My principal recently nominated me for an Educator of Excellence award with the Minnesota Rural Educators Association. It was nice to be recognized, and the nomination included writing a letter of reflection. It was a chance for me to reflect on my 25 years here at NRHEG, and I thought I would share it with you this week.
Fans of the show The Office know that Dwight Schrutte is jokingly called “Assistant TO the Regional Manager,” a position without any benefit other than having a say in some things around the workplace. This past year, as NRHEG works its way through pandemic teaching, my co-workers have dubbed me “Assistant TO the Principal,” another position without any compensation, but one which is necessary to work with administration to complete important tasks as we sail through uncharted waters.
Little did I think, back in 1996 when Mr. Rich Lorenz called to offer me a job at New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, that I would be anything other than an English teacher and a coach. For one thing, growing up in New Ulm, population 13,000; and going to college in Winona, population 25,000; I couldn’t imagine that 25 years later I would never consider living in communities that large again. The 700 people in Ellendale feel like family, and I’ve discovered that teaching in a truly rural community was what I was meant to do.
One of the reasons I was hired was to help raise reading scores on the Basic Standards Test. The district had been in the low 40% range the year before I arrived. We jumped over 20% the first year with some tutoring and classroom ideas I implemented. We continued to rise to the 80-90% range every year as we incorporated programs to work with kids in the summer on their reading skills. When I eventually moved to full-time in the classroom, I was pleased with the environment we had created.
After I completed my Master’s program, I really shifted my classroom and zeroed in on the important skills of reading comprehension, writing, and public speaking. My students, by the end of being in my classroom for two years, will produce 8-10 page stories, give 2-4 minute speeches, and discover books that they will remember forever. My favorite example of that is a former student who had the phrase “Stay Gold” tattooed on her back because reading The Outsiders in 7th grade had such a profound impact on her life.
I helped create the Honors program for our 7th-10th graders six years ago, an effort to recognize the students who need to be challenged and to help better prepare them for our college classes that are offered. Honors English has allowed the teachers of those sections not only to let those students fly higher, but also to retool our curriculum to help the students in the other sections who need more help to get to at least grade level in their skills. The best part of my Honors 8th grade class is joining them as they engage in National Novel Writing Month each November to craft 10,000 word stories - they amaze me with their creativity every year!
I began using a version of Standards-Based Grading about eight years ago and have been working with some of my peers to implement it in their classrooms. My students and parents, once they adjust to it, love this form of grading. It is simple and straightforward, and it allows for ample opportunities to redo work and get better at their skills. Ideas like this, which make the classroom a better place for all students, are always at the forefront of my planning.
I am currently planning for a new novel next year for 8th grade. I’ve been searching for more multicultural material for my students; in our small communities, there is not much diversity, and I want them to appreciate and respect other cultures and races when they encounter them. However, finding a novel that has modern appeal to teenagers involves stories with profanity. A survey has been sent to the parents of the students who might read something like this next year, as I seek their comfort level and concerns. I have received tremendous feedback and am engaging in fantastic discussions with some of them to gauge whether this would be accepted in our communities.
I might even get a column for the local paper out of that process. It’s been a joy to write a weekly column titled “Whatever Flips Your Waffle” for the NRHEG Star-Eagle, and to talk to people all around who read it each week. I’ve gotten to know many more people through their emails, phone calls, and even walking up to me at a store or on the street to introduce themselves. I’ve found that the more I can engage in the community and establish those connections, the more support I have in my classroom. Even if a student is the oldest child in the family, many of the parents have heard of Mr. Domeier and the unique classroom he has, surrounded by Star Wars, superheroes, and so many books to loan to students that his teaching assistant had to start a file to keep track of them all!
As I climbed to my socially-distanced perch recently before a basketball game, ready both to announce in the gym and provide play-by-play to those watching the live stream, I thought, “How did I get here?” Not just my role at athletic events that allows for even more connections with the kids and their families, but just the great place in life at which I’ve arrived. It’s been by far the most difficult year of my professional career, but I’m still happy and excited to go to work each day. I thrill at having so many busy evenings watching kids compete for the love of their sport. I look forward to many more years at NRHEG and finding additional ways to be a better teacher to my students, a better member of my community, and a continued leader in the school and town.
Word of the Week: This week’s word is diffidence, which means timidity or shyness, as in, “The teacher may have shown diffidence when he started, but after a few years became quite outgoing and vocal.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!