from one of my kiddos

Dear Santa,

I don't want much. I don't even need toys. All I want (if you think I'm a good girl) is for you to promise me I will always have teachers as wonderful as Carri (and co teachers)

I want teachers like them with patience and smiles and that treat me with respect. I can't believe how much they taught me!

And I'm so happy they gave me structure and cared for me when my daddy was sick.

This year, please bring them everything on their wish list...maybe that will make their jobs just a little bit easier

Luckily I didn't read this card in front of the children. Cause it made me cry. A lot.

When I stop and think about how far this family (and others) have changed in a year it amazes me. Children grow so fast and quick that a year is a lifetime to them. Their lives completely change in a year. The work I do as a teacher is huge. It can leave a lasting impact on these families. The small stuff we do each day can make a difference forever.

vs my old office job

I remember working in an office. Somedays there are a bazillion things to do and not enough time to get them done. Somedays I had to make a to do list in order to figure out which of the bazillion things that all needed done ASAP, actually needed done first. And then there are somedays when there is nothing to do- except check email, answer phone calls, and refill my coffee cup. But that only takes an hour...what to do with the other seven.

I hated those days of searching for things to do. I hated even more when I didn't find anything. A friend reminded me yesterday- the trouble with having nothing to do at work? Leaving at the end of the day having accomplished nothing. I need that sense of accomplishment. Now my days are filled with things that get done- although not always what I planned.

Well in the realm of all the hats I wear, and unlike all the ways being a teacher is similar to being a bartender...here begins all the ways working in a classroom is not the same as working in an office...

In the office, I walked in- found a safe location to stash my purse, hung up my coat, and settled into my chair, sipping coffee while waiting for my computer to boot up, composing myself before I had to actually interact with anyone.

In the classroom, I walk in- found myself assaulted with hugs and chants of Carri's Here! and lil ones asking for help with dress up clothes all while trying to hold my purse, coat and coffee mug out of there reach until time permits for a safe location to be found for stashing them.

In the office, I checked email, phone messages and made to do lists several times throughout the day.

In the classroom, email? maybe a few times a week; the phone is ringing? Well can't answer that since I'm across the room dealing with poop or boogers or a wrestling match; to do lists? haha ha...although I do get to spend time every day writing names, drawing pictures and rolling playdough.

In the office, I chose my daily coffee mug based on which image made me laugh. Filled it to the top with yummy hot coffee and sipped on it at my leisure. Too cold? Let me walk to the breakroom for a refill. Too hot? I'll take a moment to just sit here and blow on it till its cool enough.

In the classroom, I choose my daily coffee mug based on its durability. Will it resist spilling as it gets jostled in my arms during the assault of welcoming toddlers? Will it retain most of the dark liquid gold when it is knocked off the table onto the ground? and hot coffee...Ha thats overrated. A good swig of cold coffee- thats refreshing for the senses!

In the office, I never questioned the safety of my coffee sitting on my desk.

In the classroom, I glance over to see one precocious toddler leaning over and taking a big swig of my coffee!

In the office, I counted packets of information, dollars in the budget, and hours until the end of the day.

In the classroom, I count wiggly children ALL day long. We have 12 toddlers, are they all here? Did 12 make it down the stairs for lunch? Did 12 make it outside during the mad rush of a fire drill?

In the office, to use the restroom, I walked down the hall, into the bathroom and locked the door.

In the classroom, to use the restroom I first count the children, subtract 6 to find the number I need to take with me in order to maintain ratio. Write up a list of everyone's name in order to assure I don't leave anyone behind. Count again (yep I have the 4 I need) Walk to the office, Have the children sit and NOT TOUCH ANYTHING. Finish my business as quickly as possible all the while listening for noises of impending doom from the 4 children who are no longer sitting and NOT TOUCHING ANYTHING. Put the office supplies back to the order they were in before my 4 hooligans arrived. Count the children (still have 4) and walk back to the room.

In the office, I watched from the warmth of climate controlled air as snow gently floated down covering the white surface in all its glory.

In the classroom, I give in to chants of snow, snow, snow! I spend 30 minutes bundling up 12 toddlers...removing shoes, pulling on snow pants, stomping feet into boots, flipping on jackets, tugging down hats and fastening up mittens. Bundle myself up. Trudge down the slippery sidewalk and let them loose to play in the wonderful world of white...for 10 minutes until they are all "too cold"

In the office, I got "reviewed" every January and July.

In the classroom, I get reviewed every day. With hugs and kisses and lil ones who don't want to leave.

We've been waiting for this day!

For weeks now (ever since we brought out the wintery type books from storage) the toddlers have been asking

Where's Snow?

Snow tomorrow?

Snow right now?

