A gift from my mom
23 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
My mom with granddaughter Maria
For the past two years, my mom has written an email every Tuesday to her daughters and some of her closest friends and a couple of her siblings. My mom has a gift. She is an amazing writer. She is dedicated and determined. It takes her hours to write her email. Technology is challenging for her at times. She struggles with forwards and using yahoo. As she would say, “I have gifts but technology is not one of them.” But every week, as I open my email on Wednesday morning, there is always mom’s letter. My sisters and I are going to try to convince her to post her emails as a blog. She does not see value in it. I think her letters would give many a smile to know the happenings of our family. The following is her email from this week. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Thanks mom. I love you.
Merry Christmas week everyone, It looks very much like Christmas as I look out the window at 6 more inches of new snow. It is almost 30*, so it is sticking on trees. It is beautiful. I told Sara last night that I was glad it is going to be in the high 20s this week. She responded, “That sounds balmy.”
I was out at Tata Cece’s this past Thur. Baby Michael was not feeling the best and neither was his mom or me. Things are better now. Terry loves his Christmas tree. He and his mom keep decorating it and redecorating it – and Michael loves watching them and the tree lights.
Major problem at our church this week. Dad’s group( the folk choir) was to practice Tues. night. Well, Diane told Bev. the main choir was going to practice at that time- “Sorry,Bev” Bev disbanded the folk choir and they are not going to sing on Christmas day. I am hoping something will be resolved for the future but the Belgiums are almost as stubborn as the Irish. The reason the Norbertines first came here was to try to keep the Belgian Catholics from breaking away into their own little churches. A priest friend of dad’s asked him if he knew the difference between a terrorist and a liturgist? … You can negotiate with a terrorist.
It is a big week here. Patsy and Katie I wish you were able to join the rest of your sisters, but we look forward to a summer gathering with everyone here. We are expecting more snow so travel plans for everyone might change. I think we are ready. I pick up Sara at the airport in 2 hours, the Christmas News went to the P.O. today, the house is decorated, dad’s chili is made, Kelley and dad made another trip to the candy store, and there is lots of snow on the driveway for sledding.
I was looking at Bishop Morneau’s poems and I like this one for this week
LEVELS OF TRUTH a deep truth “I am” a deeper truth “you are” the deepest truth ” we are not alone”
We will not be alone with Jiff, Kelley, Bridg., Sara, Theresa, Cece and their families here.
Love to you all mom
Staying Focused
09 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
Even though the #30 Goals Challenge was intended as something to accomplish in 30 days, I feel a sense of worth as I continue to work through them. I started the goals in July and now we are in December. I will finish the goals before December 23rd. Perhaps even tomorrow I might finish. It doesn’t matter when or if I finish to anyone but myself. There isn’t a diploma or certificate. No one in my building knows I’m even working on this professional development piece besides two of my co-workers who contribute on Twitter. I have not been doing any of these goals for anyone but myself and my students. I have so enjoyed the entire process. I cannot think of a better way to learn than if it is self-directed. In fact, I think I have put off finishing the goals because that will mean I will be done. Not that learning is ever finished…I have just felt that the goals have been attainable, challenging and meaningful for me. I fear it will take me some time to find another course that I will enjoy as much as the #30 Goals. Alas, all things must come to an end so I must contiune on to goal #28….Staying Focused.
Staying focused in general is challenging for me. I have a difficult time in lecture based meetings. I find my mind wandering to things that need to get done or what I’m teaching tomorrow or what I’m making for dinner. You see, I am not a linear thinker. My mind does not go from A to B to C. My mind goes from A to red to coffee to Paris. For some students, it is interesting to be in my classroom because of my continue battle to stay focused. One student said once, “I wonder what it would be like to be Madame.” For other students, it is so difficult to be in my room. I never teach a lesson the same 2 times. My classroom is continually changing. This goes to staying focused.
My twitter network of educators (PLN) have helped me to find ways to focus my classroom. One is through web-branding. Through a group known as allofe,I have been able to organize my classroom to help stay focused and keep my classroom on goal. It has been very challenging and I am continually working on improving it. I cannot say enough good things about ALLOFE.
Also because of #30Goals, I submitted to participate in a technology conference. On March 22, I will be presenting at WEMTA. Because of this commitment, I must continue to stay focused on my technology goals for my classroom. By participating, it will help me to stay focused.
My goals for integrating technology in the classroom:
- Technology will be used to demonstrate learning.
- Tasks will be relevant and student-centered.
- No paper will be used in my classroom beyond a notebook for when technology is present.
