Mrs. B’s Corner

1. Before you read on, how would you answer the question, “What is a school?”
2. Which of the descriptions best describes your understanding of schools? Which least describes your understanding?

What is a school? A school is a place where young people gather and learn. Hopefully they learn subjects like math, history, and science but more importantly they learn how to socialize, create, express themselves, and treat others with respect.

“A school is a place where we explore who we really are and how we can become full, creative human beings.” That most closely matches my own description of a school. Most of the other descriptions may be true in some places, but they’re not how I understand schools to be. I was lucky to grow up in a family as much as it was a school. This description- “A school is an institution where the dead wisdom and worn-out skills of the past are force-fed to the young”- is what I don’t want a school to ever be.

1. Do the opinions of one of these groups- the public, administrators, other new teachers- matter more to you than the opinions of the others? Why?
2. How important is it to you to know what other people will think about you as a teacher?

The only opinions that really matter to me are those of the students and their parents. I do, however, recognize the need of approval by administrators and other teachers. Teachers need support; and if it’s not there, it can be difficult to continue the work.

There are a set of questions the textbook recommends to help stimulate thinking as it applies to observing a classroom. I’ll definitely be adding them to my list.

1. What surprised you about what you observed? What was unexpected?
2. What were the teacher’s goals? From what you could tell, were they achieved?
3. If you had the same goals, what would you have done?
4. How did the students appear to be responding during the class? Were they all involved? Most of them? Just a few? What could have been done to improve their involvement?
5. What, if anything, was different about these students from the way you and your classmates were at their age? Were there striking similarities?

Chapter 1 of Those Who Can, Teach is titled “Why Teach?” and covers the motivations, rewards, and opinions of teachers and teaching.

The first “Pause and Reflect” asks:

1. Which of the extrinsic rewards discussed in this section applies to you most? Which of the intrinsic rewards? Are there other rewards not mentioned here?
2. As you have probed your own motives for considering teaching, what have you learned about yourself?

The extrinsic rewards covered are salaries, status, power, and work schedule. I think the ones that apply to me are probably the latter three. There are already instances where after I tell someone I want to be a teacher I hear things like that’s so great, I could never do that, or you’d be a great teacher. I figure once I become a teacher my status will only increase. I also look forward to the influence I’ll have on young minds. I don’t want to lord my power over anyone, but I do want to become a good example for kids. The work schedule also appeals because my family loves to travel. We have lots of flexibility now but with a little planning, I’m sure we’ll be able to enjoy the schedule of a teacher.

I would consider influence an intrinsic reward as well as extrinsic. It’s that feeling of accomplishment that you reached someone and changed how she looks at things or how he feels about something. The book lists students, social service, fellow teachers, and the work itself as other intrinsic rewards. I agree with all of these. Another reward not really mentioned is the fact that I love school and the school environment. I enjoy the structure and the activities provided. When I was in high school, I was on campus from 8 am to 5:30 pm and sometimes longer. I don’t remember ever wishing I were somewhere else.

I think this last reward is one of my biggest motives for teaching. I’d definitely rather be a teacher than a “professional student.” I also remember my own “aha” moment when I thought teaching would be right for me. I was taking a walk with a friend’s kids and answering all kinds of different questions. When I got back to the house, I realized that I’d loved it. I’d enjoyed not only the walk but who I spent it with and how. I haven’t necessarily learned anything new about myself, but this reflection was a good reminder.

For anyone still following along here through RSS or whatever, you’ll notice some major changes coming. I’m currently taking Intro to Education which requires a blog for various assignments. I already have a blog and personal URL so I decided to put aside “Handmade by Shay” and turn it into the blog I need for my Education class. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

I’ve made resolutions around the beginning of the year for the last couple of years. My first try was my greeting card per day. That lasted until we moved out of our house and started traveling full time so maybe about 6 months. (Feel free to peruse the blog for the results.) Last year, I decided to kick caffeine. The specific goal was to kick the addiction, lower my soda intake, and drink more water. I can say that was a complete success. I have tea and soda now and then, but I no longer get those caffeine headaches. I’ve definitely increased my water intake too. This year I’m starting my own personal campaign: 2014 is all about me!

Some of you may know that I’ve been married for over 10 years. I’ve learned pretty well how to take care of things: my husband, our abode, our dogs, etc. What I’ve not really learned to do is take care of myself. I’ve never been on my own so I’ve always had someone to say “shower” or “eat.” I’ve also been lucky enough to have someone saying how beautiful I am. Well, it’s time I start saying it and believing it too. There’s more to me than just looks of course, but it’s up to me to pursue what I want and find what’s beautiful today.

If you’d like to follow along, check out Instagram (sbowerman) or Facebook and click the hashtag “beautifulme”. I don’t know how much writing I’ll be doing, but feel free to subscribe to the blog as well. In pursuit of my own personal goals, which I’ve been putting off for one reason or another, I am enrolled in classes at Yavapai College to continue my education. I hope to become an educator myself so any tips regarding that would be welcome and appreciated.

