Reflections – Page 12 – Janis Sexton…Teacher…Advocate

Our class and school makeup, represent a “Rainbow of Diversity”…

We are fortunate to be part of a school district that is within a university community… Because of this population, many of our parents come from other countries to attend the University of Florida;
Our school characterizes a rich blending of cultures and ethnicity… We have had many children from such countries as : Asia, Central and South America, and Africa…
In addition, to such cultural diversity, many of our children come from biracial homes… I have come to the realization, because of this colorful “rainbow” of diversity; our children have a better understanding;

Moreover an appreciation of our similarities, and acceptance of our differences…

This time of the year,“Winter, a Season of Love and New Beginnings”, is the perfect time to facilitate and model through a variety of activities blended into the curriculum; Those important values of love, acceptance and an appreciation of our differences… My first graders, are so very willing to accept and appreciate our diversity…

What an opportunity this makes!…

Through my teaching experiences, I utilize so many creative activities through literature, poetry, music and the arts to help teach these essential values…We learn how we and other cultures celebrate this time of the year… We even take our children on a field trip to experience a ballet… the “Nutcracker”…Our children are dazzled by this experience…

My children write poetry as a winter project to share with their family utilizing recycled Holiday Cards …They write thank you letters to teachers and helpers at our school… We even put on a play to share with our book buddies…All showing our love and appreciation…

Through our creativity and the arts… Love and Acceptance of our differences is valued, appreciated, and accepted…

Related articles

South Africans Reflect On Mandela’s ‘Rainbow Nation’ (npr.org)

Over The Rainbow (beliefhope.wordpress.com)

“Season of Love and Acceptance of Cultural Diversity…”

“Looking for the Answers”

There has always been their rhetoric for educating our children...But now, I feel our priorities have changed...Our government in r and — What a tremendous disappointment I felt with the outcome of our 2014 elections, here in Florida….In my opinion, this election was a very important election for our children and their right to a free and strong education… Nationally, our government has allowed powerful businesses to overtake their control…

It has always been the rhetoric since I began teaching back in the seventies that all our children deserve a strong public education…I witnessed integration of public schools; strong federally funded programs began such as Head Start, giving more children that opportunity…
In my opinion, that strong sense of idealism no longer prevails…Our government does not want to provide all our children that strong education…they so deserve…

Because of such a lack of caring about children, our school day is locked into a schedule of developmentally inappropriate curriculum, the latest technology that is not really field tested; with so many glitches, that constantly does not function or slows the progress of our day…And moreover, tests that really do not match what really is essential and appropriate for our first graders…

It has been through my experience in the classroom, I have come to the strong opinion that our Government wants Public Education to fail…
They have turned over their responsibility of appropriately funding and supporting the public education of our children, to the powerful, who sell their Curriculum, Technology and Tests…to make money; definitely not in the business to educate!…

The answer is quite simple…Our Government is a Government of the People, for the People,…by the People…Give it back to the People…

For Our Children…Our Future…

“Thanksgiving…Everyday…”

Posted on November 1, 2014November 3, 2023 by Janis Sexton

Being at a school with a diverse population, I have found this time of year is quite a stressful time for the children…In addition,with more expectations from such a demanding curriculum than ever before…So many of my children came to me struggling because their lives are so difficult..

As their teacher, I must keep the rigors of the classroom curriculum moving along with understanding and inspiration…I reach out to my young parents providing them with knowledge about providing their child a daily reading and homework time…Encouraging parents to put their child to bed at an early bedtime…I use myself as a role model for my parents and children…Because, I myself have to be ready for school by 6:30AM..I must be in bed by 7:30-8:00PM…I share so much of personal habits of organization with my children and their parents…

It is my hope that I will empower my children and parents to appreciate these values that will foster their child success in school…

Some of my parents will…However many do not… Their child may struggle…

It will always be my responsibility to provide the safety and structure…Through this beautiful season of “Fall Holidays”…Providing Love and Giving Thanks…

Reflections

“Fall” into Our Classroom…

Posted on September 21, 2014October 13, 2021 by Janis Sexton

“Fall” is the season the magic begins…The learning has begun…

My first graders are becoming independent and showing signs of their confidence…
In the challenging times of over testing…And the many demands we teachers face today, I strive to utilize my dramatic delivery in creating the facilitation of this exciting process…
We just enjoyed our first field trip to a local farm seeing the “beauty in nature of this season” and to pick our very own pumpkin…Now we have our school’s “Fall Festival” to look forward to!

