It's already been six weeks into school. I can't believe it. It has gone soo fast. I'm still working an insane amount of hours, but it's ok. I'm kind of living in fear. My year has been going too well, I'm waiting for my kids to turn demonic and ruin my life. haha.
Maggie came in and observed me for the first time a week ago. She said I did pretty well. She said that I'm harder on myself than I need to be. I just want to do the best I can and do what is best for my kids. I feel a lot of pressure because our district is going to continue to make cuts and I'm afraid that because I'm a new teacher I'll be out the door. Everyone keeps telling me not to worry, but I can't help it. Nothing I can do about it now.
I recently had a meeting with my Assistant Principal because I've been frustrated with trying to get through all of my curriculum by the end of the year. I have a lot working against me. 1. Most of my kids are special ed or just behind academically. 2. They are very unmotivated. 3. I'm not allowed to assign homework, so everything must be done in the classroom. My assistant principals response to this is: Teach them what they need to know so that they don't look like the idiots on the street who Jay Leno asks questions to. I was pretty excited about the prospect of not having to follow the district wide curriculum, but it ended up being a lot more work for me.
I'm now focusing on running my first iep. For those of you who aren't in the loop, that's basically a legal document for accomodations for special ed kids. I have to write this document and then have a meeting with the parents, kid, principal, and other teachers. ugh, pressure to perform. i've never even sat in one of these. i might puke right before it! I'll let you know how it goes. It might be the joke of the century.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
The New Job
I'm going into my third week of teaching and the past two have not been that bad. I am working way over 40 hours a week, but if it's what I need to do then it's what I need to do. I am getting much quicker with my lesson planning. The grading is not a big deal, my aid helps me out with that a lot. Overall, my kids are doing well. Most of the kids are doing well academically and behaviorally. This year is very different from last year, my kids are better behaved, at least for now. It's still in the honeymoon phase.
My coworker asks me everyday, "what is one good thing that happened today?" I have yet to find a day where there was not a good thing that happened. I'm really grateful to this coworker because she was assigned as my mentor and has been a tremendous help. She is always willing to give me advice.
I'm still getting acquainted with everything, but will keep you updated.
My coworker asks me everyday, "what is one good thing that happened today?" I have yet to find a day where there was not a good thing that happened. I'm really grateful to this coworker because she was assigned as my mentor and has been a tremendous help. She is always willing to give me advice.
I'm still getting acquainted with everything, but will keep you updated.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tick Tock
This week has been a little crazy. It's only Tuesday too! I've been working a lot, well going to trainings and such. I didn't get home till six today, which is really late if you are a teacher. I went to my training, which technically ended early. We were suppose to just stay in the building and shoot the breeze I guess, but I decided to leave and go work on my classroom instead. I was on a roll so decided to keep working. I worked for a few hours there and got a lot done.
Tomorrow is going to be heinous. I have training all day and then I have to go to a soccer game that night. I'm sure the game will be cool, but honestly I wish it was any day other than tomorrow. I wish we could've went on some day where I didn't have a thousand things to do. I want to get a lot done tomorrow so that I don't have to go in on Thursday. That will be officially my last day of summer break if I don't go into work, but we'll see.
School starts on Tuesday and it's all that I can think of. I honestly am not thinking of anything else, if people didn't remind me of the shit I committed too, I would probably forget to go. I don't know what will make me less pre occupied with Tuesday. Oh well, I guess everyone will just have to deal with my insaneness for a little while. I have to get acclimated to my new job and once that happens, I'll be good to go. Ok, I'm going to start getting ready for bed. Long day tomorrow!
Tomorrow is going to be heinous. I have training all day and then I have to go to a soccer game that night. I'm sure the game will be cool, but honestly I wish it was any day other than tomorrow. I wish we could've went on some day where I didn't have a thousand things to do. I want to get a lot done tomorrow so that I don't have to go in on Thursday. That will be officially my last day of summer break if I don't go into work, but we'll see.
School starts on Tuesday and it's all that I can think of. I honestly am not thinking of anything else, if people didn't remind me of the shit I committed too, I would probably forget to go. I don't know what will make me less pre occupied with Tuesday. Oh well, I guess everyone will just have to deal with my insaneness for a little while. I have to get acclimated to my new job and once that happens, I'll be good to go. Ok, I'm going to start getting ready for bed. Long day tomorrow!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
School is coming
I haven't posted in a while. Not quite a suprise, I knew I would have my ups and downs when it came to keeping this thing up to date. My dearest Leah Marie texted me today and was super excited to find out that I had a blog. It kind of reminded myself that I had a blog. I've been pretty busy lately.
