Archive for May, 2008
May 31st, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
As the school year draws to a close I become ready for it to all be over. At times the frustration of it all borders on frantic. The stress is tremendous. I look around the house and just sigh in frustration. I know what the first few weeks of summer hold. Cleaning and organizing are the tasks, and growing accustomed to being home is a major goal. I often complain that I spend every break taking care of the house. During the school year it is just maintain, keep the mess at a sane proportion and deal with the serious stuff when able.
Friday, the last day of school. So thankful. I was making plans to relax for the weekend and begin the marathon of cleaning on Monday. When I got home Friday…oh…..my. I don’t know what I am going to do with myself come Monday. Jem and the girls had the house completely clean! No clutter. No toys or shoes in weird places. They cleaned right down to the bathrooms! It was really nice to come home and not have the stress of mess. One of the most frustrating issues for my summer start has been eliminated! Seriously thrilled, I can concentrate on other things that need to be done.
Really, how amazing is that?
May 30th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
It is the last day of school. In just a little over six hours the 2007-2008 school year will be over. To all those who have said enjoy the summer and have been sending well wishes with good vibes my way, thank you. It is no secret that this year has been difficult and I do not like my current placement. It does not look like next year will be any different. This is depressing, but it is life. You do what you have to do and if you want for nothing you will be less likely to suffer disappointment. Remembering those words of wisdom from my Gran is difficult. Well, remembering them is easy but embracing them is the difficulty.
Reflecting on the year, it wasn’t all bad. The students, low achieving as they may be, behaved rather well. No real problems. The faculty has its cliques, just like anywhere else. There were a few professional friends to be made. If I ever receive the opportunity to leave there is one I will keep in touch with. She was one of few that was helpful and friendly all year. We are alike in many ways…techy, enjoy the job but hate the frustration, somewhat organized but usually bordering on chaos…
I do not know what the next year holds, I can only hope for a great summer. Live in the present, it’s all you’re guaranteed.
****
To Jem, happy #13
May 28th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
Today was the last day of exams. I have to work tomorrow and 1/2 day on Friday. Grades are complete and documentation done. I will spend tomorrow cleaning off the cart I used for storage and then documenting the progress of students who had interventions. I am glad to see the light at the end of the tunnel. As I reflect on the year it wasn’t all bad. My students were more likable than students I have had in the past. No major behavior problems. Some teacher are sad to see their students move on. I regret to say that, for the most part, I am not. There was no real attachment to this group. In fact, there is only one that I was sad to see walk out the door. The class clown most of the time, he made it his goal to make me smile each day. This guy had a terrible home life. It is shame that he is so intelligent and has to deal with the difficulties life throws his way. I hope that all the progress made this year will not be lost over the summer.
May 27th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
Tomorrow will be the last day of exams, no more students after that. I’m looking forward to school being out, but am bummed by the silence I have received on the job front. It is very frustrating to keep putting yourself out there and getting zero feedback. I asked today if I would have a classroom next year…as it looks now, the answer is no. Depressing. The thought of floating room to room next year is revolting. What other choice do I have though. All I can hope is that it will be over within the year. I have my fingers crossed for a district transfer. We’ll see. I just have the basket ready, no eggs are placed at this time. Who knows what the future holds…take each day, one at a time. Today I am enjoying the evening, and tomorrow I will say goodbye to my students and wish them a happy summer…
May 25th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
May 21st, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
WOOHOO! Last full day of school was today! OK, so it wasn’t the last full day for me, but it was for the students. Because of exams they will only come half days through next Wednesday. Fine with me. All I have to do is give an exam and find something to do for the afternoon. Being a floater will now have its benefits. No room to clean or pack up.
As difficult as the year has been it is difficult to focus on the progress that was made. The last two weeks marks the first time I saw interest in the students. They enjoyed WWI and WWII. They asked questions and offered their own knowledge. Not all, but some. Before the last test I actually had students coming to my study hall without being forced. They had the entire lunch to spend with friends, but they came to my room instead. They studied and asked questions. Granted, they had little to worry about. However, I believe it was good for my required attendees to see such effort in their peers. One student in particular sticks out in my mind. M. entered my accelerated class as an average general level student. Somewhere around second term she really expressed interest in improving her writing and study. First semester she pulled a mid range C. Something happened over winter break. She grew into an above average accelerated student. Her last term grade was a high A. Sweet girl and as long as she continues to apply herself she will go far. Her friend has a similar story, only she was a mid level accelerated student at the beginning.
