Goodbye Spring.....Hello Summer!

Bing image

We did it!! we've successfully completed ED646!! Thank you all...it was a great learning experience.....Its time to say goodbye....to Spring that is, and HEEELLLLOOOO Summer!!

Final Farewell

The time has finally arrived and we must but bid each other a fond farewell, at least for the summer. It has been great being in class with you and working together to get our A's for the semester of ED 646. I do have to say that I have learned a great deal about being a reading specialist and I am looking forward to being able to apply all the theory I"ve learned about reading.

See you all next semester. Have a great summer, Christine and Mar, we need to meet for our ESL Praxis. We're done with ED 646 but we still have the darn test to take.

image downloaded from google image search.

A necessary farewell

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends. ~Richard Bach

We're sure to meet again, Ladies. It's been a full semester with a lot of information gained and shared. I've taken things from each of you (no, you can't take them back!) and I can say I'm a better student and teacher as a result. I'll see you soon!

Picture taken from http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs19/f/2007/251/b/d/Mouse_Farewell_by_nJoo.jpg

Doing, doing--DONE!

We've certainly made this semester count! We've tried out a lot of what we've only read about (mentoring, producing action plans, presenting to paraprofessionals as literacy coaches), and while it has been tough (check me out, I only had one class and I'm complaining?) I feel it has been worth it. Fifteen weeks is just about done, and we've fit in a lot of living into them, huh? Let's try to squeeze in a comparative amount of resting and relaxing into our summers, shall we?

“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” --Abraham Lincoln

A working Mother's Day!

google image

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life"- Abraham Lincoln

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in Education and to my colleagues who are mothers.

In memory of my mom, your love and prayers will forever live in me.

What's the greeting from CNMI??

Well, it's "Hafa Adai," for those of us who might not have had our coffee today--or Tuesday (me). Taking a page from our activity, I asked my students to share different phrases from their language. The classes were so into the "weird" and challenging sounds in each other's languages! It was nice to tap on the "experts" in the class and highlight the value of their existing knowledge. I was only shooting for a few phrases, but the classes kept wanting to find out more. I miss doing this, and I hope that in the years to come I can make this a regular thing--maybe a weekly phrase from all the languages represented in the class?

Today I tried the Speaking/Listening Activity with my students. I cut down the speaking time to one minute, but students still had a hard time coming up with topics to speak about. It was funny for them to realize that they love to talk during class time but couldn't bring themselves to speak for a minute in front of the class. As much as I'm looking forward to the summer, I already know that I'm going to miss my kiddies.

Down but not Out!!

bing.com

"Sickness is mankind's greatest defect." -Georg C. Lichtneberg

I have been feeling sick this past week, but because of SAT 10 I fought it until it caught up with me. Now I'm home, sick with a fever....and here I am still fighting!! I may be out sick, but I'm not down!!

Tomorrow is Another Day

We've come a long way this semester. Now that we're in the last few weeks, it almost seems as if it's all going by so fast! A lot of things have been discussed and for myself, I hope it's all being filed away for ease of reference later. A big thing I've gathered from the readings is not to be discouraged with mistakes or obstacles. It's a tried-and-true truism (an ultratruism?) that mistakes are a part of growth; the key to life is to learn from one's mistakes and to continue to be willing to try even knowing that mistakes will come one's way.

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.” --Mary Anne Radmacher

Anyone else see Scarlet O'Hara saying, "tomorrow is another day"?

ED 646 It's Done!

We've done it! We've completed the course! I am sad that the class is over, but not because I will miss the work. Even though we didn't see each other much in face to face classes, we knew that we were there for each other. I hope everyone has pretty much finished all the assignments and are ready to present their livetexts next week.

I thought that the book we used for this class was very useful and it will certainly be a resource for me IF I become a reading specialist. It all hinges on whether I pass or fail the PRAXIS II.

I don't know about you but the last chapter really helped me to understand why many of our programs have failed. That innovations cannot just be implemented without considering several factors including but not limited to evaluation results and the participation of those who will implement those innovations. I now appreciate why some teachers resist change and that change is personal. Lots of food for thought.

My quote is from the book: Things do not change, we change by Henry David Thoreau. After this class, I believe that much of my way of thinking about change has changed. Although I do not like being evaluated, it is an important component for designing instructional programs that will work - to keep evolving - to keep adding, deleting, adjusting - to keep making room for improvement.

photo: chimneys of the Topkapi Place kitchen in Istanbul, November 2010 by faye kaible

Two More Weeks!

