The Life of a Teacher During the Last Few Weeks of Summer

By Ryan Crawley

The first two weeks of August is like one long continuous Sunday night for teachers. The first day of school is edging closer and closer. How did the summer go by so quickly? It seemed like only a few days ago that we were celebrating the Fourth of July, and now we are almost at the beginning of the new school year. These next couple weeks will be spent tossing and turning in bed. We will be having dreams more often about being back in front of the classroom, and none of the students are listening. We have so much to prepare for before the cycle starts again!

Preparing the Classroom
A week or two before the beginning of each school year, teachers have to ask themselves a simple question. Do I want to spend the time reorganizing my classroom or is it good enough already? Changing out the bulletin boards can take quite a bit of time. Decorating the classroom in some sort of theme can be a week long project. Some teachers decorate their classroom with informative posters and signs so much that there is not an open space even on the wall. As a teacher, I have a confession to make. I’m more of a minimalist. I change up my classroom every four years. Up until then, I don’t change a thing.

Researching the Class Roster
If the detectives on Dateline researched their suspect lists like teachers research the students on their class roster, there would be no unsolved crimes. Many times, the roster consists of more than 25 students, so the investigation takes some time. A quick scan of the students’ last names will help determine if the teacher ever had any of the siblings to these classmates. If the teacher has had a brother or sister to their future student, then most of the time they will feel they have a good grasp on what they are in store for during the upcoming year.

For names they don’t recognize, the teacher, in preparation for the student being in their classroom, will contact the student’s previous classroom teacher from the last school year. They just want a bit of a forewarning for what they are in store for, whether it be for good or bad. They basically do this for the majority of their new students.

On the flip side, teachers usually seek out the new classroom teacher for the kids that were behavior problems or had academic struggles in their classroom the previous year. It’s a way to say that the teacher tried their best, and now they are passing off ownership of the student to the new teacher. It is a sign of good faith between two professionals.

Classroom Supplies
There must not be any other job on earth that is quite like teaching. Teachers go out and spend their own money to make certain their classroom is adequately stocked with supplies for the school year. Then they also buy extra student supplies for all of those kids that show up with hardly any of the items that were on the supply list sent to their parents.

Do parents realize that those supplies just don’t magically appear in their child’s desk at school? Sending a child to school with half a box of crayons, a couple of notebooks, and a rusty pair of scissors does not constitute the full year’s supply of materials needed. What other career asks a professional to spend their own money on essential items for work? And people wonder why teachers don’t wear better outfits to school. They don’t have the money after all of these other monetary demands!

Putting on the Teacher Face
It is always a surprise for students when they see their teacher somewhere besides school. They aren’t quite sure how to act when they run into their teacher in public places. For teachers, it can be just as awkward. We have to restrain ourselves from reminding the student in front of their parents to be on their best behavior in the supermarket.

When students happen to see their teachers during the summer it is even more strange. They see us laughing, smiling, and wearing shorts and tank tops! It’s like we have been replaced by normal, fun-loving people. However, once school is a few days away, a transformation slowly takes place. It is sort of like when Bruce Banner changes over into the Hulk. Smiles begin to fade away along with our tans. We shout at neighborhood kids for walking in our yard. We grimace and stare down drivers that mess up in traffic. The teacher persona is re-emerging from its three-month slumber. The game face is going back up for the next nine months.

Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face. 

New Teachers on the Block

By Ryan Crawley

Congratulations! You have just graduated college with a degree in teaching and you have landed your first actual teaching job. Your years of studying are finally going to pay off. Everything you learned in all your classes is going to be put to use. However, there are going to be things that you were not taught, but you must learn to deal with. Your first year of teaching is going to be one of the most challenging of your life!

I sometimes have mentored student-teachers in my classroom over the years. One of my first questions that I ask them is what made you want to become a teacher. Almost one hundred percent of the time I hear about how it has always been their dream to teach. That ever since they can remember, it was always what they strived to do. It’s a shame that statistics show that one out of every ten new teachers will quit by the end of their first school year. One-third of all new teachers will quit after less than five years!

