TeachersPayTeachers (TPT) - what I thought was over wasn't... (click to access all my files "free"/TNSTAAFL)

 Back in the spring, after receiving my second "censorship" email from TPT, I decided to close my account...or so I thought. I am not sure how everything got "reactivated" but it did.  I only found this out a few months ago when I received a payout.  And then just yesterday, I  received a "buyer question" on a product.  I answered his question and sent him to this blog so he could access all of my files.  Today, I decided to "close" my account again but felt it would only "reactivate" without my knowledge.  So, I decided to individually delete all 80+ lessons from my store and leave this little note on my TPT account: 

Due to time constraints, all my lessons are dumped in one folder.  Next summer, I plan to organize them and place in appropriate content folder.  Until then, please feel free to use whatever you can use to enhance instruction (or to spark an idea!).

Google Drive (click here)

Surviving Toxicity in the Workplace

my recently retired teacher friend who talked sense into me many times (LOL)

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines toxicity two different ways: a) the state of being toxic and b) an extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful quality. Normally, we view toxicity as a chemical reaction; however, have you ever defined a person as being “toxic”?  Many of you are automatically identifying a person you know (or knew) who is “toxic.”   Are you having trouble identifying one?  Let me help.  Is there someone you know, specifically someone whom you work with, who is always negative?  Who is always complaining?  Who is always gossiping with the intent to falsely accuse?  Who never sees any wrong in themselves but always finds wrong in others?  Are you seeing yourself?  If you are easily identifying someone else without reflecting on yourself then you may be that “toxic” person.  No one ever wants to call themselves “toxic,” but sin easily entraps us.   I once was that “toxic” person.  Sometimes, though, I can easily fall in the trap of being that “toxic” person now but thankful for the One who opens my eyes to my sins and brings me out of that “miry pit.”  

 Around seventeen years ago, at a previous high school where I taught, I got caught up in a toxic friendship.  I didn’t realize the influence she had on my emotions and love for teaching.  I would walk into class, after the tardy bell, slam the door, and start yelling at the kids to sit down and be quiet.  I was short-tempered and miserable.  I hated my job.  I am VERY THANKFUL that the Lord opened my eyes to see that I was becoming whom I was hanging out with (during school hours).  1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”  Proverbs 13:20 says, “Whoever walks with the wise become wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”  You become who you hang out with.  And you may possibly begin to act and to say and to think like those who influence your character.  Back to the story... after I realized who I was becoming as a teacher, I stayed friends with this particular teacher but quietly began distancing myself, closing my door before school, during my planning, and after school.  I stayed busy.  Also, remember this was life before texts and social media!  I didn’t allow idleness to sway interaction with this person.  I know what you are thinking.  Really?!?!?!  Yes.  Really!  In no time, I began to see “fruits” of this drastic change.  I stopped yelling and began loving my job again.  We have all been there.  If you haven’t, you will at some point in your life. So, what does this look like in a workplace and what do you do?  Keep reading.  

Ever since that first experience with a toxic workplace friendship, I have tried to be more diligent in becoming aware of the influence others may have on me.  Sometimes, though, I fail!  And fail miserably!   Texts have completely changed workplace interaction.  In no time, you can gossip or slander a person through texts.  I can remember being that person and, sadly, I was that person for a year.  Looking back, I am ashamed of how I allowed a person to influence me but so thankful for the “opening of my eyes” to see my sin.  So, what did I do?  I stopped initiating texts to ease myself out of that friendship.  This isn’t saying I cut off this person or was blatantly rude.  This just means I stopped initiating communication because it was only foolish talk.  I know it was probably somewhat obvious; however, it was what needed to be done.  Decisions are tough, and we have to be willing to take the “behind my back” talk that will occur as a result.  Sometimes what you need to do needs to go beyond texting.  Sometimes, it means that you listen but don’t engage in the talk when face to face with a toxic person.  As soon as you engage in the conversation, you are giving credence to the talk and possible permission to include you next time. No, this doesn’t mean staying quiet like a "weirdo" but don’t ask questions and maybe say you have to go “grade some tests” or something.  Find an excuse to separate yourself.  Also, maybe you need to just stay in your room when others gather in the hallways.  Hopefully you have other friends in your workplace so engage your friends at other times.  Don’t be a part of negativity that will feed into your mindset and profession.  Trust me!  It will “eat away” at you and destroy any positive outlook you may have.

