Communicating Effectively

I believe that this is one of the most important things to learn while teaching behind connections and relationships. It all goes hand in hand, if you connect with your students and form relationships you will learn how to effectively teach and talk to them. I noticed that when I get frustrated and use a high voice with my 2 year olds they don't really listen or they just run versus when I get down to their level and tell them that what they're doing makes me sad or that their friends are upset by their actions. Then Ive noticed they will take a different route and go read a book or do something quiet.

I have the links to a few articles below that I loved about communicating with your students!

• http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2016/01/12/how-changing-the-way-you-talk-to-kids-can-change-your-classroom-culture 
• http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/NEA_E-BookFall2012.pdf
• http://www.educationandbehavior.com/get-your-students-motivated/

I hope these articles help you out in same way that they've helped me!

Habit is what keeps you going

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily. - Zig Ziglar 



Getting motivated is never the problem, staying motivated is. I know this from experience, I think of something and all the possibilities that come with it, I'm extremely motivated, then days later I'm like whatever. I have to agree with Jim Ryun when he says "Motivation is what gets you started, Habit is what keeps you going" Your habits and decisions make you who you are and who you will be. Make it a habit to think positive, make it a habit to read more, make it a habit to think and do things that will elevate you higher. Motivation comes with change, it doesn't have to be all at once, it can be slow and gradual but it has to be done. 

I wanted to share with you some things that keep me motivated throughout the day! 

1. The Confident Woman Devotional App by Joyce Meyer.
 This app taps into things that trouble women daily, it helps you to realize that you are a strong, confident woman and that you must first love yourself. It gives you daily tools to address and solve problems. I have had this app for almost 2 years and I believe that it is amazing! I check it every morning for inspiration to start my day with positive thoughts. Every lesson can be applied to anything you are growing through, whether it be intimate relationships, family/friend relationships, or a relationship with yourself. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/confident-woman-devotional/id404880310?mt=8

2. The Sprinkle of Jesus App
 I recently downloaded this app and I instantly loved it! It gives General, men, and women alerts. They pop up randomly throughout the day and it is very inspiring and encouraging http://www.sprinkleofjesus.com

3. Eric Thomas
Eric Thomas is a motivational speaker, I follow him on Instagram and his post are always encouraging and makes you want to get up and grind like no other. His story is also amazing, he doesn't forget where he has came from, or what got him to where he is today! He uses that as his platform and people love him for it! Follow him on IG if you want to fill your newsfeed up with Inspiration. He also has his own website where he has tons of stuff to get and keep you motivated
http://etinspires.com

4. Reyna Biddy 
I just so happened to stumble upon her twitter account one day and fell in love with the words she wrote. She has her own book out now called I Love My Love. She inspires women to love themselves so deeply, that you will never accept less than you deserve. She lets you know that its okay to be hurt, but its not okay to stay hurt, she talks about her hurt and how anyone can get through a broken heart. She also uplifts and encourages women, if you're looking for something to help you gain your confidence back or to start loving yourself more; follow her on her social media sites and you won't be disappointed! 
@DearYoufromWe (Twitter)
@ReynaBiddy (IG)
@Reyna Biddy (tumblr)

Whenever I'm feeling discouraged or not motivated I made it a habit to take time out and seek encouragement and motivation from the apps and people listed above! What are your habits that keep you going?

You Are a Queen

  "Think like a queen, a queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness"- Oprah Winfrey 

This is totally off subject of the usual education posts, but I believe that every girl/woman should know that she is a queen. 

As Oprah said failure is another stepping stone to a greatness, just because you fail at something dosent mean that you give up, you fail at something and you get right back up and keep going.  

