Hello everyone!
I find it very hard to believe that I have currently started my 9th year of teaching this week. Time feels like it has flown, but if I stop and look back on these years, I have experienced and grown so much as an educator. It definitely has been a journey. I have spent these past nine years of my career teaching in Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Chicago. When I received my undergraduate degree from Loyola University Chicago in 2010, I got a job right away after graduation teaching 4th grade at Immaculate Conception-St. Joseph School (ICSJ) in Chicago. I taught there for three years in a self-contained classroom with a co-teacher. One main focus during my time there was developing and implementing a new writing curriculum. Our classroom had a SMARTboard, and I also worked on finding ways to utilize the board in my lessons.
While I enjoyed my time at ICSJ collaborating with fellow teachers, I felt it was time to experience managing a classroom on my own. I transferred to St. Francis Xavier School in LaGrange, IL, and have worked there now for six years. When I started, I taught 3rd grade and felt like I created my dream classroom. I spent the summer before buying and organizing books for my classroom library. I used Class Dojo as a classroom management and participation tool. My 3rd graders loved it! I shared a class set of MacBooks with several other classrooms on my floor and used them with my students when I could.
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| 3rd-Grade Reading Corner (personal photo) |
Although I was happy in 3rd grade, I discussed with my principal my desire to teach social studies at a higher grade level. My love of history is one of the main reasons why I went into teaching. I initially planned on receiving a degree in Secondary Education with a focus on history when I was in college, but I switched to Elementary Education thinking that I would connect better with younger students. I do not regret my decision, but at this time, I felt a desire to be more involved with social studies. After several discussions with my principal at St. Francis, she offered me a position to teach 6th-grade science and social studies. I knew that jumping up several grades like that would be tough, but I accepted the challenge. Even though I have middle-grade endorsements in both subjects, I was most looking forward to teaching social studies, especially since it focused on ancient civilizations!
This current school year is my fourth year in 6th grade. I would have to say that 6th grade is my favorite grade to teach so far. Not only have I had so much fun teaching social studies, but I have made many connections between both subjects. Since the students are older, I can delve into the content at a deeper level. My students each have their own Chromebooks, and I have spent time working on creating a blended learning environment in my class with the help of a technology coach at my school.
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| 6th-Grade Bulletin Board (personal photo) |
Class sizes have changed at my school, so I have had to pick up
another subject this year as there are less 6th-grade classrooms. In addition to teaching science and social
studies, I am teaching writing this year. At the same time, my school is implementing a new science curriculum. I have a bit more on my plate this school year as I am getting used to the new programs.
In the midst of all my transitioning to different grades and learning different curricula, I got married two years ago to my husband, Nick! He is my rock who has supported and encouraged me throughout my teaching career. He is a mechanical engineer who works at a company very close to my school. We bought our first home together in May. We had a wonderful summer decorating and fixing up our house.
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| Our Wedding! 7/2/16 (personal photo) |
Much has happened to me these past few years. After much contemplation and research, I have decided to go back to school. Technology is rapidly changing school and although I have experience using it in my classrooms, I want to immerse myself more fully into it to not only help my students, but to assist other teachers with incorporating it into their classrooms. After nine years, I am ready for my next journey! Let the adventure continue!
Oh Laura I completely related to your comment about time going fast. I am starting year 26 and I swear I haven't been in education that long!! Thanks for such a detailed introduction. Looking forward to getting to know you this term. Oh- I am married to a "Nick" too :)
ReplyDeleteHi Laura!! It is so inspiring to read about your journey as an educator and how far you have come in the different roles put before you in just 9 years. I can't wait to gain that experience of teaching and extended roles such as writing curriculum. That would be my goal later down the road for sure. Also, congratulations on your new home!!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura! I taught 6th grade for a few years and my favorite part was social studies. I loved exploring ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece with my students. Jumping from 3rd grade to 6th is quite a difference. I love teaching 4-6 myself, I love the discussion and wonderment that age brings to the classroom. I'm curious about the chrome books. Do you find them beneficial? Are students allowed to take them home? I look forward to getting to know you more as the semester continues.
ReplyDeleteHi Julianne! I love teaching about Ancient History as well. The students love it since it is different from other social studies topics that they had in the past.
DeleteAt my school, students in grades 4-8 each have their own Chromebook. We have had them for 3 years now. During those years, the students kept them at school in a charging chart in each room. Starting this year, grades 6-8 can take them home! Some of the students said it felt like Christmas when they were able to bring them home.
There are pros and cons to having them, but I find it really nice in order to utilize Google Classroom. I can easily share assignments with students, and they can work independently on their own device. We use a program called DyKnow to monitor that the students are staying on task while using the Chromebooks; otherwise they may sneak around and play a game, or explore a site that they are not to be on! DyKnow works pretty well, and I can block certain sites or send students messages to stay on task.
I am excited that the students are taking home their books this year as this will make it easier for them to complete assignments started at school. Since we have had Chromebooks for a while now, I would feel odd without them. There is pressure sometimes to incorporate them all the time, but sometimes the task that we are doing does not warrant us to use them.