First Day of Kids! I survived and so did they! Have some procedures to get a little better on. Need to do some desk rearranging. Have a lot of chatters. I can't believe how quickly the day went by. It was crazy. Many parents are willing to volunteer so I need to set some jobs up for them that will be a help. Need to nail down my schedule a little better as well. Tomorrow we have Music. The music room is currently a classroom until the portable classrooms can be set up. We have ten portables which is twenty classrooms. Really that could be another school. It's crazy. I was impressed by the number sense the majority of my students came into my classroom with. I think we are going to be able to make some great strides.
In our teacher's lounge this morning we had popcorn, m&m's, peanut m&m's, Reese's Pieces, and bottled water. It was so very warm in my classroom I was thankful for the water. Afterschool, I pretty much cleaned up and got ready for tomorrow. It was amazing. No meeting, No interruptions. I was able to accomplish so much. The next thing I knew it was 5p.m. The day went by so quickly. On my way home I stopped at Office Max to pick up some labels I had forgotten to purchase. The line of mostly middle and high school students with harried parents was strung down the aisles. I couldn't believe how quickly they checked them out and sent them on their way. Amazing.
I went to pick up a package and visit my little buddy for a minute. While he laid on my lap and stuck his stinky feet in my face(annoying me is fun) he told me about his school day. He ate lunch and rode bikes. That was pretty much it. As I was leaving he said "Sha not go home." I said "Yes, I need to go to bed." He looks up at the sky and says "No Sha, the suns not down." That fact didn't really bother me.
Last night was a short night. I had trouble going to sleep. Teachers are just as excited and nervous as the little turkeys in our class. Then at 3:30 a.m. a neighbor leaves to work then accidentally set off his car alarm. Then the neighbor above me well I have no idea what happened. It sounded like he fell out of bed or dropped a heavy weight at 5 something in the morning. So I hope whatever survived the fall. It made my short night a little shorter.
So Now I need to get off to bed because another busy day awaits.
G'night
August 29, 2016
August 26, 2016
Phonograms
Well, busy first week back to work. A lot of training and getting ready for the first day on Monday. This afternoon I was attempting to get my SMART Board, Overhead Projector, and Document Camera to work. I was having technical difficulties. Whoever wired the room for these didn't really do a very good job. Actually, I take that back. The crazy teacher who asked them to wire the room that way had a few screws loose. I now have everything connected but I am being strangled by cords. So I have a couple of cords to get so that I am not injuring myself. I think I own both of them so I should be ready to go. The bad news is that because I had my desk all set up and bookshelves by it I had to move everything off the shelves. So I have to organize again. :( So it goes.
In the morning I am going to the Health Fair. I will have blood drawn and a couple other free health screenings. Then I plan to go work in my classroom for a couple of hours. A friend is coming tomorrow to shop for Back-To-School. So I will hang out with her for part of the day. Then probably back to work in my classroom. I don't really feel prepared yet for next week.
My head almost imploded today. A first grade teacher walked into my classroom giving me files related to last years students. She saw my "phonogram" wall and asked me "What are phonograms?" The average person I wouldn't think anything of explaining it to them. A teacher... SHOULD KNOW. So I explained it then she said "Oh I thought there were only 41 phonograms." I tried very hard not to shoot my mouth off. I just ended up staying silent. Silence is golden. Another teacher in there with me said after the she left said to me that most students come in reading so the teachers are not as focused on that. She said the students already have that ability. I continued to keep quiet. Then she said when you are teaching students of poverty it is different. I stayed silent. We then switched topics. I cannot believe that you would get that lazy about teaching reading just because the students arrive with some skills. Improve their skills! Show them why our language works the way it does. Give them tools to sound out larger words, but DO NOT, NOT teach them. Yeah I just yeah.... Head implosion. She also admitted that she didn't have her students write much last year. It just wasn't a priority. Okay then. I will have some challenges ahead if all the first grade teachers had that attitude. Well, I am off to bed so I can get up early for the health fair!
In the morning I am going to the Health Fair. I will have blood drawn and a couple other free health screenings. Then I plan to go work in my classroom for a couple of hours. A friend is coming tomorrow to shop for Back-To-School. So I will hang out with her for part of the day. Then probably back to work in my classroom. I don't really feel prepared yet for next week.