There may be times when you find yourself being slandered by a co-worker.  My first year of teaching, I had a co-worker spread a rumor that I was having an affair with a married man (another teacher).  She said this to other teachers (and him), who laughed and thought it was funny.  Well, it wasn’t funny.  I was devastated!  I couldn’t believe that another educator could be so cruel.  I grew up in public school but thought if this is what it was like now (fresh out of college), I wanted no part in it.  I am thankful that the Lord did not lead me out of my profession, but it was an emotionally devastating year.  I clung to 2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."  Sometimes, people are just not nice!  Sometimes, people can be so all-consuming negative that nothing positive ever comes out of their mouths.  Some people get “joy” out of the failures of others.  We live in a fallen world, so it should be expected.  My question to myself, when this happens, is how will I respond?  That answer will be different with each of us.  Reflect on how you will respond when you find yourself entrapped in a toxic friendship.

A true friendship is not one that is all-consuming negative.  A friend is not one who slanders others who may be seen as a “threat.”   A true friend is one where you can vent when needed (because, as an educator, there will be lots of stuff to vent about) but one where you can then laugh it off and then talk about what you are doing this weekend.  A true friend is one who speaks honestly and truthfully when emotions tell you to “find another job” (true story).  A true friend is one you visit to be uplifted and to be heard– not one that affirms your frustration and convinces you that life is hell so leave your job.

People are sinners.  People screw up.  Life is hard.  Life as an educator is really hard!  Educators can’t survive the many pressures without teacher friends who can let you vent but then give way for laughs.  There is a difference in these types of people – one who uplifts you when you are emotionally drained and one who dwells in the “low valleys.”  Who you are depends on who you surround yourself with.  The choice is yours.

One single, yellow rose...

 

For the past two days, I have been cleaning out old childhood stuff I had apparently just threw in boxes and stuck in my parents' attic.  Anyone need 30-year old Smarties?  As I was throwing old papers away (like my VBS perfect attendance certificate), I came across a notebook.  This was a notebook from my early college years that seems to be a tool I used to write my thoughts, struggles, and emotions.  I wrote stories, something I had always loved doing.  As I flipped and read these former stories, I came across something I wrote about the impact a childhood friend's death had on me.  Death is never easy for a child or teen to comprehend, much less someone that was a childhood friend.  But when that death is a suicide, it leaves years of questioning and hurt.  Just a few weeks ago, students at my school experienced this (or shall I say "are experiencing" this).  I did not teach the particular student that took his own life; however, a flood of emotions came back to the pain these students would experience.  I praise my school district (and local community) for being hands-on during this time, offering support to these students.  Many often wonder what to say during something like this.  I have learned that sometimes the best thing to say is nothing.  Listen, love, and cry. 

So, here is my story found...

    Many times in our lives, we take advantage of our friendships.  We expect our friends to always be there- smiling, talking, dancing.  However, little do we realize, due to the blindness in our eyes or due to our naive minds, our friends are human beings.  One day, they may be here; one day, they may be gone.  I was once in that particular situation.  I will never forget the day when I found out the most horrifying news a child sixteen years of age could ever hear...

    Growing up in a male-dominated neighborhood, I was one of three girls who hung out together with the guys.  Their boyish ways and personalities didn't bother us one bit.  We loved the three-wheeler riding, the mud-sliding, and the pond-swimming.  We had more guy friends than girls and proud of it.  Being as young as we were, we never realized that one of our friends could - or would - die at a young age.  Or more harshly, our friends would actually encounter problems so horrible, they (the problems) couldn't be avoided.  My junior year in high school, a dose of real life smacked me - including my sister and best friend - in the face.

