That catch up post felt good. But there was a reason I wanted to post, and it has to do with another change in myself in the past seven years.
Anxiety.
To be honest, I've always been somewhat anxious as a teacher. I was never good at being open to judgement, especially when all I try to do is what I think is right. However, in the past couple of years, I've been feeling my anxiety rise.
Whether it be that one kid a few years ago that I had to remove from my class because he was just a straight-dick, or letting my eyes "linger" (read: making eye contact) with a student bullying them with making my expectations clear, or possibly being on the hook for thousands of dollars because the club you advise used four pictures from the internet without permission, my anxiety has grown.
I could go on more. But as I was implying in my last post, I am using these first post to vomit out all my thoughts until I can focus on one topic.
Anyway, as I was writing this, I decided to do some research on anxiety in teachers, and realized that I'm not unique in my experience. In doing so, I've calmed down a bit (for now).
If you have anxiety, maybe try reading this, by Douglas A. Berstein, professor of psychology, author, and member of the North America Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). Obviously he makes mention of teaching agriculture students, but I still felt it applicable to my teaching. The part that especially made me understand my feelings were valid, but illogical were the myths of teaching on page three (five if you use the numbers on the document).
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Long time, no post (II)
I think I've already made a title like this. If not, oh well. Let's just get to business and catch you all up on the happenings since I last posted on this site (2012??).
I still teach in the suburbs of the Bay Area, Northern California. This will be my eighth year now, and, for the most part, I still love where I work. I'll get to that later on.
I think the first thing that I should mention is that since 2011, I've lost a good amount of weight. Overall, I had lost 200lbs from when I was biggest. And I know you are probably thinking "Wow, that's cool, but what does this have to do with teaching?"
I'll tell you.
It has boosted my confidence ten-fold, and it has helped my teaching in ways that I wouldn't have imagined. There is a lot that I think plays into it, but by being happy with myself and reminding myself of how hard I worked, I'm much less willing to appease other people. I make my expectations clear, and if my students don't meet them, they aren't surprised.
Another thing that has changed in my career are the subjects I'm teaching. Journalism is no longer class; it's now a club. This is mostly due to low interest in signing up for the class. The students seem to prefer it as a club so they can take other classes that boost their GPA. It's slightly annoying in that it means I have less control over the end-product since the kids aren't worried about a grade. This is lowering my passion for this. Secret: I'm thinking of resigning my position. Not just because of the lack of members and interest, but because I think my lack of passion is hindering the evolution that the newspaper can make.
Still along with subjects I'm teaching: I'm still teaching College Prep Seniors, but I am no longer teaching sophomores, which is bittersweet for me. I feel like I finally had a solid curriculum in place, and now I can't teach it. I'm actually afraid it's going to get ruined without me on the team. But to be fair, I think I was the only one committed to following through with what the team decided. That's the sweet part. I was actually very frustrated last year, as everyone started doing their own thing when we had decided on a plan the summer before school started.
The seniors are always a challenge in getting them to commit to a rigorous course, but I get through it every year. Shakespeare is always hard, but having a class that tries, makes it more fun, even if they aren't the best analysts of the bard. Last year was one of the hardest classes to teach, but I'd be unfair to blame it all on that senior class. There was a lot going on, including a new classroom environment for me, that made it difficult. But I got through it.
What else? Hmmm. The principal that hired me retired a couple of years ago. We got almost all new assistant principals, and one really awesome one this year.
The district office and board has been frustrating (more than usual) the past couple of years. Two years in a row now, we've had to fight for a meager raise. It just seems like we are being under valued.
I think I'll end it here. My apologies for the lack of structure here. My hope is to write more often so that I don't have to spend so much energy filling in, and more time on writing about focused topics that I come across in teaching. I think I'll try to be mostly anonymous still, so I can frank, but if this goes right, I probably won't be for long.
I still teach in the suburbs of the Bay Area, Northern California. This will be my eighth year now, and, for the most part, I still love where I work. I'll get to that later on.
I think the first thing that I should mention is that since 2011, I've lost a good amount of weight. Overall, I had lost 200lbs from when I was biggest. And I know you are probably thinking "Wow, that's cool, but what does this have to do with teaching?"
I'll tell you.
It has boosted my confidence ten-fold, and it has helped my teaching in ways that I wouldn't have imagined. There is a lot that I think plays into it, but by being happy with myself and reminding myself of how hard I worked, I'm much less willing to appease other people. I make my expectations clear, and if my students don't meet them, they aren't surprised.
Another thing that has changed in my career are the subjects I'm teaching. Journalism is no longer class; it's now a club. This is mostly due to low interest in signing up for the class. The students seem to prefer it as a club so they can take other classes that boost their GPA. It's slightly annoying in that it means I have less control over the end-product since the kids aren't worried about a grade. This is lowering my passion for this. Secret: I'm thinking of resigning my position. Not just because of the lack of members and interest, but because I think my lack of passion is hindering the evolution that the newspaper can make.
