Teacher Appreciation Week

Lat week was Teacher Appreciation week. We have a great group of parents who provided lunch one day. And our student council provided snacks on another. I spend most of the week sugared up. To top it off some of my kiddoes brought me gifts. They can be so sweet.

New Job...sort of

Two weeks ago as I was wandering through the Springfield, Missouri Bass Pro Shop my cellphone rang. Caller ID indicated it was my boss...well former boss as he's switched schools for the coming year...anyway, he asked if I'd gotten my assignment letter. Of course I hadn't. My last letter from the district indicated I could "potentially be laid off." so he proceeded to give me the news of my new job assignment. This year I will be teaching social studies...at the middle school! That was a bit of a surprise.

I made a trip out to school this week to pick up textbooks and to check out my new space. Now I just need to figure out what to do with it!

Graduation...Then & Now

Tonight I attended the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2011 and watched as several of my current and previous students walked across the stage to accept their diploma covers (yes, they are empty but that is another story). It's my third graduation for this district, and as I sat there watching I spent some time contemplating traditions, and comparing now to my graduation.

Then - Mortar board decorations were unique and very personal.
Now - Glitter was quite common this evening with most of the girls, but a majority of kids didn't decorate.

Then - Mr. Weimer made sure we all were appropriately attired. Shirts and ties for the guys and skirts and stockings for the girls. Nobody dared to violate the plan.
Now - Dress code is very relaxed. Shorts, jeans, flipflops...anything goes.

Then - Graduation was held outside on school grounds.
Now - Indoors and a rented site.

Then - Our procession was in alphabetical order.
Now - Choose your own walking partner.

I don't remember much about my high school graduation. There are some things that stand out, but I can't remember who spoke or what the message was. I'm tempted to dig out the old video and watch it before my reunion this summer.

This is Spring?

It's April and I'm really, really ready for some sunshine. We've had a few days of sunlight here and there, but it's really lacking. I'm feeling a lack of Vitamin D, which just makes everything much more difficult.

Stress levels are high at work right now. Some of the seniors are clicking into the fact that they have approximately six weeks to finish everything. Add that to some really unmotivated underclassmen and some days aren't running very smoothly.

On a more professional note, the school funding situation looks really bleak here in Oregon and many people are seriously concerned about their jobs. It's having an impact on our students as well as professional morale.

So, back to Spring. It should be a happy time. It's not. I'm ready for summer.

Mosaic - Little bits about Lots of stuff

The end of the month is in site and, looking back over 2010 so far, I haven't had much to blog about. Between work and classes, I've had little time or inclination to do much else. It feels like I'm sort of suspended, yet time is still progressing.

My ESOL classes are going pretty well. Much of what we discuss/work on is stuff most of us already know. Like many of the professional development things we do, I think the collaboration is most useful.

So, I got the word yesterday that I'll be working full time for the rest of the school year. That's a good thing, but now the real work begins to put meaningful lesson plans together and to ramp up my role a little bit. Until now it's been sort of like subbing. That's got to change.

And speaking of work, today was conferences. I admit to having an intense dislike for secondary conferences. On the whole, turn out is low. I don't know if parents don't find them important, or if they believe no news is good news. It's really interesting. Anyway, for this round of conferences the district implemented "conference calling." We had to log so many calls to parents during our time. This worked really well for me since I (maybe) see one or two parents during the hours of sitting and waiting. Today I actually spoke with four, doubling my average! I also sent a couple of emails for those parents I know will respond. During this time I came to the realization that if I could email progress to all my parents, I'd do it much more regularly. I think that's going on my goal list for next year.

Haiti has been the big news for the last couple weeks. I haven't blogged about it on purpose because I wasn't sure what to say. If you haven't overloaded, check out Lisa's blog. Her dad's a doctor who spent some time with a medical team there after the earthquake.

Prison Visit

I know, sounds weird, but the Oregon State Correctional Institute has a program (D-Tour) for teenagers to meet and speak with a group of very carefully selected inmates about making good choices and thinking before your act. One of my colleagues has taken his sociology class for a number of years, and invited my class to come along on the latest visit. Since I'd never been, I asked for volunteers, and got just a handful of students who were interested. Let me tell you, I think the experience was really good. I definitely would like to take the rest of my students next year.

