids, but because all experts can do is define it and talk about it, swear at us with that vulgarity.  Closing minds and ears.

Shhhh.  Don't tell anyone.  But I think I might be onto something.  I may have cracked the cursed code on differentiation.  Now all I need is a great publisher, so I can educate everyone else . . . . 

dairy-less nosh on the road

My 11 year old son plays select soccer; my hubby, Dan, is his coach.  Since Dan is a first generation Croat, each summer we travel to a Croatian Soccer Tournament.  Though we have not yet emparked across the pond to Croatia, we are headed to Canada soon for a long weekend.  The temperature here in WI is hovering over 105, so transition of food may prove a challenge.  Additionally, my daughter is allergic to anything with dairy.  What shall we bring to nosh on?

Here is the list thus far:
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars are dairy-free
Kashi Blackberry Graham cereal bars are also dairy-free and have won Alayna's approval
Mojo bars (peanut butter pretzel and mountain mix are Dairy free)
fruit leather
cinnamon roasted almonds
cocoa roasted almonds
craisins & dried fruit
Jif To-Go preanut butter
Brownberry Pocket Thins - 8 grain
Pretzel sticks
Pringles
Grapes
Cut carrots in icy cold water
Mio
2 cases on H2O

Hopefully that will keep the boys running and the girls cheering for their little brothers. 
By the way, my Auntie Marge taught me that word: NOSH.  When invited to her home or her to ours, she always referred to snacking as noshing.  I like it. So I will use it in tribute of Auntie Marge.
Nosh along the way!!

Dear Friends and Family

This year, I have been blessed with some new friends at work; we share common worlds and insanities.  But I feel as though the challenges I faced with work and two busy children, pulled me from from some dear friends and family members.  Thankfully you are dear friends and family because in spite of my insanity, you did not cut me out of your lives, but cared about me from afar and tried to stay connected.  Best of all, you love me anyway even though I may not have been able to place you first on my laundry list of priorities.  Thank you, dear friends and family.  I love you even when you can barely hear me scream from afar.  And I am here for you. . . with hugs, a shoulder, cupcakes or cookies anytime.

breathe again ... without acronyms

I am a moment over a week into summer vacation and how quickly my mind and body have taken hold of the opportunities for refreshed breath.  Teaching is what I do for profession, not to become weathy, but because it is something I was born to do.  I reside in WI.  As you most likely are quite politically savey, that may speak volumes for the disquieting nature of my profession.  Compounding this complex professional climate are the mountainous mandates and initiatives placed on teachers right now.  We are being closely watched by those almost too thrilled to find fault in an industry they chose not to understand nor study.  It has been a year that has depleted my tank and run me quite dry, if not for the children and my colleagues.

This past year was a year of change for me within my classroom, within my school and district.  I chose to redirect my teaching practices to an age group of children I had only taught while student teaching 16 years ago: grades 7 and 8.  NBW (New Berlin West) English Department assumed a massive curricular challenge and undertaking when new Common Core MAPS curriculum landed in our "in boxes" at the close of summer break last year.  A full commitment to RTI and Inclusion became a district-wide reality along with mandated PLC (Professional Learning Community) meetings three mornings a week.  Reading initiatives became a focus of weekly PD (professional development) and increasing reading scores a must.  Did I mention we started the year with two brand new APs (assistant principals), a new Superintendent, and three new English teachers?  I found myself on a LCL committee (Literacy Curriculum Leader) and as a PM (professional mentor).  As the school year came to a close, I feverishly taught to the final bell these new children new MAPS curriculum, along with my PLCs the PD reading strategies amidst the replacement of our LCL leader, the resignation of our principal and AP, all while relocating my classroom into the former room of yet another resigned English teacher closer to the students I just finished teaching for the first time.  Whew.  Now you know why I needed to. . . just. . . breathe.

The reality of my profession remains truth.  I will never become financially wealthy teaching your children, no matter how many hours, sweat, committees, late nights, initiatives, tears, sleepless nights, and sweat I devote to them.  But I will change them, and hopefully I will make their lives mean even more, their minds empowered even more, their hearts filled even more, and their memories fond of the nine months that I am blessed with them.  But believe me.  I would not be able to do it, if I could not breathe.