Still along with subjects I'm teaching: I'm still teaching College Prep Seniors, but I am no longer teaching sophomores, which is bittersweet for me. I feel like I finally had a solid curriculum in place, and now I can't teach it. I'm actually afraid it's going to get ruined without me on the team. But to be fair, I think I was the only one committed to following through with what the team decided. That's the sweet part. I was actually very frustrated last year, as everyone started doing their own thing when we had decided on a plan the summer before school started.
The seniors are always a challenge in getting them to commit to a rigorous course, but I get through it every year. Shakespeare is always hard, but having a class that tries, makes it more fun, even if they aren't the best analysts of the bard. Last year was one of the hardest classes to teach, but I'd be unfair to blame it all on that senior class. There was a lot going on, including a new classroom environment for me, that made it difficult. But I got through it.
What else? Hmmm. The principal that hired me retired a couple of years ago. We got almost all new assistant principals, and one really awesome one this year.
The district office and board has been frustrating (more than usual) the past couple of years. Two years in a row now, we've had to fight for a meager raise. It just seems like we are being under valued.
I think I'll end it here. My apologies for the lack of structure here. My hope is to write more often so that I don't have to spend so much energy filling in, and more time on writing about focused topics that I come across in teaching. I think I'll try to be mostly anonymous still, so I can frank, but if this goes right, I probably won't be for long.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Once in Blue Moon...
...a student will surprise you.
I had my students write an essay last week.
As I read a particular student's essay, I was surprisingly enlightened, my eyes opening to an idea I have never even thought about.
Basically, what a student taught me, is that humans must know evil in order to know good. He went on to explain that for a person to truly, absolutely know they are doing good, then they must know in some way what doing evil looks like.
Maybe you knew this already, but my mind automatically began to think about all (as he put it) the Yin/Yang in life. We must know sadness to know happiness. We must know fear to know courage.
Anyway, I was happy to give this kid a B+. Then I was tempted to ask why he doesn't put his intelligence to work harder to pass my class. *sigh* Kids...
Here is the first link I found to the article the essay was about.
http://lotf1.wikispaces.com/Essay+by+William+Golding
I had my students write an essay last week.
As I read a particular student's essay, I was surprisingly enlightened, my eyes opening to an idea I have never even thought about.
Basically, what a student taught me, is that humans must know evil in order to know good. He went on to explain that for a person to truly, absolutely know they are doing good, then they must know in some way what doing evil looks like.
Maybe you knew this already, but my mind automatically began to think about all (as he put it) the Yin/Yang in life. We must know sadness to know happiness. We must know fear to know courage.
Anyway, I was happy to give this kid a B+. Then I was tempted to ask why he doesn't put his intelligence to work harder to pass my class. *sigh* Kids...
Here is the first link I found to the article the essay was about.
http://lotf1.wikispaces.com/Essay+by+William+Golding
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The Moving Student
Another first happened to me last week. A student moved to another city and therefore is out of my class. Now, the fact that a student moved is not anything new to me. In fact, a male student in this same class moved and there was nothing of note that happened with him. Additionally, a female student during my student teaching also moved. But this particular student was very emotional.
For anonymity purposes I'll call the student Janice.
Janice had told me she was leaving the week prior, and I thought nothing of it. Students come and go, I have no control over that. I didn't think twice about it. The week goes on with no big issue.
Then, her last day is her at last. It was a somewhat cloudy day, a little drizzle falling outside. A note from the office comes for her and she goes to talk with the assistant principal. Upon her arrival, the students and I are in the middle of reading our novel, and she is crying. I don't mean tears quietly falling down her cheek, but sobbing. Her nose sniffling.
"You have to sign this, Mr. ________, " she sniffs, handing me a form for her transfer.
I asked her what was wrong. I thought maybe she had gotten into trouble.
She sobs, "I.. don't.. want.. to leave..." and breaks down in class.
Now, I don't care who you are, just thinking back on this pulls on my heart strings. I was at a loss for words. Part of me wanted to stop class and let everyone say their good-byes, the other part wanted to keep a professional demeanor in the class and continue with what we were doing. I noticed several students looking at me while I decided.
In the end, I chose to keep class moving along, eventually sending a female friend of Janice's outside with her to calm her down.
I'm sure you're thinking, "How heartless!" But really, I think I would choose that option 97% of the time in the future.
The two girls come back in and there was no issue for the rest of the class.
And, so, that is my first experience with the emotional student saddened by leaving school.
I was also taken aback by the hug. I am, by nature, not very emotional in the classroom. I am not entirely comfortable making contact with students in this way. These two things added together meant that the hug was an awkward, one-armed, side hug on my part, and a two armed strong hug on her part.
