Comments for Reading Countess

Comment on Technology: Friend or Foe? by Tweets that mention Technology: Friend or Foe? | Reading Countess -- Topsy.com

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:49:54 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Melissa Tran, Tess Alfonsin. Tess Alfonsin said: Technology: Friend or Foe? | Reading Countess http://bit.ly/cFZ2q0 [...]

Comment on Technology: Friend or Foe? by Jerrid

Jerrid — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:42:02 +0000

I am
Glad you are raising issues about technology. I use tech in my classes, but spend considerable mental effort examining tech. Check out http://educatech.wordpress.com & click category “critically examining technology” for some more of my thoughts.

Comment on Technology Infusion in Reading/Writing Workshop Training by Deborah Mozingo

Deborah Mozingo — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:44:50 +0000

Make sure when using the new technology with students that you are prepared for any problems. Always have a backup plan in case things do not go just as planned. I always have students take their library book with them or work we may be doing in class so there is no time wasted.

Comment on Technology Infusion in Reading/Writing Workshop Training by Tweets that mention Technology Infusion in Reading/Writing Workshop Training | Reading Countess -- Topsy.com

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 11:21:28 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by techise , Tess Alfonsin. Tess Alfonsin said: Technology Infusion in Reading/Writing Workshop Training | Reading Countess http://bit.ly/azlWVL [...]

Comment on The Great Balancing Act by Reading Countess

Reading Countess — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 22:01:13 +0000

Thank you so much for your comment. It was scary and tough to show my warts. But honesty is really what I am shooting for in life. We had a wonderful day yesterday, too, by the way!

Comment on The Great Balancing Act by Mrs. V

Mrs. V — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:16:29 +0000

I really appreciated the honesty in your last two posts. I struggle with the concept of balance constantly. Yesterday we had a great family day, and I couldn’t help but think about how I need to consciously do that more.

Comment on Heeeere's Johnny! by T. Garrett

T. Garrett — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:02:42 +0000

Whew! I thought I was the only one in the world that felt this same way. I cannot not work and am constantly either online studying the latest ed. trends, following fellow educators on Twitter, or reading books both YA and professional. My youngest daughter graduated this year and I have had a couple of weeks since she moved away to get ready for college to reflect on how I might have done a better parenting job but both my girls are beautiful and incredibly smart so I think I did a pretty good job but I think they were often second to some of my students and for that I am terribly sad. I have decided to retire after 32 years in education but have taken a teaching position in another state because I feel I still have so much to offer and I am too young to just sit at home. I don’t think I am helping you very much but I am relieved that I am not alone. Maybe we can form a 12 step workaholic program?(I am moving to Texas so maybe we will meet someday.)

Comment on Heeeere's Johnny! by Book Chook

Book Chook — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:02:20 +0000

What I read in your post here is very positive. You are reflecting and evaluating, ready to embrace change. You are ready to cut yourself some slack, and you can see benefits for your whole family if you do.

I found out the hard way that I defined myself as a teacher first, my other roles second. I think maybe certain ones of us who are attracted to teaching are that kind of person – nurturing, protective, driven, passionate, dedicated. I know I believed it was THE way to teach, felt sorry for others (in hindsight, more balanced others!) who weren’t that way.

It so often gets down to balance, doesn’t it? For me, it was learning to be in the moment, fully in the moment, rather than obsessing about what had or hadn’t happened at school, preparing for Christmas in June etc.

Have the best summer!

Comment on Heeeere's Johnny! by Reading Countess

Reading Countess — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:05:49 +0000

Katie, Thank you so much! What a terrific honor, and a delicious surprise after how I have been feeling. I appreciate it and will pass it along.
I am not letting my boys play in the road in traffic, by no means. But can I do better as a mom? Yes. But as Evelyn says so eloquently, “My “off” button for work is broken and I don’t know that it will ever be fixed. I love what I do and am passionate about being an educator. I am always thinking, planning, reading, etc. with regards to education and my classroom.” Teaching is important stuff. I don’t want to punch a clock. I can’t. But when I get home, I find that I have run all out of nice. How to strike a balance, I don’t know. I have some serious thinking to do this summer. And Evelyn, one of the things I need to think about is junior high…

Comment on Heeeere's Johnny! by Evelyn Oros

Evelyn Oros — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:41:24 +0000

Dear Reading Countess~
As I read today’s blog I find many of my own struggles within the words of our heart. I swear we are cut from the same mold. As a former student would say, “We are sista’s from a different Mista” HaHa. I don’t know if I have words of wisdom for you becasue I am a new mommy but I can speak from the workaholic wife’s standpoint. My “off” button for work is broken and I don’t know that it will ever be fixed. I love what I do and am passionate about being an educator. I am always thinking, planning, reading, etc. with regards to education and my classroom. Even as the dog days of summer pass by I cannot shut it off. I will say this though…When I taught at the elementary level I was a “maniac” much like Johnny boy above. My marriage was in BIG trouble because ALL I did was eat, sleep, breathe school. It consumed everything I did for 4 years. When I moved to JH I made a vow to “cut back”. It was hard at first but JH lent itself to a natural cutback. I remember in first grade, emotionally I carried all of my students with me everyday because they were so small. I was their mother and teacher and many times the only thing stable and consistent in their lives. This followed me everywhere. At the JH level I still love my students but they are a bit older and independent. I don’t carry as much of the emotional baggage around with me. This allows me to be a mommy at home and not mommy all day at work too. I won’t even start about all the extra demands of an elementary teacher that do not exist at the secondary level. Now don’t get me wrong…I still eat, breathe, and sleep education, but it is easier at the secondary level. I don’t know if this helps or not. And YES a working mom can have it all. Your sons adore you and you are a wonderful mother and educator! And as Journey would say “Don’t Stop Believin’”