1. I'm finally comfortable enough with myself to break it down in front of a bunch of middle school kids and a few teachers. I danced to the Cha-Cha Slide, Staying Alive, Thriller... I had a blast.
2. The above mentioned middle school kids think I'm 23. Bless them.
3. Little things can make a big difference with kids. That kid I mentioned before, the one I caught being good, it did make a difference.
4. I love the week leading up to Halloween. Each day was a dress-up day: 60's & 70's day, crazy hair day, crazy sock day... etc.
5.Finally, and most importantly, I love being a teacher. Through the good times and the bad times. I was made for this.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Painting & Settling In
I think my first formal observation went well... won't meet with the principal until next week, but he didn't call me in right away to fire me... so I'm taking that as a good sign. Besides, I feel like it went well. I'm just curious what comments/suggestions he has for me.
Book club was fun. Of course we didn't talk about the book that much. But the seven of us found plenty to keep ourselves entertained. And there were 2 dogs there, so I was a happy girl.
I finally got around to painting the two tables Dad & I picked up at a garage sale in Telluride. They were red, now they're DARK purple. Purrrrrty.
I'm kind of behind on grading again, which means I've got plenty to keep me busy this weekend.
Book club was fun. Of course we didn't talk about the book that much. But the seven of us found plenty to keep ourselves entertained. And there were 2 dogs there, so I was a happy girl.
I finally got around to painting the two tables Dad & I picked up at a garage sale in Telluride. They were red, now they're DARK purple. Purrrrrty.
I'm kind of behind on grading again, which means I've got plenty to keep me busy this weekend.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Stories
Snow today!
So many things happen at school and I want to share these stories with you, but I must respect my student's confidentiality. In order to do this I will name all of my students "student" and I'll use the pronouns (he/she) interchangeably.
I have a student who needs to be loved. By all accounts (and observations) he does not have a good family life. This student told me one time that "Everybody hates me." And I genuinely think he believes it. I told him "I don't hate you" and he seemed surprised by that. He's always in trouble, but today I "caught him being good" and rewarded him for it. That's what he needs - some positive attention for his good behavior and I'm making an effort to see he gets it. It's good for him and it makes me feel good because I'm helping him and showing him that someone cares about him and notices when he does good things.
So many things happen at school and I want to share these stories with you, but I must respect my student's confidentiality. In order to do this I will name all of my students "student" and I'll use the pronouns (he/she) interchangeably.
I have a student who needs to be loved. By all accounts (and observations) he does not have a good family life. This student told me one time that "Everybody hates me." And I genuinely think he believes it. I told him "I don't hate you" and he seemed surprised by that. He's always in trouble, but today I "caught him being good" and rewarded him for it. That's what he needs - some positive attention for his good behavior and I'm making an effort to see he gets it. It's good for him and it makes me feel good because I'm helping him and showing him that someone cares about him and notices when he does good things.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
What've I been doing?
Helped out with the HS football game - worked at the gate in the freezing cold. BUT got to love 3 puppy dogs, visit with (and pick the mind of) a lovely experienced teacher, AND had a great view of the alpenglow as the sun set.
Today I had my first tear-jerker moment with a student. This student was struggling so much, trying so hard to understand, and I was explaining it as simply and in as many different ways as possible. Neither of us gave up and watching this student struggle was almost heart breaking. But in the end this student understood most of what I was trying to get across and they left my desk with a smile because they had finished the assignment.
Bitter sweet? I think that applies. I'm so happy at what we achieved, but it was still hard to watch the student struggle so much.
Spent an hour with the district computer guru trying to fix a dozen little problems with my lab. Fixed about two thirds... the rest will have to wait. Ahhh computers!
Still enjoying teaching. Still having fun with the kids.
Gotta make a run to Denver to buy some stuff... snow shovel, snow boots, etc.
Today I had my first tear-jerker moment with a student. This student was struggling so much, trying so hard to understand, and I was explaining it as simply and in as many different ways as possible. Neither of us gave up and watching this student struggle was almost heart breaking. But in the end this student understood most of what I was trying to get across and they left my desk with a smile because they had finished the assignment.
Bitter sweet? I think that applies. I'm so happy at what we achieved, but it was still hard to watch the student struggle so much.
Spent an hour with the district computer guru trying to fix a dozen little problems with my lab. Fixed about two thirds... the rest will have to wait. Ahhh computers!
Still enjoying teaching. Still having fun with the kids.
Gotta make a run to Denver to buy some stuff... snow shovel, snow boots, etc.
Friday, October 10, 2008
It's a horse... it's a plane...
I was driving to a nearby town for dinner when the truck in front of me swerved. I looked over to see a horse... a BIG horse running along the side of the road... swerving back and forth. I'm not sure what it's doing or where it's going, so I slow down. It turns around and I realize it's a moose... a BIG moose and she's as confused as I am. Then she starts running right at me, so I slam on my breaks. Problem is, she's still headed right for me. I'm staring at her face-to-face and I'm in a Honda Element. Thankfully the van behind me slams on their breaks, tires squealing and the poor moose decides she's had enough. She gave up on crossing the road and headed back the way she came.
Needless to say I'm relieved I didn't hit the moose. I'm relieved she didn't hit me. And I'm relieved the car behind me didn't hit me.
Welcome to The Rockies.
Needless to say I'm relieved I didn't hit the moose. I'm relieved she didn't hit me. And I'm relieved the car behind me didn't hit me.
Welcome to The Rockies.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Back from Taos
Got in last night at 8:30pm.
Took quite a few pictures this weekend, hopefully I have a few good ones.
Gotta get to work soon and then I have an online class tonight, but maybe I can post the pics tomorrow.
Took quite a few pictures this weekend, hopefully I have a few good ones.
Gotta get to work soon and then I have an online class tonight, but maybe I can post the pics tomorrow.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
On the road again... and again...
I feel like I've driven more this year than in all my other years combined.
Maybe I have.
I used to enjoy driving, but now it's become something I *have* to do... a means to an end. Ah well.
On the plus side! I'm *driving* to Taos, NM tomorrow (for a 4 day weekend) to join my parents at the Taos Wool Festival. Woot!
I guess all that pesky driving is ok when you get to go/do something cool :)
I actually took a personal day (Monday) so that I could make it a 4 day weekend and not stress myself out trying to get back to school Monday morning.
Gots me a book on cd, Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog on iPod, lotsa music, and my imagination. Shouldn't be too horrible.
And, in the extremely unlikely event that I get bored while at the festival, I'm about halfway through Eldest. Brisingr... here I come!
I'll try to take lotsa pics so I have something interesting for you, my lovely readers, to peep at.
Maybe I have.
I used to enjoy driving, but now it's become something I *have* to do... a means to an end. Ah well.
On the plus side! I'm *driving* to Taos, NM tomorrow (for a 4 day weekend) to join my parents at the Taos Wool Festival. Woot!
I guess all that pesky driving is ok when you get to go/do something cool :)
I actually took a personal day (Monday) so that I could make it a 4 day weekend and not stress myself out trying to get back to school Monday morning.
Gots me a book on cd, Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog on iPod, lotsa music, and my imagination. Shouldn't be too horrible.
And, in the extremely unlikely event that I get bored while at the festival, I'm about halfway through Eldest. Brisingr... here I come!
I'll try to take lotsa pics so I have something interesting for you, my lovely readers, to peep at.
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