This Little Light of Mine..

My personality. Let’s just say God got a little distracted and poured a little heavy that day. I am just a people person and pleaser. I just naturally love people. I love their stories, the way they are different, their beliefs-- people, the more I meet and interact with the better. When I compare others, I don’t do it out of spite or to make someone look better than the other- it is simply, unapologetically who they are. For example, I am a “Go Big or Go Home” kind of gal. You give me a little project and I have to make it the most huge, extravagant thing they have ever seen. Will it make me exhausted, and tired? Probably. But the second I get a “WOW” or a “I cannot believe how amazing this is,” my bucket is instantly refilled. I just blame this on my middle kid syndrome. I’ll do anything for tiniest acknowledgement. When you put me in charge of an event - you can expect the whole school to look like a pep rally is about to happen, someone is coming in to observe my teaching from another school - my lesson better be the most elaborate thing they have ever seen, they want me to help with job fair - well were taking a canopy tent, hanging pictures from string, there will be cupcakes, and curtains so were unforgettable, we are organizing a school lip sync- oh then we need costumes and I need to paint a 6 foot by 6 foot tie dye slug bug so we can dance to car wash- considerate all of it done. I am notorious for taking something small and blowing it up into something huge! Some people get embarrassed by my go big nature, but I think Dr. Seuss said it best, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out.” I know quoting Dr. Seuss is kind of corny - but I find it to be so true in my case. My mom used to tell me the song “This Little Light of Mine” was wrote about me. The irony is now sometimes I have to sing this to myself to remind myself that although some appreciate my efforts, unfortunately some cast shade. But- “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let is shine.” I cannot stop shining because it might make others uncomfortable or maybe because they think I am trying to out do them - it is definitely not intentional but if I expect the best out of my students then I have to continue to expect and accept only the best from myself.

Maybe a more respectable reference is due. (Sorry Dr. Suess and Mom)

Adam Welcome and Todd Nesloney got it right! They started off their book Kids Deserve It with the perfect first chapter- “Go Big, Be Creative!” This is my favorite chapter because it is totally me. They ask, “Will you leap?” For me that answer is always- “Yes, and can I wear a costume with a glitter covered cape?”

To people who are afraid to leap, I would first answer this-  is this what is best for my kids? If that answer is, “YES!” -then leap, leap as high and far as you can! Creativity takes practice, execution of a craft takes time and effort. Do I think it is always going to work out? No. But I’m willing to go down swinging until I’ve exhausted every option, and then I reflect and come back bigger and better. Don’t cast a shadow on the “Go-big-or-go-home” people. Get in there and push yourself to be bigger and better, too. -and if you fail? Honestly, who cares- we all fail and you should get up and leap again!

Push THAT to the Top of the List

As I sit here and get all jazzed up about writing my next blog post I cannot help but feel guilty. I should be spending my Friday off working on my Master’s homework, planning my STAAR (state test) review out for the next month, trying to finish my #HyperDocs for student badge challenges, maybe some laundry, or battling the mall for my daughter’s Easter dress. Instead here I sit; tap, tap, tapping away on my keyboard. I have to ask myself why did I decide to push writing a blog post to the top of the list instead of trying to accomplish some of the tasks I need to get done first? I personally prioritized my blog to the top because it interested me, it gives me time to decompress my thought, and more importantly gives me a chance relate to other educators.

Then I began to think, how do I gain a mindset that allows me to personally prioritize even the things I purposely push to the bottom of the list. Something I need to get better at is rewarding myself with personal priorities that interest me- approaching them as rewards or bonuses. Maybe the way to go at it is -okay, if I fold the laundry and complete one piece of the HyperDoc then I can write my blog post. If I could just change this mindset I could become more productive and accomplish more of my ever-growing to-do list.

I notice that I tend to give 100% of my energy while I am in the classroom and unfortunately for my family when I get home I try to muscle out anything I have left- sadly it is usually just the fumes. Balancing work and home is so hard for me. I am sure there are other educators who totally feel like this. When my last student gets picked up at 4, I return to my classroom to someone waiting who wants help, or maybe a coworker wants to talk about the day and how we plan to make tomorrow better. When I am finally alone to get things done- I need to rush out the door to head to daycare to pick up my daughter before they close. I feel like I could stay at work working until 10PM and I would leave still having tons to get done. This is mainly my fault because I cannot do anything half assed. I start with this really little idea and then have to blow it up into a huge extravagant event.

