Gone but not forgotten

Its been sometime and much has happened but the moral of it all:

Teaching is like a marathon that lasts for months at a time. Trying to comeback after two weeks off is just as difficult.

*sigh* I wish it were as effective for burning calories.

Had a stressful week this last week.

Ironically it wasn't all due to my job. I've been house hunting, and trying to find some social balance in my life; both of which have proven to be challenging. On a successful note I did find a place to live and will soon be making the treacherous journey all 4 miles across town to my very own place with a guest room. (Just in case I happen to find a friend who has the inclination to visit me. It's good to have goals)

Back to school however, and I had a surprising week.

I met with my BTSA mentor this week. I"m really excited about working with him. He's also a history teacher for 7th grade but at a different school. He's really fun and knowledgeable and he's going to make this process as painless as possible. I did however realize just how much work I have to do now... sigh... too bad my teaching gets in the way of all these meetings, trainings, reports and emails.

On a different note: I was suffering from slight burnout Friday, partially due to the upcoming parent conference, being the last day in a five week stretch of work, and the upcoming dance that had the kids in an uproar. It resulted in a headache and a complete indifference to anything the last half hour of the day. The problem ensued when the last half hour (our "homeroom" sort of period) was given "free-time" by me and my principal walked in to witness the resulting chaos. Oops. Needless to say I have a meeting with him about it first this tomorrow morning when I return to work. Crap.

Well as soon as he left my headache worsened, the kids were dismissed for the dance and I had to enter the parent meeting which had the feeling of a firing squad with me holding the blindfold.

The meeting was for my "problem student" who has been giving me grief for the last five weeks. According to him I can't do anything right and not only that but I'm also unfair, racist, and picking on him. Awesome. His parents have also had their bulls-eye on me seeing as they only see his side of the story. I was so looking forward to this. (sarcastic font)

My co-workers haven't had the same level of problems like I have with him and they have been trying to help me with ideas, but they all showed up Friday to support me and to back up my concerns. One teacher even went as far as observing my classroom with the intent of catching him at something so that she could call home and show his parents that he has been a problem for multiple teachers.

Following her call home my "problem student" decided to straighten up the last two days this week (just in time for his parent conference) and so my week went much smoother than usual in that regard. His parent conference ended up going very well and his entire teaching staff and his parents are all on the same page. We are all now just hoping he can stay with us too.

Remember my headache? Well following the conference my headache again increased and the next level apparently included nausea. I made my way to the office in search of some sort of pain killer or head remover, I was willing to consider anything. I settled for two extra strength Tylenol and a chair. Remember now it's Friday on a holiday weekend, and about 4:30 by the time all this happened. Traffic starts to back up around 2:30 meaning that my commute home was guaranteed to be an hour. I got up, wobbly and quite green and attempted to make it to my car. Denied. The secretary and administrative assistant played a blocking maneuver and I ended up face-down in the school sick bay. Plastic "couch," an icepack under my neck, and a mug full of tea and I was down for the count. As embarrassing as it was the rest was welcome and the staff that happened to see me there, after the initial shock, were all very sweet. BY 6:00 I was up again and I ended up joining some of the teachers for the post dance dinner/drinks at the local hangout. I was still quite green so I stayed just long enough for two tacos and a little bit of laughter and bonding.

We are a young staff and I'm finding my niche, or niches actually. I have found myself in three different groups of people so to speak, each quite separate from the others. This is partially due to the physical school layout, and partially due to personality, however each has been very accommodating in their own right. From one teacher I got a hug, another bought me lunch, a third brings me supplies, and still others offer me wine after a long day. It's good to feel so supported. Now I just need to face the principal tomorrow morning. *gulp* I love my job.

miscellanious thoughts

I have found that when in a proper school there is not enough time to blog. There isn't even enough time to use the restroom.

I'm busily struggling with a few choice students. I'm still without a key. I've made it through the drop in parent conferences and I'm trying to schedule another already :(. In class we are finishing up the fall of the Roman Empire and I'm beginning to find similarities with my own life: Poor Leadership, weak economy, lack of control, and a general suffering from barbarian attacks.... ha... next up Islam...



Such the artist... this "simple drawing was to illustrate the benefits of a peninsula... Didn't you know all history teachers are required to draw landforms??