This year I saw students mature in their behavior. It is still the laziest group I have EVER taught, but at least they are likable. I might actually miss a few of them.
In other news…C’GRATS TO JEM! Dean’s list again. I’m so proud ~*~
May 20th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
why the legislature can’t get an education budget passed
Rep. William Thigpen Sr., D-Fayette, napped Monday afternoon as legislators talked but
accomplished little on the last day of the session.
Our tax dollars at work…pink slips will abound and a special session will have to be called so an education budget can be created. You know, I have a job where the deadline is the last day of school. I don’t get paid to come back in the summer to finish up what I didn’t bother to do during the regular session. AND if I slept on the job I would get fired!
May 18th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
You know, according to MY calculations there is still several school days remaining. I’m counting down in the left sidebar. Much to the dismay of my students I am still having class. Can’t say the same for all those around me or those at the elementary level. Goodness gracious alive people. If you have nothing to cover then lets end school two weeks earlier. Parties, movies, and dress up days are the order of the day. Sorry, don’t get it. Ten dollars here, fifteen here, twenty for a day of fun at the local excuse for a water park…tomorrow is swim date and pj day. I’m sure there will be a movie or two on my campus. I show movies. Great resource. But honestly, Nanny McPhee and Transformers have no place in the classroom, thank you very much. The Bee Movie is being shown in one class. Really, why waste their time if all you are going to do is show Disney? Am I wrong? Am I too hard nosed on this issue? Should the school house be party central the last three weeks? I don’t think so. I’m giving a test tomorrow…and exam review after that.
Ready for this school year to end and I need another job.
May 16th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
1. When you receive an email or a call, return it…even if it is only polite acknowledgment of the persons existence.
2. In an interview do not say, “we’ll give you a call next week” if you have no intention of doing such.
3. Do not say you seem like just what we are looking for if you are not going to hire the person.
job hunting is worse than dating…
May 14th, 2008 -- Posted in Ramblings |
As we move closer to the end of school my patience is dwindling. I feel as if this entire school year has been and endurance race. With no idea that it would be as difficult as it was I can honestly say I didn’t know what I was getting into. Being a floating teacher means that I did not have a classroom. I had to be an interloper in the rooms of others. Not fun. It means that I did not have a place to call my own, I did not have my own workspace, and I did not have a place to store my stuff. Teachers who might be reading, take a moment to think about how much stuff you have. If you have never been a floater take a moment to imagine what it would be like and then say a prayer of thanks that you have never had to do it.
I have always considered myself an organized teacher. This year that was not the case. I left a trail everywhere I went. Leaving my computer speakers in 1st period and needing them 7th. Leaving test papers in 2nd when I needed them 4th. It was suggested that I use a cart. Sounds like a great plan and it has worked for many. Stuff falls off and it is miserable to get through the halls during class changes. My final room requires going outside and across a small, rough and bumpy, parking lot. The cart just didn’t work. I had a rolling bag, but rolling it through the halls during class changes can only be described as a hazard. Last semester my wrists were hurting so bad that I thought I had sprained them, or worse. When I couldn’t stand it any longer I went to the doctor. Carpal Tunnel. I had never put much into this affliction. Your wrists hurt, big deal. When I finally went to the doctor I thought we would be having x-rays and news of cracked or broken bones. It hurt so bad. A prednisone pack, 20 bloated and miserable pounds, and a few weeks later I was much better. I use wrist braces when it starts to hurt again, but for the most part I can manage to be pain free if I really watch what I do. That means no pulling a bag with wheels or picking it up when the rolling gets too cumbersome. So yes, I blame the floating teacher issue on my wrist problems.
Floating is very unnerving. I never feel like I “have it together” during the day. There are a few positives. I don’t have to do bulletin boards and it does make the day go faster. Unfortunately, I also do not have a space to decorate or call my own and all of my “stuff” is stored at home in our coat closet.
In two more days we will be in exam week and soon it will all be over. Not a moment too soon is the way I feel right now. All year it has felt as if I have been dragging the students along behind me.
OK, around 9:14 something caught my attention and I started working on something else. OMG ADD is taking over! I’m back now to finish my rant. Very thankful for the wordpress feature of auto-save!
I really do not have much else to say. I’m glad that the year is almost over. I look forward to whatever may be ahead. I hope it is a job in NC. I’m almost sure it is, but I’m afraid to talk about it. You know, jinx and everything. LOL. If I have to stay here, so be it. I have my blog to keep me sane.
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