INTRODUCTION

Hello, 

My name is Alizul Rosado, and my students call me "Ms. Zee." I've named this blog Point ZeeRo for two reason. The first, is the play on words with my name and I'm a huge fan of word games. The second reason requires a little more explanation. 

Perhaps you've heard the term, "All roads lead to Rome." Similarly, in Portuguese there is a saying that, "He/She with a mouth can get to Rome" (Quem tem boca vaia Roma). This idea that by asking questions and communicating, no matter where you are, can get you to where you want to go has always intrigued me. Communication, in all of its forms; subtle and explicit, is powerful. 

Additionally, I learned in my professional development of Conscious Discipline by Dr. Becky Bailey, that every behavior a student is exhibiting is a communication of their needs. This perspective has greatly changed the way that I both receive and approach my students and their behaviors within the classroom. Nonetheless, understanding that they are communicating is one thing, and knowing what to do next is a intentional practice. 

So how do we get our most needy students from where they are to a place of harmony in our relationship with them and the school community? How do we know when we're headed in the right direction with all of our students? How do we know when it's time to adjust the sails in our approach? While I have learned some parts of the answer to these questions, I have much further to go.

Did you know that many places around the world have a point from which distances are measured marked and labeled and called "Kilometer Zero?" In France, this place has it's own special name. It is called "Point Zero." As an American who grew up on a different system than the metric, thinking of this place as a point from which all other places are considered resonated with me. Also, if we think of the point zeros around the world as the measuring point for which all locations are measured, it can be considered the starting point for someone who is headed somewhere else.  

This blog is my Point Zero. 

Additionally, within teaching I think of Rome as the umbrella for all of the goals I have for my students and myself. I want my students to leave my classroom having experienced deeper learning and success within the academic environment. I also want to grow with each student that I interact with as I learn more about myself and teaching each and every day. What this means is that I will have to meet each student where they are and use communication to get us to our goals. While what comes from them is outside of my locus of control, on my end, explicit and consistent communication will be necessary. Also, the willingness to challenge my beliefs as I learn more about classroom management and interact with students in my classroom.

This blog is being created to fulfill a requirement for the Classroom Management course within my MAT program at NNU. However, I am certain that it will be useful in more ways than meeting due dates and deadlines. I look forward to sharing my learning with you, whatever may be the reason that you have arrived here.