Ahhh...100 degrees outside and back to work. I will miss you free time. I am awaiting your arrival cooler weather. Hurricanes: continue to stay away!
This time work is completely vague. I have been directed to do "inclusion" with my gifted students, but still have no clear view of how to pull that off without disrupting class. I will be internet searching all day tomorrow for the answers in my..............OFFICE!!! I do share with two other people, but luckily they aren't home based at my school, so I should have it for now. I won't need it much once I start teaching, but it's so nice to have a little space to do some work and have some quiet for IEP's and paperwork madness.
Oh yes. It will be madness. The paperwork is a jungle, and my machete will be ready!
That sounded more violent and aggressive than I meant...and I'm not particularly feeling that adventurous just yet. More like my butter knife will be ready.
Today this thought actually ran through my mind (be prepared to think I'm a moron):
"Thank God I'm wearing a dress. I can just keep spilling crumbs and they'll land in the dress and then I can pick it up and shake it out later."
Yeah....slob. I laughed at myself after thinking that because I knew it was pretty trashy...but then I finished my brownie and shook my dress out outside. So...I laughed at the truth.
I am learning to censor myself a little...so I can't comment a whole bunch on my job other than to say:
1. I work with a handful of pretty awesome people with great senses of humor and a good focus.
2. I've only met one student, but this student really made me excited about the opportunity I have to expand some horizons for some kids this year.
I'm definitely more excited about the actual teaching part of my job now that I've met a student, but I'm still so confused on what it is that people want me to do. I am hoping to find some good models and examples tomorrow during my search time. I can't meet kids on the first day since there is so much going on in their classes--new routines, expectations, etc. Plus there's the whole business side of things the first day--attendance when you don't know kids' names is a lot more time consuming.
I went from job to slob to job.
What else? I'm exhausted. I am FOR REAL going to be in bed in about 22 minutes (6 pm). I will be reading to relax for a bit, but then will hopefully be asleep around 7:30 because I have to be at work even earlier than the afore mentioned 6:55 tomorrow due to first day insanity. Parking could go awry, and this big ole pregnant lady ain't walking too far in the heat in the morning before her first day starts--I will not start off the year by sweating like a cow! I plan on wearing my suit coat, so I really want to make sure that I stay as cool as possible. Shoooo.
I have some things I want to vent about...things that frustrate me, but at this point they're directly related to my livelihood, so I will just have to bite the bullet! Teachers sure put up with some crap to keep their jobs...
(I personally don't have much crap to deal with actually--I guess I just witness other people's crap and get aggravated. The use of the word "crap" in this section has been taken a little too far.)
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teaching. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Back to school....back to school...
Back to your old high school to feel like a big ole fool.
Yeah...I have no classroom and no real department, so I just kind of wander around and leech onto the English department for now. My 9th grade English teacher is department chair (she's got a great sense of humor and I remember really enjoying that in 9th grade--I always felt like she was my smartest teacher), so her and the rest of that department are pretty cool. I generally just don't know anyone else, so where else would I go?
I hate that! I miss having a classroom. And, a set schedule, for that matter! I will be making my schedule up based on kids' needs, class schedules, and minutes per kid. It's going to be insane.
I'm meeting my first student tomorrow (a day before the kids get there) to talk to him about what he'd like to do or get from the gifted program. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm not sure how mature he'll be about it--how many kids would say, "I'd really like to learn more about..." in high school? Maybe I was just super lazy, and kids are actually like that.
Anyway--this wasn't technically my first day since I was in meetings all day Thursday and Friday, so I'm still counting this as summer. Wednesday will officially end summer. Especially since I'll have to be AT WORK at 6:55....versus today (8:30) and tomorrow (8:00).
AT WORK AT 6:55!!!!?????
I have some serious concerns about this. SERIOUS. I will let you know how successful I am after week one. I am sure nerves and excitement will get me up for the first few days...but when that wears off....what then??
After work I had a doctor's appointment. All good news--healthy as a horse. Doctor asked about birth plans--told her we want to go natural and I found out that you can birth in the tubs now!!! Yayyy!! I may have a water birth like a total hippie (no offense--especially since that'll be me now)! I'm so excited! We went to a birthing class associated with the hospital a week ago and they said you couldn't, but it has JUST been approved. This is big news for South Louisiana. We're moving into a less medicated era! :)
We've also discussed the squatting position for delivery and using the "birth bar" for that. That seems like the most natural position to me, but I'm not sure my thighs can support my weight in that position while using so much energy for so long....I don't want to collapse or anything.
After the doctor I went shopping. I have an addiction. It's rough. It's cardigans. I bought another one....and some colorful tanks to wear underneath. I currently own black and white everything, so I figured I should spice it up so it didn't look like I was wearing the same outfit daily at work. We'll call it a work wardrobe. The cool part was that I didn't have to buy a maternity size and some of the stuff was too big--even at 8 months pregnant. WOW. This is the skinniest I've felt in a while (boy does that tell you something). I think it's because I opted to eat just one piece of pizza today for lunch instead of the 3 I wanted.