I was recently told that my door open policy was, well audibly noticeable by the room two doors down... "Could you describe the ruckus, sir?" (um that would be my classroom)

"In a complete reversal of conventional wisdom, you'll find that you do in fact have to be crazy to work at your job, and that no, it doesn't help." (horoscope this week)


Test tomorrow and a minimum day... Yay more meetings. Its not as if I have something to better to do... nope who needs to plan ahead... and BTSA starts this week... that's Beginning Teachers Support and Assessment... AKA more paperwork and things to do while someone watches you and grades your performance... joy.

It's 10:30. That's an hour past my bedtime... yeah I'm old.

Good Night!

Warren Beatty and Julius Caesar...

According to Warren Beatty, "You've achieved success in your field when you don't know whether what you're doing is work or play."

Hmmm. It's a bit early to start toting my career successes but if the next year is anything like the last week then I'm in for a long, mostly happy, and challenging working environment. Last week was the start of our elective classes, an all-day writing assessment, and Back to School night. I have been putting in a minimum of 2 extra hours daily at school, above and beyond the school day, and for back to school night I spent a whopping 15 hours on campus, minus the 20 minute hunt for dinner at the local Safeway.

I suppose that sounds a bit like complaining, and from Thursday when I crawled into bed moments after arriving home, until the 8 hours later when I woke and headed directly back to work, I was definitely not overly happy about my situation. However I am putting in these hours without being asked or required and I'm mostly enjoying myself. Every day is different and I'm already getting to know my students and enjoying that process as well.

I have been struggling with a few key students and am hopeful that I will be able to grow and learn how best to manage the “experiences” that arise. I have learned however to take the good with the bad and as the students in my advisory left for home Friday it was to a chorus of “You’re the best advisory teacher.” I suppose they’ve heard that flattery is an expedient way to your teacher’s good graces.

In addition we finished the “carnival-style” competition we’d been having. It was a long and hot process as we had to finish the last two events outside in the heat and an unforgiving wind, but at long last the deserving team proved victorious. With a whopping score of 109 we had two teams finish in the top spot. I was very disappointed to hear that my team had not crushed the competition as I had hoped, and boasted. But worry not, for my team may not have crushed the competition but we still bested 4 of the 5 other teams and were the class to return to the flag to its rightful place: my classroom wall. Such pride resulted in the words “We have the best advisory” written in 12 year-old script on my whiteboard. All is right in the world.

Adding to my stressful week, I finished up my 3 online math classes and I have had to resign myself to achieving less-than stellar grades. I’m expecting B’s; seems I’ve been a little too busy to put the appropriate amount of attention into my studies.

Tomorrow I am starting the historical exploration of the Roman Empire. Any day is a good day at school when you get to talk about Jesus, Pagan rituals, assassinations, religious persecutions and corrupt political leaders. Long live Caesar, dictator for life, or at least until your friend stabs you in the back. Who needs daytime dramas when you have history?

Short and Sweet

I just wanted to quickly capture this moment during my prep period. I sat down for a moment during my second period of the day amidst the chaos of group work and coloring time. In the noisy commotion, and on a Monday morning no less,"For what am I proud?" you may be asking yourself. For any specific feat I have no answer, however I am very proud to be teaching and I am very proud of my kids, and most importantly I realized today that even though it has only been a week I am happier now overall, in this employment position then I have ever been in a job before.

I figured I should write this down now so that I can remember it a few months down the road when I'm struggling to find sanity and reason for willingly locking myself into a room full of seventh grade aliens.

next class of the day: Sports!

Do These Points Matter?

I'm in a perpetual state of learning. I love it. Thursday I learned that not everyone is cut out for last minute schedule changes, high energy interactions, and controlling crowds of 120+ kids. I also learned (or re-learned) that I am.

The camp-style-carnival went off well. A few groups were late and we ran out of time, so the winning team (which is sure to be mine) will have to be decided at a later date. As the groups slowly filed into the gym I worked on explaining the stations by demonstrating and making a royal fool of myself. The rouse worked and the kids got excited. I explained the rules, or lack-there-of, and announced that the winning team would earn the privilege of hanging the "flag" in their classroom.

*The flag is a clearance sale pirate costume I found that was cut and stapled to an old wooden pole, compliments of the artistic ladies in the office*

Upon announcement of "points" one of my students politely raised his hand and asked innocently: "Is this like in class, where the points don't matter?"

