Okay, now I've gotten the 2nd to last piece of the tenure puzzle, My principal wrote my end of the year recommendation and hightly recommended me tenure. I was a little surprised at how nice she made me sound. I don't even remember all the good stuff this time, 'cause I was so relieved just to KNOW I was recommended. I do remember saying, "Wow, I didn't even know I DID all this stuff!"
She smiled at me and laughed. "You're saying you didn't do all these things?"
"Uh, I mean, yes, of course!" I replied, quickly assuming the authoritative sound. "I'm glad you finally noticed!"
We both laughed and I decided to take the compliment instead. It's not that I don't believe I'm good, I just forget how much more impressed people are with some of the things that I consider second nature. F'rinstance, computer use. I'm amazed at how thrilled people get at seeing my students using Powerpoint or even just holding a laptop! I could be having them surf for tv shows and making a presentation regarding the cancellation of Family Guy and the impact it had on our household and someone would still be stunned that my kids could do use the internet without being hooked into the wall!
I'm already getting exicited about next year, though. I'm testing the kids now and doing the numbers and making spreadsheets of info and reading through all the forms we fill out on each one...a lot of work. But I LOVE this kinda stuff! It's like being a sports coach and having the beginning of the year tryouts. You get to see the whole gambit of players, but then you find some incoming freshman who makes your start QB or runner look like they're on blocks. Or, in my case, I find some kid that people thought couldn't POSSIBLY be gifted because they annoyed people/didn't do homework/had bad handwriting etc. and I more often than not get to tell them "Don't be so sure...check out THESE scores!" It's like giving a kid a second chance to prove themselves in another arena. Kinda therapeutic for me, too...I think it's always been my destiny to find kids who were like me and help them realize they can't charm their way through life forever...they'll have to DO something proactive with their brains.
Okay, gotta get some rest!
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Recognition and Redemption
I got my third year observation from the assistant superintendent of my entire school district today...here's some of the things she had to say about me:
"Sometimes gifted students are afraid to take risks in front of others, but Mrs. Burke has created a risk taking environment. She herself often models this self-questioning attitude--and helps students feel comfortable with laughing at what turns out to be a "silly" hypothesis."
"Mrs. Burke is very much involved with her students' work. Down on the floor, she was measuring students' bridges built from spaghetti and Elmer's glue. These "real-life science projects give students a chance to be creative and to do serious thinking simlutaneously."
"Mrs. Burke and her students are tucked into whatever corner a principal can find. She functions quite well in spite of these restrictions."
And the one that made me feel the most pride:
"Mrs. Burke has taken on the role of leader in this program."
That's ME she was talking about, me and my Science Olympics curriculum. She didn't say "Mrs. Burke has so much potential, but could do better." She didn't find the little imperfections in my manner, my clothes, my world view and she darn sure didn't seem unhappy with my "attitude toward my work". I've always known I was creative and innovative and helped challenge kids in a fun way...but think I've lived (and waited) my whole life without hearing someone say I was a leader, that I was the person running the show and in charge, not the person on the side who makes the leader look good. I was actually moved to tears without knowing why until I realized that fact. Someone I respect infinitely basically just acknowledged that what I do is REAL teaching and REAL leadership ability, not just "hey, everyone, it's fun, follow me and PLAY!".
I have at last been taken seriously in my career.
I'm not bragging, but I was so proud and genuinely happy, I had to post it. This is my tenure year, and it's the first time I've ever been worried about getting it. I guess that mostly has to do with the district being so small and my program being so new. I'm constantly battling the need to please everyone with the need to do right by my kids (oh, and the secret need to be RIGHT more often!).
"Sometimes gifted students are afraid to take risks in front of others, but Mrs. Burke has created a risk taking environment. She herself often models this self-questioning attitude--and helps students feel comfortable with laughing at what turns out to be a "silly" hypothesis."
"Mrs. Burke is very much involved with her students' work. Down on the floor, she was measuring students' bridges built from spaghetti and Elmer's glue. These "real-life science projects give students a chance to be creative and to do serious thinking simlutaneously."
"Mrs. Burke and her students are tucked into whatever corner a principal can find. She functions quite well in spite of these restrictions."
And the one that made me feel the most pride:
"Mrs. Burke has taken on the role of leader in this program."
That's ME she was talking about, me and my Science Olympics curriculum. She didn't say "Mrs. Burke has so much potential, but could do better." She didn't find the little imperfections in my manner, my clothes, my world view and she darn sure didn't seem unhappy with my "attitude toward my work". I've always known I was creative and innovative and helped challenge kids in a fun way...but think I've lived (and waited) my whole life without hearing someone say I was a leader, that I was the person running the show and in charge, not the person on the side who makes the leader look good. I was actually moved to tears without knowing why until I realized that fact. Someone I respect infinitely basically just acknowledged that what I do is REAL teaching and REAL leadership ability, not just "hey, everyone, it's fun, follow me and PLAY!".
I have at last been taken seriously in my career.
I'm not bragging, but I was so proud and genuinely happy, I had to post it. This is my tenure year, and it's the first time I've ever been worried about getting it. I guess that mostly has to do with the district being so small and my program being so new. I'm constantly battling the need to please everyone with the need to do right by my kids (oh, and the secret need to be RIGHT more often!).
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