Teachers Be Like...

Woah. Is it really already over? Did anyone else feel like this today? I saw this picture last night and almost peed my pants because I thought it was so funny.

Today was the last day of school, and I truly felt like I was in a movie. My sweet kids were so antsy and anxious. They started a quiet countdown 30 seconds from the last bell. Then, they continued to get louder and louder until I had lost control. When the bell rang, paper flew into the air... okay I may be exaggerating a little bit, but I was really happy for them to be finished with finals and their 7th grade year. I know they worked hard and put so much pressure on themselves to do well, so I am proud of their efforts, no matter their grades. I have a class Instagram where I post test dates, things to study, etc. and Monday, I shared with them this eCard on the left that I thought was perfect since they have almost all either read the books, seen the movie, or both. They got a kick out of it.

This year was my first full year of teaching in middle school. For anyone who does not already know, I was hired on at my school as a science teacher mid-year last year, since I graduated in December of 2012. I was extremely lucky and blessed to have a job, especially with such odd-timing, not to mention at my dream school. When the opportunity arose, at the end of last year, for me to switch into a math class, I jumped at the chance. I now had my dream job at my dream school. Well, I just finished my first full year and wanted to share some things that I learned (in no particular order). 

Patience is a virtue. Okay, so I already knew that, but teaching middle school brings all new meaning to both having patience and what is considered virtuous. Just like when I teach my students when reading a word problem to "read, re-read, and then read again," it's like you must be "patient, more patient, and then even more patient." They are kids. Don't let 'em eat you alive. They are thirteen year olds being thirteen year olds. Now, there is obviously a place and a time. When it was not the time, I found that something as simple as "if you take up my time, I will have to take up your time..." tends to work, because they sure do covet their passing period five minutes in the hall.

Those sweet little angels can be dishonest. Does this surprise you? We were all thirteen once. There is a lot of pressure at that age. What they don't realize is that they are not very good at being dishonest. Now, I am not saying that is a bad thing. You just laugh later about some of the things that kids try to get away with. However, I realized there are ways to eliminate the pressures of being dishonest. For example, and I was actually talking to one of my students about this today. She commented on how much she liked that I had boards (cut from particle board at Home Depot) that are placed in between the desks on testing days. She said she liked it better than having folders set up or having a cover sheet. I then proceeded to explain to her the idea behind the boards and how I love that it eliminates the temptation of "wondering eyes" because they serve as personal work spaces--like cubicles.

Don't be the cause of the distraction. Don't add to or fuel your students' rambunctiousness. One sure way to be the cause--hand back those tests at the beginning of class--you've lost them. There is no going back; you might as well pack it up for the day. Thankfully, I did not learn this one by making this mistake. But, it could easily be done, so it's just a warning. Even though you use this system all year, and your objectives are clearly stated on the board, numbered in order: 1) Check HW, 2) Lesson blah-blah, 3) Return Tests, they will ask if you are handing them back ASATWITD (As Soon As They Walk In The Door).

Students will be confused--try another way. You know when you are telling a story you have told one hundred times? You might talk 450 miles/hour. You might leave important pieces out. You might be speaking in a different language (hopefully not). Sometimes, especially in math, a student will not understand the way I am telling "the story." You can't get frustrated. If everyone thought the same way, we would be a bunch of robots shaking hands and getting along. That isn't how the real world works, and the classroom doesn't either. Just try another method of saying what you are trying to get across. Start over. Draw a picture. Use your
hands/movements. Try something else. Because, let's be
honest, this is a common feeling about Pre-Algebra...

This is a big one, and one that I struggle with helping my kids to do, because of the trend of today, unfortunately.

Help your students to become problem solvers. Don't solve all of their problems for them. Answer their questions with questions. (Don't you hate when people do that to you?) But it really makes you think. And isn't that what we want for our future generation? We want them to be able to think for themselves, and not be reliant on someone or anyone else. We would be doing them an injustice. This quote says it best...

"The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don't tell you what to see." -Alexandra K. Trenfor

And when all else fails, just teach like a ninja!

I am looking forward to some much-needed rest, although it is pretty fun looking back at all the memories from this year. It sure was a good one.

Happy 1st day of Summer!

