I am an 8th grade science teacher at Kastner Int. School in Fresno CA. My kidz are awesome, burt a challenge. Every day is a new set of challenges. My love of the sciences keeps me going. This year, we have implemented a new program - Time to Teach. It is improving the atmosphere at school and increasing our teaching time.

I look forward to sharing ideas and learning from the experiences of others.

-ScienceMann

I want more info on this program. If you see it's improving things, please share. What is the philosophy? How's it implemented? Pros? cons?

Welcome to the forum, ScienceMann!
-Heather WG

Hi all. I teach dance full-time in a public urban middle school for a second year. Yes, this experience is most definitely not for the faint of heart; hence, my reference to our warrior status. I am very interested in learning from my peers, and I am particularly interested in hearing from those who are experienced in running a reasonably productive performing arts classroom, specifically dance and drama.

I have both the thrill and the dread of designing my own curriculum, and I would voraciously sponge any and all observations about your experiences. My classes, 6th - 8th, are mostly too large, combining
'regular ed' kids with the 'special need' students who are otherwise in separate special ed classrooms. With all of the ensuing chaos...

My Michael Jackson unit was pretty successful as we recreated sections of his best-known choreographies. I'm now interested in introducing musical theatre, perhaps recreating scenes of classic Broadway. FYI, I've discovered that middle schoolers love to imitate their celebrated
dancing role models.

Your ideas will be most appreciated! And thanks to Heather for this forum.

Earlier in my career, I was a teacher by day and a director at a children's theater by night. I directed K-12 musical theater and Shakespeare, bringing my teaching expertise into the drama arena. Years later, I began a drama class at my middle school which blossomed into a cross-curricular, schoolwide program. I totally understand the challenges and the beauty of being a theater teacher, and I applaud you for bringing the arts to so many diverse students.

I found that the more subjects you weave into your program, the better. I loved teaching musical theater because it brought History and Social Studies into the drama classroom. Having the students design their own Playbills and Actor Bios brought in ELA. And by reaching out to local bookstore storytimes and public libraries, we even used our abilities to greater serve our communities.

The arts are vital in our schools. Sometimes they are a "dumping ground" for individuals with no other elective to go to, and in so doing, a program can be choked off by not feeding it the talented students it needs to thrive. But at times, you also find that those kids who get thrown in there discover the arts themselves.

Integrate and you will find the rigor. Open your class to those who have no knowledge of the arts (as you have done) and you will find that talent is everywhere.

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and welcome to the middle school forum.
-Heather WG

Hello! Well, I happen to absolutely LOVE what I do! I consider myself blessed to do what I love rather than do something I just tolerate. I've been teaching for 7 years. Before that, I had a few "jobs" that could have been careers. They just didn't make my heart sing. So, I got my graduate degree with Special Ed cert and have been teaching ever since.

My new motto: I'm only as good a teacher as my lowest performing student. I just believe that I have to try to always reach ALL of my students and push them to their fullest potential. So much of their growth at this age can't be measured on a high stakes test. I see my students - and all the students I work with - grow and mature. It's wonderful. Yet, at times, these successes don't translate into AYP. I think the "powers that be" sometimes forget about the child.

In addition to teaching Special Ed & MG, I also direct the school plays and have formed a Student Council this year. It's great! The kids are so into extra-curricular activities. It gives them an opportunity to shine. Our school is inclusive so I co-teach with the classroom teachers in Literacy and Math for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. On one hand, I get to help ALL children, providing strategies to help more children advance in the curriculum. On the other hand, I run around a lot and am never in one place for very long. It's a balance. This is a new initiative (2nd year at my school) so it's a work-in-progress.

I love teaching middle school. When I decided to teach, I wanted middle school age. People thought I was crazy. Other teachers advised me to start with the younger grades. Still, I wanted the middle school but took their advice. As it turns out, the school I chose, a K-5 school, was converting to a K-8 school and adding grades. So, it turns out I got my wish after all!

I see the potential in all students. I tend not to dwell on their challenges or shortcomings, rather on their strengths and potential. I often tell students that it's not that they "can't" do it; it's that they may not be able do it "yet". And I'm their "yet"!

You are crazy...as are we all here in the middle school forum. So welcome fellow asylum resident. Your attitude is inspirational. How else will we tap into a student's potential if we don't believe that they have that potential within.

Welcome.
-Heather WG

When people tell me I'm crazy, I always say, "Of course I am! Why do you think I became a teacher!" I totally embrace my insanity - it's nice to see others who do as well!

So glad to be in the group!

Erika