So my assistant principal as been asking me everyday since Tuesday if I was good. She is my friend on Facebook. I have made some posts that indicated that I was none to pleased about the timing of the recent changes nor the delivery of said changes.
Yesterday, she came in during my planning period to have a heart to heart to just make sure I was all good. She couldn't have the "staples" of the school upset. I told her that given time I would be fine. I explained how the timing was wrong to implement new formats along with new due dates because we were running a shorten week along with a mid week football game that affected a lot of teachers. She explained that administration hadn't even considered all of that....AND that, folks, is the problem. Administration dreams up solutions to problems perceived without considering ramifications on teachers which will ultimately have ramifications on students....and not always in the good way administration wants.
But I have been in the game long enough to know how to play game and know that I will survive administration changes. Administrators come and go because they are always trying to move up the pay ladder away from actual contact with students. Some legit want to change the game, but the game changes them.
Heck....contact with students is where the fun is. It's where you stay real.
I have them worried but what they don't know is that I'm not going anywhere....Someone has to fight for my kids.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Really, Just Really
I am a 17 year veteran of the educational system. I am not new to teaching. I have been through one or two or ten principals and a couple of superintendents. I know my content area. I know kids. I am tough. My kids deserve my toughness. They only have one year left before the big bad real world hits them square in the face. I accept no excuses.
I spend my summers preparing for the upcoming school year. I always feel prepared. I am always ready.
Why am I so unprepared at this point in the year? Why can't I seem to get caught up? Why is the administration changing everything every week? The paperwork is threatening to drown me. The endless deadlines that have nothing to do with teaching are causing me to reach my breaking point. I am constantly told how little money there is; yet I constantly see financial waste. When did teaching become more about numbers and not at all about students?
Now I have to turn in lesson plans on Friday instead of Monday in order to make life easier on the principal. But administration did make it easier for me to plan...they got my a binder filled with all kinds of resources...my binder has 20 sheets in it compared to other teachers' with over 200.
I still haven't contacted every one of my students' parents. It's really hard when I don't get home until 7 because of band practice. I guess I need to stop teaching one day in order to get caught up.
No wonder people leave the profession....I am a paper pusher instead of a grower of minds.
Momma, I don't wanna go to school today. It's no fun there anymore.
I spend my summers preparing for the upcoming school year. I always feel prepared. I am always ready.
Why am I so unprepared at this point in the year? Why can't I seem to get caught up? Why is the administration changing everything every week? The paperwork is threatening to drown me. The endless deadlines that have nothing to do with teaching are causing me to reach my breaking point. I am constantly told how little money there is; yet I constantly see financial waste. When did teaching become more about numbers and not at all about students?
Now I have to turn in lesson plans on Friday instead of Monday in order to make life easier on the principal. But administration did make it easier for me to plan...they got my a binder filled with all kinds of resources...my binder has 20 sheets in it compared to other teachers' with over 200.
I still haven't contacted every one of my students' parents. It's really hard when I don't get home until 7 because of band practice. I guess I need to stop teaching one day in order to get caught up.
No wonder people leave the profession....I am a paper pusher instead of a grower of minds.
Momma, I don't wanna go to school today. It's no fun there anymore.
Graditude
September 6, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. I still have my job (not sure for how much longer)
2. I have a wonderful 7 year old son who doesn't see all the negative in the world
3. I can play Pokemon Go with my son without guilt.
September 7, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. I have a wonderful church family who accept me warts and all
2. I no longer am the only non coach in my PLC
3. That today is Wednesday
September 8, 2016 (I am posting this late because a high school football game happened)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. I have an amazing Daddy who acts like a grizzly bear but is really a big ol'teddy bear!!!
2. I have 5 rescue fur babies who have very unique personalities and make our house more a fun crazy zoo
3. My life is insane and I have to remember that life is not about the job but the time away from 9-5
September 9, 2016 (Again posting late because work happened)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. It is Friday (Need I say more!!!!)
2. We have a Sonic and there is a Route 44
3. Audio Books on my phone!!!!! (I don't think it's considered cheating the read the Book Club book through audio....Do you????)
