On a scale of 1-10, (1 being "Whatever" and 10 being "I want to jab an ice pick in someone's eye I'm so pissed") how annoyed would you be if the teacher whose room you were moving into looked like this:
Considering said teacher waited 3 weeks to come clean it out when she was moving and then took everything.
Seriously. She even took the chalkboard erasers!
My opinion to follow.
Folks are still here. Both of them fell (at different times) within 24 hours of arriving. I guess I didn't stress the "our floors are super slippery" enough. Oy vey.
And yes, it does taste better fresh.
Mmm, mmm good.
They're coming! My mommy and daddy are coming! It will be their first visit since we moved. I am hoping to be super busy showing them around and keeping them entertained. We're hoping to make a trip here sometime this week. (Even though Mom said she didn't see a reason to go to the amusement park or the museum - uh, Mom, why go?) So, I might be scarce around here for a week or so.
They're also bringing a bunch of my school stuff. Hooray! Now...to get that woman out of my classroom. LMK also starts summer school this week, so he'll be gone from 8 to 5 at least every day and half a day on Saturdays.
Also, a classroom blog where the kids post weekly. 'Blogger' will be one of the classroom jobs.
Thoughts?
Since I haven't gotten my curriculum guides, teacher's editions, staff handbook, etc. I'm pretty much flying blind. I still want to be thinking about what I will do next year so I've been making lists. Here are some things I'm thinking about (I'll add to it as I think of more). Feel free to add suggestions! I'd love more ideas.
- I definitely want to institute some sort of classroom economy behavior system. Pigs has been gracious enough to send me what she did and it's given me lots of ideas. The scale of the system will depend if the other teachers take part or not. I'm perfectly fine having my own system and having a school store with school supplies and privilege purchases (i.e. extra computer time, homework passes, lunch with the teacher, etc.).
- I'm thinking of creating some sort of attendance incentive. One teacher I used to work for had a pizza cut into eight pieces displayed in his room. If everyone in the class was in school (no tardies and no early dismissals) he gave them a slice of pizza. When they earned the whole pizza they got a pizza party. That sounds do-able.
- I've been perusing the state standards and math ought to prove interesting. One word. Fractions. Luckily, I live with a math teacher than can explain any concepts I've forgotten. It sounds like I'll be teaching either social studies or science. I don't know which I'll have. Science seems interesting - electricity, plants and life processes, ecosystems, adaption, weather, etc. Social Studies isn't as clear. I think it's Virginia studies which could prove challenging for a non-Virginia native.
- The first day of school, I think I will introduce myself with "Me in a Bag." Then I'll give the kids a paper bag to create their own Me in a Bag. I'm thinking I will give the kids lunch size bags, that way there is less of a chance they can bring in inappropriate things. Still thinking on this one.
- My classroom website is already being created. I've put some basic things up but I'm open to suggestions on pages I should definitely include. I figured a homework page would be good. That way kids have less of an excuse about not knowing what the homework was if they're out of class or go home early.
After a lot of nagging (a LOT!), Molly, who just moved to Missouri, finally got a blog. Woohoo!
The girl needed a blog. She's a wonderful writer, takes great photographs, just moved away from home, and has to live with some of my extended family. She's in the running for sainthood in my book.
Now, to help her beautify her blog. I'm already planning to "show" her how to get a flickr badge, Haloscan comments, and a better template.
So please, swing by, oogle her furbabies and welcome her to blogging.
It's looking like LMK and I will officially be going to Chicago in August (the week before my birthday, coincidentally).
He's been invited to a coaching symposium (*yawn*) and I've always wanted to visit Chicago. From what I can remember of what he's told me, the US Women's National Team is putting on the symposium. Head Coach went to the one the US Men's National Team did in Cleveland last year. LMK has been jealous ever since.
The best news? Twin might be able to come, too. Correction, she wants to come, she just needs to make sure she can get the time off of work. If Twin comes, this trip will be lots of fun. Just like our trip to Jamestown...We Love Soccer, not We Love Lucy. I'll have someone to play with while LMK is at his soccer stuff. We will be able to attend the game with him though. So that will be fun. Twin enjoys soccer like I do. Meaning, we don't care about strategy - we're there for the cards! What should Twin and I do for the day and a half we'll have to occupy ourselves?
Should I be worried that he all but giggled like a schoolgirl when he found out he'd be attending not only the game against New Zealand but also a practice? It's nice to see him so excited. Evidently some big coach is going to be there too. I believe he called him the goalkeeping coach God.
Boys...they get excited over the silliest things.
Now, I must go play with my iPod.
the kids I subbed for in April will be in 4th grade next year. That means I'll have some of them.
Oh boy! Some of them were really neat kids. I'm already looking forward to it!
I think I may love her a teeny, tiny bit more than LMK right now.
He's handling it well.
I'm entertaining suggestions for names. LMK suggested Tallulah, but I don't know. It just doesn't sound right.
We all know what I'll be doing this weekend.
As most of you have guessed from my previous entry, I got the job! Hooray! Cue happy dance.
Tuesday afternoon, I went to my interview. I didn't have a lot of expectations because I'd interviewed before, but hadn't gotten the job. I did however, have lots of people "pulling" for me. Family, friends, LMK's work friends, people from my school in Ohio, people on one of the message boards I frequent. I'd gotten tips from my aunt's sister who interviews people ALL the time. There was good karma on my side. I was ready.
