It has been so long since I have written on my "blog spot"...the roller coaster of my life has taken me on some looooooooong twists and turns. I have finally returned to my classroom after a long absence. One expected (THE WEDDING), one not expected (MY MOM'S OPEN HEART SURGERY).
Now, the roller coaster we all live on certainly keeps us supported, but we never know where we are going and how long, we just know we are on the ride for life. My wedding to Steve, way back in October was the single most greatest day of my life. To look into the eyes of the soul you have found, the man you want to travel beside the rest of your days and nights, is alone, the greatest moment of my life. Add to that a room filled with 300 hearts filled with love and pouring that love out to you and another 100 or more hearts you are carrying in your heart for this day! It really does leave one speechless.
We enjoyed a fantastic honeymoon in NY...fabulous! And then began our road trip back home to Florida. The trip back was great, and we arrived in time for us to go thru some gifts, do some laundry and head back to work. On my first day back to school, I was floating, it felt so good to see my kids. My sub, Kathy, should get the substitute of the year award. She is truly a blessing. She even submitted my 1st quarter report cards and then wrote all of my interims. A blessing!
The day was great, we shared alot of love in morning meeting and were able to get work done, spending most of our day together on task.
That evening my cell phone rang and I noticed my sister's cell phone number. My sister NEVER calls me from her cell, NEVER! I looked over at Steve who was working at the computer, and told him this was weird. She informed me that she was at the hospital with my Mom, who DROVE HERSELF to the doctor because she didn't feel too good. Thankfully, the doctor called the ambulance which rushed her to the hospital. 2 days, and 10 lbs of water removed later, we were all at the hospital listening to the cardiologists tell us she needed to have open heart surgery. A little background is that my Mom, at 82, has prided herself on never taking meds and living the positive attitude life. Her BP is continually 110 over 6o, sugar a constant 88, heart rate a consistant 75 and cholesterol a comfortable 130. It's good to be Marie!
Well, having rheumatic fever as a child caught up to Marie. Both valves needed to be replaced, and in the interim, they were doing a bypass, while they were in there!!!
She referred to her cardiologists as the McDreamy's! I must confess, there was probably some family lineage that brought them to the Kennedy and Clooney line of DNA!
Sweet as they were McDreamy's held her hand thru the whole thing. She made them blush a few times, but they respected her optimism and gift for living.
The morning of the surgery, they came up to see her before the surgery to ask is she had any questions or concern.
"Not really" she said.
"Not nervous?" McDreamy asked.
"Not really, why should I be." replied Mom. She then asked "Are you going to do your best today Doc?" Doc answered, "Absolutely!". "So am I, so why should I be nervous. If we both do our best, the rest is out of our hands.!".
I can only dream that I have 2% of the beauty this woman cultivates within her.
Surgery went well, 16 days later I returned home to my wonderful, amazing, supportive, loving husband.
I also returned to my class, who had written me letters to tell me how much they loved me, missed me, and hoped my Mom was doing better. Priceless!
That morning meeting my students and I had shared was the most loving it had ever been. I shared all my experiences with my Mom and explained the process. One of my students noted that it must have been sad seeing your Mom sick after being so happy on your wedding. I agreed, and took that "teachable" moment to explain that life was like a roller coaster, up and down, up and down and we just have to hold one. I also thanked them for being on the ride with me.
Before we left our circle, I told them, "Do your best today, I will be, I promise".
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
A "C" School...
Today while shopping at Home Depot, Steve (my intended) and I were discussing ceiling fan light covers. I can't stand looking at the ones that exist in our newly acquired home. He barely notices them. Thus begins the "learning about each other phase". For the wedding shower, we received more giftcards than one can dream about. I wish they had all been for Home Depot, our home would be done by now. How many overpriced items can one by in Bed, Bath & Beyond? I wish they had light covers for fans.
But I digress, while shopping, I heard the two words this teacher really, secretly, honestly, dreads hearing while shopping, "Miss Ruggiero?" I turned to see one of my students with her parents. She was so happy to see me, and the automatic hug from my students, always helps with my initial "ugh" feeling. Once I saw that smile, the honor of being a teacher magically appeared.
We all chatted about summer vacation and the nearness of the new school year. Mom shared her concerns about the local redistricting and her concern for Sara going to a "C" School. As she went on, I glanced over and saw her daughter's face go into glaze mode and watched as she folded her arms and turned her smile into a frown. With no hesitation, I turned and said "Make it an A school Sara."
