for professional purposes only, of course.

My personal laptop can not hit the school network. Since the new laptops were ready I decided to accept the offer and claim one. Now I don’t have to carry mine back and forth. At times there will be inconveniences, but I think the USB thumb drive will take care of any that may come about. Although the same size it is somewhat lighter than my personal laptop. The tech geek in me is loving the opportunity to learn a new computer. Unfortunately, with progressive reports due Monday, I will not be playing much this weekend.

Students are preparing to debate the electoral college. Had the debate in an earlier class today. Some of the most fun I have ever had in school. This is too funny and rather impressive to watch. These guys know their stuff!

Jem said it right this evening when he described my school year as the best and worst ever. Worst in the since of time requirement and how much I have stressed over getting it right. Best in that I am LOVING it. My students are self-accountable. How AWESOME! All the training you receive in edu classes does not prepare you for the reality of the traditional classroom. So much is geared toward the motivated student. Yes, yes, Wongisms say that we have the ability to motivate students and I agree to a degree. However, let’s face it…MOST of what is taught in edu programs can not be considered REALITY. The students are challenging me and ASKING ME to be more challenging. WHAT?!?! They want more time to discuss and ponder. They want more time for debate AND they are prepared for it. It was amazing to watch my first period debate the electoral college system. Truly cool.

Rainy days and Mondays…I’ll take the rainy day anytime, but Monday’s tend to suck.

It was later than I wanted to leave, but still plenty of time to make it by my required arrival time. Driving in my car…turned on the radio…Yeah, I was jamming to the sounds of David McCullough reading 1776. Rock on baby! Traffic is bad, but not unbearable. If there was a traffic light, I was stopping. No big, still time. I get on the wonderful two lane scenic tour that I have to take each day and am traveling just over the 55 mph speed limit. Probably 60 or so? I don’t know, I was too busy watching the car behind me try to hitch a ride in my trunk. Ten minutes from school and I come up on another vehicle. Honestly, I have no idea how long I drove behind this guy, but I noticed ten minutes from arrival. I was at least a car length back. Jem says that was too close, and he is probably right. Either way…Looks like all three of us will be making the same cut off. All slow, silver car almost to a stop and I noticed the parking sticker is for the attached university. I am certain we are going to the same place. Woo. freakin. hoo. The cut off road speed is 35 mph and there is no way I’m speeding on this road. The backwoods police are dying for revenue. We make it to the University and silver car turns off the opposite direction, and I turn off to my parking lot. No idea where white car behind me went. I pull into the lot where we are expected to park and choose a space. Gathering my stuff I notice a silver car waiting for me to get out. I thought dude was waiting for me to get out so that he could pull into the space beside me. Annoyed I was, there were plenty of spaces…walk the extra five steps! When I got out of the car the older er…gentleman loudly spoke to me. I turned and said, “excuse me?” He repeated, “TAILGATING AT 65 MPH CAUSES ACCIDENTS!” Not happy. You followed me to my work parking lot to complain about my driving? STALKER! I responded with sweet sarcasm, “I’m sorry, did someone wreck? No.” Turned around collected my belongings and went inside. This incident clouded my entire day. To make it worse, I think it was the president of the university and I teach his son. Fortunately, he does not sign my paycheck.

If you’re going to piss someone off you might as well go to the top…

Unreal what is happening with this storm. Yesterday, my cheap gas place was $3.59. This morning the price had increased to $3.79. I ran out on my off period this morning and purchased a tank of gas for $3.77. With rumors circulating I didn’t want to chance having to pay considerably more for gas and at the end of the work week I was going to have to buy. This evening Djembe had not purchased gas and was down to less than a quarter. I volunteered to take his truck for fill up while he recovered from a day helping at the race track. Oh my…what an ordeal that turned out to be. I went to the nearest cheap place which had $3.98 on their sign. Breathing a sigh of relief when I saw no lines, I quickly realized relief was not the correct emotion. They were out of gas. Places around were out as well. I drove to another area and the sign said $4.25, but the pumps were covered. Down the road I found a place with gas. I only had to pay $4.39 for premium. I’m counting myself lucky.

Whether increase is a result of panic or reality, the fact is that shortage in the area is reality and prices are on the rise.

My prayers are with those in Texas tonight. It is shocking to hear reports that evacuation of some areas is a must or face “certain death.” Honestly, I can not imagine living in a coastal area and choosing to ride out any hurricane.

Teaching students who want to learn can be so much fun.

It has been several years, but we should not forget. Life is too precious to take for granted. Prayers for our country. Prayers for our leaders. Prayers for our military. Prayers for families who are struggling with difficult decisions and difficult times.

While visiting Tense I began to feel much better about my feelings of inadequacy. I am not alone in being the newbie. Being the new person in a new environment can be overwhelming and is difficult. At my new school I am a newbie with three preps. For those that do not know what that means, I have three different subjects that I prepare for each day. Five classes, but three subjects. I am teaching AP US, Civics, and a class similar to Global Studies. The GS class is wide open, anything I want to teach. There are strict standards for the other two. I am fully qualified to teach each class, but I have taught either MS Studies or World History for the last seven years. I have to agree with Tense, it feels like being a new teacher all over again. When I think back on my first year I have to wonder why I ever stayed in the field. It was HORRIBLE. I am very thankful that I am not a newbie teacher, only new to the school.

At new school there are several who are new to teaching. Two are lateral entry from other professional careers. One was an environmental scientist, and the other was in the business world. I don’t really know what he did before teaching, but I guarantee he has a new respect for teachers. He says the most shocking thing was the amount of prep time it is taking. There are some nights he doesn’t get to bed until midnight. I really feel bad for the guy. Not only is he new to teaching, he has three preps, and is an asst coach. He’s hanging in there and I have to give some respect there. Another teacher is a young guy who is teaching for the first time, fresh out of college. He does not have the benefit of life experience. Life experience helps when you are trying to manage a classroom.

Having teaching experience has made this transition easier. I know how to manage a classroom, and I have activity ideas to implement. The biggest struggle is content prep and getting new materials together. I would love to see non-teachers try teaching for a month…or just substituting for teachers. I think it would really give society a better perspective and appreciation for what teachers really do.

Unless you are interested in colonial development I really have nothing to say. I’m tired and barely ahead of my students. This is hard. Love it…but it’s hard. Having three preps hoovers big.

Me: “Students, you will have a test Friday on the colonies and basic information about each.”

Student: “Will we get to use our notes?”

*Really?* Patient response: “No, this is a test. I only allow notes on quizzes that hold you accountable for your classwork and homework.

Student (same one): “Since it’s only knowledge based will it count for anything?”

*Seriously, really? T-E-S-T* Patient response: “It’s a test and will count as every other test.”

Out of patience: “Test.”

*Class is snickering…well those that ‘get it’*

AP students are very bright, but sometimes…well, they annoy me.