A tribute to the children who inspired me to become a teacher

When asked why I chose to become a teacher - specifically, a special education teacher - I think back to the children I knew growing up who had disabilities. When I was six (WAY before any state or federal legislation mandated education for students with disabilities), there was one classroom in my school that educated all grade levels of students with intellectual disabilities.

The children ate lunch during the same block as I. My class arrived at the lunchroom first; their class arrived last. I usually was finished eating by the time they began. I knew something was different about them, but to my six-year-old mind the difference was that so many teachers helped them by opening milk cartons, unwrapping sandwiches, and helping them raise spoons and forks to their mouths. I sometimes had trouble opening my milk carton, but no teacher helped me!

This coincided with the early days of space exploration when the United States was sparring against the Soviet Union to conquer outer space. Our entire student body, including the children with disabilities, assembled in the cafeteria to watch the launches and re-entries of each of NASA' s Project Mercury missions televised during the school day. This was history, and NO ONE was left behind!

A few years later, I met a friend's cousin. My friend lived adjacent to my mom's best friend from high school whom we visited often. Therefore, playing with Joy at her home was a frequent occurrence. Her cousin had cerebral palsy. He walked with a gait, but at that age he still could run and play kick ball - just not as fast or as far as we.

I also took piano lessons from Mrs. Lewis, a woman I dearly loved and admired. A concert pianist, she had studied music at a conservatory in England, yet she returned to Southern Maryland and shared her passion with everyday folk. I am so blessed to have been one of her students. I include this muse because her husband had muscular sclerosis; my father remodeled their home to accommodate Mr. Lewis' wheelchair.

In high school, I met two friends whose siblings have disabilities - one, an older brother with cerebral palsy, and the second, a younger sister with an intellectual disability. I also babysat a young neighbor boy who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy. I was the only teen in town who wasn't afraid to care for him. My work with his family led to my becoming a volunteer camp counselor at the muscular dystrophy summer camp held annually at the horse farm of broadcast-legend Arthur Godfrey in Loudoun County near Leesburg. My first charge was first-time camper Gary Welzenbacher from Pulaski, VA. He was a cute, sweet, 6-year-old little boy. He loved his week of summer camp. He swam, rode horses, took canoe rides, sang songs, and had a ton of fun. His mother sent me a lovely beaded evening bag, which I still have, as a thank you. She need not have done that. I was honored to have shared that summer with her son.

There was no doubt when I decided to become a teacher that I would earn an endorsement in special education. Students with disabilities have been a part of my life since I was six years old. I saw them as kids just like me with a few extra needs that teachers seemed to accommodate freely. As an adult, it baffles me why educating students with special needs ever became such a battleground.

Of all the children who touched my life as a child, the only one I know as an adult is Sherri. Although I have not seen Sherri in years, her older sister, also a special education teacher, and I maintain our friendship through Facebook. I see pictures of Sherri and I know she has significant health needs that require the help of a personal care assistant 24/7; she no longer participates in Special Olympics and other "special" outings, but she maintains her brilliant smile and loving personality. If I had to name one person who had the greatest impact on my decision to be a special education teacher, I would select Sherri. (Gary would be a close second.) I spent a lot of time at my friend's house during my teen years. My memories of Sherri are fond and vivid. This is a special thank you to Gary and the others for teaching me so much along the way. It also is a special thank you to Sherri for being my inspiration!

Look for VCLA's logo on a brochure in a school near you!

I distributed flyers last week to each of the schools in KG County. The flyers outline the learning that will take place this summer at VCLA. I am so excited about our new classes! Pick up a flyer at your child's school or at my office. You can view the information on the Web site, too!

www.vclatutoring.com

See you soon!
Carolyn

The meaning behind the logo

I like VCLA's logo. In fact, I LOVE VCLA's logo! It is colorful, fun, and energetic - just like the decor in my office. Becky Gallamore of Rocky Top Embroidery in King George told me it is the "prettiest logo" she has seen; it looks really nice on the shirts I asked her to embroider. 

The words depicted in the logo are important to me. They represent how I feel about education and form the basis of my philosophy when working with my students. I love teaching. I love working with your children. I love helping them discover that learning can be fun, and I want to ignite in them a passion for life-long learning. The center "explosion" represents the many, many new neurons that are connecting in the brains of the students who attend VCLA!