That's the true reality about education. The teacher and the students determine what type of school it is. Not the testing. The truth is, I may be teaching in a "C" school, but I'm an "A" teacher and all of my students have the potential to be "A" students. Please, let us "B"!
But I digress, while shopping, I heard the two words this teacher really, secretly, honestly, dreads hearing while shopping, "Miss Ruggiero?" I turned to see one of my students with her parents. She was so happy to see me, and the automatic hug from my students, always helps with my initial "ugh" feeling. Once I saw that smile, the honor of being a teacher magically appeared.
We all chatted about summer vacation and the nearness of the new school year. Mom shared her concerns about the local redistricting and her concern for Sara going to a "C" School. As she went on, I glanced over and saw her daughter's face go into glaze mode and watched as she folded her arms and turned her smile into a frown. With no hesitation, I turned and said "Make it an A school Sara."
That's the true reality about education. The teacher and the students determine what type of school it is. Not the testing. The truth is, I may be teaching in a "C" school, but I'm an "A" teacher and all of my students have the potential to be "A" students. Please, let us "B"!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Testing, Testing, 1...2...4?
I sat down with my cup of tea this morning to read the paper and there it was, front page..."Test Results Don't Meet Expectation". Exactly whose expectation would that be?
What's that old saying, if you continue to do the same thing over and over you will get the same result. Testing, yep, let's keep doing it over and over and see absolutely no improvement in education at all. I say let's try something new. Let's find out how much it costs each individual school to test, and let's put that money where it needs to go, mandatory parent meetings. Let's have EVERY parent visit school, learn what school expectations are, hear what expectations they have for their children, and then agree to support each other.
Every year when I look at those scores, I see one commonality...poverty and scores. The feds saw it too, and so they decided to put more money into the poorer schools. And it didn't work, so they put more money into the poorer schools. And when that didn't work, they raised teacher standards. And hey, that's been effective...NOT! Now what they have are lower scores, a higher drop out rate, a critical shortage of teachers, superintendents and principals who never stay with a school longer than they can make a better buck somewhere else and a school year that is comprimised of teaching to the test, practicing for the tests and taking the tests. Once again a crucial group was left out. Family. When our students walk into our classrooms, they are walking in with all the "stuff" they left their houses with. And believe me, knapsacks and suitcases on wheels only hold the physical stuff, the emotional stuff is inside of all of our kids.
It's insane.
Take a look at the scores in your community. Where is there a correlation? Once you find it, focus on the whys that are outside of the school and see what you can do. Here, in my community, the lower schools (mine being one) are in the lower economic areas with immigrants who can't speak English and are struggling to keep a roof over their families heads and food on the table. Is there something we can do there and see if that helps the scores?
Or, maybe, just maybe, can we get rid of the standardized test as we know it (a million dollar business I am sure), and actually model for our children a passion for learning and an understanding of what doing their best means?
Sign me up!
What's that old saying, if you continue to do the same thing over and over you will get the same result. Testing, yep, let's keep doing it over and over and see absolutely no improvement in education at all. I say let's try something new. Let's find out how much it costs each individual school to test, and let's put that money where it needs to go, mandatory parent meetings. Let's have EVERY parent visit school, learn what school expectations are, hear what expectations they have for their children, and then agree to support each other.
Every year when I look at those scores, I see one commonality...poverty and scores. The feds saw it too, and so they decided to put more money into the poorer schools. And it didn't work, so they put more money into the poorer schools. And when that didn't work, they raised teacher standards. And hey, that's been effective...NOT! Now what they have are lower scores, a higher drop out rate, a critical shortage of teachers, superintendents and principals who never stay with a school longer than they can make a better buck somewhere else and a school year that is comprimised of teaching to the test, practicing for the tests and taking the tests. Once again a crucial group was left out. Family. When our students walk into our classrooms, they are walking in with all the "stuff" they left their houses with. And believe me, knapsacks and suitcases on wheels only hold the physical stuff, the emotional stuff is inside of all of our kids.
It's insane.
