Our Western Harnett 6th graders are visiting the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens in the Spring! My students will attend on a separate date where Sherry Carpenter (Mentor) and I will team-teach and share responsibilities in providing them with educational guided tours. The students will have the opportunity to see how math and science are applied at the Botanical Gardens (real world). On April 21st I will begin implementing my “Geometric Garden” curriculum. My students and I are extremely excited!

In Harnett County, teachers may not use the social media  facebook with their students. In fact, our principals have warned us about our own facebook accounts. Our teachers were told that if information provided is questionable, we may lose our jobs. Teachers have used facebook to vent about their day and tell of their experiences in the classroom. Some educators have also crossed the professional line and compromised their status as a community leader by including their students’ names and photographs along with stories of misbehavior and outward criticisms. Their unprofessional behavior has ruined it for the rest of us and created an environment where teachers are leery about using facebook.

Facebook is an amazing tool for keeping connected with family and friends. However, for many educators, especially those in Harnett County, it is a tool that may lead to our dismissal. We’ve been warned!

Thank you Sherry Carpenter and the staff at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden for a wonderful summer experience. I enjoyed working with them to improve their field trip lessons and assisting with the summer programs. This summer I also helped to write a $20,000 grant to purchase a signage tool so that the gardens will have the capability of producing high quality laser engraved signs with Q&R codes.

Due to my experiences at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, I will be adding new curriculum in the classroom that includes an integration of math lessons, vermicomposting, and yes…Madagascar hissing cockroaches! Furthermore, my students will have the opportunity to visit the garden this fall.

I would also like to thank the Kenan Fellows. I have met excellent educators that are making valuable contributions to my class.  Cindy Bullard, you are amazing! My students will enjoy, The Circle.”

You are a talented and extremely creative writer and I look forward to sharing, “The Circle” with my students. I especially appreciate the lesson plans and your offer to visit my class. My students will be very excited!

A special thank you to Craig, Amneris, Lisa, Randy, and all of the other valuable members of the Kenan Fellowship program. Thanks for your hard work and efforts to create an exceptional summer experience. I have truly grown as an educator. I look forward to having you visit my students, and to sharing all that I have learned this summer with other teachers.

While at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, I have had numerous opportunities to learn and grow as an educator. The garden has an excellent and extremely knowledgeable staff. My externship responsibilities have included lesson planning, grant writing, and assisting with camps/field trips. Although, many of the field trip lessons I’ve been working on are geared toward the lower elementary students, there are some that can be modified to make it rigorous and relevant for my 6th graders.

I especially enjoy working with the the Nature Tales programs. Last week I was asked to teach two programs titled, “Noisy Insects”. Ms. Shiela, from the local library, read aloud to the children and I was responsible for the lesson and craft project. It was exciting until told that I would be introducing the guest of honor…a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach!  At first I thought to myself, “No Problem.” I began by mentally preparing for the hissing sound as I slowly started putting my hand into the tank. I immediately realized, while jumping 3 feet backwards, that the hissing sound I was expecting, sounded more like loud shaking maracas! It was so scary that it took some time before I could muster up enough courage to pick up “Sam” the cockroach. I am happy to report however, that I have faced my fears and enjoyed working with the cockroaches. Also, the children enjoyed Sam. Some of the children although initially fearful, challenged themselves by petting him. I was very proud. One of the children got overly excited and pressed hard while petting him and Sam stuck me with his prickly legs. My fingers were sore for a couple of hours. In spite of all of this, however, I enjoyed learning about and working with the cockroaches.

These experiences have enlightened me to the value of incorporating live animals and insects into my lessons. Seeing the children react to the cockroaches, reminded me of the importance of having engaging lessons. I explained to my mentor that I would like to include hissing cockroaches and millipedes in my classroom. She has decided to assist me in creating a habitats for both. Furthermore, we are including a vermicomposting bin. I’m certain my Principal will be pleased. Maybe not!

My mentor and I working with the children as they compare frogs and toads. Yes! The frogs were very difficult to catch.

I had an amazing time at NCCAT. The food, accommodations, and staff were extremely welcoming. Carmen and her assistants prepared excellent meals and adhered to the dietary limitations of many Kenan Fellows. All requests were treated with the utmost care and enthusiasm as they provided extra pieces of cake for us. My only regret was the three pounds gained during the week.

The technology training and break out sessions were excellent. I’ve already planned to implement augmented reality apps and “Kahoot” in my lesson plans. Also, the session on grant writing was inspiring. I am currently writing a grant and planning to write many more.

The highlight of the trip however, were the many connections made with outstanding professional educators. I began my NCCAT experience by driving to Cullowhee with Mavis and Willis. During the drive I learned much about them. We discussed their experiences in teaching at a charter school and plans to share future lessons. I was less apprehensive of attending the “unknown” after having met them. I met many other excellent teachers as well. One of the best times was spent talking and laughing into the late evening with new friends. And the rafting trip was exceptional! On the way home, from NCCAT, Mavis and Willis surprised me by celebrating my birthday. I was touched by their kindness. Overall, NCCAT was excellent and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again. Thank you.