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Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008
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11:57 am - Oops!
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11:37 am - The end of another fine year.
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Was there a bit of sarcasm in that subject heading? Hmmmm... I think so!
This was the worst year of my teaching career! I will write more about it later, but I just wanted to jump up and down (virtually) and celebrate the fact that I am finished with this horrendous school year! Whoooooooooooot! I survived.
Seriously, a teacher's theme song is truly "I Will Survive". I think I need to find a recording of that song and just dance around the room freely and hoot and holler in celebration!
The students (as a group) were the most conniving, deceitful little creatures I've ever taught. Thank GOODNESS there were a handful that were kind and sweet and made me smile every day. Without them, I don't know if I would have lasted the whole year. I kid you not. The students lied about me. Outright lied to their parents. I've never had that happen. The lies were crazy, too. Hopefully I can figure out away to steer clear of that situation next year. (These kids didn't like the fact that I said what I meant and meant what I said... and followed through very consistently with consequences.)
Like I said, though, I had a handful of really great kids, too! I tell ya, those are the ones that make me less fearful of the future generations. If they are on the job, it's going to be alright!
The grade level team was not as cohesive as I would've liked. I am used to working as a team, not just being a grade level team. We didn't plan together. We collaborated once during a scheduled collaboration time. (That was so nice. I hope they all felt the same way, that we should do that WAY more often!) While we all got along just fine, we didn't work together as a team. And our team leader certainly did NOT act as a leader should. She will be our team leader again next year. (She calls it her "two-year sentence".) After that, if I'm still at the same school, I will volunteer to be team leader! At this school, it's not a time-consuming position. You just have to relay information to the team. Not difficult, right? Great teacher. Not a great team leader. Not everyone can be, right?
Changes in schedule at the last minute also made this year very frustrating. Why have a calendar if things are going to change ALL THE TIME? I understand that flexibility is a big deal in teaching. However, I've never been so in the dark about things. When do we do this? How does this work? What's the procedure for this? Do I need to plan anything? And so on... Next year will be better, right? Because I'm aware that things will change all the time. It will be easier to handle because I already know, right? Right?!?
I also went through the worst health issue of my life. It affected me physically and emotionally, which made about 6 weeks of my teaching very much like a roller coaster ride. I made it through, but not without a few bumps and bruises here and there. I've never had major health issues, so this was something very new to me. Note to self: In the future, when in the middle of a major health issue, TAKE A DAY OR TWO OFF TO GET WELL!
(Boy, reading back on this, I really sound ornery!!!)
There are some good things about this year, too!!! For example...
Ummmm...
Like when...
*crickets chirping*
I'll think of something! :)
current mood:  content
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| Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007
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6:01 pm - The goings-on of my everyday life.
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I don't have the patience or the fortitude to actually create a journal entry in a m p h i g o r y right now. It's all html and, well, I am just too lazy, to be honest! :)
Not a lot has happened in the past . . . *counting* . . . eight months since I moved from Georgia. I had high hopes of finding a wonderful teaching assignment and starting fresh with a new set of students in August (or September, since schools often start AFTER Labor Day up here in da north!). That was not meant to be, however, so here I sit, eight months later, a substitute teacher in several districts. I don't like it. Who would? Well, I do realize that there are some people who would actually enjoy such a thing, but I am not one of those people! I want my OWN classroom, dagnabit!
Starting last January (yes, January 2006), I went on a crazy job search. I went to several job fairs - taking off work and flying north for a day or two and then returning to Georgia. I sent what seemed like a kazillion resumes out to each of the schools in the districts I was interested in. Nothing. The end of school came, and I was still without a job. I cleaned out my classroom, passed my keys back to administration, and walked out of my school jobless. I then moved northward. I continued sending out resumes, connecting with principals - "Sorry, that position was filled." As the end of summer came (all too quickly), I realized that I was up a crick without a paddle.
Upon realization that I was NOT going to get my own classroom (and after at least one emotional breakdown), I started applying to be a substitute teacher in the school districts I desired so that I could, you know, "get my foot in the door." Even that proved to be wracked with problems! Can you believe that the fact that I had a GA driver's license kept me from working in the district I most desired??? I talked to the HR woman and simply could not believe that they had employed someone who had just moved and hadn't yet established a permanent address to which they could change their driver's license! Regardless, that district was a no-go, and I started subbing for District #2.