Again, I'm not heartless, just not experienced with how to act in these situations.
And since I have no better way of ending this, I'll borrow those iconic words from Forrest:
"...That's all I have to say about that."
For anonymity purposes I'll call the student Janice.
Janice had told me she was leaving the week prior, and I thought nothing of it. Students come and go, I have no control over that. I didn't think twice about it. The week goes on with no big issue.
Then, her last day is her at last. It was a somewhat cloudy day, a little drizzle falling outside. A note from the office comes for her and she goes to talk with the assistant principal. Upon her arrival, the students and I are in the middle of reading our novel, and she is crying. I don't mean tears quietly falling down her cheek, but sobbing. Her nose sniffling.
"You have to sign this, Mr. ________, " she sniffs, handing me a form for her transfer.
I asked her what was wrong. I thought maybe she had gotten into trouble.
She sobs, "I.. don't.. want.. to leave..." and breaks down in class.
Now, I don't care who you are, just thinking back on this pulls on my heart strings. I was at a loss for words. Part of me wanted to stop class and let everyone say their good-byes, the other part wanted to keep a professional demeanor in the class and continue with what we were doing. I noticed several students looking at me while I decided.
In the end, I chose to keep class moving along, eventually sending a female friend of Janice's outside with her to calm her down.
I'm sure you're thinking, "How heartless!" But really, I think I would choose that option 97% of the time in the future.
The two girls come back in and there was no issue for the rest of the class.
And, so, that is my first experience with the emotional student saddened by leaving school.
I was also taken aback by the hug. I am, by nature, not very emotional in the classroom. I am not entirely comfortable making contact with students in this way. These two things added together meant that the hug was an awkward, one-armed, side hug on my part, and a two armed strong hug on her part.
Again, I'm not heartless, just not experienced with how to act in these situations.
And since I have no better way of ending this, I'll borrow those iconic words from Forrest:
"...That's all I have to say about that."
The PLC Conference
I had wanted to update during the conference, but did not find the time.
A little backstory:
My district is in the process of converting to the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model. I have had some experience with the process throughout the year, but I was able to get the information straight from the horses' mouth (the DuFours).
A PLC can be applied in any industry, but for education it's basically a structured, fancy way of moving from different teacher, different curriculum to different teacher, one curriculum. Or, a consistency among teachers instructing the same grade level or course. And it's not a consistency in that the exact same lesson is being given to every student, but a consistency in that the material is the same, and the skills being taught are the same, which means freedom for teachers to still put their personality into the lesson. However, this isn't to say that some schools won't take it as far as same lesson among the teachers. This isn't the case at my school--Thank goodness.
Some people like it, others hate it. From a first-year teacher's perspective, I LOVE it.
I mean, my first year could have gone 2 ways. The first is spending countless hours coming up with a curriculum for the whole year on my own. I would use the whole year as my experiment on what worked and what didn't, crying when 90% of it didn't.
Or, it could go the way it has been. Meeting with other sophomore teachers--veterans of the craft--and seeing how they present the material, deciding what skills we will be teaching within each unit.
I am not using everything they give me, but I like to think that I can add it to my bag to pick and choose from later. Rather than filling that bag with janky things I have no idea work, I can fill it with tried methods and choose from those. I mean, I am still going to add my own ideas into that bag, but when those don't work, I'll have a fallback.
Anyway, the conference went well. It was basically a reinforcement of the ideas that the English department has already been doing and implemented. It was enlightening, too, about what still needs to be done at my school to fully function with the PLC model.
I am excited to see how it turns out!
A little backstory:
My district is in the process of converting to the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model. I have had some experience with the process throughout the year, but I was able to get the information straight from the horses' mouth (the DuFours).
A PLC can be applied in any industry, but for education it's basically a structured, fancy way of moving from different teacher, different curriculum to different teacher, one curriculum. Or, a consistency among teachers instructing the same grade level or course. And it's not a consistency in that the exact same lesson is being given to every student, but a consistency in that the material is the same, and the skills being taught are the same, which means freedom for teachers to still put their personality into the lesson. However, this isn't to say that some schools won't take it as far as same lesson among the teachers. This isn't the case at my school--Thank goodness.
Some people like it, others hate it. From a first-year teacher's perspective, I LOVE it.
I mean, my first year could have gone 2 ways. The first is spending countless hours coming up with a curriculum for the whole year on my own. I would use the whole year as my experiment on what worked and what didn't, crying when 90% of it didn't.
Or, it could go the way it has been. Meeting with other sophomore teachers--veterans of the craft--and seeing how they present the material, deciding what skills we will be teaching within each unit.
I am not using everything they give me, but I like to think that I can add it to my bag to pick and choose from later. Rather than filling that bag with janky things I have no idea work, I can fill it with tried methods and choose from those. I mean, I am still going to add my own ideas into that bag, but when those don't work, I'll have a fallback.
