Sigh. Ever have one of those days where you know it's going to be very long? That was today for me. I awoke at four in the morning. My nerves would not let me go back to sleep. SO I began my day. Once I arrived at the school and settled down, we began to serve breakfast. Super Co-worker was making her pancakes while Mr. Know-it-all and the other sub were talking.
Me: Hey, can you two fill up the juices?
Mr. Know-it-all (as other sub follows directions): I was actually planning on waiting for when the students all arrived. (Um... they arrive all at once since they are on a bus, sir brilliance.)
I responded with my usually response to open defiance, a teacher glare. At this point Mr. Know-it-all walks into the kitchen.
While serving breakfast I noticed one of my students was in the middle of an altercation with another student. Not good my friends. This young man really struggles socially and emotionally. I knew right then and there that we were heading for turbulent waters.
I felt like jumping over board today. My student refused to do anything. All day long it was just a fight with this student. The worst was when I had people come into my classroom. First the Councilor came to talk to my class. I was surprised to see him because our school was still finishing up testing. I simply figured he was not going to come so we could finish up our state testing. Nope. He showed up while my students were finishing their tests and while my student was "cooling off" we'll call it. I tell this student that he can cool off if he needs too but that his work will be finished today. Meaning if he choses not to do it in the time I give him then he will be doing it at recess. My hope is for him to self monitor and make wise choices. When my student finally had calmed himself and he was actually working on his paper, the councilor decided he needed to talk to my student. (WHY!!!???) At first my student said he did not want to go and that he wanted to finish the paper. I decided that if the councilor need my student that I would let him go. So I informed my student that he could go with the councilor and then go to recess. That suddenly changed everything!
After recess my student was much more agreeable. We played Multiplication bingo and we were getting along just fine. Some one from District came into my room while we played. District decided that she had a problem with my student using a silly voice. (I know that she had no idea but Why!??!!) She did not notice the warning signs after she had done so. Shortly after she left. When it was time to clear the bingo cards, my student lost it because he didn't win a sticker. So I tried some of the advice the councilor gave me. He told me to give my student a time limit on his emotions. That went so well. (can you hear the sarcasm?) Finally I just let him have his emotions and if he didn't win a sticker that was his responsibility. He made the choice to join in.
On top of my student having a rough day, I had an interview. I really would be surprised if they hired me. I have subbed in this building before and I have not gotten the "we like you" vibes. Only one of them admitted to remembering me. (ouch my pride.) I also know that the teacher that is leaving is amazing and would be hard to replace. Also their questions threw me through loops. They were defiantly different. I had to ask several times for clarification. Which I feel they didn't like. So I would be surprised if I got this position. Oh well!
Time to unwind. Fare the well dear followers!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Another interview
So my stress level should be really high right now. My post assessment of my students did not go so hot. My fault for testing them on a Monday. My students actually lost knowledge (YIKES!) When I handed back the tests and explained that we would go over it and try to raise our scores, most of my students were positive. So we went over our test and it feels like some light bulbs went off today so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for tomorrow. To top it all off my students have been doing standardized testing. It has not gone well. Our students are not getting the accommodations they need because the test have to be finished by tomorrow. Did I mention that we have two teachers gone to a conference right now? Thankfully the district has sent someone to help us with our testing (since I am not trained for this.)
Another reason for my stress level is a certain sub. We will call him Mr. Know-it-all. He is very interesting. I first learned of Mr. Know-it-all from district 1. He is not allowed in district 1 because he managed to insult a teacher while observing her. As the gossip goes, Mr. Know-it-all asked this teacher an absurd amount of questions while she was teaching. Let's picture this. This teacher is trying to keep a room full of 1st graders' attention on their lesson but is being interrupted by Mr. Know-it-all. Now this teacher was going to let it slide but then Mr. Know-it-all went into the next classroom and began to tell that teacher how he would fix the first teacher's lesson. The second teacher is friends with the first teacher. Needless to say, an e-mail was sent out district wide explaining why he would not be allowed in any classrooms in that school. Ok. Mr. Know-it-all has learned his lesson right? Nope. Just found out that he somehow upset the school in which he was a student teacher (in district 2). I know this because a copy of his apology letter was sent to every one in the district. It's called watch your Ps and Qs!
Now we have Mr. Know-it-all as a sub. Every time I see this man, he asks the same question. "How's the job search going?" Makes sense to ask me that. I am looking for a job. (Hence the blog.) What I find annoying is how he always tells me about the "principals just begging" him to work for them but they are all out of this area. He is choosing to stay with his family. I then get the treat of hearing about what he thinks is unfair or how he "really handled" this tough kid. Conversations with him are so fun. (Insert eye roll.)
Today was very interesting because we had a reporter show up. As she was asking us questions, Mr. Know-it-all felt like he had been there long enough to answer said questions. For example:
Reporter: How do you decide the classroom schedule? Is it decided by the school or by the teacher?
Mr. Know-it-all: We do what we want. As teachers we know what's best.
