The last day of school was June 18th and I've been on straight cruise control ever since, lol! My principal let me know that she'd like me to teach 6th grade ELA and SS for next year, which is cool. I'll also be on a two-man team which is a bit of a change but I'm sure that I'll adapt quickly.
The news that just might affect my teaching this year? I'm almost 10 weeks pregnant! My husband and I have been trying for quite some time; as a matter of fact, I was scheduled to have surgery on June 24 to fix some defective 'equipment'. Obviously God has other plans in mind!
I've only told 2 very close coworkers as it will be quite apparent in the fall that I'm expecting anyways, lol! I'm slightly concerned about maternity leave (the baby is due on January 20th) but I'm sure everything will work out in time.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Post Break
This is our 2nd day back from Spring Break and all is well. The children were a bit rowdy on Monday but we seem to be getting back into our routine. I finally passed my state's certification exam for English/Language Arts (woohoo) yet I feel slightly nervous about next year--I'm trying to stay put if I can help it!
There's a lot that I'm thinking about as we get closer and closer to the summer:
--Should I work (part-time) or just enjoy the break?
--What if my Principal doesn't hire me for the 2008-2009 school year?
--How do I become the best ELA teacher ever?
In the meantime, I'm looking for cool ideas to implement these final weeks of school (we've started "Holes" any suggestions?)--only 8 more weeks and counting!
There's a lot that I'm thinking about as we get closer and closer to the summer:
--Should I work (part-time) or just enjoy the break?
--What if my Principal doesn't hire me for the 2008-2009 school year?
--How do I become the best ELA teacher ever?
In the meantime, I'm looking for cool ideas to implement these final weeks of school (we've started "Holes" any suggestions?)--only 8 more weeks and counting!
Post Break
This is our 2nd day back from Spring Break and all is well. The children were a bit rowdy on Monday but we seem to be getting back into our routine. I finally passed my state's certification exam (woohoo) yet I feel slightly nervous about next year--I'm trying to stay put if I can help it!
There's a lot that I'm thinking about as we get closer and closer to the summer:
--Should I work (part-time) or just enjoy the break?
--What if my Principal doesn't hire me for the 2008-2009 school year?
--How do I become the best ELA teacher ever?
In the meantime, I'm looking for cool ideas to implement these final weeks of school (we've started "Holes" any suggestions?)--only 8 more weeks and counting!
There's a lot that I'm thinking about as we get closer and closer to the summer:
--Should I work (part-time) or just enjoy the break?
--What if my Principal doesn't hire me for the 2008-2009 school year?
--How do I become the best ELA teacher ever?
In the meantime, I'm looking for cool ideas to implement these final weeks of school (we've started "Holes" any suggestions?)--only 8 more weeks and counting!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Privilege Meme
I found this meme on Miss A's blog. I would say that my childhood was primarily working class with middle class aspirations. I bounced around quite a bit between my mother, my father, my grandmother, and a family friend's homes so I've experienced everything middle class and below--from the stigma of a parent receiving welfare to living in a suburban neighborhood.~Laniza
From What Privileges Do You Have?, based on an exercise about class and privilege developed by Will Barratt, Meagan Cahill, Angie Carlen, Minnette Huck, Drew Lurker, Stacy Ploskonka at Illinois State University. If you participate in this blog game, they ask that you PLEASE acknowledge their copyright. To participate, bold the items that apply to you.
Father went to college (community college)
Father finished college
Mother went to college (my mother had a full basketball scholarship but did not finish because she was pregnant with me)
Mother finished college
Have any relative who is an attorney, physician, or professor
Were the same or higher class than your high school teachers.
Had more than 50 books in your childhood home.
Had more than 500 books in your childhood home.
Were read children’s books by a parent.
Had lessons of any kind before you turned 18 (violin lessons in 5th grade-I wished that I kept up with it!)
Had more than two kinds of lessons before you turned 18
The people in the media who dress and talk like me are portrayed positively.
Had a credit card with your name on it before you turned 18.
Your parents (or a trust) paid for the majority of your college costs.
Your parents (or a trust) paid for all of your college costs
Went to a private high school
Went to summer camp (local Boys & Girls' club)
Had a private tutor before you turned 18
Family vacations involved staying at hotels
Your clothing was all bought new before you turned 18
Your parents bought you a car that was not a hand-me-down from them
There was original art in your house when you were a child
You and your family lived in a single-family house
Your parent(s) owned their own house or apartment before you left home
You had your own room as a child
You had a phone in your room before you turned 18
Participated in a SAT/ACT prep course
Had your own TV in your room in high school (Granted, it was black & white! Ha!)
Owned a mutual fund or IRA in high school or college
Flew anywhere on a commercial airline before you turned 16
Went on a cruise with your family
Went on more than one cruise with your family
Your parents took you to museums and art galleries as you grew up.
You were unaware of how much heating bills were for your family.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Well, 2008 is turning out to be a great year thus far! While I'm still on the fence about remaining in the teaching profession, I feel a lot more secure in my abilities than last year. I am so grateful for the following at my new school:
--supportive administration
--having an inclusion teacher in 2 out of 3 classes
--small(er) class sizes (average is 15)
--increased salary
--more professional opportunities
--being a positive role model to students (one student in particular told me that I was his 1st black teacher. This is significant because the school district has over 70% students of color. Where have all the teachers of color gone?)
--receiving help and pats on the back when needed
--having a structured curriculum (oh man, was this a nightmare for me last year!!)
Now all I have to do is carry this positivity to the end of the year :)!
--supportive administration
--having an inclusion teacher in 2 out of 3 classes
--small(er) class sizes (average is 15)
--increased salary
--more professional opportunities
--being a positive role model to students (one student in particular told me that I was his 1st black teacher. This is significant because the school district has over 70% students of color. Where have all the teachers of color gone?)
--receiving help and pats on the back when needed
--having a structured curriculum (oh man, was this a nightmare for me last year!!)
Now all I have to do is carry this positivity to the end of the year :)!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Hello?! Is this thing on? lol!
I'm still teaching :). My last period group has pulled a 'switcheroo' on me and become my favorite group of students seemingly overnight. They are so... goofy, just like their English teacher :). My focus has shifted slightly as there's been a lot of tragedies in my family within the last few months (my paternal grandmother died in June, my paternal cousin died in October, my maternal cousin suffered 3rd degree burns on her face and back in late October). I still feel like I'm keeping my head barely above water some days... however, I'm gonna give this my best try. Only 7 months 'til June :).
I'm still teaching :). My last period group has pulled a 'switcheroo' on me and become my favorite group of students seemingly overnight. They are so... goofy, just like their English teacher :). My focus has shifted slightly as there's been a lot of tragedies in my family within the last few months (my paternal grandmother died in June, my paternal cousin died in October, my maternal cousin suffered 3rd degree burns on her face and back in late October). I still feel like I'm keeping my head barely above water some days... however, I'm gonna give this my best try. Only 7 months 'til June :).
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
>>>
I've been fighting a cold on and off since last week. I took yesterday off because I sounded like Barry White's female cousin, and today, while teaching my first period class, I lost my voice! Needless to say, the 7th grade VP insisted that I go home. My husband is heavily leaning toward me taking tomorrow off too. But, goodness, 2 1/2 days of sick time and it isn't even the middle of October yet? Oh well, I have to be able to speak in order to teach! Off to make another cup of lemon zinger tea.
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