Again this is extra added personal priorities only brought on by myself. In my journey to make my priorities less like a Plinko board, I am going to attempt to keep the goal of an empty completed to-do list in my sights.

Leading the Horse to Water

I once sat through a training with Tammy Heflebower with Marzano Research, and she proposed a question that changed my perspective completely on how I view the way my students learn. She led with the famous saying, “You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make them drink.” At that moment, I quickly reflected on how my students feel when I am delivering new content. Is this how some teachers always think? “I am teaching to them, they just don’t want to learn it.” “I am taking them to the water but they do not want to drink it.”

This mindset takes me back to a cartoon I saw. There were two boys and dog. One little boy tells the other, “I taught my dog how to whistle!” So the 2nd little boy leans down to the dog and says, “I don’t hear anything.” The little boy replies, “ I said I taught him how. I didn’t say he learned it!”

In this reflection I thought… How many teachers treat their curriculum this way? I am guilty from  time to time. Especially on content that I feel is yawn worthy. Of course my horses do not want to drink the water. The water is stale. The water is boring. So how do you fix it? How do you fix the mindset? What is the first step?

This is where the perspective changing question came in. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink-- the real question is not how to MAKE the horse drink but how can you make the horse thirsty? THIRSTY! At that point, I started my journey to make the students thirsty. I have to make meaningful lessons, and not the lessons where I am begging them to drink. In my efforts to make my students thirsty, I have grown so much is my delivery of content, lesson engagement, my hooks, and most definitely changing the energy and enthusiasm in the classroom.

I hope you choose to join me in the effort to create lessons the kids moan and beg not to leave your room for. Does it take a little more effort? Yes! But is it worth it? Absolutely. Keep those students “thirsty,” my friends!

Choosing to Be Better, Not Bitter

I am very lucky to work in my district. We are absolutely bursting at the seams with rock star, go-the-extra-mile teachers. I am fortunate to have worked side by side with many of them through trainings, cohorts, collaboratives, and conferences. Every one of them gets to school early and stays late to achieve the level of work they feel their kids deserve.

These amazing teachers create these extraordinary lessons and post them to twitter. Twitter is where I get the best ideas for lessons and also connect and build a relationship with these shining teachers. Sometimes teachers can feel intimidated or jealous of other teachers, I am not the exception. I want to be great, amazing, cutting edge, and have amazing lessons, too. Then I realized, I need to choose to be better, not bitter! I need these amazing people on my team, to be around me to push me, I need them in my PLN, and as someone I could call and ask questions to. You see, the good thing about teachers is “Teachers gonna Teach!” If you want to know how someone created a lesson on a Chromebook, or how they set up a QR code math extravaganza, then ask them. One thing I have found about those rock star teachers is they are good hearted, do what is best for students kind of people. Therefore, they would be happy to let their lesson reach as many kids as possible, or even collaborate with you to help you make the lesson your own.

I love being around driven people- they make me want to be better and step up my game for my students. I encourage you to not tear down the extra-mile teachers, ask them how they did what you liked and become a rockstar, too. The world, the students, need more extra-mile teachers and it could be you!

Let other teachers help you grow. Choose to be BETTER, not bitter.

Shoutout to just a few elementary teachers in my district who make me better, not bitter: Adrian Cargal (@ClassyCargal), Megan Scroggins (SHMrsScroggins), Amy Simmons (SassySimms), Julie Yandell (@YandellsPlace), Cheri West (@SHMRSWEST), Lindsay Rogers (@mommasducklings)

After I started, I realized this list could go on and on... and on...

Earning Your Stripes

My mom always told me I could talk to wallpaper. I never knew if that was a compliment or a complaint but she was not incorrect. I always loved entertaining others and that was no different when I got my first classroom of 30 students. Although my first year was a doozy (I mean, what teacher’s isn’t?) a lot of things just came natural to me. Sure there was quite a bit of trial and error but for the most part I found my bearings quickly. Content wise, I felt very confident. I was teaching the subject I studied in college, had a heck of a cooperating teacher for my student teaching experience, and had someone on my campus who could answer any question I had. With that in my back pocket, I felt pretty good about my teaching efforts.