This week has been my first week of training for my new job. I would think four years of college, sixteen weeks of unpaid servitude (student teaching), two years subbing, and a year of being a teaching assistant would be enough training, but apparently not. Tuesday's training was called CPI training. Basically, I now know how to not get shanked by my kids. It's like self defense for teachers. The whole idea is a way to protect yourself and restrain the kids if they are completely bonkers. This is the world we live in. I chose a profession that does not involve any risk or danger, but I have to learn how to defend myself from shit head teenagers. All I can say is that it's all the parent's fault.
Today's training was a little confusing for me. My principal wanted some of us who were considered new hires this year and people who were hired later last year to go to a training with him about our behavior philosophy. I lived, breathed, ate our behavior philosophy all last year. I can corrective teach in my sleep, so I didn't learn anything new today. It was ok in the respect that it got me pumped up again for the school year, and renewed my confidence that I do know how to do my job and I'm actually kind of good at it.
After our training, I went over to my classroom and began putting up bulletin boards. I have a lot of bulletin boards in my class. I got four out of the seven done today. Basically I put up new background, which I ghetto rigged with plastic table cloths and put up new borders. I like how it turned out so far. I kind of feel like I need to spend about 10 more hours working in my classroom, but the janitors are practically chasing you out of there with pitchforks because they are behind on the summer renovations. I feel a bit better with the little bit that I've done, but I'd really like to just get in there and get my room done. I'll take pictures and put them up sometime soon.
Tomorrow, I have training with our guru for our behavior philosophy. She is a complete pill. I can only handle her in small doses. Unfortunately, I have to spend 8 hours going over stuff I already know. It can only make me stronger with my classroom management with my lovelies. I will let you know how it works out.
Overall, I'm excited for school to start. Honestly, when I look back on how our school year went last year, I don't know how I survived it. I don't really remember why I loved it so much, but I know I'll remember as soon as the kids arrive. I was soo afraid last year right before the kids came in the first day of school, but I know I will be ok. Not gonna lie, kind of sad that summer is pretty much over for me. Boo!
This week has been my first week of training for my new job. I would think four years of college, sixteen weeks of unpaid servitude (student teaching), two years subbing, and a year of being a teaching assistant would be enough training, but apparently not. Tuesday's training was called CPI training. Basically, I now know how to not get shanked by my kids. It's like self defense for teachers. The whole idea is a way to protect yourself and restrain the kids if they are completely bonkers. This is the world we live in. I chose a profession that does not involve any risk or danger, but I have to learn how to defend myself from shit head teenagers. All I can say is that it's all the parent's fault.
Today's training was a little confusing for me. My principal wanted some of us who were considered new hires this year and people who were hired later last year to go to a training with him about our behavior philosophy. I lived, breathed, ate our behavior philosophy all last year. I can corrective teach in my sleep, so I didn't learn anything new today. It was ok in the respect that it got me pumped up again for the school year, and renewed my confidence that I do know how to do my job and I'm actually kind of good at it.
After our training, I went over to my classroom and began putting up bulletin boards. I have a lot of bulletin boards in my class. I got four out of the seven done today. Basically I put up new background, which I ghetto rigged with plastic table cloths and put up new borders. I like how it turned out so far. I kind of feel like I need to spend about 10 more hours working in my classroom, but the janitors are practically chasing you out of there with pitchforks because they are behind on the summer renovations. I feel a bit better with the little bit that I've done, but I'd really like to just get in there and get my room done. I'll take pictures and put them up sometime soon.
Tomorrow, I have training with our guru for our behavior philosophy. She is a complete pill. I can only handle her in small doses. Unfortunately, I have to spend 8 hours going over stuff I already know. It can only make me stronger with my classroom management with my lovelies. I will let you know how it works out.
