I am thinking I need to make some adjustments. I am on a lot of committees. The problem with this is that it takes me away from my students. I have some students that I can't even explain how tough life is. The amazing thing is they don't really know it is tough. They are just moving forward. They are emotionally so needy. I have so many students that simply need love that I feel spread thin. The secretary and I were talking about how much this has changed in the last 10 years. It makes me very thankful for the parents who meet their kids needs so that they feel safe and secure.
I bought clothes for a student this week. The student had 2 pairs of clothes. A winter coat the school got for the student. Everything the student owned was in the student's backpack. Life has improved for a short bit but I don't know if it will continue to be so. This is just a drop in the bucket of needs from students. It also makes me feel frustrated with the parent who are raising whining kids who demand your attention simply from being so spoiled and having it be allll about them. So struggles as a teacher continue.
This week was the end of the quarter. Nine weeks to go. I have a leadership team meeting, a budget meeting, and my regular weekly meetings next week. It will be another busy one. I also found out some not so brilliant soul decided against spring break next year. So no spring break. If you don't think that won't drive teachers to insanity. We have a very late spring break as it is. Our students have a long haul without any breaks and then no spring break. I need the break. The students need the break. We all need the break. I just don't even know what to think.
I picked up my basket today. I have some peppers to take to a friend. Then I made a beef stew. I had some stew meat I needed to use up before it was ruined. So I have a pot of stew on. Seemed like a strange thing to make on a warm day. I also got a lot of lemons, so I need to figure out what to make with them.
March 21, 2015
Thursday
Attempting a gluten free spaghetti tonight. I've tried a few of the GF pastas and sometimes they just don't taste very good. Anyhow, all I was thinking about as I left school today was Spaghetti sounds sooooo good. So my sauce is simmering while I wait for the pasta to cook.
It was another busy week. Only one evening meeting this week for the budget committee. After I left the committee meeting I thought of all the questions I should have asked. It isn't too late though. What bugs me is that one person is trying to manipulate how things go for the benefit of a few. That is not right. Then there were other concerns glossed over. It isn't too late to keep asking the questions. I am not excited about some of what I am seeing. We shall see it will get uglier before it is over.
I have a new student this week a school board members grandson. He came after being in some not great education systems. I won't bash anything but just say he is quite low. I have been working hard to get some resources for this child. I hope I see help him make some improvements this last 9 weeks of school.
It was another busy week. Only one evening meeting this week for the budget committee. After I left the committee meeting I thought of all the questions I should have asked. It isn't too late though. What bugs me is that one person is trying to manipulate how things go for the benefit of a few. That is not right. Then there were other concerns glossed over. It isn't too late to keep asking the questions. I am not excited about some of what I am seeing. We shall see it will get uglier before it is over.
I have a new student this week a school board members grandson. He came after being in some not great education systems. I won't bash anything but just say he is quite low. I have been working hard to get some resources for this child. I hope I see help him make some improvements this last 9 weeks of school.
March 9, 2015
Time Change
The bi-annual time change is another curse to teachers. The students are in a routine a rhythm and it is quickly demolished with the time change. It also has an impact on their teacher. Can we just leave it alone? Is this necessary anymore?
After work I ran home to pick up my grocery list that I forgot. Then I ran to the post office in an attempt to make it before it closed. I found it closed and an awful sign. The hours have changed to 7:30a.m.-4 p.m. My contract ours are 7-4:30 so this is a bummer. I will have to wait until Friday to send any mail. Not very convenient. It has to do with meeting the deadline to get it to the sorting center or something in that very big bright city down south. Sigh! After this I ran to the grocery store and bought the items I had forgotten when I ran this weekend. All of this took about 1/2 hour and I was whining about how long it took. Then I had to tell myself how ridiculous that was. In a bigger city it would take 1/2 hour just to run one of those errands. I was chastised sufficiently.
One item I had forgotten to purchase was baking powder. Thursday we have our monthly staff potluck. I usually don't bring anything nor do I eat anything. I thought I would contribute this time. However, I have meetings in the evening every night this week other than tonight. So I had to get the baking done tonight. So zucchini chocolate chip muffins are in the oven as I type. I did not use my gluten free flour for my work pals. Gluten Free flour isn't cheap so I wasn't wasting it on my colleagues! HA! They won't care. I am throwing them in the freezer after they bake. Hopefully they turn out okay. It was a bread recipe not a muffin recipe. So I'd best be careful not to burn them.
I was so pooped when I got home from school that I was having trouble staying awake. After burning my dinner I decided just to go to bed. I knew I would wake up in a couple hours ready to get something done. Not a very good sleep pattern but to function...it worked.
Three weeks until Spring Break and 41 school days with students left. This year has flown by. At times it felt like it was dragging. Even on my bad days I try not to wish the year away because it does fly by.
In good news from the school front the district hired a ELL teacher part time for the rest of the year. They "found" some grant money they could put toward this. The awesome part is this is a retired teacher of the best quality. I am so happy for one of my ELL students that is totally lost. I think this child is living in poverty and I don't see a lot of motivation from the parents to change. I have another ELL student that the parents are extremely motivated. The parents English is so broken I find it very difficult to understand them. However, what I do understand is they want to make sure their child does well in life and they want her to succeed. We have a great parent-teacher relationship because they make it so clear they are working hard on their end as well. Even with their limited understanding. It is just awesome to see.
I have another student whose life has been chaos. It sounds like someone has finally stepped in to make things better. I can only hope this is the case! Students lives are sometimes absolutely and completely heart-breaking. Then I expect them to learn in school. Sigh. I still push them the same as the rest. Do you know why? This might be their only chance to change their life path. I might be the only person who expects them to succeed. So very little slack is granted. I want them all to do their best whatever that may be that day.
Good luck adjusting your circadian rhythms to the time change. UGGH
After work I ran home to pick up my grocery list that I forgot. Then I ran to the post office in an attempt to make it before it closed. I found it closed and an awful sign. The hours have changed to 7:30a.m.-4 p.m. My contract ours are 7-4:30 so this is a bummer. I will have to wait until Friday to send any mail. Not very convenient. It has to do with meeting the deadline to get it to the sorting center or something in that very big bright city down south. Sigh! After this I ran to the grocery store and bought the items I had forgotten when I ran this weekend. All of this took about 1/2 hour and I was whining about how long it took. Then I had to tell myself how ridiculous that was. In a bigger city it would take 1/2 hour just to run one of those errands. I was chastised sufficiently.
One item I had forgotten to purchase was baking powder. Thursday we have our monthly staff potluck. I usually don't bring anything nor do I eat anything. I thought I would contribute this time. However, I have meetings in the evening every night this week other than tonight. So I had to get the baking done tonight. So zucchini chocolate chip muffins are in the oven as I type. I did not use my gluten free flour for my work pals. Gluten Free flour isn't cheap so I wasn't wasting it on my colleagues! HA! They won't care. I am throwing them in the freezer after they bake. Hopefully they turn out okay. It was a bread recipe not a muffin recipe. So I'd best be careful not to burn them.
I was so pooped when I got home from school that I was having trouble staying awake. After burning my dinner I decided just to go to bed. I knew I would wake up in a couple hours ready to get something done. Not a very good sleep pattern but to function...it worked.
Three weeks until Spring Break and 41 school days with students left. This year has flown by. At times it felt like it was dragging. Even on my bad days I try not to wish the year away because it does fly by.
In good news from the school front the district hired a ELL teacher part time for the rest of the year. They "found" some grant money they could put toward this. The awesome part is this is a retired teacher of the best quality. I am so happy for one of my ELL students that is totally lost. I think this child is living in poverty and I don't see a lot of motivation from the parents to change. I have another ELL student that the parents are extremely motivated. The parents English is so broken I find it very difficult to understand them. However, what I do understand is they want to make sure their child does well in life and they want her to succeed. We have a great parent-teacher relationship because they make it so clear they are working hard on their end as well. Even with their limited understanding. It is just awesome to see.
I have another student whose life has been chaos. It sounds like someone has finally stepped in to make things better. I can only hope this is the case! Students lives are sometimes absolutely and completely heart-breaking. Then I expect them to learn in school. Sigh. I still push them the same as the rest. Do you know why? This might be their only chance to change their life path. I might be the only person who expects them to succeed. So very little slack is granted. I want them all to do their best whatever that may be that day.
