Friday, September 25, 2009
Dallas
So this week has been trying to say the least. I think I wanted to walk in school on Monday and my classroom management would be awesome. My little friends would all instantly follow directions. Not so much. First, Monday I turned my alarm off in my sleep. No shower. Fantastic. Then I get into my car to go to school and it is raining, so there was no recess at school. Whomp whomp. The kids were crazy! Then somehow the rest of the week just happened. Wednesday I worked 11 hours. 7:30-6:30. I felt weirdly accomplished. Anyways, today I drove to Dallas to see my girls. :) Yay! As much as I was dreading the drive, it feels good to be here. Can't wait for the fun to begin!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Weekend and Monday
Let me start with this weekend, because that is the fun part :)
Kristin and Rachel came into town. Yippeee!! I wish I had friends come into town every weekend, but every once in a while works too. We all met up Saturday for Kristin's dad's (Mike) 50 bday shindig. It was a complete suprise to Mike, so that made it even more fun. Kristin's family doesn't do anything lowkey...everything is extreme which is awesome. They hired a DJ who did karaoke for four hours. It was amazing! We (Kristin, Rachel, myself and a handful of random people) entitled ourselves the hot mamas and kicked off the night. The name sounded way cooler Saturday night than it did just now as I was typing. Anywho, we sang and danced the night away and it was fantastic! This weekend I actually felt like my 22 year old self and not the grandma I try to be most nights. I actually stayed up until 3:30, then my body shutdown and I fell into a deep slumber. It was nice until someone's cell phone went off forty bagillion times. Yes. Forty bagillion. It is real. Look it up. Sunday my dad and I met up and he showed me how to change my oil. A delightful skill for any person, but I do not wish to do that again.
Today was a Monday like most Mondays. I woke up wishing the weekend could start all over. My body begged for more sleep so I slept until the last possible minute, and somehow I was still early to work. Only by 5 minutes, but every little bit counts. Especially for me. I tried to leave school early, as in before 5 p.m.. It didn't happen. Maybe tomorrow :)
Kristin and Rachel came into town. Yippeee!! I wish I had friends come into town every weekend, but every once in a while works too. We all met up Saturday for Kristin's dad's (Mike) 50 bday shindig. It was a complete suprise to Mike, so that made it even more fun. Kristin's family doesn't do anything lowkey...everything is extreme which is awesome. They hired a DJ who did karaoke for four hours. It was amazing! We (Kristin, Rachel, myself and a handful of random people) entitled ourselves the hot mamas and kicked off the night. The name sounded way cooler Saturday night than it did just now as I was typing. Anywho, we sang and danced the night away and it was fantastic! This weekend I actually felt like my 22 year old self and not the grandma I try to be most nights. I actually stayed up until 3:30, then my body shutdown and I fell into a deep slumber. It was nice until someone's cell phone went off forty bagillion times. Yes. Forty bagillion. It is real. Look it up. Sunday my dad and I met up and he showed me how to change my oil. A delightful skill for any person, but I do not wish to do that again.
Today was a Monday like most Mondays. I woke up wishing the weekend could start all over. My body begged for more sleep so I slept until the last possible minute, and somehow I was still early to work. Only by 5 minutes, but every little bit counts. Especially for me. I tried to leave school early, as in before 5 p.m.. It didn't happen. Maybe tomorrow :)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
1st Parent/Teacher Conference
Today was interesting to say the least...
First, one of my little jewels was finishing her work at her table and she decided it would be a good idea to take my bucket of winning ways (This is our bribery system in kindergarten. If you are seen doing something good, then you receive a winning way. After a certain amount of winning ways you receive a reward; treasure chest, lunch with a friend...) I looked her straight in the eyes and told her to put down the winning ways, because they are only for teachers to hand out. She then looked at me and smiled, took the bucket and skipped away from me. The little toot deliberately disobeyed me. I was livid. I took her next door so I could settle down and she came back with tears and an apology. Crazy.
Second, at recess today we had a fight. That's right; kindergarten fight. All of the teachers are looking out and watching all of the kiddos playing, and all of a sudden two little boys take off at full throttle running straight for each other. We all rush over. In the meantime, one little boy (we will call him boy A) lunges and tackles the another boy down (we will call him boy B). Boy A sweeps Boy B's legs out from under him and then takes him by the collar and spins him around. It was crazy. It looked like he was a skilled fighter. It is one of those things that you would have to see to believe the insanity.
Third, and most important, I had my first parent/teacher conference. It went so much better than I had originally thought it would. It was one of those things that once we both were able to sit down and talk to each other, our nerves calmed and we realized we were on the same side. We both want what is best for the child, so all is well. I am so elated that I got my first conference out of the way, and that a potentially frightening situation was diluted and turned into a jubilee of sorts.
