Disqus - Latest Comments for sywtt

Re: Huckabee Slams Obama on Gay Marriage: Where Are His ‘Christian Convictions’?

Joel — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 12:28:28 -0000

Yes. The Hebrew word that is translated "hardened" there in Exodus 9:12 could also be translated "made firm" meaning that God allowed Pharaoh's heart to be strengthened in his resolve to defy God.

Re: 3 Ways Educators Are Embracing Social Technology

Joel — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:35:59 -0000

Absolutely! I had toyed around with Twitter some back in 2008 and didn't really realize its value to me. Then I read Mashable's article 10 Ways Twitter Will Change Blog Design in 2009 and decided it was time to really dive in. I think there seems to be an element lacking in this article, or perhaps it is going at things from a different perspective, but I gotta admit that I am blown away by the things I have learned (and so many other educators share) via Twitter. The potential is there for amazing learning.

In my experience, (many) teachers seem to embrace social media and run with it. Del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, and other social bookmarking sites were among the first that I saw where teachers would set up accounts for their students to browse interesting websites. Also Diigo seems to be a more updated version of those older sites.

For more info on what teachers can and do actually do with Twitter, check out my Twitter Guide for Teachers.

Re: This Is Embarrassing

Joel — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:09:15 -0000

I've looked at the program. For me currently, week 1 is too intense. So I found this 12-week program that starts me a little slower. I really do love the iPhone App for C25K, though. In three weeks, I may be tempted to switch over and start week 1 of the C25K program just to have an excuse to get the App. :)

Re: 10 Things I Wish I Knew As A First Year Teacher

Joel — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:02:06 -0000

Good question. You have a few options here. You could give up on them, or you could treat today as a new beginning. I would ask questions and seek out help from other teachers around you. Find one who has experience and a peaceful attitude, and make a list of questions to ask each day. Make it your personal mission to turn your teaching around in the remainder of the school year.

I had a horrible first two years. I wrote about it in Why I Hated Teaching During My First Two Years if you're interested in reading some more there.

Re: Help! I’m On The Verge of Burnout!!! Do I Quit Teaching Or What Do I Do?

Joel — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:56:25 -0000

It's an article on this blog, It's not a book, I don't make money from you reading it. Sorry.

Re: This Is Embarrassing

Joel — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:55:14 -0000

Oh, I'm going by the standard BMI calculations. I know it's a bit off, and that if I get my weight down to 200, I'll be good. Heck, if I can weigh 10 pounds less, I'll be better off.

Re: 10 Books That Rocked My World

Joel — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:47:12 -0000

A friend bought me Jon Courson's 30 MP3 CD set of sermons through the Bible. iTunes tells me I have 50.1 days of his sermons in there. :)

I also have Chuck Smith and J. Vernon McGee's thru the Bible series' as well.

Chuck Missler and David Hocking have some mind-numbing teachings as well!

Re: 10 Books That Rocked My World

Joel — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:28:46 -0000

Thanks for the recommendations, Natalie. I actually was encouraged by a couple of my friends to start Don't Waste Your Life, and I started it last night. I downloaded some free wallpapers from http://www.dontwasteyourlif... and got them on my computer at home and my iPhone. I'll set one of them as my wallpaper on my school computer also.

I currently only have the iPhone version of DWYL, but I am a huge fan of real books over PDF or Kindle or any other kind of electronic form of book. As much of a computer geek as I am (and have been for years), I just prefer the hard copy.

I read No Compromise back in 2002. At that point, I was on this huge Keith Green kick where practically all I listened to was his music. I had a nice long hospital stay where I was able to read his book (the printed version of the PDF that I got on one of his compilation CDs).

I'll definitely look into the others on your list. Thanks!

Re: The Adaptive Unconscious: You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression

Joel — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:19:59 -0000

Honestly, I'm not going to send anyone to the office. But I am going to go into classes prepared to make phone calls home and assign detention...

Re: The Adaptive Unconscious: You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression

Joel — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:48:38 -0000

The post was no longer on The Yellow Board. Basically, the idea is that when you go out there prepared to take care of misbehaving students, they see that you mean business and don't mess with you. We'll see what happens...

Re: Invalid Reasons Teachers Quit

Joel — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:13:08 -0000

I miss the part where I said that teaching doesn't require time or skill. Care to enlighten us where you disagreement is rather than just resorting to name-calling?

Re: Graduate First – Why I Won’t Add You As My Facebook Friend Yet

Joel — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:09:53 -0000

Cool stuff! Not sure where I stand on the "Be my fan" issue really. Having said that, I guess that means I'm not behind it, so I just haven't done it.

I came across an opposing viewpoint over at huffenglish.com in her post Teachers and Facebook. It drew quite a few comments as well.

Re: Help! I’m On The Verge of Burnout!!! Do I Quit Teaching Or What Do I Do?

