TEACHING
April 2020
Governor Greg Abbott has officially declared that Texas schools will not reconvene for the rest of the academic year.
This has been one hell of a first year of teaching. I've laughed about school, cried about school, hated school and loved it. I have stories to tell and memories to share for the rest of my life.
I can't physically see the kids again, so I do so digitally. Here is a video that I made for the kids. I hope you enjoy it. I sure enjoyed making it!
j.c.c.
Governor Greg Abbott has officially declared that Texas schools will not reconvene for the rest of the academic year.
This has been one hell of a first year of teaching. I've laughed about school, cried about school, hated school and loved it. I have stories to tell and memories to share for the rest of my life.
I can't physically see the kids again, so I do so digitally. Here is a video that I made for the kids. I hope you enjoy it. I sure enjoyed making it!
j.c.c.
March 2020
So. COVID-19. It has changed school quite drastically.
At EC, students are completing weekly Choice Boards, from which they choose assignments created by teachers. Teachers put these Choice Boards together in a record-setting amount of time. We have changed the entire way that teaching works practically overnight. Teachers are champions.
Lots of uncertainty during this time period. Will we go back to school before summer? Will I get to see the kids one more time before August? I suppose time will tell.
If any of the kids are reading this, I'm worried about you! Reach out to me at jacob.connerly@ecisd.net
j.c.c.
So. COVID-19. It has changed school quite drastically.
At EC, students are completing weekly Choice Boards, from which they choose assignments created by teachers. Teachers put these Choice Boards together in a record-setting amount of time. We have changed the entire way that teaching works practically overnight. Teachers are champions.
Lots of uncertainty during this time period. Will we go back to school before summer? Will I get to see the kids one more time before August? I suppose time will tell.
If any of the kids are reading this, I'm worried about you! Reach out to me at jacob.connerly@ecisd.net
j.c.c.
February 2020
Here's another early morning picture from on campus. I'm turning into a morning person (finally), which is a must for a teacher.
Still a very tough job!
j.c.c.
Here's another early morning picture from on campus. I'm turning into a morning person (finally), which is a must for a teacher.
Still a very tough job!
j.c.c.
January 2020
Happy New Year!
What crazy days we live in. I think about how much has happened this academic year, and won't be surprised if 2020 is even crazier. Who knows what's just over the horizon?
When we came back from the Christmas break, I gave a small speech to the kids. I told them that, just in case nobody had told them over the break, that they are special, and loved, and cared for.
One of my students handed this to me as she left class. I, of course, put it into a frame.
j.c.c.
Happy New Year!
What crazy days we live in. I think about how much has happened this academic year, and won't be surprised if 2020 is even crazier. Who knows what's just over the horizon?
When we came back from the Christmas break, I gave a small speech to the kids. I told them that, just in case nobody had told them over the break, that they are special, and loved, and cared for.
One of my students handed this to me as she left class. I, of course, put it into a frame.
j.c.c.
December 2019
Hey, if you know a teacher, ask them if you can buy them a drink.
Not during the week, please. We are much too busy.
Did I ever mention that this job is tough?
On my walk in from the parking lot every morning, the performance arts center lights up a multitude of different colors, and it's quite beautiful. Here are a few pictures.
j.c.c.
Hey, if you know a teacher, ask them if you can buy them a drink.
Not during the week, please. We are much too busy.
Did I ever mention that this job is tough?
On my walk in from the parking lot every morning, the performance arts center lights up a multitude of different colors, and it's quite beautiful. Here are a few pictures.
j.c.c.
November 2019
Made some new restroom passes with the laminator (per the suggestion of a student).
j.c.c.
Made some new restroom passes with the laminator (per the suggestion of a student).
j.c.c.
October 2019
Here's a poem about teaching:
So.
I thought teaching was tough in September.
Oh no.
---
Here's a picture of a Question of the Day sheet. As a warm-up, I have students answer a question, usually pertaining to the topic of the day. Today, the question was: "What is one thing you wish was different about school?" Some very meaningful answers for this question. Here's a great one!
j.c.c.
Here's a poem about teaching:
So.
I thought teaching was tough in September.
Oh no.
---
Here's a picture of a Question of the Day sheet. As a warm-up, I have students answer a question, usually pertaining to the topic of the day. Today, the question was: "What is one thing you wish was different about school?" Some very meaningful answers for this question. Here's a great one!
j.c.c.
September 2019
Wow.