Whoo....I think I am getting sick :( That would just be awful if I made it through the entire week and waited to get sick on the weekend. I sure hope this nasty goes away!
First, one of my little jewels was finishing her work at her table and she decided it would be a good idea to take my bucket of winning ways (This is our bribery system in kindergarten. If you are seen doing something good, then you receive a winning way. After a certain amount of winning ways you receive a reward; treasure chest, lunch with a friend...) I looked her straight in the eyes and told her to put down the winning ways, because they are only for teachers to hand out. She then looked at me and smiled, took the bucket and skipped away from me. The little toot deliberately disobeyed me. I was livid. I took her next door so I could settle down and she came back with tears and an apology. Crazy.
Second, at recess today we had a fight. That's right; kindergarten fight. All of the teachers are looking out and watching all of the kiddos playing, and all of a sudden two little boys take off at full throttle running straight for each other. We all rush over. In the meantime, one little boy (we will call him boy A) lunges and tackles the another boy down (we will call him boy B). Boy A sweeps Boy B's legs out from under him and then takes him by the collar and spins him around. It was crazy. It looked like he was a skilled fighter. It is one of those things that you would have to see to believe the insanity.
Third, and most important, I had my first parent/teacher conference. It went so much better than I had originally thought it would. It was one of those things that once we both were able to sit down and talk to each other, our nerves calmed and we realized we were on the same side. We both want what is best for the child, so all is well. I am so elated that I got my first conference out of the way, and that a potentially frightening situation was diluted and turned into a jubilee of sorts.
Whoo....I think I am getting sick :( That would just be awful if I made it through the entire week and waited to get sick on the weekend. I sure hope this nasty goes away!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Week 2....Oh Happy Day
I never thought it could be possible for me to get sick of hearing my last name, but today I did. It just seemed like every five seconds kiddos were calling my name and/or tapping me. Ridiculous. I don't know how many times I have said that I can only talk to one person at a time. I need to have a CD that says that on repeat for some of my little bundles of joy. It wouldn't be so bad except that everyday I am assessing my kiddos on things like letter and number recognition, shapes, sorting.....yadda yadda yadda. It makes it extremely difficult for me to accurately assess the kids when their buddis keep coming up and asking me ridiculous questions. I have told them numerous times that I cannot talk to them while I am testing, but for some reason that never sticks. I am trying to think of something new that will get through to them...
As much as I complain, I truly do love what I do. I couldn't imagine doing anything else, well... maybe nursing but I think I will save that adventure for a rainy day. It is the little things that make it truly amazing. For instance, I have a handful of kiddos who I get onto everyday for the same thing. I try to give them positive reinforcement by rewarding them when I see them doing something good (bribery ALWAYS works!). What is crazy is that at the end of the day, it is that squirly group of kids that I harp on all of the time who give me the biggest hugs as they leave. Most of the time I am looking at my kiddos trying to remember that they are just babies who are basically the same age as my sister. That often times makes me rejoice for their crazy ways, because I couldn't imagine teaching my sister. Don't get me wrong. I love her to pieces, but she is crazy!
Last thing. I have to tell you a funny story from today: I have recess duty this week and at recess we try not to let the kids go inside for restroom breaks unless it is an emergency. Today one of the little girls came over and asked to go the restroom, so we gave her the speech; emergencies only. Then she looked one of the teachers straight in the eyes and said in her most mature manner, "Excuse me, I have to poop." Needless to say we let her go.
Gotta love it!
As much as I complain, I truly do love what I do. I couldn't imagine doing anything else, well... maybe nursing but I think I will save that adventure for a rainy day. It is the little things that make it truly amazing. For instance, I have a handful of kiddos who I get onto everyday for the same thing. I try to give them positive reinforcement by rewarding them when I see them doing something good (bribery ALWAYS works!). What is crazy is that at the end of the day, it is that squirly group of kids that I harp on all of the time who give me the biggest hugs as they leave. Most of the time I am looking at my kiddos trying to remember that they are just babies who are basically the same age as my sister. That often times makes me rejoice for their crazy ways, because I couldn't imagine teaching my sister. Don't get me wrong. I love her to pieces, but she is crazy!
Last thing. I have to tell you a funny story from today: I have recess duty this week and at recess we try not to let the kids go inside for restroom breaks unless it is an emergency. Today one of the little girls came over and asked to go the restroom, so we gave her the speech; emergencies only. Then she looked one of the teachers straight in the eyes and said in her most mature manner, "Excuse me, I have to poop." Needless to say we let her go.