Joel — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:40:24 -0000

M.D.,

I can only imagine that this must be a really tough situation for you. Remember that you can't do everything. As much as we want to, we have to constantly remind ourselves that we can only do as much as we can do. I want to write more about this, but I'm not sure that the comments of this article are the best place for it. I'll post my full response in the next few days. Until then, just keep on keeping on!

Re: 20 Great Websites for Teachers

Joel — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:09:41 -0000

I use SXC for almost everything I do with graphics! Thanks for the info and RT, Angela. :)

Re: 10 Things For A First Year Teacher To Do

Joel — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:13:20 -0000

Sure, some days I want to throw them out a window, but overall, I do what I do because of them, and when I’m feeling frustrated even with an entire class, I can look at individuals or other classes and remember what rockstars they are. And it helps.

I love it! Thanks for the smile. :)

Re: 50 Classroom Management Tips I Have Learned This Month

Joel — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:17:13 -0000

Liz, I guess it wasn't quite clear. I don't think we should lower our expectations for their behavior. I think that in a situation where we don't see them doing something right very often, we need to find things they're doing well and congratulate them for that.

"Thank you so much for sitting up straight, Juan!"

"Alyssa, I really do appreciate that you're listening to me when I'm talking!"

I think all of us who have been teaching for a few years at least know that there are days when not a single student follows the directions the entire time. In those instances, that's where you lower your expectations not for the student behavior but for "what am I going to compliment?"

Re: Wake Up Call

Joel — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:52:22 -0000

Thanks for all of your comments. I bought a blood pressure monitor this weekend and have been tracking it. It's running right around 130/90. I went to the doctor this morning, and it was 142/91. My LDL cholesterol was also a little high. I am now on Lisinopril (for the BP) and Zocor (for cholesterol).

Medication is not much first choice, but it is definitely a step. I've also been drinking a whole lot more water and am making some pretty substantial dietary changes over the next few weeks and months.

The goal is to be able to get to the point where I can come off the medication. My next appointment is a little over 6 months away. Thanks again for all of the advice...

Re: Happy Blog-iversary: A Terrific Two Years

Joel — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:27:06 -0000

Congratulations! Glad you've made it two years and it's been a lot of fun to see your blog grow as it has. Thanks for including me in your props as well. :)

Re: Advertise Your Blog Right Here

Joel — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:37:35 -0000

I looked at your blog and it has only been around for four months or so. Hang in there, keep posting, and good things will happen. The longer your blog is on the internet, the better your results will be. AdSense revenue is very difficult to get up and running well. Just be persistent and passionate about your posting and you'll be fine. :)

Re: Wake Up Call

Joel — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:59:01 -0000

Lots of good tips. Thanks!

I took it again a few days ago and it was down to 136/92, so it's definitely not quite as bad as I was afraid, but it still is a level that should concern me. Time to go do some breathing/relaxation before bed...

Re: Wake Up Call

Joel — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:40:08 -0000

I walked about 30 minutes this morning. It's so hot in the afternoons when I get home from marching rehearsal that it's hard to get myself to do more. At least in the mornings the temperature is down into the 80s...

Re: But Wait, That Wasn’t In My Job Description!

Joel — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:47:22 -0000

Agreed. The reader had indicated the possibility of quitting in the next few weeks even. Obviously that would be akin to filing bankruptcy as far as job hunting goes.

The sooner we come to realization that our university classes prepared us for major disappointment when faced with the reality of real classroom situations, the easier it is for us to adapt!

I agree with your thoughts on moving to another school if the administrative isn't supportive. Not every time, but I would be hard pressed to find a band director who would look down on a director for that kind of thing. In a situation where an administrator is interviewing you, perhaps using the terms "career growth" or "because I was not teaching music every period" might be better to use. :)

Re: Who’s Looking For A Job This Summer?

Joel — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:14:14 -0000

Maria,

I had 20 interviews the summer that I got my current job. The three that offered me a job were all over 300 miles away from where I had lived my entire life. I think the idea of taking a year off for "health reasons" or even to spend a year homeschooling your son are perfectly legitimate. But you might have waited too long for it to be an amicable parting...talk to your current employer and see what they say about it. I'd do that tomorrow, by the way...

Re: Invalid Reasons Teachers Quit

Joel — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 11:41:24 -0000

I agree. I think there is a misunderstanding. I should have clarified that I'm talking about leaving the profession entirely. Of course if the work environment isn't conducive to solid education and administration doesn't seem to be helpful for you, you should find a different school or district entirely and start again.

There are great schools out there, and there are some that are not so great... :)

Re: 20 WordPress 2.7 Plugins You Can’t Live Without

Joel — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:53:38 -0000

There is a cost involved with getting the domain name and hosting. Each hosting company charges different amounts and has different quality, so it's something that people really need to shop around for.

The latest versions of WordPress do a really good job of letting you upgrade to newer versions of plugins or even of WordPress with one or two clicks so you usually don't have to do any further FTP transfers or anything else like that.

For most people, WordPress.com is a great option. I am just a little control freak and like the challenge of being able to have my very own .com addresses. :)