KATE Conference Reflection

WOW.

Where does the time go? 

I swear that just yesterday it was October 1st, and I was lying in bed, practically sweating out of nervousness, thinking about planning and facilitating a round-table discussion for the KATE conference. 

Now here we are, two days after the fact, and, if I'm being honest, I could not feel more relieved that it is over. 

Don't get me wrong. Attending the KATE conference was an amazing experience for several reasons:

1) I learned that I am not alone in my struggles with motivating students to pay attention.

2) I learned that I am not alone in my struggles with helping students deeply analyze texts.

3) I learned that I am not alone in my struggles with finding effective classroom management. 

...basically what I learned from this conference is that I am not alone. 

And that I am not the only one who faces the struggles and experiences the feelings that I have been encoutnering this past semester. 

And that I'm actually much more prepared and knowledgeable than I thought I was. 

And that's a pretty cool feeling. 

I am also thankful for this conference because it gave me the opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort zone. 

I was terrified to stand up in front of seasoned teachers and attempt to lead them in a discussion about a topic that I had little experience with. There was even one moment in time where I was basically pleading Dr. Cramer to let me bail and not go through with it. 

However, I am so glad that Dr. Cramer pushed me and forced me to challenge myself. 

Because, as mentioned previously, I realized that I have some pretty cool things to say. And that it's up to me to own my story (thanks Laura Packer), or presentation, or thoughts, or feelings, and to stand by them so as to make them meaningful and impactful for those around me. 

I realized that my voice has value. And there's no way to measure or express how empowering that is. 

My voice has value. 

I can make a difference. 

I will be impactful. 

I was meant for this. 

P.S.

I'm thankful for my classmates and professors and the amazing social at the Public. What a blessing it is to be surrounded by people that are cool, fun, supportive, and talented. 

I really don't think life could be any better. 

Genre Reflection #1: A Heated Letter

***Parts of this post were edited for the sake of confidentiality

The decision that I am referring to is the taking away of Ms. W’s algebra classes, giving them to Ms. I, and in turn giving Ms. W all Pre-Algebra classes.  All in the middle of a school year.

While this may not seem like a hard adjustment, I assure you that it is an extraordinary challenge.

Firstly, one of the first things they emphasize in all textbooks I have ever read is that the first days and weeks of school are crucial.  This is because teachers must be constantly enforcing their classroom routines and procedures so that students will be able to habitually act according to the expectations held for them by the end of the first month.  Ms. W had done a phenomenal job of acclimating her students to her classroom culture, and I was under the impression that they were responding positively.  Granted, these students were being challenged, and Mrs. W is known for her disciplinarian tendencies.  However, these students seemed up to the challenge and understood that this was all in their best interest, especially when it came to preparing them for further education.

However, these thoughts must not have crossed your mind for you disrupted these precious procedures and routines.  Granted, the algebra students will readjust fine for it is the nature of algebra classes in middle school to be filled with the more mature students.  The students I am most concerned for are the incoming pre-algebra students that Ms. W will now be teaching.  This new class is currently the ultimate definition of shell-shock, and the students are having a very rude awakening. A rude awakening that should be lessened by now, but is actually just starting due to your decision.  These students will now waste crucial and essential learning time as Ms. W has to continually remind them of new routines and procedures.  I’ve found that it takes about 2-3 weeks for students to acclimate to their teacher and the learning environment before any truly meaningful learning can take place.  Thus, both sets of students are going to lose out on twice as much learning as their peers due to your decision to switch the classes.

Another reason your decision is extremely ill-advised is due to the unfair lesson planning burden this puts on both Ms. W and Ms. I. These teachers are both extremely well prepared and excellent at what they do.  During the summer they were putting much thought and effort into planning ahead for their classes and preparing activities and lessons that would be engaging and hands-on for students.  These activities are where true learning takes place, since students are getting to explore concepts and actually make meaning of what they’ve been exposed to.  Unfortunately these activities take a lot of advanced preparation, and I have a feeling there will not be much of these activities occurring within either classroom since both teachers are having to completely rethink their plans for the whole year.  And once again, the students are the ones who are being negatively affected.

I can understand how at first it could have been thought that students would respond well to this change. Students are challenged in Ms. W’s class and she has a personality and teaching style that takes getting used to.  It’s a style that is strict and demanding, but also one that will push students and help them truly understand mathematics.  This is foreign to many kids so of course they are going to complain and be upset when they aren’t successful in the beginning. And of course some parents will be upset because this will be the first time that their student has struggled. And of course Ms. W’s style is not a good fit for every student.

However, I know that Ms. W’s style is what those students need.  And I think you know it too.  In order for the students to be prepared for the subjects that are coming for them in higher level schooling they need to be pushed, and they need to experience how it feels to work hard and truly earn a grade.  Of course they and their parents probably don’t have this foresight, but that’s your job. To provide this foresight to them, and help them see what is truly best for the future. Even when they are arguing against you and saying that you’re incorrect.

I apologize if this letter seems too accusatory or one-sided, but I do have a unique viewpoint of this situation and feel that my insight is somewhat valid seeing as how I observe the effects of this change everyday. 

Sincerely,

M