If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing. ~Saint Augustine

I believe that what he is saying is that a person who is satisfied with something will probably stay at that same place not wanting to make any changes . On the other hand, someone who is not satisfied yet, will keep going and making changes as he goes along, adding to what he already has.

I think one of the worst things that can happen to a person's mind is to become stagnant and be stuck, not wanting or able to change it even if it could be for something better, or right, or true.

Change

"People change first, then programs; and significant change is never easy." --Hoffman and Sailors (2009, p. 223)

While going over the readings for today, I was most touched by the second article, our chapter 16. Change is not always a good thing, but whenever we're faced with the choice to change we should always be guided by thoughtful consideration, research, and observation. But the above quote stresses that the decision to change must first be made in each individual's mind. To affect change, we must reach the person. As future reading specialists, we must take this perspective to heart as we deal with students, other teachers, administrators, and the community at large. It may be tough, but fall back on all this rich knowledge we're gaining through our courses and experiences and feel empowered to inspire others with confidence.

Just a Few More Weeks! Entry for April 19, 2010

It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. ~Attributed to Harry S. Truman

Harry has a point. Knowing is nothing if you haven't learned from it.


Isn't this a beautiful sight? I was pretty close to the clouds in Meteora this day and was just in awe of the expanse of earth and sky. It really humbles a person to see all this beauty in one place.

(photo by Faye)

We must Overcome!

Bing image

"It's not what you achieve in life that counts, it's what you OVERCOME."- Author Known

It's crunch time and the the last few chapters and projects are due, we must continue to work diligently to get it all done despite all the challenges we face, we must overcome the challenges to complete and meet target. Let's do it ladies!

"If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." --Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Like the others I'm really feeling the end of the semester. Though I learned a lot and I'm glad for that, I'm also glad that we're almost through.

On a different note, I had a personal experience earlier this week that speaks to our recent readings. I was told, in a rather sour fashion, that participation in school committees would be a requirement for my PTEP group; my "extracurricular" IRA involvement would not be enough. I was reading through quotes for this week's blog and was touched by the phrase quoted above. I love my school and want to contribute in the best way that I can. However, being told how and where I can apply my talents (else I would be "expendable!") rubbed me the wrong way. It is also the wrong way for a school leader to encourage others to be productive. Being "forced" into acting encourages only contrary feelings. While I agree that committee involvement or participation in an advisory capacity is great and good, there are other ways of getting teachers to cooperate. Like the quote says, make us long for an end goal with all our hearts, and we'll find our own way there!

I hope this is something that I can apply as a teacher and a Reading Specialist. I want to infect my students and colleagues with a thirst for literacy and give them tools to help them along the way, letting their newly-kindled passion do the work!

Keeping Up with ED646

I have to admit, the class assignments are killing me! It's a tough load to carry and i'm trying my best to stay afloat. How do you all feel? Sorry, I am blogging late again. I am going to try and keep up with you all. I honestly have been good about completing my assignments for this class but when it comes to blogging and moodling, I don't know but I always seem to drop the ball. I am glad that my presentation was helpful to you all in many ways, I thought the way I delivered it, truly sucked! I was very nervous because I just came in and I was super-duper late, Dr. Rivera even drew the RED LINE! Here's the funny thing, my presentation was completed on time and I presented on that day but I totally forgot to submit the assignment in the moodle room. I am such a dork.

" Teachers open the door. You enter by yourself."

This quote speaks in so many ways of me personally. I need to commit to the workload and enter the door into ED 646!

They are not alone

Google image

"We read to know we are not alone."

-C.S. Lewis

This quote reminded me of my struggles of reading in my first years of school. Although, it wasn't a pleasant memory, at least now, I know how my students feel when they are struggling to read and know that they are not alone. Our professors equip us with strategies to teach them to become better readers, and we are there to follow through.

This was a pre-dawn picture I took on board the Cristal last November. I needed to be reminded to take some time to just be quiet and to enjoy some serenity time.

It is nearing the end of the semester, time is flying and there's still so much to do.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the two chapters. Rosenblatt is right on when she said that a reader must connect with the text in order to make meaning out of it. Thanks to prior knowledge (from all the technology classes I took) and my schema, I was able to understand all the stuff about technology. There is a lot of information in this book that may be very helpful in taking the PRAXIS II for Reading Specialists. Dr. Rivera, now I know why you are so insistent on our participation in the blogging assignments. It helps to build our technology skills as well as our reading and writing skills. Thanks!

Tired and Discouraged?

“Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.”

How much can we accomplish if we just work a little bit more, for just a little bit longer? We cannot always see the bigger picture of life and often feel the most helpless just when help will come along. It's hard to fight against the temptation to give up because an end would equal rest. I hope we can all find the balance between resting and action because there will be time enough for rest when our degrees are good and conferred. For now, let's keep on keeping on!

The mind is not a vessel that needs filling but wood that needs igniting. Plutarch

That's what we need to do for our students and for our colleagues - ignite their minds. What is the brain worth if it is idle and not engaged? So fire them up, teachers! I have to apologize for taking up so much of class time but, it's like, I've had all this information bottled up for weeks and finally having a face to face let the "genie out of the bottle". I will be more controlled at the next face to face and limit my output to only my presentation. I guess one of my learning styles is to be around people. I have to say, Christine and Yolie, good job with your presentations and Mar, I am looking forward to yours in May.

I have to admit that I have been such a bad student lately, I have been neglecting my responsibility to blogg. So here I am, I'm back! Spring Break just passed, and boy, did it go by so fast. We just presented our "Professional Development Plan of Action." I'm glad that its over, I was fortunate enough to have the support of my grade level, who helped me tremendously with my assignment. My plan of action focused mainly of the use of Graphic Organizers.

"Every choice that you make has an end result." Zig Ziglar

I chose this quote because it really reflects my attitude in the last month. I had to make the decision to get my assignments done and make the time to do it.

Thanks, Teachers!

The anonymous quote, "If you can read this, thank a teacher," says so much about the the place and value of the classroom teacher. It is not a program or Program that brings our students to knowledge, but the thoughtful, creative, and dedicated human being that stands at the front of the classroom. However, with all the new knowledge and experiences that we are gaining through our Language and Literacy courses, I hope we can still continue to be forces of change and that we can prove true that "If you can read this, thank a Reading Specialist."

Time Check: 5 weeks!

Google image


"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else."

-Emily Dickinson

Yes, I checked. After this week, we have 5 more to complete our ED646 assignments. With our thinking caps on, and the encouragement from each other, we can do it!

Do or Don't: DI

I chose to look at DI for my reading program eval. I was glad that I did because I didn't really know much about DI apart from quick undergraduate observations and gripes from colleagues. I was surprised to find that there are a lot of research studies that support it. However, really looking at DI and comparing it to the guidelines, it's obvious that it can't measure up.

"Getting things done is not always what is most important. There is value in allowing others to learn, even if the task is not accomplished as quickly, efficiently, or effectively." --R.D. Clyde

I think DI focuses too much on getting to the answers that the process of trying, making mistakes, and learning is overlooked. The advocates of DI are proud of its fast pace. What students may learn is that efficiency and superficiality trumps sincere experimentation. There is a joy in being able to take time to work through and soak up knowledge that DI denies them.

I Can't Wait Till It's Over!

It's not that I don't enjoy being in this class, but the workload is starting to worry me. I am so tired of reading that my eyes are ready to fall out. I think about all the things I have yet to do and I am flummoxed by the amount of work before me. I know, I know! The end result is going to be good and finishing the course will only be to my benefit. But the doing and the getting there seem like they are so disconnected. I hope that this is just the mid term blues and that by next week I will feel differently. Another thing that is keeping me awake at night are the Praxis IIs that I have to take. What if I fail? What would that say about me as a candidate for Reading Specialist? I would feel like I didn't study hard enough or absorb the information from the instructors and all the literature enough. I hate failing at anything. Ohhhhh, not a good feeling. I have a stomach ache.

(Image by google)

The End of the Beginning

google image

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." -Sir Winston Churchill

In laymans terms, the beginning has ended and we're heading towards the end and I feeling it! I am now feeling the stress of completing my projects and making sure I've reached target. All the thoughts and discussions I've collected, I now have to put on paper. For me, that's the hardest part.

A Beautiful Compensation

"It is one of the beautiful compensations of this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." Charles Dudley Warner

In our quest to teach, to improve the literacy skills of others, and answer our calling in life, it's great to reflect and realize that our efforts (that sometimes take so much out of us) to get the job done usually come back to us. We learn by teaching. We improve the community when we help our students. By answering our calling, we have the benefit of a fulfilled life. When classes and life get tough, I hope it helps to think that in helping others we help ourselves--everything we care about enough to invest our time and energy will yield something positive. :)

To assume you know someone well enough that you can and do predict their behavior and mental perspective is a gross and often tragic mistake, for it eliminates that person's freedom to create his or her own opinion and drastically affects the emerging picture of the relationship.http://groups.gaia.com/gaia_books/331943/agartha/by_meredith-l-young-sowers

I think that as educators we have to keep this in mind about our students. Often we make assumptions about them that are not always correct and sometimes it is too late to correct the error or our judgments. Instead of asking, "What is wrong with this student? The question should be "what have I done to this student?"

Image by Faye

"Constant repetition carries conviction." --Robert Collier

It's the whole premise behind daily mantras ("You're a worthwhile person. Everyone likes you."). By telling yourself positive things regularly, one starts to believe and is then empowered to affect positive changes in one's life. Whether or not such "rituals" actually work, they show just how powerful the idea of repetition can be.

Because we're revisiting these articles and ideas time and again, hopefully we bring different insights and perspectives each time around. It might just be that we feel the same toward the topics as before, but by also forcing oneself to reconsider and revisit the topics, it may also strengthen and reinforce our opinions--which can also be a positive thing. I've had both experiences where in the intervening time between first reading an article and discussing it and then later writing about it, I gained a more in-depth understanding and the opposite, where my feelings have remained static. I don't think that either reaction is more or less desirable than the other. At least we get the opportunity to breathe, take a look back in order to move forward.

Picture sourced from: http://www.findmefit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/meditation.jpg

Group Involvement

Google image

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

Group involvement, discussions and collaborative efforts help me understand and see things in a different light. I just want to take this time to thank my classmates for their shared insights.

Questions...

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." Dr. Seuss

Sometimes in life its easier to recieve the answers than it is to ask the questions..Often times, I find myself contimplating how I'm going to ask the questions that I need to but when I do, the answers are so simple...

Happy Mid Term...

Half way empty or half way full?

"One never notices what has been done one can only see what remains to be done." -Marie Curie

My all time favorite quote! It's the same concept with the cup half way empty or half way full. It's how you see things. If you can appreciate what you've accomplish thus far, it'll be easier to complete what remains to be done. In other words, the cup is half way full!

google image

Happy Midterm!

As aspiring Reading Specialists, this mid-semester milestone means we've already accomplished so much and are on our way to accomplishing more! We're all in this because we have goals and a drive to achieve them. But reflecting on what got us to where we are, what initially sparked our interest, don't be surprised to find that it might turn out to be a negative moment.

M. Scott Peck is credited with the phrase, "The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers."

The only way to finding what is right for us is to realize that what we had, our status quo, wasn't working for us in the first place. Sometimes we have to be forced into change, and it's only then that we see the worth and necessity thereof.

Almost There!

Well, we are at the half-way point in this semester and I can hardly believe that I have really read those chapters. While I have been pleasantly surprised by how much I have enjoyed the readings, the expectations of what an effective reading specialist looks like is , however, a bit intimidating. Only 9 more chapters to go!

My quote for the week is:

A college degree is not a sign that one is a finished product but an indication a person is prepared for life. by Reverend Edward A. Malloy, Monk's Reflections

I guess what this means is we're never done with learning just because we're done with our respective undergraduate and/or graduate programs. I think that the quotation would be more applicable to me if it said, "an indication that a person is preparing for life." because in real life, we don't stop preparing for life.

image taken by Faye Camacho Kaible

Chapter 6: College and University Literacy Programs

Although I appreciate that students are graduating from high school unprepared to pass college placement exams, I have reservations about the amount of learning assistance time they need so that they are able to pass the exams. Like I wrote in my reflection, maybe what we need are transition programs (between high school graduation and college entrance) for those students who want to go to college but need to improve upon the basic skills needed for passing the placements.

My quote for the week: A teacher is one who makes himself progressively unnecessary. Thomas Carruthers
We have done our jobs as teachers if our students no longer need our help because they are ready move on to learn more than we are able to teach them.

Winners!

google images

"Your role as a leader is even more important than you might imagine. You have the power to help people become winners." --Ken Blanchard

As future Reading Specialists, we must be leaders in the fight to help struggling readers become better readers, so that in the end we are all winners!!

When I think about how lost some students must feel when it comes to reading, I recall John F. Kennedy’s quote “A child miseducated is a child lost”.  As a prospective reading specialist, I am inspired by this quote to strive to learn all that I can so that I can reach the students who find themselves lost when it comes to reading.   

Image:  google.images

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose." Dr. Seuss..

Dr. Seuss said it so perfectly, We have the opportunity to choose the path that we lead and the direction we want to go. I want to head into the direction that leads to becoming a dedicated "Reading Professional." I am looking foward to be able to apply all the strategies, skills and content that I am learning in the Language and Literacy Program as soon as I pass my Praxis II and graduate from the University of Guam.

Perseverance gets you everywhere!

Learn as much as you can while you are young, since life becomes too busy later. ~Dana Stewart Scott

Life's a balancing act for so many of us--what with work, school, and families. I'm glad that the readings provide us with an achievable goal, a light at the end of the tunnel. Even though sometimes life gets too full of hassles, I'm glad that we're all here together and in it to win it as future Reading Specialists! Happy Monday!

Reality Check

"It's not what you achieve in life that counts, it's what you overcome."-author unknown

This is the start of my 7th year in teaching, and it's been a surreal experience! Sometimes I ask myself if it's worth the hardships and fustrations. The constant search for knowledge, continuing education, meeting the demands of GDOE, and administration. I look at my past and realize I've been through tougher times, and so, I will overcome.

google image

In the Same Boat

"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." Martin Luther King Jr.

I'm sorry if it seems that I'm harping so much on the lack of cooperation sometimes observed between content area teachers and language arts teachers, but the readings, especially the article on standards for middle and high school reading specialists/coaches really spoke to me. As a school, JFKHS is trying to do a lot to address our failings with regards to literacy instruction (as directed by our SAT10 scores). We hold monthly faculty meetings where the focus is on disseminating strategies that will 1) address literacy and 2) more than likely work in your classroom. It sounds great on paper, but it can be difficult to carry out, especially when we have to think of how literacy is used in math or PE classes. It's doable. It might not be easy for all teachers to try all of our strategies, but we're aiming for a good percentage--critical mass is a good term. I think what would tip the boat in our favor is for all teachers to realize that literacy is a vital part of all classes and that all teachers have a responsibility to help their students. WASC accreditation (or denial) and improved (or stagnated) literacy skills help (or hurt) everyone.

Chapter 6: Adolescent Literacy

How did you feel about the metaphor? The reading brought back some memories of being a high school teacher back in the day when teachers were teachers and administrators were leaders. Innovative strategies that met student needs were not looked upon with favor by the the narrow thinking of some school principals. It was either their way or the highway. Unfortunately I encountered such narrow thinking which resulted in the "institutional practices working against the teacher." In those days, I saw a lot of really good teachers leave the system out of frustration. Teachers today are more fortunate because they are encouraged to be more creative and to use strategies they know will work with their students. These days what counts is that the students learn. I have seen so many really good teachers at the elementary and secondary levels who use innovative but effective strategies and I've seen the students' reactions to such strategies. One high school health teacher I know uses music to teach his ESL students health concepts . For many island students, music is a way of communicating their thoughts and feelings. He also uses a lot of video technology to help students become more effective communicators. He is a great example of teaching reading literacy in the content area . Another teacher I know, uses student created visuals to motivate students to relate to the content. She then posts these visuals in the classroom to showcase student work and this gives students the motivation to want to learn more and do more. I say, "if it works, use it!" There are so many good teachers but they need the support of administrators who understand that some teachers need to use out- of- the- box strategies and to encourage them rather than frustrate them with narrow thinking. Because good and sound leadership is critical to an effective adolescent literacy program, I believe that many of our new administrators (who have little experience with effective literacy programs) need some professional development in leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills and they need to be able to model these skills effectively so that their specialist teachers would want to assume leadership roles themselves. For those who are stuck in a "my way or the highway" rut, (and we still have those in our current system) they need to be professionally redeveloped as well.

My quote for today is from a reader of GUIDEPOSTS, Laverne Hart: If you aim at nothing, more than likely you'll hit it. How hard is this target to miss? On the other hand, if you aim at something, more than likely you'll hit is as well. So the moral is if you're aiming, aim for something because it is better than nothing.''