Good luck adjusting your circadian rhythms to the time change. UGGH
March 6, 2015
The Roaring Lion of March
A step ahead and 35 steps behind. It's only Monday. We have been inundated with a downpour of meetings in March. I get a little overwhelmed when I look at the schedule for March. Most of them are outside of regular school hours. I am also in the position that my grade level colleagues are not going. I am getting pretty frustrated that it is falling on me every time. Frankly, I want to kick them in the heiny!
I started this post on Monday and never came back to it. That is how hectic this week was. Next week looks to be a doozy as well. Administration is coming to all of our planning meetings now to observe and make suggestions. They finally recognized that our team was not up to the standard. I could only do so much pushing. I was fed up!
Today we had an all day meeting about our new Educator Performance Framework. It is how teachers will be evaluated. It is pretty intense. In some ways I think it is good because we have to think deeply about how we are teaching. In other ways I think... no! We should be thinking deeply about our teaching whether we are evaluated with this tool or not. What should happen is holding teachers accountable regardless of what evaluation tool is used. If you don't hold them accountable change will not occur. What I see about this new evaluation system is that it is a lot more work for us. Some of the work will be good things that really help us to be more quality teachers. Some of it will be an endless sea of paper work that will be taking us away from what we need to focus on.... our students. We are constantly told we should be thinking of them but more is placed in front of us all the time that takes us away from them and their needs. I don't know we'll see how it goes.
In other news in the million meetings of March, I am part of the team looking at next years budget. I was asked to be on the team and I said "If you need me to be on the team, I will be on the team." "We need you on the team." "Okay then I'm on the team." So I just added at least two meetings to my plethora of meetings this month. I don't really know what this Budget meeting will look like. It usually means we get rid of people. It could get ugly. I have a few recommendations for who could depart but I don't think that is my job ha! In our current contract we are not just riffed based on seniority there are a lot of factors considered. So there may be some surprises. Some will not be a surprise at ALL!
I started this post on Monday and never came back to it. That is how hectic this week was. Next week looks to be a doozy as well. Administration is coming to all of our planning meetings now to observe and make suggestions. They finally recognized that our team was not up to the standard. I could only do so much pushing. I was fed up!
Today we had an all day meeting about our new Educator Performance Framework. It is how teachers will be evaluated. It is pretty intense. In some ways I think it is good because we have to think deeply about how we are teaching. In other ways I think... no! We should be thinking deeply about our teaching whether we are evaluated with this tool or not. What should happen is holding teachers accountable regardless of what evaluation tool is used. If you don't hold them accountable change will not occur. What I see about this new evaluation system is that it is a lot more work for us. Some of the work will be good things that really help us to be more quality teachers. Some of it will be an endless sea of paper work that will be taking us away from what we need to focus on.... our students. We are constantly told we should be thinking of them but more is placed in front of us all the time that takes us away from them and their needs. I don't know we'll see how it goes.
In other news in the million meetings of March, I am part of the team looking at next years budget. I was asked to be on the team and I said "If you need me to be on the team, I will be on the team." "We need you on the team." "Okay then I'm on the team." So I just added at least two meetings to my plethora of meetings this month. I don't really know what this Budget meeting will look like. It usually means we get rid of people. It could get ugly. I have a few recommendations for who could depart but I don't think that is my job ha! In our current contract we are not just riffed based on seniority there are a lot of factors considered. So there may be some surprises. Some will not be a surprise at ALL!
February 9, 2015
Zucchini, Sunshine, and Dancing!
It doesn't seem to matter how much time I spend at school on the weekends. I never get it all done. I always feel 25 steps behind. I can't believe how quickly the school year is going by. I guess the upside of the insanity is that it is flying by. I can't even keep track of the craziness. I have a cold and overall I feel okay but my voice is done. Which doesn't really work well in a class of very talkative seven and eight year olds. We do have a voice amplification system. I would be in real trouble with out it. They can even hear it when I whisper. The stress that is put on a teachers voice is incredible. I can't imagine not having an amplification system. It really reduces the strain of talking throughout the day. You can also talk like Darth Vader into it and add excitement to a lesson.
We do a lot of dancing in my class. If you know me and how much rhythm I possess, you are probably scratching your head in confusion. We watch some dances from Just Dance on youtube and the students dance along. We also use a website called GoNoodle. GoNoodle has one where the students sit in their seats and pretend to ride a roller coaster. It is pretty funny to watch the whole class throwing their hands up in the air and yelling as they "go down" the coaster. It is pretty fun. Seven and eight year old's have a lot of wiggles to work out of their system. If we didn't dance I would have a mutiny.
I was slotted for Jury Duty tomorrow. Luckily I called and the trial was canceled. Hopefully that will keep me off their call list for awhile. I never know who is going to trial but it is always a concern it will be a parent of a student. I could opt out under those circumstances. I just don't want to know all of the small town drama.
I made Gluten Free Zucchini bread this weekend. It is WONDERFUL! The delicious factor made my day. Sometimes I miss bread. Most of the time I don't, I miss things like pasta and pizza. I never ate much bread. I drank my tea today to get through the long day. I have to label Valentine's before Thursday. The Awesome news is that it is a LONG WEEKEND! Thank You George and Lincoln for having Birthdays in February... You help teachers survive till Spring Break. We have a late one here it is in April. January through March seem like the longest months of the year. It was soooo warm here today that I had to open my classroom windows and turn on the Air Conditioner. Ridiculous!
One more thing... when I left work today... the sun was still SHINING! I love that the days are getting longer.
We do a lot of dancing in my class. If you know me and how much rhythm I possess, you are probably scratching your head in confusion. We watch some dances from Just Dance on youtube and the students dance along. We also use a website called GoNoodle. GoNoodle has one where the students sit in their seats and pretend to ride a roller coaster. It is pretty funny to watch the whole class throwing their hands up in the air and yelling as they "go down" the coaster. It is pretty fun. Seven and eight year old's have a lot of wiggles to work out of their system. If we didn't dance I would have a mutiny.
I was slotted for Jury Duty tomorrow. Luckily I called and the trial was canceled. Hopefully that will keep me off their call list for awhile. I never know who is going to trial but it is always a concern it will be a parent of a student. I could opt out under those circumstances. I just don't want to know all of the small town drama.
I made Gluten Free Zucchini bread this weekend. It is WONDERFUL! The delicious factor made my day. Sometimes I miss bread. Most of the time I don't, I miss things like pasta and pizza. I never ate much bread. I drank my tea today to get through the long day. I have to label Valentine's before Thursday. The Awesome news is that it is a LONG WEEKEND! Thank You George and Lincoln for having Birthdays in February... You help teachers survive till Spring Break. We have a late one here it is in April. January through March seem like the longest months of the year. It was soooo warm here today that I had to open my classroom windows and turn on the Air Conditioner. Ridiculous!
One more thing... when I left work today... the sun was still SHINING! I love that the days are getting longer.
February 7, 2015
Basket Day
Went and picked up my produce basket today. Now I have to make some zucchini bread because it is the only decent way to eat a zucchini. The butter, sugar, and flour disguise the zucchini flavor. That is important. I wasn't really in a baking mood today but I'd better find it. I also got some asparagus(ugh), butternut squash(yikes), cauliflower (ick), and purple potatoes(yum). That was the vegetable side of things. I sometimes wonder why I get this because I am horrible about eating most of my vegetables. Usually in my basket I receive just one or two items I don't care for. Asparagus freezes well so Mom will enjoy that. On the fruit side apples, pears, oranges, kiwi, tomatoes, and lemons. So it was the delicious side of the basket.
I don't know the outcome but SpEd parents were having a meeting today to discuss options they have as parents. Their students are not receiving services. I am glad the parents banded together from their end. I feel the teachers have done as much as we could from our end. The only step further we could take would be to go to a school board meeting. It could put our jobs in a precarious position to do so. We've gone through all of the appropriate channels regarding this situation. I hope there is a change. I had to send an e-mail to admin today. I feel like there are so many times you can have the same conversation without result. It is a frustration.