(Insert my horrified face.)
Super Co-worker to the rescue: Um... We base our schedule on their needs. For example some teachers with younger students do their math in the morning with calender.
Next reason for my stress level to be high, I have a job interview. I had a teacher put in a good word for me with a school for a fifth grade position. I've spent tonight preparing for this interview. I'm sure I'm not ready. I haven't even practiced interview questions. So I should really be stressed, right?
I am not. Weird. Maybe I am just too tired. But I will let all of you know how the interview goes and if I am carted off to the loony bin because of Mr. Know-it-all.
Far well my dear readers.
Another reason for my stress level is a certain sub. We will call him Mr. Know-it-all. He is very interesting. I first learned of Mr. Know-it-all from district 1. He is not allowed in district 1 because he managed to insult a teacher while observing her. As the gossip goes, Mr. Know-it-all asked this teacher an absurd amount of questions while she was teaching. Let's picture this. This teacher is trying to keep a room full of 1st graders' attention on their lesson but is being interrupted by Mr. Know-it-all. Now this teacher was going to let it slide but then Mr. Know-it-all went into the next classroom and began to tell that teacher how he would fix the first teacher's lesson. The second teacher is friends with the first teacher. Needless to say, an e-mail was sent out district wide explaining why he would not be allowed in any classrooms in that school. Ok. Mr. Know-it-all has learned his lesson right? Nope. Just found out that he somehow upset the school in which he was a student teacher (in district 2). I know this because a copy of his apology letter was sent to every one in the district. It's called watch your Ps and Qs!
Now we have Mr. Know-it-all as a sub. Every time I see this man, he asks the same question. "How's the job search going?" Makes sense to ask me that. I am looking for a job. (Hence the blog.) What I find annoying is how he always tells me about the "principals just begging" him to work for them but they are all out of this area. He is choosing to stay with his family. I then get the treat of hearing about what he thinks is unfair or how he "really handled" this tough kid. Conversations with him are so fun. (Insert eye roll.)
Today was very interesting because we had a reporter show up. As she was asking us questions, Mr. Know-it-all felt like he had been there long enough to answer said questions. For example:
Reporter: How do you decide the classroom schedule? Is it decided by the school or by the teacher?
Mr. Know-it-all: We do what we want. As teachers we know what's best.
(Insert my horrified face.)
Super Co-worker to the rescue: Um... We base our schedule on their needs. For example some teachers with younger students do their math in the morning with calender.
Next reason for my stress level to be high, I have a job interview. I had a teacher put in a good word for me with a school for a fifth grade position. I've spent tonight preparing for this interview. I'm sure I'm not ready. I haven't even practiced interview questions. So I should really be stressed, right?
I am not. Weird. Maybe I am just too tired. But I will let all of you know how the interview goes and if I am carted off to the loony bin because of Mr. Know-it-all.
Far well my dear readers.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
I'm still alive!
Wow! I was just looking at the last time I was on here! So much has gone on since then. I have had so many wonderful surprises.
First off, I was surprised to find myself finishing the school year at the school I student taught. It was so great getting to hang out with that staff again. They are rock stars. Also the teacher I was called in for does an amazing job with his students. So thankfully they were great (plus it was the end of the year so it's not like I had to teach them any new concepts.)
Then when I thought I was done and settling down to summer, I was asked to be a summer school para with a school that I enjoy working for. I gladly excepted. It sounded like such a great opportunity. The experience was going to teach me so much. Next surprise...I received a phone call asking me to be a summer school teacher instead for a school I also love working at. Yes, please!
I have loved every little minute of this job. We are two weeks in, and I am reminded everyday why I love teaching. When your students suddenly get what you are thrown down it is the best! I love watching a student work their little tail off on a goal and then have that awesome clickie moment where they just get it and can do it with out even thinking. This is what I live for. To help my students grow and be their very best. By the way, we made Hiaku's and my second graders learned division and rocked (especially when I threw in M&Ms.) Even though we have some very unique challenges, I am so looking forward to seeing my kidos tomorrow.
One not so fun surprise was the Boys and Girls club. I was so excited when they called me and asked me if I wanted to volunteer. Even though I was tired from Summer School, I still wanted to volunteer. I felt like it was a good organization and I knew that they needed help. So I met with the person in charge of volunteers (we'll call her Ms. Organized.) She showed me around, introduced me to everyone and we agreed that I would do a writing class and help with a claymation software class. Great! This will be so much fun!
That next week I showed up for my first day. The secretary (we'll call her Ms. Friendly) asked who I was (even though we had met last week.) Knowing that Ms. Friendly is busy and it might be hard to remember some people, I told her my name and that I was suppose to be volunteering that day. She handed me the application form to sign up to volunteer and told me to fill it out. I reminded her (with much patients) that I had already filled it out and that we had met last week. She then told me that the Ms. Organized would call me if I was approved. (SIGH!) I (still patient) reminded her that Ms. Organized had called me and we had set up today as the day I would volunteer. The secretary then informed me that she would have to check with Ms. Organized.
