I Am Your Plan Break: My 37 years as a Public School "Specials" Teacher

THE ONE WHERE I TELL YOU ABOUT HOW TECHNOLOGY CHANGED EDUCATION 2008-2009: Wichita Public Schools: White PreK-5 Library During the 2008-2009 school year I noticed that students' behaviors really started to become more challenging. I honestly believe that this had to do with cell phones now becoming common. I believe that this was the beginning of what I call THE BIG DISCONNECT. As more parents “plugged in” less attention was given to their children. Of course you see it today all the time, a child in a store starving for their parents attention while the parent is paying more attention to their phone. Believe it or not this Technology Teacher believes that Technology will be the death of our society. I tell my students all the time to put down their devices and give them a break. Learn to listen and talk to one another actively. Don’t make Technology such a priority in your life. In my opinion this was the beginning of students' increased need for attention as it was lacking a...

THE ONE WHERE I GOT A SCHOOL DAUGHTER 2007-2008: Wichita Public Schools: White PreK-5 Library. The years that my children were in late Middle School/early high school are a blur to me. I simply do not have too many memories of them. I do know that our family had left St. Cecelia's church to follow our beloved Father Andy to St. Peters. We had discussed the idea of the boys attending Bishop Carroll for high school but decided that it would be too hard of a transition for the boys going from public school to private school. I do believe that this was the school year that Brad joined the Catholic Church. It was also around this time period that my circle of friends centered around my faith and church. I really enjoyed the friendship of these women when it was just us girls alone. When it turned into couples activities it changed things for me. I have to honestly admit that during this time period if you were not a member of my church/faith, you were not my friend. I was a Holy Roller....

Mom doing flash cards with Michelle and I in 1969 Happy Birthday to my first Teacher, my Mother. If my Mother were still alive today she would have been 84 years years old. Today I would like to use my blog entry as a way to honor her and her teaching career. My  20 year old Mom having fun when she was not teaching Mom graduated from Rolette High School in 1956. She then attended Minot State Teachers College where she received her Associates Degree in Elementary Education in 1958. In those days a Bachelor's degree was not required to become an Elementary School Teacher. Her first Teaching contract was for the Max Public Schools where she taught with her older sister Charlene. Mom and Aunt Charlene at the Max High School Prom I recall my Mom telling me that she and her sister were required to attend the school prom and that dates for them were arranged. I also remember my Mom telling me that she would pick out her outfits for the week and polish her nails on Sunday so that eve...