Good job me.
(really i just didn't want to retain 8 pounds of water for my doctor's appointment in the afternoon)
Lastly: Video games.
I hate 'em usually. They suck my husband in for hours and I miss him. Well, tonight we took the PS3 to mom and dad's (they're not here tonight) and hooked it up to their huge tv to play. It was a fun little date idea. I think I drove B insane because I'm horrible.
It's too much going on--I can't keep track of which character I am or which way I'm facing or how to turn around fast enough to react. It's so overstimulating that I get stressed out and cuss like a sailor. Even simple games. It's sad really. However, now I get why students are so bored with classrooms--there is absolutely nothing going on in comparison to how much is going on in a computer game. Sheesh.
B's playing "Flower" now--it's really a pretty game. You are the breeze, and you blow petals through fields and each time you hit a flower a little musical cue plays and you pick up more petals. As you go through the game you pick up lots of petals and watch them blow through the air and you get rid of dead grass patches or ruined industrial garbage. It's pretty--and the music is pretty. I think it'll be a cool game for him to play with his little girl one day. Awwww. So far this is the only game I've really approved of for our child.
Side note: We don't have cable/watch tv at all. I'm way excited about this for our baby--I'm hoping we can really get her into reading and activity. However, I do want to get the Sesame St. Old School DVD's (some of them) for her--those were always so awesome. That way we'll have something when she gets older that we know we like.
Okay--LOTS of words tonight and no pictures. Here's a picture of the cardigan I bought. :)
Oldnavy...they apparently have a billion cardigans for sale right now....which is bad for a cardigan junkie. I don't know when I adopted this style, but I could wear a cardigan every day...and almost do. Sorry future coworkers.
Yeah...I have no classroom and no real department, so I just kind of wander around and leech onto the English department for now. My 9th grade English teacher is department chair (she's got a great sense of humor and I remember really enjoying that in 9th grade--I always felt like she was my smartest teacher), so her and the rest of that department are pretty cool. I generally just don't know anyone else, so where else would I go?
I hate that! I miss having a classroom. And, a set schedule, for that matter! I will be making my schedule up based on kids' needs, class schedules, and minutes per kid. It's going to be insane.
I'm meeting my first student tomorrow (a day before the kids get there) to talk to him about what he'd like to do or get from the gifted program. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm not sure how mature he'll be about it--how many kids would say, "I'd really like to learn more about..." in high school? Maybe I was just super lazy, and kids are actually like that.
Anyway--this wasn't technically my first day since I was in meetings all day Thursday and Friday, so I'm still counting this as summer. Wednesday will officially end summer. Especially since I'll have to be AT WORK at 6:55....versus today (8:30) and tomorrow (8:00).
AT WORK AT 6:55!!!!?????
I have some serious concerns about this. SERIOUS. I will let you know how successful I am after week one. I am sure nerves and excitement will get me up for the first few days...but when that wears off....what then??
After work I had a doctor's appointment. All good news--healthy as a horse. Doctor asked about birth plans--told her we want to go natural and I found out that you can birth in the tubs now!!! Yayyy!! I may have a water birth like a total hippie (no offense--especially since that'll be me now)! I'm so excited! We went to a birthing class associated with the hospital a week ago and they said you couldn't, but it has JUST been approved. This is big news for South Louisiana. We're moving into a less medicated era! :)
We've also discussed the squatting position for delivery and using the "birth bar" for that. That seems like the most natural position to me, but I'm not sure my thighs can support my weight in that position while using so much energy for so long....I don't want to collapse or anything.
After the doctor I went shopping. I have an addiction. It's rough. It's cardigans. I bought another one....and some colorful tanks to wear underneath. I currently own black and white everything, so I figured I should spice it up so it didn't look like I was wearing the same outfit daily at work. We'll call it a work wardrobe. The cool part was that I didn't have to buy a maternity size and some of the stuff was too big--even at 8 months pregnant. WOW. This is the skinniest I've felt in a while (boy does that tell you something). I think it's because I opted to eat just one piece of pizza today for lunch instead of the 3 I wanted.
Good job me.
(really i just didn't want to retain 8 pounds of water for my doctor's appointment in the afternoon)
Lastly: Video games.
I hate 'em usually. They suck my husband in for hours and I miss him. Well, tonight we took the PS3 to mom and dad's (they're not here tonight) and hooked it up to their huge tv to play. It was a fun little date idea. I think I drove B insane because I'm horrible.
It's too much going on--I can't keep track of which character I am or which way I'm facing or how to turn around fast enough to react. It's so overstimulating that I get stressed out and cuss like a sailor. Even simple games. It's sad really. However, now I get why students are so bored with classrooms--there is absolutely nothing going on in comparison to how much is going on in a computer game. Sheesh.
