This is Why I Have to Be Careful When Blogging

I've said it once...I've said it a thousand times.  

Sometimes, there's some major downfalls to being a public blogger.

And when I say "public", I mean that people know the face behind my blog..who I really am...and usually who I'm talking about or what I'm talking about.

I can't get on here and air my frustrations in private.  Private bloggers have that perk on their side.  They can write their blog without much fear or worry that people reading will figure out who's being talked about... because nobody knows the identity of the person doing the blogging.

I made my bed and had to lie in it the moment I chose to post my face on my blog, and then share that blog with my Facebook world.

One of the other downsides is the fact that when I do air my frustrations, stuff can often get misconstrued, and it ends up making people that I'm not really talking about look bad or fingers get pointed at others...when it's not really my intention going in.

I'll use yesterday as an example, because I need to address that situation head on.

I have shared, a couple of times now, about a few minor issues I've had with my class when they go away with other teachers.  

I've vented those frustrations only because I've received some negative comments about my class, and it angers me.  Only because I know that they are amazing kids, and I just wished that they wouldn't let themselves get a little out of control when I'm not around.

I like to think of this blog as a place that I can share about my life as a teacher.  Both good and bad.  I know that there's not a single class on the planet that can be perfect ALL of the time, and there are certain situations that cause frustration.  Maybe I shouldn't talk about that stuff on here, maybe I should just keep it all positive and happy.  But, then that really wouldn't be me.  I'm not one to shelter my feelings...and there's usually a lot of support and advice that I can get from other teachers that read this blog.  I know what I can and can't talk about.

And maybe, my post yesterday, was one of those that should have just been left unsaid.

Yesterday, I got a little advice...but then I almost considered deleting the comment.  That comment was left by my friend, Cathy.

NOT because there was anything wrong with the comment.  Cathy knows me, personally.  She knows my passion for teaching.  She knows my motivation.  She knows how much it means to me to be the best I can be for my kids ALWAYS.

When she wrote her comment, I know 100% that she had no ill feelings or meant for her comment to say anything negative towards others.  She was just stating her point of view and opinion on the situation.  She's an education expert.  She was one of my professors when I was learning how to be a teacher, and I know that if I need any advice... I can most definitely turn to her.

The problem with the comment, though, was that it could be taken in a negative light towards someone I work with.  And I in no way, shape, or form EVER want to say anything negative about any person that I work with.  I work with an amazing group of teachers and staff...and think they are all well equipped and trained for their jobs.

Cathy knows that my classroom management is one of my top priorities...and one of my biggest strengths.  My classroom really does function like a well oiled machine.  Kids know what's expected of them.  They know how to behave.  They know that I have their best interests at heart, and getting the very best out of them is what I want.  Always.

So, when I'm dealt with a situation like my class not being their very best for other teachers, I can understand why looking at the other teacher's classroom management might come in to question.

But, I want to take this opportunity to say that I in no way, shape, or form blame the classroom management skills of my peers as the cause for issues that arise when my kids go to their specials classes.

If it was just one teacher that had the issue, then fine...maybe I would.  But it's not.  It's all four teachers that my kids visit each and every week.  Some teachers have more trouble than others, and I think that has a lot to do with what special is involved, NOT the teachers teaching them.

I'd like to use yesterday as a good example of that very statement.

Yesterday, my kids had P.E.  They love P.E.  It's probably their favorite of all the specials.  It's like having an extra recess, to them.

When I got to the gym, the coach told me he needed to run a quick errand, and asked if I'd stay with them for just a few moments.  I did.  I got the kids started with some exercising, and waited for the coach's return.

When the coach got back, I moseyed over to the other side of the gym where a class of Jr. High kids were having P.E. with the Jr. High coach.  I talked to some of the kids, I talked to coach.  I stood there for a long time chatting, because the Jr. High coach also happens to be Butter's football coach...and there was a game last night.

As I was standing in the gym, in perfect view of my class, their coach had to get on to them several times about following directions, listening when he was talking, and to stop arguing.

I looked in their direction each and every time the coach had to raise his voice...and was met with several pairs of concerned eyes.  My kiddos all saw me there watching, yet it didn't really change their behavior AT ALL.  Once they saw me watching, they quietened down, or started listening, or whatever... but that only lasted for a few minutes before the coach was having to give another reminder.

So, even though I was present and observing the behavior of the class while with another teacher, it still didn't really affect the way they behaved.

Watching them, I also started to come to some conclusions about their behavior.

They go to specials right after recess.  They are super charged and fired up from spending 25 minutes playing.  They don't really have that much time to calm down before they are shuffled in to a classroom to start learning, again.   

They have also spend their entire morning working HARD.  Math and language arts are the classes before lunch and recess.  Those classes require a lot of brain power, focus, and paying attention.  So, when lunch, recess, and then specials come...it's like they get to let their hair down and enjoy themselves for a little while.

I don't think my kids are misbehaving in their specials on purpose.  They are just having a hard time adjusting from play time to class time. 

Not that I'm giving them excuses.  It just means that I kinda, sorta have a handle on what might be causing the behavior issues.  I just, now, have to figure out the best way to solve the issue.  And, with the specials teachers and I working together... I think that we can help remedy the situation.

The coach also informed me yesterday that it's not JUST my class.  It's tough for all of the 4th grade classes.  Which makes sense.  They are all in that same "we just had recess and haven't calmed down" state of mind.

I've got a plan that I'm going to try out, and pray that it works.

But, until then, I wanted to come on here and clear the air.  Explain my side and thoughts a little more clearly.  

I could have just deleted yesterday's post and left it at that.  But, again, that's not who I am.  Being a teacher has MANY more perks than it does difficulties.  But, the difficulties are usually a big part of getting to the perks...so it makes sense to share the difficulties when they arise, so that I can have the sweet satisfaction of sharing the successes...once I've figured out how to get to them.

And this will be another situation that will have that outcome.  Eventually.

Right now, though... I really need to go and get ready for work.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!