One lil lady even got into a heated discussion with her parents as to whether or not snow would be coming tomorrow (and this was weeks ago, when it was 60*) her parents thought she was nuts, I happened to agree while taking the blame for her presumption that it would be snowing tomorrow.

You see we've been reading these books multiple times a day, 5 days a week for over a month. And our standard answer to the questions posed is that Snow is coming soon. Not today but one day very soon.

Then yesterday (on picture day none the less) it came. After smiling pretty for pictures (changing out of our fancy clothes into more appropriate romping through the snow clothes) we began bundling up.

20 minutes later there were 22 boots, 11 coats, 22 mittens, 11 hats adorning the toddlers. We even managed to keep all our gear on as we walked down the slippery path to the playground. And boy were we excited. We stomped in the snow, threw chunks of ice and pretended to be skating on the slippery surface. We lasted 30 minutes (for those counting, thats only 10 min longer than it took to get ready) then the snotty tears started flowing

I'm cold

My hands are freezing (if you actually wear your gloves instead of insisting on carrying them, it might help)

My body hurts (calling you out on being a liar here lil one, but nice try)

So trudge back down the slippery path, made even more perilous as we tried to find stable footing through tear filled eyes. Take off all our gear (only took 5 minutes to get off) and relaxed in the warmth of our heated classroom.

I've often said that naptime restarts the day. During the dark, music filled hour something resets. Sometimes this works to our advantage as the grumpy toddler is replaced by a smiling, eager friend ready to play. Sometimes not so much and we wonder what grumpy spirit possessed our sweet lil one during their nap. Apparently, during nap these toddlers had forgotten how outraged they were after 30 minutes in the snow. They had forgotten about their icy hands and cold feet. They had forgotten the 20 minute wrestling match to get dressed in all the gear. They only remembered the stomping, the throwing and the skating.

Snow gone?

Where'd snow go?

I miss snow? (accompanied with a few tears)

Snow come back?

I want snow! (accompanied with angry foot stomping)

Rest assured lil ones the snow will come back. And soon there will be snow filled scenes just like our favorite books. But for now can we just enjoy frolicking in the flurries that melt away during lunch?

Cause soon it will look like this Sigh...

TED oh how I love thee

The standard litany of questions posed this week after my notable absence from school (dude, we get vacation days just like you do)

How was your conference?

Great! Amazing! I'm going to change the world!

What was it again?

TED, you know the big event they do every year in Cali (sortof true) they host a smaller (cheaper!) version in columbus!

Oh, what's TED?

Therein lies the problem. How does one begin to describe the wonders that is TED. I know the standard schpeal of its a meeting where great thinkers get together, present 18 minute talks and inspire.

But that does not even begin to encompass what it feels like to be in that audience. The way it bends and twists and pulls at your brain until it just can't stretch anymore. The way it gives hope that one person can actually make a difference. I can do it. I can change the world.

One of my toddlers has a great shirt "I will make a difference" That gives me hope. It's true. We have no idea how far this next generation will go. And while they may not remember much if anything about their time spent in the toddler room with me, I hope to spark that inner fire in each child...that inner fire that will survive:

the monatony of teaching to the test (thanks no child left behind bullshit!)

the years of teenage angst and struggling to find yourself

the wonders and freedoms that are presented as you finish high school

the pressures and distractions that society presents along the way

That inner fire will smolder away until the child, now all grown, can return to it. Remembering their passions, their outrage, their uniqueness and use all of this to make a difference, to change the world.

So, who inspired me?

Teresa Long: Columbus Public Health Commissioner

a) because she had artists painting in the background...perfect visual for my lil ADD brain

b) 100% of children who don't know how to read by the end of 3rd grade go to jail. 100% 100% how clear cut of a statistic. How easy (in theory) to fix.

Now I know it's not that simple. I know the SES implications and family history and how that all ties in together to affect a child's education. But if we can give these kids who have so much against them the fighting chance- if we teach them to read, if we teach them to value reading and show them a glimpse of how far they can go if they only master this one skill. If we show them this future it can give them hope.

c) then she goes in to this concept of a healthy community...access to quality food stores, green spaces, neighbors who know each other

d) teaching the art of conflict resolution. If we equip these same children who live on the bubble, whose family history hints at the cycle of poverty and hopelessness. If we equip these children with the skills to resolve personal conflict. Not just to NOT participate in bullying, but to stand up to those who bully others. Teaching them to stand up when they see something wrong.

In my classroom (which is the antitheses of these children who live on the bubble) we are setting the stage for conflict resolution and community responsibility. We strive to create a community of children who look out for each other, who help each other, who are kind, who see a friend crying and ask why? then ask what they can do to help. Who stick up for a peer when they are getting hurt. Who don't just turn to an adult to solve their problems, but who try their own solutions and watch in amazement when they work.

e) And her recurring theme of Find what outrages you. Find what keeps you up at night. Use this passion to change the world.

