I think this might just be a rambling post.
I got all of my grades in. I am not sure how I feel about this but I had just under 50% of my students pass. I am sad about it - but I know what I was up against. I was not going to pass anyone who did not do work. Here is to hoping that next year I can manage a better pass rate.
In the meantime, I am just enjoying being home - if you can call what I am doing enjoying. Spring cleaning in the summer is what it amounts too. I feel totally spastic about it as well. There it no rhyme or reason. My brain latches on to some reorganization idea, I get started on it and then :::sparkley::: I see something else that I could totally reorganize. It is pathetic really. I have managed to get 2 drawers in the kitchen done a while back. I am trying to tackle the office. It is the receptacle of everything that does not have its own home.
I have about 10 more assignments left for my online class and about 9 days to do them in. I am hoping to knock a couple of them out tomorrow and only leave the papers to finish up last. Who wants to spend half my vacation working on that all the time?? Not I.
Silvio has been a tired little man all day. Yesterday we went to a little pool party. He got to run around and play with a bunch of dogs. He was on his best behavior. I am so glad that he is a good dog.
Only a few days away from 5 months complete! :o)
Day 139 - School Is Out for Summer
Finally. I wish it had come earlier. Today was our final half day. I only saw about 10 of my students all day. That's fine - it gave me a lot of time to clear out my room and clean it up some. I will be back next year not to worry. Right now I will have 3 geometry classes and 2 algebra 2 classes. No more schools to careers. Hopefully a lot less discipline problems as well. Not to mention I'll be able to give homework out of the textbook again. Yeeey. I am trying not to think about prepping for next year already. That can wait until July or sometime like that.
Other than that I am in an odd state. I am happy there is no school but I have this intense urge to reorganize and violently clean everything in the house. I still have about 13 assignments left in my online class - which I think I could get done in about a week if I really put my mind to it. But yeah this urge to organize and get rid of stuff is just really strong. I hope it sticks with me, and I can get some of our closets cleaned up, and my bookshelf - o- math books can be a bit neater. Plus I need to find a place to put all of my school supplies. But to be honest - the urge is really distracting. I want to relax. My brain is going a thousand miles a second. Can someone distract me from my distracting organizational thoughts?
I have no clue where this post was headed. Me - I think I am going to go to pick up some clear tubs for my school supplies. That should satisfy me for a while right?
Other than that I am in an odd state. I am happy there is no school but I have this intense urge to reorganize and violently clean everything in the house. I still have about 13 assignments left in my online class - which I think I could get done in about a week if I really put my mind to it. But yeah this urge to organize and get rid of stuff is just really strong. I hope it sticks with me, and I can get some of our closets cleaned up, and my bookshelf - o- math books can be a bit neater. Plus I need to find a place to put all of my school supplies. But to be honest - the urge is really distracting. I want to relax. My brain is going a thousand miles a second. Can someone distract me from my distracting organizational thoughts?
I have no clue where this post was headed. Me - I think I am going to go to pick up some clear tubs for my school supplies. That should satisfy me for a while right?
Day 136
2 years of marriage. Crazy. Having fun though.
Will for sure have job - should hear about my schedule for next year in a day or so. The powers that be needed to re-do a huge chunk of the master schedule. No schools to careers kids. Not so many discipline problems.
Maybe i will have more words at the end of the week when school is out for summer!
Will for sure have job - should hear about my schedule for next year in a day or so. The powers that be needed to re-do a huge chunk of the master schedule. No schools to careers kids. Not so many discipline problems.
Maybe i will have more words at the end of the week when school is out for summer!
Day 135
I was going to get an Ipad for our anniversary. I got to Best Buy and asked whether or not they had any in stock. Apparently not. It set me to thinking - as much as I would like one now - ebook reader/ pseudo computer to play games / surf internet without getting out my phone, do some light work without being tied to one area of the house - I am holding off. In a few months, a new operating system will come out. Plus, I don't think I am willing to pay 699 for a 64 GB Ipad which I can imagine is like an oversized version of the 64 GB Ipod (it only goes for 399). 300 dollar difference for 6 more inches in height and 5 more inches in width. Really? Maybe the price will go down by my birthday....or christmas. Then I will get one. Added incentive - I have two weddings to fly to, my goddaughter's baptism, a trip to Disney, and my very long roadtrip to consider for this summer. It may be best if I hold off on that purchase. I think I have enough things goings on - plus I need to prep for whatever classes I will have next year, pick back up on my knitting because I've stopped for some reason, reorganize and generally spring clean the house. Get rid of all of that stuff that we just don't use or repack it better and hide in the closets.
Note: I got a B- for my internship this semester. Probably because I stopped caring about the evaluations. I am halfway through with my final online class. Hopeful that I will get it done before heading to Disney.
Maybe by this summer I will have more fun things to talk about.
I watched the Jane Austen book club. Eehh - glad I got it on netflix. Started reading the girl with the dragon tattoo. This is in between all my textbook reading. Goodness textbook reading is boring.
I must prepare for tomorrow and try to relax for this last week.
Note: I got a B- for my internship this semester. Probably because I stopped caring about the evaluations. I am halfway through with my final online class. Hopeful that I will get it done before heading to Disney.
Maybe by this summer I will have more fun things to talk about.
I watched the Jane Austen book club. Eehh - glad I got it on netflix. Started reading the girl with the dragon tattoo. This is in between all my textbook reading. Goodness textbook reading is boring.
I must prepare for tomorrow and try to relax for this last week.
Day 133
The past two weeks have been insane. I'm not even sure where to begin. note to self: If you wrote more frequently you wouldn't have to cover two weeks at a time.
On the job front, I spent the two weeks on pins and needles. No one really had any information to me. But by Wednesday this week, I had an inkling I was safe from a last minute cut. As of now I officially still have a job. No word on what exactly I will get to teach. I guess I will find out during the last week of school. i really would like the summer to revamp or prep for next year. I might actually get some regular classes and not Schools to Careers. It makes me a little sad then - my classes were never boring. As one student said to me, you know Ms. G - the thugs got your back. Not a lot of teachers can claim that apparently. We have our differences but they know I won't tell them something I don't believe to be true.
I went to a Tupperware party. That was fun. The next day I was supposed to go to the Math Department end of year get together but I spent the whole day either passed out or throwing up. What a fun day. I went to school the next day cause I felt mildly better. I should have just stayed home since all I got was grief for munching on my plain old cheerios. "They aren't even the honey nut kind!!! How can you eat that?? You lose Ms. G."
I attended the Army Wife Network: Spouse Field Exercise yesterday. It was a lot of fun. A great night were I didn't feel self conscious about being by myself in public - like when I try to eat out at restaurants by myself. That doesn't happen often by the way. It made me wish we were back in Lawton. We had a good group of friends and good time. For some reason, I feel that here in Manhattan I have been lacking in my friend making skills. I guess it is a combination of a bunch of things - not being able to fully participate in events while working, and not being a super outgoing person. It is one of those army - life things I am still working on. I admit though that it leaves me a little sad.
Beckie and Morgan had their baby girl early this morning. Little Miss Adina. My goddaughter. I feel so honored. She is beautiful. I can not wait to meet her in about a month.
Next Monday is our 2 year anniversary. The army is 2-0 for making us spend it apart. Andy was really sweet. He got me Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Childs. Gosh, I love cookbooks. I have a bunch of textbooks to read right now though. I should be able to enjoy it over the summer though. I just hope that he gets my package in time. My luck it will show up a week later.
Check in later.
On the job front, I spent the two weeks on pins and needles. No one really had any information to me. But by Wednesday this week, I had an inkling I was safe from a last minute cut. As of now I officially still have a job. No word on what exactly I will get to teach. I guess I will find out during the last week of school. i really would like the summer to revamp or prep for next year. I might actually get some regular classes and not Schools to Careers. It makes me a little sad then - my classes were never boring. As one student said to me, you know Ms. G - the thugs got your back. Not a lot of teachers can claim that apparently. We have our differences but they know I won't tell them something I don't believe to be true.
