being me – Page 33 – Pernille Ripp

For years, I have been sharing the sometimes magical, sometimes fantastical, and sometimes awful things that go on in our classroom. I have been honest in my blogs, I have presented what really happens, not diluted it or polished it to make myself look better. And while my students have blogged for years on their blog about being a member of our classroom I have never had one of them write it on here. Until tonight where one of my former 7th grade students, Corinne, agreed to write an honest post about what it is really like in our classroom. Besides adding paragraphs, I have not edited or added anything to this post. Thank you Corinne for your honest assessment of what it really looks like in our room!

She writes:

There is no doubt that Mrs. Ripp’s classroom is a classroom that anyone would want to be in. Being in Mrs. Ripp’s classroom every week day for a year has taught me so much, not only about English but myself to. Mrs. Ripp’s classroom is place that makes everyone feel important and wanted. Through out the year we did various projects and had various assignments that students sometimes enjoyed and sometimes hated. For example last school year every student that had Mrs. Ripp as an English teacher got the chance to write a non-fiction picture book. This was my favorite project that we did through out the year. I think that so many kids enjoyed it because everyone got to express themselves in their own unique ways.

An example of a project that many students disliked was our book club projects. I think the problem for most of the students who didn’t like this project was the fact that they were being forced to read. That is what I personally didn’t like about the project. For me it wasn’t so much the project itself, it was the mind set it was giving me. So most kids told Mrs. Ripp that they were reading when they weren’t, and then looked up the summary of the book on Google so that when it came time to talk about the book they knew what was going on. Other kids would simply decide that they didn’t want to read and they didn’t want to do the project, so they weren’t going to do it. Others would try their hardest but their hearts just weren’t in it. So then when everyone presented their horrific projects to Mrs. Ripp and we all got bad grades it was this HUGE reality check for everyone. But of course no teacher wants their students to fail so there is always a second chance in Mrs. Ripp’s classroom. Sometimes the second chance was coming in during a study hall and talking about what you could have done better, sometimes it was studying more and then getting a chance take the test again. Getting these second chances makes a big difference in grades and how they improve.

Through out the year in her classroom you get a lot of chances to do a lot of cool things that are once in a life time experiences. I find myself referring to it as “her classroom” but I know that if Mrs. Ripp were writing this she would be referring to it as “our classroom” because that is what it really is to her and that makes a big difference in the way she teaches and how and what you learn in her classroom. All in all being in Mrs. Ripp’s classroom is fun, exciting, interesting, and an educational opportunity that I wish everyone could experience.

Be the change, being a teacher, being me, believe, hopes, new year

You Are Not “Just” A Teacher

July 9, 2015 Pernille Ripp

“I am just a teacher.” How many times have we said it without even realizing it? Without realizing how much we are cutting ourselves down? How many times have we started our retort, offered an idea, or even pushed back with these words? I am just a teacher so no one has to listen to me. I am just a teacher so my ideas don’t have value. I am just a teacher so what do I know…

But here’s the thing, you are not just a teacher. You are so much more.

You are the first line of defense for a child’s love of learning. The original believer in all children. The person who every day gets up and thinks that they can truly make a difference.

You are a dream-builder. A planner. A wonder-er.

You are a compass for those who may be lost. A map for those who need to find a way. And a flashlight for those who have lost their vision.

You are not just a teacher, you are a pair of arms for those who feel the world is against them. A shoulder for those who need to cry. Ears that will listen to whose who feel no one hears their voice anymore.

You are someone who believes even when others don’t. You are someone who fights even after all seems lost. You are someone who never, ever gives up even when a child has given up on themselves.

You are not “just” a teacher, but instead a warrior whose urgency only grows with every child we meet. A campaigner for others to believe in the good that you see in a child. A window opener when all the doors have been closed.

You are the family that some children don’t get to have. You are someone who cares with everything you do. You are the voice of reason when others speak nonsense.

You are the last line of defense when others say no more, nothing else, we are done.

So yes, you may just be a teacher but think of what you are to all of those kids that you teach. Think of what you can be. And then think of what they will do knowing you were their teacher. So the next time you find yourself saying you are just a teacher, wear that title with pride. You are just a teacher, but teachers change the world.