B's playing "Flower" now--it's really a pretty game. You are the breeze, and you blow petals through fields and each time you hit a flower a little musical cue plays and you pick up more petals. As you go through the game you pick up lots of petals and watch them blow through the air and you get rid of dead grass patches or ruined industrial garbage. It's pretty--and the music is pretty. I think it'll be a cool game for him to play with his little girl one day. Awwww. So far this is the only game I've really approved of for our child.
Side note: We don't have cable/watch tv at all. I'm way excited about this for our baby--I'm hoping we can really get her into reading and activity. However, I do want to get the Sesame St. Old School DVD's (some of them) for her--those were always so awesome. That way we'll have something when she gets older that we know we like.
Okay--LOTS of words tonight and no pictures. Here's a picture of the cardigan I bought. :)Oldnavy...they apparently have a billion cardigans for sale right now....which is bad for a cardigan junkie. I don't know when I adopted this style, but I could wear a cardigan every day...and almost do. Sorry future coworkers.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Let the Fun Begin!!!
I went to my first meeting as a teacher at my new school today (or...new place of employment, since I attended school there for four years)! I have lots of feelings about it...
1. The coach epidemic was more prevalent than I had hoped...at least two of the new people hired are strictly PE...even though half of the staff is PE already...how does the school afford this and justify it? Am I going to get fired for asking this? Sorryyyy.
2. I remember being a student there and hating it...I hope that doesn't affect how I interact with kids.
3. Some of my teachers are still there...will that make me more of a wuss and less confident? There are also former classmates working there, and I was one goofy fool back then. I still am, but not in a professional setting....will seeing those two worlds collide be weird and make me act dumb? The good news about both of these: I can blame it on pregnancy hormones!!
4. Gifted education isn't a priority at all at this school (or maybe it is for some people now and that's why I'm here). I am going to be fighting a battle to get these kids what they need--but not necessarily a battle with teachers and resources and administration. The kids themselves (older ones at least) are going to be a little put off by the idea of trying something new that requires more thought or more effort or possibly even some work on their part. What high school kid wants more to be responsible for? I have a job ahead of me as far as planning goes. I may have to plan something different for each individual in a lot of cases.
5. A lot of people don't know what gifted is...will I be teaching staff about this at some point so we can maybe get a little support for the kids? Will the kids feel labeled and get made fun of? I think that's more of a middle school problem than high school--what high schooler doesn't want to be acknowledged for being smart?
Okay--enough feelings.
At the "training" today there were some memorable quotes:
"There's me some Language"
"Front row for Billy Sue"......Billy......and Sue.......is it just me on this?
I had to get fingerprinted for the fourth year in a row this year. Maybe I should chill on the job switching, huh? Last year was for the Catholic school I was working for--not a new job, but still....I feel like a criminal.
Highlight of the day: pop tarts for lunch--blueberry!!
Sad, I know. It'll be better once B gets home and I've had some time to lay around. I don't know how I'll do on a full day of work. I just did 9-3 today!
The constant rain is helping me relax a lot--love it! (but want it to stop before I have to go to work regularly)
1. The coach epidemic was more prevalent than I had hoped...at least two of the new people hired are strictly PE...even though half of the staff is PE already...how does the school afford this and justify it? Am I going to get fired for asking this? Sorryyyy.
2. I remember being a student there and hating it...I hope that doesn't affect how I interact with kids.
3. Some of my teachers are still there...will that make me more of a wuss and less confident? There are also former classmates working there, and I was one goofy fool back then. I still am, but not in a professional setting....will seeing those two worlds collide be weird and make me act dumb? The good news about both of these: I can blame it on pregnancy hormones!!
4. Gifted education isn't a priority at all at this school (or maybe it is for some people now and that's why I'm here). I am going to be fighting a battle to get these kids what they need--but not necessarily a battle with teachers and resources and administration. The kids themselves (older ones at least) are going to be a little put off by the idea of trying something new that requires more thought or more effort or possibly even some work on their part. What high school kid wants more to be responsible for? I have a job ahead of me as far as planning goes. I may have to plan something different for each individual in a lot of cases.
5. A lot of people don't know what gifted is...will I be teaching staff about this at some point so we can maybe get a little support for the kids? Will the kids feel labeled and get made fun of? I think that's more of a middle school problem than high school--what high schooler doesn't want to be acknowledged for being smart?
Okay--enough feelings.
At the "training" today there were some memorable quotes:
"There's me some Language"
"Front row for Billy Sue"......Billy......and Sue.......is it just me on this?
I had to get fingerprinted for the fourth year in a row this year. Maybe I should chill on the job switching, huh? Last year was for the Catholic school I was working for--not a new job, but still....I feel like a criminal.
Highlight of the day: pop tarts for lunch--blueberry!!
Sad, I know. It'll be better once B gets home and I've had some time to lay around. I don't know how I'll do on a full day of work. I just did 9-3 today!
The constant rain is helping me relax a lot--love it! (but want it to stop before I have to go to work regularly)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)