Hello all! I am currently living west of Lubbock, Texas. I will be teaching 7th grade math (and a couple of 8th grade math classes) next year.

I was introduced to WBT by a wonderful motivational speaker by the name of Hal Bowman (I sure hope I spelled this correctly). He was the keynote speaker for my district's opening ceremonies this past school year. His message was of a completely different nature, but at the end of his presentation, he showed Chris Biffle's example video, and I thought it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen, educationally, that is. I was so wrapped up with implementing a new program at my school, and dealing with all of the requirements for this program, that it was just not a good time to introduce WBT in my classroom. Several months went by, and I almost forgot about WBT until I heard that another teacher on my campus was using some of the components. I immediately went to observe her and get some feeback.

As it turns out, I moved halfway through the school year and became a 7th and 8th grade English and reading teacher. I knew I was coming into a difficult situation (it was difficult for a variety of reasons), so I started reading everything I could find and watching all the videos I could find. I began introducing a few of the components during the last few months of school last year, and the students responded well. Now that a new year is upon us, I am planning to use full-blown WBT, as well as spread the word of WBT to anybody who will listen.

Because I am going to be teaching math, I plan to use the SuperSpeed Math for my drills for sure. I have also recently learned three of my classes will be for students who have failed or come close to failing our state assessment, so I am excited that I could help them close some achievement gaps through WBT.

My biggest concern is how my neighbor teachers will respond. I have no problem with a lively, "loud" classroom (it comes from my preschool teacher days). But I have heard that the teachers on either side of my new classroom have often asked other teachers to "quiet it down." YIKES! How should I respond to this? I don't want to make enemies as I am the "new kid on the block."

Well first hello from a fellow Lubbockite! Isn't WBT awesome? I am moving to Kindergarten this year from Pre-K over at Rise Academy! It is one of the public charter schools here in Lubbock on the east side of the city! Please please please....lets have coffee! LOL! It would be nice to meet a fellow WBT teacher that is starting out the new year with it for the first time!

So...now on to your question. I totally understand your situation! We are in portables (non permanent buildings) and well I have already been squawked at about the noise in my classroom....just from teaching summer school this summer. This is how I handled it....

First there are some aspects of the program that you can control the noise level. I like you have a high tolerance for noise in the classroom. However my neighboring teacher (who unfortunately already doesn't like me) does not. When my kids are doing teach/okay I have instructed them and rehearsed the level that their voices need to be at...it is loud enough for their partner to hear but and me hear if I am standing next to them but not if I am across the room. This definitely took some practice...but what is the saying? PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT! It requires a little more walking around on my part to do comprehension check but hey I need the exercise! The next is the score board...my classroom is set up in 2 person pods. So when we get a smilie we give HIGH FIVES. When we get a frownie we simply give a might "UGH" .... kinda like the child who is stomping off after not getting his way? Does that make sense.

The class/yes...well that is just one they have to get over! Although...as time progresses you can control that too since you aren't really having to talk over your children too much!

I really would love to sit and chat! Email me sometime! Good luck and GO RAIDERS!

Farrah Shipley
Rise Academy
Kindergarten

TOTALLY! YES!!! We do need to get together and develop a plan to spread the word to this area. I really need to bring some new, innovative ideas to the district I'm now working for. I know with back-to-school around the corner, time is running out. But I do plan to be in Lubbock this Wednesday (Aug. 12) to do a little shoe shopping.

Hi!

We have a Texas Whole Brain Teaching group most of us are closer to Dallas, but we would love to visit the Lubbock area anytime!! You can contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - we have people from all grade levels... Keep watch for another Texas Workshop - we are working on plans now!

I am so sorry I didn't get back to you before Wed. I was in the middle of pre-service and it was just hectic. Start back tomorrow...so send those 10 finger woos my way!

Farrah Shipley