When I was a kid - from elementary school through high school and college - there were no computers for the average person. We had the Dewey Decimal System and the card catalog in the public library. It is there I discovered the world is bigger than Southern Maryland's Charles, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties, the "New World" when my ancestors settled there in the late 1600s. My mother took me to the public library at least once a week. She never complained, but by second grade my parents had bought my sister and I a set of the World Book Encyclopedia and a dictionary that was published in two HUGE volumes - my mother still has them! I read each of the books, including the dictionaries, cover to cover! 

When I needed to write a paper, the encyclopedia was where I conducted my initial research. If I needed to learn more than what was written in one of the tomes, my mother would drive me to the library. When children are passionate about learning, they willingly explore more than what is taught in the classroom. Their exploration empowers them to achieve more than they dream possible. 

Never when I graduated from college did I envision sharing photographs and musings with the world via the Internet. The best I envisioned was writing a book and finding my name in the card catalog! Becoming a television personality was an option (I am old enough to remember rabbit ears, no color, and no remote!). We had an 8mm movie camera, but it cost a lot of money to have the film developed and not everyone had a projector. You Tube wasn't even a thought, nor was its creator! 

Scientists, clever inventors, and astute visionaries created many new products, businesses, and jobs as I advanced through my education, but many of the jobs for which my peers trained no longer exist. When I graduated from college, no one was interviewing at Google, Instagram, and Sprint. It is very likely that current K-12 students will be employed with firms and using technology that does not exist today. Yet they need the skills that will allow them to migrate to those jobs.

How do you prepare for a job that doesn't exist? You learn how to learn. You develop a passion for learning. You read EVERYTHING! You learn EVERYTHING there is to know about your current field of employment, and then you learn something new. You stay abreast of current events, and you instill that passion in your children. When every child feels that excitement, we won't need Standards of Learning developed by big business. That excitement, that passion will be THE standard, and that can't be measured by a computerized test.

My husband is grumbling that he needs my help to clean the garage, so I will get down from my soapbox. However, I need to say one last thing about VCLA's logo: I am so grateful to graphic artist Brian Knott, who works with Stafford Technologies. He captured graphically and PERFECTLY the exact message my heart wants to shout to the world! Thanks, Brian!

"The most difficult and complicated part of the writing process is the beginning." - A. B. Yehoshua

Before becoming a teacher, I worked as a professional writer and editor. My life was deadline after deadline after deadline. I consider myself to be a good writer, yet there were days when I would stare at a blank computer screen - unable to think of anything to write - or I would delete everything I had written. Once I liked what I had written, the words usually flowed faster than I could type! 

Writing comes fairly easily to me, but writing is hard work! It is a valuable communication tool and a necessary skill all children need to develop. When I opened VCLA Tutoring, I offered a writing workshop for students in grades 5-12. I soon realized that more and more writing demands are placed on our younger students and I needed to develop writing programs for them, too. Now VCLA offers six writing classes; three of which are for students as young as 5-years-old! 

I want your children to fall in love with writing. I want them to know that writing does not have to be a painful process, so I have added workshops to ignite their creativity and teach them writing can be fun. Two of my favorite workshops are Awesome Me! and Microsoft on Training Wheels. 

I am so excited about Awesome Me! that I, too, am creating my own book. Microsoft on Training Wheels will teach your child how to use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The really good news is that the tuition includes a licensed copy of the software, so your child can use the program at home, too.  

Writing is a great summertime activity; it wraps around vacation times perfectly and goes hand-in-hand with reading. Please take a look at the classes, then call me to schedule times convenient for your summer schedule. I am looking forward to talking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Berry

Awesome Me! - Grades K-5

This workshop gives your aspiring author the guidance and tools necessary to produce a 20-page, full-color, professionally typeset, hardcover book – complete with your child’s photo on the back cover. After your child completes the book, VCLA will send it to the publisher. This is a one-on-one, work-at-your-own pace workshop.

Microsoft on Training Wheels - Grades K-5

This kid-friendly introduction to Microsoft Office will help your child learn PowerPoint, Word, and Excel – technology skills they will need and use throughout their school years and beyond. The tuition includes a licensed suite of five programs - Write, Show, Count, Paint and Record. Students will create a presentation to display weather symbols and a weather map; a chart to present a 5-day weather forecast; and a report about the weather. Technology requirements: Home computers must have pre-installed the 32-bit, Windows version of Microsoft® Office 2007 or Microsoft® Office 2010. This is a one-on-one, work-at-your-own pace workshop.