Overall, I'm excited for school to start. Honestly, when I look back on how our school year went last year, I don't know how I survived it. I don't really remember why I loved it so much, but I know I'll remember as soon as the kids arrive. I was soo afraid last year right before the kids came in the first day of school, but I know I will be ok. Not gonna lie, kind of sad that summer is pretty much over for me. Boo!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Overwhelmed
I've been trying to organize myself like I used to in college. I'm not so good at it anymore. I made a wonderful to do list. It became the joke of the day. I was lucky to get one thing done on my devil list. The sad thing is that I was stuck doing things all day. I had new things for the list that never made it's way on the list. For example, my coworker called me and asked if I would compile a word document about improvements and procedures for our learning lab at school. That took about an hour. Next, I had to help with the hunt of the century for some financial paperwork that my dad could not find, but conveniently has to do with me. I also had to work on my grad application for Lewis because it's getting to the time sensitive season of summer.
I always get panicky around this time of the year. I always feel like if I don't get everything done then the world will crumble around me and things might not work out the way that I've planned. I know it comes with the territory of being a teacher and going to school, but I really need to learn how to deal with it in a better way.
Despite my lack of success with to do lists, I'm going to continue using them, because I don't know how to be organized without them. Ok, I should probably get off of this thing and get to my to do list.
I always get panicky around this time of the year. I always feel like if I don't get everything done then the world will crumble around me and things might not work out the way that I've planned. I know it comes with the territory of being a teacher and going to school, but I really need to learn how to deal with it in a better way.
Despite my lack of success with to do lists, I'm going to continue using them, because I don't know how to be organized without them. Ok, I should probably get off of this thing and get to my to do list.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Lot's of Wedding Talk
So there comes a time in a girl's life when the age old question comes around. Will you marry me? Don't freak, this question has not come to my attention yet, but it is becoming intoxicating due to the fact that everyone around me seems to be getting married or talking about getting married. My family and I will have long drawn out conversations about all of my friends getting married and then that leads into hypothetical conversations about my wedding. A wedding that does not even exist! Don't get me wrong, it is kind of fun to think about it and discuss it. A lot of drama can surround a wedding, especially when you come from a huge Mexican/Polish family.
For example, having a small intimate beach wedding for 40 people can't happen. That would mean some of my aunts, uncles, 1st cousins, and grandparents wouldn't make the cut. If you are only on the friend's list, you can consider yourself not invited! I won't lie, your invitation did not get lost in the mail, you weren't invited.
Of course, I would never have a small little wedding because I love all of my family and friends so much that I couldn't disinclude any of you. Well, obviously I would have to make the hard decisions somehow. I'll have to embark on a crusade of explaining to my family as to why my college roommate deserves to be invited versus mi tia, who I've only seen 4 times in my life. It'll be an epic feat if I can accomplish this, but it's all part of wedding planning. Again, I can't emphasize this enough, this only applies if you come from a large ethnic family!
So once you are done with battling over guest lists, there comes the daunting task of actually affording the wedding. It's hard to believe that you might be one credit card bill away from being in the poor house all in honor of saying I love you, I won't cheat on you, I won't cheat on you when your sick, I won't cheat on you when your poor, and it's 2009 who obeys their husband anymore?! Don't get me wrong, I do think that you should spend money on your wedding, it is suppose to be one of the happiest days of your life and if you do it right, you will only do it once. I just feel that the wedding industry capitalizes on that simple sentiment way too much. There is obviously nothing that can be done about it, and no I'm not going to start an activist groups to represent the disadvantaged brides of America. A wedding is a luxury.
I could continue onto a political rant about same sex marriages and all of that jazz. However, I will not. Speaking of politics, why not throw in religion. Why can catholics only have half masses if they're fiance is not catholic? That does not make me any less catholic, this makes me kind of sad. So what, he can't have communion, who cares? I hope this only varies from church to church, god forbid, my poor polish grandma will think i'm not married if that's the case. Everytime she talks about her grandchildren getting married, it always includes a blessed catholic church. I am convinced that she thinks there is no other way to become man and wife. I don't particularly mind because I do want to be married in the catholic church.
I know the day will come when I will get married. Trust me, I'm very happy being a spectator at this point! I can't help but be happy for all of my friends who are brave enough to take the plunge. Don't worry ladies, your day will come and it will not be wrong at any age or time in your life as long as your with the person you love! If you don't love yourself, how can you expect someone other than your mommy to love you back?!
For example, having a small intimate beach wedding for 40 people can't happen. That would mean some of my aunts, uncles, 1st cousins, and grandparents wouldn't make the cut. If you are only on the friend's list, you can consider yourself not invited! I won't lie, your invitation did not get lost in the mail, you weren't invited.
