Dolce Far Niente

Call it a hiatus, respite, or vacation, but whatever you call it we all need one. The singer and songwriter, Joni Mitchell is also a painter. I watched a documentary where she was describing her process. She compared how she moves from painting to songwriting like a farmer rotating crops. She described how she spends time with each activity and then enjoys the break when it is over. Mitchell's approach is similar to what we do in the teaching profession. We spend time teaching and then we rotate or shift our focus during A.T.T.O. (all that time off).

Educators should not feel lazy if we take time off work. We need time to rotate crops. “Dolce far niente” is an Italian phrase meaning the sweetness of doing nothing. Taking time to enjoy the pleasures in life can make for better teaching. All work and no play is bad for educators. Take time today for dolce far niente.

Pisa, Italia

A.T.T.O.

Before Y.O.L.O., I.R.L., and F.O.M.O there was A.T.T.O.

Poet and teacher, Frank McCourt, wrote about All That Time Off (A.T.T.O.) in his book “Teacher Man.” He showed how teachers are awarded A.T.T.O. in exchange for 180 days of service on the academic calendar. That’s right. Vacation time, Baby!

Enjoy your summer and A.T.T.O. teachers! THANK YOU for all you do for students!!!

Louvre

McCourt, F. (2005). Teacher man. New York: Scribner.

Storyboard

Most teachers have only one student teaching experience. At the end of the semester, I had student teachers I supervised create a storyboard. Our last meeting was a celebration of the highs and lows of their student teaching experience. The storyboard is a creative way for student teachers to reflect on this time in their life. It’s a story unlike anyone else’s they are sure to remember for years to come.

I created the Storyboard Activity for my student teachers after a trip to Walt Disney World. There was an attraction called The Art of Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. I saw how the Disney Company and Imagineers created storyboards and thought, “We could do that!” 

Student teachers complete the storyboard draft before our lastmeeting. This gives them time to think about each prompt instead of being put on the spot. They can illustrate or create a collage to accompany each cell of their storyboard. Each student teacher presents his or her storyboard during the final meeting. Student teachers can add or modify this list of prompts as needed:

1. Title

2. Actor or actress you would cast to play you

3. Cast of characters (may include a protagonist and a nemesis)

4. Actors to play your cooperating professional and students

5. Theme song

6. Develop a soundtrack of sounds and songs that help tell your student teaching story

7. Plot

8. Highpoint

9. Resolution

10. What are three important things you learned from your student teaching that you will remember many years from now?

Storyboarding

Spaco!

I recently went to a professional conference. It was my state chapter of the International Literacy Association (ILA). The organization serves literacy teachers PreK to High School.

Teachers, families, and children kicked off the conference Friday evening with fun events. People of all ages enjoyed the art of storytelling by author Mr. Joe Hays. The reading conference had excellent sessions and workshops on Saturday. It was impressive to see large groups of teachers give up part of their weekend for professional development. It got me thinking….

Attending a work conference is a lot like going to a spa. Self-improvement is the focus of both endeavors. At a spa and conference (Spaco) you get pampered. Other people have considered personal comforts and attempted to create a pleasant experience.

There were so many details at my ILA conference the planning committee considered. Meals, decorations, schedule of activities, speakers, vendors, prizes, awards, clock hours/continuing education units, and more were coordinated for the comfort and enjoyment of participants. A special touch at my conference included the creative centerpieces on the tables. Floral vases with artistic flags that had state authors and illustrators were proudly displayed, and given away to participants at the end of the conference.

At a Spaco you get to focus on yourself. Your personal responsibilities related to children, pets, and/or significant other have been left behind so you can pay attention to numero uno.

At a Spaco you choose to go. Nobody is forcing you to attend. In fact, you probably moved heaven and earth to get this chance.

Enjoy your next Spaco experience. You deserve it!

Educator on a Stamp

Every year the United States Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) issues a collection of special stamps with diverse topics that range from soda fountain favorites to pick-up trucks. An educator who taught math is honored in 2016.

Mr. JAIME ESCALANTE (1930-2010) was from Bolivia and taught at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. When he started at Garfield, the school was in danger of losing their accreditation. There were other obstacles Mr. Escalante had to overcome to create a successful math department with his colleagues and administration. He held high expectations for his students who rose to the occasion by excelling in his advanced mathematics courses and on AP calculus exams.

When students said math was too hard Mr. Escalante replied, “Ganas! That’s all you need…ganas.” His students responded by showing they had the gana, or desire, by outperforming students in math from wealthier school districts.

Mr. Escalante was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 1999. If you saw the 1988 movie “Stand and Deliver” you’ll remember how Mr. Escalante inspired inner city youth who were experiencing poverty. Mr. Edward James Olmos portrayed Escalante in the film that earned Olmos an Academy Award nomination for best actor in a leading role that year.

His postage stamp was designed by art director Mr. Greg Breeding and artist Mr. Jason Seiler. This stamp and others can be a fun way to learn about different topics with children. The U.S.P.S., the American Philatelic Society, and the Smithsonian National Postal Museum have learning kits that can be used to explore each stamp and topic. You do not have to be a stamp collector to appreciate the special issue stamps.

Escalante’s stamp is a small masterpiece with gigantic respect in honoring the work of teachers. Bravo U.S.P.S., Mr. Escalante, and students!