Creative Writing for the Reluctant Writer - Grades K-5

Students will select from hundreds of borders, shapes, and themes to use as inspiration to write and design poetry, short stories, letters, personal narratives, invitations and awards. Students of all abilities will learn to plan, set goals, develop strategies and solve problems as they learn to enjoy the writing process and experience success. When students complete this 10-hour, one-on-one workshop, they will leave with a personal, licensed copy of the software used during the workshop, and their creative works will be published on VCLA’s Web site and Facebook pages.

Essay Express - Grades 4-8

Students who Jump aboard the Essay Express will learn a fresh approach to answering short answer essay questions. This fresh approach will include learning nine cognitive strategies to use before, during, and after the essay writing process. Students will become more confident about taking essay tests and their essay writing skills, in general. Provide your child with a solid foundation of lifelong writing success with this 10-hour, one-on-one workshop.

Author, I Am! - Grades 6-12

This workshop gives your aspiring author the guidance and tools necessary to produce a 20-page, full-color, professionally typeset, hardcover book – complete with your child’s photo on the back cover. After your child completes the book, VCLA will send it to the publisher. This is a one-on-one, work-at-your-own pace workshop.

Essay Writing - Grades 9-12, Adult

The writing seminars teach students the process of writing, how to write well, and how to make their work stand out from the rest. We incorporate lessons in storytelling, grammar, and technology to help students develop personal writing styles and write copy people want to read. Please note: We will schedule and tailor writing workshops to fit your needs. Adults welcome!

The essay writing class focuses on the traditional five-paragraph essay. Students learn how to write thesis statements and develop points to support the thesis. Students also learn the fundamentals of academic research, how to summarize their research to avoid plagiarism, and how to cite their sources. Each student will create a 3D writing tool, write an essay, score it using a rubric, and participate in a peer review. The student will meet with the instructor one-on-one throughout the writing process. Maximum 4 students.

What a difference a year makes!

Eighty years ago, Maria Grever wrote the Grammy winning song, "What a Difference a Day Makes"...Twenty-four little hours...The difference is you. I feel that way about this past year with VCLA. Three hundred sixty five days...the difference is you...my students and their families!

I had ideas about the classes I'd offer and the tools I would use to teach students. Some of those ideas and tools remain, and some of them are no longer. Some have been replaced with different options. Many factors led to those decisions, but a main ingredient was feedback from parents and students. You offered feedback, suggestions, and told me what you needed. I listened. A year later I have refined VCLA's curriculum, marketing strategies, and policies. I am so proud of the school VCLA has become, and I am excited about the new classes VCLA is offering this summer, including several writing classes and a study skills strategy class. Most importantly, I am grateful for the students whose lives I touched. I love working one-on-one with the students. 

Two weeks ago I asked my students' families to respond to a survey; nine of them did. Here are the questions and a few responses:

1.       My child’s tutor has the knowledge and skills necessary to teach my child.

2.       The tutor motivates my child to learn.

3.       VCLA provides a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment for my child.

                                       

4.       My child’s tutor challenges my child and provides meaningful learning opportunities for him/her.

5.       The tutor genuinely cares about my child and his/her learning.

6.       The tutor has a rich repertoire of instructional practices, strategies, and resources, and she applies them appropriately. 

7.       My child’s tutor provides regular updates of my child’s progress.

8.       My child’s tutor revises instructional strategies based upon my student’s achievement data.

9.       I would recommend VCLA’s services to my family and friends.

The tenth question asked families to share their thoughts about VCLA. Here are a few of the comments: 

Since my daughter began tutoring sessions at VCLA, her writing skills have improved drastically. Her creative writing teacher at King George High School says so, too!

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Since my grandchild has been with VCLA she has the self-esteem to know that it is okay to ask questions. Her grades have improved. I am very pleased with the progress she has made. Thanks Ms. Berry!

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My daughter HATED math before she started attending VCLA each week. She wasn't interested because she wasn't understanding the material. She has become more confident in her abilities. It's wonderful to see!

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My child’s grades have improved and homework has become a lot easier. Ms. Berry has been so helpful by giving us strategies for my son to use at home and in school. I love Ms. Berry’s passion and the encouragement she gives my son.

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Thanks to the people who responded to the survey!

Sincerely,
Carolyn Berry

P.S. - VCLA will follow summer hours beginning Monday, June 16, 2014. The hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless an evening class is scheduled!

