Designated Doodler

With the passing of the summer solstice I've come to accept the end of summer, which most teachers would be sad about. But having worked six days a week all summer long, I don't feel as though I'm losing a break at all, but gaining one. And oh what a summer it's been. I found the love of my life, moved into a great place, got a new vehicle, thrown several parties, created curriculum, positively impacted the lives of high school students, made new friends, and finally got into the school district that I've been trying to get into for years. I'm thrilled to finally be able to teach art, although I've noticed an absurd bias in that some apparently believe that art "isn't important." But you can't be mad at ignorance. To that I would reply that it teaches cooperation, nurtures creativity, provides an outlet for stress and frustration, teaches fine motor skills, connects to the content in the classroom and opens worlds of possibilities. ...

If you are a student in the United States, your intelligence is measured only through standardized testing. Upon finishing high school and college I realized that I had been trained for sixteen years to take tests - and that my skill in doing so had no real-world application. I became a teacher because I'm good at it, I enjoy teaching others and watching them grow. However, I believe that one reason the teaching turnover rate is so prolific is because once inside the system, teachers recognize all that is amiss with it but are powerless to change it. We are so powerless in fact that even if we have children of school age, we aren't allowed to protest the fact that the Texas Education Agency dissolved the modified version of the STAAR test, leaving kids with learning disabilities or handicaps in the dust. Related article: http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/latest-columns/20140502-special-education-teachers-staar-questions-unanswered.ece This is just one issue among many....

I teach high school English and I also tutor elementary and middle school students. No matter what the age group, I see a common and alarming trend among children. They can't focus! These kids, our kids, are being affected by two pervasive things: instant gratification and constant stimulation. They get what they want, when they want. So when they come to school, they expect to run the show, which just isn't how it works - at school or in life. They talk back to teachers, question why they have to do assignments, argue about their grades, turn in assignments late and detest having to focus. It's no wonder that teachers are jumping ship right and left. Believe it or not, there once was a day when kids were respectful, did not question their assignments or grades, did not badger their teachers to grade faster, did not bring weapons to school or start fights, did not wage an electronics war or refuse to work. As teachers we receive absurd amounts of training on be...

As the collegiate year kicks off for millions of students, excitement fills the air. But this exciting new adventure isn't everyone's idea of fun. For many students, especially college freshman, the year is fraught with tension, anxiety and uncertainty. Many young people have to deal with things in college that they've never had to deal with before. For example, as an only child, I never had to share a room with another human being until college. Luckily, my roommate went to bed around the same time I did and we got along. But that isn't always the case. Things you may have to deal with include: 1) Being really broke 2) Being homesick 3) Hating the food 4) Adjusting to the level of college work you have to do 5) Making friends 6) Traveling home 7) Dealing with tough roommates/suite-mates 8) Discovering the horror of communal bathrooms and Ramen noodles for three meals a day Anyway…the point is…there's a lot that you may not like about college and i...

1. You know that terrified feeling you get when you start your first day at a new job? Yeah, well that's what subbing is like...every single day is your first day (unless it's a long term sub job). 2. Let's pray that the teacher has their kids seated alphabetically, it will make my life soooo much easier. 3. Nobody talks to you at lunch because you're just a temporary fixture. 4. It is inevitable that you will walk into a classroom where the teacher has no plans for you whatsoever. 5. The kids will test you...every minute...of every hour...of every day. This includes them switching names on you, switching seats, trying to sneak out of class, trying to get in verbal battles with you and doing anything and everything except for their classwork. 6. There will be a point when you ask yourself...why did I take this assignment? 7. You will be up at 5am looking for jobs for the day if none were posted the day before, and you really want/need ...