January was a Tough Year

... but we made it!

Confession... Transitioning from the classroom to the Instructional Coach role was a little more overwhelming than I was prepared for.

At first, it was lonely because I was too busy trying to figure out what I was supposed to be doing.

I spent a lot of time sifting through paperwork that was left behind by the previous Coaches. Then I spent more time going through things that were sent to me by other Coaches in the district in an effort to catch me up. To be honest, none of it was helpful because this isn't really a job you can "catch up" on without just wanting to hide under the covers and not come out of bed. It's more a job you have to pick up where you jump in and just do the thing.

This led me to some serious reflection about this career choice.

I started telling myself that I'm not really cut out for this job. I mean, sure... I did this in my last district. But that was different. Back then, the idea of Coaching was just getting off the ground, so I was still a classroom teacher in addition to a Literacy Coach. This time, Coaching is all I have.

Making the transition was a challenge in itself because my classroom has always been my safe place. No matter what bad stuff happened in my life, I always had the consistency of my classroom and my students to keep me grounded. My stuff didn't matter when I was facing a classroom full of 6-, 7-, or 8-year-olds with their own "stuff." That led me down this whole rabbit hole of "Who am I to think I'm a good enough teacher to do this?" and "Who is going to trust me enough to come to me for help?" It was seriously one dig on myself after another, each one focusing on how I am just not enough.

Then things changed. After a couple of district meetings, I finally figured out what I was supposed to be doing. Then things got lonely because teachers were teaching and all I could do was wait for them to need me for something. I mean, I have the students in my third grade class and the person who transitioned into my former job... but that was just like transitioning in a student teaching situation. It wasn't actually what my Instructional Coaching job is supposed to be.

In the second week, I did finally get invited into a first grade classroom to support that teacher, which was both hard and fun. It's hard to walk into a classroom full of students you haven't actually met yet. But as a former first grade teacher, it was fun to get back in there with the tiny people. 💖

I've done a lot of research and reading into this job. I started with Instructional Coaching by Jim Knight. I dug deep into the resources provided by my district. I started reaching out to other coaches with specific questions, so they were able to help me a little more than before. It's hard to ask for help in the beginning because you just don't know what you don't know. But it seems that this is getting easier week by week.

Right now, my biggest struggle is that I'm not getting nearly as many steps as I was as a classroom teacher! 😅

But while we're on this topic, let's circle back around to my original plan to tell you all about my 2020 goals.  When I started this school year, I put my class's MAP Growth Assessment scores on my vision board because I intended to get all of my students to reach their projected growth in reading proficiency. Well, that goal is definitely a little different now since I no longer have a class of my own.

Now, I'm focusing more on an edited photo of Anita Archer where I superimposed my head onto her body. (Yes. That happened.)

My new career goal is to become as good a mentor as she is. Maybe I'll write a book. 😂 That isn't my goal, though. My goal is to simply be a person who teachers can rely on to support their professional growth, research teaching methods that they want to practice, and model scientifically proven instructional strategies.

One day, I'll be a stay-at-home dog mom. Until then, I'm going to be a kick-ass Instructional Coach!

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The First Week...

is the hardest!

So, last weekend, I talked about all the goals I'm going to set and how amazing 2020 is going to be! (You can check that out [here] if you missed it.)

I showed you my vision board.

I shared some of my big goals.

And since then, I've modified some of the goals and actually considered some action steps to reach those goals.

My Vision Board (although I've updated it slightly in the last week)

I've been asked a few times about my vision board.

• How did I set it up?
• Is the stuff on it only related to my 2020 vision and goals?
• How do I decide what should go on the vision board?
• Several other questions...

To start, I had to really figure out my values. (First, give Hal Elrod's podcast a listen. Identifying your values is a crucial first step to figuring out your vision.)

My top 3 values are my health, my financial freedom, and the influence I have on others' lives.  Once I had those, I broke them down further to help me establish a vision for my life and a vision for 2020.

I'll start with health. Actually, it's getting late. I may only talk about my health goals tonight. 😂 The images on my vision board related to my health all pertain to these goals.

I have been working out every day for quite some time. I have no intention of setting a goal to workout. It's not a challenge, so it's not a goal. However, I do need to improve my physical health. I also intend to improve my mental, emotional, and spiritual healths while I'm at it. 

Some specific goals I've set for these areas include:

Physical Health

• 👊🏼 Stick to my nutrition plan, eating foods that fuel my body properly.
• 👊🏼 Eat and train to prep for the 2020 Beachbody Classic physique competition in July.
• 👊🏼 Win the Most Improved Time award at the 2020 Gold Nugget Triathlon in May.