Not every girl is told that she is beautiful or this she is a queen when she is younger, and even if she is; sometimes society takes you by the hand and makes you think otherwise. In every woman there is a queen. First step to being a queen is loving yourself! Love yourself so deeply that when someone else comes along trying to love you, you won't settle for anything less than what you deserve. You should learn to validate yourself because if not you will be searching for validation in every person you meet. I believe that a queen embraces her flaws and uses those as stepping stones to create a better version of herself. Flaws are okay, society, peers, and people in general will have you feeling like if you have flaws you're nothing. Thats negative, I believe that flaws are what you make them, you can dwell in them, you can try to change them, you can embrace them and accept you for who you are and move towards a better you. Flaws are probably one of the biggest weapons that you will have thrown at you, so accept them ahead of time and it won't phase you when others bring them up. A queen doesn't try to compete with other queens, we are all different and unique in several ways. As women I think its stupid that we (I've been there) try to put other women down as if we aren't all defending ourselves against the same stereotypes everyday. Uplift one another and encourage one another to show more positive images of women, rather than whats been portrayed on reality TV and social media every second of every day. There is nothing wrong with encouraging and congratulating another woman, I promise it won't block your blessings or make you any less of a woman. 

 

As a queen you should know that you are enough and change any thought that says you aren't. You are GOOD enough, you are SMART enough, you are STRONG enough, and BEAUTIFUL enough. I believe that a queen believes in improvement, yes we accomplish goals and we grow through tough times, but Im a strong believer that there is always room for improvement, not for the next person but to be better than you were yesterday, or even 2 seconds ago. A queen should put God at the center of everything she does because as Psalm 46:5 states "God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day." Whatever you put out into the world will come back to you. A queen should put positive vibes, words, and thoughts out into the universe and all those things will come back to you.  you may already know these things, or maybe you don't; this is a reminder to wear your invisible crown.... every day!

Connections and Relationships

I believe that connections with your students should be the most important goal as teacher. There is a saying "You can't teach what you don't know and who you don't know" You should make it a priority to get to know each one of your students on a personal level. Even as a two year old teacher, I know what makes every one of my kids happy, sad, angry, or any other emotion. Children respect you more when you show that you care about their well being! You learning your students, gives them a chance to also learn you and what triggers your emotions. When you try to give commands or demands to a child that you haven't earned that trust from, its harder to get through to them because they don't feel safe and secure just yet; I see that daily.

Show your students that you care ask them about their morning, how was their weekend, what do they like to do, do they like music, what do they like to play. All those things can even be incorporated into your way of teaching to grasp and keep attention. 

You always want to treat you students with respect. You get what you put out, so if you give respect you will receive it in return. Don't be so quick to always yell, use a kind voice with them. Speak to your students and address them by name or nicknames. Make them feel good about themselves, of course you don't want to be a pushover but try not to always point out the bad in students. There is something good to be said about each student. When they get something right, praise them and let them know how proud of them you are. I believe that every child wants to hear those words; "I am proud of you" is more powerful than you think. I listened to a podcast( Talks With Teachers) on those 5 words and it was very inspiring. With my two year olds when they do something right I tell them to kiss their brain and you would think they just won the lottery how happy it makes them. You have to instill intrinsic motivation in your students, as teachers you have such a huge impact on your students so make it a positive impact! You also never know what a student is dealing with at home, another very important reason to build relationships. They might not get encouragement and positive vibes at home, so while at school its crucial that they get all of that plus an education. Getting to know your students also means you get to know how they learn. Of course every student won't learn the same way, and you might not be able to incorporate each way in one day but try to do one learning style a day; Im sure it will be super beneficial. 

Learn your students, then you can teach them!

Have Faith

      So as mentioned in my first blog post I was once an education major discouraged by the PRAXIS test. The PRAXIS test is the standardized test that you need to pass to become a certified teacher. Whether in an alternative certification program or an education major. I took the test 3 times while an education major and fell short all three times. I started to question if teaching was even my passion, if it was purpose. When I switched my major, although I was interested in Public Health, it did not give me that fix that education did. I felt like I was just going through the motions of being in college.  When I graduated I told myself that I would focus simply on passing all three sections of the PRAXIS test. I made time to study but I really wasn't studying with going right into a full time job and having to deal with the real word, I put it on the back burner. I was praying for something that I wasn't working for. 

