Online+Class+November+5,+2011

**Caryn**
 * Week beginning November 5, 2011**
 * Please see the word document (below) for the "class map" for this week's work (due Sat. 11/12) and the homework assignments due 11/19.
 * Online Class Map/Agenda for Week of 11/5/2011**
 * Please post your comments HERE to at least 5 of your classmates' personal WIKI pages : Make sure to SAVE your comments, and be careful NOT to to delete others' work! :) Use a different color/style of font to set your work apart from the others, and add your name as well.Let's try to make sure that all of our classmates get an equal number of comments. Thanks!
 * both my boys went to Frances Starms. it's a great school ! Freddie **
 * We have similar educational concerns like fair disbursement and good money management. Denise**
 * I like you had a lot of other interests before settling into Elem. Ed. I'm glad I did though! ~Christen **

**Hi- i hear that Starms is a great school......do you know Donald Zimmer? -Tiaa**

Hi Caryn, my main goal is quite similar to yours. I want to provide the best education for my kids given ALL circumstances. My dislikes are a carbon copy of yours as well J- Juli

I believe you have the right idea, help the student's to grow as much as posssible, use those teachable moments one on one. Denise

Caryn, sometimes I miss working with 1 and 2 graders. I started out with the 1 and 2 graders when I began working that the school I work. I was told they tell their current teacher I had them as students and they miss me. It's funny because they gave me a lot of problems. - Tajuanna

**Caryn,**
==**I think 1st graders teachers are the MOST important teacher in a child's school career, many important foundational concepts are developed at this age and stage of development. The bonus is that most of them lose their two front teeth, such a cute sight!!! Keep up the good work! Tamika**==

//** I enjoyed reading your bio. I totally agree with your number 6 issue with education: teachers having less and less time to prepare and to plan to better meet the needs of our students. Teachers also need prep time to collaborate with colleagues. Caryn **// //** I also enjoyed your bio and found myself giggling a little bit because your voice comes STRAIGHT through as you write! :) I admire your desire to befriend and care for those kids that are misjudged. I can relate in my passion to work with the kids with emotional/behavioral concerns at the younger level. (The kids that most do not want in their rooms unfortunately). I think you'd make a fabulous professor btw~Christen **// //**Cheryl- I also believe that the lack of funding in schools is a big issue. I feel that the sudents miss out on so many different opportunities because either their parents or the school does not have the money. For example- the children at our school missed out on going to the pumpkin farm due to lack of funds. -Tiaa**//
 * Cheryl**

=
**//Cheryl, I can see the admiration in your for the youth of today. Continue to be someone they can come to and talk. Growing up I had a few teachers and counselors who would listen to me and it made me feel like I did have an opinion. I also felt like I did matter because adults were pouring so much in me. - Tajuanna//** ======
 * Cheryl**
 * YOu seem like an awesome teacher!!! I was one of those students who wanted to have close relationships with teachers...that means an awful lot to a kid who has a lot going on at home!!! I am now one of those same kinds of teachers!!! Good Stuff!!! Relationships can mean all the difference to a student!!! Tamika**

Was great getting to know you better through your WIKI page. I like most parts of laundry, but hate the putting away of the clothes. Congrats on your marathon. What a great accomplishment. Your comments about your communication style are helpful to me as an instructor... thanks. Geri I enjoyed heayour son has given you anew outlook. yes bad attitudes ans refusal to change can affect a group performance, but you be open to change, it can be good. Denise //I envy the time you spent teaching in Florida. I vacationed there in Miami in April 2011 and did not want to come back to Wisconsin. I also become very nervous about new ideas, changes, and the "unknown". Caryn//
 * Christen**

Hi Christen, I absolutely loooove your picture of you and Chandler. It’s cool to know you teach near Green Bay…I couldn’t imagine all the “hype” when its game time. Look forward to working with you. - Juli