Anyway, the conference went well. It was basically a reinforcement of the ideas that the English department has already been doing and implemented. It was enlightening, too, about what still needs to be done at my school to fully function with the PLC model.
I am excited to see how it turns out!
Monday, October 24, 2011
"Professional" Conference...
So, I was sitting here, on my bed, in the hotel room, waiting for the Sandman, thinking how much like college this is beginning to feel, possibly writing a blog entry, when my roommate and I hear a knock on the door and the sound of rapidly retreating footsteps. Looking at one another, it was easy to figure out which of our colleagues it would be. I wasn't at all surprised, ladies. Yes, you two.
And yes, reader, teachers like to have fun too (read: be immature).
But in all seriousness, here comes another first in my short-lived career: The conference.
I have to admit I was reluctant to come. So far, since leaving campus and carpooling up to the hotel, I've thought multiple times about how the next two days away from the students will be. Yes, it will be a nice time away, but giving up control for two days knowing things have to be learned is a bit nerve-wracking.
Well, here's to a new experience. I'll let you know how it goes.
And yes, reader, teachers like to have fun too (read: be immature).
But in all seriousness, here comes another first in my short-lived career: The conference.
I have to admit I was reluctant to come. So far, since leaving campus and carpooling up to the hotel, I've thought multiple times about how the next two days away from the students will be. Yes, it will be a nice time away, but giving up control for two days knowing things have to be learned is a bit nerve-wracking.
Well, here's to a new experience. I'll let you know how it goes.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Always ask!
Let's start the fun of this first year with my first really big mistake as a teacher (IMO):
Now, aside from teaching a subject I have never taught before and NEVER thought I would need to teach, Journalism sounded promising. And it's not as though I am unqualified, just inexperienced, so to speak. Plus, one of my favorite things to do is write, so how can teaching kids to write outside of the 5 paragraph essay be bad?
Well, that's what I thought anyway. And before I REALLY begin (and I will, I promise); I like teaching this class. Being in there puts me in the best mood on any given day. However, there were many unanticipated snags (for lack of a better word) that I have come across. To make this readable, though, I'll get to the major one: Funding.
We (switching to the royal) all know that schools aren't seeing much money coming their way these days. That's a fact. We can agree with that. Let's move on. Because of this there was scramble at the start of the year, trying to figure out where to get money to print a paper. Light bulb moment! We will sell custom silicon bracelets to the student body that encourages school pride and team spirit. Perfect, right!?
Well, fast forward a bit. Non-refundable order placed for 300 bracelets at around $260. Sweet, primed to make about $600 in profit! But wait, what's this? The message on the band is.. "questionable"? Thanks must go out to our older, more experienced, and (dare we say it?) dirty minded colleagues, for enlightening us to the fact that having a bracelet saying our team "goes hard" may not have been the best choice.
I think we just got punched in the gut.
Well, let's follow up with administration. We do, and they say they'll get back to us.
Fast forward another few weeks. Bracelets are due to arrive, and, what is this? No answer from administration. We're good to go! But, no. Again, we thank (not as sarcastically this time) our elders for suggesting we confirm that we have permission to sell the bracelets.
Again, our stomachs do flips, and our hearts race. In fact, the bracelets are in the office waiting for us to pick them up. The AP sees nothing wrong with it, another AP is persuaded, and all is right in the world! Or so we think. Somewhere in the chain of command we get the veto and a simple email stating, "I am sorry to say, but the consensus is 'no'" is what we get.
Ouch.
So, rule number 1 to my fellow new teachers: ALWAYS ask permission. Avoid a $260 mistake.
Now, aside from teaching a subject I have never taught before and NEVER thought I would need to teach, Journalism sounded promising. And it's not as though I am unqualified, just inexperienced, so to speak. Plus, one of my favorite things to do is write, so how can teaching kids to write outside of the 5 paragraph essay be bad?
Well, that's what I thought anyway. And before I REALLY begin (and I will, I promise); I like teaching this class. Being in there puts me in the best mood on any given day. However, there were many unanticipated snags (for lack of a better word) that I have come across. To make this readable, though, I'll get to the major one: Funding.
We (switching to the royal) all know that schools aren't seeing much money coming their way these days. That's a fact. We can agree with that. Let's move on. Because of this there was scramble at the start of the year, trying to figure out where to get money to print a paper. Light bulb moment! We will sell custom silicon bracelets to the student body that encourages school pride and team spirit. Perfect, right!?
Well, fast forward a bit. Non-refundable order placed for 300 bracelets at around $260. Sweet, primed to make about $600 in profit! But wait, what's this? The message on the band is.. "questionable"? Thanks must go out to our older, more experienced, and (dare we say it?) dirty minded colleagues, for enlightening us to the fact that having a bracelet saying our team "goes hard" may not have been the best choice.