Colleges need to offer a course for Education students that cuts through the romance of being a teacher. This course should offer real life situations encountered by teachers out in the field. This would show some of the most preposterous situations we are put in sometimes on a daily basis. They do not offer such a course right now in college, but you are in luck. I am here to educate you on what might happen during that first year, so the shock of it all won’t send you packing up your stapler and tape dispenser after a few months.

Even before you teach your first class, before you earn your first paycheck, teaching will be costing you money. Teachers are expected to decorate their own classroom and buy their own supplies that are needed. Sometimes the district will offer teachers a bit of money at the beginning of the year to help pay for these things. Do not be surprised if your district does not.

Being the new teacher at school is a lot like being the new kid at school. Choose your friends wisely! There will be teachers on the staff that you do not want to be associated with because of one reason or another. Fellow teachers may look a bit down on you because you are the bright eyed young teacher with new ideas. However, this won’t stop them from offering advice all throughout the school year. In fact, be ready for unsolicited advice for the first ten years of your teaching career. Always be polite and thank the veteran teachers when they decide to impart their wisdom on you. But in reality, you never have to use their advice if you don’t want to.


The teachers’ lounge always held a bit of mystery for students when I was a kid in school. What exactly happened in there? You will soon realize that the teachers’ lounge is a place to mainly avoid because it is mostly teachers complaining about students, spouses, or money. If this all sounds a bit pessimistic, I apologize. I don’t mean for it to be like a Scared Straight program. I am just being brutally honest.
College classes do not prepare you for the unruly kids you will be encountering at each grade level. There will be students that amaze you at how rude and evil they seem. If they were characters in a book, most people would consider them too unbelievable. No kid could be that bad they would think. Welcome to teaching! While some of the students might have a reason for their misbehavior because of their past, others will not have a reason at all.

Sometimes the parents are even worse than the kids. Email nowadays has made it easy for parents to contact you frequently. They can be much harsher in emails than they ever would be in person. Unfortunately, that is the way it is in all social media, too. People talk tougher through a keyboard than they actually would in real life. You will have some mind boggling communications with parents throughout however long your teaching career is. My advice is to save the emails in a folder just in case. They could come in handy!

When first hired, administration will tell you to come to them if you ever have any questions or concerns. What they should be telling you is what they actually mean. They mean that you should only contact them if it is some sort of emergency. Most administrators do not want to hear about a student that cannot behave or does not turn in homework. They will say take care of it yourself in a polite way. Always approach a friendly veteran teacher with your problems instead. They will have the knowledge of what to do next.

Lastly, this might come to your biggest disappointment. The day you see your first paycheck. You will quickly notice that you are now working a job that does not pay much. Happy teachers always say they did not get into education to become rich. Those teachers must also have a spouse that makes pretty good money, otherwise they would be complaining about the pay, too.

Be prepared to live a very humble lifestyle while teaching. You will not mind it as much if teaching is indeed your life’s calling. I hope you carefully have read this article and perhaps print it out and keep it on your wall. When that first year is getting a bit too tough, just know that we have all been there. You are not alone. And good luck!


Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face. 

Waterfalls, caves, and galleries! Why you should take your students to Niagara Falls and Toronto

By Beth Hedrick 

A trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto has always been a dream of mine. I remember learning about the falls way back in elementary school, in a classroom, and wondering what it would be like to go there. It wasn’t for many years later, well into adulthood, that I was able to experience the grandeur of the falls. And I asked myself, “Why did it take so long?” There are so many educational opportunities and fun experiences that kids should be a part of, all in real time! Here are all of the cool things they will learn…and always remember!