My head almost imploded today. A first grade teacher walked into my classroom giving me files related to last years students. She saw my "phonogram" wall and asked me "What are phonograms?" The average person I wouldn't think anything of explaining it to them. A teacher... SHOULD KNOW. So I explained it then she said "Oh I thought there were only 41 phonograms." I tried very hard not to shoot my mouth off. I just ended up staying silent. Silence is golden. Another teacher in there with me said after the she left said to me that most students come in reading so the teachers are not as focused on that. She said the students already have that ability. I continued to keep quiet. Then she said when you are teaching students of poverty it is different. I stayed silent. We then switched topics. I cannot believe that you would get that lazy about teaching reading just because the students arrive with some skills. Improve their skills! Show them why our language works the way it does. Give them tools to sound out larger words, but DO NOT, NOT teach them. Yeah I just yeah.... Head implosion. She also admitted that she didn't have her students write much last year. It just wasn't a priority. Okay then. I will have some challenges ahead if all the first grade teachers had that attitude. Well, I am off to bed so I can get up early for the health fair!
August 25, 2016
The day is done
Fastest Classroom Organizer in the West, or so I'm told. One of the teachers told me "I didn't think you were going to get it together, I thought we'd have to come in and help." It looks great! Tuesday a friend came and helped me put up my bulletin boards. That's a two person job. I just don't have the skills to staple and hang long sheets of paper while balanced on a step stool. When my friend came we had it done lickety-split. Last weekend another new teacher friend I met at training helped me put together the horrible, awful, miserable, Wal-mart bookshelves. (do not purchase cheap bookshelves.)
The rest was up to me! It took me a little bit to find my vision or how I wanted things. Once I had that in my head I went for it. I'm sure a few things won't work as the school year goes, but I can tweak it. I can also just write a note "don't do that next year." So many of my colleagues have "Pinterest Perfect" classrooms. I think though some of them forgot they had boys in the class. Some forgot if you cover every available wall space you can't post student work. They look beautiful. I went for a more simplistic approach. I like to create anchor charts as we learn together. I'm sure the janitors are relieved their is at least one classroom that isn't heavily decorated. We have four full time janitors. They have quite the job to do keeping that whole building and all the portables going.
Tonight was back-to-school night. We had two separate times to accommodate the number of parents and students coming to school. The gym was full both times. I only had two students that didn't show up so I thought that was a good turnout. I definitely have kids from all walks of life. All that I met I could tell their parents were working people. There were a couple of stay-at-home moms. The majority though both parents were working. I have some challenges ahead and I hope I can rise to meet them.
I realized as I sit here writing this blog I have one eye shut while typing. The other is ready to join it. It might be time to hit the hay. As I changed out of my work clothes I started getting texts tonight from my new colleagues. They are so kind, generous, thoughtful, and just darned funny. I never know what they are going to be up to. They do find the laughter in all situations. Tonight, they were planning lunch for tomorrow. We are going as a crew to lunch. Hilarity ensued.
I am amazed and thankful for friends today. The grace some have, the strength, and kindness.
G'nite
The rest was up to me! It took me a little bit to find my vision or how I wanted things. Once I had that in my head I went for it. I'm sure a few things won't work as the school year goes, but I can tweak it. I can also just write a note "don't do that next year." So many of my colleagues have "Pinterest Perfect" classrooms. I think though some of them forgot they had boys in the class. Some forgot if you cover every available wall space you can't post student work. They look beautiful. I went for a more simplistic approach. I like to create anchor charts as we learn together. I'm sure the janitors are relieved their is at least one classroom that isn't heavily decorated. We have four full time janitors. They have quite the job to do keeping that whole building and all the portables going.
Tonight was back-to-school night. We had two separate times to accommodate the number of parents and students coming to school. The gym was full both times. I only had two students that didn't show up so I thought that was a good turnout. I definitely have kids from all walks of life. All that I met I could tell their parents were working people. There were a couple of stay-at-home moms. The majority though both parents were working. I have some challenges ahead and I hope I can rise to meet them.
I realized as I sit here writing this blog I have one eye shut while typing. The other is ready to join it. It might be time to hit the hay. As I changed out of my work clothes I started getting texts tonight from my new colleagues. They are so kind, generous, thoughtful, and just darned funny. I never know what they are going to be up to. They do find the laughter in all situations. Tonight, they were planning lunch for tomorrow. We are going as a crew to lunch. Hilarity ensued.
I am amazed and thankful for friends today. The grace some have, the strength, and kindness.
G'nite
August 22, 2016
Part 2
Ahhhh the relief of knowing this week of training is done. I learned a lot from great teachers. However, it was a long week. I am relieved it is done! Now I can focus on finishing the set up of my classroom. We also were paid today for our training. This is something they do for new teachers because of the cost of moving and all they know it helps their new hires. In my experience in this state you have to wait a whole month before your first paycheck. So that was very kind of them to set things up that way. There were ninety new hires in our district this year. In part a lot of retirements and in part class size reduction.