    It was another windy day when I stepped off that big, yellow school bus.  As usual, I laid on the floor in front of the television to work on my Algebra II homework.  Minutes later, my sister interrupted my thinking to tell me about a good friend who, for reasons unknown, committed suicide.  At first, the news was absorbed like any other news.  Seconds later, however, the dam broke.  How could this happen?  Cries were heard throughout the house.  Throughout the night, I tried to understand the circumstances.  Nothing was resolved. The next day at school was beyond dreadful.  Being one of few at my school who was close to the victim, not one person knew when to shut-up about the recent "news."  For three straight hours, I cried uncontrollably.  Leaving the classes, choking on my river of tears, was beginning to become common to me.  My friends couldn't come to terms with me.  They didn't know him like I did.  The funeral was the next day.  I thank God everyday that my sister and best friend were there; of course, we supported each other during this confusing time.  Throughout the funeral, my mind wondered aimlessly through the great memories I had with him.  Questions also flooded my every thought.  Why did he do this?  What could have been so awful in his life for him to end it?  That night, I thought I had pulled myself somewhat together (what to be expected at least). While talking with a good friend who lived hours away, I realized I wasn't in a nightmare - this event in my life was actually real.  The dam broke; the river flooded.  My emotions were on the loose.  That same friend I was on the phone with was gracious enough to drive nearly two hours to pick me up and take me home with her - to help me get away from my present surroundings (at my home, I could "see" him in the halls, "feel" his presence).   That night, I questioned everything again.  This time, however, I questioned myself.  Could I have prevented this?  What if I went out on a date with him when he asked me (I always declined)?  Could a conversation which might have occurred prevented this?  I was extremely pissed at him.  First, how could he put us - his friends - through this?  How dare him!  Second, I blamed myself.  If only I could have talked to him more (I became distant with him throughout the past years).  Last, I cried - I cried for the good times we have; I cried for the good times we weren't going to have; I...CRIED!  I didn't know which was worst...losing a friend to suicide, knowing his life was so bad he wanted to end it, or losing a friend suddenly (car wreck and so on)?

    Today, I still think about him.  Every Clarkson Memorial at his gravesite, we lay a single, yellow rose on his grave - yellow to represent the love and the friendship we had for him.  This tragic experience did teach me one important lesson: don't take friends or family for granted.  Accidents occur every second.  What makes you think that a person you know may never be involved in an accident?  Accidents...suicides...either way, it is devastating.  I treasure each friendship I luckily have today.  I have deep sympathy for those who loses a dear friend, especially to suicide.  Whatever the case may be (suicide or freak accident), never take a friendship or a family member for granted.  The moon may settle with that special someone around, but the sun may rise with that life taken.

-- November 19, 1997    12:15pm  (side note: written two years after my friend's suicide)

Using Street Law Resources to Enhance Instruction and Engage Students

Read the following:

After his wife left him and he was fired from his job, Anthony Elonis began posting rap lyrics to his Facebook page. Some of the rap lyrics contained language that terrified his ex-wife. The lyrics were extremely graphic and detailed specific ways that Elonis could kill her. His wife received a protection from abuse order which prevented Elonis from coming near her. At the hearing for that order, she testified that she felt like her husband was stalking her. After the protection order was issued, he continued to post inflammatory lyrics, including posts about shooting a local kindergarten class. This prompted the FBI to send an agent to talk with Elonis. After the FBI visit, Elonis posted rap lyrics that explained how he thought about killing the FBI agent and her family and if he was arrested he would strap a bomb to his chest. The FBI arrested him after this threat and he was charged with a felony under the law that banned interstate threats. IS ELONIS'S ACTIONS PROTECTED UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT? EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER. 