Take a look at the scores in your community. Where is there a correlation? Once you find it, focus on the whys that are outside of the school and see what you can do. Here, in my community, the lower schools (mine being one) are in the lower economic areas with immigrants who can't speak English and are struggling to keep a roof over their families heads and food on the table. Is there something we can do there and see if that helps the scores?
Or, maybe, just maybe, can we get rid of the standardized test as we know it (a million dollar business I am sure), and actually model for our children a passion for learning and an understanding of what doing their best means?
Sign me up!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
DARE I say...
I just got off the phone with my friend JJ and am smiling from ear to ear. I love him. I mean, really love him. JJ is one of those friends who I will think about my entire life and always with a smile. I called JJ tonight because today I thought of him as I sat through the DARE graduation practice. It brought to mind the DARE classes I have had to sit through throughout my educational career. Now, I use the word "have had to..." because, really UGH!
During most of the 90's I worked with JJ and many amazing people who developed programs that we had hoped would help kids stay healthy and safe. We believed, I still do, that information and skills and connection could make a difference.
So I return to the classroom to share information, model skills and make the connection that so many young people need. A connection with someone who cares, and cares unconditionally.
Now I believe police officers do care about youth. I think it is a great idea to have students meet and know local law enforcement officers. Officers knowing young people by name and visa versa can't be beat as a positive asset. It's a connection. But the program itself, ugh. Please, it's really not a program.
I remember that New York City wanted no part of the program. They stated that as soon as teachers were able to get their teaching degree in a six week training, they could teach in a classroom. There is something to be said for that SCHOOL of thought. Would I want a teacher with a BA in Educational Theory riding in cars helping to protect citizens? Even if it was one day a week for 45 minutes.
DARE I JUST SAY "NO"!
During most of the 90's I worked with JJ and many amazing people who developed programs that we had hoped would help kids stay healthy and safe. We believed, I still do, that information and skills and connection could make a difference.
So I return to the classroom to share information, model skills and make the connection that so many young people need. A connection with someone who cares, and cares unconditionally.
Now I believe police officers do care about youth. I think it is a great idea to have students meet and know local law enforcement officers. Officers knowing young people by name and visa versa can't be beat as a positive asset. It's a connection. But the program itself, ugh. Please, it's really not a program.
I remember that New York City wanted no part of the program. They stated that as soon as teachers were able to get their teaching degree in a six week training, they could teach in a classroom. There is something to be said for that SCHOOL of thought. Would I want a teacher with a BA in Educational Theory riding in cars helping to protect citizens? Even if it was one day a week for 45 minutes.
DARE I JUST SAY "NO"!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The Pursuit of "Hoppyness"...
I started substitute teaching this year. It's been over 15 years since I have been in a classroom, and my, my things have changed.
On this one particular morning, I was leaving the office and headed through the maze of classrooms to find my daily dose of youth. As I was strolling, I noticed a Mom dropping her daughter off at the front of the building. The daughter was hugging her Mom and Mom was saying something with a smile. As the little girl closed the car door she began hopping across the courtyard. Grinning from ear to ear, and singing a song, it was pure joy to see. Within a minute, I heard a voice from across the yard "You need to walk in the halls. Stop hopping." Ugh, I shuttered before the little girl did. No malice to the adult who probably was told to keep the students in line and walking, but ugh none the less.
That moment, that small moment of pure bliss touched my heart more than I could imagine. I had forgotten just how great it was to hop. I began to think that if we encouraged our students to hop more we might actually achieve No Child Left Behind and work on the obesity epidemic at the same time. A scathingly brilliant idea. And I began hopping to my room.
On this one particular morning, I was leaving the office and headed through the maze of classrooms to find my daily dose of youth. As I was strolling, I noticed a Mom dropping her daughter off at the front of the building. The daughter was hugging her Mom and Mom was saying something with a smile. As the little girl closed the car door she began hopping across the courtyard. Grinning from ear to ear, and singing a song, it was pure joy to see. Within a minute, I heard a voice from across the yard "You need to walk in the halls. Stop hopping." Ugh, I shuttered before the little girl did. No malice to the adult who probably was told to keep the students in line and walking, but ugh none the less.
That moment, that small moment of pure bliss touched my heart more than I could imagine. I had forgotten just how great it was to hop. I began to think that if we encouraged our students to hop more we might actually achieve No Child Left Behind and work on the obesity epidemic at the same time. A scathingly brilliant idea. And I began hopping to my room.
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