Megan Jones: First Graduating Class from METRO high school

a) I wish my high school were this cool

b) I wish that at 19 I would have had the confidence to stand up and deliver an inspiring talk in front of hundreds of really smart people

c) I wish that I would have been able to pronounce all those chemistrical/biological terms she spoke about in her research project

d) I wish that I would have graduated high school with 47 ish credit hours

So METRO high school is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math focused school. Yet, Megan's passions are much more art/social sciences focused (her major is history at OSU) Yet, in this day and age of teaching to the test, only focusing on benchmarks and only teaching what every student in the state of ohio must be learning on a given day, her school kindled her passion.

Because really, what do benchmarks really tell you about an individual...nothing. An individuals ideas are more telling of who they are and how they think that simple checkmarks on a test.

Curriculum needs to be dynamic, not static. Curriculum needs to begin at the interests of the students and classroom. It needs to challenge and inspire in these interest fields. Cause if a student is not interested in what they are learning, what is the point? They'll memorize the 'correct answer' for a test, but the information does not delve its way into their thinking.

beginning thoughts...more to come...

oh and check this out: The Myth of Charter Schools

Mimosa Cupcakes

Cause I can't just follow a recipe, I combined 3...

Made the batter from this one

Made the syrup from this one

Made the frosting from this one

Decorated with orange sprinkles and orange slices.

The cupcakes turned out very very very sweet. Next time, I'll eliminate the frosting and simply decorate with an orange slice. An orange slice soaked overnight in champaign...Yum Yum

Education as more than a Fast Food Model

Oh how I love Sir Ken Robinson. He spoke at TED 4 years ago, and then returned again this year. He inspires me...

Yes! College does not begin at Kindergarten. Children should not be expected to sit before a committee determining whether or not they have 'qualified' for Super Fancy Kindergarten. Each child should have access to the best schools, not just the ones who have been born into a corner of the world where their parents advocate for good education and can finance private tutors and lessons.

Yes! Why do we expect every child to go to Kindergarten?!?! What's wrong with being a firefighter, or servicemen or massage therapist. These people impact my daily life and I love them! And the uniforms mmmm mmmm

Yes! Schools should not be set up on a fast food model where each 1st grade classroom is exactly like every other one. Schools should be like all the local restaurants we love. Each one different, each one resonating with the community it resides in. Each child's education should be personalized. Their interests should be highlighted and encouraged.

Perhaps my favorite moment was as Sir Ken set up the Abraham Lincoln speech. He referenced the date and then went on to say that he has not idea what was happening in society then. You see, in Britain they don't teach american history. Well in America they do. I was taught American history for 12+ years. And you know what Sir Ken? I don't know what was happening in society then either, so Ha!

a welcome distraction

Funerals suck. Viewings suck. Gravesite memorials suck. They suck big hairy donkey balls.

I love, love, love being Jewish. B/c being Jewish commands us to "bury our dead as quickly as possible." B/c burying our dead quickly allows the process to have an end, a quick end rather than a long drawn out week of torture.

Throughout said viewing, funeral and gravesite memorializing, I was asked many times- you're really going back to work? You can't get the rest of the day off? Are you sure you can handle that?

To those questions I answer Yes! (a: no one was available to finish my day and b: just look at the rest of my day)

I return to school during naptime, noone awake (praise the lord, its a miracle!) As my kiddos begin waking up I get one of 2 reactions...

Starring almost like they've seen a ghost. or my favorite. Chanting of Carri! Carri! Carri! Followed by lots and lots of hugs as if we are long lost friend who haven't seen each other in years, as opposed to 24 hours.

I said throughout the day, my children better be angels when I get back. And they mostly were. There was the boy wearing underwear at school for the first time and he made it through the afternoon with no accidents. none. Soooo proud of him. There was the girl who insisted I sit down and read the same book a bazillion times, but it was worth it to see the smiles on her face. There was the random comments that always punctuate our conversations: "I'm making a veil cause I'm getting wedding-ed!" "I'm having a campout. A pesto campout" "It's super hot here. But its ok cause I was born in Arizona. It's super duper hot there"

I remember when my grandma died, I couldn't wait to get back to my classroom. I remember when dear friends shipped off to the desert, I couldn't wait to get back to my kiddos. I remember when everything in my life was changing (oh like moving cross country) and the only place that made sense was my classroom with my kiddos and my materials and playing all day.

Yes, everyday they drive me INSANE! But yes, everyday they bring me such joy.

Except when from the bathroom I hear the dreaded words..."Teacher, why is my poop on the floor?" Oy! and lots and lots of Bleach! I'm all for using non toxic, green cleaners. But there are some things that can only be solved by a gallon of bleach