I think we just got punched in the gut.
Well, let's follow up with administration. We do, and they say they'll get back to us.
Fast forward another few weeks. Bracelets are due to arrive, and, what is this? No answer from administration. We're good to go! But, no. Again, we thank (not as sarcastically this time) our elders for suggesting we confirm that we have permission to sell the bracelets.
Again, our stomachs do flips, and our hearts race. In fact, the bracelets are in the office waiting for us to pick them up. The AP sees nothing wrong with it, another AP is persuaded, and all is right in the world! Or so we think. Somewhere in the chain of command we get the veto and a simple email stating, "I am sorry to say, but the consensus is 'no'" is what we get.
Ouch.
So, rule number 1 to my fellow new teachers: ALWAYS ask permission. Avoid a $260 mistake.
A (kind of) real introduction
After realizing that I am not the only blogger in the English department, I have decided to keep up on this blog as often as I can. If only because I'm competitive like that.
I would like to say that I am here to enlighten those in the teaching industry, but being a fresh face in my first "real" year of teaching it would be hard to do. This first year will be a roller coaster ride of emotion, a plethora of cliche. All I can promise is an entertaining year of learning and teaching.
So, I invite my fellow first year teachers to wallow in the mistakes that we will (undoubtedly) make and share the joys that make it all worth it.
And, veteran teachers, you are welcome to come along for the ride also. Cringe while reading about our mistakes, maybe even get zapped back to the time when you were in my shoes, thinking, "Oh, yeah. I did that." Or, "Really? You really did that?"
Also, I extend an invitation to those NOT in education to read along. Maybe I can be a little window into the side of teaching you do not always see: The dirty side. The AWESOME side. The side that makes the select group of us CHOOSE to be around hormone driven youth.
Whoever you are, I welcome you to "My Life in Teaching".
I would like to say that I am here to enlighten those in the teaching industry, but being a fresh face in my first "real" year of teaching it would be hard to do. This first year will be a roller coaster ride of emotion, a plethora of cliche. All I can promise is an entertaining year of learning and teaching.
So, I invite my fellow first year teachers to wallow in the mistakes that we will (undoubtedly) make and share the joys that make it all worth it.
And, veteran teachers, you are welcome to come along for the ride also. Cringe while reading about our mistakes, maybe even get zapped back to the time when you were in my shoes, thinking, "Oh, yeah. I did that." Or, "Really? You really did that?"
Also, I extend an invitation to those NOT in education to read along. Maybe I can be a little window into the side of teaching you do not always see: The dirty side. The AWESOME side. The side that makes the select group of us CHOOSE to be around hormone driven youth.
Whoever you are, I welcome you to "My Life in Teaching".
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
It's only been a year..
So, it's been a year since I've written an entry on this blog. However, now is the first time in a year things have been relevant. Let's catch a bit first, shall we?
The past year has been filled with subbing. It was a good way for me to stay inside classrooms, even if they weren't mine. Students are students, and it was beneficial to stay in touch with that. I also made extra money working at a pizzeria, working my way up to Assistant Manager before leaving.
And that brings me to relevance. I now have a teaching job. It is only part time, but it is in a great school district in Northern California. Enrollment seems to be growing, so hopefully it turns to full time quickly. I'll be teaching 2 periods of 10th grade English and 1 period of Journalism. English seems pretty straight forward and I am not really too worried about that class. It's the Journalism that concerns me. It's turning to be a lot more than I thought. With all the fundraising I'll have to do, figuring out which printer would be the most cost effective for the newspaper, and learning how to teach Journalism, I am feeling a little overwhelmed.
I think I'll be fine. I am building a support team around me with the couple of teachers I met, and I get a strong feeling that they all want me to succeed.
The past year has been filled with subbing. It was a good way for me to stay inside classrooms, even if they weren't mine. Students are students, and it was beneficial to stay in touch with that. I also made extra money working at a pizzeria, working my way up to Assistant Manager before leaving.
And that brings me to relevance. I now have a teaching job. It is only part time, but it is in a great school district in Northern California. Enrollment seems to be growing, so hopefully it turns to full time quickly. I'll be teaching 2 periods of 10th grade English and 1 period of Journalism. English seems pretty straight forward and I am not really too worried about that class. It's the Journalism that concerns me. It's turning to be a lot more than I thought. With all the fundraising I'll have to do, figuring out which printer would be the most cost effective for the newspaper, and learning how to teach Journalism, I am feeling a little overwhelmed.