A beautiful pictures of you and the baby, I just thought again about school having to close for a game or GB Packer event. Wow it takes a lot of __BAD__ weather for MPS toclose, which trriggers many other instuitutions. In the early 70's the statement was set regarding % of minority teachers per site. Denise

Christen, I enjoyed reading your page. I need to start running as well. Your baby is beautiful. Welcome to the other part of Wisconsin and I know you will learn a lot. - Tajuanna

// **Wow, you are a very busy woman! How do you find time to do it all? I'm overwhelmed with just going back to school and teaching everyday. Continue to inspire others. Caryn** // // Wow! What a page! I just love the pictures and your great nephew is ADORABLE! I am interested in knowing more about MPS's % of minorities at each site. Is this teachers or students? or both...what was their reasoning behind discontinuing that guideline? ~Christen // //Denise, It is wonderful you have the chance to teach in Jamaica. I heard about someone doing that before. I would like to have the chance to teach in another country. - Tajuanna// ==** //Hi Denise...I think it's awesome that you had a chance to teach in Jamaica and I also admire how you've held so many different teaching positions. I would like to explore teaching in different countries and areas, maybe we could talk more.// Tamika **==
 * Denise**
 * i love your hat!and can you take me to jamaica with you next time you go? Freddie **
 * I'm intrigued by your statement, "my sister and I are single with no children by choice." Why is that? Did you feel you were called to put that energy and love in other areas, or did the 2 of you discuss and mutually decide?- Cheryl **
 * I think you did a good job while learning in the process. Denise**


 * Geri**
 * I loved the art work and your extentions in education. Denise**
 * I LOVE COCKAPOOS!~!!!!!!! I grew up with 2 and if we sell our house and move into the house we want in the country I get to get a cockapoo puppy! yay! I'd be interested in seeing some of your "altered books" ~Christen**
 * It is amazing how one's priorities change- how the universe seems to change- when one becomes a parent. It doesn't matter how the child came into your life and keeping. You mentioned in class depression that comes after becoming a parent- the difficulties inherent in taking on the enormous responsibilities of parenting are no different for adoptive parents, I am intrigued by your experiences and research.- Cheryl **

**Hi- i was looking at your 8 issues in education and I agree with the one on kids having kids. I have a student in my class who's parents are young and really have a hard time getting the child to school and helping him with his work. I really feel bad for this child. -Tiaa**
 * Julie**

**The point of young parents identifiying the importance of school is a concern and the challenge of the school and staff is tomake them welcome and break the fear factor. Be patient and very kind you can win them. Denise** I agree, kids having kids is something that our current education system is not able to handle. We need to become more flexible so we can accommodate students with "unconventional" family situations.- Cheryl

Hi Juliannah, I love your name!!! Beautiful and so is your daughter! I remember her playing with my daughter during our orientation. I think its hot that you love working in Special Education at Washington High School, Ive heard that school can be a challenge, but Im sure its all about the perspective. Ive worked at Malcolm X High School before they closed and I developed the closest relationships while dealing with that age group of students. Tamika

**Mamadou, I can relate to a mandatory change within MPS, no you don't have a say in your change. Mine was a punishment, 2 of us were being changed and we asked to teach the opposite grade because we were familiar with the currirulum. No, way My greater concern was not me but the best interest of the children. Denise** You bring such a remarkable wealth of experiences to your students that they will be lucky to have you! It can be tremendously demoralizing to be arbitrarily moved, I hope that you will soon be able to return to a position you prefer. I have had many colleagues that have been moved due to district re-prioritizing or "economic realities." I don't think people understand the deleterious affects this has on teachers, and on students.- Cheryl
 * Mamadou**
 * I am so sorry to hear that you are going through a divorce. I agree with you on the problems we are facing today in education. Are teachers in the MPS school district forced to move positions frequently? I just found it interesting that you said you "were assigned" a teaching position in 5th grade. Did you have any say in your move? ~Christen **

Mamadou, It is very interesting to listen to your stories and read about your experiences. - Tajuanna