Eaton and the CN Tower
Although the educational concepts are many, you just cannot ignore the fact that the students will learn a great deal just by being in a new country and seeing all of the wondrous sites. For one, there is the spectacular mall in Eaton filled with a huge variety of stores to make your shopping experience nothing short of amazing. The CN (Canadian National) Tower is in this area, and is not just a typical tower that kids see on a regular basis; it is certainly unique in many aspects. It stands over 1,815 feet, making it the third tallest tower in the world and the tallest free-standing construction in the whole Western Hemisphere. At the top, students can see for miles; there's also a glass floor for guests to walk on!  My jaw dropped upon gazing up at this, and my stomach dropped when taking the elevator up, up, and up…in only 58 seconds! By the way, I didn’t walk on the glass floor. Additionally, the three restaurants at the top are amazing and have fare for all tastes!

Caving
Okay, so I didn’t go caving here; however, I did go in high school and college. So here I am, my adult self, and I remember those caving expeditions like they were yesterday. And thanks to actually witnessing stalagmites and stalactites I know the difference between the two. Plain and simple, learning about science, including caving, must be done by doing. At Niagara, there are caves like no other, and, believe me, your students will come out with a better understanding of geology, biology, archeology, and the environment.

Life Sciences
All kids have a natural curiosity and inquisitiveness about life, and visiting the Toronto Zoo can help fulfill these natural desires. When visiting the zoo, not only can the students view the extensive variety of animals, but they can attend programs to learn more about the species, environment, and lifestyle of each of the animal types.

More Life Sciences
Have you ever been to a butterfly garden? On this trip, students (and you!) can learn about the full life cycle of over 2,000 butterflies. There are over 45 species of butterflies in this habitat. The butterflies are surrounded by lush greenery, waterfalls, and of course, eye-popping, colorful flora. Butterfly Conservatories show how important it is to preserve the habitats of all insects.

History Niagara’s Fury, Horn Blower Cruise
For many students, this will be the highlight of the trip. The Hornblower Cruise will take you and the kids on an iconic, unforgettable journey into the Great Gorge and within the many falls on both Canada and America. This is not your typical boat cruise by any means; your students will not only enjoy the sights, but will also learn about the history, geology and ecology of the falls.

Children of all ages should experience the many sites and surroundings that make up, what I consider, to be the eighth Wonder of the World. Believe me, taking your students on this once-in-a-lifetime journey will educate and entertain you as well!


Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd. 


She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months.

Inside Disney with Dancer Lindsey Smith: Part 2

Kelsey Glennon

On our previous post, we met Disney performer Lindsey Smith. Lindsey is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. At Disney World, she is both a dancer and a teacher for young theatre students through the Disney Performing Arts Program®. Today we dive into her personal journey of finding a career onstage and gain actionable advice and invaluable inspiration.

Q. Lindsey, thanks for taking the time to chat. Tell us a little about your training and education?

I grew up in Murray, Utah and trained at several different dance studios in the Salt Lake City area. I started with ballet and then layered on other styles of dance as I got older. I didn’t compete until I joined my high school dance/drill team. I graduated from high school at the top of my class, and I attended the University of Utah. While going to college, I was able to get involved in a community theater and get some on-the-job training and experience with fun shows like “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “42nd Street.” By the time I graduated with my BFA in Modern Dance, I felt like a well-rounded dancer and ready to take on any audition that came my way.

Q. You are a performer at Disney World, where else have you performed?

I’ve been very lucky to be performing professionally for the past decade, and I have gotten to perform all over! I spent five seasons as a Rockette® and had the opportunity to perform all over the country. My first two seasons were with the Arena Tour, and we covered about 50 cities. I then spent two seasons performing in NYC at Radio City Music Hall. My final seasons was with CAA (Christmas Across America), and we did two sit down cities. I love that I got to experience the Radio City Christmas Spectacular® in so many different incarnations and venues.