September 10, 2016 (Again posting late because life happen)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. College football
2. Clouds on really hot days
3. Time spent with the family at The Rock
September 11, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Our Law Enforcement officers
2. I have not forgotten 15 years ago
3. There are those who are willing to lay their lives down so I will be protected both domestically and aboard
September 12, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. For the sound of thunder...it promises the cleansing of rain
2. Monday is only 24 hours long
3. To Do Lists that get done
September 13, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today
1. Crockpots
2. It's almost Fall
3. Gym memberships
September 14, 2016 (Posting late because I was beyond tired)
Three things I am grateful for today
1. Air conditioned school buses
2. Good friends at work
3. Junk food at Church
September 15, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Amazing bosses
2. Amazing kids
3. Tomorrow
September 16, 2016 (Late posting because of a football game)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Ponchos
2. Short trips on school buses
3. Older kids who don't mind little kids tagging along
September 17, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Lower temperatures....high 80's are better than low 90's
2. Hard working band members who want new uniforms
3. The generosity of strangers who just donate to a high school marching band car wash fundraiser
September 18, 2016 (late posting....just a long day)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Church
2. Kids
3. Quick trips to Walmart
September 19, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. The last bell of the day
2. Grandparents who can watch grandkids
3. Sleep
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. I still have my job (not sure for how much longer)
2. I have a wonderful 7 year old son who doesn't see all the negative in the world
3. I can play Pokemon Go with my son without guilt.
September 7, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. I have a wonderful church family who accept me warts and all
2. I no longer am the only non coach in my PLC
3. That today is Wednesday
September 8, 2016 (I am posting this late because a high school football game happened)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. I have an amazing Daddy who acts like a grizzly bear but is really a big ol'teddy bear!!!
2. I have 5 rescue fur babies who have very unique personalities and make our house more a fun crazy zoo
3. My life is insane and I have to remember that life is not about the job but the time away from 9-5
September 9, 2016 (Again posting late because work happened)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. It is Friday (Need I say more!!!!)
2. We have a Sonic and there is a Route 44
3. Audio Books on my phone!!!!! (I don't think it's considered cheating the read the Book Club book through audio....Do you????)
September 10, 2016 (Again posting late because life happen)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. College football
2. Clouds on really hot days
3. Time spent with the family at The Rock
September 11, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Our Law Enforcement officers
2. I have not forgotten 15 years ago
3. There are those who are willing to lay their lives down so I will be protected both domestically and aboard
September 12, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. For the sound of thunder...it promises the cleansing of rain
2. Monday is only 24 hours long
3. To Do Lists that get done
September 13, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today
1. Crockpots
2. It's almost Fall
3. Gym memberships
September 14, 2016 (Posting late because I was beyond tired)
Three things I am grateful for today
1. Air conditioned school buses
2. Good friends at work
3. Junk food at Church
September 15, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Amazing bosses
2. Amazing kids
3. Tomorrow
September 16, 2016 (Late posting because of a football game)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Ponchos
2. Short trips on school buses
3. Older kids who don't mind little kids tagging along
September 17, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Lower temperatures....high 80's are better than low 90's
2. Hard working band members who want new uniforms
3. The generosity of strangers who just donate to a high school marching band car wash fundraiser
September 18, 2016 (late posting....just a long day)
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. Church
2. Kids
3. Quick trips to Walmart
September 19, 2016
Three things I am grateful for today:
1. The last bell of the day
2. Grandparents who can watch grandkids
3. Sleep
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
I Really Do Love Teaching
If you really want to know what is wrong with our educational system, I will tell you.
First, let me give you a little background about me: I have been teaching for 17 years in history. Most of those years have been in a state tested subject, so I have been under a microscope. I really don't mind attending relevant professional development because I WANT to be a better teacher. I truly believe that what I am doing is crucial for the future.
However, I am tired of the politics. I have been the History Department Chair at my school for 8 years...sadly the title comes with more responsibility and no more pay. My school keeps hiring people in my department that can't do their job...they expect me (as department chair) to find resources and to do all lesson planning plus my own!!! I keep getting the excuses "I've never taught this before." Well, you know something....there was a time when I haven't taught a subject before and NO ONE even offered to help....I am NOT doing your job for your! I have the same amount of free time as you....I have a family, I teach Sunday School, I am Color Guard sponsor!!!!!!
Now....this year I have a long term sub in my department. I have been told that I will need to find resources and materials for her to use in class.....WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?! So now I am doing the job of two teachers for the pay of one!!!!!!! This is not going to end well for one of us.