- Each student will have a blog to use as a personal portfolio of their class work.
- Each student will receive a comment from someone outside of class.
I would love to hear other teachers’ goals for their classroom or suggestions on how to improve my focus. What are your goals for your classrooms? or schools?
Magnoto
02 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
Working with the #30 goals, I was encouraged to try a new web 2.0 tool. It is called magnoto. It is similar to wallwisher. Although I think that I prefer the flexibility and ease of wallwisher to magnoto. I did have a fun time putting together a little family album to share with others. I do recommend this as a free application but still prefer wallwisher.
Using Magnoto in class has been somewhat of a challenge. Because of the free beta version, I believe the site is still a work in progress. While trying to use the site, I had several students not be able to log in. It was a little frustrating at times. Here are some examples of student work.
How I failed conferences…
29 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
As I look back and reflect on parent-teacher conferences, I feel as if I failed the attempt. Or as my students say, it was an epic fail. In an attempt to promote understanding and open communication, I dominated the conversation and didn’t allow enough time for parents to ask questions.
This was my first year as a parent attending a parent teacher conference. I felt it opened my eyes to how it feels to sit on the other side of the table. It is so hard! I had a million questions. I wanted to know what is going on in the classroom…even if it is only a 4K program. All I really wanted to know is if my son is okay with himself and okay with others. There has to be a trust between parents and teachers. Every day, I am trusting his teacher with his education. Every day, parents trust me. We have to work together to help children feel positive self-worth and okay with themselves. One morning this past week, I told my son to “be a good boy” then I said…forget about that…”just be yourself.” To a four year old, he heard, “just be by yourself.” He didn’t like that. He wants to hang out with his parents every day. As his parent at conferences, I needed to hear from his teacher whether or not he is interacting with others in a positive way.
After his conference, I felt I was shown a new perspective. I wanted to open my classroom to my parents. I talked and talked about technology. I talked about the website. I talked about twitter. I talked about social networking. I talked about internet safety. I talked about skype and ipods. I talked about blogging. I talked and talked and talked. I didn’t take time to listen. I am sorry to my parents for not being a better listener. Each year teachers become more aware of how to be positive influences for students. Next year, I will listen.
Does anyone give parents a prompt to think about before conferences? Does anyone have any suggestions for listening at conferences…a sort of parent led conference?
@jbrogley
09 Nov 2010 Leave a Comment
Yesterday I received an email stating that my proposal for a technology workshop was approved. I literally screamed out loud! In March, I will participate in a WEMTA conference with three of my co-workers. This workshop is just an example of how technology has influenced my teaching and my passion for helping students be prepared for the changing world. I feel I must share a huge thank you to a very dear friend who has mentored me, Jessica Brogley.
Jessica and I started working together about 10 years ago. After one year of teaching French at Seymour High School, Jessica started teaching English. We were casual acquaintances. We would talk about how our families were doing or how we spent a vacation. We were both relatively new to teaching so we were both pretty busy trying to stay ahead of our students. It wasn’t until last year that Jessica really became a mentor for me.
Jessica is a quiet leader. She shares information with others while never imposing or forcing her opinion. She encouraged the faculty to consider different technology to improve our methods and instruction. She would send out emails with ideas or links for teachers to try. Finally, I gave her ideas a try. I wish I would have tried earlier. The last year of teaching has been an exciting adventure for me…mostly thanks to Jess for opening my eyes to what is available to teachers. Then, I tried sharing with others. It is so hard to share!!! I have tried to share how twitter has changed some of my fundamental philosophies of education with some of my coworkers. Some think I’m crazy. As my sister Theresa says…teachers only have three options 1. Be boring 2. Be mean or 3. Be crazy. I guess crazy isn’t that bad.
A week ago, it was announced that Jessica would be taking a position as a technology coordinator at the New Glarus School District. I am so happy for her and for the educators and students that will have the opportunity to learn with her guidance. When I found out about the conference, I wanted to run to her former high school classroom and share the news with her. Whenever I had a question or got stuck with technology, Jess was always there to help me. She is so kind and understanding. Mostly though I am so grateful for her friendship and all the joy she has brought to my life. Thank you Jess. Miss ya.
Tagxedo Word Cloud
21 Oct 2010 Leave a Comment
So many times with technology, I get a little shaken with how to work different web tools. Don’t get me wrong…I love them. I find the tools to be engaging and fun. What my traditional process of trying a new tool would be 1. Try it myself 2. Ask @jbrogley for help 3. Ask a student to show me how to work it. 4. Scream at my computer 5. Figure it out from one of the above and feel elated!