It started out slow at first. I was living . . . staying . . . about two hours away from the district, so at first, I'd have to commute. Once I had enough jobs, I could move there. Right? Well, that never happened. I realized that I couldn't afford to live there (suburb of Chicago) on a substitute teacher's pay. So, I started using Priceline to rent a hotel room ($25/night - not bad for a kitchenette room). I stayed down there for the week and then drove back up for the weekend. That lasted until Christmas break. Then I decided I wanted to see what the districts closer to home would be like, so I started subbing up here.
Well, I've been working fairly regularly since mid-January, which is good, but it's still not enough. I miss having my own classroom so much. You don't just "turn off" as a teacher. I still continually search for lessons, units, and whatnot. I still create documents that I will be able to use. I am still planning in my head - and on paper - things that I'll do in my new position... things I'd like to try out and use. It's an on-going thing.
And I'm still living . . . er, staying . . . with my family (read, parents), for which I am so incredibly grateful, but I am slowly being driven insane! I am used to living on my own; I have for many years. I am used to watching what I want to watch, do what I want to do, go where I want to go, etc. Without exclaiming to an entire family where I am going, with whom, and when I'll be back. I love my family, but I enjoy solitude. I've learned to need solitude.
Anyway, it's April. I am still looking for a job. I even went back to Georgia for some job fairs and interviews because if I can't find a job up here, I have to go where I can teach. Unfortunately, nothing has come out of the search in Georgia either. (Unless I want to work in an area that I'm trying to get away from!) The choices are slim. I once again have no idea where I'm going to be this Fall. And my storage unit has a damp floor, which means that my stuff is most likely damaged. All in all, it's been a rough eight months, emotianally, professionally, and financially. (Dentist bills, doctor visits/meds for strep throat - and no insurance!)
I will continue searching for open positions. I will continue sending out resumes and application packets. I will (hopefully) continue to interview for positions. I will try to do all of the above with a positive attitude.
Wonder if Wal-Mart is hiring.
current mood:  contemplative
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| Tuesday, October 3rd, 2006
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3:54 pm - Resumes/References
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As I continue in my search for a job - dang, even subbing is not easy to get into, for crying out loud - I am looking at my references and realizing that they need to be updated. At least I think they do.
A couple of my fellow colleagues that I used as references are no longer at the same school now. We all left. When I use them as a reference, do I put their new school in the information or do I indicate the school in which we all worked together? I would, of course, give them updated phone numbers so that they can be contacted.
Advice, please?
current mood:  busy
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12:43 am - Subbing Assignment
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Well, after much hoop jumping, it seems that I have secured my first subbing assignment. It is for a 7th Grade Math class. It's not for another 2 weeks, but it's a start. I will hopefully get more assignments to fill some time between now and then. Finally. I just want to be working again!
current mood: content
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| Tuesday, September 19th, 2006
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1:50 am - Updates
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I have made an update at my online journal.
I made it through the school year, which was amazing in and of itself. I am a better person for it. I moved from Georgia to Wisconsin. I was unable to secure a job, so now I am scrambling to try to find a subbing job. It's not as easy as one would think. At least I haven't found it to be. I'm quite possibly going about it all wrong, but...
Anyway... alive and well over here.
current mood:  blah
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| Tuesday, April 11th, 2006
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11:02 pm - Back?
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Wow! It seems like forever since I have been here or checked anything other than the teaching journal that I visit every now and again. Even that I hadn't visited for a while. I have my other journal (amphigory) but I just haven't had time or energy to maintain it. It's too bad, too, because I'm paying for and it's a great site (in my humble opinion). Anyway...
So much has been going on this year. I took on way more responsibilities than I have ever been comfortable with. I stepped outside my box in a big, big way.
I was a mentor teacher this year to a new teacher. That has been a lot of work, but she's a wonderful person and has actually turned out to be just as good a help to me as I have been to her. I have faith in her that she will exceed all of her expectations.
Being only one of two teachers that stayed on our third-grade team, I was an assistant team leader of sorts this year. It felt good to be a contributor, an active contributor. I was gungho in the beginning, but it got tiring! That's where a lot of my new responsibilities lie. There are seven third grade teachers, so it's sometimes a challenge to get us all together for meetings and whatnot. With the exception of one person, I really like my team and it's been a good year in that respect.