*Allow me to clarify. I've been increasing class participation and enthusiasm by following the Whose Line is it Anyway mantra: "The rules are made up and the points don't matter." For example I've been giving arbitrary points for things such as being quiet first or flattering the teacher (One student guessed I was 24 years old and received 50 points accordingly). In addition, wearing Chucks to school earns a student and automatic 100 points. I specifically informed the students, to assure them that I don't play favorites, that I will still like you if you wear something else, such as Vans, but just not as much*

Anyway as this student sincerely asked the question my fellow teachers looked surprised and I about fell over laughing.

An hour later, with my voice barely intact the students were herded out of the gym and off to home, but not before I suggested they go home and practice the remaining stations so that they may increase their scores tomorrow. Stations included activities such as: over under with a volley ball, throwing a Frisbee into a bucket, filling a jar with spoonfuls of water, and trying to "blow" a paper across the floor using only a Frisbee.

It was an exhausting day and I went home and was asleep by 8:30.

I came to school Friday with the expectation of completing the activities. The kids asked about it all day, and there was even some friendly banter between a few groups over the winning of the flag.

But as things do, schedules changed and instead we had an hour of "free time" on the field as a way to bond with the students. Not sure if you have been outside around 2:30 in the afternoon in August, but in case you haven't, it's quite warm. Hot even. Being unable to sit idly by and watch the students mingle and meander from the shade, I decided to join the soccer crew on the field and proceeded to smack-talk my students. (I'm such a good teacher) We had a smattering of students I did not know and many I did. At one point I threatened a student's grade on him scoring a goal against my team. At another point a student kicked the ball into my stomach, to the sound of gasps from the teams. I of course deftly returned to the ball to the opposite side of the field, and then went after the little munchkin. We had a good time. My students are now very aware that when it comes to pick-up games I am adept at cheating. Again I'd like to reiterate I'm such a good teacher. Have I mentioned yet that I'm teaching the sport elective this fall?

In all, it was a good week and I'm finding my niche. My day is not without its challenges and I would really love some Duct Tape for a few students in my third period, but as far as first weeks go, I'm very happy. This sure is a nice change from last semester. For those waiting for some more gossip and drama do not fret there is more to come and soon. A teacher is already leaving, there is some personality conflicts already starting to boil, and I'm still without a classroom key! Oh the drama.

Here's the classroom as it now looks, a big improvement on the empty space I was confronted with two weeks ago.

Let me volunteer for that!

Day one I got a hug from a student as I left campus. Day two I got a "Hi" from a student across campus. Day three, feeling pretty good, I volunteer to entertain 120 7th graders for an hour...

I never claimed to be smart.

We have a free period for the remainder of the week until our elective classes start on Monday. Today we filled it with "procedures" and seeing as we only have 12 new students it went pretty quick. I, calling on my mad camp counselor skills, managed to keep my "aliens" occupied and, better than that, I kept them happy, positive, and sharing! Go me! However my co-workers had more challenges and were quite ready to get a break. So I stepped in to save the day and found myself in charge of planning a team building activity for six of our eight advisory (like homeroom) classes. Not too big of a deal, I've done it plenty of times before, and I'm glad to be helping. I just jumped in without thinking. Its still the first week. I still have no real plan past Friday and now I'm the activities director for the day. It should be interesting regardless.

I realized that a prize would be nice to offer the teams after the competition I'm planning so after work today I went on a hunt for a pirate flag/banner to give the winning team to hang in their classroom, and pass on, torch-like, to the next winning team this year. Bad news is that no one seems to have pirate flags. Good news is that Party City has last years little kid pirate costumes on sale for five dollars. Now I just need to find someone who's creative and talented with a needle and thread before lunch tomorrow.

I've always said I like a challenge. Tune in next time for "Chaos on Campus" or "Camp Counselor Calms Crowds" The betting window closes at noon.

Splash

As I sat here watching the love-lorn on the Bachelorette tonight I figured I should be blogging about my first day.

I guess since I'm not over here agonizing about it that means something.

The day began with a small amount of jitters when I rose before the sun! Surprisingly all went well. The kids came, we joked, we carried on, and then they left. In truth I confused myself between saying my "first day of school" speech four times and trying to memorize all the names. I kept thinking "Did I already tell them that?" Seems I'm floating around in the deep end, and I didn't need those water wings after all.

The classes I have are definitely quite diverse in every aspect; a plethora of skin colors, and backgrounds. I have a few new kids, and few loud kids, a few intellectual and a few very unique kids.