I am a passionate teacher in Oregon, Wisconsin, USA but originally from Denmark, who has taught 4th, 5th, and 7th grade. Proud techy geek, and mass consumer of incredible books. Creator of the Global Read Aloud Project, Co-founder of EdCamp MadWI, and believer in all children. The second edition of my first book “Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students” is available for pre-order now. Second book“Empowered Schools, Empowered Students – Creating Connected and Invested Learners” is out now from Corwin Press. Join our Passionate Learners community on Facebook and follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.

advice, aha moment, Be the change, being a teacher, being me, learning, Reading, Student

How to Break the Rules Gently – Creating Experiences that Protect the Love of Learning

July 8, 2015 Pernille Ripp

In true EdCamp Style, Nerdcamp yesterday was all about the collaborative sessions. I, alongside Donalyn Miller (!) ended up facilitating one of my all-time favorite sessions ever “How to Break the Rules Gently – Creating Experiences that Protect the Love of Reading.” I tried to tweet as much of the advice shared as I could but thought a follow up post would be in order as well.

Let’s face it, we have all worked within systems that went against our beliefs in some way. Whether we were told to follow curriculum we didn’t believe in, follow rules that broke our hearts, or even just compromise in a way we never thought were would. Being an educator often means we are wondering how to protect the love of reading in our classroom, the love of school. And not because people intentionally set out to destroy either of these things but sometimes decisions are made that have unintended consequences. So do you work within a system that has rules or curriculum that you want to change or break? How do you create change when it’s just you fighting?

You know your research. One of the quickest ways to keep a teacher quiet is to say something is research-based. So you have to know your own research says Donalyn Miller. You have to be willing to ask to see the research, and then counter with your own. Stay current, stay knowledgable and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Donalyn recommends the book Creating Lifelong Readers Through Independent Reading by Barbara Moss & Terrell Young as a great place to start. I ordered it yesterday. You also don’t say that you are “just” a teacher said Leah Whitford. You are a teacher, you have power.

You inform parents. Most parents think that what we choose to do in school is always in the best interest of the child, but this is not necessarily true. So have a classroom website where you describe what you are doing in class, what students have do, and also the requirements you are faced with. this is not to complain but rather to inform, because parents cannot speak up if they don’t know what is going on.

You speak kindly. I used to think change would happen with a sledgehammer approach but ow know that just stops people from listening to you. It is not that you should be quiet, or not be passionate, but you will get much further with a kind approach where you validate others in the process in furthering real change.

You compromise. We all think what we are doing is in the best interest of our students, so connect with others and share ideas. Withhold judgment when you can, but always share what is happening in your room and offer resources. Don’t claim for it to be the best, but simply share. Be willing to use others’ ideas as well and compromise on your team. That doesn’t mean you have given up your ideals, it means you are an adult working with other people.

You find your tribe. If you cannot find someone in your school that shares your same ideas, look to other schools in your district, look in your county, and obviously look online. The Nerdy Book Club is a great place to start. However, having local connections to keep you sane and invested is a must as well. It is important that you know you are not alone in your corner of the world, but you have to search these people out. They may be scared to speak up like you.

You work within the system. When I was told I had to do reading logs, I had students do them right in class right after independent reading. I was still doing what I was told but not sending them home. So find ways to work within the rules that may be imposed on you if you cannot break them completely.

You find your core beliefs. Figure out what your core beliefs are or values within the classroom, write them up, hang them up and then make every decision based on those. I think the visual reminder of what you are fighting for will help you pick your battles as well as lead the way.

You are willing to let go. Sometimes something we love does not fit the purpose anymore, so if you are asking others to change you have to be willing to change yourself. Even if you spent money on it. Because money doesn’t equal qulity or great ides or passionate students.

You find out the reason why. Often when new things are imposed on us, such as leveling a library or doing a reading log, there is a bigger reason behind it. Find out what that is so that you can try to find other ways to reach that same goal. So for example if you are told to level your library, if it is for students to be able to self-select “just right” books then explore other ways to achieve that. Present these ideas and be ready to discuss why these may be a better fit. As Donalyn said, “Everything we do is a scaffold toward independence – that’s the end game.”

You stop assuming. We are terribly good at assuming why rules are made or how administrators will react to us. And yet, often our assumptions are wrong. So have courageous conversations. Ask gentle questions and try to broach the subject. You may be surprised when you find an ally rather than an enemy.

You involve your students. The biggest advocates for independent reading time in my 7th grade classroom are my student, hands down. So offer them ways such as on blogs, vide, Twitter, newsletters or whatever else you can think of to spread the message about the things they love in your classroom. If you want parents onboard, get their kid excited about school!

You work together. Invite others in to see the classroom environment you have created. Ask other teachers to come in and observe if they want, admin even though you don’t have, get the special ed teacher to be a part of the movement or any other special teacher you can. Involve your librarian, they are a reading warrior if I ever met one. Bring in parents, have family nights. Find a way to spread the positive image of your class so that others will fight for it as well.

