Thoughts About Children – Page 26 – Janis Sexton…Teacher…Advocate

Fresh Start…

Posted on September 20, 2015January 15, 2020 by Janis Sexton

The school year 2015-2016 has begun…And I am “not teaching”…

I have such mixed feelings about this… “How I love the children”…I had hoped the rhetoric about “children and their right to a strong education” would have come to reality by now, after my forty plus years… But sadly this is definitely not so…

In my teaching experience, children from diversity and impoverished homes…. these last eight years of my career I have observed they are “Our” forgotten…

How my children so wanted to learn, but because of overcrowded class size, fewer support personnel; and moreover unrealistic, developmentally inaproppriate curriculum with too much testing… I felt quite frustrated and even anger…

Our children, our Future deserve so much more…

This beginning school year, I had to visit my “school” to volunteer and check on my “children”, as I promised…

Well, I observed that our school is tackling more demanding challenges; Higher numbers of children because of school closings, not enough personnel to handle the demand, and more expectations…

So this will continue; Until our Government answers…But will they ever listen?…

And I will always speak out! Until..

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I am now in the final weeks of my career as a public school teacher…🍎

Reflecting on my thirty-eight years; I have taught so many children from grades ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade; dating back from 1972, up to the present.. I even had a wonderful opportunity teaching a college seminar for beginning teachers at the University of Florida, while on a sabbatical working on an advanced course work in counseling education…

I feel so blessed…touching the lives of so many children….

I did have to retire briefly for five years due to my health…However, I still was able to advocate for children in the court system during that time as a Guardian ad Litem…

Teaching, being an advocate for children has been my lifetime passion…

I have such mixed feelings about my retirement…

It is my strong belief that I am leaving at a time our bright intelligent children, especially those from poverty, who solely rely on our public education system are not being adequately represented…Our priorities for children are hindered by an emphasis on testing and collection of data…Our schools that teach children from challenging homes have fewer resources making teachers such as myself overwhelmed and devalued by being micromanaged…And making all this even more difficult;
fewer strong, young, professional teachers will no longer commit to such a rewarding career...

For this I have such regret…

As for myself…I will always feel the need to advocate for our children, and their right to a strong free public education…
And know that I really did make a difference!

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“Letting Go”…

Quote• Posted on May 2, 2015February 7, 2022 by Janis Sexton

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…”

“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, 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!

Thoughts About Children

Schedules… Demands, and Teaching…

Posted on September 14, 2013November 16, 2022 by Janis Sexton

What can I say…I have held a passion for teaching and children since 1972…Today with such unrelenting demands that sabotage teaching and the requirements teachers must follow…Knowing how it impacts my children…I do feel sad and frustrated…. I look at my precious children, with their willingness to do their best and do all that is asked…My love and passion, still holding dear not to disappoint…I do try to inspire, and make all this fun and rewarding…

My little first graders must sit all day…recess at the end of the day…Taking tests where they must have computer skills, and I will be evaluated how effective my teaching is….I can only hope that one day…We will once again do the right thing…

A teacher forever (newsinfo.inquirer.net)
MORIAK: If you think teaching is easy, give it a try (mywesttexas.com)
Reblogged: “Show me the money!” (dairyofatraineeteacher.wordpress.com)

Thoughts About Children

A New Year…Love to Teach…

Posted on August 17, 2013August 4, 2019 by Janis Sexton

Here we go 2013-2014

Don’t Love Your Job? Teach Yourself A New One (fastcompany.com)
Teach Them To Learn (jlkauffman.com)
Confessions of a Teacher Who Quit (daratmathis.wordpress.com)

Thoughts About Children

Feeding Hungry Children…

Posted on August 6, 2013January 14, 2020 by Janis Sexton

As a teacher of young children, I do find some of my students come to school hungry…They have a hard time concentrating and have even shared with me…they are hungry!…

Our school is prepared to handle this challenge…

We have a federal program called SNAP; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, in place providing the necessary funds that enable us to provide all our children a free breakfast; For those who qualify, a free lunch; And for those who may not qualify for free lunch, the necessary steps in place, that if for any child is without lunch money, our school will let it go for a while, reaching out to the home, and provide a mini meal; sandwich with milk…

We never want our children hungry for any reason…

In addition, our school, has a “Backpack Food Program” filled with food items from donations, from a caring church in our community… Those children who are in such need, take home their backpacks weekly to share with their families…In addition to all this support, it is not unusual for me, as well as many other teachers to do our part with food drives for our children…

I also provide a nutritional daily snack; in addition, keeping food items in our classroom …just in case…

Food is essential for our children to be able to learn….No child can be motivated and eager when they are deprived of food…

My Mission…

I have always believed giving all our children the opportunity for a strong, public school education;

Educating children gives them a "POWER" from within...that which would provide them the ability to  grow and transform ...

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