In other education related headaches. A team of three teachers at our school including myself volunteered to be part of a team for Gifted and Talented students to do an after school program funded by a grant. We asked for information, thought we had received what we needed, then asked more questions. We received vague responses. So we e-mailed very specific questions regarding the grant and funds for this program. The answers again were vague and so we declined to participate. It is sad that those students won't have this opportunity. We were very uncomfortable with how the money was being handled and didn't want our names on anything that might be shady. So I am sure we will get the blame for not doing the program. I called our PTO president and said this is why we aren't doing it. If parents ask. I am sure parents will ask and the principal will say the teachers didn't want to do it they have too much going on etc. If you can't answer basic money related questions on a grant that you submitted the paperwork for and received the grant. Something isn't right.
So the saga at school continues. I owe my janitors some delicious treats because I let my students use glitter. I apologized but really that isn't enough. I don't know what I was thinking letting them use glitter. If I ever do again they will certainly not have as much glitter choice. Like I said I owe the janitors some treats. Even that might not be enough of an apology. Well, I had better sign off and go grate some zucchini.
I don't know the outcome but SpEd parents were having a meeting today to discuss options they have as parents. Their students are not receiving services. I am glad the parents banded together from their end. I feel the teachers have done as much as we could from our end. The only step further we could take would be to go to a school board meeting. It could put our jobs in a precarious position to do so. We've gone through all of the appropriate channels regarding this situation. I hope there is a change. I had to send an e-mail to admin today. I feel like there are so many times you can have the same conversation without result. It is a frustration.
In other education related headaches. A team of three teachers at our school including myself volunteered to be part of a team for Gifted and Talented students to do an after school program funded by a grant. We asked for information, thought we had received what we needed, then asked more questions. We received vague responses. So we e-mailed very specific questions regarding the grant and funds for this program. The answers again were vague and so we declined to participate. It is sad that those students won't have this opportunity. We were very uncomfortable with how the money was being handled and didn't want our names on anything that might be shady. So I am sure we will get the blame for not doing the program. I called our PTO president and said this is why we aren't doing it. If parents ask. I am sure parents will ask and the principal will say the teachers didn't want to do it they have too much going on etc. If you can't answer basic money related questions on a grant that you submitted the paperwork for and received the grant. Something isn't right.
So the saga at school continues. I owe my janitors some delicious treats because I let my students use glitter. I apologized but really that isn't enough. I don't know what I was thinking letting them use glitter. If I ever do again they will certainly not have as much glitter choice. Like I said I owe the janitors some treats. Even that might not be enough of an apology. Well, I had better sign off and go grate some zucchini.
February 4, 2015
The backpack incident and other entertainment
It has been an EmergenC week. I needed that extra vitamin c. I feel like I am getting a cold. I hope it doesn't turn into a full blown cold. I drank a little too much EmergenC and Tea yesterday and was a little wired when I needed to be sleeping. So I plan to hit the hay a little earlier tonight.
I attended a meeting after school today attended by about 10-15 teachers. We were bringing our issues with the SpED department to administrations attention. AGAIN. If they don't change something up QUICKLY they could be in a lawsuit. I can't believe how long they have allowed them to make excuses and not do their jobs. If teachers were this incompetent they would be on us like superglue. It is unbelievable.
I had a difficult student moved into my class because the parents felt like the other teacher was too "critical" of the student. It is interesting the reaction I've been getting from the parents because I have been pretty "critical" of the student as well. The student is a real poop but when I talk with the student my commands are immediately followed. If not there is an immediate consequence. The student is very respectful to me when I "lay down the law". However, it wears me out to have to keep my thumb on the kid all day.
There was a backpack incident today. I don't know what the student had in their brown bag for lunch. I just know what ever it was leaked out of the bag into the backpack and onto the floor. It smelled so bad we all were pinching our noses. I buzzed the office and asked for a trash bag ASAP. The janitor brought one in with a puzzled look on his face. I bagged the backpack and the student went home looking like a hobo carrying the back on his back. I had to spray some freshener around but it was one of those stenches that just lingered. This is one of those students it is a miracle anything makes it to school in the first place because of clumsiness, so they should never be given a brown bag. Heck a ziplock bag, plastic bag, just something somewhat leak proof. Just writing about it brings the smell back.
I read my students a poem every day. I read them one yesterday they begged me never to read again. I can't recall the title right now but when I do I will share. One of my students came up to me and said if we are being naughty you should punish us by reading that over and over again. They felt that strongly about it.
One of my students noticed a cd on my desk and asked if we could listen to it. I said, "Sure it it Johann Sebastian Bach." Then we had a short conversation about who he was. Johann has a piece that is in a lot of Halloween type movies I think maybe in the Munsters. Anyhow their eyes lit up when they heard that creepy organ playing. So the rest of the day we had to listen to Bach whenever we had an opportunity. You just never know what kids will delight in.
I have NOT I repeat NOT watched the movie FROZEN. I know I am in a minority group. However, I have successfully gotten sick of the music without having watched the movie. I know way more about the music than I should on a movie I have never seen. I have a couple of students who are professional work avoiders. If they put as much effort into doing it as they do avoiding it they could accomplish great things. So today to the tune of "Let it Go" we sang to them GET IT DONE! They mostly got it done.
January flew by and February promises to be a busy month. I am glad we have a long weekend in there because I will need it. We are on our third quarter of school. Amazing! I had a brief meeting with our principal yesterday with some things she wanted me to take back to our team. It was supposed to be with our team but they didn't show up. So I went over things with them. It wasn't very good because it needed to come from her. What can you do.
I feel like after 5 years of teaching I have a TON to learn still. However a 2nd year teacher came in today and said I want to come and watch you teach for a day I feel like I could learn so much from you. That made me feel really good. She is a great teacher as well. I think we get tired, sick, and discouraged. Then we don't feel like we are doing anything right. This year has been such a crazy year that it seems like I haven't been able to focus on student learning as much as I would like. Meetings out the wazooo keep interrupting what I should be doing. I left school on time today. Not because I didn't have a gazillion things to do. I left on time today because after getting their early and having a busy day I had nothing left to give. I will pay for it with a heavy work load this weekend. So it goes.... G'nite
I attended a meeting after school today attended by about 10-15 teachers. We were bringing our issues with the SpED department to administrations attention. AGAIN. If they don't change something up QUICKLY they could be in a lawsuit. I can't believe how long they have allowed them to make excuses and not do their jobs. If teachers were this incompetent they would be on us like superglue. It is unbelievable.
I had a difficult student moved into my class because the parents felt like the other teacher was too "critical" of the student. It is interesting the reaction I've been getting from the parents because I have been pretty "critical" of the student as well. The student is a real poop but when I talk with the student my commands are immediately followed. If not there is an immediate consequence. The student is very respectful to me when I "lay down the law". However, it wears me out to have to keep my thumb on the kid all day.
There was a backpack incident today. I don't know what the student had in their brown bag for lunch. I just know what ever it was leaked out of the bag into the backpack and onto the floor. It smelled so bad we all were pinching our noses. I buzzed the office and asked for a trash bag ASAP. The janitor brought one in with a puzzled look on his face. I bagged the backpack and the student went home looking like a hobo carrying the back on his back. I had to spray some freshener around but it was one of those stenches that just lingered. This is one of those students it is a miracle anything makes it to school in the first place because of clumsiness, so they should never be given a brown bag. Heck a ziplock bag, plastic bag, just something somewhat leak proof. Just writing about it brings the smell back.
I read my students a poem every day. I read them one yesterday they begged me never to read again. I can't recall the title right now but when I do I will share. One of my students came up to me and said if we are being naughty you should punish us by reading that over and over again. They felt that strongly about it.
One of my students noticed a cd on my desk and asked if we could listen to it. I said, "Sure it it Johann Sebastian Bach." Then we had a short conversation about who he was. Johann has a piece that is in a lot of Halloween type movies I think maybe in the Munsters. Anyhow their eyes lit up when they heard that creepy organ playing. So the rest of the day we had to listen to Bach whenever we had an opportunity. You just never know what kids will delight in.
I have NOT I repeat NOT watched the movie FROZEN. I know I am in a minority group. However, I have successfully gotten sick of the music without having watched the movie. I know way more about the music than I should on a movie I have never seen. I have a couple of students who are professional work avoiders. If they put as much effort into doing it as they do avoiding it they could accomplish great things. So today to the tune of "Let it Go" we sang to them GET IT DONE! They mostly got it done.
January flew by and February promises to be a busy month. I am glad we have a long weekend in there because I will need it. We are on our third quarter of school. Amazing! I had a brief meeting with our principal yesterday with some things she wanted me to take back to our team. It was supposed to be with our team but they didn't show up. So I went over things with them. It wasn't very good because it needed to come from her. What can you do.
I feel like after 5 years of teaching I have a TON to learn still. However a 2nd year teacher came in today and said I want to come and watch you teach for a day I feel like I could learn so much from you. That made me feel really good. She is a great teacher as well. I think we get tired, sick, and discouraged. Then we don't feel like we are doing anything right. This year has been such a crazy year that it seems like I haven't been able to focus on student learning as much as I would like. Meetings out the wazooo keep interrupting what I should be doing. I left school on time today. Not because I didn't have a gazillion things to do. I left on time today because after getting their early and having a busy day I had nothing left to give. I will pay for it with a heavy work load this weekend. So it goes.... G'nite
January 27, 2015
Another day
I
We had Western Oregon weather today. It was cloudy, cool, and overcast with a persistent drizzle all day. Then tonight that wet ground turned to a brilliant ice slick. I think the weather made for wiggly kids. They were ready to bounce off the walls. I was ready to bounce them off the walls. We have been working on winter testing as well so by the end of the day they are just done. So far about 1/3 of my students are above grade level, about 1/3 on grade level, and about 1/3 nowhere close to grade level. I am going to have to up my game in some specific areas to push them to the next level.
I was evaluated last week. We are supposed to have a post observation conference. I never had any notification of the conference which I usually get. Then I get an email today scheduling another observation/evaluation. I thought it was strange I hadn't gotten the results of the last one before having another one scheduled. I sent off an e-mail regarding this, no response yet. So I am not sure.
I use an free online "app" to track student behavior. I had a parent send this note today
" Is student unmanageable? Or are we using this tool too often to judge his behavior and potential parenting/disciplinary needs"
My response "We are working on students behavior to make student aware of what student needs to work on. Student is doing better from what I have seen, and I hope student continues to make improvements."
Parents response was positive after that. I have no idea what parenting may or may not be going on. I can make some guesses. The behavior tracker only shows what they are or are not doing well. I found it interesting the parent thought I was making a judgement about their parenting. It is a pretty dry tracker, it shows whether students are on or off task, following directions, participating, keeping their hands to themselves, talking out of turn, and those kinds of things. This student is consistently a little booger. The student was just moved to my class because the parent didn't like how critical the other teacher was of her student. When this demand was made I asked administration if they told the parent I was the strictest teacher in my grade level. Administration said they did inform the parent of that. This student was just moved into a class with much higher expectations. So we shall see how this goes. It could be a ride and a half.
Well I should be off to bed... goodnight!
We had Western Oregon weather today. It was cloudy, cool, and overcast with a persistent drizzle all day. Then tonight that wet ground turned to a brilliant ice slick. I think the weather made for wiggly kids. They were ready to bounce off the walls. I was ready to bounce them off the walls. We have been working on winter testing as well so by the end of the day they are just done. So far about 1/3 of my students are above grade level, about 1/3 on grade level, and about 1/3 nowhere close to grade level. I am going to have to up my game in some specific areas to push them to the next level.
I was evaluated last week. We are supposed to have a post observation conference. I never had any notification of the conference which I usually get. Then I get an email today scheduling another observation/evaluation. I thought it was strange I hadn't gotten the results of the last one before having another one scheduled. I sent off an e-mail regarding this, no response yet. So I am not sure.
I use an free online "app" to track student behavior. I had a parent send this note today
" Is student unmanageable? Or are we using this tool too often to judge his behavior and potential parenting/disciplinary needs"
My response "We are working on students behavior to make student aware of what student needs to work on. Student is doing better from what I have seen, and I hope student continues to make improvements."
Parents response was positive after that. I have no idea what parenting may or may not be going on. I can make some guesses. The behavior tracker only shows what they are or are not doing well. I found it interesting the parent thought I was making a judgement about their parenting. It is a pretty dry tracker, it shows whether students are on or off task, following directions, participating, keeping their hands to themselves, talking out of turn, and those kinds of things. This student is consistently a little booger. The student was just moved to my class because the parent didn't like how critical the other teacher was of her student. When this demand was made I asked administration if they told the parent I was the strictest teacher in my grade level. Administration said they did inform the parent of that. This student was just moved into a class with much higher expectations. So we shall see how this goes. It could be a ride and a half.
Well I should be off to bed... goodnight!
January 21, 2015
Roadblocks to achievement
My cousin when he calls asks how is your "Peyton Place?" For a minute there I thought maybe just maybe things would be smoothing out and getting better. They aren't. I don't even know how to respond to some of the insanity going on around here. I have a student moved into my classroom tomorrow. We started counting this afternoon they have moved about 8-9 students around in just our grade level. It is mostly due to parents who don't believe their "little darlings" are at fault for any of their inappropriate behavior. Why they are perpetually letting parents dictate everything is beyond me. The result is a lot of nuttiness. I agree sometimes it needs to happen. The frequency with which it is occurring this year is just ridiculous. Just when you have your class settled in, expectations set, a wrench is thrown in the works. Our administration is a waste of money. We had another staff meeting after work today which was basically another "you guys suck look how low fall test scores were what are you going to do about it?" I don't know why doesn't the administration create a schedule for ANYTHING so that we are all on the same page. The excuses made for the incompetent people is at an all time high. Moral is very low. One of my students that was used as an example for a "low" student in the fall testing cycle. This student just did the winter test and was way above grade level.
I am so fed up tonight with our administration I had to express my frustration. Administration refused to make a schedule for the computer lab. Six classes share this lab. We are all trying to test. They suggested that we go to the 1st grade building and test. Without even asking them if it conflicted with their schedule. GRRR. So I went around to all the teachers and pushed us creating our own schedule. So I made a schedule and sent it to them. I have never had an administrator so anti-schedule. It defies logic. When you are managing such a large group of people you schedule everything. It prevents confusion and conflict. I have to remember to "Keep my eye on the purpose" helping my students to have success. I just am disappointed in the crazy roadblocks in our path.
Oh... just to add to my grumpiness this evening I received a Jury Summons. yay me. My second summons this year.
I am so fed up tonight with our administration I had to express my frustration. Administration refused to make a schedule for the computer lab. Six classes share this lab. We are all trying to test. They suggested that we go to the 1st grade building and test. Without even asking them if it conflicted with their schedule. GRRR. So I went around to all the teachers and pushed us creating our own schedule. So I made a schedule and sent it to them. I have never had an administrator so anti-schedule. It defies logic. When you are managing such a large group of people you schedule everything. It prevents confusion and conflict. I have to remember to "Keep my eye on the purpose" helping my students to have success. I just am disappointed in the crazy roadblocks in our path.
Oh... just to add to my grumpiness this evening I received a Jury Summons. yay me. My second summons this year.
Winter testing
It doesn't take long to develop a bad habit. I have a terrible habit of messing up my sleep schedule. I often can barely keep my eyes open so I go to bed early. The consequences are that I wake up in the middle of the night WIDE AWAKE! Sometimes awake enough that I get up and get a few things done. So I guess it isn't all bad. I have been a light sleeper my whole life. Which is a bummer. It doesn't take much to wake me up or disturb my sleep.
We began our winter testing today. I had a couple of students moved to my class because their parents were unhappy with how they were doing in another class. One of them grew 26 points from the fall to now. I was wondering why so many of this teachers' students were testing so low in the fall. They always drop over the summer but, some of them dropped a crazy number of points over the summer. I finally realized this was strategic. The teacher was ensuring growth from the fall by creating a hectic test environment. In doing such she can say " Look how much they grew." It is disappointing to work with someone who is being dishonest about testing. I hope there are those with enough sense to realize that is what is occurring. The treacherous effects of focusing only on testing.
I did find out some good news. In our new contract how RIF-Reduction in Force has changed. It is not now based purely on seniority. Actually, seniority is last on the list. I am not sure that all of the teachers have realized this. It is based on the following:
a. The performance evaluations of the teacher,
b. The type of licensure held by the teacher including National Board Certification,
c. The disciplinary record, included in the district personnel file of the teacher,
d. If equality is observed in evaluations and performance, seniority will prevail.
So this may help remove a few not so fabulous instructors. We'll see how likely that is. Not sure. Anyhow, I just have to keep plugging away and moving forward.
We began our winter testing today. I had a couple of students moved to my class because their parents were unhappy with how they were doing in another class. One of them grew 26 points from the fall to now. I was wondering why so many of this teachers' students were testing so low in the fall. They always drop over the summer but, some of them dropped a crazy number of points over the summer. I finally realized this was strategic. The teacher was ensuring growth from the fall by creating a hectic test environment. In doing such she can say " Look how much they grew." It is disappointing to work with someone who is being dishonest about testing. I hope there are those with enough sense to realize that is what is occurring. The treacherous effects of focusing only on testing.
I did find out some good news. In our new contract how RIF-Reduction in Force has changed. It is not now based purely on seniority. Actually, seniority is last on the list. I am not sure that all of the teachers have realized this. It is based on the following:
a. The performance evaluations of the teacher,
b. The type of licensure held by the teacher including National Board Certification,
c. The disciplinary record, included in the district personnel file of the teacher,
d. If equality is observed in evaluations and performance, seniority will prevail.
So this may help remove a few not so fabulous instructors. We'll see how likely that is. Not sure. Anyhow, I just have to keep plugging away and moving forward.
January 18, 2015
Soup Weekend
Made a little soup this evening. My stash is very low and since getting back from the holidays, and getting sick I haven't done much cooking. I threw together a Hamburger Soup? I didn't have fresh veggies I am waiting till this coming weekend for my Bountiful Basket. So I used my dehydrated carrots, celery, and onions. I threw in a can of fire-roasted tomatoes, a pound of hamburger, a can of corn, a cup of black rice. I decided I wanted it really "tomatoey" so I added a small can of tomato paste. I have no idea how this will come out. I am sure it will be a hearty school lunch. It'll work.
I haven't accomplished a lot this weekend. Did some grading, caught up on laundry and dishes, did a little house cleaning. I did a lot of relaxing. I had a frustrating e-mail from work on Friday. Sometimes all I can do is shake my head at the ridiculousness. I asked for some advice before replying. I am not sure what the outcome will be. I have been hearing from some of our most experienced and most quality teachers that they are seriously considering leaving the district. I have to find a way to cope and move forward and be patient. It always comes back to the fact that 1. I want a job. 2. I still love teaching. I hope my love of teaching isn't overwhelmed by the craziness to the point that I leave it. I've had a lot of downs this fall. Some adjustments have made for a better winter. I just need to make it through spring.
Pet Peeve. I really don't like it when teachers complain about their wages. First of all teacher pay is well documented. You know what wages to expect. I feel fairly compensated. I do work way more hours than required by my contract. It is the reality of teaching. This is also common knowledge. Our benefits are generally pretty good. If you are expecting better pay than what teachers receive don't go into this profession. It varies where a teacher lives and cost of living what wages you get. Still you chose to go into this profession. So I don't want to hear whining about that. There are a lot of stresses with this job that most people don't understand. There are headaches, heartaches, stomachaches, pain in the arse-aches and more. I have empathy for those situations.
Well I have one more day of "freedom" before back to work. I will go in to work tomorrow to do some more grading and get ready for the week ahead.
I haven't accomplished a lot this weekend. Did some grading, caught up on laundry and dishes, did a little house cleaning. I did a lot of relaxing. I had a frustrating e-mail from work on Friday. Sometimes all I can do is shake my head at the ridiculousness. I asked for some advice before replying. I am not sure what the outcome will be. I have been hearing from some of our most experienced and most quality teachers that they are seriously considering leaving the district. I have to find a way to cope and move forward and be patient. It always comes back to the fact that 1. I want a job. 2. I still love teaching. I hope my love of teaching isn't overwhelmed by the craziness to the point that I leave it. I've had a lot of downs this fall. Some adjustments have made for a better winter. I just need to make it through spring.
Pet Peeve. I really don't like it when teachers complain about their wages. First of all teacher pay is well documented. You know what wages to expect. I feel fairly compensated. I do work way more hours than required by my contract. It is the reality of teaching. This is also common knowledge. Our benefits are generally pretty good. If you are expecting better pay than what teachers receive don't go into this profession. It varies where a teacher lives and cost of living what wages you get. Still you chose to go into this profession. So I don't want to hear whining about that. There are a lot of stresses with this job that most people don't understand. There are headaches, heartaches, stomachaches, pain in the arse-aches and more. I have empathy for those situations.
Well I have one more day of "freedom" before back to work. I will go in to work tomorrow to do some more grading and get ready for the week ahead.
January 12, 2015
small town problems
I am not a city girl. However I have random moments when I wish I was. No not because of the plethora of shopping options. Amazon.com and I have a great shopping relationship. No, it is when you are sick (I won't go into details here) and you really need something mild in your stomach. Your stash of such items are gone so you have no other choice but to go to the store. Everyone who could run that errand for you is at work. So you get out of your perfectly warm pj's, slip on some winter clothing, winter boots, and head into the snowy day to buy yourself some broth. Then of course the first people you see as you walk into the store are parents of your student. Who as you say a pathetic "hello" you see the wheels turning as to why you are not at work. It is these moments you wish for a little anonymity. A wish to be a tiny drop in a much bigger pond. I survived and made it home with my $2.15 cans of broth. I am sure they are cheaper on Amazon but I couldn't wait 2 days for them. Anyhow, I look out my window now at that cold, wet, miserable day and with my pj's back on, and warm soup in hand, I am once again thankful for this small town. In part because my drive to the store was less than 5 minutes, no one was in line ahead of me, and I made it out to my car without recognizing a single soul.
January 7, 2015
Hiatus
It has seemed so quiet and much more relaxed since coming back from Christmas break. I was attributing it all to having a break, getting away, change of scenery, time with family, etc. Then I realized since I came back my school computer isn't working so if I'm lucky I only check my work e-mail once a day. It is amazing how NOT reading that totally improves my attitude. I really must read it with less frequency. I may be out of the loop on a few things but blissfully so!
Our district is piloting the new teacher evaluation tool that will be implemented state-wide next year. It sounds exactly like what we had to do when we created our portfolio for college. I am hoping it is a little less involved because seriously. I need to sleep once in a while during the school year. Do you want me to call parents, grade student work, gather data, implement differentiation, develop relationships with students, work on continuing education, attend professional learning communities, building leadership teams, implement Individualized Education Plans, read assigned reading, implement new curricula, lesson plan, and collect artifacts for a portfolio? This is why our education system is broken. You want teachers to do it ALLL with less and less time. I talked with a colleague up north and their district had already put this evaluation tool in place. She said that with that and a new curriculum they were implementing teachers were at school often till eight at night. Yes we have long summer vacations, and Spring Break, and Christmas Break, and some other government holidays. If dedicated teachers didn't have those "breaks" we'd be laying in a puddle of our own drool rocking in the corner. Expectations have risen. I love higher standards. However, there needs to be a balance. The pendulum of government education has taken another drastic swing. I am not sure where it will lead. Seriously I often wonder why I didn't consider becoming a wildlife biologist. I was probably not excited by chemistry and biology. Hmmm what was I thinking?
It was great to come back to school and see all my short people! They all seemed ready to be back. It was a good start to a new year. I hope to have access to some technology at school soon because it is difficult to lesson plan without it. Even though I am enjoying the e-mail hiatus. I am loving my Christmas present. The remote start for my car just makes my morning. It gives me just a little more pajama time without running out into the cold and then back in without completely warming up!
Well it is time for me to rest my head. G'nite
Our district is piloting the new teacher evaluation tool that will be implemented state-wide next year. It sounds exactly like what we had to do when we created our portfolio for college. I am hoping it is a little less involved because seriously. I need to sleep once in a while during the school year. Do you want me to call parents, grade student work, gather data, implement differentiation, develop relationships with students, work on continuing education, attend professional learning communities, building leadership teams, implement Individualized Education Plans, read assigned reading, implement new curricula, lesson plan, and collect artifacts for a portfolio? This is why our education system is broken. You want teachers to do it ALLL with less and less time. I talked with a colleague up north and their district had already put this evaluation tool in place. She said that with that and a new curriculum they were implementing teachers were at school often till eight at night. Yes we have long summer vacations, and Spring Break, and Christmas Break, and some other government holidays. If dedicated teachers didn't have those "breaks" we'd be laying in a puddle of our own drool rocking in the corner. Expectations have risen. I love higher standards. However, there needs to be a balance. The pendulum of government education has taken another drastic swing. I am not sure where it will lead. Seriously I often wonder why I didn't consider becoming a wildlife biologist. I was probably not excited by chemistry and biology. Hmmm what was I thinking?
It was great to come back to school and see all my short people! They all seemed ready to be back. It was a good start to a new year. I hope to have access to some technology at school soon because it is difficult to lesson plan without it. Even though I am enjoying the e-mail hiatus. I am loving my Christmas present. The remote start for my car just makes my morning. It gives me just a little more pajama time without running out into the cold and then back in without completely warming up!
Well it is time for me to rest my head. G'nite
January 3, 2015
In Denial
Well, I am in denial that my Christmas Break is coming to its end. I started my break with a bug that took up a few days to get well. I spent time with family and friends. I didn't get to see everyone I had planned on but time flies over this break. Everyone has busy schedules this time of year as well.
You never know someone until you help them move a mattress. I've moved a few mattresses and helped move a few. They are inconvenient items to move around. They never bend the way you need them to bend to get around corners. They don't fit through doorways following doorways. You can never tie down a mattress quite as well as you should. Yes I've seen a flying mattress and a semi-run over it. That's a story best saved. Anyhow, mattresses are a pain to move. Then one should flip their mattress once in a while. I recall doing this with my neighbor. When you ask a 20 something year old to move a mattress with you. Keep in mind their muscles and reflexes are stronger and quicker than your own. Luckily she was short and I didn't crush her. We giggled over our mattress flipping experience for years. Usually the act of MOVING mattresses doesn't bring out the giggling. It brings out our grumpy side. Someone is always walking backwards and someone is always shoving this person. Then it seems as though someone is walking blindly carrying this heavy awkward item. We got my parents a new mattress for Christmas. Just moving it one room away seemed like climbing Mount Everest. Dad suggested that a new mattress wasn't needed. Then we put the new one on. Mom said " I don't have to roll out of the valley, climb the mountain, and roll over the other side to get out of bed now!" Dad thought she was exaggerating. He didn't recall climbing any mountains to get out of bed. Clearly they didn't flip their mattress often enough. He seemed a little disappointed that the new mattress wasn't perfectly contoured to his body. Some people are hard to please. Maybe he will find something nice to say about it after awhile.
Moving mattresses also requires a closer look at just what is under the bed that you haven't seen in awhile. Usually just some "dust bunnies" that you never quite reach with your vacuum.
I went back home through the big city and stayed with a friend on the way so that I could break up the trip a little. It also allowed me to stop at the evil Wal-Mart to pick up a few things I was out of. Before I left I wasn't feeling well so a few things I normally take care of before I leave fell by the wayside. So I came home to a stinky trash can and several expired items in the fridge. I took care of that right away. Then I boiled some cinnamon on the stove to refresh the air. I have some laundry to do. Some other laundry to put away. I also need to plan for this week at school. I admit I am in complete denial and am procrastinating. Well, off to do something.
You never know someone until you help them move a mattress. I've moved a few mattresses and helped move a few. They are inconvenient items to move around. They never bend the way you need them to bend to get around corners. They don't fit through doorways following doorways. You can never tie down a mattress quite as well as you should. Yes I've seen a flying mattress and a semi-run over it. That's a story best saved. Anyhow, mattresses are a pain to move. Then one should flip their mattress once in a while. I recall doing this with my neighbor. When you ask a 20 something year old to move a mattress with you. Keep in mind their muscles and reflexes are stronger and quicker than your own. Luckily she was short and I didn't crush her. We giggled over our mattress flipping experience for years. Usually the act of MOVING mattresses doesn't bring out the giggling. It brings out our grumpy side. Someone is always walking backwards and someone is always shoving this person. Then it seems as though someone is walking blindly carrying this heavy awkward item. We got my parents a new mattress for Christmas. Just moving it one room away seemed like climbing Mount Everest. Dad suggested that a new mattress wasn't needed. Then we put the new one on. Mom said " I don't have to roll out of the valley, climb the mountain, and roll over the other side to get out of bed now!" Dad thought she was exaggerating. He didn't recall climbing any mountains to get out of bed. Clearly they didn't flip their mattress often enough. He seemed a little disappointed that the new mattress wasn't perfectly contoured to his body. Some people are hard to please. Maybe he will find something nice to say about it after awhile.
Moving mattresses also requires a closer look at just what is under the bed that you haven't seen in awhile. Usually just some "dust bunnies" that you never quite reach with your vacuum.
I went back home through the big city and stayed with a friend on the way so that I could break up the trip a little. It also allowed me to stop at the evil Wal-Mart to pick up a few things I was out of. Before I left I wasn't feeling well so a few things I normally take care of before I leave fell by the wayside. So I came home to a stinky trash can and several expired items in the fridge. I took care of that right away. Then I boiled some cinnamon on the stove to refresh the air. I have some laundry to do. Some other laundry to put away. I also need to plan for this week at school. I admit I am in complete denial and am procrastinating. Well, off to do something.
December 8, 2014
Sick in peace
Staying home sick is dangerous for teachers. It takes a lot of work planning to stay home and you have to seriously consider if it is more work to go sick or more work to stay home. Sometimes your body doesn't give you a choice though. Today was a first. I received text messages from my v.p. on how to handle a student. Umm can I be sick in peace at home please. It sounded like a really crazy day. I am glad I wasn't there for it. Anyhow my fever is lower today. I am going to take another sick day tomorrow and hope for the best. They don't have a sub for me yet. Sigh...
December 6, 2014
It's that time of year
It has been busy and looks to get busier for awhile. In an attempt to be prepared for a busy week I spent the whole day at school yesterday. I made a lot of progress but do NOT feel ready for the week. Sigh. I did get a lot done. I planned to go in today as well. I woke up with a terrible headache and an upset stomach. I started a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup. On my way home from school last night I stopped by the store and picked up a couple of rotisserie chickens to make soup. I was sooo glad I did. Mom had made me some egg noodles when she was here so the prep didn't take too long. I got the soup made took some laundry out and threw some more in. Then I decided a NAP was the best idea. It was worth it. I woke up feeling better. There has been some nastiness traveling around my class... it appears like I got it. I got some dishes and a lot of laundry done and even folded. Hopefully, I can kick it by tomorrow. Uggh.
I had my teacher evaluation completed by the principal. I passed. It is basically a pass/fail situation. I will have three this year. I did very well overall. It was interesting because what I was marked down for I had to go ask another colleague what it meant. They just shook their head said move on you're doing what is right. She did have a couple of helpful teaching strategies she gave me. Overall though it is just a silly process. It is important that it is done because it can help get rid of some poor quality teachers. I did find out though that our district is using the incorrect evaluation tool. I don't know about that I am going to find out from our professional development people. They seem to be more informed than we are on these kinds of things.
I brought out the Elf on the Shelf for my students again this year. If I ever have a student that doesn't celebrate the holidays I will miss this activity. This year they named him "Jingle Jack". The elf has a bucket and they write notes to him in this bucket. Reading the notes they write him is so fun. One of the other teachers in my grade level was debating whether or not to have the Elf in her room. I said we need more JOY in school and in learning. This is a bringer of JOY for students that we can connect to learning. So she now has an Elf as well. Having this in my classroom is a reminder of that magical time of childhood. Finding a way to bring JOY into your school day and have fun is so important. This year I also have a "shout out" box. Students write "shout-outs" to other students for doing well in some way. About once a day I read the "shout-outs". They love this and it has cut down on the tattle-telling. Whatever works!
