When "I Can't" Becomes "I Can If You Help Me"

Three years ago, I started a journey to learn about authentic reading and the lack thereof in my classroom. I knew that my students were not reading. As a student 20 years ago, I passed many of my high school and college classes as a fake reader - only doing what I had to do to comprehend the text enough to participate in discussion, write an essay, or take a test. It wasn't that I struggled with reading. It was almost more of a game to me that I could pass tests with As and Bs without reading. Yeah, I was one of THOSE students.

This journey introduced me to authors like Pernille Ripp, Kelly Gallagher, Donalyn Miller and Penny Kittle. And you know what -- all of these authors had one thing in common. They believed through their experiences in the classroom that the one way to create authentic readers was to actually put books in students' hands and let them experience reading. Yes, reading during the class period -- such a novel idea (pun intended)! This is not lazy planning. It is not lackadaisical teaching. We would expect a football coach to run pass plays to help his athletes know when to make their cut up the field. We would expect a choir or band teacher to have students singing and playing their instruments during class to improve their skills, yet many teachers would say that they have too much content to cover to provide students time to read in class. I have to talk myself off the proverbial social media cliff every time I hear teachers list reasons for not giving students opportunities to read in class. We model what we expect. If we expect students to read, we must provide time and model what authentic reading looks like. They will rarely do it on their own.

One of my other realizations on this journey is that reading takes many different forms. Many students are great readers and can read silently. Some students like to be read to in a larger group setting. Some students like to read aloud with a partner so that they can discuss what they are reading as they go. And some students (more than you would think) benefit from listening to an audiobook. 

So today, as I was walking across the hallway to my classroom one of my students who recognized his strength as an audio-reader stopped me. He was nervous about the book he was reading in his Jr./Sr. level class. He said, "You know that I struggled to read last year until I started listening to books. I am struggling to understand this book, and I can't find an audio version that is free." He then said some of the most treasured words that a teacher could ever hear: "Can you help me?"

This is what teachers live for, am I right? For a student to come to see us, to advocate for himself, to recognize how he learns best, and to see the potential he has as a learner. This is why the learning in our classrooms has to meet the needs of our students. This is why we need to allow our students to try as many learning mediums as possible until they find a way that works for them. Finding the right medium for reading allowed my former student to build up some confidence in himself and to realize that he can learn. Call me crazy, but my hopes are that someday, meeting the needs of each student is just what we do -- not because an IEP, 504, or SIT plan tells us to do this, but because it is what's best for kids. Sometime, over the course of a year, this student invested in himself. It was amazing to watch "I can't" become "I can if you help me." This is why we teach.

I Love You, Too!

“Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

—John C. Maxwell, American author and leadership expert

I have never been much of a hugger. In past years, the sentence "I love you" did not roll easily off of my tongue. As a young teacher, I was taught to make sure that there was a clear line drawn in the classroom. So, I mastered the one-armed hug, the high-five, and the fist bump. 

And as most of my stories go, there was this kid...

I remember it like it was yesterday. I was walking down our long hallway, and then I heard it. It was a phrase I wasn't sure how to respond to. Definitely not something I learned about in my teaching classes. This student said, "I love you, Mrs. Neill." I'll be honest. I didn't know what to do or say, so I said, "thank you." Wowza. Thank you? How lame was that?

Many students have gone days, weeks, months, and sadly even years without hearing "I love you." And when this student said, "I love you, Mrs. Neill," I hesitated. But you see, I do love my students. I love them like my own children. I also know that my students, my children, are often hurting. This student in particular was very genuine when he said, "I love you" - he meant it. Why was it so hard for me to say it back?

I cannot begin to count how much I think about the power of my words. I know how authentic they must be. The must be safe. They must be affirming. They must be encouraging. They can never be forced, for you cannot kid a kidder. Words like:

• I am so happy you are here!
• I missed you while you were gone.
• You are so important to this class.
• I'm listening.
• I'm sorry.

I am intentional about these messages. When students walk into my classroom, I study their body language and posture. I look to see if a student changes seats from the day before and what may have caused that change. I try to figure out what it is that students need to hear so that they have the confidence to put their thoughts into writing. I work to foster a classroom environment that thrives on discussion and collaboration. I do these things because I believe that they just as important as the content I teach. 

And so now, when this student says, "I love you Mrs. Neill," I can say, without hesitation, "I love you, too." And I mean it. I often hear my colleagues say the same thing to students as they leave their classes. I think about how many colleagues have hugged me in the last week and told me they loved me. We are a family. We have created a place that is safe to take chances, to fail, and to get back up and try our best again until we succeed. Every student and teacher should be so lucky.

I love you, too -- these words cost me nothing. However, to this student, who has taught me more than any book ever could, those words may be just what he needs to hear. And I would be lying if I said that I didn't need to hear it, too. 

Teachers - Your Vote Matters

Teachers, I am just going to say it: we've got to vote. Our voices need to be heard. We are the advocates for our students, classrooms, and schools. No one knows about schools better than we do. It's time to get political.

As a new teacher sixteen eighteen years ago, I did not consider myself a political person. I did not fully understand how government - at both the state and national level - affected my job as a teacher. I voted, but I was not active in the campaigning process, I shied away from political conversations, and avoided conflict at all costs. I did not get political because I didn't think I knew enough about political issues to voice my concerns and opinions. And let's be honest, sometimes politics seems so overwhelming. I did't know where to start, so I simply didn't. 