If you're curious and want to know more, check out the video at the DOC website.
http://www.oregon.gov/DOC/OPS/PRISON/osci_inmate_events.shtml#D_TOUR

I guess I wasn't busy enough....

I've been teaching half time this school year, and while I wasn't thrilled with the idea of fewer hours and less pay, I was thankful to have job, a regular paycheck and benefits. It took a couple of months, but I got used to the routine: Up early, work, run by the main office, hit the gym and home by early afternoon. I had time to put in on a DAR project, I scrap booked,read, cooked (sometimes). It was kind of nice. But, those of you who know me, know I like to stay relatively busy. I should be careful what I wish for.

Change of Pace #1 - Last month I answered an email from our curriculum director about some graduate level courses toward an ESOL endorsement. I don't have many second language kids, but the courses are grant funded (free is a very good price!) so I felt it was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up. I came back from our break on January 4, to an email that classes were starting on January 5. Okay. We've had two meetings. I've seen the syllabus. I'm going to be busy for the next few months.

Change of Pace #2 - On Wednesday I had a message to call our human resources director. "Hmmmmm", I thought, but I made the call. Another teacher in the district had made a request to reduce her hours and I was being offered the second half of her day. Again, it was an opportunity too good to pass up. I'll be tackling some new material. Of course I accepted. I've spent the last couple afternoons getting to know the kids and coordinating with the other teacher. On Tuesday, I'll officially be flying solo.

So, what does this mean? Up early, detour past the main office first thing in the am, teach my classes until noon. Eat in a hurry and jump in the car to drive to my new pm classes. Squeeze in the gym afterwards (hopefully), and on days I have class, I'll rush there for three hours of school work, working in dinner/snacks as I can. I'm having a feeling of deja vu. Didn't I do this schedule once already? Oh yeah, but I was a few years younger then. :)

School Day 6 - Some Thoughts So Far

Today was the sixth day of school, and I'm feeling a bit "off". First, I'm having trouble (at least in my mind) with only working half days. It just feels like I leave the day unfinished by leaving before the kids do. Second, in the last six days we've had three different schedules. It's been a bit nerve-wracking to not feel like the routine is set. Since the schedule affects my classroom less than some of the others, I can only wonder how other teachers are feeling. Finally, I'm putting in some sub hours. I really thought subbing was behind me. Way back when, when I was a sub, I enjoyed the work. It was stimulating on one level and gave me tons of experience. I got to go home at the end of the day without grading or lesson plans to write. It was fun. Now, I'm feeling sort of like I've been demoted. It's not the subbing experience that bothers me; it's the subbing job that does.

Summer's End; School's Begin

Okay, so I know that technically that is not a true statement. But I have to go back to work tomorrow. Summer vacation is over, ergo, summer is over. And it was just too short. I'm really not ready to put my teacher hat back. Thankfully, we don't have students for another week, so I guess I'll have some time to adjust.

This year will be different. Education cuts mean a half-time contract. Financial concerns aside, the scheduling will be a challenge. I'm not absolutely certain how that's going to play out just yet. Wish me luck.

Announcing...a New Job!

This year I decided to take steps toward a new job. I really love what I do, but it's time to do it somewhere else. I need to be where I want to be so, yesterday I accepted an offer from a district closer to home. I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family and friends.

I'm excited, but also kind of anxious about trying to finish out this year. I haven't kept it a secret from my students that I was looking for a new position, but I also haven't talked about it much. I'm a little anxious about that. I've become really attached to some of my kids, so it's going to be hard. And I anticipate some of their parents are not going to take it well. Some of them have become very dependent upon what we (alternative ed) do. With all the changes that are going to take place next year, there is going to be some anxiety.

So, I know where I'll be working, but I'm not sure about where I'll be living. I'll keep those who need to know, in the know.

Taking Charge Pt 3: Job Interview

I had a job interview today. They're always nerve wracking because no matter how prepared I feel going into it, I think of wonderful things I should've said, after it's over and I'm driving home.

