Personal Rules for Life (Part 1)

Dear World,

I realize that we live in a polarized society where society dictates that you are either right or wrong. There is no compromise and if you have a differing opinion you must be silenced. As someone who has always been the outsider, I have developed my own divergent rules for life that I live by.  These rules help me keep a grip on a society that ostracizes me because I am different and think differently. I still believe that as a society we can agree or disagree with dignity and acceptance. So here are my rules for surviving in a world that considers me an outcast.

1. Trust no one. It took me many years and after the ASD diagnosis to invoke this rule but I have learned not to trust anyone. The ones that you are supposed to trust are more likely to stab you in the back to get ahead in life. I am not saying that everyone is like this, but I have learned not to trust anyone after being burned so many times by people.

2. See Rule 1.  Enough said.

3. You can't fix stupid. No matter how many times I have seen it, watched it, and experienced it. People will do stupid things. This includes wearing shorts in subzero temperatures, make poor life choices, and other things. People can only change if they are motivated intrinsically or extrinsically.  Sit back and enjoy the show.

4.  Don't believe everything you read on the internet.  Pretty straightforward. This is especially true for Social Media. 

5. Do not post personal opinions on Social Media or the Internet. Yeah, I am breaking this one with this journal entry.  The reason for Rule 5 is that someone will always be offended no matter how unintentional you may be with your wording. I know it is very hard for people to remain quiet but this rule is essential for survival on Social Media.

6.  See Rule 5. Enough said.

7. Keep your personal politics to yourself. No one needs to know if you are one side or the other. 

8. Never post your personal politics online. This can be weaponized against you no matter if you said you voted, or even have it posted what your political affiliation is on social media and never go back to it. Trust me, your workplace and society will use your politics against you.

College Entrance Essays and Writing

 In lieu of the pandemic, a lot of colleges are relying on the entrance essays rather than ACT/SAT scores. Typically, a college entrance essay will ask a potential student why they want to attend that school, what their goals are, their major, and how they think college will help them reach those goals.  

I will say after talking to a few professors and observances online through Social Media, a lot of seniors and potential college applicants struggle with the essay. When asked the reasons why, a lot of professors in academia have said that writing to pass a standardized test, taking real research papers out of high school courses (APA/MLA style), and lack of grammar courses due to standardized testing played a role on it.  One common theme that I will also touch base on with teachers is that we are so focused on standardized testing that teachers have to cram writing in at some point. This is a disadvantage to the students who want to attend college but are forced into 080-090 classes due to the lack of writing skills.  

However, this is not a full on rant against K-12 educators. I am a K-12 educator myself and can only give so much when educating my little ones. Saying that standardized testing is the main driving force behind the lack of writing skills is not the end all be all. Most teachers though we are trained to teach writing, we opt to get the reading and math skills in to master the standardized test. Writing is usually taught as an afterthought, though there has been some research to show that this could potentially change. However, until it does students will struggle with their writing skills.

College Advising:101

 Once you have chosen a college, then comes the issue of figuring out what major you wish to pursue. While you may not know what you want to do at first, there are advisors that steer you in the right direction. There are even some universities that for the first two years (if you go to a four year), that they have you finish your pre-requisites first before declaring a major or a minor. However, finding an academic advisor or being assigned one that you have never met can be a daunting task.  Here are some helpful tips and tricks that I have seen, experienced, and know from going through various college websites.

Your advisor will have a course list for your major and minor. You will most likely get your 100 level courses done quickly. The scheduling of these courses are based on if you are a night person, morning person, afternoon person. The scheduling also depends on how frequently you want to take your courses. MW/TTH courses are longer than M, W, F courses. They may meet less frequently, but you are in lectures/labs longer. Scheduling is also based on the availability of the professors/instructors teaching the course. During undergrad, I had to reschedule courses a few times due to instructor availability. 

Schedules are also made based upon your ability. For example, if you are working part-time or full-time and attend classes, your classes could be scheduled around your work time. One thing I loved about my online courses, is that I had one course at a time. They worked around my work hours. Some people because of their work schedules can only do one class at a time (that's ok!). Advisors may not like that learners take one or two classes at a time. This is based on the schools financial obligations (after all they are there to make money!). Your schedule should be based around your financial needs and what you can afford with or without aid. However, if you are getting Financial Aid or have a Scholarship, taking one course at a time can affect your eligibility and your housing situation if you live on campus.

Advisors are there for support if you are struggling. However, they can not go to your professor to change your grade if you are failing a course. If you fail a course (more on this in a future blog entry), they may reschedule you for a different instructor. They can also drop you from classes or add you at the start of the semester. Talk to your advisor regularly as you progress through your course of study, they are there to help!