You stay persistent and passionate. Don’t confuse passion with anger, although it is okay to get angry sometimes. But stay passionate and persistent in your goal to protect students, stay on top of your reasons for doing things, stay up-to-date on research, and stay down to earth. No one wants to listen to anyone who thinks they are better than others. Don’t give up, real change can take a long time, but we must stay at it. Even if it seems like you are totally alone and no one is listening. As Jen Vincent said; “You never know what will come of a conversation you have.”

advice, aha moment, being a teacher, being me, Reading

Enough – My Nerdtalk for #NerdCampMi

July 7, 2015 Pernille Ripp

Yesterday I had the incredible honor of declaring myself a reading warrior along with hundreds of other passionate nerdcampers. Thanks to the awesome Erin Klein,this Ignite/Nerdtalk from Nerdcamp 2015 is below. If you have never experienced Nerdcamp, you need to put a huge “X” in your calendar for next year. It was absolutely incredible to be surrounded by people who are as passionate about literacy as I am. We will change literacy instruction if we band together! Thank you to Colby, Alaina, Suzanne and all of the other incredible people that put this event together.

PS: Due to the slides not working you will see me filling 3 minutes of awkward silence with my stand up routine – luckily I think I am better teacher than stand up.

aha moment, being me

The Things I Will Never Have To Do

July 5, 2015July 5, 2015 Pernille Ripp

Today, I read this post from a teacher that I admire so much; Jess Lifshitz. And while my post is nowhere as eloquent as hers, I cannot help but echo her statement as I reflect upon my own privilege.

I was born a white child to an almost single mother. We were not middle class but we were not poor either. I never went hungry, nor did I have a tough childhood. I never had to worry about where we would sleep or whether or not we would have heat. The closest I come to having any type of experience where I was the different one was when I was taught English as a first grader in an inner city school in San Francisco. And even those memories are fleeting. I was a perfectly ordinary child with a proud mother that taught me to fight fiercely for what I believe in.

I moved to America when I was 18 not because we had to flee our country, or because we needed a new start, but because opportunity knocked and we took it. I have lived a lucky life so far and I know it because there are so many things I have never had to do.

I have never had to teach my children about the prejudice they will face because of their skin color.

I have never had to tell my children to act less of what they are because others may judge them.

I have never had to wonder whether I am being judged for who I am or what I look like. Now when it really counts.

I have hardly ever been in the minority.

I have never had to be afraid to hold the hand of my husband or worry how others may judge our love.

I have never had to worry about having a bad day because an entire subset of people may be judged on my actions.

I have never had to be afraid for how my students’ parents will react to me, my background, or my culture.

I have never had to be scared to lose my house, feed my children, or somehow lose the stability we call our life because we have resources available to us that I sometimes take for granted.

There are so many things I could list for what I have never had to do, that are a daily part of so many lives, but in all honesty, it is really messed up to have that much privilege and be unaware of it in our daily life.

And so I have learned to keep my mouth shut when others share about their experiences. To not say that I understand when I don’t, to not pretend I know what it feels like to be poor, a different skin color, live a different life, or any of the things that I have never had to experience. I don’t know and I will never know. And I have to embrace that. We all do.

But today I was reminded of what I can do, and that is to listen, to learn, to try to understand how I can make a difference even though I will never share those experiences. To figure out where I fit into the problem and then fix my part as much as I can. Sometimes we get caught up in the minutia of life that we forget to see the inherent privilege so many of us have. Yet, that privilege is the very thing we should remember. And then realize that we play a part in all of this even when we don’t see it.

aha moment, Be the change, being a teacher, being me, MIEExpert15, Passion, student voice

This Is For the Kids

July 3, 2015 Pernille Ripp

This is for the kids who made me cry. Who wore me out, who tore me down. This is for the kids who wondered why. Who dared to speak, who dared to question. This is for the kids that didn’t give up, that saw something in me I would have never seen myself. Who questioned persistently, who had the audacity to say they were bored. And who never ever thought that school should be about the teachers and not about the kids.

Those kids that may be “hard” to teach. Those kids that are definitely hard to reach. Those kids with their chips, their baggage, their grudges. Who couldn’t think that this was what school was meant to be, who didn’t believe that it couldn’t get better. Who pushed me and pulled me, who got angry at times. This is for you kids, and I hope you know who you are, because without your courage to speak up, I wouldn’t write. I wouldn’t speak, and I wouldn’t be a better teacher.

So this is for the kids who dared to dream that being a student in our schools could be more than it was. Who through their defiance shattered my illusion that I was a good teacher and drove me to become better. This is for you, for all of you, who instead of giving up, got angry, who instead of fitting in, stuck out. You gave me the reason to change. Thank you for being those kids to me.