About two minutes into my wait Ms. Friendly pointed at a 3-ring binder and told me to sign in. (Ok. Wait. There is no pen and Ms. Friendly is now on the phone.) After I stared at her for another minute, she finally handed me a pen (without saying a word.) So I look up my name. It is not there and I cannot find any forms to fill out. I begin to stare at Ms. Friendly again. When she hung up, I was finally able to ask for the form. Ms. Friendly (Sighing very loudly) said, "Hand me the book!" She pulled a form out from under a stack of papers in the back pocket. Then explained the form to me after another loud sigh.
I waited around 10 minutes before Ms. Organized showed up (mind you I am already tired from teaching summer school all day.) Ms. Organized told Ms. Friendly that I was in fact in the system (Why didn't Ms. Friendly just look me up? The computer is right there!) Ms. Organized then told two little girls to show me around. (ummm... okkkk.) That was the last I saw of Ms. Organized. In fact that was the last time I was talked to by an adult. Obviously all the staff members had forgotten what services I had offered.
It was such an awful experience. The game room was loud, rough, and disorganized. The few people who were trying to help these kids have structure, were undermined by there own coworkers. I also felt like they should have provided me with a helmet, since I was almost knocked unconscious so many times by pool Q's. What really surprises me is that this organization has the nerve to blame the adults in our community for their lack of volunteers.
Now off to a much deserved bubble bath and coffee.
First off, I was surprised to find myself finishing the school year at the school I student taught. It was so great getting to hang out with that staff again. They are rock stars. Also the teacher I was called in for does an amazing job with his students. So thankfully they were great (plus it was the end of the year so it's not like I had to teach them any new concepts.)
Then when I thought I was done and settling down to summer, I was asked to be a summer school para with a school that I enjoy working for. I gladly excepted. It sounded like such a great opportunity. The experience was going to teach me so much. Next surprise...I received a phone call asking me to be a summer school teacher instead for a school I also love working at. Yes, please!
I have loved every little minute of this job. We are two weeks in, and I am reminded everyday why I love teaching. When your students suddenly get what you are thrown down it is the best! I love watching a student work their little tail off on a goal and then have that awesome clickie moment where they just get it and can do it with out even thinking. This is what I live for. To help my students grow and be their very best. By the way, we made Hiaku's and my second graders learned division and rocked (especially when I threw in M&Ms.) Even though we have some very unique challenges, I am so looking forward to seeing my kidos tomorrow.
One not so fun surprise was the Boys and Girls club. I was so excited when they called me and asked me if I wanted to volunteer. Even though I was tired from Summer School, I still wanted to volunteer. I felt like it was a good organization and I knew that they needed help. So I met with the person in charge of volunteers (we'll call her Ms. Organized.) She showed me around, introduced me to everyone and we agreed that I would do a writing class and help with a claymation software class. Great! This will be so much fun!
That next week I showed up for my first day. The secretary (we'll call her Ms. Friendly) asked who I was (even though we had met last week.) Knowing that Ms. Friendly is busy and it might be hard to remember some people, I told her my name and that I was suppose to be volunteering that day. She handed me the application form to sign up to volunteer and told me to fill it out. I reminded her (with much patients) that I had already filled it out and that we had met last week. She then told me that the Ms. Organized would call me if I was approved. (SIGH!) I (still patient) reminded her that Ms. Organized had called me and we had set up today as the day I would volunteer. The secretary then informed me that she would have to check with Ms. Organized.
About two minutes into my wait Ms. Friendly pointed at a 3-ring binder and told me to sign in. (Ok. Wait. There is no pen and Ms. Friendly is now on the phone.) After I stared at her for another minute, she finally handed me a pen (without saying a word.) So I look up my name. It is not there and I cannot find any forms to fill out. I begin to stare at Ms. Friendly again. When she hung up, I was finally able to ask for the form. Ms. Friendly (Sighing very loudly) said, "Hand me the book!" She pulled a form out from under a stack of papers in the back pocket. Then explained the form to me after another loud sigh.
I waited around 10 minutes before Ms. Organized showed up (mind you I am already tired from teaching summer school all day.) Ms. Organized told Ms. Friendly that I was in fact in the system (Why didn't Ms. Friendly just look me up? The computer is right there!) Ms. Organized then told two little girls to show me around. (ummm... okkkk.) That was the last I saw of Ms. Organized. In fact that was the last time I was talked to by an adult. Obviously all the staff members had forgotten what services I had offered.
It was such an awful experience. The game room was loud, rough, and disorganized. The few people who were trying to help these kids have structure, were undermined by there own coworkers. I also felt like they should have provided me with a helmet, since I was almost knocked unconscious so many times by pool Q's. What really surprises me is that this organization has the nerve to blame the adults in our community for their lack of volunteers.
Now off to a much deserved bubble bath and coffee.
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