Funny thing is... The kids are totally ready!
Tomorrow is the big day. Tuesday March 29, marks the day of the first STAAR test of the school year. Everyone is kinda on edge about it, including myself. You think STAAR test, and you just know how much of a big deal it can be. I'm nervous about it, and it's not even my subject tomorrow (they're taking writing...).
I think that one of the biggest things that can really have an effect on a FYT is STAAR testing. In my mind, it's the test at the end of the year that basically tells you how well you did your job during the school year. Did I teach my kiddos all that they need to know? Did I prepare them enough? What are parents going to say if their child doesn't do well? Have I done all that I can to get them ready? It's a BIG deal! But... I think an important thing to realize is that the STAAR test doesn't define who you are as a teacher. Is it important? Yes. Is it the only thing that lets me know I'm doing my job? No. There are many different things that go into being teacher.
The STAAR is just a snapshot of what a student knows. I can work countless hours to prepare them for this test, but ultimately it is on the individual child's shoulders to take the test. There are a number of things that could influence a child's performance on this test, so I don't really think that this is the best way to determine a teacher's effectiveness. You can't ignore the classroom interactions, social interactions, and mini victories throughout the year. The STAAR is important, but it's not the only thing that teachers should be judged on. On that logic, there shouldn't be a reason to stress out so much about it.
The problem is... teachers do stress about it. I know I do.
As a FYT it's reasonable to get stressed out, but I know it's not just FYTs. I work with arguably two of the best 4th grade ELA teachers in the whole district, and I know that they are worried about this test. These two ladies are seriously two of the best teachers I have ever met. One is the current Teacher of the Year for our school, and the other is last year's Teacher of the Year. These ladies are no slackers. If these two are stressed out about this test, how can we expect any other teacher to not stress out?
I know for a fact that they have prepared our kiddos to the best of their abilities, and I have no doubt in my mind that the kids are ready! It's amazing to see the growth in the students' writing from the beginning of the school year to now. It's incredible. It really is. Do we all have days where we feel like no growth happened? Of course, but ladies, y'all have prepared those kids. I know that they are going to rock it tomorrow! Y'all are incredible!
To all the ELA teachers out there... Your kids are going to rock it tomorrow, and you should be proud of all the things you have accomplished this year. Your kiddos wouldn't be where they are without the hard work that you put in for them to be successful! Deep breath... It'll be over before we know it!
Good luck, and Happy Hunger Games!
It's been a long time since I have posted on here. A bit mind blowing how fast time has gone these past two months. You blink, and all of sudden I'm sitting here enjoying my last day of Spring Break. There have been a lot of things that have happened since my last post, and I just want to kind of touch on some important things to remember down the road.
First off, I can't believe Spring Break is already over. It seems just like yesterday when my students were walking into my classroom for the very first time. I can still remember that first day of school vividly. What they don't tell you in school is how fast your first year will go. Obviously they talk about the struggles (which there have been), but I don't recall them mentioning how fast it all goes.
I try to look back at all the things that I have done thus far. Specifically from Christmas break until now, a whole lot has happened. I covered long division, worked with fractions, and started geometry. All of these topics are basically brand new to most of my kiddos. There have definitely been some struggles. I personally feel that I didn't do the best job teaching fractions. I believe that they got what they needed, but I could have done it so much better. I think it's important to look back and evaluate all of the things you have done in the year. A list has already been started of things to change for next year. I'm constantly thinking of ways to better things for next year.
I don't regret anything thus far. I know that I have worked my butt off to do the best that I can. I have spent countless hours up at school on Sunday getting ready for the week. It is now just part of my weekend routine. I can definitely tell that it's the middle of the year. We're all kind of hitting that wall, and the work quality has gone down a little. Spring break came at the perfect time. I'm so ready to go back and start working again! It's basically the home stretch. I have to get my kids prepared, and we have a long way to go.
We also had our Chili Cook Off not too long ago. I had never been to this before, and I heard beforehand that this was the biggest event in Highland Village. Well, I believe it. It blew my expectations out of the water. I mean, I wore a skirt. That's how you know it was a crazy event. It was a blast, and the 4th grade team won best chili (Thanks Austin). There were so many people there, and it was hilarious to see their faces when they noticed what I was wearing. It was a good amount of work, but I'm already looking forward to what next year's has in store.
Today's the last day of Spring Break. Before I know it, May will be here, and it will be STAAR test time. I try not to focus on that, but it is an inevitable part of the job. I could get on the soap box of what I think about the test, but I won't waste your time. I just have to get my kids ready to the best of their abilities. It's a little overwhelming how close it is, but I feel like I have done a decent job of getting them ready. I hope the kiddos are ready to work starting tomorrow!
