Philosophy of Teaching

Once upon a time (or maybe, just yesterday...), my professor gave my classmates and I the following prompt for our first Discussion Board Assignment...

In 250+ words, share your Philosophy of Teaching Special Education and share what your job is. Be sure to incorporate Scripture and your Biblical worldview.

So I did.

And as I clicked submit, I started to cry.

Seriously...

Full on tears.

Why? 

Because this is more than just my philosophy...

It's more than just my beliefs...

It's more than just 306 words typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font.

It's my passion.

It's a gift.

It's my calling.

It's what God, Himself, has told me to do.

Want to know what I said?

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Proverbs 31:8-9 commands us to "Speak up for the voiceless, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

God laid this verse on my heart during the summer of 2016, with a goal of reaching a group of kids in my country of service. At this point, once they reached Middle School, these students, all with moderate to severe special needs, were being told that there was no schooling option available to them in our part of Senegal. Their families were having to leave the mission field. Or if they were not missionaries, they were having to leave the only opportunity of hearing the gospel. And I knew that this was due, mostly to the fact that we, at my school, did not have the manpower, nor the resources available to teach these students. But I could not get Proverbs 31:8-9 out of my heart. I knew God was calling me to teach these students.

So towards the start of the 2016-2017 school year, I headed into a series of 3 meetings with my school's director, and spoke up for these seemingly "voiceless" individuals. I took the opportunity to fight for the rights of a group of individuals who needed an advocate. I fought for the education of an incredible group of God's children. And after shedding many tears, and even harboring many doubts, wondering if it would ever actually happen, our school's director, finally said, "Yes."

I believe this back story is important to use in explaining my philosophy of teaching in the field of Special Education. My philosophy has always been to educate the ones God places in my care to the best of my ability. It does not matter where they come from, what their family looks like, what language they speak, how they act, or what background knowledge they have. We need to teach them to the best of our ability, meeting their needs. I believe that education is one of many tools our Heavenly Father uses to advance His Kingdom. And we, in the field of education, should fully embrace this calling God has placed on our lives, and work to the absolute best of our ability, to meet the needs of each and every student God places in our care.

Over time, God has expanded my philosophy of education to include the command in Proverbs 31:8-9. You see... My job as a Special Education Teacher has many parts.

I provide my students with the education they need and deserve.

I advocate for my students.

 I speak up on their behalf.

I fight for their rights.

I modify and accommodate.

I mentor.

I encourage.

I teach.

Welcome to My Classroom

Happy Friday Everybody

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Today, I'm joining Erika, Andrea, and Narci and for their weekly Friday Favorites linkup. Click one of their names to and join in on the fun.

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But instead of a long list of favorites, I'm sharing only two.

My first favorite is my classroom.

After all, it is the 7th day of school. 

It's time for a tour. 

Right? :)

But first, a little background, for those who may not know...

Back in November 2016, I wrote a post, in which I shared about how God used Proverbs 31:8 and a dream to reach a group of students in need (which you can read about HERE).

My classroom was originally a meeting/storage room at our school.

This is what it looked like before I started setting up last school year.

There's nothing like a blank canvas to start with.

And then in August 2017, I shared (HERE) a look at it all set up. I also may or may not have teared up many times this past year at how God provided.

And while I'd love to say that my class will be around forever and ever.

And now fast forward to the present.

Ready for a tour?

Welcome to my room. 

 
This is the place where I spend the bulk of my time during the school year. My goal is for my students to view this room as a warm, inviting room, full of encouragement and love. I want them to see this room as a place where they're free to be themselves, to learn how best they can. I want them to be free to move and play, to sit or stand or pace back and forth, whatever they need to do to help them learn. I want them to laugh and have fun, to learn all the usual academics, but also life skills and social skills. I want them to be prepared to leave our school and head back to whatever country they are from, ready to be productive members of society. And more than anything, I want them to grow in their spiritual walk with the Lord. I want my kids to know that I love them so incredibly much. But more than me... I want them to realize/feel the immeasurable love of our Heavenly Father.

Here's what it looked like when I got here at the end of the Summer.

 

 

Then, here it was on the first day of school.

And for a closer look, here are the different areas of our classroom...

We have a nice "comfy seating" area, complete with different camping chairs, fun cushions, wiggle/sensory seats, and even "friends" to read to/with :)

We have a set of bookshelves, loaded with all sorts of books to read, whether that be our Bibles, dictionaries, novel sets, or just books "for fun." This is also where we keep our board games, card games, and a few other fun supplies.



