tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post1720720570521080522..comments2024-03-29T04:28:15.092-07:00Comments on Forever in First: Saturday Sayings: The Gift of ChoiceTammyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-7582216075774266312013-01-06T15:33:17.289-08:002013-01-06T15:33:17.289-08:00Sara, "cheating" sounds like following y...Sara, "cheating" sounds like following your heart. I love that you do that when you feel the need. :)Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-9617707862572407142013-01-06T15:30:10.404-08:002013-01-06T15:30:10.404-08:00Dawn, thank you for your encouragement. I never w...Dawn, thank you for your encouragement. I never want to sound as though I have a rebellious mindset, but I do want to always have the courage to do what's best for kids. I've been blessed with lots of liberty in my classroom so far.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-55791796742880382812013-01-06T14:51:55.867-08:002013-01-06T14:51:55.867-08:00My day, week, and what I teach is getting more str...My day, week, and what I teach is getting more structured. Sometimes I like the structure, but in math, particularly, it is difficult when I have several kids "not getting it yet." But sometimes I'm able to "cheat" and do the little extra I feel like I need to do. <br />Sara Sara at schoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03826113370064170051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-17723546021175795302013-01-06T07:19:27.724-08:002013-01-06T07:19:27.724-08:00Tammy,
Thank you for your courage in writing abou...Tammy, <br />Thank you for your courage in writing about this, despite your nervousness. Bravo and bravo! My heart breaks for the teachers AND students who have to adhere to proscribed pacing guides - the antithesis of how student's learn and how effective teachers teach. Again, thank you for your courage!<br />DawnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-24699193272943373192013-01-05T23:25:07.039-08:002013-01-05T23:25:07.039-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-74033105096067692752013-01-05T21:14:36.396-08:002013-01-05T21:14:36.396-08:00Kerri, that sounds like something Dr. Jean would s...Kerri, that sounds like something Dr. Jean would say, and I love it. Several years ago my principal gave me permission to close my door and do my thing, so I can totally appreciate this advice!Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-88599485736783605892013-01-05T21:12:28.169-08:002013-01-05T21:12:28.169-08:00Jenn, I'm sorry to hear that something is comi...Jenn, I'm sorry to hear that something is coming that makes you anxious. I would feel the same way I'm sure. I hope that you're able to continue doing what you do so well regardless.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-91183701454711578902013-01-05T21:11:22.466-08:002013-01-05T21:11:22.466-08:00Kelli, believe you me, getting up on Monday will b...Kelli, believe you me, getting up on Monday will be difficult for me too, but I'll get up knowing that I too have something to cherish. :)Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-87305632785951907132013-01-05T21:10:17.824-08:002013-01-05T21:10:17.824-08:00Laurie, it sounds like you work in a wonderful pla...Laurie, it sounds like you work in a wonderful place. Everything you said sounds like a place where teachers and kids want to be. I love it!Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-75264712189357863872013-01-05T21:09:14.993-08:002013-01-05T21:09:14.993-08:00Marie, yes we are indeed blessed. It's a wond...Marie, yes we are indeed blessed. It's a wonderful thing when we get to use our professional judgment. Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-19469634656269365432013-01-05T21:07:55.209-08:002013-01-05T21:07:55.209-08:00Kristy, I love what your district office says abou...Kristy, I love what your district office says about the basal. It's not everyday that you hear that kind of message coming from the DO. So cool!Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-72448851012123843872013-01-05T21:06:24.790-08:002013-01-05T21:06:24.790-08:00Barbara, it sounds like Canada knows what it's...Barbara, it sounds like Canada knows what it's doing. I think we in the US are all over the spectrum. I'm glad to hear that you're able to do what you do. You do it so well!<br />Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-29614354603081605792013-01-05T21:02:28.219-08:002013-01-05T21:02:28.219-08:00Nichole, I hope that you're able to continue b...Nichole, I hope that you're able to continue being the teacher you want to be in the midst of what sounds like a frustrating situation. Sometimes it's difficult to do what's best when autonomy seems to be slipping away. Stay strong. :)Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-76923116013588397932013-01-05T20:57:34.717-08:002013-01-05T20:57:34.717-08:00Mona, being allowed that creativity you mentioned ...Mona, being allowed that creativity you mentioned is definitely something to love and appreciate. I'm so glad you came by. Thank you for adding to our conversation.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-4943745974160965372013-01-05T20:55:53.445-08:002013-01-05T20:55:53.445-08:00Lisa, thank you. I've been so fortunate to be...Lisa, thank you. I've been so fortunate to be able to teach the way I need to teach and fortunate to be blessed with families like yours.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-53639714211358121932013-01-05T20:54:40.183-08:002013-01-05T20:54:40.183-08:00Jessica, I love that you've found a way to be ...Jessica, I love that you've found a way to be authentic and innovative in your classroom. It's that kind of teaching that brings the amazing results you're seeing. Happy New Year to you too!Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-72309635771615983482013-01-05T20:52:06.040-08:002013-01-05T20:52:06.040-08:00Jenny, it sounds like you are very blessed to choo...Jenny, it sounds like you are very blessed to choose your own curriculum and implementation. It sounds like a sweet deal to me. :)Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-57821464944603076692013-01-05T20:50:35.042-08:002013-01-05T20:50:35.042-08:00Lori, my administration has made a world of differ...Lori, my administration has made a world of difference for my teaching career. We are blessed.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053983168084838303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-85465658901342868922013-01-05T17:37:32.194-08:002013-01-05T17:37:32.194-08:00Love this quote. I too am blessed to teach at a sc...Love this quote. I too am blessed to teach at a school that believes in my professional judgement. I don't know how I would do if that wasn't the case. I saw Dr. Jean last year and she said to put a sign on your door that says "Do not disturb. Testing." and teach on. Thought that was pretty good advice. :)<br />http://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/2012/07/common-core-or-guided-reading.htmlKerri Bucknerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15924383425982816680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-80219588162629176922013-01-05T17:03:54.719-08:002013-01-05T17:03:54.719-08:00Thanks for the reminder! I am pretty blessed too ...Thanks for the reminder! I am pretty blessed too for the moment as my administrator allows me to be me with my kiddos and create lessons that revolve around their interests. But there has been talk about what is coming and it doesn't promote professional autonomy....a little anxious about this!<br />Thanks for sharing!<br />Jenn<br /><br /><a href="http://pirateslifeforus.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">A Pirates Life for Us</a><br />Jenn Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07864125489633011814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-8896360146527779812013-01-05T11:16:08.717-08:002013-01-05T11:16:08.717-08:00Tammy, thank you for this reminder. When Monday co...Tammy, thank you for this reminder. When Monday comes (likely I will have a hard time getting up so early after the holiday break), I will remember the freedom I have at my current school (ultimate freedom-it's fantastic!) and remember to cherish it.<br /><br />Great post : )<br /><br />KelliKellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03917180234005884571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-16913472788430995412013-01-05T11:13:21.408-08:002013-01-05T11:13:21.408-08:00I'm so lucky to work in a school were standard...I'm so lucky to work in a school were standards are high but our principal respects each of our personalities and teaching styles. We have a set curriculum and are working with the Common Core now. The focus isn't on all being on the same page but making sure the needs of all the kiddos are being met.<br /><br />I know if I had to work in the setting mentioned in your post it would squash all the creativity I put into my lessons and the creativity of my kiddos.<br /><br />Laurie<br /><b><a href="http://firstgradelyonsden.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">First Grade Lyons' Den</a></b>Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01690783229809495332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-37596845436347626862013-01-05T10:58:15.628-08:002013-01-05T10:58:15.628-08:00Tammy,we are truly blessed. I appreciate this post...Tammy,we are truly blessed. I appreciate this post so much. If only the professional judgment of teachers everywhere could be trusted, what happy, gifted children we would have!Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03165578165979664051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-51638243712252812102013-01-05T10:27:10.498-08:002013-01-05T10:27:10.498-08:00It scares me that there are schools out there that...It scares me that there are schools out there that require everyone to be on the same page, teaching the same thing, the same way, at the same time. I don't understand, especially with RtI and all the talk of differentiating and meeting each child at their level of need, how there can still be schools that require this type of strict conformity. They are completely different points of view.<br />Glad that I have administration who, for the most part, just let me do what needs to be done. We also have great people in our district office who are all about common core and have even delayed voting for a new reading series because, as they stated, "a basal reader is not what we need." Finally, someone who understands where I'm coming from!<br /><a href="http://teachinfirst.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Teachin' First</a>Kristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04603618267672092235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7605926763598675958.post-71840906629792913732013-01-05T09:39:32.668-08:002013-01-05T09:39:32.668-08:00I can't imagine teaching under the conditions ...I can't imagine teaching under the conditions you described. That's not even teaching. It's just "connect the dots". I'm so sorry some teachers have to work that way. I'm so lucky to teach in BC. We have total autonomy (within guidelines) and my understanding is its pretty much the same across Canada. Hopefully things will change for that teacher and others who work under the same conditions.<br />BTW, I love the vote of confidence you got from a parent. I'm not at all surprised :))<br />Happy teaching!<br />Barbara<br /><i><b><a href="http://gradeonederful.com/" rel="nofollow">Grade ONEderful</a></b></i><br /><i><b><a href="http://rubyslippersblogdesigns.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Ruby Slippers Blog Designs</a></b></i>Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16776494983428336686noreply@blogger.com