Where the Weeks Went ~

 
I have not posted to this blog for two weeks now.
Every time I started a draft, I just couldn't find the right words.
The events on Wednesday afternoon, February 14th, stopped me...
along with nearly everyone else...stopped me right in my tracks.

A school shooting is every teacher's, and every parent's, worst nightmare.

The Columbine HS massacre on April 20, 1999, changed the ways we do things at school.

It was that fall that we had our first Active Shooter Lock Down Drill.

We teachers practiced valuable procedures in the event of an intruder,

and our law enforecment developed important strategies to navigate our school building.

If seeing the SWAT team in full gear running through the school was not intimidating enough,

hearing the sounds of the gun shots fired was terrifying.

I was a teacher, responsible for hundreds of teenagers,

and also a mother, with a high school aged daugher.

That was just the first of many annual lock down drills.

It was important for us to hear gunfire in the hallways,

to recognize that sound,

and so it would not be mistaken for the sound of firecrackers.

The sounds of gunfire, along with the officers yelling commands,

all was enough to keep me awake an night,

and it was just a drill...

But after the school shooting on Valentine's Day,

the news broadcast included video that students captured,

in their classrooms, with their cell phones.

It was the real thing...

It was chilling...it shook me to the core.

Teachers and students practice these drills,

just like we practice for fires and tornadoes.

We teach with our classroom doors closed...

Those doors are locked.

Here is Mr. Hanson speaking to my class.

Notice the pantry behind him?

Half of my students would hunker down in there.

And the other half of the class would 

move into the laundry room and barricade that door.

I had a place to hide under my demonstration counter,

so that I could check on both groups of students.

Even if it was a drill...it felt serious.

My heart hurts for the teachers and students that 

have had to experience that horrific occurance, for real.

The teachers that have died protecting their students are heros.

We all hope and pray that we can bring an end to these

senseless acts of violence in our schools.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Weekend ~Where the Week Went

Most of you know that I like to get to school early.

I use that quiet time to set up for class,

and then I can enjoy my time greeting the students.

Fitness for Life is one of my favorite classes.

It is an interdisciplinary class where students spend time 

working out in PE, 

and time preparing nutritious snacks in the FACS classroom.

This week, whole wheat pretzels...

I especially enjoy Fridays,

when the entire group meets as one.

Students, in alphabetical order,

(for attendance taking purposes)

stretching, and waiting for instructions.

I am always impressed how our PE teachers can take command of

80-90 students, create work-out activities that are fun, 

and keep everyone engaged.

Just outside my classroom,

the TV Production students were setting up for an interview.

They had a few questions for a couple of the Girls BB players.

This, however, did not distract my teacher's aide

who was arranging our FACS display case.

Meanwhile, inside my classroom,

Blueberry Muffins

Yummy!

On Friday, history was in the making...

An event that will have a huge impact 

on these young people's lives.

Students came up to the frying station 

in small groups to make their donuts.

This allowed the others to watch the live broadcast of the

Presidential Inauguration.

All in all, it was a productive week.

The weekend goes so fast, it is already Sunday!

A day for this teacher to plan and prepare 

for the upcoming week.

Enjoy what's left of your weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday ~Packing & Moving...Moving & Packing ~~Plus A Little Joy Sprinkled In

My teaching assignment has changed once again.

It seems like I just moved all of my curriculum and materials 

into the ATEC Academy.

Click here, in case you missed it.

And now, I am moving out again.

Hubby came with me to climb up to take my banners down 

and to carry out the rest of my boxes.

(Thank you, honey.)

On my front table...this reminder of why we all work so hard.

A lovely bouquet of flowers from two of my senior girls.

So, I brought closure to my short time in the ATEC Academy.

Remember the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony?

Seems like it was just last week!

This bouquet features a variety of colors and flowers...

the purple is just so rich.

Back to packing & moving...

We teachers all have an area in the TPC

(teacher planning center)

Last year, the carpet was replaced in the B-1 TPC.

Yep, you guessed it...this year it was our turn in the A-1 TPC.

Everything had to be moved out of the drawers, shelves,

file cabinets, and desktops.

Remember, I have 37 years of curriculum on hand...

and yes, it was a huge task.

Somehow, flowers make it all better...

Last but not least, this was my first classroom 

when we moved to Central High School.

This is where I taught Fashion,

Child Development/Parenting,

Child Development/Preschool,

Personal Development,

and Independent Living.

Now it will be converted to a Commercial Kitchen,

where we will teach Culinary Arts.

We moved everything out,

including the storage area in the back.

It was all a whirlwind,

and I have some boxes stacked in our garage.

(I can sort and discard on my own time this summer.)

Meanwhile, these cheerful yellow daisies 

just make me happy!

Take care,

~Natalie

CTE Fashion ~How to Keep Your Students Engaged, Even When It Feels Like Summer

Naturally, you host a Red Carpet Event...

and your students design the dresses!

It was the last week of school. 

Students took notes to review for the End of Course Exam.

With the class time remaining, 

my Fashion students applied what they had learned about 

the Elements and Principles of Design.

I provided the Aluminum Foil and

Colored Plastic Wrap.

Students created the designs and styled their hair.

There was so much talent and creativity in this class.

I think we all enjoyed this activity.

Take care,

~Natalie

Finally Friday ~Celebrating the End of the School Year ~Food Class Style with Sweet Treats

Lava Cakes!

Students love them...

plus they learn what it means to separate an egg.

They can exercise their creativity and show off their artistic flare

by decorating their dessert plate.

I have two Pampered Chef Sugar Shakers that I bring from home...

one with powdered sugar, one with cocoa.

Along with chocolate, strawberry and caramel syrup,

no two plates are the same.

This little cake looks perfect...

The little hole on top is a perfect spot for 

whipped topping or ice cream.

Perfect sweet ending to a meal...

perfect sweet ending to a school year.

And these sweethearts didn't even complain about clean-up!

Have a great summer, everyone.

Stay safe.

Take care,

~Natalie