Mental Health 

• 💥 Read 12 personal development books in 2020, and apply the principles to my life.

Spiritual Growth 

• 👏🏻 Read at least 2 faith-based books.
• 👏🏻 Attend 52 church services.

Emotional Health 

• 💖 Practice daily habits that encourage self-love (positive affirmations, journaling, reading books like You Woke Up Worthy, etc.)
• 💖 Encourage other women to practice self-love and self-care habits. (The best way to learn something is to model it for others!)

I realize looking at this list that it's kind of a lot for just one area of my life. The truth is, though, several of these goals have end dates long before December, so they will be removed once the time has passed. 

My health is important to me. It is in fact my highest value because without health, you can't enjoy any other parts of your life. My mental and physical health has been a priority for me for some time now. Adding spiritual growth and emotional health is new for me now, and I'm ready to embrace this part of my journey!

Do you have some health goals? Tell me about them!

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The Comeback...

... is always stronger than the setback!

Dude! It's been a hot second since I've seen this page. I wasn't even sure if I'd remember the password. (Actually, I still don't... Apparently, my Internet browsing history dates back to the dawn of time, and I never signed out last time I was here.)

My setback: Feeling too busy. So... Life. (Isn't that always the way?)
My comeback: The end of 2019!

Well, I guess let's just get it started. 2020 is coming.

Dun, dun, duuuunnnn....

New Year's Eve in Anchorage, AK

Have you thought about your resolutions? Do you even make resolutions?

Personally, I don't like the idea of resolutions. According to the U.S. News & World Report (as mentioned by Psychology Today last year), 80% of New Year's resolutions are abandoned by February. EIGHTY PERCENT!

WHHYYY??

As a Health & Wellness Coach, I've seen a few failed resolutions and have a few assumptions as to why. The biggest, in my opinion, is that people don't have a strong enough why to change their behaviors.

But also, I've seen people who just haven't set a goal that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.  People aren't setting S.M.A.R.T. goals!

There are plenty of other reasons resolutions don't make it through the first quarter, but those two added to giving up because you're not seeing immediate success are pretty solid. (By the way, if you get discouraged easily due to lack of immediate results, I highly recommend The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen. I'm reading it now, and I'm already seeing results as I start to apply The Slight Edge to my life in small doses! The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy is another good one!)

I digress.

Resolutions. I don't make them. When a person makes a resolution, they are simply making a decision to do or to not do something. To me, it seems too ... What's the word? Ultimatum-y. I don't do well with ultimatums, especially when I give them to myself. I always find "reasons" (i.e., excuses) to justify not sticking to the commitment.

So instead, I set goals. Specifically, S.M.A.R.T. goals. And for the first time in my life, I actually created my Vision Board for 2020 and put it up on the wall! And printed this photo and taped it into my planner.

I wake up every morning, and part of my morning routine is to use the things plastered all over this board to visualize my goals as if I've already achieved them. (Thanks, Miracle Morning!) When I picture my life as if I've already achieved these goals, I'm establishing my strong why. I'm getting in touch with my why-power. How will my life be different if I achieve these goals? What is the worst thing imaginable if I don't achieve them? That's my first step to sticking to my goals.

Next, I think about the things I want to accomplish in that visualized life - my values. Freedom from debt has a strong presence in my vision. More than that (but easier for me to accomplish) is living a healthy lifestyle. Also on my list of values is making a difference in the careers of teachers and the lives of students. I create my goals based on these values.

So, since I'm announcing my comeback, here are my goals for 2020:

1. I will win the "Most Improved Time" award at the Gold Nugget Triathlon in May.
2. I will commit to eating and training for results to prepare for the 2020 Beachbody Classic on July 17.
3. I will commit to a one-year shopping ban in order to put extra money towards paying off debts.
• Sidenote: I will not be debt-free by the end of 2020. However, I will be a lot closer than I am now! Hopefully, an extra $15,000 closer, but I will aim for $10k by December 31, 2020.
4. I will study and practice at least 3 new research-based instructional strategies to share with my colleagues and model for use in their classrooms to improve reading achievement (1+ new strategy in the spring to account for the time spent learning my job, and 2+ strategies in the fall after having time to embrace this career change).
5. I will complete the Business Activity Tracker daily for my health coaching business in order to track progress toward advancing my team to become Diamond.

I will track my progress and stay accountable in my blog. (I suppose that would be a #6, no?)