2013 King George Fall Festival

Rain did not dampen the excitement at the 2013 King George Fall Festival. The KGHS cafeteria was alive with laughter and conversation. I watched as families ambled throughout the gym and purchased handmade crafts and other merchandise and talked with merchants about their offerings. Lots of people stopped by my table to inquire about my tutoring their children and to learn about the study skills and writing workshops VCLA offers. I talked so much my voice was hoarse before the end of the day!

We had several "giveaways," including a drawing for two $50 gift certificates. Congratulations to Keith Lee and Christine Quick - each won a $50 gift certificate toward tutoring or a workshop at VCLA. Another giveaway was the "thinking cap" - a paper hat designed to look like the human brain; the caps were a big hit. One little lad helped me by distributing the brains to all of the elementary students he saw. Thanks, Nathan!

This introduction to neurology generated lots of questions about how the brain works and was the perfect introduction to my giving a mini lesson about the importance of drinking water and getting enough sleep. I have a "Grow a Gruesome Body Part" brain by Ganz. It's one of the toys that when you drop it into water it will grow to about four times its original size. Remove it from water and it will shrivel into a tiny, hard blob that is not conducive to learning. I use the plastic brain to explain that the human brain requires water and rest, and it will learn and remember more, if we treat it well.

I always incorporate that tidbit of information into my lessons. I believe firmly that children need to understand the science behind learning, how the brain functions, and why certain learning strategies are more effective than others. Children are curious creatures who aim to please. If they understand the "why" behind a directive, they are more likely to incorporate it into their lives. I am fascinated by the complexity of the brain and truly enjoy reading the literature that documents the research on learning and brain development. I like to share that research with my students and boost their metacognition skills - their thinking about thinking - the first step in helping to ignite a passion for learning.

If you missed out on getting your child a thinking cap, don't despair. Send me an e-mail, give me a call, or stop by the office. I will get one to you!

Congress needs to live the 7 Habits

Why is it so difficult for our congressional leaders to act like leaders? The citizens of this country pay them to lead, yet our "leaders" behave like unruly children. 

I once asked a member of the House of Representatives why politicians couldn't reach consensus. His answer? "It's sport."

Sport? 

Really?

Dear Congress: It is not "sport" when our government shuts down because 700+ adults (paid to lead) cannot give and take. It is not "sport" when you complain that our students are not keeping up with their peers in other countries, yet you cut education funding. It is not "sport" when the elderly must choose between food and the fuel bill. It is not "sport" when people lack affordable healthcare and die from disease that could have been prevented. It is not "sport" when people lose their jobs and homes because the financial elite manipulates the economy. 

Here's my four-part solution: 

1. Term limits - Those elected to the executive or legislative branches of the U.S. Government will serve no more than two non-consecutive six-year terms. All benefits will end when the terms end; individuals will be permitted to pay for COBRA benefits.

2. Vacations/recesses - Members of the executive and legislative branches of our government will not be allowed to play until they finish their work. Congress and the president must reach consensus on all issues or no breaks - period; 

3. Benefits - The Congressional budget, including salaries and benefits, will be reduced by the average percentage of the cuts to all education, health, and welfare programs. The president's salary and benefits will be cut by the same percentage, too; and

4. Leadership skills - Newly elected representatives must enroll in a leadership class and complete at least 10 continuing education credits each year. Representatives will earn one CEU for each week "working" in the following organizations (no photo opps allowed) in their respective districts: a public school classroom, a food bank, a health department or free clinic, a Veteran's hospital, a low-income housing project, and five other education/health/welfare organizations that depend upon federal money. 

I suggest the newly elected enroll in one of the Franklin Covey seminars and read one of the 7 Habits books:  the late Stephen R. Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People or 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, or his son, Sean's, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens or 7 Habits of Happy Kids. The leadership principles are not hard to learn and live: 

Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

While some may view these habits as cliches, they remain good principles to incorporate into one's everyday life. Even elementary school children are learning these leadership skills through the Franklin Covey "Leader in Me" program. 

I teach a class based on these seven habits (I have no financial interest in Franklin Covey and have not been paid to write this BLOG), and I've seen the transformation they can make in children. Last semester, a group of students (each with a strong opinion) reached consensus on an issue within 30 minutes. If a group of high school freshmen can do it, why can't Congress do it? 

Please, Congressional Representatives, learn to be true leaders; appreciate your good fortune; and keep "sport" out of the legislative vernacular. It's not "sport" to ruin lives.