Oh man I forgot to share... I went to a Christmas Community Sing this past week. Many of my students current and former were performing. So I attended. I was glad I did because of how excited they were to see me. The event was held at the local LDS church. The children were the first to perform and they did a great job. They sang two songs. After them were a couple of high school aged girls one on piano the other violin. They were quite talented. After than it was alllllllll downhill. There was an elderly mens quartet. Now they would've been fine but they were accompanied by an elderly lady on a xylophone. Not the wooden xylophone that has an enjoyable sound that goes well with Christmas songs. No a metal xylophone with that harsh sound you may recall from toddlers playing with the multi-colored one. This wasn't a toddler one but the sound was as harsh. Also the microphone wasn't close enough to the quartet and way to close to the xylophone. It was a moment when I had to bend my head and not look at my neighbors. I was trying not to smile out loud. Anyhow the "music" continued from there. I survived. The students were excited to see my afterward. It was one of those things that is a "special kind of torture". If I go next year I may have to sit in the rear so I can smile without fear of offense. Small towns, you never know what kind of joy they will bring.
Well, I'm going to take more medicine and put some laundry away. G'night
I had my teacher evaluation completed by the principal. I passed. It is basically a pass/fail situation. I will have three this year. I did very well overall. It was interesting because what I was marked down for I had to go ask another colleague what it meant. They just shook their head said move on you're doing what is right. She did have a couple of helpful teaching strategies she gave me. Overall though it is just a silly process. It is important that it is done because it can help get rid of some poor quality teachers. I did find out though that our district is using the incorrect evaluation tool. I don't know about that I am going to find out from our professional development people. They seem to be more informed than we are on these kinds of things.
I brought out the Elf on the Shelf for my students again this year. If I ever have a student that doesn't celebrate the holidays I will miss this activity. This year they named him "Jingle Jack". The elf has a bucket and they write notes to him in this bucket. Reading the notes they write him is so fun. One of the other teachers in my grade level was debating whether or not to have the Elf in her room. I said we need more JOY in school and in learning. This is a bringer of JOY for students that we can connect to learning. So she now has an Elf as well. Having this in my classroom is a reminder of that magical time of childhood. Finding a way to bring JOY into your school day and have fun is so important. This year I also have a "shout out" box. Students write "shout-outs" to other students for doing well in some way. About once a day I read the "shout-outs". They love this and it has cut down on the tattle-telling. Whatever works!
Oh man I forgot to share... I went to a Christmas Community Sing this past week. Many of my students current and former were performing. So I attended. I was glad I did because of how excited they were to see me. The event was held at the local LDS church. The children were the first to perform and they did a great job. They sang two songs. After them were a couple of high school aged girls one on piano the other violin. They were quite talented. After than it was alllllllll downhill. There was an elderly mens quartet. Now they would've been fine but they were accompanied by an elderly lady on a xylophone. Not the wooden xylophone that has an enjoyable sound that goes well with Christmas songs. No a metal xylophone with that harsh sound you may recall from toddlers playing with the multi-colored one. This wasn't a toddler one but the sound was as harsh. Also the microphone wasn't close enough to the quartet and way to close to the xylophone. It was a moment when I had to bend my head and not look at my neighbors. I was trying not to smile out loud. Anyhow the "music" continued from there. I survived. The students were excited to see my afterward. It was one of those things that is a "special kind of torture". If I go next year I may have to sit in the rear so I can smile without fear of offense. Small towns, you never know what kind of joy they will bring.
Well, I'm going to take more medicine and put some laundry away. G'night
November 5, 2014
Crazy year
It has been the craziest school year. I keep saying I feel like I am living in a sitcom. Although heavy on drama and comedy is a matter of opinion. When I described a recent school day to my mom she laughed and laughed. Not from a lack of empathy it just sounded to nutty to be real. I lived it and I am telling you it was a little to real. I had a bit of a rant the other day. It has been hard lately to do what I have strong convictions about. I had a conversation with a veteran teacher after school today. We are really working in a toxic environment this year. It is just poison rolling down from above and some of the crazy hires. I get so emotionally invested because I care so much about my students. Then I have to stand back and think "Is it worth it?" I keep hoping changes will occur. So far there is a lot of "talk" about changes but no real "changes". I am so learning to hate this statement "it will be taken care of", "It will be done by Monday", "It will be ready by (date)". It just somehow is delayed again and never really taken care of. I have had to make a concerted effort to keep really good people around me.
Today was one of those days in which I just had to take the hits. They were being volleyed off me left and right. I did defend myself a few times. I had planned not to do that. So I had a internal discussion. "You said you weren't going to do this". So I just agreed to do whatever I personally needed to do and took the heat for it all. Deserving or not I let it all fall on my shoulders. It was not fun. It shouldn't have happened that way I should've been protected. I wasn't. At the end of the meeting I said "I am genuinely sorry we got to this point." then left. Afterwards I was thanked for "being the bigger person." I don't know if I was or if I was just the pounding block. So I have very mixed feelings about today. Can you imagine taking verbal punches and 10 minutes later have to walk in and teach a class full of children. I was visibly upset. I had a few parents dropping off their students who gave me the time to walk out and gather myself together. I am thankful for that. I have to just try to keep moving forward.
I am know our school board is well aware the working environment in our building is not good this year. They laid down the law about several issues. I have seen work on those issues but I am not sure it is soon enough to counter the level of nuttiness. This weekend after I clean house and grade papers I plan to hang out with a couple of pals and talk about anything other than school.
Today was one of those days in which I just had to take the hits. They were being volleyed off me left and right. I did defend myself a few times. I had planned not to do that. So I had a internal discussion. "You said you weren't going to do this". So I just agreed to do whatever I personally needed to do and took the heat for it all. Deserving or not I let it all fall on my shoulders. It was not fun. It shouldn't have happened that way I should've been protected. I wasn't. At the end of the meeting I said "I am genuinely sorry we got to this point." then left. Afterwards I was thanked for "being the bigger person." I don't know if I was or if I was just the pounding block. So I have very mixed feelings about today. Can you imagine taking verbal punches and 10 minutes later have to walk in and teach a class full of children. I was visibly upset. I had a few parents dropping off their students who gave me the time to walk out and gather myself together. I am thankful for that. I have to just try to keep moving forward.
I am know our school board is well aware the working environment in our building is not good this year. They laid down the law about several issues. I have seen work on those issues but I am not sure it is soon enough to counter the level of nuttiness. This weekend after I clean house and grade papers I plan to hang out with a couple of pals and talk about anything other than school.
November 1, 2014
Pray for teachers
Pray for teachers. Please. In one corner we are talking to the child whose mother may have ended her life with pills when she was three and she "doesn't even know what she liked." In another corner we are working with a student who has every excuse in the world to not do a thing and a parent that backs him up. Then wants the grade adjusted because effort doesn't always equal ability. The bully that is learning to bully from, home? It has to be from home right? The quiet one in the corner that you have to beg to speak. The English-Language learner that looks at you in panic every time you call on them. Please don't call on them. The student that is obsessed with food. The student isn't malnourished and you can't figure it out. Until you find out the cupboards are locked at home and food is taken out of their hands and eaten by the parents. The student that cries whenever the teacher has to leave because being left in the classroom with the "scary" sub just fills them with anxiety and they can't even think. The student whose eyes fill with panic when you say the word "test" or "writing" and you have to find a way to reassure them they can do this. Just getting words on a page that make "sense". Is the most amazing accomplishment. The students whose eyes sometime sparkle and sometimes look so flat and dead and not there, You are chilled wondering what put that look there.
The parents oh the parents that say it is "your job, the schools job" everybody but their own job to teach their children. We have to attempt to teach to them all and raise the bar and have them excel when mom was arrested the night before. We have to raise the bar and push them and inspire them but their parent wants you to make exceptions for them and lower the bar and lower expectations. Why won't you "bend?" Teachers you "suck" man. You're not preparing us for life. Why do I have to learn this anyway? We want you to think for yourselves. To question. To be problem solvers. We want you to grow up and flourish and feed your families. We want you to have a bigger dream for yourself than the one we dream for you.