The above scenario was a recent discussion thread my students had to complete (picture above), not only for my virtual students but my traditional students as well.  This was a BELLRINGER.  Now consider this.  Did this scenario grab your attention?  Do you think this opened up the classroom for some good discussions?  Not only did I NOT create this but this was a true story and a major Supreme Court case a few years ago.  So, where did I get this material?  How did this engage students in critical thinking?  The answer: Street Law resources! 

In 2015, I had the privilege to attend the Street Law Supreme Court Teacher Institute in Washington D.C. (pictures below)

This teacher institute provided not only incredible resources (which are available to all teachers, at no charge, on the website) but some great teaching strategies.  Through this experience, I learned how to engage students in critical thinking while at the same time providing a safe environment for all students to discuss thoughts/opinions while learning how to use evidence to support their reasoning.  A win-win for everyone!

You may be thinking "but I don't teach Government."  Well, sometimes, I don't teach Government, either.  However, critical thinking skills CAN be taught in ALL subjects and SHOULD be taught in ALL subjects.  Using these resources is just one way to engage students in critical thinking.  Seriously, teachers! How many of you struggle to get students to talk?  Do you honestly not think presenting a real situation, as I did in the above discussion thread, will not get students to talk? The problem I have is getting them to STOP talking so we can proceed to the "rest of the story" - the case itself. By the way, if you want to know how the Court ruled in this case, click on the following link: Elonis v United States (this is another great website to use in conjunction to your court cases).

So, a Street Law court case student handout... Click on the following link- US v Lopez

This is an example of a Street Law court case.  As you can see, you have background knowledge of the constitutional issue, facts of the case (the story), the issue presented to the Court, precedents, arguments for both sides, and the decision.  I use these handouts to create my bellringers.  The FACTS/story is what I use to present the case to the students.  These are also given to you in a WORD document that you can edit to fit the needs of your classes.  For example, sometimes, I do not use the arguments so I delete and upload, in Canvas, the parts students need. What is great about these resources is they are written on a reading level that is easy for students to understand.  

Another way I use these court cases as bellringers is by assigning as a reading quiz.  If I want students to have background knowledge of a particular precedent, like Mapp v Ohio, I will assign a reading quiz that incorporates Mapp as a precedent so students will not only read how Mapp applies to more present-day cases but the constitutional issue presented in cases similar to Mapp.  For a reading quiz, students open up the Street Law handout and use to answer basic recall level questions. (note: U.S. v Lopez is not a 4th Amendment case but one that deals with federalism and commerce)

So far, I have discussed how you can use these resources for bellringers.  Although there are MANY ways to use these resources (if you go to their website, you will see teaching strategies), there is another way to use these to engage students while creating a safe environment.  

Obergefell v Hodges (click on link for access to my files)- a 14th Amendment case that many you have heard about without probably knowing the exact title...the same-sex marriage court case.  I also know what you are thinking...you used that case in your classroom?  Yes, I did.  But...we didn't discuss or debate the merits of the case.  I used this case to help guide 14th Amendment concepts my AP Government students needed to know.  My students had to read not only the majority opinion but all four dissenting opinions as well (dissenting opinions  can be used in future cases to help guide an overturn of a case...example: Plessy v Ferguson's dissent was used in Brown v Board).  By not discussing the topic itself and sticking to the "logistics" of the case, the students were able to read all justices' reasoning in this case.  If you look at my files, you see Street Law's handout helped guide the activity.  However, I also used the actual Supreme Court opinion (brief) to aid instruction. They had to define and apply various concepts from each opinion.  By keeping this activity to the "logistics" and understanding the reasoning behind all the justices' thoughts, the students were able to take what could have been a very divisive topic and learn very complex concepts.

Street Law's resources are a must in every classroom.  They also have a website, landmarkcases.org, where you can find different activities written on various reading levels (great if you have a range of learning abilities in your classroom).  I know I am not doing these resources justice but the only way you can truly learn how to use these handouts is to dive in and use one.  Figure out what works for you and your students.  Trust me.  You miss not be disappointed.

