Season's greetings
22 postage stamps:
$8.58
Christmas cards with iridescent polar bears on the cover, rather than the ones one sale adorned with cheesy snowmen wearing sweaters:
$11.98
Spending 4 hours on a Tuesday night writing Christmas cards to each one of my students instead of designing curriculums, differentiating lessons or writing an insightful, heart-wrenching blog entry:
Priceless.
This has nothing to do with AYP. I'm certain this will not close the achievement gap. And help reach significant gains? Not likely. Tonight, I'm just writing holiday cards to my students. Because even though they're 14, swaggering with attitude and telling me that Christmas is stupid, everyone loves getting cards in the mail.
Everyone loves being remembered and knowing that someone out there spent 3 minutes picking out a card, writing a couple sentences, sealing the envelope and paying 39-cents for postage-- just for them. I know, because I still love it when my former 14-year-old, attitude-ridden, Goth-wannabe students from last year still write me cards.
Tonight, we're just working on making students feel special. And feeling special is just one of those things that we keep forgetting to add to our state standards.
Comments
If I did the math right, that will be the best $20.56 you ever spent.
Posted by: CaliforniaTeacherGuy | December 19, 2006 11:19 PM
Ms Shyu,
Just want to "Thank You" for sticking it out with the Rez kids. I know it could get disheartening at times trying to teach these kids, but it is professionals like you that will make a difference in the lives of these kids. All the best to you in the coming New Year.
Posted by: Val | December 20, 2006 11:09 AM
Your time and money was well spent making those kids feel special. I also worked with kids with attitude, but I gave them the gift of giving. After the holidays, I would buy those huge boxes of holiday cards on sale. Next holiday season, I would put them out in my classroom as freebies to give away. I was encouraging functional writing skills and positive attitudes. It only took one student to get the writing-giving act going. Some students hand-delivered their cards, some requested that I put them in the addressees' mailboxes, and I remember getting quite a few of those cards back addressed to me. You might want to add this activity in the years to come.
RESPONSE:
I love that idea! I had card-making materials for my art club, but I'd like to extend that to my special education classes. I'll definitely implement that in holidays and years to come. Thank you.
Posted by: Kay Jones, Educator, k4teens.info | December 20, 2006 11:48 AM
Hi Jessica,
I have worked as a "program support specialist" in special ed. for several years now, after having put in 12 years in special education with traditional licensure plus master's degree. I am in the role of supporting teachers now, and have worked with those who went through the alternative program and those who went the traditional route. It really depends on who the person is -and their dedication, enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to continue to learn - whether or not the result is an effective teacher. It does not seem to matter which route they have gone - I see some of the most effective teachers have gone the alternative way, and some of the least the traditional way. I agree that the ones having received traditional training do begin with an advantage. It is very interesting to me to see the results of the research you quote, and not all that surprising either. I would like to get my hands on it - I have debated the issue with other traditionally licensed teachers, and my feeling from the start - when alternative licensure programs were just getting started - is that it really depends on the individual. Some highly qualified people from other fields bring a lot to the classroom from their previous life experience.
I enjoy reading about your experience so much, it is inspiring.
Thanks,
Sylvia in NM
Posted by: Sylvia Williamson | December 22, 2006 5:42 PM
You truly understand the power of being a teacher, Jessica. Keep doing what you are doing. Your students are lucky to have you and we are lucky to have our students.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Posted by: Bill | December 22, 2006 11:35 PM