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Author: Shantel Hubert

Aug152018

Reflection, Intention and Prayer for the School Year

Reflection, intention and a prayer for the new school year:

Yes. I said it. The school year is upon us and teachers are hustling and bustling to switch mental gears from summer to more formalized days. Parents are in stores trying to check off the list of supplies needed for the year and students are either dreading or looking forward to classes. During all this activity we call “gearing up for the new year,” it is important to remember that we all should take time for reflection, intention and prayer. I usually do not share my thinking process “behind the scenes;” however, I believe it is important for us to learn how various individuals ready themselves for the classroom, as it is a sacred place.

Before sharing my reflections, intentions and prayers that prepare me up for the new year, I first want to share with you a song that always puts me in a space of thanks.

Song: Donny Hathaway’s “Lord Help Me”

Reflection (What I ask myself before the year begins. These questions are applicable to students and teachers):

1. What were the highlights of the school year last year? How can I replicate this?
2. Where did I excel most?
3. Was I challenged enough? If I was not, what can I do to ensure that I have the accurate level of challenge?
4. Which class(es) were my favorites? Why?
5. Which class(es) were my least favorites? Why?
6. What were student responses during the evaluation process? What can I do to improve the classroom experience  based on their suggestions?
7. Did I schedule enough me time during the year?
8. Did I schedule enough family time during the year?

Intention:

1. I’m usually very reserved when sharing information about my home life. At the same time, I know that this information is important to share if you expect to build trust and community. Especially for purposes of personalizing lessons and discussions in the classroom. Considering this, I intend on sharing more about my life with my students.

2. Consultations are usually an optional feature for students who require additional assistance. I plan on making consultation a requirement for the first term. I feel that if students can get over the initial consultation meeting, scheduling the following consultations should be a less complicated matter.

3. I’m seeking ways to discover each one of my students’ gifts in the context of our class dynamic. I plan on doing this by designating room for open-topic writing assignments and journal entries. In the past, I allowed one student to continue writing her novel for her journal entry assignments instead of responding to prescribed prompts. She is now working with me through an independent study course (more on her journey in future posts).

Prayer:

……, thank you for blessing me with the great opportunity to help shape lives. The teaching field is an incredibly rewarding career where I have the opportunity to build upon skills learned and share them with colleagues and students alike.

Thank you for blessing me with another day of life and the hope that I will continue to see more days where I can be(come) more of my authentic self. May this authenticity translate into having more of a connection with my students. Bless each one of them as they face challenges that will shape them into the beings they are evolving into everyday. Bless their parents as they learn how to allow their children more independence. Moreover, help parents to feel confident that all who are in contact with their children have their best interest at heart and are in the teaching field because of the responsibility that they feel for the youth.

Continue to teach me how to work smarter and not harder than is required. Allow me to share my knowledge in a manner that will spark many “aha moments” and encourage the discouraged.

Thank you for allowing me to recognize the important role that I play in my classroom, community and in this lifetime. Thank you for allowing me the insight and the strength to be at peace with the realization that I am where I need to be in this very moment. Therefore, I will give my all to this very moment.

As you prepare for the school year, what do you do to get yourself in a space to teach? Please feel welcomed to share below:

Aug82018

Fostering Student/Teacher Relationships

Hello Friends,

Welcome to my second post; this is cause for celebration! I plan on celebrating with you today by sharing my reflection on my years in the classroom. As the school year is upon us, I am particularly thankful to have the ability to apply the following two tips (yes, only two) for fostering meaningful student/teacher relationships in the classroom.

Before I elaborate on these tips, I’d like to add that my inspiration comes from performing James F. Hanley’s “Zing Went the Strings of my Heart” which was made popular by Judy Garland. This is by far one of my favorite tunes to perform with Straight Ahead. Moreover, what better way to explain how your heart feels when it has been captured—Zing!!! (Please listen to the audio for more of an understanding of the brilliance of this tune; or simply continue with the two steps, below):

More about fostering meaningful relationships:

If you are an educator, you have already learned that students will not be (as) driven if there is no personal connection or investment in the class. I usually see this when a student has a more preferable subject area. In this case, I continue to share my content and teach according to the standards/objectives for the school year; however, in my earlier teaching years, I was not yet conscientious that I was able to create a plan to assist students with having more of a connection and being more personally invested in the class. Today, I understand how imperative it is to connect with students beyond the standards/objectives of the course, even when one feels that “English is not my subject.” I’ve shared only two tips because these are the areas where I’ve been able to make the most meaningful connections throughout the years.

The following is my approach to fostering more meaningful relationships in the classroom and getting to the point where “Zing Went the Strings of my Heart” for each student:

  1. Consultation

Consultation is a designated time when a student and teacher will meet to discuss matters of the classroom (and/or beyond). These matters might relate to differentiated instruction, further assistance/guidance with an assignment, grade checks, or an informal chat.