My Dog Ate Your Homework

It has been one of "those" Mondays. You know the ones I'm talking about… the ones where you are a day late and a dollar short. As a matter of fact, that has kind of been the last week or so for me. It is apparently that time of year when parents [four days until the end of the nine-weeks] have realized that their child is not performing to the best of his/her ability, and the teacher is to blame for the 'Incomplete' homework assignments in the gradebook , etc. No worries, I'm not here to vent. I'll leave that for my sweet hubby and my Monday night glass of wine.

I am here, however, to explain the title of this post, although I am not sure it actually requires any explanation at all. Let's start from the beginning…

Our sweet Avery is a golden retriever who turned two in January. She is everything we could have ever wanted in a dog. She has the best personality, loves to cuddle, and enjoys long walks on the beach. She runs with me, which we both love, and the best part- OFF LEASH. It really is a game-changer, folks. If you run with a dog, you know what I mean. She really is wonderful. Because she is so wonderful, we get suckered into trusting her and believing she is actually a human. Because Matt and I had a busy weekend which included lots of the Houston Rodeo, including seeing Usher (one word- amazing.) that will be blogged about later and working out at the rodeo (also- later), and because we were going to be gone so much, we felt a little guilty leaving Aves in her kennel. Did I say 'kennel'? I meant deluxe suite hotel of a kennel. I'm not quite sure why we feel so guilty. It must be the face… 

Or when she pretends she's sleepy and promises that when we're gone, she is just going to sleep anyway. I mean, what's a girl to do? Apparently, a girl is to trust that sweet face and let her stay out of the kennel and roam the house. We let her do this Friday night, and she did great! She was actually sleeping in her kennel when we got home with the door open. Then, Saturday, when we went to work out, same thing. She was sleeping on the couch and had done great. Not a single thing out of place. Saturday night, third time was a charm, because again, nothing. But then… Sunday happened. While we were at church, she caved. She found one of my student's re-tests and literally tore it to shreds. I'm talking- try to salvage, isn't going to happen, shred. Think she felt bad about it? 

The answer is 'yes', she did. This mamma was so mad at her. I even remember when she yawned, I yelled, "No, you are NOT allowed to be tired! You should have been sleeping, and you weren't! Too bad! No yawning!" But… after about three minutes, I had to get over it. What is it about dogs? You just can't stay mad at them. I decided that since it was only a Re-Test (meaning the student can make up to a 70), that this child… no matter how they had actually done… would be getting her 70. She can thank Aves for that one. 

There are so many other things going on around here it is a little crazy to even think about. We are about to start another challenge over here at the Bormann house, so stay tuned to hear about that. Also, the rodeo has started up, which means we have been volunteering, enjoying some good ole Texas rodeo-ing, and some stinkin' awesome concerts. More on all of this coming soon! 

Hope you are not having "one of those Mondays," but if you are, you aren't alone. 

Keep Calm and Tuesday On.

Leave an Impression: Tips for Teachers

After almost three weeks off from writing a post, I am not even really sure where to start, so I'll start here and see where it takes me...

 I am reminded every day that I am doing exactly what the Lord has planned for me to do- teach. I absolutely love it. Unfortunately, not all teachers can say that, but I can say it very proudly and very truthfully. The kids I teach are between 12 and 13 years old. They are hysterical, outspoken, overly confident, quirky, mature, impressionable. God also added being a volleyball coach to my plan this year, and that is where my challenge has been and the reason for the three-week-no-post. I have been given the opportunity to coach girls that I taught last year when they were in 7th grade, and now as 8th graders I love that I have been able to get to know them in a different environment. Yes, coaching is a different environment from the classroom, but no less impressionable.

When people think of "coaching," so often winning and losing comes to mind. I played volleyball when I was in 8th grade, too, and I remember that being important to me. But now, as a coach, it really doesn't seem like the deciding factor. Of course I want my teams to do well, but recently I have felt other priorities being placed on my heart. These kids, my classroom students included, need a place in which they feel safe, they need to feel cared for, and they need to be encouraged. Those are my priorities. I want them to succeed, but winning the game, or making a 100 on a test may not be attainable for some, so I want them to succeed at something that is attainable. I love nothing more than the face of an athlete who has worked so tremendously hard at trying to over-hand serve in practice, and she makes it over the net for the first time in her life. My goodness, God is so good! What a success! That's a "win" in my book. I love seeing a student practically jumping out of his seat because he couldn't wait to show me that he did all of his homework the night before, and then when he realizes he didn't miss a single question! To me, another "win."