We got a whole new population of students this year because one of our schools shut down to become a magnet school and another school (brand spankin' new) started up. Most of our students were transferred to the new school, and most of the students from the school shutting down were coming to us. The students, on average, were much lower than we had been working with. It's been a struggle this year to maintain success in these students. I love my class, though. I think they are my favorite so far. Their characters are so interesting and fun. They usually get my jokes. We have a good time together. But they are lazy. They are hard to motivate to do well or to exceed their current output. Testing is here, and if they don't pass this CRCT test next week, they don't go to fourth grade. It's been very stressful because EVERYthing is based on this test now. Long gone are the days of teaching without stressful concern. It's now "If they don't pass the test, they flunk." And there isn't a cotton pickin' thing I can do. They can be passing in class on their report cards and doing well, but if they fail that test, it's retention.
Not only that but the kids this year have been through so many tests. We start the year out with STAR tests that give us an idea of their Reading and Math capabilities. They take pretests for language and math. They take Accelerated Reader tests on a regular basis. Then there's the CBA tests that are like the standardized tests on computers that are supposed to be used to gauge how much they have learned - what the know and don't know. Then there are the online practice CRCT that we are supposed to do in computer lab. We also have the pre/post assessments in our reading curriculum before/after each unit. Let's not forget the weekly tests that they have to assess the weekly curriculum.
It's terrible. It's tiring. It's stressful. Not just for the students, but for the teachers, too!!!
Our new principal has a heart for the students and has a GREAT big picture, but things have been difficult for the staff in getting to that big picture. There were MANY new changes this year beyond the normal ones you get with a new principal. I thought I was going to lose it a couple of times and just pass out from exhaustion. Many nights were spent grading papers, creating documents, preparing lessons, coming up with this and that... staying up past midnight every night. Every night until I couldn't do it anymore. Now I'm behind with stuff, but I got burnt out. This too shall pass.
I'm leaving the school. I turned in my resignation (as did four other third grade teachers and many more in other grades). I think it's time for me to go home (Wisconsin). I am missing my family. I am missing my nephews and nieces and all that come with them - birthday parties, concerts, quiz meets, little league, etc. I still haven't found Mr. Right, so I am alone. I don't want to be lonely anymore, so I'm packing my bags in June and heading North. I don't have a job up there yet, but I am hopeful. They start their hiring process much later because their school year starts later. At least that's what I am telling myself.
I'm looking into the wester suburbs of Chicago right now. Illinois pays teachers better than Wisconsin, and it's also not "as north" as Wisconsin, but it's still in a quick driving distance. We'll see. Like I said, I'm hopeful.
Oh gosh, I think that's all I've got right now. I had a field trip to the Chattahoochee Nature Center. I was in charge of seven classes getting through this thing successfully. I had to make all the arrangements. Everything. Whew! I am so glad that it's over. It was fun, though. Pictures of the trip can be found here: http://community.webshots.com/album/549414672UXMBGh
current mood:  tired
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| Saturday, April 30th, 2005
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10:31 pm - Interesting things...
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Why is that I can have three or four things that I want to do or have been invited to do on the same day, and then when that day comes, I sit home all day waiting on those things. Then I end up doing nothing. When you make commitments, keep them. Sheesh. Here I had a full day planned, and I ended up doing nothing because I was "waiting" on people who never show up or even call.
current mood:  disappointed
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| Saturday, March 5th, 2005
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8:16 pm - It's been a long time...
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It's been a very long time since I posted in here. Almost two years, to be exact. Weird!
Anyway, there has been so much going in on my life, yet it seems like the same ol' same ol' things are going on. When I evaluate my life at the moment, I see so many feelings and emotions and activities happening.
I'm exhausted. With school and night classes, I am finding myself a bit emotional... due to being overtired, I think. I'm more sensitive to things that normally wouldn't affect me as greatly as they probably would under different circumstances. I'm finding myself harder and harder to motivate to get done the things that need to get done. I laze around the apartment a little too often during the weekends. I am five weeks behind in my lesson plans. Student work is taking longer and longer to get graded. My apartment hasn't been thoroughly cleaned for quite awhile. (It is fairly clean, just not dusted and vaccuumed, etc.) I'm keeping myself a bit distanced with friends. I am not holding myself completely back, but I am not making myself available online as much, and I'm not calling my friends like I should be.
