January 30, Clark

Today was a rough day. I mean, the work I had to do today was treacherous.

Just kidding. I went skiing with the 5th graders. It was a blast. The bonding between students and staff that happens on the ski slopes of Hidden Valley can't be overstated. I loved this day as a 5th grade teacher and I loved this day as an administrator. Good times.

January 29, Clark

Started the day helping a kindergarten kid talk with a 2nd grade kid about a misunderstanding.

Spoke with a kid about bus behavior and safety.

Set up meeting with the Edgar Road principal so that I can "sit at her feet" and glean any wisdom I can from her.

Set up meeting with bus riders for the end of day.

Watched a Class Meeting in a 5th grade classroom. Impressive stuff as the class moved through: acknowledgements, old business, new business and conflict resolution. Students were invested!

Investigated a playground dispute.

Had a few...visitors in the my office. Each visitor was in a unique situation and each conversation I had with my visitors centered around actions we can take at school to make sure our school is the best place to learn on the planet!

Wrote a letter of recommendation for a teaching assistant.

Met with bus riders to come up with agreements about bus conduct.

Today was one of those - "Let's act right, peeps!" - kind of day. It's all good. Mistakes are real and we are better for them, right?

January 28, Bristol

Stepped into a 5th grade class while the teacher met with a parent. Was impressed with their hard work ethic!

Talked with principal about how to handle a cyber bullying issue.

Spent time in all four 1st grade classrooms. In one room, got to see kids in different ELA centers. In another class, they were engaged in math work. In the other two classes, reading groups were meeting with the teachers and other students were working on word work/writing.

Talked with principal on a variety of subjects - how she deals and communicates with displeased parents; school wide character programs such as PBIS; MAP prep.

Visited all four 2nd grade classrooms. In one room, students were finishing up math packets. In another, students were getting snacks out and about to read-to-self. In another, kids were finishing up a writing exercise and beginning to read-to-self. In the last room, I happened upon a presentation students were conducting for kindergarten kids. In this class, students were reporting on countries around the world they had researched. Love seeing students teach. Most enriching exercise a student can do.

Spent time with students at recess and lunch.

Sat with principal as she spoke with a student about cyber bullying.

Conducted kindergarten student surveys with principal and counselor. The surveys are about their classroom teachers. Aim is to give teachers meaningful feedback from the student perspective that will improve the teachers' effectiveness.

Had lunch with three 5th grade students who earned a lunch with me. Great kids and fun conversation.

Caught up on e-mail.

Listened to a 1st grader read and talked to the student about how to speak respectfully to peers and adults.

Attended to dismissal duties.

I just typed the word duties. In my head, every elementary school student just had a nice giggle.

January 27, Bristol

Attended a Balance Lit team meeting and helped plan our Bristol Literacy Night that will take place on March 5.

Helped the principal get ready for Grade Level Meetings in which the topic of convo will be MAP testing.

Accompanied two 4th grade boys to Walter Ambrose Family Center to help them deconstruct a piano. It's part of a new curriculum the music teacher is exploring that lets students direct their own learning.

Sat in on the end of the 4th grade team meeting as they discussed MAP testing.

Conducted a teacher survey in a 2nd grade class.

Conferenced with two students who had an altercation in P.E.

Spent time with a student who needed a break from the classroom. Talked Minecraft.

Spent time with a student who was serving recess and lunch detention.

Met with a group of 5th graders to iron out some differences they were having.

Stepped in to the meeting where 5th graders hear more about the Steger 6th Grade Center.

Helped facilitate the end of day routines.

Didn't eat lunch. It happens.

January 26, Bristol

So I walked into Bristol's office and quickly noticed the panicked look on the office assistant's face. She said, "we have quite a few teachers out today due to professional development and not all of them have subs just yet." The principal confirmed this news as she walked out of her office. I then piped up, "if need be I'll act as a sub today." The principal didn't hesitate, "thanks for stepping up. You'll be in with a 5th grade class."

I thought it would be a breeze. After all, I'm not that far removed from being a 5th grade teacher and in my heart, I think I will always self-identify as a teacher. But subbing. Ugh. It's hard work. I walked into a classroom that was not my own. I stood in front of students who I didn't know and who didn't know me. While the day went by without much of a glitch, it was different from teaching. I have a new-found respect for subs.

So that was my Monday. Subbing.

January 23, Clark

Talked with students about bus behavior.

Intervened with student who was having difficulty adjusting from home to school.

Walked into two different classrooms. Was promptly called back to a kindergarten classroom because one table felt left out because I didn't visit their table. Valuable lesson learned. Attend to every student!

Reprint a name plate for a teacher. (These name plates are soooo cool.)

Met with a teaching assistant who served as a long term sub in our building on two different occasions. Asked, How can Clark be better for our students, their families and staff? Also, processed her own teaching experience - strengths and areas for growth.

Sat with students who served recess/lunch detention.

Finished a rough draft version of my administrator evaluation. Emailed evaluation to Bristol/Clark principals for revision/edit.

Spent some time looking for PBIS training that I could possibly attend in the future. Emailed someone asking for spring and summer sessions.

Played Legos with a 1st grader who sees me every Friday as a reward.

It's time...

So here's how it goes for me...I'm currently an Administrative Intern (also called by our district an Educational Leader Intern) that serves two Webster Groves School District elementary schools. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I serve the Bristol Elementary community and on Thursdays and Fridays I serve the Clark Elementary community. On Mondays, I alternate which school community I serve.

The purpose of this blog is to give an account of the day-to-day things that I do. Obviously, there will be some material that I will not be able to share for confidentiality reasons but I can give some general ideas about the life of an Administrative Intern.