I have completed my first full week of teaching at Greenwood! We haven't had a "normal" week since almost Christmas (one of those weeks included a power outage). This was one of the toughest weeks so far. Not only was it a full week, but I had to prepare for a week long leave of absence for next week. It can be a frightening experience to leave your classroom for a whole week in the hands of a substitute. You want your students to have the materials they need for each assignment for each class, as well as the substitute teacher. I'm so used to planning only a few days ahead, but planning for a week is a next level skill, and with events like National Convention each year, it is one of those rite of passages for agriculture teachers.
I am so looking forward to a week out of the classroom to spend some time with my students at SLLC and my peers at PSU. I am looking forward to a positive experience. This will be the first time I have ever attended SLLC, and I look forward to watching my star students in action. The students at Greenwood who attend these trips with the FFA are so well behaved that it makes for a much smoother experience. In order to enjoy time with your chapter, expectations, meeting times and required materials also need to be prepared and laid out ahead of time. Your classroom at the school and the classroom you bring with you need to be well-stocked and well-oiled machines in order to reduce the number of gray hairs you return home with.
One thing I really learned this Saturday as we were preparing for the next morning, was that not only do you need to be prepared, but you need to expect the unexpected. Even if you bring lunch money and your t-shirt, you will always have that one student who forgot to bring one or the other or both. What do you do? Do you bring extras? Do you call home? As a teacher, I can see how you have to assume the role of a parent. My cooperating teachers keep extra clothes, bring extra money, pack extra supplies and keep spare buttons, pins and lint rollers. Talk about a super hero.
Some questions this week: what does your "extra supplies" inventory look like before a trip? What do you expect to be unexpected? How do you help those students who lose their lunch money or forget to bring their dress shoes? How much do you prepare to provide your students?
Hey Ryan! Great to see an updated blog post! :-)
ReplyDeleteRe: Expecting the unexpected. What does your "extra supplies" inventory look like before a trip? What do you expect to be unexpected? How do you help those students who lose their lunch money or forget to bring their dress shoes? How much do you prepare to provide your students?
Our alumni was very instrumental in this effort. They provided a chapter set of jackets and funding for students to purchase the rest of OD if needed. We had several students also donate theirs back to prevent financial burden. I would usually pay for students who forgot or didn't have money and sort it out later. I was fortunate to have a supportive alumni chapter who didn't want any kid to go without.
I WISH I would've had a "travel kit" that I had our sentinel keep stocked. Granola bars, tide pens, static guard, lint roller, clipboards, extra pens/pencils, sewing kit, safety pins, all that jazz. :-)
With that though, I think it's important to balance being your kids' safety net and being their parent. While not all students have that figure checking in on them at home, we're also in the business of responsibility. If you have everything, eventually students will learn they don't really need to come prepared because you'll prepare for them. Make sure your kids can participate and be successful, but make sure you're preparing them to be successful, responsible adults too.
If I expected it, it wouldn't have been unexpected, right? ;-) You can't prepare for every possible contingency. You CAN anticipate that kids will be forgetful. Spare pencils, scarves/ties, and clipboards are things STUDENTS should put in a designated crate/bag the day before the contest so it's ready to go in the morning. If the students can go, they can prepare to go too. Have your sentinel and a member of the attending group make a list of the things they will need for the trip about a week before (or as part of your POA planning in the summer). If they need stuff, get it, otherwise make sure they stock the travel kit the day before the trip.