We also have another set of shelves, full of fun manipulatives to help us learn the various subjects we'll be learning this year.

Up towards the front of the room is another cabinet with a few supplies and other things I'd prefer to be closed away. On the window to the side (since I don't have any bulletin boards) is my Science "board." And on top of the cabinet, you can see our Captain Letter Pie, who I heard about at a Teacher Conference I attended this past summer. This activity set is going to be a really, really fun addition to our literacy learning. I can't wait to surprise my kids with him one day.

We have a few different seating options.

There's a kidney, or "U" shaped table for group discussions.

 
There's also some traditional student desks. I put a group of 4 together to use as another "small group" area. Then I put the other two student desks over by the window for 1) a place to do independent/partner work and 2) another option for a student needing to work with a teacher.

At the front of the room is our clock and alphabet. I love these English/ASL alphabet cards. As for the clock, I got it at a local store last school year, immediately falling in love with his bright colors on the face.

On the board is our Behavior Info. In this little section, I included our 3 rules, Rewards list, and Consequences list. I also included our class Behavior Contract, which basically states that by signing it, the student promises to obey the rules and if they do, they'll get rewards and if they don't, they'll get consequences. Then on the first day of school, each child signed the contract.

Next up, is my desk area. 

I have had students sit/work at my desk far more than I have done so far this school year. I don't have time to sit there during the day at all. And during my prep/lunch break, I escape to the teacher's lounge, so I can work/eat at the same time (and have a bit of quiet time, too). Then after school, I just work at the big kidney / "U" shaped table so I can sit with my feet propped up on a kid's chair while I work :)

I just love all the bright colors in my room. It's so fun and festive. It makes me smile every morning, when I walk in. And my kids love it, too. So win win! :)

This "team" I work with is amazing, y'all. My class is considered Self-Contained Special Education. And unlike in the States, I have a wide range of ages/grade levels in my room, all together. By the time the last one comes in January, I'll have 9 students (Kindergarten, 1st grade, 5th grade, 7th grade, and 10th grade). 

But thankfully, I'm not alone this year. I have an AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL woman working with me this year. We divide and conquer, so to speak, each taking a group of kids and teaching a lesson, or supervising a discussion or activity. My kids love her. I love her. She's great! So, so great! We're all blessed!

This class of mine (the 7 pictured below, plus the 2 more coming later) are a gift. And I am so thankful that God is allowing me to work with them this year. 

And yes...

My second favorite of the week are my students.

They are most definitely my favorites :)

The Little Things...

Happy Thursday Y'all

Google Images came through with the quote below. 

I thought it was perfect for today's post.

Today I'm taking a look at some of the seemingly little things which have brought a smile to my face lately. Things like...

A game of Uno and silly faces...



Technology connecting me with family 



A box of Mac & Cheese

Chinese food in Dakar

But even more than that, a dinner with friends :)



This city I call "home" 



Bathroom access from my classroom



The opportunity to teach Special Education



And also, the opportunity to "refill my cup" on days off



The "team" I get to work with :)



And so much more...

What about you?

What little things have influenced you lately?

Dear Teacher Me...

Hey Y’all - Happy Monday!

I’m a few days late, but that’s okay.

Right? :)

Anywho, today I’m joining Kristin from Taz and Belly for her Little Letters link-up, where we write “letters” to stuff as a way of sharing what’s going on at the moment.

 Except I’m not doing a random list of “letters” like I normally do.

Instead, I’m writing just one letter.

A letter to Teacher Me...

And it all started when I saw the image below online the other day...

Dear Teacher Me,

You are starting Year #10 as a teacher. 

Can you believe that?!

It seems like just yesterday you were sitting in a classroom at the University of Montevallo, wondering what kind of teacher you’d become...

And look at you now.

God has used your love and passion for teaching and grew it into a calling for something even bigger... 

He grew it into a calling to further His Kingdom through the field of education.

You’ve taught the children of missionaries,

ambassadors and various dignitaries, businessmen, and more.

You’ve taught in two different schools in sweet home Alabama, including a historic school in Selma, Alabama, where you grew as a Special Ed teacher, thanks to the role you played AND more than that, to the incredible fellow Special Ed teacher you worked with, who took you under her wing.

You’ve taught, and still are teaching, in Senegal, West Africa. Here you’ve taught General Ed, ESL, and now Special Ed.