Image by google image search: Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Emergency Meeting

After a long day of professional development, the federally funded employees were called to an emergency meeting by Dr. Nerissa Underwood. We were told that there was still no word from US DOE and the federal funds and because of this we may not have a job come Monday. This dealt a big blow to the moral of the teachers, coordinators, and teaching assistants who were present during the meeting. It brought concerns to the principals and rendered most, speechless to the thought of not having a job. Except for the few who were brave to question the Superintendent, it was quiet and somber. I braved the crowd and remained optimistic and put my trust in a system that hopefully will take care of the educators who still remain even after many had left. For those who worry about their next paycheck, I pray that our leaders will make the right decision, if not for the federally funded educators, at least for the students of GDOE.

Chapter 5: Improving Reading Achievement in Elementary Schools

All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent. (John F. Kennedy) I presented on Equality and Equity today at a Professional Development for Chamorro Teachers. So I thought that this quote was very timely and a good reminder for all of us as educators. Not all our students have equal talents but it is our responsibility to ensure that they equally receive the opportunities to develop.
Today's reading assignment was, at first pretty dry, until I read the statement about literacy curricula not being the same as literacy programs. For the last five years, the argument was that the reform program being implemented was a curriculum. It is not! It is the set of materials and resources that should have been used by teachers to support the curriculum. Can this explain why our students are still not improving? Have we done this all backwards? The reading also stated that in order for an effective improvement plan to be sustained, a strong infrastructure must be built? Again, this could explain why there has been little progress student achievement. Just like Marife felt about last week's reading, this reading was very informative but left me feeling very frustrated. For all the new things I am learning, I am also feeling helpless.

Happy Professional Development Day!

"If you want to be incrementally better: Be competitive. If you want to be exponentially better: Be cooperative." --unknown

At our school's Professional Development Day, er, festivities, I kept coming back to one of this chapter's points about the necessity of teacher buy-in and ownership. As mentioned before, JFKHS is trying its best to implement standards- and researched-based best practices among all its teachers. Granted, it's a lot of work to 1) sit through regular meetings to learn about different literacy-aimed learning activities, 2) try them out with your students, and 3) reflect and report on the efficacy of a chosen lesson. I think our biggest obstacle has been maintaining teacher participation. It's one thing to support the improvement of the literacy skills of all students, but, as this quote explains, it starts with all teachers working together.

Article 3

This following quote is  in reference to Article 3:  Teaching All Children to Read:  The Roles of the Reading Specialist, A Position Statement of the International Reading Assoication.

If our legislators could back up and support the IRAs’ position statement on Article 3, reading specialists could take great strides to partake of Thornton Wilders inspirational quote; which is to “Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeing great work at some moment every day”.


Image:  image.google.com

Well, I just realized that I was suppose to attend class today. It only dawned on me now because as I was reading everyone's post, I got the impression that there was class, when I went to check my calendar of events, it was there in black and white, a scheduled class session and I was thinking that we had a moodle session today. My mistake, I got my dates confused. My apologies to everyone.



"To teach is to learn twice" Joseph Joubert, Pensees, 1842

I like to think that every day as I teach, I learn something new. My students constantly teach me new ways that I can improve how I deliver a lesson, how to make the lesson more engaging and how I can keep them focused. Everyday is a lesson learned.

Experience your surroundings!

google image

"We should not teach children the sciences but give them a taste for them"- Jean Jacques Rousseau

Don't only teach your students, romance them invite them to get out of their comfort zone, take them out and discover their surroundings and taste, smell, feel, and see what the world has to offer!

Read More, Ponder More

"It is better to read a little and ponder a lot than to read a lot and ponder a little." --Denis Parsons Burkitt

As (reading) teachers and Reading Specialists, we should help students delve deeper into whatever they read. We should encourage students to read for understanding and to internalize what they read. As per the articles and discussions, properly trained Reading Specialists can be the KEY to help motivate readers to be lifelong learners!

Speaking Out!

Tonight's session discussion on the role of reading specialists in the schools was quite passionate as we all felt that the research and the knowledge of respected experts is not being used by those in the field of education here on Guam. We were able to express our thoughts and feelings, and frustrations because what is actually happening in the schools often contradicts what we are learning from the experts. We should all be advocates for the children and stand up for what is right. We can follow Darlene's example by sending our articles on what effective reading programs should be, what the standards for professional development should involve and the benefits of having a reading specialist in the schools to our legislators and other leaders.

My quote tonight is:

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb

As my mother used to tell me, what you learn will always be with you and no one can take your education away from you.