Taking Charge Pt 2: Job Fair

Job Fair. For those of you who have survived the experience the words elicit a variety of feelings. My luck with job fairs prior to today's experience is about 33%. I never feel as if I'm well prepared going into that arena. There's a whole check list I go through:

Do I look professional?
Do I have my credentials: teaching license, resume, letters of recommendation?
Can I remember my name and what I do? (yes, this is true!)

It sounds strange, I know. But oodles of people (many of whom want social studies jobs) are packed into a cavernous convention hall with the same goal makes one stop and wonder: What do I have to do to stand out? It's freaky. And this time around I was a veteran of this whole process. After all, I found my current position at this very same venue three years ago and it's been step in the direction I want to go.

Today's job fair was, as usual, overwhelming. I wonder how fruitful passing out resumes other credentials will be this time around. And dealing with the sticky question about why I want to relocate...well, did "the district is reorganizing" answer that adequately? Did I sound like a flake? Or worse, someone who was being fired? See, anxiety. I really don't need this kind of stress!

Stretched Too Thin

I don't know why I feel I have to do it all. I promised myself, after over committing in high school and burning out, to never do this to myself again. In college I did practically nothing beyond classes, homework and hanging out with friends. It was a wonderful time. You'd think I would've learned from that experience.

My typical week right now consists of working all day. I'm usually at my desk by 7:30 and try to leave by 4:00. Then comes the meetings:

• Evaluation Committee: meets every other Monday
• Executive Board for the Union: at least two, usually three meetings a month on Thursdays.
• Staff : meets every Wednesday afternoon with entire high school; my building every Tuesday morning.
• Book Club: every Monday, but I miss it on the days I have Evaluation meetings.

Throw in yoga two nights each week, and any parent/IEP/etc type event and I rarely get home by 7:30. Now if only I could figure out why I seem to be incapable of saying "NO."

First Week of School

I've survived the first week of school. It's been completely chaotic. Schedules weren't done for the kids until the last week. This week has been all about changing schedules, and I'm flying by the seat of my pants, as usual.

On the up side, I think this year will be positive. Most of my students are not spending all day in Alt. Ed. That's good. Personally, I believe they should have some time with their peers and be subjected to the regular high school stuff. At the same time, the kids disagree and are making their displeasure well known. Luckily, my boss and I agree, and since she's in charge of their schedules, they're stuck with our decisions. This should help to save my own sanity as well. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy what I do, and I really can't imagine doing a boring old 9 to 5 job. But I know my limitations, and that sometimes teenagers don't always know what's best.

Days of Inservice

The last couple days have been long and, somewhat, tedious. It's the usual back to school stuff. Tuesday's boring part started off with the district staff listening to a rather patronizing speech by a school board member. It's really annoying when someone makes a point of telling a group "you're all very intelligent" but does it sarcastically. I was not impressed, which he probably thought we should be. Yesterday I sat in on a department meeting where the new director of said department started his presentation strongly (I had high hopes) only to negate that when we presented him with some real-life situations. I can't wait until he actually has to sit in on a meeting with one our more dogged parents. I think he'll be in for an eye-opener. Yesterday afternoon was spent in curriculum mapping training. I actually think it's a useful tool, just not very practical for my particular position. School starts Tuesday. I guess we'll see how things play out.

Summer Institute

Being a teacher means getting my head in gear for another school year. I still have a couple weeks, but I've just spent three days in Portland at the Summer Institute sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), the Oregon Education Association (OEA), the Oregon School Board Association (OSBA) and the Confederation of Oregon School Administrators (COSA).

I'll be honest, when those four groups get together, most people would wonder what the agenda was. All are political, all have issues the others, and it just seems odd to have them all partner together. Surprisingly, what I anticipated to be painfully and possibly boring turned into a pretty good conference. They did an excellent job of putting together a wide variety of topics for sessions and classes. But I think three days was a bit much. As the only teacher on our district's team, I'm still mentally on vacation. The administrators, school board member and superintendent all have been focusing on school stuff all summer. In fact, it was a bit strange to be the only teacher on the team. Why me? I still haven't adequately answered that question. Maybe I never will. But I did enjoy spending time with my colleagues without student issues to interfere.