As most first year teachers can attest the first day can be a very lonely day. The jumping into the deep end, can feel like dropping into an abyss (for those that read my last blog can get a sampling of that experience). Don't get me wrong it is exhilarating and exciting as well, just very big. In contrast, as I discussed with my co-workers today, this particular school, this staff, has created the opposite effect. Because of their support I had the unique opportunity of feeling like a veteran teacher. My biggest dilemma and drama of the day was fine tuning my speech, not the typical, "Holy Cow what am I doing?" that I'm accustomed to.

I truely feel blessed to be able to be a part of this environment, this opportunity for me. I feel there is much growth potential for me here, growth as a teacher and otherwise. I feel like a professional, or at least that I play one on TV. I still don't know what I'm doing but I sure look good doing it. ;)

I'm sure there will be bumps in the road, and challenges ahead, I'm counting on it actually. I'm sure hoping I have something perplexing to experience or else this blog will be short lived.

Either way this will be an adventure. Stay tuned to find out just how. Tune in next time for my thoughts on "ok now I actually have to teach them something."

Countdown to Day One

Well, for those who’ve read my previous blog, you know how quickly and anxiously I arrived at my first day last semester. This position couldn’t be more different. It’s almost prolonged and while I am still anticipating the day, I feel much more prepared this time around. Call it experience, or having a week to feel out and personalize my room, or maybe it’s the warm and welcoming staff. Any way you slice it, this year is starting out on the right foot.

You know something is special when after spending five unpaid and long days at work you go back for a sixth, and on a Sunday at that. Yup. That’s how I spent my Sunday, and Saturday was spent buying supplies.

I arrived today with the goodies I found yesterday: a four dollar thrift store stool, two Wal-Mart lamps (I know. I hate shopping there but I spent the week not getting paid remember?) a door mat, some decorative items from the Dollar Tree and magnets. Every good teacher has magnets.

I spent six hours setting up my room, printing and subsequently finding the printer/work area, reading through the schedule changes for Monday, figuring out how to hang up my maps, discovering my cupboard actually does lock, and explore my new technology. For those who know what an ELMO is, I am now the privileged user of one, along with a fancy new projector. Success was mine!

As productive as I was, I still realized that leaving today meant that I was ready for Monday and I struggled with that decision for sometime. Soon after I remembered that even if I spent the night, school would indeed be starting in 16 hours, and in one scenario I’d have bed head and nothing to wear. With mixed feelings I turned off the new lamps, locked up my technology in my not-so-fancy cupboard and then… went next door to ask someone to lock my door for me, seeing as I’m still without a key.

Tomorrow I climb the ladder and jump off the high dive (as my co-worker metaphor-ed last week). But as I told him: belly flop or splash-less entry, either way we’ll be swimming. Has anybody seen my water wings?

Pre-week Done

Woo Hoo I finished week one.... no wait.. I finished pre-season....

After a week of team building and group discussions and a little bit of room preparation I'm feeling all touchy-feelied out. (I'm also working on making up new words) We've been doing lots of setting up school "norms" and ice breaker activities. Without divulging too much I will state that I now know more than I anticipated knowing about my co-workers.

We ended out week with not quite enough classroom time, and an all staff BBQ. My principal, besides being a lover of fine wines, was very excited to have us all over at his house. There was plenty of potluck food, wine and a rousing game of Pin the Eye Patch on the Pirate (our mascot) with aforementioned alcohol of course. And true to form I won.

Staff gatherings are always a bit odd. This group is no exception, except that we are already quite close, having no qualms about razzing each other. I made the comment a few nights ago, at the after orientation social in which the first round was funded by the aforementioned principal, that every group has it's cliques. However in this group, I never seemed to know who I was going to find myself talking to next. I'm making friends with people I originally didn't think would I have anything in common with. (I'm usually so good at stereotyping people too)

As for my classroom, I will be returning this weekend for some final touches, of course only after I head to the nearest teacher supply store and pick up some more supplies. I have a feeling I should get the frequent buyer club cards.... my work is never done.

I am quite exhausted and anticipating, and fearing Monday, however I will leave you with these words of wisdom that were given to me:

"Treat your first day, heck your first week, like the first day of summer camp... we'll fit in the academics later."

*yawn* I think its time for sleep.

I'm going to try to keep this short and sweet...

I'm tired.

I have chairs now, and after a brief potential fiasco involving those nasty desks from our childhood that came with chairs attached, I have re-secured my hand-me-down, rickety, gum covered desks. I also managed to "borrow" my other grade level teacher's syllabus and schedule for week one. Still have no books, or a room key, but at least there is progress.