One of my friends thinks that I'm depressed. I don't know if that is necessarily the case. I admit that some things about my life make me a little bit sad. I am not happy at work. This year I have very nice students, but the administration is making me want to rip my hair out. If I wasn't so over-extended already, I would probably look for a different school to work at next year. There are some major changes happening at my school next year, so I'll keep on keeping on for at least one more year. It could get better. Or, it could get worse. We'll see. :)
I lost a friend this month. That hasn't been easy on me either. She was upset with me for a reason that was a mere misunderstanding, but she made herself the victim, and I just couldn't take that. We both said some very unfriendly words, and for that, I am truly sorry. When I make a friend, I am a genuine friend. I am not perfect, nor do I claim to be perfect. I was disconnected from the internet (my cable was having problems) during the middle of a conversation, and a few days later, I saw her online and tried to talk. She was overtly upset, so I said goodnight and logged off. The next time I saw her, she basically called me a liar (my "lame excuse" was not acceptable), and I just couldn't take it. And I didn't. When someone questions my honesty and sincerity, I do not handle that well. I was physically and emotionally tired, but that is no excuse for stepping outside my usual self and quarrelling like I did. I regret deeply the way that things turned out. She is a wonderful person, and I enjoyed having her in my life. We were even planning a summer vacation together. I was really looking forward to it! I'm still going to do it, but I guess I'll be going alone, which is alright, I suppose. Not ideal, but do-able. I sincerely hope that she finds happiness and peace in her life. She deserves it. I really hate that I hurt her.
Night classes are going well. I am doing well. It's a bit scary to think that classes are almost over, and I'll have to be responsible for finding some clients to make this thing actually work for me! I'm looking forward to making some extra money, but it will definitely be an effort. Do I want to work for someone else, or do I want to find my own clients? I would rather find my own clients because it's more flexible than working in a salon or other business. It's all something to think about.
I'm sort of, kind of dating someone right now. He's a good guy. He even brought me a beautiful white rose today... for no reason! How sweet is that? However, because he's a fellow student, we are not letting on that we are "together" in class. Neither of us wants the grief that would come along with it. It's fairly casual right now, meaning that we are in the exploration stage. I wouldn't even call him a boyfriend, and he wouldn't call me a girlfriend. We have dinner every now and again and watch movies. That's about it. It's nice, though, to have someone to lean against or to hold me while we sit on the couch watching movies. It's much better than watching by myself, that's for certain! I don't know if it will really go anywhere, though. So, I get on myself about why I am dating someone that I don't see a future with. I guess it's because you just never know when the love bug might bite. Right?
Life is good. I really am happy, even though there are some things in my life that aren't perfect.
current mood: contemplative
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| Friday, March 21st, 2003
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5:34 pm - TGIF
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It is another Friday. I like Fridays because that always means that Saturday is coming. The nice thing about Saturday is that I don't have to come to school! Yay. Weekends are so nice.
This week has been an incredibly long one. I'm not quite sure why. We were so busy--
three days of Science activities. Whew!
I've been so tired lately! I don't know what's wrong with me. I've been so exhausted that I am going to bed at ungodly hours. Like 8:00 P.M. or 8:30. That's just wrong! I am usually heading to bed sometime between 11:00 and 12:00. Weird.
Anyway, I plan on just relaxing tomorrow. I want to come into school on Sunday to clean up. I've been sorting through a lot of the papers that I have stacked on my desk and work table. I'm a stacker. I stack everything. Then it gets to the point that I'm overwhelmed with the amount of papers that I have to grade.
I'm sorry, but I'm chucking a lot of them.
We rearranged the room...again. I'm doing it every other week it seems. Well, maybe not that often, but a lot! I'm trying to find the perfect arrangement for my class. I've been trying all year. I've been unsuccessful. Heh. I'll keep trying until the very last day of school, dagnabit!
I'm off to go rent a movie. I intend to veg tonight, too!
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| Monday, March 17th, 2003
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8:53 pm - Another Monday
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Mondays are always such an interesting day. There's so much to cover and start to get the week going--Daily Oral Language (oops, didn't have time to do that today!), Daily Geography and Science, Spelling, Math, and all the other stuff that we do. What do we do? Sometimes I just sit back and wonder where the day went. We didn't get to DOL and we didn't get our story of the week started. So what did we do? Well, we definitely stayed busy.
Have you ever tried getting third graders to understand how to correct a division problem with a multiplication sentence? Some get it. More don't. Heh.
The kids are so darn cute, though.
I'm really going to miss them. I always say this of every class as it starts getting closer to the end of the year. No matter how many challenges my students provide from me, they are still a wonderful little bunch of chitlins.
current mood:  chipper
current music: Jay Leno
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| Sunday, March 16th, 2003
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10:32 pm - Holy Toledo!
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Wowzers! It's been a long time since I've been in here. I'll have to clear the cobwebs and do a little dusting. Heh.
