K. Janae's High Five - Here's to being anti-boring!

I don't think I've met a single teacher who has made it their life long goal to be boring. Seriously though, life is way to short to be boring. There is not an ounce of me that wants to be a boring, front-loading kind-of teacher. Here's five things I've realized about being an anti-boring teacher...

1. Engaging lessons take intentional planning.

• Intentional planning means intentional goal setting. In the classroom, those goals become referred to as learning objectives. Learning objectives are designed to include a behavior, a condition and a criterion. Traditionally, we write them so they can reside in our unit plans, our lesson plans and then get posted in our room so we can help guide the day and show our administrators. When my students see the objectives posted in my classroom, I want them to see more then just a daily goal for me to teach them. I want my students to see a learning objective that explicitly describes what they will gain from that day. Throughout my Pinterest escapades I've seen teachers from various grade levels share designs for how they post their objectives in their classroom. I'm intrigued by a design similar to this one... Thoughts?
  

2. Interest approaches are like breakfast.

• I'm guessing that at this point you're saying, "what's an interest approach and what in the world does it have to do with breakfast?" Well, allow me. What do we know about breakfast? That is arguably the most important meal of the day. We know that a good breakfast helps us set the pace for the next 23 hours of our day. Like breakfast, an interest approach or an anticipatory set plays a huge role in setting the tone for the rest of class. Protein gives you the energy to knock out your to-do list, interest approaches ignite the excitement for class.

3. Model the behavior you want from your students.

• Dave Burgess claims in his book "Teach Like A Pirate" that engaged students are less likely to be trouble-makers. He says "misbehavior usually indicates boredom, overwhelm or lack of connection to the material being covered." If I'm bored, or boring, my students will be bored. If I'm preoccupied with other life matters, then my students can be preoccupied with other issues then class. If I want my students to be engaged, I have to be engaging. I have to more then just show up. I have to be wholly present; 110% ready to take on that day and to take them to new and exciting places. I owe them at least that much.

4. You can't be engaging until you know what engages.

• Number one priority should not be getting students excited about Forest Ecology or Entomology or Ruminant Digestion or Electrical Wiring. Yes, that is so very important, but let's focus more time knowing them and their interests and passions and then let's make connections between their interests and your interesting topic of the day. Imagine how much more engaging your classroom would be?!

5. Being engaging is different then being engaged.

• There's a lot to be said about the teacher who puts their party hat on, parades into class with the music jamming and teaches plant propagation while standing on a desk. Okay, so that may be a little bit extreme, but clearly that teacher is unbelievably passionate and way excited to teach about grafting. Here's the thing, I want to be passionate and exciting and wild and progressive. I want to be a mover and a shaker and be totally different then any teacher my students have ever had. But I also want to know them. I want to be engaged in their life and passions and dreams. I want to push them further and call them higher. It's one thing to be effective, its another to be affective.

Simply put, I want to be anti-boring.

Simply put, I want to be a teacher that is more then engaging. I want to be engaged.

Here's a High Five from You to Me, K. Janae

The one where you get to know me better.

Considering the fact (hopefully!) you'll be back to my blog to visit frequently, I figured it may beneficial if you knew a little bit more about me and why I'm blogging in the first place.

So, without further-ado,

Hi friends!

My name is Janae Herr!

I am a rising senior (holy smokes!) at the great Penn State University where I am passionately pursuing a degree in Agriculture and Extension Education with minors in the area of Agribusiness Management and International Agriculture. But, more on that later!

I believe the quickest way for you to learn a little about me is if I break it down into three categories: home, work & play.

Home: Southview Farms in Lancaster, PA

The place that undoubtedly molded me into the individual I am today. Right there is where it all started. Yellow plastic rain boots tromping through twenty five thousand broiler chicks; trailing after the tobacco planter; the first time I was allowed to drive a tractor; the day I was considered an official employee, paycheck and all. These are the reasons. I still remember walking home from the barn one evening to a beautiful sunset with a silo silhouette; I knew that from then on I wanted to dedicate my life to the advocacy of agriculture.

Work: Hoober Inc.

I am fortunate enough to have grown up on a farm, which rightfully means that I worked and learned the value of hard work there. I also consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to work while I'm away at school, working for the Center for Professional Personnel Development allowing me to expand my professional network and open doors for a lot of incredibly unique opportunities. Pictured, Hoober Inc. where I have spent the past three years as a "parts girl" at our local Case IH dealership. I LOVE my job(s)!

Play: A mildly extensive list...
Though I don't find myself with much "free time" when I do get a spare minute or to I'm a big fan of laughter, sunshine, family, hammocks, ice cream, arm-knitting, farm-work, friends and a good bonfire. Oh, and my dog Peyton. I like her a lot. 

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As promised, I'd take a few minutes to share about my choice in Agriculture and Extension Education. Since I'm on a roll here with the three thing, I'm going to try and stick with that plan and draw out my passion for the future of agriculture, particularly in the classroom in the context of content passion, professional passion & personal passion.

But first, a short disclaimer: I'm currently reading this summer swell book, Teach Like A Pirate by Dave Burgess. Clearly a passionate educator himself, Burgess opens his book with a conversation about passion in the classroom and as an educator, in particular the three areas of passion I just listed. 

CONTENT PASSION: What am I passionate about within agriculture?

I am passionate about leadership development. I am passionate about production agriculture. I am passionate about agribusiness, technical skills and anything that grows. I am passionate about dirt under fingernails and career opportunities.

PROFESSIONAL PASSION: What am I passionate about within the field of agriculture education?

TOMORROW! I am passionate about the bright future of an industry that will sit in the seats in my classroom and learn within the walls of my school. I am passionate about community, both in and outside my classroom. I am passionate about innovation, but with respect to tradition and legacy. 

PERSONAL PASSION: What am I, K. Janae, passionate about in life?

Though probably evident from earlier, I am passionate about being the fifth generation to be a steward of the land. I am passionate about Lancaster County and rich heritage. I am passionate about sunrises and sunsets accompanied by a silo silhouette. I am passionate about leaving a legacy. I am passionate about the people in my life; my friends and family. I am passionate about Jesus - because He's why I can be passionate about all of this. 

Simply put, that's a little bit about me. Simply put, that is why I chose Agriculture Education. 

Until next time, 

- K. Janae