Q. Did you always want to perform for Disney? What made you decide to audition?

I’ve loved Disney my entire life and would choreograph shows in my garage to all of the soundtracks as a child. I don’t think I realized performing for Disney was a legitimate career choice. I had graduated from college and was working in the box office of the theater where I had just completed the run of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Our “Millie” had done a contract in Hong Kong [Disney Land], and then [Walt Disney World] Orlando had called her to go reprise her role there. I asked her if Disney needed dancers and she told me, “You are perfect for Beauty and the Beast - get yourself to that audition in NYC.” So...I booked a redeye flight from Salt Lake to New York...landed at 6 am for the 10 am audition, then flew back to SLC at 4 pm that afternoon. Disney called me a week later to offer me the contract; then I had a week to move across the country and get to my first day of rehearsal.

Q. You are an instructor for Disney Performing Arts; tell us how you came into this role?

I remember going to Disneyland with my dance studio when I was younger and participating in “Magic Music Days” and performing on a tiny stage in the park. When I started working in Orlando and caught wind of a program similar to that, I knew it was something I wanted to be involved with, so I jumped at the first chance I had to audition to be an instructor. There was an application process, and then from there they had us audition by teaching the other candidates choreography.

Q. What does a typical day at the Disney Performing Arts program entail for you, the teacher?

When I teach a Disney Dancin’ workshop, I arrive at the studio 30 minutes before the class begins. I always make sure I touch base with the director that’s in charge of the group to get an idea of [students] skill level and expectations for the class. The workshop is 2.5 hours and includes a mock audition, discussion about headshots and resumes, and then learning a final “show.” It’s a lot of material to get through and it’s important to keep up the energy and enthusiasm for the kids as they get tired.

Q. What is something unique you bring to your classes as a teacher?

I’m a storyteller. Giving examples of personal experience and real life application makes lessons more fun. I always make sure we have time to chat and let them ask me questions because I want them to know that their dreams are attainable. I’ve always found it inspiring to hear from someone that has walked the path before me and can offer tips based on their experiences.

Q. What does a typical day at the Disney Performing Arts program entail for its students?

Disney Performing Arts has lots of different programs. I teach Jazz Technique as well as Disney Dancin’ workshops. The technique classes are only an hour and a half and are basically a master class in whatever style you sign up for. The Disney Dancin’ workshop is 2.5 hours and includes a quick warm up, mock audition, discussion about audition etiquette, and putting together a final show (with a surprise guest at the end).

 Q. What kind of skills do you think students learn from the performing arts?

The performing arts create beautiful and creative humans and those skills translate into every facet of their lives. It takes discipline, tenacity, confidence, self-awareness, creativity, intelligence, heart, dedication... I could go on for days about the benefits!

 Q. Does DPA help prepare young students for a career in the Arts?

Any opportunity to learn helps prepare young students for a career in the arts. As an artist, you never stop learning. As dancers, we hear the same corrections from our same teachers on a daily basis - and then when you hear the same advice from someone else in a different setting, it suddenly makes sense. You never know where you might learn something that can shift the way you see or understand something. DPA gives students a chance to get a little peek behind the curtain of Disney, and I think that can be inspiring if that’s something they think they might want to do in the future.

 Q. What do you recommend the next step being after attending a DPA workshop?

Apply what you learned and keep training.

 Q. Thanks for sharing your expertise, Lindsey! One last thing: If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?

Success is when hard work and opportunity meet at the right moment. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and audition for everything, and never take it personally if you aren't right for something. Train in everything and never stop learning - the more you can do...the more you can do. Work hard and always try to be the best version of yourself!

Kelsey is a classically trained dancer and Actor’s Equity performer. She has performed for companies such as Central Florida Ballet, Tokyo Disney, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and at sea with leading luxury cruise lines. A dancer by day and a writer by night, when Kelsey is not performing she shares her love of dance, travel, and finding a good cup of coffee on her blog Wend Away Travels. Find her full performance bio and show gallery at www.kelseyannglennon.com.