You helped start a class for students with moderate to severe special needs, giving your students the chance to receive the education they need and deserve.

You’ve taught over 100 students over the past 9.5 years. And you still beam with pride when you hear news of one’s success because you know... They all stole little pieces of your heart the minute they stepped through the doors of your classroom.

And now, here we are today.

You started the day by giving a presentation to your co-workers on Special Education. 

And now you’re in Professional Development meetings all day.

And after that, you’ll prep for the three IEP meetings you have tomorrow.

And then, before you go home, you’ll put the finishing touches on your classroom because you want to make sure it’s nice and decorated, warm and inviting, when your students and their families come for meetings tomorrow.

And you’re semi-worried.

You’re thinking...

What if you can’t get it all done?

What if you classroom arrangement doesn’t look exactly like you sketched it on paper?

What if you can’t make the decorations look like those amazing classrooms you saw on Pinterest or Instagram or Facebook?

But I’m here to tell you something...

Stop.

Stop worrying.

Stop comparing your classroom to those you saw on your computer screen.

Know that you’ve done the absolute best that you could in your room. You’ve put in a ridiculous amount of hours, buying supplies, packing/unpacking, cleaning, rearranging, decorating, and planning for your classroom.

You’ve worked your tail off in that room.

And more importantly than that...

You’ve prayed over your class roster.

You’ve literally said every name aloud to God, asking Him to help each and every one of those precious gifts grow in Him this school year.

And that...

That is more important than any Pinterest-worthy classroom ever dared to be.

Sincerely,

Me

33

In honor of today being my 33rd birthday, I thought I’d celebrate with a bit of randomness on the blog...

33 Random Things about Me

1. I attended 10 different schools from Kindergarten - 12th Grade. 

2. I absolutely hated moving all the time when I was younger. But now that I’m older, I am so grateful for all those moves. Now I can see all the good - all the blessings - that have come from moving that many times.

3. I have always wanted to be a teacher. That desire has never ever changed.

4. I am a Missionary Teacher. That’s a two-for-one job, so to speak. I’m not just one or the other. I’m both. And I love that.

5. I love to read. But only if I have a long chunk of time to do so... I’ve always hated picking up a book and reading for just 10 mins here or 10 mins there. However, I hope to change this school year. Wish me luck :)

6. School supplies make me happy.

7. So does anything with a pineapple on it...

8. I rarely drank Dr Pepper before coming to Senegal. Now, I can’t get enough. ...which is sad, since it’s not always found here. 

9. I have dislocated my right kneecap twice. Ironically enough, it happened exactly 5 years to the week from the first time to the second. Freaky...

10. I hate almost all gummy candy. The only two exceptions to this rule are the little peach rings and banana laffy taffy’s. Yum!

11. My mom is my best friend. For sure.

12. I love hot tea with no sugar, but I’d prefer iced tea to be sweet.

13. Even though, up until this year, I could’ve lived my life without sweet tea. Now I’m obsessed. Ha :)

14. I didn’t know true love ‘til I met my nieces. I love those two as if they were my own. They are definitely two of my most favorite people!

15. We tried to get my oldest niece to call me Aunt Lizzie (short for Elisabeth) but she couldn’t pronounce the “L”. Instead, she called me “Zizzie” and it stuck. So now, I hope they always call me that :)

16. I am a very fearful person. Night time is the worst for this, too.

17. I love to cook. It’s a stress reliever for me. Plus, I just think it’s fun trying out new recipes or even just experimenting in the kitchen.

18. I am a HORRIBLE baker. I almost always burn cookies or cakes when I bake them.

19. I am a huge procrastinator!

20. I loved writing papers in school. Still do... But make me take a test, and I tense up.

21. I absolutely 100% hate hearing someone say that a person or a thing is “retarded.” That is such an incredibly derogatory use of that word and almost always is used to make fun of someone. So why use it? Is your vocabulary that limited that you can’t think up a better word? See... I hate it!

22. I am starting my 10th full year of teaching. How that is possible is beyond me :)

23. I’m certified to teach Elementary Ed, ESL, and Special Ed and I’ve taught in all three of those areas. But I’d have to say that of the three, Special Ed is definitely my favorite.

24. The day I received my Missionary Associate approval was one of the proudest days of my life.

25. Same with the day I received my License with the Assemblies of God...

26. I’m only 6 classes, a test, and an interview shy of receiving my Ordination with the Assemblies of God.

27. One of the hardest parts of my dad dying is knowing he’ll never walk me down the aisle, nor will he ever meet my future children, if God should see fit to give me those.