Gotta love it!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Weekend...woo!
This was my first weekend after my first week of work and I was pooped! Friday I could barely keep my eyes open past 9:30. Lame. Saturday I picked up my bridesmaid dress for my friend Ashley's wedding December 5, and then went out to Kingwood to visit some family. Then I got home and my mom had a friend from high school over for dinner. It was great, but I am in that in between stage. I am not an adult who wants to talk endlessly about my kids, but I am too old to sit with the kiddos and talk about ICarly. Needless to say I escaped shortly after dinner and I was going to head to a coming home party, but I was so stinkin' tired I didn't make it. I can't wait for my body to adjust to this new schedule of a 10 hour work day. Yup. 10 hours. I arrive around 7 and leave around 5. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do. It just makes me exhausted at the end of the day. Anyways....
Today I had lunch with a friend I hadn't seen in a LONG time! It was fantastic. We caught each other up on our lives; what we had done since we saw each other last and then what are currently doing. Then we started talking about how everyone and their mom is married, engaged to be married, or has a baby. I am one of maybe 5 friends who is single. Oh the joys of singleness. I mean it is great to be able to do whatever I want, but a man would be nice too. Tall, dark, and handsome... Where are you?
:)
Today I had lunch with a friend I hadn't seen in a LONG time! It was fantastic. We caught each other up on our lives; what we had done since we saw each other last and then what are currently doing. Then we started talking about how everyone and their mom is married, engaged to be married, or has a baby. I am one of maybe 5 friends who is single. Oh the joys of singleness. I mean it is great to be able to do whatever I want, but a man would be nice too. Tall, dark, and handsome... Where are you?
:)
Friday, September 11, 2009
End of Week 1
So it is the end of my first week of teaching and I am pooped! My back hurts (kindergarteners are short), my feet hurt, and I am just plain tired. The good news is that despite that list of complaints I am still in a good mood. I had a few awesome components of my day:
1. I don't care how old you are, it always feels good to get an "I'm proud of you!" That little kid inside of you just wants to jump up and down and scream and shout. It just feels good. When I was leaving, Alison (my mom's best friend and my teaching partner) told me that she was proud of me. It made my heart very happy :)
2. Several of my kinder kiddos gave me a big hug and said, "I love you!" My heart melted. It just reaffirmed why I do what I do.
3. I had one of the teachers on my kinder team tell me that she wished I could be at Copeland all year long. Oh yes. I may be a newbie, but I am on top of my stuff!
1. I don't care how old you are, it always feels good to get an "I'm proud of you!" That little kid inside of you just wants to jump up and down and scream and shout. It just feels good. When I was leaving, Alison (my mom's best friend and my teaching partner) told me that she was proud of me. It made my heart very happy :)
2. Several of my kinder kiddos gave me a big hug and said, "I love you!" My heart melted. It just reaffirmed why I do what I do.
3. I had one of the teachers on my kinder team tell me that she wished I could be at Copeland all year long. Oh yes. I may be a newbie, but I am on top of my stuff!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Day 2: Much Better
Today was my second day....much better! I am so tired, hence my short post tonight.
Good night.
Good night.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
First day of school
Today I started the first day of a long term position at Copeland Elementary in Cyfair ISD, as in two or three months. Oh happy day! The teacher I am covering just had a baby two months premature. I know... sad :( On the upside, the teacher who is right next door to me is one of my mom's best friends, Alison. She is outstanding and has been teaching for 21 years! I am going to learn soooo much from her. Alison is basically the one who set all of this into motion. Let's go back Sunday, August 30....
Sunday I get a call from Alison saying that her partner at Copeland just had her baby and they didn't have a sub yet, and she immediately thought of me. Thank you Jesus! The only bad part was that I wasn't registered to take the sub orientation until October 1. Right. Sub orientation. Anyways, to wrap everything up in a nutshell (because I started typing all of the details and it was crazy long and frankly I am ready for bed), I was able to squeeze into a condensed sub orientaion on September 1, got all of my paperwork processed, and started my first day today! The only thing I still need to do is get my badge made so I don't have to continue to wear a sticky, paper visitor's badge. Not my favorite. It rolls up by the end of the day and acts as a collection thingy for any lose hair that falls out during the day.