I've already added the blog update to my planner for next weekend. 😉

One last thing on setting and reaching your goals. I think it was Rachel Hollis who asked a question in one of her books (maybe it was Girl, Wash Your Face?) that really resonated with me, and it's how I determine the actions necessary to get me to my goals. Is what I am doing right now getting me closer to my goal? If the answer is no, I 5-Second Rule myself out of whatever I'm currently doing to do something productive.

I hope you take some time to think about your goals for the upcoming year/few months/month/week... Whatever you want to plan for. Just set a goal and make a plan! I'm excited to see where this year takes me.

Here's to the end of another year and the beginning of a new chapter!

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First Day of Summer Vacation!

Summer vacation!! Today marks Day 1, and I've managed to accomplish absolutely nothing! Haha!  Just kidding.  Last night, without the stress of the end of the school year looming over me, I managed a full, uninterrupted 8 whole hours of SLEEP!!  Hell, yes!! Then I got the dogs to the vet and took them outside for a bit.  It's been a great, stress-free Friday!

Anyway. Rewind a little... The last day of school this year was quite the adventure.  Five years ago, I got my first group of kids here in Alaska. It wasn't really a big deal. It's not like this was my first year teaching. I just got my first job in this state... after A LOT of stress because of the hiring situation here.  Long story. Maybe I'll tell it another time.

So five years ago...

I got this classroom with these kids... These FIRST GRADERS... I had no idea what to do with first graders. None. Nada. Zip. But this particular group of first graders did a TERRIBLE job of preparing me for future first graders!!  The classes to come weren't nearly as independent or kind.. Haha!  These kids, though, were so well-behaved. So independent. So kind. So respectful.  I think I only had one "challenge" in my class that year, and that was okay with me because he wasn't even really that bad.

In fact, my principal walked into my classroom one day early in the year to do an informal observation, and she turned and walked out because she thought she made a mistake putting me in first grade. (My previous five years were in fourth grade, and I did second before that.)  But my kids had my back! They told her exactly what we were learning, and they used my "fancy" words (Fancy Nancy was the sh*t back then! And she had some ~fancy~ words!) and our academic vocabulary.  My first graders were bomb dot com, fo sho!

I knew they were going to be top notch kids, but I didn't know I would get to see it first hand. This year, I was moved to fifth grade. I got to see my babies all grown up!  They were just as amazing as I remember. Still so kind. Still so respectful. Still so obedient.  I am so glad I got to meet them when they were tiny because seeing them all grown up really made my year this year!

So.. fast forward back to last Wednesday. The last day of school for students.  I put on a real dress, and we did it up at our Fifth Grade Celebration as the kids transition from elementary school to middle school.

My "real" dress

Our celebration was definitely one for the memory books. The kids practiced relentlessly for almost three weeks. My coteachers stressed over this a little, but I was lost in the sauce since it was my first year in fifth grade, so I just spent my time just trying to make sure I didn't tell my kids the wrong things. Haha! (Story of my year, seriously!)  Our Title I teacher and our interventionist decorated the stage for our students' performance.  The whole thing was so fitting for these students. (Hashtag love them!)

Kids performance for their families before they sat down for the ceremony.

Our ceremony was just as you'd think.  Certificates for students' completion of elementary school. Parents crying and smiling over the whole ordeal. Teachers trying to hold it together as they say farewells and wish-you-wells to the students.  This celebration was a little different for me since I have a longer relationship with these kids.  I didn't cry, but it was hard to keep it together. 

Then, of course, a student's dad came up to me at the end... "Ms. Dawley. I just want you to know how much I love you. You have been there for [my son] all year, and you've helped him so much.  You have so much patience, and I'm glad you were his teacher. I love you, and I know [my kid] has grown so much this year because of you."

Seriously, Dad?? Ugh!! Enough of that!! Haha. No tears!

At the end of the celebration, it is a tradition at our school (one that the students so look forward to) for all of the younger students to line the hallways and clap/cheer/high-five as the fifth graders walk through the school.  We call it our Clap Out.  It's so amazing to see how happy everyone is and to hear the teachers comment to the students on how proud they are.

   

Clap out through the 3rd/4th grade hall and the Kindy hall

Then, we kick the kids out because they don't go to our school anymore! HAHA!! I am so proud of all of the fifth graders, especially those who I got the privilege of having five years ago as well. Unfortunately, as we all know, families move and students don't usually stay in one place.  But I am so glad to have been able to watch my first graders walk that line and celebrate their accomplishments.  I am so proud of them!  These kids will always have a special place in my heart!

My first graders all grown up and moving on to middle school!  I had a small first grade class that year, but these ten represent almost 2/3 of them.  I love them all, and I wish them all well wherever they are right now.