What I have learned is that ignorance is not bliss. I know about my students, my classroom, and my school, and that is enough for me to get political. It is enough for me to campaign for candidates that support public education. It is enough for me to put a sign in my front yard. It is enough for me to go door-to-door for a candidate. It is enough for me to write a 150-word letter to the editor on behalf of a candidate. Being a teacher is enough to advocate for students -- because we are professionals.

As the 2018 Kansas Teacher of the Year, I had the opportunity to learn about how policy on a national and state level affects our public schools, so I want to take the time to share with you what I know and address comments and questions that I have been asked. I am hoping that this will give you the knowledge and courage to be the voice for your classrooms and for your students. Your teaching stories matter, but you have to be brave enough to share them. 

• "I vote, but I only vote for president or in national elections." As an American, it is awesome that you exercise your right to vote. However, what I didn't understand as a teacher is that almost 90% of our public schools' funding comes from the state and local level. So what does that mean? It means that the small elections sometimes matter more to my classroom than a national election. It means that my state senator and state representatives who live in my own town, county, or district represent me and my community's interests. There is no electoral college on a local level - EVERY VOTE COUNTS.
• "I don't know what to believe with all of the fliers that I get in the mail and commercials that I see on TV." Great point. Those fliers can be overwhelming. I have learned to look for a few key words to help me start researching candidates. When I see words like "school choice" or "parent choice" that usually means that the flier or commercial is supporting someone who believes in school vouchers. Please know that I do believe that parents should have the right to choose what type of education their child receives, but public taxpayer dollars should be used to fund public schools. As a public school teacher, I believe that EVERY child has the RIGHT to a high quality education. Our public schools serve EVERY student - no matter their ability, race, gender, sexuality, or identity. A school voucher system takes away tax-payer dollars from our community schools and allows that money to be spent on private schools, home schools, and for-profit schools. Edit: I have had a few people ask me exactly how vouchers would affect public schools. Right now, any tax revenue that is set aside for schools goes to public schools. According to the state constitution, no public taxpayer dollars can be given to private institutions. Should we elect a candidate who supports the voucher/choice system, the overall funding for public schools will drop because this money will be split between four entities: public schools, private schools, for-profit schools and home-based schools. This would most likely mean more cuts to teachers and districts across the state. I might also add that elected officials do not get to choose which schools lose funding in the event of a budget cut. Those cuts effect all schools across the state. 
• "I don't know how to contact my representatives." Teachers are busy. We make thousands of decisions a day. Our time must be used wisely, and that is why I love the website www.openstates.org.  
  
  This site allows me to easily see the email addresses and phone numbers to contact my representatives. (Just a reminder not to use your school email accounts and devices to campaign for or against someone.) This site also shows me how my representatives voted on certain bills and who is on specific committees that I may need to contact. I have also programmed my representatives' phone numbers in my cell phone (this takes less than 5 minutes), and I call them when I am on my way home or making a trip to the grocery store. I don't have to know the name of the bill I am calling about, but it does help to know that. It also suggested to give them my address so that they know if they are my representative. Again, I don't have to be an expert -- I simply have to tell my classroom stories and experiences. I simply have to write, email, or call. I must act. 
• "I don't understand how our commissioner is chosen." In Kansas, our commissioner is NOT elected. That is rare. In most states the Commissioner of Education, State Superintendent, or State Chief of Schools (different name, but similar jobs) is elected by the citizens or appointed by the governor. Our commissioner, Dr. Randy Watson, was appointed after a series of interviews by the members of the Kansas State School Board. This allows for us to have some continuity in the vision and direction of our schools. It is the reason why our goal to have all schools redesign by 2025 is an attainable goal. We do not changed course every 2-4 years like many states do. This continuity is important for the morale of teachers and the future success of students.
• "Who makes up the state school board and what is their role?" Our Kansas State Board of Education consists of 10 elected members. As voters, we get to learn about our state board members and their beliefs. They do run attached to a party or as an independent. Edit: They are elected to represent their constituents in educational matters. "The Mission of the State Board of Education is to prepare Kansas students for lifelong success through rigorous, quality academic instruction, career training and character development according to each student's gifts and talents. The Kansans CAN Vision is to Lead the World in the Success of Each Student."

• "Does anyone actually want to hear my classroom stories?" Teachers are one of the most trusted professions. Teachers are humble. They do not seek out attention. As a result, our stories often go untold. However, I do know this - in the absence of information, people must fill in the gaps with their own personal experiences and knowledge. In order for politicians, parents, and community members to understand what my classroom is about, I must share my stories. My students do not learn in the same way that they did, but that is because we have research-based strategies and best practices that didn't exist even 5 years ago. My students have different needs than they did, and unless we talk about those stories, students' needs will not be met. I have a responsibility to share my story. I do not want the nightly news, social media posts, or hearsay to do that for me. I would encourage you to share these stories with your neighbors, your church community, your social media contacts, and your own family. They need to hear about the awesomeness that surrounds you each day. 

You do not need all of the answers to get political. You do not have to be an expert in educational funding and local budgeting. You DO have to be willing to try - one step, one fact at a time. This upcoming election is another important one. State and local elections are when local educations decisions are made. 

If you have other questions about how local government affects Kansas schools that need answers, please post them in the comments. I will do my best to find answers. Share this post with your colleagues, families, and neighbors. We must understand how local elections impact schools if we are going to meet the needs of our most precious commodities - our children.

Edit: I originally wrote this blog post two years ago, but it still applies today. Teachers have been told not to get political, but everything about our jobs is governed by politics. Teachers can change the world, one child, one heart, one vote at a time.