I think I'll be fine. I am building a support team around me with the couple of teachers I met, and I get a strong feeling that they all want me to succeed.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Well... (Lots of "I" statements)
It's been a while since I've written in this blog. But, frankly, it is because there is nothing to write about. This entry comes out of frustration and jealousy. This WHOLE summer I did not get one call, one email, let alone one interview for a job. Frustrating. I have no job. I am signed up to be a substitute at a local school district, but I have not received any calls. Even more frustrating. I am now looking for a job to work at in the evenings so I can be free to sub during the day. This search has been fruitless so far, as well. Icing on the frustration cake. I am jealous hearing about everyone who has gotten a job, whether in teaching or otherwise. I just feel so useless. After all my education, working for these qualifications, I am left here letting it go to waste.
I wish I had gone to Vietnam to teach. Hindsight:20/20? Definitely.
I know I will probably look back at this entry and realize it was just a small setback in the grander scheme, but I am disheartened right now.
I wish I had gone to Vietnam to teach. Hindsight:20/20? Definitely.
I know I will probably look back at this entry and realize it was just a small setback in the grander scheme, but I am disheartened right now.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
First Disappointment
So, I did not get that call on Monday. I am disappointed, but in my heart I know that I was not ready for it. Something was just making me feel off about that whole situation.
I got an email yesterday regarding my credential. I am officially in the system and have paid for my credential. In about 10 days, I should receive confirmation.
The job search is still going. I have a few applications out there, so at the very least I hope I can get an interview this summer.
Bah, forget this worrying about the future. I am going to enjoy this BEAUTIFUL day in Santa Barbara.
Ciao.
I got an email yesterday regarding my credential. I am officially in the system and have paid for my credential. In about 10 days, I should receive confirmation.
The job search is still going. I have a few applications out there, so at the very least I hope I can get an interview this summer.
Bah, forget this worrying about the future. I am going to enjoy this BEAUTIFUL day in Santa Barbara.
Ciao.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Geez, I'm so anxious right now.
So, I'm stressing out right now. A lot. I got an email this weekend saying that a panel will be reviewing applications and will make calls those invited on Monday (which, looking at my clock, is technically today) for an interview on Tuesday. I have never been so anxious just to possibly get a call for a possible interview. I'll let you know what happens.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Summer
Well it is officially summer. I walked in the Master's ceremony. I finished my student teaching. I'm done, right? I'm a real teacher. Well, no, not really. I HAVE applied for my credential, but I still have about a month of work to do to finish up my Master's degree. I will be defending it sometime during the second week of July. Until then, I am revising and making changes to it, adding things where necessary. And although this is a daunting task, it is much nicer being able to wake up later and not worry about teaching anymore.
I just have to worry about finding a job. I have applied to a few school districts. One way up in Nor Cal, and two or three in So Cal. Nothing farther south than Orange County, so far. I haven't heard anything other than the bulk email stating they got my application, so keep your fingers crossed. I am not too worried yet. Talk to me in a bout a month and a half and we will see how I feel.
I just have to worry about finding a job. I have applied to a few school districts. One way up in Nor Cal, and two or three in So Cal. Nothing farther south than Orange County, so far. I haven't heard anything other than the bulk email stating they got my application, so keep your fingers crossed. I am not too worried yet. Talk to me in a bout a month and a half and we will see how I feel.
Monday, May 17, 2010
What to do, What to do
So as it gets closer to graduation and finishing up my M.Ed. in the TEP at UCSB, that decision from my last post is looming more and more on my mind. All the job openings that look appealing to me are in Northern California. I did not want to be working to far from my hometown, but it is looking more and more like I will. There is a job in San Mateo that looks really promising. It's a medium sized school. Again though, it is just so much farther north than I would like. It really is a shame that the market isn't much better.
I talked with some people, including family. The consensus seems to be that I should apply and just get a job. I think I will apply once I find all the paperwork I need. At the very least I will have an application out there, and possibly a job interview. Even if I do not get the job I will still have that experience. It is just hard to accept the reality of not being able to work where I want. That's life I suppose.
In other news, my class seems to have finally taken to me. Hey, it only took about 4 months (sarcasm). Instead of giving me attitude, they mostly just give it to one another. Although, that is another problem I am dealing with. I don't know what to say, they are freshmen.
We are reading Romeo and Juliet, and so far it is going fairly smoothly. I wish they would pay more attention when we read aloud, but as long as they are passing the comprehension quizzes and show they are understanding what is going on, I can't ask for much more.
Just thought I'd give an update of where my head is at right now. Plus I'm laying awake thinking about it, so this is my method of getting it off my mind so I can sleep.
I talked with some people, including family. The consensus seems to be that I should apply and just get a job. I think I will apply once I find all the paperwork I need. At the very least I will have an application out there, and possibly a job interview. Even if I do not get the job I will still have that experience. It is just hard to accept the reality of not being able to work where I want. That's life I suppose.
In other news, my class seems to have finally taken to me. Hey, it only took about 4 months (sarcasm). Instead of giving me attitude, they mostly just give it to one another. Although, that is another problem I am dealing with. I don't know what to say, they are freshmen.