There is so much push back in today's society. I will be evaluated by a person who doesn't even understand what I do every day. I will be evaluated and my job will be based on this evaluation. I am automatically docked by my school rated even if I have high scoring students. I am supposed to think about the "students needs" yet am handed more an more paperwork every day. It's all about the kids right? Its all about the kids...right. I have to make thousands upon thousands of decisions every day and not make a mistake. Because I mistake could crush the spirit of a child. The responsibility of teaching is overwhelming. And now, now I have to teach them how to have manners and good character, because where else are they going to learn it? I have to teach them respect, self-control, self -discipline, kindness and compassion. Where does my responsibility end society? I dream of teaching only the subject materials. You tell me it is my job to do more than that. I have 24 hearts in my classroom depending on me because many of them can't depend on anyone else. So please... pray for teachers.
The parents oh the parents that say it is "your job, the schools job" everybody but their own job to teach their children. We have to attempt to teach to them all and raise the bar and have them excel when mom was arrested the night before. We have to raise the bar and push them and inspire them but their parent wants you to make exceptions for them and lower the bar and lower expectations. Why won't you "bend?" Teachers you "suck" man. You're not preparing us for life. Why do I have to learn this anyway? We want you to think for yourselves. To question. To be problem solvers. We want you to grow up and flourish and feed your families. We want you to have a bigger dream for yourself than the one we dream for you.
There is so much push back in today's society. I will be evaluated by a person who doesn't even understand what I do every day. I will be evaluated and my job will be based on this evaluation. I am automatically docked by my school rated even if I have high scoring students. I am supposed to think about the "students needs" yet am handed more an more paperwork every day. It's all about the kids right? Its all about the kids...right. I have to make thousands upon thousands of decisions every day and not make a mistake. Because I mistake could crush the spirit of a child. The responsibility of teaching is overwhelming. And now, now I have to teach them how to have manners and good character, because where else are they going to learn it? I have to teach them respect, self-control, self -discipline, kindness and compassion. Where does my responsibility end society? I dream of teaching only the subject materials. You tell me it is my job to do more than that. I have 24 hearts in my classroom depending on me because many of them can't depend on anyone else. So please... pray for teachers.
October 17, 2014
Almost 9 weeks
It has been a crazy first nine weeks of school. Well next week is officially nine weeks. I wonder if I will ever have a year where the first nine weeks aren't nutty. Anyhow, our nutty new principal continues with her nutty "new" ideas. Such as no P.E., no computer lab, and no library. She keeps putting off the PTO on when this will occur. Our SPED department is a disaster and they are non-compliant on most IEP's. They are either out of date or not following what the IEP states. So it has been pretty stressful. The parents and teachers finally "threw down" at our PTO meeting. School board members were asked to come.
What I expect to happen next is that the principal will try to paint a pretty picture that things are changing and will get done. She is an expert in b.s. (ahem). If parents don't see some changes and quickly. I think it will get pretty ugly. So we shall see. I have an extremely disruptive student in my class and I am not alone. I have a couple other noodle heads that suck my energy. I am trying hard to stay positive and move forward. When you can't teach because of 1 student, and their classmates can't learn, well my hands are tied. The parents so far have been extremely supportive and they've seen what I am dealing with It is tiring. I hope that the parents stay strong and continue to demand a change. I feel like they gave it nine weeks and that is long enough.
I spend several hours at school today planning for next week and grading papers. The sea of papers never ends. I will spend more time down there this weekend. I am trying to get some positive reinforcement things in place for the students. I think the rest of the class really needs some encouragement to keep going and working when everything is so crazy around them. SIGH! I hope I can keep them moving forward. I just have to hope that they really are making changes. I don't like leaving work feeling defeated. So I feel like the "rug" got a really big yank. I will have to see if any changes occur this coming week.
What I expect to happen next is that the principal will try to paint a pretty picture that things are changing and will get done. She is an expert in b.s. (ahem). If parents don't see some changes and quickly. I think it will get pretty ugly. So we shall see. I have an extremely disruptive student in my class and I am not alone. I have a couple other noodle heads that suck my energy. I am trying hard to stay positive and move forward. When you can't teach because of 1 student, and their classmates can't learn, well my hands are tied. The parents so far have been extremely supportive and they've seen what I am dealing with It is tiring. I hope that the parents stay strong and continue to demand a change. I feel like they gave it nine weeks and that is long enough.
I spend several hours at school today planning for next week and grading papers. The sea of papers never ends. I will spend more time down there this weekend. I am trying to get some positive reinforcement things in place for the students. I think the rest of the class really needs some encouragement to keep going and working when everything is so crazy around them. SIGH! I hope I can keep them moving forward. I just have to hope that they really are making changes. I don't like leaving work feeling defeated. So I feel like the "rug" got a really big yank. I will have to see if any changes occur this coming week.
September 28, 2014
Behavior
A busy week ahead. I have 2 IEP's after work this week. It is "Respect" week. I don't know what this entails. What I do know is this thing called "Respect Week" is something coming from the Governor's Office having to do with creating a "Bully Free Zone." Here is what I know for sure about bullies. There has ALWAYS been bullies. ALWAYS. It isn't a new idea or concept. If you want to manage a bully life has to be unpleasant enough for them in the consequences they suffer that it is no longer worth it. Our school IS NOT great on consequences. It frustrates me completely. We don't have a quality behavior management plan in this class. My vp's solution for a student that was "bothering" his classmates....send him back to class with a squishy toy to grip when he gets frustrated after a long talk. Yep, can tell you from countless years of working with kids when you start talking they start tuning you out. They may nod in the appropriate places just to get you to stop talking. That's it. They need a consequence. Until I am blue in the face I will continue to request a school wide behavior management plan.
What we do well is "Character Education". We have a lot of it and it is pretty lame and it really doesn't work. If you want a child to build character they have to have consequences for their actions. For both positive and negative. It really is the basics of human behavior. CAN WE DO THAT PLEASE????
Okay moving on. I am almost on the road to health. I still have a bit of a cough but not as bad as before. In the spirit of the original "tea-party" I always was a little anti tea. However, I think enough years have passed that perhaps I can contribute to this "tea-economy" and you know it just works well with a cold. I have a large stash of soup so I believe I can make it through this next crazy week. In addition to the IEP's and Respect week, our Spalding Coach is coming for a visit observing a lesson and coaching us for our continued improvement. I hope to gain more knowledge through this experience. Oh yes, don't let me forget Picture Day..the annual insanity that has parents sending kids in ridiculous outfits that do not last past noon. Luckily our picture time is a little before 9 a.m. the kids may maintain their glamour that long. Well most of them :).
Fall has definitely arrived. We had a doozy of a thunderstorm Friday night with sheet lightening and downpours. It went off and on throughout the night. This storm brought that fall cold-snap that smacks you in the face that winter is on it's way. The mountains had snow so you can feel that in the air. I love those first few days of frost. It is crispy and cool and I like it. I am looking forward to our first snow.
I did a lot of laundry this weekend. I even put most of it away. I can see the color of my couch. Progress indeed. Off to prepare for another busy week...
What we do well is "Character Education". We have a lot of it and it is pretty lame and it really doesn't work. If you want a child to build character they have to have consequences for their actions. For both positive and negative. It really is the basics of human behavior. CAN WE DO THAT PLEASE????
Okay moving on. I am almost on the road to health. I still have a bit of a cough but not as bad as before. In the spirit of the original "tea-party" I always was a little anti tea. However, I think enough years have passed that perhaps I can contribute to this "tea-economy" and you know it just works well with a cold. I have a large stash of soup so I believe I can make it through this next crazy week. In addition to the IEP's and Respect week, our Spalding Coach is coming for a visit observing a lesson and coaching us for our continued improvement. I hope to gain more knowledge through this experience. Oh yes, don't let me forget Picture Day..the annual insanity that has parents sending kids in ridiculous outfits that do not last past noon. Luckily our picture time is a little before 9 a.m. the kids may maintain their glamour that long. Well most of them :).
Fall has definitely arrived. We had a doozy of a thunderstorm Friday night with sheet lightening and downpours. It went off and on throughout the night. This storm brought that fall cold-snap that smacks you in the face that winter is on it's way. The mountains had snow so you can feel that in the air. I love those first few days of frost. It is crispy and cool and I like it. I am looking forward to our first snow.
I did a lot of laundry this weekend. I even put most of it away. I can see the color of my couch. Progress indeed. Off to prepare for another busy week...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)