28. If I were to leave the mission field, I would become a foster parent.

29. However, I don’t see me leaving any time soon. In fact, I could totally see me staying here forever. We’ll see :)

30. I love teaching children. But put me in front of a group of adults and I get super nervous and scared to speak.

31. I love music. However I usually fall in love with the instrumentals/beat first before the lyrics. So I always make sure to google them to make sure they’re appropriate, before recommending a song to anyone :)

32. I hate the sound of someone crunching ice. It makes my skin crawl.

And last, but certainly not least...

33. It totally boggles my mind that I’m 33 today. I feel like I blinked and a decade or two just flew right by.

Currently

Happy Friday Y’all

Today I’m joining Anne from In Residence and sharing a bit of what I’m currently up to.

Each month Anne hosts this fun Currently link-up and gives us certain prompts to use...

Want to see what I’m currently up to? 

Keep reading :)

I’m currently following (or at least planning to follow) this advice this comping school year. I love what I do. I am so passionate about doing all I possibly can to serve the students God sends my way. But I have a tendency to take that love/passion and work myself too much. So my goal this coming school year is to remember that I can’t pour from an empty cup...

I’m currently ordering nothing else. I’ve bought so much for my class. I think it’s time to stop buying. Ha! :) But thankfully, I’m all packed and ready to hit the road (skies) on Saturday. 

I’m currently pinning nothing. Pinterest is too much of a time-sucker for me. However, I’m finding so many fun ideas for the classroom while scrolling through Facebook and Instagram. Ideas like...

I’m currently watching nothing terribly exciting on tv. I’ve watched primarily Food Network shows this summer, while back in the land of tv. But that’s about it.

I’m currently counting (rather bittersweet-like) down the hours ‘til I leave Saturday afternoon for Senegal. I’m so excited to get back to this incredible work God has called me to do. But oh my word is it going to be sad telling family (especially nieces) goodbye.

And now, I’m currently heading to my oldest niece’s preschool graduation. 

How is it possible that this little one is old enough to graduate preschool today and then start kindergarten next week?

Now, excuse me while I find Kleenex :)

July 2018 in Photos

Happy Thursday Y'all!

At the beginning of each month, I'll share the previous month's photos. I'm sharing, if for no other reason, to help me remember some memories and thoughts that went along with each of my 365 photos from the month at hand...

Can you believe it's already August?!

Anywho - Here are July's photos.

Days 182 - 184

182) Day 182 included a moonpie for the road.
183) On Day 183 I went blueberry picking :)
184) On Day 184 I celebrated my mom's improved health.

Days 185 - 188

185) Day 185 included homemade peach ice cream.

186) Day 186 ended with a cookout with my family.

187) On Day 187, I loved on this little one.
188) On Day 188, this little one drew me a picture.

Days 189 - 193

189) Day 189 included a long road trip.
190) Day 190 started my time in Mobile, AL.
191) On Day 191, I took a selfie with my Mama :)
192) On Day 192, I had a tasty waffle for breakfast.

193) Day 193 was the next to last day of the ALSDE 2018 Summer Professional Learning Conference.

Days 194-197

194) Day 194 included friends with matching shirts.
195) On Day 195, I hung out with my favorites.
196) On Day 196, I heard a great sermon.
197) On Day 197, I took these two to Walmart.

Days 198-200

198) On Day 198, I got stuck in the rain.
199) Day 199 included this blessing of a gift.
200) On Day 200, we broke down on the interstate.

Days 201 - 203

201) On Day 201, I sorted through all of these goodies.
202) Day 202 included a breakfast run with these two.
203) On Day 203, I was back in Florala, AL.

Days 204-207

204) On Day 204, I had this yumminess.
205) Day 205 included some porch sitting.
206) On Day 206, I took this girl to the vet.
207) Day 207 included new horses for these girlies :)

Days 208 - 209

208) On Day 208, I went on a date with my youngest niece.
209) And then on Day 209, I went a date with my oldest niece.

Days 210-212

210) On Day 210, I went to my family reunion.
211) On Day 211, I spent the morning in Selma visiting friends and also a supporter.

212) On Day 212, I had a helper while working on thank you cards.

And that was my July.

And in case you missed them, here are the links to the previous months' photos.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE