Ever play "I have this, but not that, so I can't make this" in your cupboards? Eventually all you can do is just eat cereal. ha ha. I also frequently play "I'd make this, if my dishes were clean". Sometimes it just isn't worth doing dishes, or even doing the dishes after you make it. :) What I do to avoid doing dishes. It is time to go to the grocery store. I'm not going for another 12 days or so. There could be some creative cooking between now and then. I just really have to remember my list when I finally go. That's the worst to forget your list..or leave that one thing off your list you really needed.
Something else great happened today. A few of the girls from the volleyball team thanked me for my efforts getting them games and making it happen while we were on summer vacation. I thought that was really sweet. I didn't feel like I had gotten them enough games but it was much more than they'd had in the past. We ordered them new uniforms this year. They really liked them and were pretty excited. They fit them better than the old ones and they fit them. I know that was repetitive but you should've seen the scary uniforms from last year. I was embarrassed for them. So they have new ones that look really nice and they don't look like streetwalkers ahem.
I have been requesting black ink for my printer since April of last year. I asked the secretary to only order me black. I said color is a bonus but just get black and get extra. The order came today with one black cartridge. UUGGH! Seriously. I can't figure out why she ordered some of what she ordered. Things like pens, and ink, and tape we ordered the minimum. I don't know.... what can you do.
The superintendent came to our school today to look at our portable. They are talking about donating it to the town clinic. The secretary thought they should have the clinic at the portable at the school. I do NOT think this is a good idea. The kids out at recess, the public going into the clinic right there? I hope this doesn't happen. I guess if I needed an antibiotic I could go on my lunch 1/2 hour lol. Nawww, kidding. They already have land the clinic presently sits on but the building itself is pretty scary. I really don't know what to think about it, we'll see what happens.
I mentioned that I have two student aids. Thank goodness for them because they are getting way more done for me that my classroom aid. They also come in with a really positive attitude and are willing to help. What more can you ask for? I need to do some desk re-arranging this weekend. I think most teachers do this about a gazillion times in a school year. :)
August 30, 2012
August 29, 2012
I'm gonna make it!
Day three of the first week of school. I think we were all feeling it today. I've been getting to school at six in the morning and leaving at five. This catches up with one pretty quickly. My students requested last year that we begin every morning with patriotic songs. I thought "Why not?". So I made a play list of some of the shorter songs along with lyric packets for the students. We started this morning with "This Land Is Your Land." One of the high school students comes every morning to pick up one of the elementary students. They say the pledge together. It is pretty fun for both of them. Every week a different student does it. I think the older and the younger students look forward to it!
It needs to keep cooling down. We left the lights off in the school building today, and left them off in my classroom all day. It keeps the heat down but it is still miserable in the afternoon.One of my classroom aides told me today she can't wait for winter! How often do you hear that? That's how hot our classrooms are!
Makes it pretty hard to keep everyone going. I've really had to make sure the kids are drinking enough water. My new kindergarten student has fallen asleep at his desk both of his school days in the afternoon. It is a long, long, day for the little guys.
Our principal was at the school for awhile today. She said I could move the amplification system into my room. So I am excited about that. I don't know how soon it will happen but I am glad. It will save my voice especially in the winter, and I can make sure all of my students can hear me. It is an issue in my room when the fans are running to beat the heat.
I am feeling spread a little thin in my classroom. My aide isn't even attempting to help. yay! I keep sending kids to her. I realized on the math today she didn't know the math to help them. Other than that though she isn't even trying. Pray for me to have patience, or her to move on, or both!
I've been making my students write a lot more in every subject area. Some of them are NOT enjoying this. It is important they do it, but some of them really, really, fight it. We are doing math notebooks this year. I can tell this is really challenging them because they are not adapting very quickly to the concept. That makes me glad I am doing it. I also mentioned yesterday I tried a different strategy on them. I realized yesterday it works well, but I need a little more prep time. Good thing this weekend is a three day weekend so I can look ahead and get some lessons in place.
We managed to get six computers working so I was able to give my students one of their pre-assessments this morning. I have about six help tickets into our tech department. Hopefully, he can get it done on Friday. I I was a little disappointed that more wasn't done. However, when you're one guy trying to get the whole district going with newer computers it isn't easy. I haven't learned yet not to have expectations. I can't get on the SMART Board exchange site which is really bumming me out. I find great lessons on my home computer but don't have access at school. Which makes perfect sense doesn't it?
I am reading "Red Sails of Capri" to my students. I think their favorite character in the story is the mom Signora Pagano. The father says she doesn't cook by smell, by taste, or by sight, but by talking to the food. Today their was a great part about cooking macaroni. My kids laughed so hard I imagine they will be telling their parents "Macaroni is Jealous, it likes all of your time and attention, turn your back on it and just for spite it turns to mush, sticks to the bottom of the pan, or burns." This is paraphrased but my students loved it! I love how they can get into a good story! It was funny when I asked questions about the story I didn't expect my new kindergartner to answer any. He was paying closer attention than I realized and was able to answer some questions! Fantastic! We are reading such a variety of stories this year. It will be interesting to see which ones the kids really relate to.
Welll I think I am working my way to bed time
G'nite
It needs to keep cooling down. We left the lights off in the school building today, and left them off in my classroom all day. It keeps the heat down but it is still miserable in the afternoon.One of my classroom aides told me today she can't wait for winter! How often do you hear that? That's how hot our classrooms are!
Makes it pretty hard to keep everyone going. I've really had to make sure the kids are drinking enough water. My new kindergarten student has fallen asleep at his desk both of his school days in the afternoon. It is a long, long, day for the little guys.
Our principal was at the school for awhile today. She said I could move the amplification system into my room. So I am excited about that. I don't know how soon it will happen but I am glad. It will save my voice especially in the winter, and I can make sure all of my students can hear me. It is an issue in my room when the fans are running to beat the heat.
I am feeling spread a little thin in my classroom. My aide isn't even attempting to help. yay! I keep sending kids to her. I realized on the math today she didn't know the math to help them. Other than that though she isn't even trying. Pray for me to have patience, or her to move on, or both!
I've been making my students write a lot more in every subject area. Some of them are NOT enjoying this. It is important they do it, but some of them really, really, fight it. We are doing math notebooks this year. I can tell this is really challenging them because they are not adapting very quickly to the concept. That makes me glad I am doing it. I also mentioned yesterday I tried a different strategy on them. I realized yesterday it works well, but I need a little more prep time. Good thing this weekend is a three day weekend so I can look ahead and get some lessons in place.
We managed to get six computers working so I was able to give my students one of their pre-assessments this morning. I have about six help tickets into our tech department. Hopefully, he can get it done on Friday. I I was a little disappointed that more wasn't done. However, when you're one guy trying to get the whole district going with newer computers it isn't easy. I haven't learned yet not to have expectations. I can't get on the SMART Board exchange site which is really bumming me out. I find great lessons on my home computer but don't have access at school. Which makes perfect sense doesn't it?
I am reading "Red Sails of Capri" to my students. I think their favorite character in the story is the mom Signora Pagano. The father says she doesn't cook by smell, by taste, or by sight, but by talking to the food. Today their was a great part about cooking macaroni. My kids laughed so hard I imagine they will be telling their parents "Macaroni is Jealous, it likes all of your time and attention, turn your back on it and just for spite it turns to mush, sticks to the bottom of the pan, or burns." This is paraphrased but my students loved it! I love how they can get into a good story! It was funny when I asked questions about the story I didn't expect my new kindergartner to answer any. He was paying closer attention than I realized and was able to answer some questions! Fantastic! We are reading such a variety of stories this year. It will be interesting to see which ones the kids really relate to.
Welll I think I am working my way to bed time
G'nite
August 27, 2012
What I learned today!
I learned some cool stuff today. I tried a different strategy for teaching math to my students. Trying a different method on your students is a little bit scary. It didn't go perfectly but I saw such an increase in their understanding so I was glad I did it. I figured out from this experiment how to reorganize it to make it work better during the next lessons! I wish I had been brave enough to try it earlier but so goes learning. If you're not learning from your students... you need to go do something else. Luckily children are so forgiving and don't always know when you did an oops, or if they do they're forgiving!
In the usual style for this district. Only two of my classroom computers would turn on. They turned on but you could not log in to them. A couple of them the screens didn't work and one didn't have any cords to plug it in. Why do I trust in other people that they will get it done and that it will all work? WHY?? Oh well even if I could've had the students log in to the computers, none of their names or I.D. numbers had been entered. So we couldn't use our online assessment programs. On the upside I have been BEGGING for a voice amplification system for my classroom. I have a tendency to lose my voice fairly often, or stress it. I had one of these systems at my previous job. The research says it helps with teacher fatigue, and student understanding. The students do not miss as much information. They found one for me in the school. The OTHER part of this equation is that It needs to get installed...yes I am probably optimistic about this happening. Anyhow, I am excited by the possibility of getting this.
I also had a chance to have a chance with our "new to our school" teacher. I was curious about what he thought about our staff meeting. It was the biggest relief to hear him voice his thoughts which so matched my own. "That was the most unprofessional staff meeting I have ever been to". Unfortunately after the year last year it was NOT the most unprofessional staff meeting I had ever been to. He also said that the principal didn't really want to be involved, didn't want to hear of or deal with any issues. The principal just wants us to do our jobs and not ask anything of her. Luckily the majority of the staff is self motivated. However, it makes it extremely difficult to get those holding us back to do anything! It also gives power and control to people who mishandle it. Sigh. I finally decided today it would be much easier to work with this kind of principal that a micro-manager. I do wish the principal cared.
It was so great to see all the kids again! Four of my students read 100 books this summer. That is one-third of my class. It really is huge! I had to go get their ice cream certificates tonight so they would not be disappointed. The ladies at the cafe were pretty excited about it. They will give the kids thumbs up when they go redeem them. So that is a great thing!
It is supposed to cool off a little next week! That will be good because we were all dreaming of swamp coolers today. My classroom stays the hottest year round. I think it is because it is in the middle of the other classrooms and has the most windows! It is nice in the winter but this time of year, not so great! I decided to make my day a little easier by giving my classroom aide a daily task list. That way if she has any free time she knows exactly what do to. Especially if I get pulled from the room for something else. I am noticing her patience with the kids isn't great. It wasn't great before pregnancy though. I know we aren't always teaching them things that are exciting for us. We have to be excited about their learning because it is very important to them. If they find it fun they will learn a little quicker.
I am sooooo tired after the first day. I plan on going in early tomorrow. G'nite all
In the usual style for this district. Only two of my classroom computers would turn on. They turned on but you could not log in to them. A couple of them the screens didn't work and one didn't have any cords to plug it in. Why do I trust in other people that they will get it done and that it will all work? WHY?? Oh well even if I could've had the students log in to the computers, none of their names or I.D. numbers had been entered. So we couldn't use our online assessment programs. On the upside I have been BEGGING for a voice amplification system for my classroom. I have a tendency to lose my voice fairly often, or stress it. I had one of these systems at my previous job. The research says it helps with teacher fatigue, and student understanding. The students do not miss as much information. They found one for me in the school. The OTHER part of this equation is that It needs to get installed...yes I am probably optimistic about this happening. Anyhow, I am excited by the possibility of getting this.
I also had a chance to have a chance with our "new to our school" teacher. I was curious about what he thought about our staff meeting. It was the biggest relief to hear him voice his thoughts which so matched my own. "That was the most unprofessional staff meeting I have ever been to". Unfortunately after the year last year it was NOT the most unprofessional staff meeting I had ever been to. He also said that the principal didn't really want to be involved, didn't want to hear of or deal with any issues. The principal just wants us to do our jobs and not ask anything of her. Luckily the majority of the staff is self motivated. However, it makes it extremely difficult to get those holding us back to do anything! It also gives power and control to people who mishandle it. Sigh. I finally decided today it would be much easier to work with this kind of principal that a micro-manager. I do wish the principal cared.
It was so great to see all the kids again! Four of my students read 100 books this summer. That is one-third of my class. It really is huge! I had to go get their ice cream certificates tonight so they would not be disappointed. The ladies at the cafe were pretty excited about it. They will give the kids thumbs up when they go redeem them. So that is a great thing!
It is supposed to cool off a little next week! That will be good because we were all dreaming of swamp coolers today. My classroom stays the hottest year round. I think it is because it is in the middle of the other classrooms and has the most windows! It is nice in the winter but this time of year, not so great! I decided to make my day a little easier by giving my classroom aide a daily task list. That way if she has any free time she knows exactly what do to. Especially if I get pulled from the room for something else. I am noticing her patience with the kids isn't great. It wasn't great before pregnancy though. I know we aren't always teaching them things that are exciting for us. We have to be excited about their learning because it is very important to them. If they find it fun they will learn a little quicker.
I am sooooo tired after the first day. I plan on going in early tomorrow. G'nite all
August 26, 2012
Here they come....
Ready or not here they come! First day of school tomorrow. I worked most of last week and all weekend. I am starting way more organized than I started last year, but I still feel there is room for improvement. My classroom aide came in for awhile. She is barely pregnant, told everyone, it is a high risk pregnancy, and is hormonal as heck! She couldn't control herself at all in the professional setting so I can only imagine what she is like at home. Pray for me to have some patience. Generally the majority of my patience is reserved for my students. If you want to suck it away from me... you're way, way, down on the list!
I rearranged my classroom and I am much happier with it and feel like the students have more room. I also feel it is more functional. My aide is cranky about it. I think it is a much more workable plan for my students and that is what counts! I just want to improve on my skills every year. If you aren't helping me get there please get out of the way!
I tried to be optimistic after our school meeting with the staff and the principal. I am not feeling very optimistic though. Some of the things the principal had to say sounded good, some did not. The principal likened us to a group of people pushing a wheel. A wheel that has been sitting for a long time and takes the whole team to get any kind of movement. The principal doesn't want to hear about any impediments or obstacles in front of the wheel, we all just need to push. This was a little frustrating for me because we have staff members throwing speed bumps, and other obstacles in the wheels path. They constantly do this. If the principal doesn't deal with those people the principal is in the way as well. I will share more of the meeting later.
I am very excited to have my students back tomorrow. All the other stuff aside, they are the most important thing! They are why I keep showing up! One of my students in second grade this year made it to the national finals rodeo for kids! She is phenomenal! I can't wait to hear about their summers. I gave the students a 100 book challenge at the end of the school year! I know a few of them made it and read more than that, but it will be interesting to find out about the rest. Of course the teacher's kids barely read this summer. That makes perfect sense doesn't it? How can you preach the value of reading and not have your kids reading? I don't get it! I am starting our first read aloud book tomorrow "The Red Sails of Capri".
We have a cross country team this year but I can't seem to get a hold of anyone about cross country meets! Sheesh! Wish me luck! I will just keep asking until SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE, can tell me SOMETHING! I start my online class soon, have to finish getting my STEM project together, and well... I am signing off to hit the showers! Wish me luck on the first day back to school!
I rearranged my classroom and I am much happier with it and feel like the students have more room. I also feel it is more functional. My aide is cranky about it. I think it is a much more workable plan for my students and that is what counts! I just want to improve on my skills every year. If you aren't helping me get there please get out of the way!
I tried to be optimistic after our school meeting with the staff and the principal. I am not feeling very optimistic though. Some of the things the principal had to say sounded good, some did not. The principal likened us to a group of people pushing a wheel. A wheel that has been sitting for a long time and takes the whole team to get any kind of movement. The principal doesn't want to hear about any impediments or obstacles in front of the wheel, we all just need to push. This was a little frustrating for me because we have staff members throwing speed bumps, and other obstacles in the wheels path. They constantly do this. If the principal doesn't deal with those people the principal is in the way as well. I will share more of the meeting later.
I am very excited to have my students back tomorrow. All the other stuff aside, they are the most important thing! They are why I keep showing up! One of my students in second grade this year made it to the national finals rodeo for kids! She is phenomenal! I can't wait to hear about their summers. I gave the students a 100 book challenge at the end of the school year! I know a few of them made it and read more than that, but it will be interesting to find out about the rest. Of course the teacher's kids barely read this summer. That makes perfect sense doesn't it? How can you preach the value of reading and not have your kids reading? I don't get it! I am starting our first read aloud book tomorrow "The Red Sails of Capri".
We have a cross country team this year but I can't seem to get a hold of anyone about cross country meets! Sheesh! Wish me luck! I will just keep asking until SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE, can tell me SOMETHING! I start my online class soon, have to finish getting my STEM project together, and well... I am signing off to hit the showers! Wish me luck on the first day back to school!
August 20, 2012
Getting Ready..
I am not sure if a teacher is EVER completely ready for the school year. I have A LOT to get done in the next 7 days. Three of those days I am TRAPPED in meetings. I hope they are worthwhile. All I can do is HOPE!
I rearranged a lot in my classroom to make it more functional... I think. :) We'll see how it works... when you rearrange something though you have to make a mess to make it happen. I spent most of today trying to get it put back together. I still have a lot to do but I did get a lot done in between procrastinating. I finished over the weekend copying all of my tests for the whole school year, and dailies. I hoped to get all the homework done...but hey... I did get a lot done! I even spent time laminating. I hate laminating... I'm glad we have a laminating machine though. It is a tedious job. You have to wait for the machine to heat up, then you laminate, then you have to haul your mountain of plastic to your classroom, and then you spend A LOT of time with scissors. I have given others the laminating job only to regret it. They overlap things etc. The cutting part seems to be more manageable for most.
I have a high school classroom aide again this year. Maybe she can catch me up on things! I pay her in lollipops and goldfish! The goldfish cracker folks...not actual goldfish. It is amazing what the H.S. kids will do for food.
In between all of my classroom work I have been working on the girls Volleyball Schedule. It is difficult to get them enough games because we have to play independent. We have to play independent because last year the girls forfeited to many times. I heard a lot of complaining about the old A.D. but I am getting more and more of the picture that he was virtually successful in killing the athletic program at our school. I made a phone call this summer and got a friend to come and do a volleyball camp in this town. He did a great job and I got a lot of positive feedback. One of the girls refused to go to the camp because "I know everything there is to know about volleyball". "really? You don't have room for improvement?" "Nope". Okay how do you argue with that bad attitude. To have a team we have to ask everyone to play. I think we have enough girls we can bench this one and her attitude.
I have 2 classes I am taking this fall. Well one goes all year but they both involve a lot of work this fall. I can do it! One of my student's mom makes the BEST homemade bread. She invited me over for a Making Bread day. So I MUST find time for this! I also managed to clean out our "Ball Room" the place where we stored all of our athletic equipment and P.E. Supplies. In the past it was a "free-for-all" organizational method. The kids were allowed to play with anything w/o supervision. To retrain their brains, the staffs brains, etc. I had to go the other extreme. Take it all away and slowly let them earn it back. The room is now off limits to students. However, to make sure they understand that I knew I couldn't leave anything in there. Sooo....It has been emptied. This process will also allow me time to go through it all when I have time. Then I can see what needs replacing, is broken, missing, etc.
The guy who will be coaching boys basketball is driving me a bit batty. He seems to be under the impression a gym only exists for Basketball. He told me to arrange the P.E. schedule so the kids would be ready for basketball right after school. I gave him that look. He got a little sheepish. I said I know the world revolves around basketball. Luckily for him... P.E. had already been scheduled at the end of the day! However, it wasn't planned with Basketball practice in mind. I also had to tell him the Volleyball net would be going up soon. When It went up they could still have open gym but the net would STAY UP!. He pouted a little. Basketball!! I am sure my Dad thinks this is reasonable! Thbbbttt!!! Every other sport is just a way to stay in shape for Basketball!
I really miss the classroom aide I had at the beginning of last year. She was invested in the students and me. She wanted to see us all succeed. The aide I have now... it is just a job to her. She doesn't have a clue how much time, effort, and energy it takes to do it well. I have a lot of training to do...but I do wish it came more naturally to her. I love what I do and if it isn't for her I hope she decides that and moves on. Sooner rather than later.
I am hoping our district shares our Tech Guys with us before school starts. They tend to pull them away from us and then we are waiting to get issues taken care of weeks into school. It is really hard to tolerate. I hope our Tech guy will be here Friday as planned. He was helping me move computers to make it more functional for the students. The poor guy has a 197 mile one way commute to get home to his family every weekend because the house he was renting was sold. So he comes through our town on Fridays when not pulled to the other schools. I don't know how he will do that in the winter.
Well.. I shall keep on keeping on getting ready!
I rearranged a lot in my classroom to make it more functional... I think. :) We'll see how it works... when you rearrange something though you have to make a mess to make it happen. I spent most of today trying to get it put back together. I still have a lot to do but I did get a lot done in between procrastinating. I finished over the weekend copying all of my tests for the whole school year, and dailies. I hoped to get all the homework done...but hey... I did get a lot done! I even spent time laminating. I hate laminating... I'm glad we have a laminating machine though. It is a tedious job. You have to wait for the machine to heat up, then you laminate, then you have to haul your mountain of plastic to your classroom, and then you spend A LOT of time with scissors. I have given others the laminating job only to regret it. They overlap things etc. The cutting part seems to be more manageable for most.
I have a high school classroom aide again this year. Maybe she can catch me up on things! I pay her in lollipops and goldfish! The goldfish cracker folks...not actual goldfish. It is amazing what the H.S. kids will do for food.
In between all of my classroom work I have been working on the girls Volleyball Schedule. It is difficult to get them enough games because we have to play independent. We have to play independent because last year the girls forfeited to many times. I heard a lot of complaining about the old A.D. but I am getting more and more of the picture that he was virtually successful in killing the athletic program at our school. I made a phone call this summer and got a friend to come and do a volleyball camp in this town. He did a great job and I got a lot of positive feedback. One of the girls refused to go to the camp because "I know everything there is to know about volleyball". "really? You don't have room for improvement?" "Nope". Okay how do you argue with that bad attitude. To have a team we have to ask everyone to play. I think we have enough girls we can bench this one and her attitude.
I have 2 classes I am taking this fall. Well one goes all year but they both involve a lot of work this fall. I can do it! One of my student's mom makes the BEST homemade bread. She invited me over for a Making Bread day. So I MUST find time for this! I also managed to clean out our "Ball Room" the place where we stored all of our athletic equipment and P.E. Supplies. In the past it was a "free-for-all" organizational method. The kids were allowed to play with anything w/o supervision. To retrain their brains, the staffs brains, etc. I had to go the other extreme. Take it all away and slowly let them earn it back. The room is now off limits to students. However, to make sure they understand that I knew I couldn't leave anything in there. Sooo....It has been emptied. This process will also allow me time to go through it all when I have time. Then I can see what needs replacing, is broken, missing, etc.
The guy who will be coaching boys basketball is driving me a bit batty. He seems to be under the impression a gym only exists for Basketball. He told me to arrange the P.E. schedule so the kids would be ready for basketball right after school. I gave him that look. He got a little sheepish. I said I know the world revolves around basketball. Luckily for him... P.E. had already been scheduled at the end of the day! However, it wasn't planned with Basketball practice in mind. I also had to tell him the Volleyball net would be going up soon. When It went up they could still have open gym but the net would STAY UP!. He pouted a little. Basketball!! I am sure my Dad thinks this is reasonable! Thbbbttt!!! Every other sport is just a way to stay in shape for Basketball!
I really miss the classroom aide I had at the beginning of last year. She was invested in the students and me. She wanted to see us all succeed. The aide I have now... it is just a job to her. She doesn't have a clue how much time, effort, and energy it takes to do it well. I have a lot of training to do...but I do wish it came more naturally to her. I love what I do and if it isn't for her I hope she decides that and moves on. Sooner rather than later.
I am hoping our district shares our Tech Guys with us before school starts. They tend to pull them away from us and then we are waiting to get issues taken care of weeks into school. It is really hard to tolerate. I hope our Tech guy will be here Friday as planned. He was helping me move computers to make it more functional for the students. The poor guy has a 197 mile one way commute to get home to his family every weekend because the house he was renting was sold. So he comes through our town on Fridays when not pulled to the other schools. I don't know how he will do that in the winter.
Well.. I shall keep on keeping on getting ready!
August 17, 2012
Universal Sayings By Moms Everywhere
Remember your mom saying "Stop that before somebody gets hurt", "you'll poke your eye out", "don't make me stop this car". Well I haven't found myself using any of those sayings lately. However as an observer in my apartment on the second night of fighting out in the street. You really want to say "hey dummy, what did you think was going to happen". I am not sure if it is the hot weather that brings out the dummies or what! Running out in the street after one another seems like a really bad idea. Remember mom saying to "look both ways before you cross the street". Well that applies when drunk as well, even if you're angry and need to beat somebody up.
Also, if you're pregnant you may want to avoid the saloon scene. Just some advice. That way you can avoid any possible brawls that could put you or your child in danger. Even if you think your boyfriend is "man" enough to protect you. Even if your mommy owns the saloon. Find another hobby.
I have a question for you if you fire someone when you're drunk, and don't remember firing them, are they still fired in the morning?
Also, if you're pregnant you may want to avoid the saloon scene. Just some advice. That way you can avoid any possible brawls that could put you or your child in danger. Even if you think your boyfriend is "man" enough to protect you. Even if your mommy owns the saloon. Find another hobby.
I have a question for you if you fire someone when you're drunk, and don't remember firing them, are they still fired in the morning?
August 16, 2012
Saloon Problems!
I've posted saloon problems before...but the saga continues. When you live over a saloon and your neighbors are saloons. Well it gets more entertaining than necessary. Tonight was one of those hot summer nights. I got home at 10 and saw they were still drinking I was pretty sure drama would occur. It did! I dialed the emergency number. I hope I don't get to know the dispatchers by name. It's bad enough I know all the local law enforcement.
Saloon problems: I think one of the problems might have been the guardian of a student. Yay! It's really what you don't want to know. I also think the individual works or owns a local dining establishment. Yay! It was pretty funny when one of the comments hollered by someone not involved in the fight but found it amusing said with a chuckle " I hate your food and your hamburgers suck"!
Anyone want to come sit on the porch with me in the summertime?
Update:
Officers loading up drunk people in their patrol cars...it is like loading a giant wet noodle. Not fun for them entertaining for me.
Saloon problems: I think one of the problems might have been the guardian of a student. Yay! It's really what you don't want to know. I also think the individual works or owns a local dining establishment. Yay! It was pretty funny when one of the comments hollered by someone not involved in the fight but found it amusing said with a chuckle " I hate your food and your hamburgers suck"!
Anyone want to come sit on the porch with me in the summertime?
Update:
Officers loading up drunk people in their patrol cars...it is like loading a giant wet noodle. Not fun for them entertaining for me.
August 15, 2012
What's Cool!
You know what is cool? When you can genuinely be happy for someone. So I'm very excited my friend from back home is expecting her 2nd little whippersnapper!
It has been the craziest week. Every time I make some progress I feel like I am five steps behind! I will somehow, someway get it done. I was expecting to have some help but that has gone out the window. It is going to be a busy busy fall! I told my secretary that I was probably going to have to cry a couple of times so just hand me a kleenex and tell me this too shall pass! :)
It has been the craziest week. Every time I make some progress I feel like I am five steps behind! I will somehow, someway get it done. I was expecting to have some help but that has gone out the window. It is going to be a busy busy fall! I told my secretary that I was probably going to have to cry a couple of times so just hand me a kleenex and tell me this too shall pass! :)
August 13, 2012
Copy Machine
Ahhh a brand spanking new copy machine! This is teacher candy! Fantastic! I managed to get through about a quarter of one grade levels math tests in about 1 1/2 hours instead of hours and hours and hours later! It made me happy. I came back to an overwhelming amount of work! What else is new.. and of course there were a few things I forgot to get while shopping for our concessions! I will somehow, someway... get it done!
Whirlwind
I feel like the past 2 weeks I've been trapped in a vortex whirling across the desert. It has been busy. I had a week long Project-Based Learning STEM class last week. It was very interesting and I learned a lot. What was good about it is I feel I have a better understanding of PBL. I still think I have a long way to go but I have a better grasp of what it would look like in my classroom. To learn it though I think you have to do it. So I will have my first PBL project this fall. What was a bummer about the class was there was a bit of a not so hidden agenda. Typical of government ran classes I suppose. However, I could overcome that and scoot around it to what I needed to learn from the class. Is it any wonder that our students come out of college regurgitating what they where taught when the professors don't ask them to think but tell them what to think?
I also got to visit with my cousin about a project I started but never followed through on. I am excited to get back to it this winter and feel it will provide me some stress relief in the up-coming school year. It is good to have a little project outside of my school world to work on and think about.
I got a file from my principal with articles to read and the plan for this next year. I was fighting getting discouraged after reading through the packet. I feel like the principal is trying to force some things. I have planned to make a lot of changes this school year, now I am wondering how many I will get to implement. I am just going to move forward and try to do what I know is best for students. I am not saying there isn't room for improvement but based on those articles sent to us it made me nervous. We'll see where the principal runs with this. Some things cannot be forced on to people no matter how much you would like it to happen. Especially relationships. You can have two close friends who don't relate to each other. You can't make them be friends because they are your friends. One of the articles was about professional learning communities. I thought well I hope my principal read this as carefully as the principal wanted us to. As the leader of our PLC's the principal sets the standard and the example. Last year it was pretty frustrating, discouraging, and not motivating. Maybe the principal will make some positive changes. Who knows.
There were many other articles as well. What I find interesting is that our administration focuses so heavily on test scores but does not focus on providing the teachers with support, coaching, or help in areas of need. Every time I have asked for help in a certain area I ended up wishing I never had. I also just found out... well let me back track. In our state we have professional development coordinators who are experts in their field. (Math, ELA, etc). They are supposed to keep up on the standards, state expectations, teacher needs, etc and provide classes or support when requests are made.Well, I just found out that you must send in a request form to them to get some help. All of the times I asked my principal for help or ideas not once was this ever mentioned. It doesn't cost the school district, it is a state ran program. I feel like I was patted on the head and told to go do my job with out any constructive help. UGGH! If a teacher is asking why wouldn't you give them the best chance of being successful. I am glad I am proactive about my own learning. Otherwise I would've sunk my ship a long time ago.
I also had an interesting conversation with a gas truck driver at a gas station in the town where I get my groceries. He delivers two tankers of 113.5 thousand gallons of gas to this station every day. I know you are wondering how I started talking to this guy. Well, this happens to me at random times like airing up my tires. I must've looked like I was struggling because he offered to help. Then I asked how much one of the tanks held. and it went on from there. Curious minds leads to interesting conversations. Anyhow, he had rented the movie "Waiting for Superman". He got it thinking it was a superhero movie he could watch with his son. Then found out it was about the education system in America. He told me I couldn't get fired and made 85,000 a year. Well, no sir I don't and yes I can get fired. Our state no longer had Tenure, and our evaluation system has changed. So based on our evaluations, and more we can be fired. So I let him know of some of the law changes. However, at the same time I realize our system still needs improvement. He told me some stories about what his son was experiencing in school. I told him call the principal, call the superintendent, I said as a parent you have a right to be heard. I feel it is extremely important for parents to be proactive. If there is going to be serious change society needs to change and get involved in their students education. I'm not in my job to babysit your kids, I want them to learn, I want to learn and improve my teaching. If more parents were involved I don't think it would take long for it to change. It would have to be a majority of the parents though. Anyhow, I am part of a system that I don't believe works. However, I am doing what I love to do. I wonder though...how much better could I be with better managment.
I spent 2 hours shopping in Wal-mart to stock up for the next month. It is a very special kind of torture. I always end up forgetting something! I really dislike Wal-mart. For so many reasons. However, my options are limited. After I went there I ran in to Safeway to get a few things you can't get from Wal-mart. I was over shopping. I went to town also because my Uncle and Aunt and adorable cousins were in town. It was really fun to hang out with them. I hope that the kids like Horse and Cow Tunes for kids. I am sharing the love of those cd's with all my favorite short people!
Well, I am procrastinating on alllllllll the chores I need to get done at school and at home... More later
I also got to visit with my cousin about a project I started but never followed through on. I am excited to get back to it this winter and feel it will provide me some stress relief in the up-coming school year. It is good to have a little project outside of my school world to work on and think about.
I got a file from my principal with articles to read and the plan for this next year. I was fighting getting discouraged after reading through the packet. I feel like the principal is trying to force some things. I have planned to make a lot of changes this school year, now I am wondering how many I will get to implement. I am just going to move forward and try to do what I know is best for students. I am not saying there isn't room for improvement but based on those articles sent to us it made me nervous. We'll see where the principal runs with this. Some things cannot be forced on to people no matter how much you would like it to happen. Especially relationships. You can have two close friends who don't relate to each other. You can't make them be friends because they are your friends. One of the articles was about professional learning communities. I thought well I hope my principal read this as carefully as the principal wanted us to. As the leader of our PLC's the principal sets the standard and the example. Last year it was pretty frustrating, discouraging, and not motivating. Maybe the principal will make some positive changes. Who knows.
There were many other articles as well. What I find interesting is that our administration focuses so heavily on test scores but does not focus on providing the teachers with support, coaching, or help in areas of need. Every time I have asked for help in a certain area I ended up wishing I never had. I also just found out... well let me back track. In our state we have professional development coordinators who are experts in their field. (Math, ELA, etc). They are supposed to keep up on the standards, state expectations, teacher needs, etc and provide classes or support when requests are made.Well, I just found out that you must send in a request form to them to get some help. All of the times I asked my principal for help or ideas not once was this ever mentioned. It doesn't cost the school district, it is a state ran program. I feel like I was patted on the head and told to go do my job with out any constructive help. UGGH! If a teacher is asking why wouldn't you give them the best chance of being successful. I am glad I am proactive about my own learning. Otherwise I would've sunk my ship a long time ago.
I also had an interesting conversation with a gas truck driver at a gas station in the town where I get my groceries. He delivers two tankers of 113.5 thousand gallons of gas to this station every day. I know you are wondering how I started talking to this guy. Well, this happens to me at random times like airing up my tires. I must've looked like I was struggling because he offered to help. Then I asked how much one of the tanks held. and it went on from there. Curious minds leads to interesting conversations. Anyhow, he had rented the movie "Waiting for Superman". He got it thinking it was a superhero movie he could watch with his son. Then found out it was about the education system in America. He told me I couldn't get fired and made 85,000 a year. Well, no sir I don't and yes I can get fired. Our state no longer had Tenure, and our evaluation system has changed. So based on our evaluations, and more we can be fired. So I let him know of some of the law changes. However, at the same time I realize our system still needs improvement. He told me some stories about what his son was experiencing in school. I told him call the principal, call the superintendent, I said as a parent you have a right to be heard. I feel it is extremely important for parents to be proactive. If there is going to be serious change society needs to change and get involved in their students education. I'm not in my job to babysit your kids, I want them to learn, I want to learn and improve my teaching. If more parents were involved I don't think it would take long for it to change. It would have to be a majority of the parents though. Anyhow, I am part of a system that I don't believe works. However, I am doing what I love to do. I wonder though...how much better could I be with better managment.
I spent 2 hours shopping in Wal-mart to stock up for the next month. It is a very special kind of torture. I always end up forgetting something! I really dislike Wal-mart. For so many reasons. However, my options are limited. After I went there I ran in to Safeway to get a few things you can't get from Wal-mart. I was over shopping. I went to town also because my Uncle and Aunt and adorable cousins were in town. It was really fun to hang out with them. I hope that the kids like Horse and Cow Tunes for kids. I am sharing the love of those cd's with all my favorite short people!
Well, I am procrastinating on alllllllll the chores I need to get done at school and at home... More later
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)