Writing

I have begun something in my classroom that I find beneficial to me as well. I have instituted writing time. Every day for the first 10 minutes of class, students are to write in their writing journals. After we set up their journals (numbered pages, created a table of contents, etc.), they spent a week creating lists of topics. This week I had them choose a topic and write about it. A few grumbled, a few ignored me (darned kids), and a surprising number were thrilled.

The best part that I did though, was sit down and write in MY journal. I am finding how surprising it is that I can do it. I will just begin writing and do it for the entire 10 minutes. Then when the next class comes in for their class, I continue to write. I have been writing for about 30 minutes a day. I'm really quite proud of myself. I actually like what I have written too! I think that's what makes it so astounding.

I consider it to be something like the concept of "sleep when the baby sleeps". I write when my students write and it's working really well. They were surprised to see me writing when I first started doing it. I think that as a teacher, we forget to participate in our own teaching and use the quiet time to work at our desks. I like my writing time. I like feeling empowered by my words. I like writing something and realizing that I mean what I say. I told my students, especially those who claim they have nothing to write about, that I felt that way for the longest time. Now, however, I notice just how much I do have to write about.

We each created a list of people in our lives, mine took up three columns on one page in a composition notebook. Then, I started adding bits and pieces to each name that really stuck with me. I would add a little detail here and a note there. Now, I'm aware of how many little stories I have. I commented a while ago that I was planning to write a book. I just didn't know what I was planning to write it on. I now have an idea forming in my head, and I'm going to keep playing with it. Perhaps, I may be a writer after all. Now, if only I could teach it!

On a side note, I'm looking at career alternatives. Teaching is much too stressful with 8th graders, but I still like teaching. I'm thinking maybe something more corporate. Like a corporate trainer or something. Instead of being at those boring trainings, I could be conducting them. How cool is that?! Additionally, class number 1 for grad school is down and now on class #2. I hope it's all over sooner rather than later, but estimated graduation isn't until June 2011. Keep me in your thoughts, please. This juggling act isn't easy.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Changing is a good thing. It is required for personal, physical, mental and spiritual growth. If you are not changing, then you become stagnant and old, moldy and icky. Noting that, I have been going through many changes. Some of these changes scare the bejeebers out of me, others just make me happy.

First, I am teaching again next year. After things changed at Bubba's school, he was doing so much better and he and we decided that he would go to 3rd grade at his school. So, I will be teaching another year. This means that I will be switching to 8th grade next year. I'm terrified. These kids are so difficult in 5th grade, WHAT are they going to be like in 8th?? The gangs in the district are frightening and the particular school where I will be is having a principal change this year, so that means either good or bad things for the students and teachers.

I would also like to add that I only have 5 weeks of my summer left. I've only had 3 weeks so far. Teachers don't have it made like so many think. The only reason that I have that much time, is one of my trainings was cancelled. That's right, they take our summer for training.

I did interview for a position within the school district where I live, however, they opted to go with someone else. So that change is non-existent. At least I got the interview I suppose. I really wanted to work here though.

I cut off all my hair. Okay, not ALL but a lot. I went really short. I like it a lot. It's a big change for me, because, as Sean so kindly put it. I "haven't looked like that since high school". That pleases me. I'll post a new pic of me.


I am currently in school as well trying to obtain my Master's degree. It's only week three of a two year program. I am trying to remember WHY I wanted to do this. I love school, I'm very proud to be earning another degree, I just feel so tired right now, that I don't want to do anything with school. I'm in summer darn it. I want to enjoy what I have left. But this program won't let me do that. This first class ends the week that school starts and the next class begins right after that. No break. I guess this is how normal people do work. All the time. I just like having the summer to be.

I also had a very drastic change for me. It's not something that I haven't been running around and telling everyone about, or showing for that matter. I had something done for me. A little plastic surgery. The great thing is, now I can buy clothes and have them fit me! Right away! No having to alter, or just give up and put it back. I'm very pleased with the results.

So a lot of changes going on in my world. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle them, but I'm trying my best to be postive about them. Particularly my employment. It's difficult to feel good about working at a place where you have heard almost nothing but bad things. It really makes me anxious. Perhaps, I will be an active writer again, as I blabber on about things that no one cares about. You never know. It could be good reading, though I doubt it.

One other change...
I'm writing a book in my *cough* spare time. It's not a long book, it's just ideas right now, but I told my daughter a story and she loved it so much, she asked me to tell it to her again and again. So I decided I would write it down. At the very least, I can say I've written a book.

OK, done rambling....
Really.

End Of Days

As the school year comes to an end, I`m thankful that I`ve survived another stressful year. My homeroom students are awesome. I think I will actually miss them.

Tomorrow is field day. That means it will be hot, but a lot of fun. I like field day. My homeroom has cool shirts and I bought a whole outfit to go with it. Complete with knee-socks that have the stripes at the top. They are so cool! I`ll be sure to get pictures. Then I`ll be sure to actually post some of them.

Here's One...



All I know is that there are 7 school days left. I am taking one of those days off for My Son`s award day at school (perfect attendance two years in a row). That means only 6 days for me. Field day is one, a field trip another day, a party for the last day and that leaves only three actual instructional days. Beyond awesome ladies & gentleman. I`m thrilled to finally be at the end. 13 weeks of summer. Don`t think about the trainings that I have to go to. I wish teachers could actually have a full summer off, but sadly it doesn`t work that way.

All that really matters is I made it another year. Yay me!

Just be happy that I finally posted something new. :)

A Day in the Life...

I spent my entire day today at school doing mindless paper work. This is why I don’t want be a teacher anymore. The sheer amount of paperwork that we are required to do at any given moment is ridiculous. I have spent the last two weeks doing paperwork and that leaves me VERY little time for actual lesson planning.

People wonder WHY schools are becoming worse? It’s because teacher’s are so bogged down with work that their administrators require that they are unable to focus on developing creative and inspiring lesson plans. Students don’t like having to do worksheet after worksheet, and you know what, neither do we! It’s boring! Sadly, we do it because we have very little time to spend on coming up with lessons that would otherwise be interesting for both students and teacher.

I find it frustrating when people complain about why teachers are so terrible at their jobs, when they haven’t the first clue as to what is required in the job. I wake up each day between 5 and 5:30am and I’m lucky to be home by 6pm. I have preparations to make, planning to attempt to do, grading to finish (which I desperately need to do this weekend), intervention plans to work on, and small group lessons to develop. This will take days to complete, and that’s only part of everything. I can’t even put it all into words! There’s too much.

I hate that I come home from school more exhausted than my students. I hate that they have virtually no repercussions for their behaviors, which is why I don’t get to teach as much as I’d like. It’s insane when a fellow coworker is threatened by a student with a pair of scissors and he gets NOTHING done to him. Why? Good question. He has no emotional issues that are medically documented, yet he is treated as though he does, therefore, he’s let off the hook far too much. I wish he were the exception and not the rule, however, that isn’t the case any longer.

If you want to know why it’s difficult to keep teachers anymore? Just ask one, “How’s your work environment?” and you’ll have your answer really quickly.

A New Plan

After much discussion, Sean and I have come to the conclusion that I am clearly not happy doing what I do. Teaching at a school is just destroying me. The constant stress of having mountains of paperwork that never go away. The frustration of students that refuse to do their work and certainly don't care what you say isn't helpful at all either.

Then there is my son who is having difficulty in school. He is remarkably smart. More than the second grade level at which he is currently enrolled in his school. He attends school in a district separate from where I am teaching. I was hopeful that this district would be able to cater to his more hands-on needs that he certainly has. He really need to ‘mess with’ something to really understand it. While he is a sponge and will retain anything that he is told, his comprehension level is directly proportional to his hands-on activity. Unfortunately, his school doesn’t do very much of that. A realization that was disappointing to say the least.

So after the last few years of tears, both his and mine, and frustration, we have come to the conclusion that something had to give. I refuse to have a child in the school system that despises everything about it. I do not want to nurture the “I hate school” mentality that he has already developed. In fact I hope to change it completely into a more “I love learning” mentality. I am going to begin this process this fall when we start home schooling.

I know virtually nothing about home schooling. Actually I’m very nervous about it. I can teach a classroom of 5th graders all day long (it’s what I do now), but to teach my child. YIKES! Not only that, but I’m likely going to begin my daughter in kindergarten. She’s a year away from “school-age”, but I figure she’s ready. She’s wants to read so badly and can already do basic adding and subtracting. I might as well help her as well, right?

So, hang on for the strangest ride as I, the professional teacher, chuck the traditional teaching world for one in my own home. Who knows, maybe I really can change the world one child at a time. I guess I didn’t realize just which children it would be.

Funny How Things Play Out

Once upon a time, I was a dancer. I love the Ballet. Anything and everything to do with Ballet. It is my ultimate passion. So, not too long ago, I enrolled my daughter at a local dance studio. She loves dancing and any type of activity (like gymnastics) so I though it would be a good time.

I was talking with the studio owner and teacher, and telling her about how I used to dance and to pay for my habit (I was dancing six days a week) I began teaching classes. Now, I teach at my daughter's studio. I teach both ballet and jazz and will likely to pre-pointe and pointe classes as well.

The studio is S.M.A.L.L. for now, but I'm sure based on it's location that it won't take long for it to boom. I'm super excited about it. I began last week and teach only two days a week for now. That is all my schedule allows me. I intend to do a lot more in the future. Who knows where this could all end up.

The super fun thing is that I have been asked by the owner to put together a piece for the upcoming recital next month. EEEEK! I have got so much work to do, but I have no doubt that I will be able to accomplish this task. Nervous is what I am, but fabulous is what I will be!