          One day I went into work and realized that, where I am is a great place to be in, at this time in my life, but I do not want to be here this time next year. So I registered for the test and signed up for the date November 14th, I bought the PRAXIS CORE for dummies book, I set study times and dates. I took the test and impatiently waited for my scores. When I finally received my scores I was 2 points away from the passing score. I became discouraged again, asking questions as before. A couple of days later one of my best friends had received an email saying that she was accepted to Dental school. That itself was motivation for me, to know that things that we prayed and talked about while in high school and college are reality now. 

         I registered for the test again, taking it on December 31st. This time I studied the book, I downloaded the PRAXIS app on my phone. I prayed and told myself that whats for me, is for me and it will not pass me. I spent hours on multiple choice questions. I spent my break going through multiple choice questions. I was really committed this time and it paid off.  I got an email late last night saying my scores were available, I was so anxious, my phone on 1% percent I logged in and seen that I passed the writing section! I give all praise to God, because through him all things are possible! 

Stay focused on your goals and stay committed to them. Don't give up, just because it looks like work. People often compare their story to someone elses, you can't do that. You don't know what they've went through to get to where they are now. You don't know how hard they worked or how dedicated they were to make things happens. You can't expect overnight success, its all a process. Keep God in the center of everything, work hard, pray, and have faith. You can't lose! 

Perfecting your Craft.

I've recently been looking for ways to become a GREAT teacher. I've been listening to  different Podcast channels, reading blogs, and my favorite reading books! All those things are good but I am more of a hands on person, so I decided to look up education conferences to attend. I found three conferences that look like great opportunities. 

1. Teaching and Learning Conference 2016. 

( http://www.teachingandlearning2016.org )

 March 11-12th in Washington, D.C.

2.  ASCD Annual Conference

( http://annualconference.ascd.org )

 April 2-4th In Atlanta, Georgia. 

3. The 13th Annual NAREN conference 

March 16th-18th in Baltimore, MD. 

( http://narentranzed.org/lodging/)

If you are a aspiring teacher, a student, and of course a certified teacher you are welcome to attend! Look more into them and figure out which one best fits you; but you should never stop learning! Learn new ways to connect with your students, Learn new ways to engage them. Don't be afraid to ask for help and always be willing to perfect your craft. 

Different Routes; Same Destination

You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight- Jim Rohn

There are several routes to one destination, you have to be open to those routes and keep your faith. My sophomore year in college I struggled with passing the PRAXIS test, which I needed to pass to go to the next step in becoming a teacher. The deadline to apply for the teaching program had passed, I had not passed the PRAXIS test and I was discouraged. I started to ask around about different routes to get to my goal. I received several answers and solutions but I had to do what best suited me. From fear of wasting money on classes I simply did not need. I changed my major to Health and Human performance with a concentration in Public Health Education, graduating in May 2015 with a Bachelors in Science

I was told I could go through the ACES program through JCPS to get my teachers certification, or I could get my Masters in Education and become a teacher that way. I decided to pursue the ACES program and learning more about it, I felt that it was for me. I began to look at the PRAXIS test again and decided to take the sections one at a time, that way I can focus on one thing at a time and really study that section. I am currently waiting on my scores from the writing section of the test.

Just because its traditionally done one way, doesn't mean you can't go on and do it another way! I encourage anyone that is feeling discouraged about your journey, your destination or a test.  Pray about it and then work for it! You can't expect results for something you simply did not work for. If you know that you are walking in your purpose then you have to keep your faith and know that God will guide your footsteps to your destination when it is time for you to reach it, and not a second earlier. You go through things that enhance everything that you are, so embrace doing it differently, and know that with God by your side you can accomplish anything!

For those wondering what the ACES program is, I am attaching two links that go more in depth on it.
http://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/Programs/mcconnections/docs/ACESInfoSheet.pdf
http://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/Programs/mcconnections/docs/ACESBrochure.pdf