**//I wanted to be a teacher when i was growing up and would ask my teacher for extra papers or ask my dad to make copies of papers so that i could teach my teddy bears. Then when i got older i wanted to be a nurse. However, that changed quickly and i became a teacher and i love it.-Tiaa//**
 * Tajuanna**
 * //I also went attended a private Catholic school named St. Agnes off of 26th and Capitol. I was there from 1st through 8th grades. Choosing to go into the education field takes lots of thought and courage. It took me 2 years and 3 majors before I made the choice to do so. Caryn// **
 * //What a great story! Thanks for sharing! It sounds like you were meant to be a teacher! It followed you wherever you went! :) ~Christen// **

Hi Tajuanna, I too was born and raised in the wonderful cold city, but a part of me wants to relocate to Phoenix – maybe it’s the weather lol. When I was young, on summer vacations I too used to play “school” with my siblings. In 5th grade, I was a cadet for the K-5 classroom and every time I went in there to assist the teacher, I would go “supply shopping” for my own make-believe school. I had sticky tape, construction paper, markers, and glue stick…everything you could think of. -Juli


 * Tamika**

Hi Tiaa, I too am a quiet and shy person. I teach high school and absolutely love it, I can’t imagine teaching the kiddies, although I’m sure it’s fun and rewarding. - Juli
 * Tiaa**
 * I agree that hunger is a big issue facing our kids! It's amazing how many behaviors and other issues come out when a kiddo is hungry! I think that it often gets overlooked too when problem solving what might be going on in a child's life. A lot of teachers cannot identify with those socio-economic/family issues ~Christen**

I agree their are many concerns that come into play within our classes and we can't imagine some of the things the children must endure to arrive at school daily. One church mother made a profound statement that has helped me not to look at life from my lifestyle. You never what it tool for a person to arrive here today. We don't know their story but they have a way of surviving. Reach thenm and teach them. Denise

What part of Texas are you thinking about moving to? I used to live in Houston, I love Texas and the summers get REALLY hot!!! TAMIKA
Denise, I understand why you left MPS. It's getting difficult to manage middle school classrooms with no support and no consequences for ill behavior. <span style="color: #4e1212; font-family: Georgia,serif;">The k-8 seting is a failure. It saves money, but does not make schools great. I enjoyed having a conversation with.--Mamadou <span style="color: #4e1212; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="color: #4e1212; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Julie, <span style="color: #4e1212; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Thank you for inviting me at your birthday party. I share the same concerns about our working condtions. The lack of parental support is ruining our chance of delivering quality education. --Mamadou <span style="color: #4e1212; font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="color: #4e1212; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Tamika, <span style="color: #4e1212; font-family: Georgia,serif;">You are family oriented, even your students feel wanted. I am like that because I was raised that way. My students know that I care. <span style="color: #4e1212; font-family: Georgia,serif;">You are a tough woman, and a winner. You overcame many barriers. I respect your accomplishments. Keep up the good work. Mamadou

<span style="color: #4e1212; font-family: Georgia,serif;">- Caryn, We share Alverno. I got my certification through Alverno. It was tough, but worth going. We also share the same issues in the inner city. We must continue working by doing more with less. I appreciate what you do and those boots are beautiful.--mamadou

Christen, I enjoyed reading your page. You are direct and tell it like it is. The state of Education in Wisconsin is at the center of many discussion. I am unlike you when it comes to changes. I don't dislike changes but, I like to have my say or input before things are implemented. I have been dealing with stress which makes me sick, because of bad working conditions. Recently a new reading program was implemented without a pilot program. We were thrown into a 4 hours training and asked to implement it. We no longer have teachable moments. We are asked to follow a curriculum with a set schedule and not allow to deviate. We even have a patrol unit that comes to our school to check and report through an ipad. I feel the nervousness and the anxiety associated with these changes which are making many teachers leave the profession, because of the blame game that we see daily in Wisconsin and accross the nation.-- Mamadou-