What kind of school?

Nowadays there are many options for schooling.

I am a proponent, advocate, cheerleader, and believer in the traditional public school.

However, I recognize that families and students have other options, including:

online schools
charter schools
magnet schools
private schools
homeschooling
boarding schools
military schools
language schools
international schools
religious-based schooling

Families and students have the right to choose a learning facility, format, and environment that suits the needs of their personality and learning goals. So long as everyone is learning, so long as every child is welcomed and safe, I am happy and supportive.

Now I know that not everyone has the opportunity to choose a different type of school or schooling experience, costs and location being primary impediments. Hopefully, someday, the choice can be expanded. And, perhaps, schools could be more communicative so we can learn from each other. All these options means plenty of growth for every type of school! 😊

Teacher Tip #1

This is for all the newbies:

You will never be caught up.

Never. Not even at the end of the year.

Sometimes the grading will not get done–just don’t put it in the gradebook. Problem solved.

Sometimes the chairs will not be stacked for the weekend–let it go this weekend.

Sometimes you will have five meetings, five mornings in a row. Embrace it for what it is, and rejoice when you have a week with no meetings.

Sometimes a “perfect” lesson will be a complete disaster. Plans will be shifted. Plans will need to change. It happens.

Sometimes you will lose papers. Schools have copy machines–you can get another copy.

I say this in all seriousness, you will never be fully caught up.

Even at the end of the year you will have leftover papers, lessons, and a classroom with a couple of boxes–a couple of boxes that you just threw random items into just so you can check-out for the summer. It’s okay.

You can only do your best; you will learn to recognize what has to be done, and what can wait.

Any time you feel bad about not being caught up, or being “on top of it”, brush that feeling aside. You will never be fully caught up, just do what you can and move on. It’s gonna be okay.

Teachers Can Foster . . .

Many school years are as follows: 180 calendar days, 5 days a week, 7 hours a day

180 calendar days x 7 hours a day = 1,260 hours of school time

In this time, this substantial amount of time that can be extended thanks to summer school as well as before and after-school activities, teachers have the ability to make a monumental impact on their students’ lives.

In their multi-dimensional roles, teachers can foster:

a love of learning
creativity
a global perspective
a love of sports
cultural awareness
curiosity
innovation
an appreciation for the arts
school pride
a sense of belonging

. . . and this list is not exhaustive.

As mentors, as positive role models, as those entrusted with the care and education of our future, teachers have the ability to foster the very best elements of humanity. It is an amazing job, and privilege, to be a positive influence on the future generation.

All my love and appreciation to the teachers fostering the very best. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Ms. Camacho

My name is Ms. Camacho.

Not Miss. Not Mrs. Not Mr.

Ms. Camacho

Camacho, rhymes with Macho–as in “macho, macho, man.”

Ms. Camacho

In the classroom my students have transformed my name into:

Mrs. Camacho
Miss Camacho
Mr. Camacho
Mrs. CaNACHO — and I reply “nacho, I don’t have any nachos!”
Miss Nacho — see previous
Miss Poncho — happened only once and I had no response other than over-the-top laughter
Miss Macho — and I reply by flexing and saying “Macho” repeatedly like a fool
Mr. Macho — see previous but add a deeper voice and even more exaggerated flexing

It’s a fun world in teaching, especially in primary, your name can take on a number of additions, substitutions, and alterations. 😝

Favorite books: the Alphabet

There are entirely way too many books to recommend, give 5 stars, gush over, love–in just one post. So let this be the beginning of a series of posts that can extol the merits of some of the greatest finds, the perfect fit, and the never-stops-being-amazing books for your classroom.

First up is so hard to pick–the first sets the tone. So let’s start with a list.

I started my career in kindergarten. One of the biggest standards and most critical learning goal: the alphabet–letters, sounds, and vocabulary. So, naturally, I have a long list of alphabet books.

The following are some of my favorite alphabet books:

A is for Angry by Sandra Boynton
A is for Salad by Mike Lester
A is for ?: A Photographer’s Alphabet of Animals by Henry Horenstein
Animalia—Graeme Base
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo by Giles Andreae
My Name is . . . by Alice Lyne
The Absolutely Awful Alphabet by Mordicai Gerstein
The Z was Zapped by Chris Van Allsburg
Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod