Being married to a teacher is exhausting because you work really hard all day (one on her feet is worth three in the seat, you know?) then spend all kinds of time outside of school prepping and grading and building your PLN (got to keep up with the #edchats and #teachersofinstagram meanwhile annoying all of your non-teacher friends and family all over social media) and then you get to rehash it all at home. It's nice because we can relate and support, but it's tough because it also never seems to stop being about school.
Dickens when they aren't teaching.
I got an email recently announcing that I am a Class Dojo mentor. While this has little meaning to many people it caused a small spat in the Dicken home. I was super excited (there are stickers and badges and FREEBIES involved!) but the Mr. was not. My husband uses Class Dojo in his kindergarten class like a madman (
he wrote a blog about it), and he may have felt a tad slighted that he was not chosen as a mentor. Prior to this email neither of us had known Class Dojo mentors existed but now it's out there and the Dickens are a competitive group of people. All this to say that at our house and in our classrooms we love Class Dojo!
Class Dojo is a website/app that can be used as a behavior management tool and a way to communicate in a very positive way with parents and students. We all used to use the old school behavior chart where Johnny moves his clip and misses recess. A lot of educators are starting to question that method. The amazing thing with kids is that they come in all shapes and sizes and they just don't all fit into that clip chart model. Class Dojo provides an alternative for the connected generation.
One of my favorite features is the option to message parents and send photos. I try to send messages to relay accomplishments in the classroom and send the occasional pic. I get the nicest messages back from parents. I feel super connected and appreciated when parents message me questions or praise the job that I am doing. Most parents want that involvement and feedback. Thanks Class Dojo for making that possible.
