From Serial Killer to Global Pandemic and Everything In Between

I want to admit that I was probably the world's worst teacher that first year. Sometimes I wish I could go back and shake hands with all my students and apologize. I also truly believe that any teacher who thinks that they were perfect their first year, is lying to themselves. No one gets this job just right the first year.  I knew that with experience I would get better, but I also knew that I had a long way to go until I had the hang of this teaching thing. So, I decided to work on ONE thing that summer to get better. I chose classroom management. That was the summer that I read Wong - The First Day's of School. I know that book and Wong's theories are controversial now, but the point is, I reflected on my teaching and chose to improve something. I also talked to a lot of other teachers to get tips and tricks for managing their classrooms. Of course, things were a lot different in the '80s. What I mostly heard was, "Don't smile 'til Christmas!"  I al...

 I am asked this question all of the time. Are you going to work this summer? Are you planning to teach summer school?  The quick answer for me is NO! However, I do attend workshops that interest me, participate in PLCs, and plan the summer orientation for our incoming freshmen. But, I do NOT overwhelm my summer with school work.  I have worked long enough to understand the importance of renewing my energy over the summer. I have learned to take a very nice (but short, so that I can afford it) vacation that begins on Memorial Day so that the travel rates are a little cheaper. On these trips, I spoil myself for just a few days. I eat when I want to eat, I sleep when I want to sleep,  go see new things, and best of all, someone takes care of me for a few days. I love having the hotel room cleaned up for me because I've spent the last 10 months taking care of others, so this makes me feel like someone is taking care of me for a change.  Those vacations are usually ...