First Days of Meridian Park

I realized today that if teachers are not given enough time to meet with other teachers or observe other teachers in their school the idea of building a professional community in teaching may be very difficult. First to get time money is needed. The money for the substitute to be in the classroom leading a lesson so that teacher can meet with another formally (not at lunch or in the bathroom) or view another teacher teaching. Second as a teacher I would have to be willing to give up something I may really enjoy doing with my class such as reading a loud to them or daily journal time when the substitute can come in and cover my class at a time that maximizes my own teaching and planning. Third another teacher in my building has to be willing to let me observe them in their classroom and/or want to collaborate on a student's learning/lessons. Surprisingly the last two are sometimes the hardest to overcome but the most rewarding for all teachers involved. How do I observe/collaborate or just work with a teacher uninterested in building a professional learning community FOR TEACHERS?

Back to School @ BEDUC 406 Day 1

With the help of my cohort and master teacher I'm learning that it is ok to be nervous and doubtful of myself as a teacher, it keeps me on my toes, but what matters is what I do with the nervousness and doubt. I had a... epiphany the other day, and these don't happen much but, I'm a teacher who has doubts about being able to teach even though I already teach but haven't at the level I now want to teach at. Follow that? Hah! And there is this thing called knowledge that coupled with learning can erase doubts and fears. So in the next eight months I am going to try my harest to learn and know about teaching and my students to erase some of those doubts and fears. Though I do have a feeling that no matter how much I learn or know I may always have that dream where I forget my clothes (only in my underwear) on the first day of school. Yikes!


I still want to know how I juggle all the important things in teaching, knowing my students, helping them learn and building an engaing fun classroom community. I'm excited to get to know my students! I'm still nervous about the copier in the staff lounge. It is really big, gray and ominous looking with many, many buttons.

Robin and I

Robin is very courageous with a love of the outdoors. What came first, the courage or that love of the outdoors? I also like Robin's sense of humor and the way she speaks to the class. With Robin I appreciate that there isn't any fluff, what you see is what you get. The honesty and willingness to share is very much appreciated. I look forward to finding out the answer to my previous question and learning from her style of speaking to our class as a tool in my own teaching.


I take my sketch pad/pencils everywhere with me: camping, hiking, walks to the park, bike ride, and even water polo tournaments. It has been hard for me to use words to express what I think and feel at times especially when I feel intense things. Drawing and painting has enabled me to be whole and amazingly over the years grow better at expressing things in words and writing. I am passionate about the arts and human expression as well as just being creative and adventurous in life.