Of course, I would never have a small little wedding because I love all of my family and friends so much that I couldn't disinclude any of you. Well, obviously I would have to make the hard decisions somehow. I'll have to embark on a crusade of explaining to my family as to why my college roommate deserves to be invited versus mi tia, who I've only seen 4 times in my life. It'll be an epic feat if I can accomplish this, but it's all part of wedding planning. Again, I can't emphasize this enough, this only applies if you come from a large ethnic family!
So once you are done with battling over guest lists, there comes the daunting task of actually affording the wedding. It's hard to believe that you might be one credit card bill away from being in the poor house all in honor of saying I love you, I won't cheat on you, I won't cheat on you when your sick, I won't cheat on you when your poor, and it's 2009 who obeys their husband anymore?! Don't get me wrong, I do think that you should spend money on your wedding, it is suppose to be one of the happiest days of your life and if you do it right, you will only do it once. I just feel that the wedding industry capitalizes on that simple sentiment way too much. There is obviously nothing that can be done about it, and no I'm not going to start an activist groups to represent the disadvantaged brides of America. A wedding is a luxury.
I could continue onto a political rant about same sex marriages and all of that jazz. However, I will not. Speaking of politics, why not throw in religion. Why can catholics only have half masses if they're fiance is not catholic? That does not make me any less catholic, this makes me kind of sad. So what, he can't have communion, who cares? I hope this only varies from church to church, god forbid, my poor polish grandma will think i'm not married if that's the case. Everytime she talks about her grandchildren getting married, it always includes a blessed catholic church. I am convinced that she thinks there is no other way to become man and wife. I don't particularly mind because I do want to be married in the catholic church.
I know the day will come when I will get married. Trust me, I'm very happy being a spectator at this point! I can't help but be happy for all of my friends who are brave enough to take the plunge. Don't worry ladies, your day will come and it will not be wrong at any age or time in your life as long as your with the person you love! If you don't love yourself, how can you expect someone other than your mommy to love you back?!
Friday, July 17, 2009
I'll Give it a Try
Ok, my friends have been raving about having a blog. I decided to join the bandwagon. I'm not sure what I want to use this primarily for, but I 'll give it a try. I'm about to embark on a huge change in my life. In August, I will be starting my first year of teaching. If you guys know anything about the kids I'll be working with, this might be a good place to vent, share stories, or just document what I'll be doing.
I'm excited for the school year to begin, but I'm beginning to get into worried mode. My position went to the school board on July 15th. I still have not heard from anyone to see if it was approved or not. Everyone keeps telling me that it's just a formality, but I can't help but worry until I put my herbie hancock on that contract!
I guess I'll continue to plan for the school year. I will try to focus on my master's class. BTW, Governor's State sucks! I hate that school so much. It is full of incompetent a-holes. I really want to go back to Lewis to finish up my school. I heart Lewis! That reminds me to get on the phone with them on Monday. Let's see if I can get out of that slum and back to society.
Summer has been super enjoyable, even though I didn't do anything overly exciting. It was just nice to be relaxed. I know once school starts all of my relaxation will be out the door. The odd thing is, that no matter how stressed I get, I always woke up and was happy to go to school. Hopefully that will stick.
I honestly don't know how this blogging thing is suppose to go, I assume you can do what you want with it, but I'll leave it here for now. I'm sure much more brilliance is yet to come, or crap, who knows.
I'm excited for the school year to begin, but I'm beginning to get into worried mode. My position went to the school board on July 15th. I still have not heard from anyone to see if it was approved or not. Everyone keeps telling me that it's just a formality, but I can't help but worry until I put my herbie hancock on that contract!
I guess I'll continue to plan for the school year. I will try to focus on my master's class. BTW, Governor's State sucks! I hate that school so much. It is full of incompetent a-holes. I really want to go back to Lewis to finish up my school. I heart Lewis! That reminds me to get on the phone with them on Monday. Let's see if I can get out of that slum and back to society.
Summer has been super enjoyable, even though I didn't do anything overly exciting. It was just nice to be relaxed. I know once school starts all of my relaxation will be out the door. The odd thing is, that no matter how stressed I get, I always woke up and was happy to go to school. Hopefully that will stick.
I honestly don't know how this blogging thing is suppose to go, I assume you can do what you want with it, but I'll leave it here for now. I'm sure much more brilliance is yet to come, or crap, who knows.
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