Without intending to do this, I guess I just want to give a couple of tips to new teachers. I am a new teacher myself, so by no means am I saying that I have it all together. These are just my thoughts typed out:

Encourage. Be your students' greatest advocate. They need your support. Set goals for them, or help them set goals, and give them reminders of the fact that you are confident in them and in their abilities. Encourage them to do their best and be their best. One wall of my classroom is devoted solely to this...

Celebrate the small victories. Just like I stated above, a victory does not have to be perfection, but a small goal that gets accomplished. Remembering his/her spiral every day for a week. Being the first one ready to work one day. Finding his/her own mistake rather than being told. There are so many small victories that you can celebrate in your classroom if you will just take the time to notice.

Talk to your students. I mean like REALLY talk to them. There are so many students that will walk the halls all day long without ever being greeted or talked to by an adult. They want to be talked to. They want to be noticed. You get them on your side when you talk to them. When they walk into your classroom, greet them. It is easy to sit behind your desk between passing periods, but try not to. When the bell rings for the end of class, I tell all of my students to "have a great day!" and mean it. I now have it posted above my door (as suggested by a student last year).

Establish routine. Kids work better and do better when they know exactly what is expected of them (and let's be honest, so do you). When they have down time, you can lose them. Every day when my kids walk into class, they have the same routine--put their cell phone in its assigned holder on their way to their desk, then they write in their agenda, get out homework from the night before prepared with questions, and then "Title and Date" their notes for the day. This is every single day.

Have I mentioned that I love what I do? Here is a picture from the first day of school that I never had the chance to post. Go Eagles! I hope you are having a great week, and remember that in everything you do, you are leaving an impression. Make it a good one.

Bormann [Blogger] Life

First post. A little strange, but here goes nothing! My husband came up with the idea to start this Mr. & Mrs. blog as we come up on our One Year Anniversary of being "The Bormanns" along with our awesome golden retriever, Avery, who I can already foresee will be written about quite a bit I'm sure.

We have started this blog for a couple of reasons. Matt, or the Mr. as he will be referred, has a wonderful job that he loves, but he has recently decided that along with that job, he would like to tackle graduate school. So, being a smart guy, he reads a lot, which in a round-about way brings me to reason #1 that this blog has been created. He is reading the book, A Guide to Christian Ambition by Hugh Hewitt, and the author wrote, "The advantage of blogging is that it will oblige you to live in the world of ideas and debates, and to do so at the modern pace. At present, no great blogger has emerged with a distinctly evangelical world view. When one does, with humor and insight attached as well, that person (or persons) will have an enormous impact on the world." So... more on that quote later when he is posting, because you see, there will be two authors of this blog- hence the "Mr. and Mrs." and the plural form of "Life with the Bormanns".

If you haven't been able to tell by now, I am a teacher. I teach 7th grade science, and I love my job. This brings us to reason #2 that this blog was started. I have stories, oh do I have stories and lots of thoughts, and really let's be real- our era is web-based. So much of what I teach and what my students learn is on the computer or computer-driven. My classroom is fully equipped with an ActivBoard, nine iPads, and four laptops. Remember the day of the dry-erase board? Old news. What about the chalkboard? Completely foreign. It's all about the ActivBoard now. I teach a flipped classroom. What? Yes, flipped as in upside down. No, I'm just kidding.

So here's the deal. My students listen to our science team's pre-recorded lectures on YouTube at home, and then in turn are given class-time to work on what would have been homework for the unit of study. So far, so good. Have I mentioned I just graduated in December of 2012 from the best university in the world? Yes, you guessed it, Texas A&M University, in the good ole College Station, Texas. This means I began teaching in January 2013. This also means I have the very best mentor a first-year teacher could ever ask for. But again, more on that in another post.

So, here's to another blog being created on Blogger, hopefully one that entertains the heart, challenges the mind, and glorifies the Lord, because really that's why we're here.