And so it ends. I close the books on my 11th year teaching and head into the summer knowing that these kids have left footprints on my heart more than they will ever know.  So one more time... I pack up my classroom.  I turn in my keys.  I walk out on this year knowing I've made a difference in the lives of so many children.  Not just the 19 students in my classroom who can now say they are published authors, movie actors, lovers of books, phenomenal mathematicians, and curious scientists, but the 39 other students in fifth grade as well.  My coteachers and I were able to provide these students with such an amazing experience, and these students will never forget their end of elementary school.

"Lord, may I always remember... There is nothing more important than to make a difference in the life of a child."

-Teacher's Prayer as written on a picture frame my mother gave me many years ago.

I wish you well, my teacher friends. Those of you still finishing up your school year, you've got this! Those of you already on summer vacation, relax and spend time reenergizing.

Monday Made-It

You know what time it is... MONDAY MADE-IT!!  Haha!

Okay, so maybe I was a bit too excited that time.  But I finally put my printer to good use.  Might as well... I have a free month of HP Instant Ink!

So here we go...

This is the first time I've made contact cards, but I think I'm going to like it.  This will make sure there is no excuse This will make it easy for parents to find my contact information and get in touch when they need something!

I just picked up some Avery business cards and printed the information on them.  I made my little character using the Build a Teacher clipart set created by Melonheadz.  I still need to laminate them and put a magnet on the back.  To be honest, I don't even think I'm going to laminate... I don't want to cut them out again. Haha!  I figure the magnet on the back will make it easy, and I'll pass them out at Meet the Teacher night.  (The families that don't come to Meet the Teacher Night will just have to wait until the first day of school.)

Post cards.  I usually don't do this so early, but hey.. I had labels.  I have a printer.  Why not?

I will address them when I get my class list (so the night before school starts), and I'll put them in the mail before work on that first day.  Easy peasy; already done. ;)

These bookmarks aren't quite finished yet, either.  I will laminate these once I get back to school.  After they are laminated, I'll add a short stack of Post-It notes to the bottom there, and voila!

This Made-It was inspired by 4th Grade Frolics, and you can get the template from Joanne Miller's TPT Store {here}.

As you guys know, I'm not going to be teaching First Grade next year.  I'm moving on up. :)  Still not sure what grade level I'll be teaching, but I know it will be some form of 3rd, 4th, and/or 5th grade.  In any case, a traditional word wall just isn't going to do.  Instead, I decided to go with personal word walls.  (I'm a bit disappointed in my titling skills, though.  I literally *just* had the thought to make these "My Pocket Word Wall" notebooks, but they're all printed and labeled already.  Oh well.  I like them anyway.)

The first however-many pages are blank.  Students will use those pages to create their word study lists.  The last 26 pages each have a letter on them.  (I just used my old scrapbooking stickers.)

On these lettered pages, students will collect commonly misspelled words and words they have asked me to help spell for them.  Also, any words that are misspelled in their writing will go in this notebook.  It will be a very tailored word wall specifically for each student.

Lastly, I made folders for the different independent activities students will be doing.

Mastering Math Facts is a program for which I attended training several years ago.  The program is great if it's done correctly and with fidelity!  I just hadn't (until now) found a way that I like for students to keep track of their data.  

The program is copyrighted, so I won't share more of what's in the folder.  However, you can do a quick Google search of your own and find the information.  (I didn't tell you that! Ha!)

I also needed a way to individualize students' reading fluency.  AIMSweb is sort of a big deal in my district, so I need students practicing as much as they can.  

Obviously, without knowing my students' current abilities (let alone who my students are Lol!), I can't put the materials inside the folder yet.  However, I did find these tracking sheets and rubrics.  I will include them in the left pocket of the folder along with the week's fluency practice in the right pocket.

I don't know the original source, but you can get the tracking sheets {here}.

And finally, the Writing Portfolio.  My students will have a writer's notebook, so I didn't need anything elaborate as far as a portfolio goes.  However, they do need a place to keep their drafts and final copies ready for publishing.  Enter:  The folder.

The only thing left for me to do is add labels for "Works in Progress" and "Ready for Publishing" on each of the pockets.

For each of these folders (and the Personal Word Wall notebooks), I used the School Subject Kidlettes by Melonheadz.  Everything was printed on Avery labels.  I accidentally bought full-sheet labels because I wasn't paying attention, so this is what I used them for!  Then I went back for the half-sheet labels when I decided how I wanted to add the 6 + 1 Traits to the writing folder!