Support could look like fixing your schedule for the next semester for a different time slot, listening to your concerns on reaching degree milestones, and developing your financial goals. If you decide to change your major you may receive a different advisor and that's ok. Even if you don't like your advisor you can change to another. 

Overall, an advisor is there to advise students on what academic path to take. The decision for courses and course loads is solely at the learners discretion. 

Class Accommodations for College

In K-12, students are given accommodations based upon their IEP's or 504 plans. For those of you who do not know what an IEP is, it is an individualized educational plan. 504 plans are similar and cover mostly medical needs. IEP's deal more with academics, although some 504 plans also deal with academics. The key is knowing how to get accommodations at the college level which can be tricky and hard to do.

First and foremost, if you received accommodations during K-12 find out from the college admissions advisor how to have certain accommodations for the student. This can include but is not limited to testing site, read-aloud for tests, breaks for exams,  and other accommodations. 

Usually, the professor will outline in their syllabus how to utilize these accommodations and a statement as such is required by the university. For example the professor will put in how to get alternative materials or books, or how to notify them of the accommodations needed. Note, that all accommodations will need to be submitted to the Office of Disability Services first. If it is not on file, then the professor can refuse to accommodate because there is not a paper trail. This is important!!! File with the Office of Disability Services and they will inform the professor.

For example, when I taught HS Civics and Econ, I had students that needed testing accommodations and by law I had to comply. Most professors are understanding especially given the times we are living in, but note that some are not. For example, I failed my second doctoral class because I forgot to file a bereavement leave with the Office of Disability Services because of my brothers death. No matter how hard I pleaded with the professor that my brother died the day before that last class ended and that I was not online because he had died to turn in my last paper, I was not excused (I did retake the class and passed it with an A, same instructor).  A few years earlier, I had sustained a head injury at work and was out for four weeks for medical reasons, but because the hospital filed on my behalf, I was able to get an extension in my Masters program to pass the class. 

Be aware, parents are not allowed access to a students collegiate records because of the age of majority laws. However, in extreme circumstances like my head injury they may have access to your records.

Please be aware of the policies for your particular college. 

Two Goals for Beginning Teachers and Admins with Beginning Teachers

Dear Beginning Teachers,

Congratulations on starting the next chapter in your life. I know at this point you are overwhelmed, anxious, and eager to begin teaching. I remember when I was given my own classroom to start a new journey and I started twice. First as a high school teacher, and then as an elementary teacher. I was just like you ready to start.

Like many of the infamous websites, I have a few tricks and tips up my sleeve to try and make things a bit easier for your transition to the classroom. First and foremost set two goals for yourself during the first half of the year. 

Goal 1: Practice Routines and Procedures

I can not stress this enough continually practice your routines and procedures. I know you will be tempted to dive into curriculum. Do not do this!!! Curriculum will come when routines and procedures are established. This includes laying out your expectations, enforcing them, and then routine practice. Trust me, establishing your routines and procedures will lead to Classroom Management. Also, make sure that your procedures and routines are equitable!!! 

Goal 2:  Build Relationships

I can not stress how building relationships will make or break your classroom dynamic. Goal 1 goes hand in hand with Goal 2. Build Relationships will your students. I guarantee that you will have some colleague, co-worker or someone who will say "oh I had them, they will give you holy heck all year". Ignore that colleague and start fresh. Also, make sure that your relationships are meaningful and equitable. Do not play favorites with students!!! 

These are just two goals that I would tell my student teachers each year. The rest will come as you go on. Do not do it all, this leads to burnout and apathy.

Now to the Admins with Beginning Teachers: 

Goal 1: Support Support Support

You just hired an eager-eyed fresh out of school teacher or a teacher in a dual-career program. Do me a favor and read this very carefully. Support your beginning teachers. Support your beginning teachers. Support your beginning teachers. In my dissertation study, the biggest area that beginning teachers struggled with is administrative support. I am not saying go in there and hold their hand as they teach. Instead, check in on them but do not demean them or embarrass them because they do not know everything the first year. They do not!!! I also know that some admins will just hire just to get a warm body in the room and then fire the beginning teacher. Do not be one of those admins.  

Goal 2:  Be Flexible with Evaluations

Do not give me "the state and district mandate me to do this" attitude. They are beginning teachers and need to be evaluated as such. They are drowning from the minute you hired them swimming towards the surface of the school pool. To heck with evaluations and walkthroughs as they are for veteran teachers. Develop one for beginning teachers because they are just developing their skills. I have always been one to silently rattle the cages. Change the narrative and the system.