The interview went very much like last time. It was for a 4th grade job. They have 13 standard questions they ask everyone. I answered those pretty similarly to how I answered them before, or I think I did. I even got a few laughs - very much my personality. Then they asked me additional questions like how I would handle a disgruntled parent. I asked the teachers what their favorite thing about working at the school was (go me thinking up a question on the spur of a moment). Someone mentioned an after school program which sounds like a lot of fun. One of the teachers on the committee then asked if I was willing to stay after school. Well, definitely! I've done it before with tutoring in Ohio. The interview ended with a quick tour of the 4th grade hall, which was fun. I gathered my things, thanked everyone, and left.
After I left I ran to get thank you notes. I had some from the last interview, but I didn't have enough for everyone. I picked up the cards and a drink and went to LMK's classroom. I decided then and there to just fill them out and we'd drop them off on our way home.
We pulled into the school's parking lot about a half hour after the last meeting was to start. I took my thank you cards into the office and gave them to the secretary to hand out. The committee was still in the office meeting. As I was leaving, the principal called me into the room. The secretary gave me back the cards and I proceeded to distribute them. The principal commented on how I was quick on the turn around. Then she said, "Well, we're glad you came back. We've been talking and we've decided to offer you the job."
I swear to you, I forgot my own name at that moment. I blurted out an, "Okay!" I sat down and discussed some job details (including being offered the biggest classroom in the school - sweet!). I didn't linger. I thanked everyone again and told them I would be speaking with them soon. As I was leaving I spoke with the secretaries, who have always been really nice. One told me how the 3rd grade teachers raved about me after I subbed there. I honestly believe that they're a large part of the reason I got this job.
As I left the office, I couldn't stop smiling. I even got a little case of the sniffles. Luckily, I got myself together and put on a somber face for LMK. I got in the car and apologized for taking so long. "There were people talking and I didn't want to interrupt," I told him. I started the car, rolled up the windows, and started backing out of my parking space.
Me: "So...are you still planning on going to Large City this weekend?"
LMK: "Yeah. Why?"
Me: "Well...I just wondered, since I'm in the market for an iPod."
LMK (momentarily puzzled): "You're...oh my God! You got the job!"
Me (grinning like the goober I am): "Yup."
There was much whooping and hollering going on in that car. As we were leaving we got out to call people. I made him call my mother first who promptly burst into tears. Gotta love her. "I told your dad we had to go to church this week," she said. Heh. Thanks, God. :o)
Repeat that reaction about 10 times and you have the reactions of my family and friends. Twin said she had to call her mom who had been worrying about me. I love my family and friends.
I am waiting on an official call from the HR guy next week, but it looks like I will be a 4th grade teacher next year. I'm already making lists. Lists of lists of lists!
I have so much time and so little to do! Strike that, reverse it. (bonus points for the reference)
Thanks everyone for your well wishes.
I am officially in the market for an iPod.
That is all.
Have I mentioned I have a job interview tomorrow? At the same school where I didn't get the job last time?
Trying not to get my hopes up. Hopefully, I will soon be in the market for an iPod.
The kids are all leaving by Friday. The Stalkers will leave then. One will not be returning. LMK and I were saying today how much we're going to miss her. It doesn't help that they've decided that we're going to adopt them. They both have pretty absent fathers, so I'm not surprised they've attached themselves to LMK. An adult male that respects them, thinks they're wonderful, and isn't afraid to put his foot down when he feels they need it. Nope, they're not crying out for a father figure.
They're good kids. They wrote the nicest stuff in LMK's yearbook (he gets a yearbook, interesting). I love this time of year, yet, I dread this time of year. Change is constant; boy, do I hate that.
Oh, we got notice last night that LMK got his first student gift. He's excited...but hiding it well.
LMK is attending graduation today. It started at 10 o'clock. Anyone willing to be on exactly how long he's gone? Did I mention the location they're having graduation is indoors and un-airconditioned? And that it's supposed to be about 90 today? And that he's wearing long pants, dress shirt, tie, blazer, and graduation robes? Ohhhh, I do not envy him.
Of course, he's probably enjoying being away from me. As he should be. I've been in a really crappy mood since I got back from Ohio. It's nothing he's done, but he's getting punished. You'd think that would make me act right, it doesn't. As stuff comes out of my mouth, I realize how stupid I'm being. I'm sleeping way too much (12+ hours a night usually). Saying one thing, then saying the exact opposite. I swear, it's like I'm not myself anymore. Hopefully next week, I'll get my act together.
Molly left for Missouri today. She's the one that I'll really miss. Molly's getting the raw end of the deal anyway. Moving away from her friends, her family, her job and not getting a whole lot in return. I just hope she'll be happy there. Even though I want her back in Ohio with her family and near my mom. People who worry about her and put her needs at the top of the list. I'm not sure she'll get that where she's going now.
I must sound awful, but I know this is upsetting my uncle. My mother, well, she's a mess about it too. And if my grandfather were alive, he would be upset too - as it is, I'm sure he's churning in his grave. Molly's upset too. I hate when the people I love are upset and what's worse the ones doing it don't even seem to care. LMK and I might have moved, but we didn't sell the farm that's been in the family for over 100 years. Hell, we didn't even sell the house that's been in the family for 50 years. We just moved.
They're all gone. I miss them already and I'm not even there! My cousin, Mo Mom, requested a video of the farm. I've been against it for over a year. THEY wanted to move, THEY can deal with it. Don't get me wrong, I still feel that way, but I've got it just about finished. I'm waiting on pictures from the going away party from my brother. Honestly, the video doesn't make me sad, it still seems surreal. Ok, if I can make it through the first 25 seconds, I'm ok. If the video was something I wanted to do, I would go through and scan older pictures of the farm, but I honestly don't want to do that.
I uploaded a severely edited version of the video. You can watch it here. I don't particularly care for the song, but it's what Mo Mom requested. Names eliminated and people removed to protect the guilty.