Well I started this post and was involved with a lot of other activities. Mostly those which would get my classroom ready for the year! I have been down there trying to organize and put things away. I am getting closer every minute. I just want it to look together for Back-To-School Night on Thursday. As soon as I finish putting stuff away I can focus on making it "cute." It is the first time I've been at a school since student teaching that was so focused on "cute." I think we were so busy with other things that "cute" wasn't our top concern. It tells me these teachers have time for the extras.
I arrived home to grab some lunch and was pulling things out of the fridge and doing my thing. I realized there was something dark on the floor. Those stinking ants are back. The ant invasion part two. They came out from under my dishwasher again and were even inside it. I ran a load of dishes and looked around to make sure I didn't have anything delicious lying around for them to eat. Uggh now I feel itchy like they are crawling on me. So I vacuumed them up and called the landlord. She is coming to spray again but also called someone from the much bigger little city to come out and spray. Apparently I'm not the only tenant having trouble this year. I strongly dislike those little devils.
I am gathering up some things I forgot to take to school and will head back in a bit. We are in training tomorrow all day. The other days we have some training and some classroom time. I wasn't sure what to do with some empty boxes, old curtains, and trash. I just left them in a pile in my classroom in the corner till I could ask someone. They had disappeared this morning. So I am going to assume the janitors worked their magic. I'm not going to assume I have a magic corner like this guy. Don't you be that guy!
Well I started this post and was involved with a lot of other activities. Mostly those which would get my classroom ready for the year! I have been down there trying to organize and put things away. I am getting closer every minute. I just want it to look together for Back-To-School Night on Thursday. As soon as I finish putting stuff away I can focus on making it "cute." It is the first time I've been at a school since student teaching that was so focused on "cute." I think we were so busy with other things that "cute" wasn't our top concern. It tells me these teachers have time for the extras.
I arrived home to grab some lunch and was pulling things out of the fridge and doing my thing. I realized there was something dark on the floor. Those stinking ants are back. The ant invasion part two. They came out from under my dishwasher again and were even inside it. I ran a load of dishes and looked around to make sure I didn't have anything delicious lying around for them to eat. Uggh now I feel itchy like they are crawling on me. So I vacuumed them up and called the landlord. She is coming to spray again but also called someone from the much bigger little city to come out and spray. Apparently I'm not the only tenant having trouble this year. I strongly dislike those little devils.
I am gathering up some things I forgot to take to school and will head back in a bit. We are in training tomorrow all day. The other days we have some training and some classroom time. I wasn't sure what to do with some empty boxes, old curtains, and trash. I just left them in a pile in my classroom in the corner till I could ask someone. They had disappeared this morning. So I am going to assume the janitors worked their magic. I'm not going to assume I have a magic corner like this guy. Don't you be that guy!
August 17, 2016
3
Day three.
Today a lot was accomplished. I spent all morning in my classroom. Much of that was spent putting together a Wal-mart bookshelf. NEVER do this too yourself. Just pay someone to build some shelves. They will be sturdier and involve a lot less cursing. Even though my cursing was done in my head because I'm at work it still counts. So yeah there is that...and I have three more to set up! Waaaa! Part of the afternoon was spent going over procedures, rules, and guidelines for our school. That was helpful because most of my school experience has been good luck and off you go. It's nice to start with a lot of new people because we all have a lot of questions that were answered. I am sitting here typing and my eyes keep drifting shut and I lose track of what I was saying. So yeah I'm a bit tired this evening.
We had some kind of hostage situation in town today and a large portion of town was blocked off. No idea of the results or actions taken but when i came home I didn't have to take another route.
II have more done today than I did yesterday. Tomorrow we are back at the training with all of teachers. I am going to hit the showers before I fall asleep. G'nite
Today a lot was accomplished. I spent all morning in my classroom. Much of that was spent putting together a Wal-mart bookshelf. NEVER do this too yourself. Just pay someone to build some shelves. They will be sturdier and involve a lot less cursing. Even though my cursing was done in my head because I'm at work it still counts. So yeah there is that...and I have three more to set up! Waaaa! Part of the afternoon was spent going over procedures, rules, and guidelines for our school. That was helpful because most of my school experience has been good luck and off you go. It's nice to start with a lot of new people because we all have a lot of questions that were answered. I am sitting here typing and my eyes keep drifting shut and I lose track of what I was saying. So yeah I'm a bit tired this evening.
We had some kind of hostage situation in town today and a large portion of town was blocked off. No idea of the results or actions taken but when i came home I didn't have to take another route.
II have more done today than I did yesterday. Tomorrow we are back at the training with all of teachers. I am going to hit the showers before I fall asleep. G'nite
Can't sleep?
Sometimes when I have a lot to get done my mind whirls around thinking about everything I need to get done. It's quite the time consumer. Its really effective at messing up sleep patterns. I was having a bout of insomnia tonight. I finally surrendered got up and started working on my schedule in my online lesson planning software. I entered in the big important dates of the school year. I also put in the general parts of my daily schedule. That includes recesses, lunch, and specials. Specials are art, music, computers, library, and p.e. It is amazing to be at a school where those areas have their own teacher and so I get to drop them off and go work or lesson plan. Or maybe even just go to the bathroom. Amazing. Anyhow, now that I have those all entered with their times into my daily plan. I can start looking at it and think about my lesson plans and when I want to do my math and language arts blocks. Exciting stuff!
A couple of years ago I found this software. It made my day run so much smoother because I could visualize my schedule. I shared with the staff at my previous school and some were definitely on board. Some were extremely resistant. Some were relieved. It worked for me. The nice part is if grade level lesson plans are required you can collaborate with your colleagues. They can connect to the same lesson plan and add information etc. It's great! It's easy to add information to for a substitute teacher. It is an effective tool for me.
Well, I think my eyes are drooping.... I have to run to WalMart in the a.m. and buy a mouse for my computer. It's amazing to even think running to WalMart to get something I need is even a possibility. In the past I would've had to see if the hardware store had one, or wait for Amazon Prime to deliver one. The luxuries of the big city :).
G'nite
A couple of years ago I found this software. It made my day run so much smoother because I could visualize my schedule. I shared with the staff at my previous school and some were definitely on board. Some were extremely resistant. Some were relieved. It worked for me. The nice part is if grade level lesson plans are required you can collaborate with your colleagues. They can connect to the same lesson plan and add information etc. It's great! It's easy to add information to for a substitute teacher. It is an effective tool for me.
Well, I think my eyes are drooping.... I have to run to WalMart in the a.m. and buy a mouse for my computer. It's amazing to even think running to WalMart to get something I need is even a possibility. In the past I would've had to see if the hardware store had one, or wait for Amazon Prime to deliver one. The luxuries of the big city :).
G'nite
August 16, 2016
Realization
I just realized...
Today I realized I have paid off over half of my student loans. That was a happy little moment for me. Granted it took 7 years. However, I think the last part will get paid off more quickly than that first part. YAY! I look forward to the day I can say.... DONE!
Today I realized I have paid off over half of my student loans. That was a happy little moment for me. Granted it took 7 years. However, I think the last part will get paid off more quickly than that first part. YAY! I look forward to the day I can say.... DONE!
Day 2
Day 2 of training....
Today's training made it feel like day 16 of training. The morning went fairly smooth. The afternoon was mind numbing and dull. We had a presenter as exciting as Ben Stein. Actually, Ben Stein with his monotone voice would probably have still been a much better presenter. So, yeah. BORING! It was things they had to be able to say they gave us an overview of, and they did. My colleague sent me a message "That's an hour of our life we can never get back" I messaged back "I need to learn to sleep with my eyes open." I won't go into any more detail because it is bad enough I had to experience it.
After we were done for the day I came back home and regrouped for awhile then went out to school. I met up withe one of my teammates and we helped each other with the new lesson plans and downloaded a document we need to be using. Then I worked on hanging up some curtains which ended up being a little more difficult than I thought. I have one more curtain to hang when I get back tomorrow. I arranged some things and my friend delivered a bookshelf I bought at a yard sale. I was working the whole time but still didn't seem to get a lot accomplished.
Tomorrows training is supposedly what we need. We go to our own school site and meet our mentor. I don't know if mentors are assigned to more than one new teacher or what. I will find out tomorrow. We will go over how things run at our own school site. So that will be beneficial. I think most of the day we will be permitted to work in our own classroom. YAY! They are also providing the new staff members and mentors with a "Getting-to-know-you" staff lunch.
Well I need to drink some more water and hit the hay! G'nite
Today's training made it feel like day 16 of training. The morning went fairly smooth. The afternoon was mind numbing and dull. We had a presenter as exciting as Ben Stein. Actually, Ben Stein with his monotone voice would probably have still been a much better presenter. So, yeah. BORING! It was things they had to be able to say they gave us an overview of, and they did. My colleague sent me a message "That's an hour of our life we can never get back" I messaged back "I need to learn to sleep with my eyes open." I won't go into any more detail because it is bad enough I had to experience it.
After we were done for the day I came back home and regrouped for awhile then went out to school. I met up withe one of my teammates and we helped each other with the new lesson plans and downloaded a document we need to be using. Then I worked on hanging up some curtains which ended up being a little more difficult than I thought. I have one more curtain to hang when I get back tomorrow. I arranged some things and my friend delivered a bookshelf I bought at a yard sale. I was working the whole time but still didn't seem to get a lot accomplished.
Tomorrows training is supposedly what we need. We go to our own school site and meet our mentor. I don't know if mentors are assigned to more than one new teacher or what. I will find out tomorrow. We will go over how things run at our own school site. So that will be beneficial. I think most of the day we will be permitted to work in our own classroom. YAY! They are also providing the new staff members and mentors with a "Getting-to-know-you" staff lunch.
Well I need to drink some more water and hit the hay! G'nite
August 15, 2016
1st Day... of training
First Day of training for my new district today. We started with an activity. We were given a set number of straws, 18 inches of tape, and a golf ball. We were told that a wildfire was encroaching on our city. The golf ball was fire retardant. To save our city we had to use our straws and tape to make sure the fire retardant hit the hottest part of the fire saving the city. Well, clearly my group did not drink enough coffee this morning and was not into this activity at all. So that made it difficult. We had to stand on a chair and drop the golf ball, if it rolled or bounced out of the landing zone it failed. So sorry the city is aflame :)!
We discussed our Educators Framework which is what is used to evaluate teachers in this state. I've been to soooo many trainings for it at this point it just makes me tired. We discussed starting the year with procedures, and a couple other things I cannot recall right now. Then we had an hour lunch which was nice. We drove down to a Basque Deli that makes really delicious sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Then the afternoon was torture. It was a training I've also been too many times about sexual harassment, bullying, and discrimination in the workplace. We looked at federal and state laws regarding those.
Then an hour later we dived in to Health Insurance. Now this is an important but extremely dull topic as well. They do an overview for you, people ask questions, and you end up feeling like you need a lawyer to interpret whatever information you just received. Okay maybe not quite that bad...but bad. So the good news is I have health insurance effective immediately and my plan from my last district doesn't expire till the 31st. We also get paid for this week of training by the end of the week. Our checks will be awaiting us on Friday. Such efficiency! In other health insurance related news it pays for us to have 24/7 online doctoring. So if my sinus infection hits after hours or I can't get an appointment in a timely manner I can consult with a Dr. online and they can give me a prescription. This isn't for long term health care but those temporary infections we can get. I can sit in my pajamas and cough for the online Dr. AMAZING! There isn't even a co-pay required. So that one was new to me. It is very nice though because there just aren't enough health care providers to support this whole community.
Then we have the upcoming health fair. As soon as I get my insurance card I can set up a time to go get blood work done. If we go it lowers our deductible by $200. Most of the blood work is free. I will only pay $30 to have my Vitamin D levels checked again this year.
Okay maybe there was a couple of interesting facts about the insurance. Other than that, it was incredibly dull. They have to do the overview. but it is so much at once that I always think by the time I need this will I remember?
There was a room full of new to the district teachers. It was fascinating. At my table there was one who moved out from Connecticut, one from Montana, and two from this area. Thirteen teachers had been hired from Montana. Two of the teachers at my table were first year teachers. I was impressed by how much they were paying attention, taking notes, and trying to make sure they have a good plan in place. They talked sometime during the presentation but it was related to work so I didn't mind so much. Normally, it irritates the heck out of me when the newbies do that because it is just goofing around.
One other thing we discussed and read articles about today was technology in the classroom. It was mostly about how students in low achieving schools, with low socioeconomic status, and of races other than white, were only exposed to technology for remediation and drills (practice). Where students outside of that were using technology to create and innovate. It was a eye opener to me. This has been completely true in my experience. The highest need students were given more access to technology but only to practice and review skills. If they could do that, but in a way that created something to share, it would be way more meaningful. At the last place I worked so much of the staff was resistant to learning the technology. They learned just enough to do what was required of them but no more. Another teacher went on and on about what technology they don't have. I am sure that is why we have to get creative and think of how we can utilize what we do have. Think outside of the box. So I must think on this and get something together.
I spent a little time in my classroom this evening. I have my general layout done. I have some shelving I brought but forgot my tools to put together. I also forgot my curtains at home that I want to hang. Once I have everything in its place I can start putting all my teaching "stuff" away. Then I will feel like it is a little more put together. I really need to sit down and focus on lesson planning. After my classroom is back together and I can find my resources, I can do that easily. The first couple of weeks are a lot of procedures and practice, practice, practice! My classroom is on the west side of the building so the sun just beats down and heats it up. They haven't turned on the a.c. yet. I was melting in their tonight. I will like it in the winter because I will have lots of sun exposure.
I babysat my friends two month old baby while she went to work on her classroom for several hours on Sunday. It's been awhile since I was in charge of a small baby. He was super good and easy to care for. Eat, Burp, Poop, Sleep, Repeat! I was more concerned about him being fussy but he wasn't at all. So yay! This young mom asked what I thought of her hanging her deer head in her classroom. I said "why not?" She said that people told her some parents might be offended. She is teaching social studies this fall.(update: 6th grade) I told her to turn it into a social studies lesson. She could discuss hunting and gathering. The culture she comes from is a hunting and ranching culture. Why can't she represent her culture in her classroom? If the delicate little snowflakes are offended by her deer head they should avoid grocery stores. She did seek her principals permission before she did anything and he said she could. Our students want to know who we are as people. This is part of who she is. So hang it up! Dad I don't need ducks to hang from my ceiling :)!
Well that's all I have for now... G'nite
We discussed our Educators Framework which is what is used to evaluate teachers in this state. I've been to soooo many trainings for it at this point it just makes me tired. We discussed starting the year with procedures, and a couple other things I cannot recall right now. Then we had an hour lunch which was nice. We drove down to a Basque Deli that makes really delicious sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Then the afternoon was torture. It was a training I've also been too many times about sexual harassment, bullying, and discrimination in the workplace. We looked at federal and state laws regarding those.
Then an hour later we dived in to Health Insurance. Now this is an important but extremely dull topic as well. They do an overview for you, people ask questions, and you end up feeling like you need a lawyer to interpret whatever information you just received. Okay maybe not quite that bad...but bad. So the good news is I have health insurance effective immediately and my plan from my last district doesn't expire till the 31st. We also get paid for this week of training by the end of the week. Our checks will be awaiting us on Friday. Such efficiency! In other health insurance related news it pays for us to have 24/7 online doctoring. So if my sinus infection hits after hours or I can't get an appointment in a timely manner I can consult with a Dr. online and they can give me a prescription. This isn't for long term health care but those temporary infections we can get. I can sit in my pajamas and cough for the online Dr. AMAZING! There isn't even a co-pay required. So that one was new to me. It is very nice though because there just aren't enough health care providers to support this whole community.
Then we have the upcoming health fair. As soon as I get my insurance card I can set up a time to go get blood work done. If we go it lowers our deductible by $200. Most of the blood work is free. I will only pay $30 to have my Vitamin D levels checked again this year.
Okay maybe there was a couple of interesting facts about the insurance. Other than that, it was incredibly dull. They have to do the overview. but it is so much at once that I always think by the time I need this will I remember?
There was a room full of new to the district teachers. It was fascinating. At my table there was one who moved out from Connecticut, one from Montana, and two from this area. Thirteen teachers had been hired from Montana. Two of the teachers at my table were first year teachers. I was impressed by how much they were paying attention, taking notes, and trying to make sure they have a good plan in place. They talked sometime during the presentation but it was related to work so I didn't mind so much. Normally, it irritates the heck out of me when the newbies do that because it is just goofing around.
One other thing we discussed and read articles about today was technology in the classroom. It was mostly about how students in low achieving schools, with low socioeconomic status, and of races other than white, were only exposed to technology for remediation and drills (practice). Where students outside of that were using technology to create and innovate. It was a eye opener to me. This has been completely true in my experience. The highest need students were given more access to technology but only to practice and review skills. If they could do that, but in a way that created something to share, it would be way more meaningful. At the last place I worked so much of the staff was resistant to learning the technology. They learned just enough to do what was required of them but no more. Another teacher went on and on about what technology they don't have. I am sure that is why we have to get creative and think of how we can utilize what we do have. Think outside of the box. So I must think on this and get something together.
I spent a little time in my classroom this evening. I have my general layout done. I have some shelving I brought but forgot my tools to put together. I also forgot my curtains at home that I want to hang. Once I have everything in its place I can start putting all my teaching "stuff" away. Then I will feel like it is a little more put together. I really need to sit down and focus on lesson planning. After my classroom is back together and I can find my resources, I can do that easily. The first couple of weeks are a lot of procedures and practice, practice, practice! My classroom is on the west side of the building so the sun just beats down and heats it up. They haven't turned on the a.c. yet. I was melting in their tonight. I will like it in the winter because I will have lots of sun exposure.
I babysat my friends two month old baby while she went to work on her classroom for several hours on Sunday. It's been awhile since I was in charge of a small baby. He was super good and easy to care for. Eat, Burp, Poop, Sleep, Repeat! I was more concerned about him being fussy but he wasn't at all. So yay! This young mom asked what I thought of her hanging her deer head in her classroom. I said "why not?" She said that people told her some parents might be offended. She is teaching social studies this fall.(update: 6th grade) I told her to turn it into a social studies lesson. She could discuss hunting and gathering. The culture she comes from is a hunting and ranching culture. Why can't she represent her culture in her classroom? If the delicate little snowflakes are offended by her deer head they should avoid grocery stores. She did seek her principals permission before she did anything and he said she could. Our students want to know who we are as people. This is part of who she is. So hang it up! Dad I don't need ducks to hang from my ceiling :)!
Well that's all I have for now... G'nite
August 12, 2016
Yard Sale...Ant Invasion
Got up early this a.m. to go yard-sales with a friend. I was hoping to find some shelves for my classroom. I did find one. It isn't anything very purty lol but it's sturdy and should work. My friends are going to have a yard sale tomorrow so I am going to try to get some more boxes unpacked so I can get rid of some things.
I started seeing a few little ants when I arrived back from up north. It seems to be the year of the ants. The house I lived in before I moved had a gazillion ant piles in the driveway this spring/summer. Up north I was helping Mom to stop the invasion at her house. Now I come back to MORE ANTS! Makes me itch. So yesterday I caught my landlord before she left for the day. She gave me some ant bait and said she'd come look tomorrow. I had been vacuuming up every time I went to the kitchen. They appear to be coming from under my dishwasher. So after setting out the ant bait I waited a bit and then went to look. The whole container was flowing with ants. There were some on the way in some on the way out. By this morning they had pretty much emptied the ant bait container. I sent my landlord a picture last night of these invaders. She said she'd send the maintenance guy by this a.m. to spray. I don't know how these boogers find a way in but they do!
I forgot to drop off one of my transcripts at our district office so I ran in to do that today! I couldn't believe I forgot one. There were two transcripts from different schools and they have similar identifying traits and colors so I missed one! Thank goodness I had a copy. So I think I am prepared there. I submitted all my other paperwork so I can start getting a paycheck! Whooo hooo!
I found out some retired teachers are having a yard sale tomorrow. So a teacher friend and I are running out there tomorrow morning. Hopefully I can find some "good" stuff there! Outfitting a classroom takes time. There are so many new staff members and not enough furniture etc to go around. Some of my colleagues got a little obsessed with making things look "cute." I just want to start off organized. "Cute" can be an expensive little trap that doesn't give you any function.
When I was up north mom and I picked up some nightlights so when they visit they wouldn't trip on there way to the bathroom. I have them plugged in now.
Our District Health Fair is coming up soon. I can get blood work done for free or a low price. That reminds me I need to schedule that.... ! I don't know if this county has a health fair like my previous one but I am glad the school district has one! Well I best get to it!
I started seeing a few little ants when I arrived back from up north. It seems to be the year of the ants. The house I lived in before I moved had a gazillion ant piles in the driveway this spring/summer. Up north I was helping Mom to stop the invasion at her house. Now I come back to MORE ANTS! Makes me itch. So yesterday I caught my landlord before she left for the day. She gave me some ant bait and said she'd come look tomorrow. I had been vacuuming up every time I went to the kitchen. They appear to be coming from under my dishwasher. So after setting out the ant bait I waited a bit and then went to look. The whole container was flowing with ants. There were some on the way in some on the way out. By this morning they had pretty much emptied the ant bait container. I sent my landlord a picture last night of these invaders. She said she'd send the maintenance guy by this a.m. to spray. I don't know how these boogers find a way in but they do!
I forgot to drop off one of my transcripts at our district office so I ran in to do that today! I couldn't believe I forgot one. There were two transcripts from different schools and they have similar identifying traits and colors so I missed one! Thank goodness I had a copy. So I think I am prepared there. I submitted all my other paperwork so I can start getting a paycheck! Whooo hooo!
I found out some retired teachers are having a yard sale tomorrow. So a teacher friend and I are running out there tomorrow morning. Hopefully I can find some "good" stuff there! Outfitting a classroom takes time. There are so many new staff members and not enough furniture etc to go around. Some of my colleagues got a little obsessed with making things look "cute." I just want to start off organized. "Cute" can be an expensive little trap that doesn't give you any function.
When I was up north mom and I picked up some nightlights so when they visit they wouldn't trip on there way to the bathroom. I have them plugged in now.