You see....I teach 11th grade US History. The students must pass a state issued test in my class to graduate high school. For some reason, history is not important until students reach my class. I have to teach content, historical skills, critical thinking skills, vocabulary, and to a certain extent reading. That's a lot to cram into one class in a year time span. And if test scores are not high enough.....I have to brave the heat and the must answer for the scores....even if the year before me there was no teacher!!!!!
My school needed two history teachers for the upcoming year. We hired one. There was a teacher at the school who was hired three years ago as a history teacher but was moved to science because he was needed there. He desperately wants to teach history again. The school won't move him back to history. The sub who will be teaching history this year was teaching science last year....Go figure!
And with all this chaos, my district has decided to limit the number of copies we can make this to 3,000 the whole year!!!! This will fun. I have a feeling that I will be breaking some rules. After all, my Geography class doesn't have books....
Administrators and politicians are doing the students a grave injustice be playing games.
Looks like I will miss my son's second grade year because I will be doing two jobs for the pay of one!!!!!!
First, let me give you a little background about me: I have been teaching for 17 years in history. Most of those years have been in a state tested subject, so I have been under a microscope. I really don't mind attending relevant professional development because I WANT to be a better teacher. I truly believe that what I am doing is crucial for the future.
However, I am tired of the politics. I have been the History Department Chair at my school for 8 years...sadly the title comes with more responsibility and no more pay. My school keeps hiring people in my department that can't do their job...they expect me (as department chair) to find resources and to do all lesson planning plus my own!!! I keep getting the excuses "I've never taught this before." Well, you know something....there was a time when I haven't taught a subject before and NO ONE even offered to help....I am NOT doing your job for your! I have the same amount of free time as you....I have a family, I teach Sunday School, I am Color Guard sponsor!!!!!!
Now....this year I have a long term sub in my department. I have been told that I will need to find resources and materials for her to use in class.....WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?! So now I am doing the job of two teachers for the pay of one!!!!!!! This is not going to end well for one of us.
You see....I teach 11th grade US History. The students must pass a state issued test in my class to graduate high school. For some reason, history is not important until students reach my class. I have to teach content, historical skills, critical thinking skills, vocabulary, and to a certain extent reading. That's a lot to cram into one class in a year time span. And if test scores are not high enough.....I have to brave the heat and the must answer for the scores....even if the year before me there was no teacher!!!!!
My school needed two history teachers for the upcoming year. We hired one. There was a teacher at the school who was hired three years ago as a history teacher but was moved to science because he was needed there. He desperately wants to teach history again. The school won't move him back to history. The sub who will be teaching history this year was teaching science last year....Go figure!
And with all this chaos, my district has decided to limit the number of copies we can make this to 3,000 the whole year!!!! This will fun. I have a feeling that I will be breaking some rules. After all, my Geography class doesn't have books....
Administrators and politicians are doing the students a grave injustice be playing games.
Looks like I will miss my son's second grade year because I will be doing two jobs for the pay of one!!!!!!
Monday, June 13, 2016
I Am Not Sociable
I am a teacher. I get summers off....Not!!! I started planning for next year as soon as last year was over. I have two workshops to attend and a new curriculum to write. And I do want to spend quality time with my own family.
The first workshop has come and gone. It was a three day event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I spent two nights away from my family...right in the middle of Vacation Bible School. This is normally a time for my co-workers and I to socialize away from school. Normally I enjoy the sitting around the "dinner table" and shooting the breeze. This year was a little different. A vast majority of the teachers attending were several years younger. Most enjoy the bar area. And clicks were formed. And I had a new book (the third in a series) that I was DYING to read. And I had a room to myself.
I am weird. I go to conferences to actually get new ideas...to improve my teaching. I don't go to let my hair down. I don't enjoy drinking. I don't enjoy being in that scene. I don't get why some think that conference means: oh, I can do things here that I can't or won't at home. I resent being made to feel that I have to be in that situation to socialize with my co-workers.
The first workshop has come and gone. It was a three day event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I spent two nights away from my family...right in the middle of Vacation Bible School. This is normally a time for my co-workers and I to socialize away from school. Normally I enjoy the sitting around the "dinner table" and shooting the breeze. This year was a little different. A vast majority of the teachers attending were several years younger. Most enjoy the bar area. And clicks were formed. And I had a new book (the third in a series) that I was DYING to read. And I had a room to myself.
I am weird. I go to conferences to actually get new ideas...to improve my teaching. I don't go to let my hair down. I don't enjoy drinking. I don't enjoy being in that scene. I don't get why some think that conference means: oh, I can do things here that I can't or won't at home. I resent being made to feel that I have to be in that situation to socialize with my co-workers.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Conflicted Christian
I am not getting the Christian community right now. I have always had time periods in my life where I have had issues with organized religion. I have NEVER been conflicted about my faith in God...just man. I am the first to admit that I am not a biblical scholar. I am not a wise holy man (woman). I tend to wing it. I go on faith. I listen to my heart. I listen to that voice inside my gut that seems to start as a whisper and if I don't listen to it fast enough, it becomes a shout inside my head.
As a Christian, who is trying to live life as Jesus wants me to, I do not get as this hate coming from the Christian world. Christians are walking around like the world owes them something for being Christians....like the world has to bow to them and their beliefs...their way of life. It may just be me, but I thought it was the other way around. I thought it was the Christians who were to go out into the world and mingle in the world while preaching the Word. My Momma always said that you would catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. The more Christians become exclusive instead of inclusive, the more the world will push back against Christianity.
Modern day American Christians are throwing around the word persecution; however, they have no idea what persecution really is. Because the world is forcing Christians to show extreme love to non Christians? Because the world is forcing Christians to have opportunities to preach the word in a loving way? Because the world is forcing Christians to move outside their own comfort zones and to look deep into their own hearts to examine their own true faith? Can today's Christians handle the task that has been handed to them?
I don't get the entire separation of the denominations of Christianity. Baptists believe that they are better than Catholics who are better than Methodists who are better than Lutherans who are better than Pentecostals and so on. Really? Can we stop this insane belief that only people like "me" are true Christians? Look at the different people Jesus called to his side. Can we look at his example to be fisher of men today?
I really want to be more involved in my Church, but I feel that my views are in conflict with my church leadership. I don't believe that I have to accept everyone's views. However, I do believe that I have to love everyone and accept everyone....flaws and all. No one's sins are greater than my own. I only have to answer for my own sins. Only through love can non-believers be led to God. Fire and Brimstone will not do it. Jesus did not spread the Word in the temples. Jesus walked and talked among the sinners; however, most Christians refuse to go to the places where the non-believers are. Most Christians are only found in churches on Sunday mornings. They only go through the motions.
I am not perfect. I am guilty of being the comfort zone Christian. But I am tired of just being that Christian. The voice is screaming in head that I NEED to be doing more. I don't know what yet, so I guess I am doing to start with just one act of kindness in the name of God at a time. All I know is that love is the answer: for God so LOVED the world!!!! Christians must be examples of God's love on the Earth today.
As a Christian, who is trying to live life as Jesus wants me to, I do not get as this hate coming from the Christian world. Christians are walking around like the world owes them something for being Christians....like the world has to bow to them and their beliefs...their way of life. It may just be me, but I thought it was the other way around. I thought it was the Christians who were to go out into the world and mingle in the world while preaching the Word. My Momma always said that you would catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. The more Christians become exclusive instead of inclusive, the more the world will push back against Christianity.
Modern day American Christians are throwing around the word persecution; however, they have no idea what persecution really is. Because the world is forcing Christians to show extreme love to non Christians? Because the world is forcing Christians to have opportunities to preach the word in a loving way? Because the world is forcing Christians to move outside their own comfort zones and to look deep into their own hearts to examine their own true faith? Can today's Christians handle the task that has been handed to them?
I don't get the entire separation of the denominations of Christianity. Baptists believe that they are better than Catholics who are better than Methodists who are better than Lutherans who are better than Pentecostals and so on. Really? Can we stop this insane belief that only people like "me" are true Christians? Look at the different people Jesus called to his side. Can we look at his example to be fisher of men today?
I really want to be more involved in my Church, but I feel that my views are in conflict with my church leadership. I don't believe that I have to accept everyone's views. However, I do believe that I have to love everyone and accept everyone....flaws and all. No one's sins are greater than my own. I only have to answer for my own sins. Only through love can non-believers be led to God. Fire and Brimstone will not do it. Jesus did not spread the Word in the temples. Jesus walked and talked among the sinners; however, most Christians refuse to go to the places where the non-believers are. Most Christians are only found in churches on Sunday mornings. They only go through the motions.