We are reading Romeo and Juliet, and so far it is going fairly smoothly. I wish they would pay more attention when we read aloud, but as long as they are passing the comprehension quizzes and show they are understanding what is going on, I can't ask for much more.
Just thought I'd give an update of where my head is at right now. Plus I'm laying awake thinking about it, so this is my method of getting it off my mind so I can sleep.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
It's been a long time
I am barely finding time to update this. I have been extremely tired. I got PACT done and sent away to be scored. I am so glad to have it out of my mind. Unfortunately, I feel a little burnt out now. This week especially. Nothing has really changed. I have been getting the same amount of sleep, but I find myself with very low energy in the classroom which is starting to show in how the students act. I am going to try to sleep more tonight, and hopefully I'll be renewed tomorrow.
I have been teaching The Odyssey. Well, it more like an excerpt. I am trying to focus on the epic hero and epic simile. My class is slowly becoming boring! YIKES! I have to revamp.
Next week is STAR testing. I am planning to do something a bit more low key and geared toward my M.Ed. thesis which is still--how should I say this--coming along. I am really excited about my topic, but the lack of artifacts to write about is a cause for concern. I am trying to fix it this quarter.
Another cause for concern is the current job market. I feel obligated to write about it as it obviously affects me. I am in a mental, 3-way tug-of-war right now. I basically, at this point, have 4 options for the next year. 1) Stay in the S.B., Carpinteria, Ventura area and make a bigger name for myself where people already know me.
2) Move home, live for free, and try subbing and getting my foot in the door in districts nearby.
3) Apply for a job that would take me A LOT farther away from family and where I would ideally like to be.
4) Teach overseas.
The third option is probably the most logical. I can gain experience, clear my credential, and make money. I still cannot help thinking I'm abandoning my family though. The two jobs I am considering (applying for) are in North Monterey and San Diego. I attended a seminar Tuesday night that was pretty depressing. It was full of "caveats" and "poppycock". I kid you not--"true story." Basically, we all got a reality check on the depressing market for jobs. I am hoping that something turns up in the coming months a little closer to home.
Feel free to post your opinions.
I have been teaching The Odyssey. Well, it more like an excerpt. I am trying to focus on the epic hero and epic simile. My class is slowly becoming boring! YIKES! I have to revamp.
Next week is STAR testing. I am planning to do something a bit more low key and geared toward my M.Ed. thesis which is still--how should I say this--coming along. I am really excited about my topic, but the lack of artifacts to write about is a cause for concern. I am trying to fix it this quarter.
Another cause for concern is the current job market. I feel obligated to write about it as it obviously affects me. I am in a mental, 3-way tug-of-war right now. I basically, at this point, have 4 options for the next year. 1) Stay in the S.B., Carpinteria, Ventura area and make a bigger name for myself where people already know me.
2) Move home, live for free, and try subbing and getting my foot in the door in districts nearby.
3) Apply for a job that would take me A LOT farther away from family and where I would ideally like to be.
4) Teach overseas.
The third option is probably the most logical. I can gain experience, clear my credential, and make money. I still cannot help thinking I'm abandoning my family though. The two jobs I am considering (applying for) are in North Monterey and San Diego. I attended a seminar Tuesday night that was pretty depressing. It was full of "caveats" and "poppycock". I kid you not--"true story." Basically, we all got a reality check on the depressing market for jobs. I am hoping that something turns up in the coming months a little closer to home.
Feel free to post your opinions.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Call Home!
As part of this semester, we have to make at least 10 calls to parents and 5 before Spring Break. So I made my first call home today. I was so nervous. It was for something positive, but my hands are still shaking as I type this out. It was also very quick. My student's father seemed to be in a hurry so I did not want to keep him. It lasted about 1min and 41 secs including ring time, according to my phone. That was a rush.
I had been putting this off for a while. It's nice to have it somewhat out of the way. I am initiated into the call home.
Anyway, just another step, however small, on my way to becoming a "real" teacher. Thought I'd let the world know.
I had been putting this off for a while. It's nice to have it somewhat out of the way. I am initiated into the call home.
Anyway, just another step, however small, on my way to becoming a "real" teacher. Thought I'd let the world know.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
PACT
PACT has started everyone. The Performance Assessment for California Teachers is under way. I taught 2 lessons of 3 last week and hope to finish up and Monday. This is indeed the most stressful portion of TEP. I should also be working on it right now, but I decided to give anyone who reads this an update.
Tensions are high amongst students in TEP. People are snapping at one another and if this continues, it will be a long time before March 26th comes. That is when this project is due.
To me the hardest part is the video taping. I think if i can get that done then make small steps in the long writing process, then I will be fine.
I planned out my lessons. All I have to do now is polish them up, fix spelling errors, and teach the last one.