Our District Health Fair is coming up soon. I can get blood work done for free or a low price. That reminds me I need to schedule that.... ! I don't know if this county has a health fair like my previous one but I am glad the school district has one! Well I best get to it!
August 10, 2016
End of Summer is Nigh...
I have been asked a few times recently if I wanted to come back to my home state. The last time I was asked I realized my answer was a little harsh but definitly emphatic. I gave a resounding "NO!" It kind of startles people I've realized. Many think I am crazy for living in my desert environment with snowcapped peaks and lots of winter snow. I love it most of the time. It is a rare day that you don't have sunshine. Others see brown, sand, dirt, and sage. I can see the beauty in all of that. We have spectacular sunsets and I can go outside almost every night and see the stars. That is the physical environment.
I have been working in a tough school environment the past few years. I've had 5 principals in 6 years. This means an ever changing plan, a lack of consistency, a learning curve, and a perpetual cycle of change. That is exhausting. So finally I sucked it up and moved. It was taking a toll on me. So I am hopefull things will be different. I think they are for several reasons. When speaking about the principal my colleagues are usually positive. When I walk in the building their is a different feeling a lightness, a sense of purpose, clear goals, and direction. When I speak with my colleagues they are highly motivated and wanting to read, grow, and learn. They have been working on lesson plans the last couple of months and pacing guides.
I was discussing with a friend tonight how I am excited for the new year and stressed about learning and adapting to a new school. I don't have that feeling of dread. That feeling I get when there either isn't a plan, the plan changes, or the plan changes at least a dozen times and I have no idea what is going on. It made it very difficult to prepare when you knew the plan probably wouldn't be the plan. The communication of the New Improved Plan rarely happened. Anyhow, we were both feeling so positive about this new school year. I am glad I made the change.
I had a much shorter journey back to my new place. It was a beautiful day for a drive. Partly cloudy, a little windy, and sunny. I unloaded most of my car when I got here. I had to drop off paperwork at the district office today. After filling in my name, address, and phone number a gazillion times I ran down there. It's about five minutes away. I walked into the office and couldn't see a soul. I could hear something going on but couldn't see anybody. There was a bell to ring so I rang the bell after waiting a bit. Noone came. So I waited and waited some more. Finally someone entered through the door I came in through. It was the person I needed to pass off the paperwork to. So that worked out well. Next week I have new teacher training. Some of it will be old news as I am not a brand new teacher in this state. Some will be new to this district though.
My friends invited me over tonight for dinner. Which was great because I never made it to the grocery store today. I was able to spend some time with my buddy. He had a lot he wanted to show me and tell me. It was nice to spend time with them.
I had a great time with my family and friends up north. The time flew by!
I have been working in a tough school environment the past few years. I've had 5 principals in 6 years. This means an ever changing plan, a lack of consistency, a learning curve, and a perpetual cycle of change. That is exhausting. So finally I sucked it up and moved. It was taking a toll on me. So I am hopefull things will be different. I think they are for several reasons. When speaking about the principal my colleagues are usually positive. When I walk in the building their is a different feeling a lightness, a sense of purpose, clear goals, and direction. When I speak with my colleagues they are highly motivated and wanting to read, grow, and learn. They have been working on lesson plans the last couple of months and pacing guides.
I was discussing with a friend tonight how I am excited for the new year and stressed about learning and adapting to a new school. I don't have that feeling of dread. That feeling I get when there either isn't a plan, the plan changes, or the plan changes at least a dozen times and I have no idea what is going on. It made it very difficult to prepare when you knew the plan probably wouldn't be the plan. The communication of the New Improved Plan rarely happened. Anyhow, we were both feeling so positive about this new school year. I am glad I made the change.
I had a much shorter journey back to my new place. It was a beautiful day for a drive. Partly cloudy, a little windy, and sunny. I unloaded most of my car when I got here. I had to drop off paperwork at the district office today. After filling in my name, address, and phone number a gazillion times I ran down there. It's about five minutes away. I walked into the office and couldn't see a soul. I could hear something going on but couldn't see anybody. There was a bell to ring so I rang the bell after waiting a bit. Noone came. So I waited and waited some more. Finally someone entered through the door I came in through. It was the person I needed to pass off the paperwork to. So that worked out well. Next week I have new teacher training. Some of it will be old news as I am not a brand new teacher in this state. Some will be new to this district though.
My friends invited me over tonight for dinner. Which was great because I never made it to the grocery store today. I was able to spend some time with my buddy. He had a lot he wanted to show me and tell me. It was nice to spend time with them.
I had a great time with my family and friends up north. The time flew by!
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