I received a tip from twitter about a new tool that is similar to Woordle….this one is Tagzedo. http://www.tagxedo.com/app.html Super fun! Just briefly, my twitter PLN is amazing. I learned today there is a national conference for school board members. People at the conference are sharing tips and ideas! Imagine sharing tips and ideas!! It is awesome. That is how I found Tagxedo. One of my students last spring said, “Madame you have an unusual knack for finding bizarre websites.” What a compliment! I digress. Tagzedo is user friendly because I was able to figure out how to embed without asking @jbrogley for help. (Aren’t ya proud of me Jess?) The image is a word cloud of the previous post.
This is a fun tool I look forward to sharing with my students! I hope you will try it as well.
Reflection vs. Reaction Goal #27
18 Oct 2010 2 Comments
Looking deeply at ourselves vs Reacting on emotions. As part of Shelly Terrell’s #30 goals, this goal lends itself to reflection. It is a pivitol insight to positive and influential teaching. Do I react in my classroom on emotions or do I try to find out reasons why a situation is happening? When I fail in a lesson, do I get angry or defensive or do I reflect on reasons why it failed or how to improve the lesson for the future? I would like to think the latter but the reality is my own humanity. There are times when I know I have not been prepared enough and fail in the process. I’ve also allowed my ego in my teaching make me defensive or upset. I have justified my failures through a multitude of excuses. However, I know I have also tried to reflect on my teaching and my overall philosophy of teaching to improve how I teach and learn with my students. I have continue this process of reflection to make myself a better teacher every day.
In the past I have taped myself teaching to see how I am reacting in a class that was challenging for me. I hope to continue this practice because it helps me to see how I can improve but also what is working. Different teachers in my professional learning network have shared how they stream their classes live for the parents. How awesome! I know there is concerns on safety…but the possibility to be so open with your classroom is outstanding. Now…how do I help students reflect instead of react?
All educators must teach more than content. I love the French language. I love speaking French. Most importantly, I love making connections with French people and sharing in their culture. Beyond all of the elements of language learning, I hope my students learn many different life skills. One of these skills is learning how to understand who we are and where we have come from. Once we understand this, we are able to comprehend why we act the way we do. My parents raised me in a way that I can understand the difference between the two processes of reflection and reaction. Do I fail? Do I falter? Absolutely. But, I try my best to reflect on my teaching…and how can I better meet the needs of my students. With my students, I see them reacting all the time. Reacting to another peer, a teacher or an administrator. It is my job to help students reflect about these experiences before they react. This past year, students were unhappy with a teacher. They reacted to the situation on Facebook. They said some hurtful things in their reactions that were made public to the world. It is my job to help students understand the powers of the internet and to understand positive digital citizenship. If the students would have reflected, they might not have made those same remarks online.
How was your summer?
19 Aug 2010 1 Comment
Fantastic! I am so blessed an fortunate to have had a wonderful summer. How many times in a school professional’s lifetime to they hear this question? It’s an insane question really. It’s right up there with when I was living in Normandy during college, upon returning home, everyone asked me.. “How was France? How was Paris?” The glaze in their eyes communicated an disinterest in the true answer…but they somehow felt it was at least important to ask.
Going back…how was your summer? I have to say my least favorite answer in the world is….Fast. It was so fast. Really? Is that all we can come up with for a response? Several times this summer, I really tried to be in the moment of the day. Enjoying an ice cream cone from a local drive-in or just feeling the breeze on my face. Don’t get me wrong…I’ve had summers that were “fast.” Part of the problem is sometimes in teaching, we do not feel either valued in our own minds or from others for what we do. There is a little feeling of dread of the August 1st date….A feeling that cannot be described to those who do not teach. Honestly, this year, I do not have the feeling.
In May 2010, I really felt so energized from my Personal Learning Network, I was not ready to be done with the school year. From so many educators around the world and from my school in Seymour, I had learned so much that I wanted to share with my students. Not only share with them what I had learned, but share with them how fun learning can be.
This fall I am expecting our second son. To be exact, he will probably be born in August! You may say..HA! She is not even going back to school right away…no wonder she does not feel any anxiety. The reality is that I must return to work shortly after he is born. It is hard for me as a mother to face this reality…my major saving grace is that I do love my job and my students. When people ask me how my summer was….I will say wonderful! Because it was.
My First Day of High School
13 Aug 2010 4 Comments
This blog post will give the most accurate description as I remember my first day of high school. I often share this story with my students to demonstrate how I am human and have made a few blunders. In no way am I trying to exaggerate or fluff the story. This is as it was….