Here’s to a new year with a new focus and hopefully the ability to balance it all.

I thought of the design for today’s card during my recent reorganization. I’ve had these small, patterned transparencies for a while and thought they’d make a great front for a card. Since the front of the card is clear, I wanted to make the inside ready for a picture. I also decided to hide a tag for a message behind the spot for a picture. Instead of photo corners this time, I slit the card to slip in the 3×5 piece of cardstock.

I made this hot pink card the other day and decided to use it today. I just finished organizing my new sticker/die cut notebook and decided to flip through it to see what I could find. I found this brightly colored TV die cut that matched the pink nicely. I was figuring out what to do with it when my hubby popped in. He gave me a gem of a suggestion so I followed it and turned the card into a picture frame. First, I glued down the TV to the front of the card. I then opened it up and cut out the middle using my exacto knife and cutting mat. Next, I measured the hole and cut a piece of white cardstock to 2 1/4″ by 2 1/4″ to fit perfectly behind the frame. I mounted that square using clear photo corners so the giver (or recipient) can put in her own photo. I wanted to finish it off with a white flocked iron on that said “together,” but the cardstock was changing color so I guess I didn’t do it correctly. I used some black stickers instead. I like how the frame turned out even if the message is a little wonky.

Today’s post was recommended by my husband. My creative process is very organic as I’ve said before, but my supplies are all in a single rolling scrapbook bag. The only way I can have both is by being highly organized. The most important thing is having the right supplies. My bag is a Crop in Style XXL tote that I picked up at Jo-ann’s fabric. For organizing my 12×12 papers within the large pocket of the bag, I have a Cropper Hopper vertical paper holder and the scrap storage set.

I originally had all my stickers in manila folders within a single folder. I’m using regular sheet protectors and Martha Stewart Home Office secure-top sheet protectors to organize them in a three-ring binder. They were roughly divided by alphabet stickers, words and phrases stickers, and picture and specialty stickers. I also had folders for rub-ons, die cuts and templates, and glue/scrap paper for extra ink and to prevent surfaces from getting sticky. I built an index of these items and have them organized by type. All the alphabet stickers will still be together under “A,” but the other stickers are organized into categories such as butterfly, flower, quote, etc. for extra ease.

All these items are in the main large pocket as well as Fiskars templates, my spirograph, cutting mat, folders of inspiration, and magazines. I also have a small amount of space for precut cards, small albums, and two zip-up bags that sit on top. My paper cutter sits on top of the papers. Built into the lid of the bag is a pull-out, fold-out piece with loops for markers and pens. I’m sure you’ll notice the pens are organized by color (ROYGBIV FTW!)

Looking at the bag, you’ll notice there are large zipper pockets on three sides. These are where my tools, stamps, and embellishments are kept. On the right side (again while looking at it) is a mostly open pocket with a single divider. Most of my stamps are the plastic kind that require acrylic blocks so that’s where they’re kept.

On the left side, there are clear pockets with velcro closures and loops along the side. I use this side to easily see my embellishments and specialty scissors. There’s not a lot of thought to this side since the pockets are clear. I just put things where they fit.

The front pocket received a little bit more thought in organization. It is similar to the left side in the fact that it has clear pockets. My first thought was to make the tools I use most often the easiest to access. Those are the items in the top, right (because I’m right-handed) pocket. For those of you who may be curios, my favorite items are: cutter bee scissors, Elmer’s tape runner, glue dots (two sizes), a ruler, an artist’s eraser, plus a couple of glue sticks. Again, the rest of the pockets are used to hold whatever other tools and embellishments that fit. The large pocket on the front flap holds various items that don’t quite fit anywhere else.

I must reiterate that without my amazing bag, I would not be able to create Handmade by Shay as easily as I do. I hope you enjoyed the insight!

Today’s Handmade by Shay is definitely a step away from the norm. Lately, I’ve been keeping track of how I spend my time. My husband came up with a great way of doing this for his business. I’ve adopted it and spent some time helping him organize and merchandise it. His idea is to track time using Legos. For his business, which is software development, he has a 6 stud by 10 stud platform to represent his work day. Each stud represents a 15 minute block of time. To represent how he spends his time, he assigns a certain color brick to certain projects and includes a color for breaks! We just received his order from Lego so we spent some time putting the kits together today. To start off with the kits have a single 6 by 10 platform and three colors of 1 by 1 and 2 by 2 bricks. We had fun choosing the color combos and names. The especially great part that we’re still working on is the packaging! If you’re interested in this fun, better time card, contact me! I’ll be posting more about the packaging once the kinks are worked out!

Blazing Sun

Veggies

Patrioitc

Faded Glory

Alien Invaders (green)

Alien Invaders (red)