And even though they aren't likely to ever read, or know the existence of this blog I want to give a shout out to the maintence crew at school. The two gentlemen have been invaluable and have gone out of their way for me. I am most enthusiastically grateful.

There is much more to say but my brain is fried and my eyelids have thier own agenda. This blog comes during my first and only time I've had all day to sit and reflect.

The habit of late night posting is an occurance I am not happy about. According to the clock I have just under 8 hours until I need to get up and do it all over again... But as a teacher reminded me today: this is a job I chose and I'm happy to be doing it. As tired as I am, I am in a place and time where I have no desire to be anywhere else. (Except maybe a nice beach resort)

Good Night!

I'm supposed to have desks right?

First day jitters!

The good news: everyone is great. There are a LOT of like minded people on campus. For those that have taken the True Color Test, us "Oranges" have the majority by almost half. Which means we are a bunch of movers and shakers, risk takers and spontanious, perhaps to a fault. (I highly recommend the test for a quick look at your personality type, it helps in the work place and potentially in any relationship where youa re attempting to communicate and get things accomplished. Read my type and you'll see the resemblances immediately.)

Now for the not so good news....

My classroom is.. empty. And no i don't mean that in the clean wallk and no graffiti kind of way. I mean no tables, or chairs, or desks, or maps, or those cool overhead screens that roll down, or books or anything. A completely blank slate. Imagine teh way a new house looks before you move in but add a pink bookshelf, a bathroom sink, and blinds with pink trim. (i'm not exxagerating)

Well as I do I quickly made friends with the girl who gets things done. (she used to work with grizzleys in Alaska and yes she knew teh Grizley Man.) Together (armed with the principal's key (ause I still don't have one) we traveled to the highschool's side of campus and proceeded to raid thier storage closet, all the while chanting my new mantra "it is asier to beg forgivness thant o ask permission." Well I guess the principal became a little worried about what sort of mischief I would get up to when he saw teh two of us (in dress clothes no less) pushing a 10-foot-long cart with 2 tables and 8 desks across campus, because before I left today teh janitor had stocked my room with 20 more desks and a teacher's desk (complete with drawers). yay for getting things done! I got a few freebees from so otehr teaches as well, including a (as in singular) student textbook.

I am really excited and mostly over the jitters, at least for this week. As far as next week goes I'm hoping to steal as much as i can (information this time) from the other teacher at my grade level and just hope I can get through the first day.

I got home tonight, loded up the vehicle with boxes of supplies (the ones I kept from the donations last year) and tomorrow I'm sporting jeans and flip-flops so that I can climb on desks properly and start the process of making my room look, well like an actual classroom. For those local enough to help, I'll take any man hours you want to donate. Maybe I'll even find chairs tomorrow for you to rest in.

As for me: I'm off to sleep. It's going to be a long week, the first of many i'm sure.

Here We Go Again

New job, new classroom, new students, new blog... so, what else is new?

Monday I start training for my new position. I figured it was time to reopen the blog so that I can once again recount the trials and tribulations that such a position entails. Thank you to all of those that have be commenting and waiting patiently for my return to blogging... this blog is for you.

The Details:
I've accepted a position teaching a 7th grade Social Studies class, rather classes. I've returned to civilization and will be enjoying the unique experience of living and working near my social circle. Ahh refreshing. Hopefully having the friends and family close by will be a nice change of pace from the seclusion of my previous semester. (For those that missed my previous blog feel free to check it out and catch yourselves up. However you may want to make sure you are sitting down and not actively drinking anything for fear it will make its way into your nasal cavities. You've been warned. Surviving Year One: A Teacher's Life )

Completely honestly I'm a bit nerved out about this new position. A new job is unnerving enough, and teaching is one of those few jobs where you are left much to your own devices. As much as I hate the CA standards, I also value them... they are the only real pacing guide I have to what a student is "supposed to be learning." History is a big subject, I mean where do I begin? I had a friend recently tell me he wished he knew then what he knows now. I asked what he meant and his reply was: "If I only knew how freaked out my teachers were about teaching my class..." Scary but true. I keep waiting for the Candid Cameras and for someone to say something like "ha just kidding you aren't allowed to teach these young people."

Now that I've secured your faith in my abilities...

Training starts tomorrow. A week of staff bonding, general policies, team building, cooperative planning, 6th grade orientation and classroom set up is in store. I'm still trying to figure out what to wear.