For those unaware in a few weeks I will bring a close to my teaching career after serving for 35 years in a variety of roles. I will retire at the end of the month. Since I suffer from being an introvert, and having low self-esteem. This being the result of a confusing childhood as the second child- retained in third grade (I was “immature”) but later put in the gifted and talented program. Later on being the black sheep of the family… lots and lots of baggage, most of it just needs to be put back in the attic. I joked with my parents about the painful mess of being “held back” (something my peers at the time referred to as “flunking”) by reminding them that at over 50- I carry around a stuffed monkey, read comic books and play with LEGO bricks. Maturity and I don’t get along. That said, I decided it might help me to go through some of my highlights. I’m sharing those here because… why not?
I started working with kids when I was in elementary school and hung out with the kindergartner next door doing my homework and teaching him what I was learning. Then came my little brothers and formally when I turned 18- I became “Mr. Bruce.” I worked in a preschool in Southern California my senior year and during breaks throughout college. I was that person who would get off the plane from college then get dropped off at school and work until close. I loved what I was doing and really found joy in working with some amazing teachers who influenced my later teaching- where else would I have learned to say the alphabet backwards?
When I came back to Indiana (against the wishes of my parents) I wasn’t hired until after the start of school. I had been working for a week as a substitute and had been offered an assistant position, then offered my own classroom. I felt that I may not have deserved the opportunity, so as with all of my future jobs I felt I needed to prove that my principal had not made a mistake in taking a chance on me.
At my first school I (1988-1994):
- Started the school’s Young Astronauts program
- Initiated Movie Nights – watched old 1950’s Science Fiction movies to raise money for the Young Astronauts.
- Arranged an annual Huntsville US Space & Rocket Center Trip which later became the highlight of fifth grade.
- Did multiple Graphic Design projects including Brochures & Shirts
- Was Math Pentathlon coach for Division 1
- Instituted a Video Portfolio grade 1 of highlights from the year.
- Weekly poetry recitations with first graders (My favorite was Shel Silverstein’s “It’s Dark in Here” recited while wearing a bag with a lion’s head drawn on it.
- Help create the School Wide Aerospace Theme
- Was invited to be a part of the NASA Educational Workshop for Elementary School Teachers
- Attended the Space Orientation for Professional Educators through the University of Huntsville
- Presented at a few conferences
- Worked on a planning team at the Children’s Museum on their redesign of their Science Gallery.
- Trained teachers in using the StarLab portable planetarium
I left when a new school opened up… I applied as a way to get a friend of mine to apply (she was really into International Education and thought it would be a great fit) I was asked to join the staff, she wasn’t. There is part of me that still wishes I had stayed at my first school, but I did what I thought was expected. Time to make sure my new principal thinks they made the right decision, especially since I think they were told to take me by central office administration.
At my second school I (1994-2005):
- Enrolled at Butler University’s EPPSP (Group XIV was in the top five of my school law class)
- Started a short lived Young Astronauts program and took those kids to Huntsville
- Started a classroom theme: “World Wide Studios” in which the class created video portfolios of their year. Running around with a VHS camcorder on field trips, editing tape
- One year my 3rd grade class created a Film Adaptation of the opera Turnadot (no singing- although Nessun Dorma by a children’s choir might have been interesting)
- Set up the format for daily video morning announcements that the students were in charge of everything- I only served as Executive Producer
- Assumed the role of Technology Coordinator for the building which morphed into computer lab teacher and building technology support and professional development
- Coordinated a curriculum highlighting the works of Alexander Calder
- Received a Calderfest Creativity Award
- Helped create the initial District Website and served as the webmaster for multiple schools doing web design and graphic design
- Started a Comic book club
- Received my first Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship where I studied animation at Disney and brought back what I had learned to incorporate it in my classroom
- Started a Heroclix Club
- Helped develop an astronomy curriculum for third grade culminating in Starry Story Night and overnight filled with activities for students and parents
- Worked with a group of students to create a short film: The Great Brain Robbery for the National Children’s Film Festival that took second place and was later aired on HBO
- Served in a variety of roles for the Indiana Computer Educators on the board and conference committee
- Received a District Above & Beyond Award
After years of being told I should go to the district’s Science & Technology Magnet school and multiple failed attempts, I fell into a teaching position there. Once again, especially in this case after so many failed attempts & the reason for moving schools, I felt the need to prove that I deserved to be at this school.
So at my most recent school I 2005-2023:
- Using my certification from NEWEST brought Moon Rocks for fifth graders to examine
- Even though I had been nominated a couple times and never received the award I served as an IPL Golden Apple Judge
- Served as Magnet integration Specialist at two schools- developing the vision for the STEM program and creating an online hub of resources an and lessons for each grade
- Created the Social Media presence for the elementary schools and provided professional development to the other Magnet Specialists on all things technology
- Served as a Technology Integration Specialist for a year providing PD and just in time troubleshooting
- As Magnet Specialist, I created a VEX robotics team through a grant from Bloomington Robotics Club- One team won the Rookie Team award – since there was no elementary school program, they competed with High School teams
- Started a VEX IQ team funded by a grant from TechPoint Foundation for Youth and served as coach – in my time six teams went to State, one to the World Championship
- Served as a REC Foundation Event Partner
- Served on the inaugural REC Foundation Coach Advisory Board
- Was named a LEGO Education US LEGO Master Educator
- Was named a LEGO Education Ambassador
- Served as a FIRST LEGO League tournament director
- Helped create and coordinate the District VEX IQ League serving over 11 schools and 33ish teams.
- Received a second Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship this time to visit the UK and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mini Cooper through a webcomic
- Curated a graphic novel/comic book library in my classroom
- School Teacher of the Year
- District Teacher of the Year
- Article: Technology & Learning on the importance of failure in learning & teaching
- Served as a VEX IQ Worlds Judge
- Served as a VEX IQ Worlds Scorekeeper
- Received an Above & Beyond Award from the district
For the most part the stuff I have listed are outside of just teaching… You see to me kids (and teachers) are different after school and sometimes the best way to get to know a student is to not be in the role of teacher. Here’s the thing… it looks like I did a lot. Maybe I did, but I have to ask myself… was it enough? Every time I received recognition I wondered if it’s because I did something, I was in the right place at the right time, or if there was more I should have done. My identity has always revolved around my career. Many people know that if it has to do with school, it is my priority & has been pretty much since I was 18. My kids and their needs have always been the most important thing. I don’t have my own kids- I borrow some for 180 days and try to do my best for them.
I’m asked – do I have a favorite class? I have memories from every year. I wish I could remember every student- I do. I actually can, if you give me enough time, but pouncing on me with a “Do you remember me?” in the middle of a store will make me run away in terror and then remembering the highlights of your antics while driving home, depressed that I couldn’t pull it all up that instant.
So why stop now? Lots of reasons- a story for another day when I decide to unpack some of the more recent baggage. Now I head into that “Undiscovered Country” I wonder what will happen. Part of me feels like David Tennant at the end of his run as the Doctor*… “I don’t want to go.” Then I think… He regenerated into Matt Smith… and bow ties ARE cool. Here’s to my regeneration at the end of the month- GERONIMO!
*Yes, I know he’s coming back for a brief time but still – he did regenerate.