I went to a Tupperware party. That was fun. The next day I was supposed to go to the Math Department end of year get together but I spent the whole day either passed out or throwing up. What a fun day. I went to school the next day cause I felt mildly better. I should have just stayed home since all I got was grief for munching on my plain old cheerios. "They aren't even the honey nut kind!!! How can you eat that?? You lose Ms. G."
I attended the Army Wife Network: Spouse Field Exercise yesterday. It was a lot of fun. A great night were I didn't feel self conscious about being by myself in public - like when I try to eat out at restaurants by myself. That doesn't happen often by the way. It made me wish we were back in Lawton. We had a good group of friends and good time. For some reason, I feel that here in Manhattan I have been lacking in my friend making skills. I guess it is a combination of a bunch of things - not being able to fully participate in events while working, and not being a super outgoing person. It is one of those army - life things I am still working on. I admit though that it leaves me a little sad.
Beckie and Morgan had their baby girl early this morning. Little Miss Adina. My goddaughter. I feel so honored. She is beautiful. I can not wait to meet her in about a month.
Next Monday is our 2 year anniversary. The army is 2-0 for making us spend it apart. Andy was really sweet. He got me Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Childs. Gosh, I love cookbooks. I have a bunch of textbooks to read right now though. I should be able to enjoy it over the summer though. I just hope that he gets my package in time. My luck it will show up a week later.
Check in later.
Day 121
All weekend I have had this unbelievable cold feeling. Literally. I feel cold - numb - icicle-like. I even have the heat on and I feel like an ice cube. I don't have any other symptoms (cough, sneezing...) just a feeling of cold. I admit though that I have been taking a nap at around 2 every afternoon.
There are only 3 weeks of school left. I guess that deserves a hurrah. This past week I went to my final new teacher's meeting. Got the wonderful piece of paper that is my application for a professional license. I also found out that the district will be going through the hiring process for the open middle school spot. I honestly do not want to have to participate in the hiring/interviewing procedure. See where it got me this year - last one hired and first one on the chopping block. Not cool. As much as I feel like throwing in the towel, I will go through it anyway. At this point, any extra cash we can bring in would be fantastic and I wouldn't mind working with a different group of students. The last thing on my list of to-do's for today is to update my resume. Fun!
I also started working on my last alternate route class - a survey on exceptionality. I almost wish that I had gotten a chance to take this last summer. It would have helped so much. I have a bunch of students on IEP's mixed in with my "at-risk" kids - so it has been one heck of an experience. Next year (if there is one) will definitely be different. I am trying to get as much of this course done as I can prior to finals. I need all my grades done by May 28th so clearly that week is going to be difficult if I have class work and grading to get done.
I received an interesting proposal from our ESL teacher. The state is in desperate need of ESL teachers. The ESL teacher came to tell me that the state is waiving any sort of formal coursework and accepting teachers if they pass the Praxis English as a Second Language exam. Oh did I mention I have ESL students thrown in the mix in my classes too? But from what I hear, they are doing really well, they really like me and they understand me. That is the reason the Esl teacher came to talk to me. It is great the hear that my students think so highly of me. I joked that it must be that I'm from New Jersey that they understand me and me them.
Hmm, it says day 121 - by my count that means we are about a third of the way through the deployment (supposing it lasts a year). Nothing really of note this week to worry about - except if I will get any sort of information about being non-renewed. A total of 10 days is how many they have to make a move. I really hate sitting around and waiting for things to happen to me.
There are only 3 weeks of school left. I guess that deserves a hurrah. This past week I went to my final new teacher's meeting. Got the wonderful piece of paper that is my application for a professional license. I also found out that the district will be going through the hiring process for the open middle school spot. I honestly do not want to have to participate in the hiring/interviewing procedure. See where it got me this year - last one hired and first one on the chopping block. Not cool. As much as I feel like throwing in the towel, I will go through it anyway. At this point, any extra cash we can bring in would be fantastic and I wouldn't mind working with a different group of students. The last thing on my list of to-do's for today is to update my resume. Fun!
