I'm hoping to speak at. . . .

My proposal is written! I'm hoping that I'll be selected to speak at the 2008 WECA Early Childhood Conference. I'm hoping to present on the importance of play and the elementary school skills it helps to develop. I also want to discuss how teachers can support play within their classrooms. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I'm planning on attending the 2008 Whitewater Early Childhood Conference and I'm hoping that I'll get to speak at this one next year. This year, they will be having lots of presentations regarding leadership and management. I'm hoping that these will be helpful as I get into the swing of things with my leadership role at work.

Speaking of work, things are going pretty well. I am so short teachers and hiring is a big priority right now. I'm having a tough time wrapping my mind around how to recruit staff other than the traditional methods. Advertisements are in the local papers, advertising up to 45 minutes away. I'm working to get into the local technical college to speak in some classes, but I'm not sure where else to go.

The Power of Play

Play is important. I have known this in my heart from day one in my journey as a teacher. Now, finally, there is documentation and support for my "wacky" idea on the importance of play. Currently, NPR is doing a series on how play is important for building the skill of self-regulation, which is now being deemed a more important indicator of school success than IQ. A wonderful article about the connection between ADHD and self-regulation can be found at Sharp Brains.

There is an ever growing movement of Early Childhood Teachers fighting for play within their preschools and childcare centers. Lisa Murphy, the Ooey Gooey Lady, is one of them. I had the privilege of hearing her speak at the 2007 NAEYC National Conference and I will be looking for her at the 2008 conference!

The fight for play:
Einstein Never Used Flash Cards
The Power of Play
A Place of Our Own
Importance of Play
Alliance for Childhood
Young Children Need Play
Why Play?
Play is the Business of Kids
Are you giving your children the freedom to play?
The importance of FREE PLAY
More on play

Challening behavior

This was my first week at my new position. It went pretty well considering I managed to make some teachers feel threatened and upset. By the end of the week, it was all worked out and things should be fine at this point. The issue at hand was over challenging behavior and what to do with it.

My views are a little different than some regarding behavior. Most of my views about behavior stem from my work with children with Autism. While working on my teaching degree, I was NEVER taught how to proactively handle behavior that is out of the norm. I was taught how to react to this behavior but wasn't really taught how to "figure a kid out" and determine why he or she behaving in a disruptive manner.

This skill came with my work in two different programs for children with children with Autism. One program used lots of behavior modification techniques, however this program never worked to understand the function of the behavior. The other program I worked at used more of a Positive Behavior Support Method, which works to understand WHY the behavior is occurring in the first place.

Because I have had experience with both of these techniques, I feel uniquely qualified to handle a variety of situations regarding behavior. Unfortunately, the advice that I had to offer was not what the teachers wanted to hear. Part of this stemmed from the misunderstanding about how much classroom experience I had. Also, the teachers were not aware of my previous experiences working with children who were displaying "challenging" behavior.

Next week will be better!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is the big day!

Tomorrow is the first day with my new role as a Center Director. I'm a little nervous and a little excited at the same time. I'm counting down the days until I get to present at the Stout conference and I'm working on developing my own online course. Thanks for the tip, VP. Also, check out my other blog, Play for Life, to see some neat-o children's art work.

I'll be speaking at . . . . . . .

If you read my other blog, The Quest for Academia, you'll know that one of my big goals is start teaching at the higher education level. I'd like to start adjunct teaching while working and some day move into a university professor. Mind you, this is a VERY long term goal and it could be a long road to get their. Anyway, as I've begun this process of trying to get adjunct jobs, I'm being told that I need more experience teaching adults before I'll really be considered. I'm addressing this by trying to get as many speaking engagements as possible. I'm very pleased to announce that I'll be able to add a second speaking engagement to my resume finally. I'll be speaking at the 2008 Stout Early Childhood Conference on the topic of connecting parent's to their children's literacy skill development. I'll post and let you all know how it goes!

Okay. . well, there have been some big changes

It's been awhile since I've posted and that's because there have been some big changes happening. I got a job offer and I've been trying to decide weather to accept or not because I've only been in my current position for six months. Today I've made the decision to accept and I'll speak with my employer on Monday about this matter.

The exciting thing is that I'll be moving into a director position at a center right in my own city. Currently I drive approximately 39 miles one way five days a week. That is a total of 390 miles per week and 1560 miles per month. I can get approximately 270 miles per tank of gas, so that is about six tanks of gas per month. Gas in Wisconsin is 3.08 per gallon and my tank holds about 12 gallons, so it costs me about 37.00 to fill my tank currently. By switching to my new job I will be saving a total of 222.00 per month--and that would be if my salary wasn't going to be higher (I will be paid about 1,500 more per year). This would be a great start to an emergency fund.

Anyway--that is the plan and for that reason, this blog will begin to take a new tone as I transition from my primary role being that of a teacher (and a supervisor and an administrator) to my only role being that of an administrator. Watch for changes soon.

Goals for school!

Well, it's six month review time and that means that it is time for me to think about my goals at Head Start. I have a few goals that I'd like document here so that I make sure that I REALLY follow through with them.

RACHAEL'S 2008 CLASSROOM MANAGER GOALS

1. I will provide my teacher assistants with at least one hour of additional training per month that relates to Creative Curriculum.
2. I will provide the parents of my students with one special training this school year, in addition to the monthly center parent meetings that are regularly held.
3. I will make sure that I follow up with families the following day if an incident report has been filed out regarding their child.
4. I will work to obtain my Wisconsin Registry Administrator's Credential.
5. I will work to bring the FISH! Philosophy to my coworkers, teacher assistants, and supervisor.
   
6. I will utilize the Project Approach in it's entirety (not just bits and pieces as I am now).
7. I will work to incorporate more Responsive Classroom approaches into daily classroom activities and life.

So, I ask you, as fellow teachers, what are your teacher goals of 2008?