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| Thursday, October 17th, 2002
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10:41 pm
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Well.... I know it's been a long time since I've been in here. I'm going to have to clear the dust and the cobwebs!
I've been working on a new journal site for myself. I bought a domain and everything. It's a m p h i g h o r y . n e t.
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| Wednesday, September 4th, 2002
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10:57 pm - An update...
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It's me again. Sporadic at best, eh?
Well, I have made a few updates over yonder. If you want a little tour of my classroom, or if you want to see a picture of the black widow that I found at my house, take a quick peek!
Things are going well for me. I've had five days of school, and it's no surprise that I am exhausted. My class this year is different from any other that I've had. Overall, they are a good bunch, but they are collectively *very* disruptive, which I'm working on. It will be a great year...interesting, to say the least!
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| Thursday, August 22nd, 2002
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12:36 am - Picking up where I left off...
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I wrote a new entry over yonder... I just went to Phantom of the Opera. Wow wow wow!
School is starting very soon, and I am so NOT ready for it. I haven't even set up my room yet. All the desks and chairs and filing cabinets are still stacked on one side of the room. I am back on Friday... the kids are back on Wednesday. This is not good! Tomorrow I will be going to a meeting for Writing Assessment Reps... I will be the 2nd-3rd grade rep.
Gosh, I thought I was going to start practicing the word, "no" this year. Yikes! I'm not doing so well! Heh! It should be fun, though. I'll be representing our school, our grade for our writing assessments this year. I'll be right in the middle of all the decisions. See, it can't all be bad.
Don't quote me on that...
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| Tuesday, August 20th, 2002
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12:16 am - My password is easy to guess?
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My poor, poor neglected LiveJournal.... Good grief!
I logged on tonight, and I had a little message telling me that my password is easy to guess and that I should consider changing it. Hmmm.. I don't think it's easy to guess, dagnabit!
Perhaps I'll change it just cuz!
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| Thursday, July 11th, 2002
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6:47 pm - Thursday Threesome
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My first Thursday Threesome. I hope it's okay! Heheh.
Onesome Long--Long tall drink. What's your favorite beverage, alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic?
Water is fast becoming my drink of choice. My favorite alcoholic beverage is an amaretto sour. Nummmm!
Twosome Hot--Do you like it hot? Spicy hot food, that is!
No... no no no no no!
Threesome Summer--Summer makes you think of what food? What's your favorite summer recipe?
Fruit salad. There's something so refreshing about it, and there are few things that compare during the summer!
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| Monday, July 1st, 2002
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11:47 pm - Hawai'i, here I come!
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Well, it's the evening before my trip to Hawai'i. I'm very excited about going. I hope that I have packed everything that I need. I realize that I can just buy it over there if I forget something, but... Hawai'i is very expensive I hear, and I don't want any extra added costs to this! Heheh.
I'm sure I'll forget something. I always do!
I posted a babbling entry about going to Hawai'i over yonder!
Anyway, have a GREAT week, and I'll be back on the 8th... in the evening.
Bon Voyage... Aloha....
current mood:  giddy
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| Sunday, June 30th, 2002
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12:47 am - Saturday night fever...
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Not really... It just sounded good! Heh!
I made a few updates over yonder.
I'm going to go to a new church tomorrow morning (Sunday). I have been going to some meetings at the church and saw that they had a singles group. I thought I might check it out. Ya never know, I might find Mr. Right there! ;-)
I leave for Hawai'i on Tuesday! I can't believe it's coming so quickly.
I have to clean my house... give Lucky a bath... talk to the lady who is going to be checking in on Lucky.... so much to do, so little time!
I also have to send out all of my bills. Bugger! I should have sent them out today. Now I'm going to have to pay 37cents for each stamp! Can you believe that? Grrrr....
Happy Sunday!
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| Thursday, June 27th, 2002
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1:14 am - Sentimentality...
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I've been feeling a bit melancholy the last day or so. I usually get this way every now and again, so I don't worry about it.
I've been feeling a bit nostalgic.... sentimental fool that I am. Because of this, I have a new entry over yonder. I've been struggling with it for a few days, which is why it has the 24th as a date.
I hurt my back somehow while exercising at the gym. Perhaps I was a bit too hard on my body. I'm really trying to get healthy, but it's killing me! ;-) I need a jacuzzi.
Anyone? Anyone?
current mood: nostalgic
current music: Air Supply - Soft Rock channel on DirectTV
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