being me – Page 46 – Pernille Ripp

How Much Does Fear Drive Us?

December 10, 2014December 9, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I didn’t think it was real, not when I saw it on Facebook. After all, no state would truly pass a law like that. And yet, with Michigan passing a law that allows for discrimination toward anyone who you feel sincerely burden your religious belief, I am almost at a loss for words. Only almost, because once again fear and hatred leads the way in decision making. Only almost at a loss for words because it in times like these that we must take stock of our own fears and hatred and not let the dark ones drive the way.

Yet, fear seems to be a constant companion in education. Fear of the change. Fear of the new. Fear of the old in some ways. Fear that our students aren’t learning enough. Fear that the new initiative will render us voiceless. Fear that a new administrator will leave us powerless. Fear of technology. Fear of each other and the stealing of ideas. Fear of being praised too much so that colleagues feel jealous. Fear of giving control. Fear of being not good enough.

We can let our fears run us; propel us forward at a breakneck pace. We can led them lead the way as we stumble blindly behind. Or we can turn them around, embrace them for the fuel they may be and allow our fears to push our forward. Not toward a more secluded experience where we assume everyone will be out to get us, but one where we assume that everyone is a supporter. Everyone has ideas. Everyone is a learner. Every change has something good in it.

While the world may continually grow more fearful, and for some there are so many good reasons to want to be afraid, we have to continue to fight. To not let our country be run by hatred. To not let our teaching be run by fear. Fear will always be a companion in any life you lead, what you do with it is what matters, how you let it form you is what counts. I, for one, will use it to push me forward not hold me back, or at the very least I will try. Who knows what the future holds, but I declare my intentions anyway.

I am a passionate teacher in Oregon, Wisconsin, USA, 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. I have no awards or accolades except for the lightbulbs that go off in my students’ heads every day. First book “Passionate Learners – Giving Our Classrooms Back to Our Students” can be purchased now from Powerful Learning Press. Second book“Empowered Schools, Empowered Students – Creating Connected and Invested Learners” is out now from Corwin Press. Follow me on Twitter @PernilleRipp.

being me, student voice

It Appears My Students Have More Faith in Me Than I Do

December 6, 2014 Pernille Ripp

Sometimes I don’t know why I hit “publish.” Sometimes I shake my head at myself in disbelief; why would I ever want to put “that” out there. Yet I still hit the button, and then I hold my breath a little. Thursday’s post was one of those moments. I wrote it in a few minutes, tears streaming down my face, hit “publish” and hoped to feel a little relief now that the thoughts were out. Brandon, my husband, came home soon after and we talked for a long time about what teaching means to me and feeling like I’m home or not.

I had no idea I was not alone. I had no idea that so many others once again had gone through the exact same thing. That this would make others open up and pour so much love my way. Thank you. Thank you for reaching out to me. To assure me it is normal. To remind me that change can be so very hard yet ultimately so rewarding.

I knew I needed to dig into my students’ heads a little bit, so Friday was a new day and I came in with a survey. I needed answers to help my heart a bit. So I asked them if they felt respected. If they felt their voice mattered. What I could change. What I should keep. I told them that they could remain anonymous if they needed to and then I waited.

Their voices poured forth and with each survey my heart got a little lighter and the ideas started to come back. Even those that confessed to hating English said that they liked me as a teacher. Almost all said that they felt respected and that their voices were heard. That there were great things and things that could be changed.

It wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t as bad as I feared. Yes, there are things for me to work on, there always is, but there was also sparks of kids that felt that the job I do every day matters to them, is making a difference. So while my heart is still heavy with thoughts of what if, my spirit has been renewed a bit. Perhaps as so many said, I wont know right now that I am making a difference, but maybe some day I will. I still don’t know where I ultimately belong, but for now, I am going to embrace where I am.

being me

When You Feel Misplaced

December 4, 2014December 29, 2014 Pernille Ripp

It seems like I have had more bad days than good in the last few weeks. You probably wouldn’t know that if you knew me though. Us teachers tend to not share too much of the bad. In fact, even if you were in my classroom, you might not even have noticed. I don’t yell. I don’t slam doors. I don’t take it out on students. Instead I get quiet, I reflect, I wake up in the middle of the night and wonder why it is that I feel like I am in a funk?

It dawned on me today as I picked my heart up off the floor; I miss my 5th grade. I miss teaching so many different subjects. I miss the hugs. I miss the stories. I miss the parents randomly stopping by with a forgotten lunch or just because. I miss my old team, even though my new team is incredible. I miss knowing the kids in that way you know them when you have them all day. I miss snack time and read aloud. Our first grade buddies. The excitement that comes with being a 5th grader and being on the cusp of middle school, not knowing what to expect. And did I mention, I miss the hugs?

Yet, I also love 7th grade. I have incredible students. I am part of an incredible school. I would walk through fire for my team. I am surrounded by so many inspiring teachers and I get to teach reading every day. How lucky am I? But, it doesn’t feel like enough. Not tonight. Not this week, for some reason.

So on this day, I wonder where I belong. I wonder where I am supposed to be. I wonder whether it will ever feel like home again. Whether I will ever be anyone’s favorite teacher again. I know it shouldn’t matter but for some reason it does. I wonder if I will make a difference in a middle schoolers life or if I will be just another teacher on their way toward high schooler. I guess I didn’t know how much I just don’t want to be just another teacher. I guess I want to feel like I am making a difference again. I wonder if I made the right choice…

being a teacher, being me, Passion, students, webinar

The Student’s Voice: Empowering Transformation – A Webinar Recording

December 2, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I had the huge pleasure of discussing student’s voice and how to empower them within a classroom with Tom Murray for the Alliance for Excellent Education on November 17th. To see what other great things the Alliance does, go here.

In this video we discussed

Ideas for including the students’ voice in classroom setup, planning, and outcome
Technology tools to bring the students’ voice out into the world
Stories of how the students’ voice can transform education
New ideas that can be implemented starting today to change the power within our classrooms

being a teacher, being me, reflection

What I Take For Granted

November 27, 2014November 27, 2014 Pernille Ripp

I know I have a lot to be thankful for. And yet, it seems to get lost in the every day. The hustle and bustle we call life. I try to be thankful, I try to give thanks, but some of the things I take the most for granted are the things that I forget about. The things that if I didn’t have them in my life, my life would not be a happy one. So why is it that we take so many things for granted when really we should be aware of how different our lives would be without them?

I think of the last few days in the aftermath of the not guilty verdict out of Ferguson and how I take for granted that my white son will never be accosted by police, unless he deserves to be. It’s amazing what you take for granted when you are white.

I think of the millions of children who go to schools that are underfunded, falling apart, and riddled with inequities, and how I take for granted the incredible school my daughter goes to.

The couples who fight to pay their bills every day, whereas my husband and I certainly have to save and budget and not buy, but we are never faced with the choice of heat or water or which one we should pay.

I take that for granted.

Family and friends who get mad when you can’t see them enough because life is too busy and it has been too long.

Ugly mini-vans that are safe to drive in winter and can fit all of our crazy lives.

7th graders who are invested in our classroom, who think I am ok, who don’t hate everything we do.

Colleagues who actually like you and think you have worth.

Plenty of food to eat, to fit even the pickiest 2 year old’s appetite.

Health insurance that doesn’t stop, even when faced with more than $500,000 in medical bills because a baby decided to come 10 weeks early.

I take that for granted.

So today, I am thankful, but not for those big incredible things I get to do, but those essential ones that make my life my life. Those tings I take for grated even though they should be the first in line whenever thanks is given out. What are you thankful for?

administration, being me