So there you have it.  I think I'll spend the rest of July outside!  Once August hits, I know it's all going to go by so fast!

What have you been up to?

And what are your plans for the rest of the month??

Take it easy, and enjoy the rest of summer!  We deserve it!

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

I just finished reading Mindset by Carol Dweck.

My principal bought this book last year for a group of teachers wanting to do a book study/PLC group.  That group unfortunately (or fortunately, if you think about how much time it would have taken) never took off.  But I took the time to read it now that I've got nothing but time.

It started out as a really slow read because it wasn't giving me much new information.  I had already taken a class two semesters ago on fixed versus growth mindset, and it was based a lot on Carol Dweck's research.  However, after the second chapter, all I wanted to do was finish the book.  Luckily, I had two 9-hour plane rides to get it all in. ;)

I definitely lucked out... The left is my flight to the Lower 48, and the right is my flight back home.

No neighbors for either trip!  Score!!

Red-eye flights for the win!

So anyway.  This book.

Guys.  There are so many great stories regarding people you will recognize!  Both fixed mindset and growth mindset.  People like Michael Jordan and Alex Rodriguez.  Or John McEnroe.  Also some stories regarding classrooms and students.  And about relationships.  It's just so much information on such a broad range of topics related to mindset and how having a fixed or growth mindset affects any given situation.

As I was reading, I was thinking about so many things.  My classroom, of course.  But then my Team Beachbody business.  And my personal relationships.  This was definitely something I needed to read at this time.  I've been on this personal development journey for a while now, and I am glad this was one of the books I brought home from my classroom.

At the end of the last chapter, Dr. Dweck gives you this diagram by Nigel Holmes.

She says to print it out and tape it to your bathroom mirror along with a few questions.  These questions are designed to get you into the growth mindset starting from the moment you go into the bathroom to brush your teeth in the morning.  It's a great idea!  Definitely something to spend some time developing.  Who wouldn't want to "reach ever-higher levels of achievement" and have higher self-esteem and a sense of free will?  

I have a couple more books regarding mindset in the classroom that I ordered last school year.  I plan to put them to use at the start of the school year.  Once I develop a plan, it may become a blog post later. Ha!  The books I ordered were Ready-to-Use Resources for Mindset in the Classroom and A Mindset for Learning.

I'm also going to start a list of picture books and other resources to help launch a growth mindset culture in my classroom from the beginning!  (If you're interested in seeing what's on my list, click [here].)

What do you think?  Do you have any resources that you've used regarding teaching a growth mindset?

Monday Made-It (on Tuesday)

Hi, all!!

I'm a little late this week, but I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics once again for the Monday Made-It!  (Definitely go through some of the other blogs that are linked up.  All of these teachers have amazing ideas!!)

I have to admit... I didn't actually "make" this.  I told you last week that I probably wouldn't do much because I was out of town.  It was a great week catching up with family and friends.

My niece and nephew with me

Now that I'm back home, I guess I should start thinking about what I need to do to ready myself for the year.

Earlier this summer, I decided that I am going to find a way to make parent conferences more student-centered.  I'm going to make student-led conference work this year!  So naturally, I started looking for things to put in a portfolio or something so students can have something to share with their families during these conferences.

I came across The Curriculum Corner and their student data binder.  I think it was originally intended for me to keep up with student data, but I'm absolutely using it for the students to do their own tracking!

I already have binders for each student.  Thankfully, The Curriculum Corner has provided an editable document, so I can type students' names on the cover page.

Then, I can choose the forms that I want to include.  I can also edit the existing forms to be able to label forms with assessments that I'm using or to create a graph for students to track their growth based on what we actually use in my classroom.

I love this form because students can begin the year by telling me what they are already good at.  The next page that I'm including is a sheet for goals so I know what they think they need to work on, but starting with the positive is going to help build that rapport with the students.

We use AIMSweb in my district for benchmark assessments.  I edited the original form to include one for R-CBM, then M-COMP, M-CAP, and Lexia (a reading program that my district pays for).

Students will also be able to monitor their own growth as we do progress monitoring activities.  

I have one of these charts for each of the assessments that have a goal sheet.

I also included a few different self-assessment pages to help students reflect on their journeys.

I'm pretty excited about having this all ready to go.  I don't plan on using sheet protectors in students' binders.  I just put these pages in sheet protectors so the pages don't have holes in them when I go to make copies. (Pardon my OCD.)

Well, that's it for me this week.  I'm looking forward to getting a little down time later to check out some others' blogs that have already linked up!

What are you working on to get ready for the new school year??