First Day Back

All is well! My last period class is full of rock stars!! We had a chance to practice some of my rules and procedures. Everything went so smoothly, I had to pinch myself 'cause I must be dreaming. I think somebody in Guidance must like me this year :).

And then, there's first period. I have at least 3-4 repeaters in that class (only 2 showed up this morning). One repeater is very hyper so I'm going to have to give him plenty of activities to do ("do you want to run this errand for me after you finish problems #1-5?") to keep him engaged. There's this cute little boy who's definitely his own person ("Miss, I'm fat and I get overheated. Can I bring in some water?" "I just care about a girl's personality, not her looks."). I hope he keeps his unique outlook on life because 7th grade has a way of corrupting young minds, ha ha!

My middle period class is... interesting. I started with 18 and was left with 10 after the pull-out teacher finally found us. Of the ten, I have 1 repeater who's very needy so she'll be my paper-passer-out person.

Overall, all of my classes seem like a hard-working group so I'm sure this year will be productive.

It's Time...

to kick it into high gear for school year prep '09! I'm slightly nervous about all the changes that are coming this year. On the other hand, I'm teaching the same grade level so I won't have to revamp too much. All in all, I'm grateful to still be gainfully employed, especially given that my district has let some teachers go. I plan on signing up for a district licensure program in the fall to move up to the next level. The classes are FREE (which is awesome!) and typically are 1-2 nights a week for three years. I don't know how that's going work out with an infant and a teenager at home but when there's a will, there's a way. Now, if only I can stop procrastinating and actually begin checking off things on my long to-do list, haha!

Welcome Back!

Day 2 is over! I'm back to work this week after being on maternity leave for three months. To briefly recap,

The Good list:
1. Greeted students at the door just like our old routine
2. Handed out morning work to students as soon as they enter class (also old routine)
3. Ability to get the students attention without too much effort (much improved)
4. Ability to improvise with short notice
5. Lessons that flow smoothly from one activity to the next
6. A staff member complimented my classroom management :) :)

The 'needs to be improved' list:
1. Chattiness during transitions (I'd never thought I'd get to the point in my teaching career where this is my only worry! I guess this means that I've grown as a professional!!)
2. Finding enough time to get homework and classwork graded and returned promptly
3. Lack of sleep (although this comes with the territory of being a parent to an infant)
4. My role as a co-teacher (always tricky trying to find a perfect balance between being a glorified aide versus academic partner)

I'm glad to be back and I can't wait for the weekend so that I can sleep in, haha!

Life After Birth

Hey ya'll...
My schedule has changed significantly since giving birth to my 2nd daughter six weeks ago. I hardly get a full night's sleep any more and I have to plan bathing (and other important things) hours in advance. However, her baby kisses and smiles make it all worth it!

Having extended time off from teaching has allowed me to think about, what else, teaching, haha! On a serious note, I am going back to my classroom stronger and better than ever. I am treating my first day back (end of April) just like the first day of school--rules, routines, rigor. It's time to step it up for 2009!

My baby girl has arrived!

Just a quick post to announce my baby girl's arrival. Niara (pronounced nee-ah-ra; swahili for "one with a high purpose") came into the world on January 26, 2009 weighing 7lbs. 6 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. Mama, baby, and family are doing well and we're resting as much as possible with a newborn.

2008 review

I jacked this from a good e-friend --this meme has definitely given me a lot to think about/improve upon for 2009!

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

I started off the academic year (Fall 2008) with greater confidence in my teaching abilities.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Well, I've kept some of my resolutions. A couple of them include: following up with a fertility specialist in regards to blocked fallopian tubes, consistently attending bellydance classes, and changing my immediate family's last name to better reflect our cultural heritage. For 2009, my main focus is spiritual and personal growth, especially being impeccable with my word.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Not this year.

5. What countries did you visit? None. This will change in 2009/2010.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

This year, I would like to have clarity in my purpose and peace of mind that I am on the right path.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Late May 2008—that's when we found out that we're pregnant after trying for 4-5 years!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Having a relatively healthy pregnancy.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not letting the little things go!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Besides pregnancy related symptoms, no.

11. What was the best thing you bought? 6 CD Lecture series--“Ask your Guides” by Sonia Choquette.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My husband's behavior merits celebration because he has rode with me through many storms and still loves me despite my many faults.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My own behavior makes me appalled and depressed at times because honestly I feel like so much is out of my control... I find it hard to "let go and let God".

14. Where did most of your money go? Bills and paying off credit card and student loan debt.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Finding out that I am pregnant! Also, having money saved going into the summer months (especially important since my school district doesn't pay its teachers during the summer) and being able to afford a doula.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Beyonce' “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier or sadder? thinner or fatter? richer or poorer?
Happier, Fatter, Richer, ha!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I did more traveling.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? I wish that I did less complaining.

20. How did you spend Christmas? I spent Christmas at home with my immediate family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes, most especially with the new life growing inside me :).

22. How many one-night stands? None! Happily married, thank goodness!

23. What was your favorite TV program? Heroes (although this season sucked goat balls).

24. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn’t dislike this time last year? No.

25. What was the best book you read? The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poiter

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Chanda Rule

27. What did you want and get? GPS, a healthy pregnancy

28. What did you want and not get? Different career path

29. What was your favorite film of this year? Iron Man

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I went out to eat for my birthday and I turned 28.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Changing career paths.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Flattering and functionality

33. What kept you sane? The Internet and my public library!

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Tina Fey

35. What political issue stirred you the most? Health care & education

36. Who did you miss? My paternal grandmother

37. Who was the best new person you met? My husband's brother's family

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008? Why worry when you can pray!

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Rachelle Ferrell--”Satisfied”

Lemme tell a story 'bout an old man and woman I know
They were in the desert so dry, diggin' ditches…deep
Waitin' for the rain to flow
Well, the people came from miles around
Wantin' to know why they did what they did and how
"Faith is the key" he said, "to what can't yet be seen"
Then he looked at the sky, winked at his wife and said,
"That's why baby, baby, baby…"

Chorus:

I'm so satisfied
I know that this joy can't be denied!
Make me sing in the morning
Make me smile at night
Laugh for no particular reason
Just 'cause everything's alright!
I'm so satisfied

Verse 2:

No doubt about it, there's a higher power working in here!
There's a way to anything, anytime, anyway and anywhere
But it won't work if there's fear
If we put our trust in what we feel
Instead of what we think in our heads, hmm
Then we'll remember to keep it real
So the soul will be nourished and the spirit is fed!
Baby, baby, baby, baby

Repeat Chorus

Bridge:

Life is only what we allow it to be
There are no accidents and no mistakes
It really just depends on the choices we choose to make
Everything is everything anyway!

Repeat Chorus