I am not perfect. I am guilty of being the comfort zone Christian. But I am tired of just being that Christian. The voice is screaming in head that I NEED to be doing more. I don't know what yet, so I guess I am doing to start with just one act of kindness in the name of God at a time. All I know is that love is the answer: for God so LOVED the world!!!! Christians must be examples of God's love on the Earth today.
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Mother's Day
This day is now a bitter sweet day for me. Seven years ago I became a mother...no one could prepare for the love I would come to know for my son. Eight years ago my own mother was finally diagnosed with Alzheimer's after several years of knowing something was just not right. My mom doesn't know me anymore and that hurts beyond belief. I haven't yet lost my mom, but I've lost my mom.
I was really looking forward to this day in particular because my son was getting dedicated at church. This was a very personal thing for me. I grew up believing in infant baptisms. My husband grew up differently. At the time of my son's birth, we were disillusioned with the church and were not attending any church. When my son turned three, we started back attending church and asked about dedicating him to the Lord...I was very concerned about him not being baptized. We were told that the church didn't do such things. Should have seen the writing on the wall. But enough. Our new church is wonderful and unknowingly really set my mind and heart at ease this morning. I felt better just saying out loud that I intend to do my best to teach him and raise him in the ways of the Lord.
But I must say this has been the worse Mother's Day ever. My Dad, who was in town for another family function, didn't even say goodbye this morning. I was asked to decide where we were going to eat lunch today, but that was decided for me. I was the first one out of bed to take the dog out. I had to clean up hair balls, do the wash, and it was decided that we were all go see the new Captain America movie today...because we all know how much I love my comic book movies. The only presents I got were a new P3 control (because I play soooo many video games) and new maroon sheets (don't ask why because I really don't have a good answer or a flippant one). I did love the cards my son made me (I didn't even get store bought one). We got home from the movie right at my son's bedtime and we hadn't even eat supper yet. Needless to say he went to bed an hour late because he had to eat and shower. My husband played ignorance about the length of the movie but he told me it was two and an half hours long....soooooo if it starts at 5:30 that would mean it would end at 8:00. To write this has been the first time all day that I really sat down for any length of time without something to do. And now it's time to get ready for the upcoming week.
I don't mean to sound petty, but I'm tired. I'm tired not having one single thing to call my own....even Mother's Day turns into what my husband wants to do. For once I just want it to be all about me, but I don't think he even knows how to make it really all about me. I guess for Father's Day we'll go see another movie...I think the new Ninja Turtle movie will be out by then. I might even get him a card.
I was really looking forward to this day in particular because my son was getting dedicated at church. This was a very personal thing for me. I grew up believing in infant baptisms. My husband grew up differently. At the time of my son's birth, we were disillusioned with the church and were not attending any church. When my son turned three, we started back attending church and asked about dedicating him to the Lord...I was very concerned about him not being baptized. We were told that the church didn't do such things. Should have seen the writing on the wall. But enough. Our new church is wonderful and unknowingly really set my mind and heart at ease this morning. I felt better just saying out loud that I intend to do my best to teach him and raise him in the ways of the Lord.
But I must say this has been the worse Mother's Day ever. My Dad, who was in town for another family function, didn't even say goodbye this morning. I was asked to decide where we were going to eat lunch today, but that was decided for me. I was the first one out of bed to take the dog out. I had to clean up hair balls, do the wash, and it was decided that we were all go see the new Captain America movie today...because we all know how much I love my comic book movies. The only presents I got were a new P3 control (because I play soooo many video games) and new maroon sheets (don't ask why because I really don't have a good answer or a flippant one). I did love the cards my son made me (I didn't even get store bought one). We got home from the movie right at my son's bedtime and we hadn't even eat supper yet. Needless to say he went to bed an hour late because he had to eat and shower. My husband played ignorance about the length of the movie but he told me it was two and an half hours long....soooooo if it starts at 5:30 that would mean it would end at 8:00. To write this has been the first time all day that I really sat down for any length of time without something to do. And now it's time to get ready for the upcoming week.
I don't mean to sound petty, but I'm tired. I'm tired not having one single thing to call my own....even Mother's Day turns into what my husband wants to do. For once I just want it to be all about me, but I don't think he even knows how to make it really all about me. I guess for Father's Day we'll go see another movie...I think the new Ninja Turtle movie will be out by then. I might even get him a card.
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