 

"Be Kind Like Coach"

 This blog originally started to share educational resources.  Although this post is not about an educational resource, it is about education and the encouragement all educators need right now...

Just last week, I told my husband that I thought what I do just doesn't matter anymore.  Is there really any impact I make on students?  Does it matter I even teach about media bias or civil disobedience when turmoil is in the news everyday?  Does it really matter that I teach about the dangers of the national debt when so many don't think anything about $3 Trillion spent here or $2 Trillion spent there... as if there are no costs to the choices being made?  Last week, I literally was like "why does it even matter anymore." Then, last night, I received an email from one of my virtual students, thanking me for teaching her not only economics but life lessons that she can carry with her in the future, that in all her years in school, I will be one she never forgets.  I am not telling you this to put attention on me; I am telling you this because although we may not tangibly see the difference we make, it matters!

Rewind to September 2020... School started with me teaching four traditional classes and two virtual classes.  These two virtual classes did not just include students at my school but students across the four school zones in my school district.  Without giving specifics, the administrative aspect of the virtual classes (attendance, grading, etc.) added a ridiculous level of stress that is hard to even explain.  The amount of make up work from these classes overwhelmed me.  I hated it!  I dreaded it!  I wanted to cry every B-day, knowing I had to teach these two virtual classes.  However,  I knew God placed me in this position, teaching these classes for a reason I could not understand.  Although I struggled with the classes (emotionally), I never allowed my emotions to treat the class any differently than how I would teach my face to face students.  They all did the same thing; they all were engaged in the same discussions; they all received the same resources and level of help offered.  I showed grace when grace was needed, but I also held them accountable when accountability was needed.  Who would have thought, that after 21 years of teaching, that it would be a VIRTUAL student to send the sweetest email to me thanking me for what I taught her.

Rewind to August 2020... I received news that one of the sweetest former classmates of mine passed away from Covid.  He was one of the most beloved classmates from my hometown.  Not only was this news devastating for his wife, his family, his friends, but it was devastating to all the students whose lives he impacted.  You see, it may be easy to say that Nacoma James was a teacher and coach that impacted lives but he was more than that - he was a mentor and friend to everyone!  His smile would light up a room.  The last time I saw him, he and my cousin (at same school) were at my high school for a playoff football game.  Although it was very cold that night and I was going to stream the game from home, I drove up to my school to talk to him and my cousin.  I had not seen him in years but it was as if we picked right back up where we left off. I am so blessed that I got to talk with him that day.  When I heard of his death, I squalled.  Everyone did!  We were devastated.  I knew then, I wanted to create a senior scholarship (at his school) dedicated in his memory.  I just got off the phone with his precious wife.  The scholarship's name will be "Be Kind Like Coach"  scholarship.  Why?  Because kindness exemplifies what his life stood for, always placing others above himself...being a friend to everyone...being a mentor to all.

Last week, I questioned why I do what I do and if any of it really matters.  We allow society to tell us that we are only successful if there are tangible awards or recognition attached to what we do.  However, upon much reflection, awards and recognition only matter for a moment in time; what carries a lasting impression is the difference a kind word or act can make in a person's life.  Sometimes, kindness may be just saying a student's name (I read a few years ago that some students go all day without anyone saying their name).  Sometimes, kindness is giving discipline to a student when it is needed (as many say, students crave discipline/structure).  Although students may not see that as kindness, one day they will see that you cared enough to know that discipline was needed.  Kindness may be just emailing a parent to say how much you enjoy teaching their child (I don't do this enough but I try every now and then...if you have not done this, do it!).  Kindness is not only being sweet and doing good things.  In education, kindness may entail giving advice when a student does not want to hear it and showing "tough love." Kindness does not entail a "one size fits all" approach.  

When I read my student's words last night ("I want to start off by simply saying thank you. Thank you for being so patient, kind, and understanding even when it was frustrating."), I cried.  It was as if the Lord was telling me "it matters."  So to all the educators out there who think it doesn't matter, it matters.