Teaching is tough.
In many ways already articulated by many better teachers.
However, I am making it.
Here's a picture of the kids participating in a gallery walk! I know, I actually got them to listen to my instructions! (Some of them, anyways...)
j.c.c.
Wow.
Teaching is tough.
In many ways already articulated by many better teachers.
However, I am making it.
Here's a picture of the kids participating in a gallery walk! I know, I actually got them to listen to my instructions! (Some of them, anyways...)
j.c.c.
August 2019
Here's a picture of what my classroom looked like when I first saw it, and what my classroom looks like now that it's had some students in it. Doing it!
j.c.c.
Here's a picture of what my classroom looked like when I first saw it, and what my classroom looks like now that it's had some students in it. Doing it!
j.c.c.
August 2019
Here are pictures of me on my first day of school at 6:00 in the morning. Emily got up and demanded that I let her take them. She's very scary in the morning. Still had some fun with them. Can you tell I'm nervous?
j.c.c.
Here are pictures of me on my first day of school at 6:00 in the morning. Emily got up and demanded that I let her take them. She's very scary in the morning. Still had some fun with them. Can you tell I'm nervous?
j.c.c.
August 2019
The organization that gave me a scholarship to get my Master's degree in Teaching sent me a free care package as a welcome to the teaching profession. Very nice of them, check out their page by clicking here!
j.c.c.
The organization that gave me a scholarship to get my Master's degree in Teaching sent me a free care package as a welcome to the teaching profession. Very nice of them, check out their page by clicking here!
j.c.c.
May 2019
In addition to graduating, I accepted a job offer! I will be working at East Central High School next year teaching World History to sophomores. I am equal parts excited and nervous for what comes next. I can't wait to get to know a brand new group of kids, to start my first "real" teaching job, and to tackle the challenges and celebrate the successes ahead. Go Hornets!
In addition to graduating, I accepted a job offer! I will be working at East Central High School next year teaching World History to sophomores. I am equal parts excited and nervous for what comes next. I can't wait to get to know a brand new group of kids, to start my first "real" teaching job, and to tackle the challenges and celebrate the successes ahead. Go Hornets!
May 2019
I graduated with my Master's Degree in Teaching! I want to thank everyone that supported me through this challenging and rewarding time.
A special thanks to my family and my girlfriend for making sure that I knew that I could do it. I finally did!
Such great things ahead!
j.c.c.
I graduated with my Master's Degree in Teaching! I want to thank everyone that supported me through this challenging and rewarding time.
A special thanks to my family and my girlfriend for making sure that I knew that I could do it. I finally did!
Such great things ahead!
j.c.c.
February 2019
As part of my student teaching, I got to plan two units of study for an 8th grade humanities classroom. I planned and implemented a "backwards" design unit of study using the Universal by Design framework. I taught both the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, and I planned and implemented two performance assessments. Here is that unit.
I am particularly proud of those two performance assessments. They are titled the "Roaring Twenties Block Party" and the "Fireside Chat." Take a look at the unit to see all of the focused work that I put into making sure that my kids had the best learning experience possible!
j.c.c.
As part of my student teaching, I got to plan two units of study for an 8th grade humanities classroom. I planned and implemented a "backwards" design unit of study using the Universal by Design framework. I taught both the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, and I planned and implemented two performance assessments. Here is that unit.
I am particularly proud of those two performance assessments. They are titled the "Roaring Twenties Block Party" and the "Fireside Chat." Take a look at the unit to see all of the focused work that I put into making sure that my kids had the best learning experience possible!
j.c.c.
December 2018
As a part of my Masters program, I and my fellow cohort members helped to lead groups of sophomore students in out-of-state experiential learning trips. I got to help with the International School of the America's trip to New Mexico, which was an excellent opportunity to see my home state with fresh eyes and help students to see what makes NM so unique. As we traveled, I took short video clips of the students. I stitched them together and put them to music as a goodbye present to the group of kids that touched my heart and shared with me in my travels. Go group six!
j.c.c.
As a part of my Masters program, I and my fellow cohort members helped to lead groups of sophomore students in out-of-state experiential learning trips. I got to help with the International School of the America's trip to New Mexico, which was an excellent opportunity to see my home state with fresh eyes and help students to see what makes NM so unique. As we traveled, I took short video clips of the students. I stitched them together and put them to music as a goodbye present to the group of kids that touched my heart and shared with me in my travels. Go group six!
j.c.c.