For beginning teachers have them work on two goals and go over those goals with them. If you evaluate them and they fail miserably let them try and again and strike that evaluation from the record. THEY ARE LEARNING!!!

Teaching on the Spectrum

It is no secret that I am on the Spectrum.

Friends suspected it, members of my own family most likely suspected it, and even I knew I was different. I struggle with social relationships and miss a lot of social cues. Certain things will spark my interest and others I will completely ignore. 

I was diagnosed in 2018 by a psychologist at my Graduate School with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder.  In the previous DSM, it would have been classified as Asperger's, but due to the Nazi connotation it is now classified as ASD. Regardless, teaching with the diagnosis has opened my eyes.

For example, I am a minimalist when it comes to my room. If I do have to put up bulletin boards, I do have mini meltdowns because I can not cut the paper straight. Even if I use a yardstick and ruler to do the boards, I freak out.  I struggle to put border up in a straight fashion.  However, I am hoping that I get better as I continue to teach.  

I also suffer from low self-efficacy. Part of that is life experience (including trauma). Growing up, I never really fit in social groups. Always played by myself, and the lack of socializing had some bad results. I do not trust people easily and though I was really more open as a child, the trust issue has closed even more.

I also have lots of books in my room and allow students to read and use the desk bikes to ride.  In addition, I can work on small groups in one corner without disturbing the others.  My admin calls it Zen. If I am working on data or research, I'm in my Zen mode.  Data makes me happy, helping kids learn how to read makes me happy. Studying behavior that I don't understand also makes me happy.

Overthinking College Life

One of the easiest traps a college student could fall into is overthinking. Overthinking could be related to so many different things. For example, should I work on that paper for ENG 101, should I spend my time studying for my engineering exam or go with my buddies to the bar. What if I fail my Chemistry exam? Or in my case, what if I fail my dissertation defense? 

During my doctoral journey, I had a tendency to overthink.  However, the doctoral journey allowed me to get diagnosed with high-functioning ASD. Under DSM IV, it would have been classified as Asperger's, but due to the historical name of Asperger, it is now placed under the DSM V definition of ASD.  

I see a lot of students on all levels who tend to overthink. A lot of my juniors in my past two Civics and Economics classes struggled with online and in-person classes.  I saw the nervousness before tests and how they did not have the skills developed to study adequately for their classes, including my own. I know that from my doctoral research, that if the basic needs are not met, then learning can not begin. 

Same with college students, finding a way to break the habit of overthinking is no easy task. It took the doctoral journey for me to develop strategies to cope with overthinking. Such as reading, taking frequent breaks, and leaving the laptop in another room. My favorite strategy is getting in the truck and going for a long ride.  

If I were advising a college student, I would suggest the following 15-20 minutes of studying and then a 5-minute break. The reason being, is that recent research has shown that the attention spans of upcoming college freshman are shorter than in previous generations. It is no secret that technology has shortened the attention span of developing brains.  I can go for 45-75 minutes without a break, but that is because of hyper focusing on what needs to be done and my work ethic. My breaks after a 75 minute session are for a half hour.

Here are some activities that college students could do to break up their activities and not overthink.

1. Go for a Walk:  Easiest thing you can do is to go for a walk. Even if its around the dorm, house, neighborhood.  In Michigan, we only get about five months of good weather if that, every second of walking counted. You may be able to use the local track and at the local community college they have an indoor track. Again, go walking!!! 

2. Draw a Picture:  Drawing can free up creative juices. Granted, I can not draw to save my life but I love trying to do little square shapes or lines (even though I struggle with drawing a straight line). I'll have to upload a picture of some point of pictures or line doodles that I have tried to do during professional development to show you.

3. Play Video Games: Heads up for gamers. If you have a Play Station, X-Box, or any gaming system play video games for a half hour. Nothing draws you away from the stresses of college than a few minutes of Halo, Call of Duty, GTA, or even Skyrim. I am a Skyrim and Star Wars Battlefront person myself. I also play PlanetCoaster just for kicks. Play in moderation though and watch your time management.

4.  Join a Club on Campus: Larger campuses offer recreational and club activities. There may be a gaming club, comics club, or a rec league you can participate in. If you live out in the country like I do, see if the library or local communities have something of interest for you to do.

5. Volunteer in a School: This is a good one for my education majors. Two hours of volunteering in any school such as a test reader, tutor, or assistant can give you a perspective on education. It also can give you a bit of a break from your studies depending on your schedule. 

I have only given some suggestions on what to do and not overthink. You will eventually find out what works for you. However, if you want more suggestions, I would be glad to post them in a future entry.