Back to the present.... Today was my first day, and all in all it was a good day. Alison combined our classes this morning so that I was able to observe the morning routines and will be able to do everything flawless tomorrow. Right. I was watching her today and all I could think of was, "Wow. I hope I can be Alison when I grow up because she is stinkin AWESOME!" She was so on top of everything. It was ridiculous, and I mean ridiculous in the mose amazing sense of the word. After morning message, we moved back into our room and began working on our alphabet adventure. Alphabet adventure is where we discover a new letter everyday and practice writing that letter and thinking about the sounds that letter makes. It is pretty cute. The kiddos have three different books that they use to discover the different components of the letters. One book is for a journal entry about the letter, another is a collection of words that start withe each of the letters of the alphabet, and the last one allows the students to practice writing the letters. Needless to say, these kids will know there alphabet, or they schould if I do my job right. Then we went to lunch at 11:30, and I have lunch duty which consists of opening juices, applesauce, string cheese, and any other edible something that is stuffed into ridiculous plastic. Then Alison has recess duty and I eat my lunch at 12. Then we have PEAM (P.E., Art, or Music) and a fire drill. Yes. Fired drill on my first day, because it wasn't crazy enought. I felt like the whole world dumped on me and it was impossible to interpret all of the information at once. It's all good. I have thick skin. Big family. Lots of drama. After the fire drill, the day is winding down and I am explaining the different literacy centers to my kiddos and the kids are gone; their minds were totally checked out for they day. All of a sudden the principal walks in and sees me losing control of my kindergarteners. Fantastic. Eventually I regain control and she walks out of the classroom. I felt like I had a big LOSER stamp on my forehead. I know they are just testing me out, becuase they have had so many different teachers in such a small amount of time. Before me, the students had their original teacher and a weeks worth of subs. On my way home I reflected about my day and my overall thought for tomorrow was be consistent and try harder. Easier said than done I am afraid.
Like I said, all in all it was a good day. Tomorrow will only be better, especially after my 5:30 A.M. bike ride. I am kickin this lump of a body into shape! Whoo!
P.S. I am tired, so please excuse the typos :)
Sunday I get a call from Alison saying that her partner at Copeland just had her baby and they didn't have a sub yet, and she immediately thought of me. Thank you Jesus! The only bad part was that I wasn't registered to take the sub orientation until October 1. Right. Sub orientation. Anyways, to wrap everything up in a nutshell (because I started typing all of the details and it was crazy long and frankly I am ready for bed), I was able to squeeze into a condensed sub orientaion on September 1, got all of my paperwork processed, and started my first day today! The only thing I still need to do is get my badge made so I don't have to continue to wear a sticky, paper visitor's badge. Not my favorite. It rolls up by the end of the day and acts as a collection thingy for any lose hair that falls out during the day.
Back to the present.... Today was my first day, and all in all it was a good day. Alison combined our classes this morning so that I was able to observe the morning routines and will be able to do everything flawless tomorrow. Right. I was watching her today and all I could think of was, "Wow. I hope I can be Alison when I grow up because she is stinkin AWESOME!" She was so on top of everything. It was ridiculous, and I mean ridiculous in the mose amazing sense of the word. After morning message, we moved back into our room and began working on our alphabet adventure. Alphabet adventure is where we discover a new letter everyday and practice writing that letter and thinking about the sounds that letter makes. It is pretty cute. The kiddos have three different books that they use to discover the different components of the letters. One book is for a journal entry about the letter, another is a collection of words that start withe each of the letters of the alphabet, and the last one allows the students to practice writing the letters. Needless to say, these kids will know there alphabet, or they schould if I do my job right. Then we went to lunch at 11:30, and I have lunch duty which consists of opening juices, applesauce, string cheese, and any other edible something that is stuffed into ridiculous plastic. Then Alison has recess duty and I eat my lunch at 12. Then we have PEAM (P.E., Art, or Music) and a fire drill. Yes. Fired drill on my first day, because it wasn't crazy enought. I felt like the whole world dumped on me and it was impossible to interpret all of the information at once. It's all good. I have thick skin. Big family. Lots of drama. After the fire drill, the day is winding down and I am explaining the different literacy centers to my kiddos and the kids are gone; their minds were totally checked out for they day. All of a sudden the principal walks in and sees me losing control of my kindergarteners. Fantastic. Eventually I regain control and she walks out of the classroom. I felt like I had a big LOSER stamp on my forehead. I know they are just testing me out, becuase they have had so many different teachers in such a small amount of time. Before me, the students had their original teacher and a weeks worth of subs. On my way home I reflected about my day and my overall thought for tomorrow was be consistent and try harder. Easier said than done I am afraid.
Like I said, all in all it was a good day. Tomorrow will only be better, especially after my 5:30 A.M. bike ride. I am kickin this lump of a body into shape! Whoo!
P.S. I am tired, so please excuse the typos :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)