I also started working on my last alternate route class - a survey on exceptionality. I almost wish that I had gotten a chance to take this last summer. It would have helped so much. I have a bunch of students on IEP's mixed in with my "at-risk" kids - so it has been one heck of an experience. Next year (if there is one) will definitely be different. I am trying to get as much of this course done as I can prior to finals. I need all my grades done by May 28th so clearly that week is going to be difficult if I have class work and grading to get done.
I received an interesting proposal from our ESL teacher. The state is in desperate need of ESL teachers. The ESL teacher came to tell me that the state is waiving any sort of formal coursework and accepting teachers if they pass the Praxis English as a Second Language exam. Oh did I mention I have ESL students thrown in the mix in my classes too? But from what I hear, they are doing really well, they really like me and they understand me. That is the reason the Esl teacher came to talk to me. It is great the hear that my students think so highly of me. I joked that it must be that I'm from New Jersey that they understand me and me them.
Hmm, it says day 121 - by my count that means we are about a third of the way through the deployment (supposing it lasts a year). Nothing really of note this week to worry about - except if I will get any sort of information about being non-renewed. A total of 10 days is how many they have to make a move. I really hate sitting around and waiting for things to happen to me.
Day 115
One step closer ... to having that wonderful teaching license. So I spent an inordinate amount of time #itching and moaning about this 25 page paper that I need to write as part of my internship. I finagled a way to get it done. I hate writing. I think I might never go back to school again if I know I have to write any sort of paper. Journals I am okay with - but some sort of masterpiece (anything longer than 3 pages) is a no go. So I was very surprised when I got my grade. The huge rubric included 134 points. I mean it was a huge rubric, there were about 40 some odd specific points that needed to be with some sufficient/proficient rating. Insane. But I somehow scored a 125. I'll take it - I only tried to make sure that I had enough to at least get the 94 points I needed to pass. Clearly I underestimated my writing abilities.
Up this week: One final observation and the last new teacher meeting. Gosh, I am so happy those will be over.
Note: I finished reading Pug Hill - do not know what to read next. I'm sure my students will have some good picks. If you have a good pick, please indulge.
Up this week: One final observation and the last new teacher meeting. Gosh, I am so happy those will be over.
Note: I finished reading Pug Hill - do not know what to read next. I'm sure my students will have some good picks. If you have a good pick, please indulge.
Day 113
I baked some bread today. It takes a lot of strength to not scarf down the entire loaf in one sitting. I think I managed to get it just right. The crust was golden brown but not a thick crust. You don't injure the roof of your mouth when you bite into it. So yummy. At least I will have some for breakfast tomorrow morning. Sometimes I think I just want to stop what I am doing and enroll in a cooking school. I love cooking. For now, I'll keep my experiments to myself.
I finished up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I was hoping for more zombie action but alas there was not. It was an amusing read though. Not sure if I should pick up the Abraham Lincoln vampire slayer book. I just thought it would be much more entertaining from what I had heard. Oh well. Time to start Pug Hill.
I watched Marley and Me. Gave a big hug to Silvio. I'd probably be an even bigger mess if he wasn't around - especially now. It also made me miss the Kon-bone. But they did a good job with it compared to the book. I really have to stop watching sad movies. Shoot - I half cried watching Transformers....at the end with poor Bumblebee. Must be something wrong with me.
Oh well, I'm heading to bed - here's to hoping to get more sleep.
I finished up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I was hoping for more zombie action but alas there was not. It was an amusing read though. Not sure if I should pick up the Abraham Lincoln vampire slayer book. I just thought it would be much more entertaining from what I had heard. Oh well. Time to start Pug Hill.
I watched Marley and Me. Gave a big hug to Silvio. I'd probably be an even bigger mess if he wasn't around - especially now. It also made me miss the Kon-bone. But they did a good job with it compared to the book. I really have to stop watching sad movies. Shoot - I half cried watching Transformers....at the end with poor Bumblebee. Must be something wrong with me.
Oh well, I'm heading to bed - here's to hoping to get more sleep.
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