As I sit here and eat my piece of humble pie, I realized quickly my teaching style was very different, which brought me some attention. I felt like (definitely NOT all) some seasoned teachers did not like to see the inexperienced teacher do so well. I wondered why this was. Shouldn’t we celebrate others? Shouldn’t we find ways to highlight everyone’s strengths? I realized- maybe they thought I should “earn my stripes.” Being a good teacher is one thing, but being a valued team member is another. Gaining others respect, supporting others, getting some years of experience: these would all come in time. Even as a year three teacher my “go big or go home” philosophy can still get in the way from time to time. I have so much to learn and love learning from others daily. The things I enjoy most is being a part in people's stories, and sharing my love and passion for teaching.

So what do you do? Pump the brakes, push the gas, worry about everything you say and do? I still have not figured that out. Sometimes when other teachers make comments, I do feel like I need to make a “keeping up with the Jones’” remark. I try to refrain from it as much as I can, but sometimes I want my efforts heard and acknowledged as well. I also live in a world where I just want everyone to like me, and it bothers me to think that someone does not or that I have rubbed them the wrong way.

In my journey to gain respect, and earn my stripes- I realize there will be another “Lexi” that will come into my life. As a veteran teacher, how will I receive her? How will I inspire her to be better? I would probably tell “future Lexi” to ROCK ON and be amazing for kids despite what others say. Stay humble because the only person you need to be better than is YOURSELF!  

Inspire, Be Inspiring, Become Inspired

This post is my first blog post because I became inspired-

My name is Lexi Law and my current teaching position is 5th Grade Science in North Texas. At this point in my career I am wrapping up the back half of my third year of teaching. I promise what I lack in experience I over compensate in the amount of energy I have.

Although I feel like my first year of teaching should have counted as 4 years of experience. I was at a difficult school, cried in the parking lot on my lunch hour almost every day, and lost over half of my hair due to stress. I taught two subjects and quickly became the staff member no one liked because I had no classroom and got pushed into whichever teacher's room who was on conference. I became very comfortable with letting others watch me teach because I did not have any other option. I have always been a people-pleaser and fallen victim to a lot of things I did not want to do because I simply cannot tell people "No!" I am the go to volunTOLD person. Gratefully, I have learned so much in my experiences from not being able to say, "No!" 

I have been placed on every cohort, collaborative, leadership team, and pilot my district offers. I keep my summers slammed with professional developments and conferences to present at and attend. Sometimes I wonder WHY, LEXI? Why do you pile your plate so high and so full? Then I realized...

INSPIRE-
I think about the word inspire. What that word encompasses. I love being around people who love to inspire others. I have found that those teachers, the ones that aim to inspire others, all participate in the cohorts, collaboratives, leadership teams, and get picked for the pilots. I love being around like minded people. It allows me to become a sponge and just soak up all the greatness that I can from them.

BE INSPIRING-
How do I then turn it around and be inspiring to someone else. Most teachers are not okay with being mediocre so how do I take what I have/or know and be inspiring. My teaching style has always been different and I am definitely not one to let my lesson planning become stagnate or stale. I feel like the "be inspiring" aspect just comes from admiration and not pushing. Others have to want the drive to be inspired; I cannot MAKE someone want more. I just have to continue leading by example because the #KidsDeserveIt.

BECOME INSPIRED-
To become inspired is an easy one for me. I become inspired rather easily and I do not know why or how that came to be. I am the one who is the crying sap listening to the Teacher of the Year speak, or hear a motivational speaker and think I can change the world. I become inspired by my Educational Heroes that write books about their experiences, like Paul Solarz- Learn Like a Pirate, Dave Burgess- Teach Like a Pirate, Matt Miller- Ditch That Textbook, and Adam Welcome and Todd Nesloney- Kids Deserve It. After reading about their amazing classrooms and schools, I then tried to find innovative ways to bring that back to my class for my students. If I am being honest, following all of these amazing people on twitter totally helps me stay in a motivated mindset. My PLN teaches me and inspires me daily.

My advice to you, as a semi-new teacher, do not quit being a sponge whether you are starting year 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25. I have so much to learn from my veteran teachers, and I have barely scratched the surface in my efforts to become a great teacher. I just hope I always have the drive to be better, to evolve as the kids do, and to push myself to not settle for mediocre.