conference

I just got back from the IED conference. It was fantastic. I feel refreshed and empowered and ready to go back tomorrow with a new attitude about my "problem" students.

The man who presented is originally from New York and I was most fascinated with his accent. He said things like "idear," "warsh," and at times it was so thick, I had to strain to really understand what he was saying.

I could tell he was very wealthy (not because of his work in education, but what he has done after retirement) and that he enjoys the "high society" life, but I learned a lot and was impressed with some his ideas.

Two other teachers from my school were at the conference and we sat by each other. Most of the information was geared toward at-risk students and since WLJH is the #1 at-risk middle school in Utah, it was excellent to hear ideas that we could implement in our rooms. The presenter told of his experience in teaching and being an administrator in a public high school in Harlem, New York.

Things like that always make me feel warm and fuzzy about my job; the hard part is applying those warm and fuzzies in my teaching pedagogy and style. I had a bit of an epiphany today while at the conference that changed my plans for tomorrow. Typically, Friday's my students take a vocabulary test, 10 words. On Monday they fill in a vocabulary packet with a Frayer Model. They are to study through the week (though I can count on my hands the students who do) and turn the packet in on Friday before the test. Tomorrow, I've decided, the test will only be to turn in a completed packet and to have a little breather day for the students-believe it or not, they deserve it.

As the conference was wrapping up today, my fellow teacher T and I were talking about our plans for tomorrow. I asked her if she was going back to the school after the conference was over. She said no. I told her that I was thinking of going in an she firmly said, "No, don't go in. Just go home and take a break!" It was good to hear that from her, as she's been in the business a few more years than I have and knows from experience. I'm glad I didn't go in. However, I'm dreading walking into school tomorrow to get my sub notes...hopefully my students behaved!

I just figured out how to check my school e-mail here at home and I couldn't be more thrilled. I had about 15 e-mails from today...mostly responses to my yearbook group picture e-mail...but it's nice to know that I can check this e-mail from home now AND if I ever get sick again (which, actually, I still am sick, by the by), I can just e-mail my lesson plans into the school instead of getting up and driving into work.

Tomorrow I have a faculty meeting (yipee!) after school. They always say a 'brief' faculty meeting but it usually ends up going way past 'brief' which irritates me. But, hey, at least it's Friday!