What makes all this so special, teaching many children who come from challenging lives…I do feel I am making that difference…even though…I am “oh sooo”… exhausted!

Mission, Reflections

First Week…Back to School…

Posted on August 24, 2014October 26, 2014 by Janis Sexton

I have always enjoyed the Friday before the beginning of the school year to meet my new students and their parents…I rely on just that brief meeting to begin making an assessment, when parent and child come in to meet me…
One important piece of pertinent information gained from this meeting is that I can begin to assess those children that may be outgoing or those that may be quite reserved….

The first week of school is the crucial time when I focus on establishing… “Our Relationship”, one that lets my children know I will love them unconditionally; providing a classroom for structure to inspire learning, and moreover, feel safe to accept and appreciate our differences…No matter what is presented…The foundation for a successful year ahead…

Reflections, Thoughts About Children

Begin Again…

Posted on July 20, 2014March 22, 2015 by Janis Sexton

Summer will soon be over for me, as I always like to start back early to set up my classroom…

Starting back earlier than the required time, gives me the much needed time to plan, organize, and utilize my creativity hoping to make it a “great year”…

I have found through my many years of experience;

Setting up a well organized classroom is fundamentally crucial to the success of the beginning of a new school year…

Supplies are essential, and I do hope my new students will be able to contribute…However, because our school has such a diverse population, I do realize, and understand many will not be able to help…We teachers do receive a small budget, so in order to provide for our children, we do have to pay for much of our supplies out of our own pocket…

I can always hope after the many years of teaching, we would have the necessary funding and support for our precious children and our public education system…

I do love utilizing my creativity in decorating the classroom…I do believe a classroom, especially with young children, should be warm and inviting…one that will inspire
learning…

My hope is to have such a classroom, even with all the rigors and demands…My children will want to learn, and want to return each and every day!

Summer... Time for reflection... — Summer… Time for reflection…

This 2013-2014 school year is over…With each year, the summer gives me that chance to reflect…

My first thought, this year especially, is acknowledging how exhausted I am; All the extra demands of testing and keeping up the pace of a more challenging curriculum…While striving to keep the children motivated and engaged…

I do also worry how my children spend their summer’s free time…

Throughout the school year I spent my teaching time encouraging them the “love of reading”; encouraging parents to take their child to the public library…And now with this extra time, I so do hope my parents “if” they have the time in their challenging lives… to take their child to the public library… to become the owner of their personal library card, that will open up their “World” to all the joys of the Public Library; SummerPrograms..Movies…Reading Books…And free Computer time!

I will most definitely worry about my children; and how regularly they will eat…So many of them come from such chaos, and our classroom providing them that safety net.. At school they would have their breakfast, lunch, and many snacks that I would routinely provide…

Most of all, I too will be able to come back to school in August ready and recharged to be the best I can be… even with all its demands and rigors…Our children deserve no less…

Summer…A Time…to Reflect…

Quote• Posted on June 19, 2014May 16, 2023 by Janis Sexton

Reflections

Final Stretch…

Posted on May 4, 2014July 7, 2014 by Janis Sexton

We are now nearing the end of our 2014 year… This is an extremely busy time… Lots to finish up with the children; testing, meetings,cleaning up and record keeping; and all of this, of course, while keeping the children engaged…

We enjoy taking field trips, especially the end of the year field trip to a park; where we celebrate our year with parents and family with a cookout…. Thanking them for supporting our program…..

I am always utilizing my creativity and still find ways to keep teaching until the end, hopefully my children will have the foundation to be ready for second grade…. I will miss them and of course, worry….For them the summer is a long time….

Reflections

Spring Break…2014

Posted on March 27, 2014March 30, 2014 by Janis Sexton

A week to rest and recharge… My Children need that time for a break too!

I do have concerns with many of my children… They have a week off to be in very unstructured lives… Many do not eat well, nor sleep well… I do try to instill and empower them with the desire to make safe choices, I try to provide reading and math work to do over this break….But of course they are little ones, and I do worry…