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Kelly Rocke
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- United States
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- Tell about your involvement in education, and your ideals for collegial sharing
- I love being a classroom teacher, but I also really enjoy discussing and creating curriculum. I have always been really interested in educational philosophy, and I think it is invaluable to have philosophical discussions with colleagues since this is what should guide our practice. It is important that teachers, administrators, and parents alike feel safe to explore ways to improve in our roles for the benefit of the students. I am really excited to participate in conversations with other educators using this fireside network!
- About Me:
- I am currently a third grade teacher at a gifted and talented school in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I have taught 3rd and 4th grade students for 7 years, and I love interacting with students day in and day out! In addition to, and in conjunction with teaching, I have a passion for developing curriculum that includes a focus on depth of understanding.
Personally, I am married to a wonderful husband, and I love running, roller blading, cooking, and reading in my free time. Recently, I was blessed to have my students and whole school cheer me on in the Boston Marathon.
Though recently I've enjoyed some classics like Jane Eyre and Anna Karenina, I usually choose to read non-fiction books. Alfie Kohn has been my educational author of choice this year. Though he always makes me uncomfortable by calling me to try things I would not ordinarily do, I feel like he is helping me become a better teacher.
Kelly Rocke's Blog
Not Going to Make it Panic!
Coming back to school after min-winter break each year, I always feel a little panic, like I am not going to get through the curriculum that I am responsible for teaching. This February, I found my equilibrium again by realizing that I think I could make it.
I now realize that this was a false sense of hope. Earlier in the year, I spent a couple of extra weeks "on" place value as the kids were enthralled in a self-initiated project to "build a million." I suggested that we try to build a millio… Continue
I now realize that this was a false sense of hope. Earlier in the year, I spent a couple of extra weeks "on" place value as the kids were enthralled in a self-initiated project to "build a million." I suggested that we try to build a millio… Continue
Posted on April 30, 2008 at 7:30am — 6 Comments
Boston Marathon
This is my first blog (ever)! Last week I ran the Boston Marathon (along with 25,000 + other people). This race is always unlike any other marathon.........the environment is electric! Runners fill the city, and people talk to strangers like they've been friends forever-running is a friendly subculture. Though the actual race was not my best performance, I appreciated the crowds of people who lined all 26.2 miles of the course for the duration of my run! Especially running by Wellsley College, I… Continue
Posted on April 26, 2008 at 10:00am — 2 Comments
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Yeah, I got my "15 min" a la Andy Warhol......lots of press but really and truly, it has all been about the people I meet along the way -- our discussions and sharing and inspiring each other. A marvellous journey (still is) and great just like teaching when we can really see the effect something has on another......
But I don't consider it that big a talent -- I'm just like that Eveready bunny!
Lap Attack is a great concept. I tried to get it started in Canada on a more formal level but it never took off. Teachers should just take the initiative -- really. Admin and formal structures just turn exercise, running, being into something that is a "have to" and this is not conducive to learning. [and in my view, exercise is big time learning! a point so many don't get, we have to educate our bodies as well as our minds...they are actually the same thing...].
Enjoy your kids and share with them. One thing you might try and which worked wonders for both my grade 7/8s and grade 4s different years. I started giving out medals each week to students who exemplified something. They became such status items and empowering things! I gave away 30 years of medals i had stuffed away. But you should have seen the difference it made. Put a medal around a kid's neck and they transform. A great way to encourage especially troubled kids....think about it. I called my own program that a number of teachers copied from me -- Medals for Millions....
hope the legs are feeling better and you are getting the post marathon bounce (happens about 2/3 weeks out.)
David
Your descriptions of what matters to you in education and in life confirm for me what great adults our kids have in their midst who encourage them to be great kids. It's more than effective pedagogy and philosophy, as important as those are, that you contribute to your students well-being and personal growth; it's the real person you are that inspires them--from avid learner yourself to runner of the Boston Marathon and much more. The teachers who made the biggest difference to my enthusiasm for learning as a kid were a lot like you are today.
Thanks for wanting to become even better at what you love to be and do; and thanks for joining us in this community of learners.
Hey: rumor has it that you're running the Boston Marathon on Monday!
We're cheering for you!