As most people know, I am the sixth of eight daughters in my family. I am the only daughter to have the opportunity/choice to attend Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay WI. I agreed to pay my parents my summers earnings (which did NOT cover the costs) in return for the possibility to learn French and be different from my sisters. I cannot tell you how many times teachers would say to me as I entered their classroom…”OH NO! Not another HUTCHISON!” Whether they loved my sisters or not, it was a different pressure. Either my sisters were terribly smart and bored in the classroom or they just did not enjoy my awesome sisters! To this day, I try very hard to never talk about siblings in class unless the student initiates the conversation.
Tracing back to my first day at Notre Dame, it is important to know that I did not really know anyone or where I was going or what was the expectation? I was a scared Freshman.
Notre Dame did have a dress code. We were to wear skirts (1/2 inch above the knee) and were able to wear pants too with button down shirts tucked in! So, for my first day, I had my tan pleated skirt 1/2 inch above the knee with my green embroidered polo tucked in perfectly! As I am walking into school, I notice that no one is wearing the dress code. Everyone is in shorts, flip flops and trendy tops. I am mortified. Another “upperclassman” looks at me and says…”FROSH” I want to hide but continue in my journey.
First hour goes fine with Mrs. Mueller. She’s a bit old and scary but seems to keep the class glued to her attention. Bell rings….Darn. I can’t remember my locker combination. I have to go to the office. Finally, I get almost all of my books and run to class. I am late. I am the only one in the hallway (as I remember). I run to the top of the stairs and see…205. I need to get to 204…I turn right and run into the next classroom. Room 206. Senior English. I am litterally staring at the class unable to move. Somehow, I turn myself around and walk out of the room. Mr. Wok follows me into the hallway and says jokingly, “You can stay if you want. It’s alright with me.” I hear snickers in his classroom.
With my books and notebooks in hand finally I make it to Mr. Geiser’s room. Algebra I. He was a master teacher. He causally told me to sit anywhere….not a big deal. As I am walking to a seat in the back row, a sophomore, trips me. My materials go flying in slow motion. While I am picking up my books, Mr. Geiser is reaming out “Mark” for tripping me. I am now at a point where I want to cry but don’t. I realize I do not have my Algebra book but Mr. Geiser told me just to share with Lindsay. Thank God. It was a pivotal moment in the day. More importantly, it was a life learning lesson.
In my classroom, on the first day of school, I always try to remember how I felt that day. How did the teachers make me feel? How did students judge me or help me laugh through the day? So many times, teachers are told to not smile or to act a certain way the first day. I really believe it is crucial for our students to see we care about them the minute they walk into our rooms. We know they are human and so are we.
Thanks, Dad.
08 Aug 2010 2 Comments
Mom, Kayla (granddaughter), Dad
Part of my professional development over this summer is to work on Shelly Terrell’s #30 goals. It is a free book offered online to help educators work on their own personal learning. In goal #16, one is to show your appreciation to someone who has impacted your life. Instantly, I thought of my dad.
Why dad? My thoughts first flood to when I was a small child. My dad worked very hard to support his family. For a couple of years, Dad worked in Milwaukee. I missed my dad so much but when he was able to be home….he was home. He would play with us outside either basketball, swimming, or a little backyard football. We would have bon fires and share meals together as a family. Dad shared with us the importance of family and faith in our daily lives. On the weekend, we would often visit his dad in New London.
With having 8 daughters, you would think….oh, your poor father! My dad never made us feel as if we were a disappointment to him. Most of my sisters share with people that when we were growing up, we had one shower for six daughters (my little sisters were born a little later 
). Dad really had to wait his turn! My mom did an amazing job of feeding us healthy meals. I remember Dad always thanking my mom for the work she had done….which was a lot! The best part was that Dad always did the dishes. I don’t ever remember a dirty dish in the sink in the morning.
Dad visited me while I was living in France. It was so important to me that he share in my love of the French people, language and culture. We enjoyed our time together even though the visit was short.
This past year, my husband Matt and I have built a house on Hutchison Road….right next to where Dad grew up as a child. We feel so fortunate to be near family. Within one mile, we have two uncles, three aunts and cousins! We would not have been able to build here without the support of my parents.
Dad always told us to reach for our dreams and continue believing in yourself. This year, Dad announced he was running for State Senate. I could not be more proud of my Dad for his desire to help Wisconsin become and continue to be a wonderful place to live. He has been such a great role model for me.
Merci mon père. Je t’aime!