Consultation is designated for that particular student and teacher to connect beyond the dynamic of the classroom. This connection is an opportunity for confidence building and trust for both the teacher and student because the teacher will have a more focused idea of what the student needs and how he or she can meet those needs. On the other hand, the student can feel more confident in his or her own space, with the teacher, rather than asking questions which he or she may otherwise feel uncomfortable to ask in the classroom environment.

Overall, scheduling a consultation is a sure way to foster more of a student/teacher connection due to privilege of having one on one interaction.

  1. Classroom Discussions

Now this area is no doubt my favorite way to learn about my students and how they think in relation to the texts we are reading or in general ways. I have learned a wealth of information about my students’ personal lives and their views of the world at large through discussion. The most interesting aspects of discussion is when the focus veers away from the actual topic. For example, we might be discussing Richard’s Wright’s plight as a writer and memoirist and eventually end up on a topic about the presidency and how students are affected by the current administration. Yes! Seriously. We discuss these topics in my class. We also discuss music and hobbies that are meaningful to my students.

Overall, classroom discussions are an excellent way to remain on topic or veer away from it in order to learn more about the individuals in the classroom.

Consultation and discussions continue to be the ways in which I draw closer connections to my students. In addition to these two approaches, I also include literature and activities relatable to students (more about this in my future posts).

I’m looking forward to learning about your approach(es) to more meaningful connections in the classroom. Additionally, if you have any questions about discussions or consultations, you are welcomed to ask. Please share in the comment box below.

Aug12018

5 Steps to becoming more Positive

Image result for accentuate the positive Song by Arlen and Mercer.
Hello Friends,
Thank you for being present with me, today. Before I introduce “5 steps to becoming more positive” by accentuating the positive, allow me to first introduce myself…
A little about me: (The Educator)
I currently teach and live in a Quaker boarding school in Pennsylvania.
I was moved to teach when I learned that my father could not read. I learned this the day he attempted to encourage me to read a book (“The Cat in the Hat”) when he noticed that I was restless. Instead of following his suggestion to read the book on my own, I asked him to read it to me instead. That day, I learned that my father was illiterate. As an eight-year-old child, I could not fathom knowing how to do something that my father was unable to do. I simply couldn’t grasp the concept of his illiteracy. At this point, I read to him and began teaching him the words on the first page of the book. He was quite impressed and encouraged me to continue teaching him and teaching others because he thought I had a natural gift. I am a teacher today in large part because of that particular moment with my father. Although he passed away in April of 2008, I continue to feel his presence when I teach.
A little about me: (The Singer)
Subsequent to my passion for teaching, I am a passionate singer/songwriter/performer. I’ve written all of the lyrics for my debut project, “Arize, It’s Time to Shine”, amongst other works. I have performed at the Apollo Theatre, the Jacob Javits Center (in New York) and at the Celebrity Theatre (in Arizona). Currently, I am the lead singer for a twenty plus piece big band. I was moved to sing when I began creating melodies for the poetry I wrote as a middle school student. Singing brought the dark days of my teenage years to light. When I sing, I feel most in touch with my spirit.
A little about the blog title:
I’ve entitled my blog “Jazz and Blackboards” because these are the two mediums where I am most engaged in sharing information, knowledge and wisdom with students and audiences.
As you journey through “Jazz and Blackboards,” you can expect the following:
A snapshot of my inner and exterior world as an educator and singer.
Now; as I promised…

5 steps to becoming more positive (Accentuate the positive!)

  1. Reflect on the areas that make you happy– What makes you happy? What drives you to become a better person? Accentuate the positive in these areas by continually asking yourself these questions on a daily basis.  I love knowing that I can make a difference in my students’ lives.  I am also thankful that I have the talent and passion to share my voice in various ways. I am empowered when i teach and when I sing!
  2. Honor your commitments- This includes commitments made to self! For the sake of this post, I’ll continue to focus on this blog.  I actually wanted to write this blog for a number of years.  When I did not honor my commitment to publish, I felt a heaviness that came with believing that I let myself down.  yes friends! I am hard on myself at times.  However, i am only this way when I do not honor my commitments to self, which is not a regular practice-thank goodness! Accentuate the positive in this area by honoring your commitments to self and others.
  3. Be Honest- We all know the cliché, honesty is the best policy.  It’s actually more than a cliché. This is the absolute truth! be an individual of your word.
  4. Relax- Do what makes you feel light and free! Spend time away from the daily stresses and go to the spa, or read a great book, or listen to your favorite tunes.  I learned to accentuate the positive in this area because if I don’t, i simply become tense and on edge.  The way to stress and tension release is through finding outlets of relaxation.
  5. Be open to change- Change is inevitable! Now that I am a mother of an about to be fourteen month old, I know this all too well. My routine changes more than I would like to admit. I accentuate the positive by preparing for the unknown, knowing that my days are not guaranteed.  Accentuate the positive with resilience in the midst of change.

Once again, I am so thrilled to be engaged with you.  Please share some of the ways you accentuate the positive in your life.  I would love to add some of your suggestions to my personal list:)