I said this before, but in case you didn't get the message:
The next several weeks are going to be hard, and I will be super busy. So, if I do not respond to phone messages or requests, bear with me. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Wish me luck!
Tensions are high amongst students in TEP. People are snapping at one another and if this continues, it will be a long time before March 26th comes. That is when this project is due.
To me the hardest part is the video taping. I think if i can get that done then make small steps in the long writing process, then I will be fine.
I planned out my lessons. All I have to do now is polish them up, fix spelling errors, and teach the last one.
I said this before, but in case you didn't get the message:
The next several weeks are going to be hard, and I will be super busy. So, if I do not respond to phone messages or requests, bear with me. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Wish me luck!
Anonymity
I think I might try to make things as anonymous as possible so I can tell you all the crazy things that happen to me during this journey.
So, I will look through this and try to find names and replace them with other types of pronouns. This way you can get the entire reality that is my teaching life, be it good or bad.
So, I will look through this and try to find names and replace them with other types of pronouns. This way you can get the entire reality that is my teaching life, be it good or bad.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Overdue Update
Hey all. Found a little bit of time to write, so I thought I would make the most of it.
January 11th began my semester long takeover. I am teaching the second semester of English 9. Monday was fine. We just did some introductory things, and passed out the syllabus. Tuesday wasn't as good but I dealt with it. Wednesday was unbearable as far as management, so on Thursday I talked with the class about it. I told them that I wasn't my CT and that I was not going to try to be like her. I told them that I will probably do things differently and that the sooner they understood that, the sooner we could enjoy the company of each other. Friday was good.
Tuesday was horrible. I could not control them and could not believe what I was hearing from them. Needless to say I left school pretty disappointed. Thursday, I brought my grumpy stick and decided to stop the class and call on individuals who were acting out. Friday was better.
That brings me to today. Today's class was not entirely bad. Apparently some kid aimed some profanity in my direction, but 1) since it was in Spanish and 2) I did not hear it, it hardly bugs me. I only know because one of my Spanish speaking students told me about it later. This truly does not bug me in the least. One reason being, because I don't understand it. He was obviously not brave enough to say it in English and let me hear it, so I know he did not mean it or it was not meant for me to hear. Another reason I do not really care is because if he needs to make himself sound cool in front of his friends by making an unwarranted insult in a language the target cannot understand, it only shows this student's weakness about confrontation and he still knows that saying that is wrong. If I heard it and/or understood it, two things would have happened. The first is calling him out on it saying something about how his unprovoked insult made him look so "cool". The second thing would be to tell him to stay in at lunch and we can discuss it.
My ears are open now.
I am having some trouble with classroom management. I have yet to stumble upon my style of discipline, though I am seeing shades of it. I always went with honesty being the best policy, rather than punishment, but these current students are pushing me. I have a few ideas I still need to try. I am going to have some one-on-one talks with some students tomorrow. If that does not work I will be calling home.
I cannot continue to have this issue. I feel like the students' learning is suffering because of it. I spent a week on something that should have taken one, or two days max.
I have told myself if I need to be grumpy, I will be. Unfortunately, that is difficult being who I am. I hate being mean, but it looks as though I will have to be until I get respect from people. I am turned off to this age group. As of now, I would prefer to teach middle school students, or 11th/12th grade students.
Anyway, enough of the downside. I am liking the high school overall. My literacy placement is an ELD class that I like very much. This is my first time in an ELD class and it is great. The teacher is magnificent and kind and patient with the students. I am learning a lot about being a caring teacher from her. The students themselves are very respectful, overall. They usually all say good morning and bye, and most of them are willing to do the work. If I find a position as an English 11/12 & ELD 3-4 teacher when I graduate, I will be very happy.
I just checked my email a few minutes ago and read something interesting from my CT about an encounter she had with one of my students today. It was somewhat educational, somewhat sad, and somewhat inspiring. It makes me want to stick around for a bit.
Til next time.
January 11th began my semester long takeover. I am teaching the second semester of English 9. Monday was fine. We just did some introductory things, and passed out the syllabus. Tuesday wasn't as good but I dealt with it. Wednesday was unbearable as far as management, so on Thursday I talked with the class about it. I told them that I wasn't my CT and that I was not going to try to be like her. I told them that I will probably do things differently and that the sooner they understood that, the sooner we could enjoy the company of each other. Friday was good.
Tuesday was horrible. I could not control them and could not believe what I was hearing from them. Needless to say I left school pretty disappointed. Thursday, I brought my grumpy stick and decided to stop the class and call on individuals who were acting out. Friday was better.
That brings me to today. Today's class was not entirely bad. Apparently some kid aimed some profanity in my direction, but 1) since it was in Spanish and 2) I did not hear it, it hardly bugs me. I only know because one of my Spanish speaking students told me about it later. This truly does not bug me in the least. One reason being, because I don't understand it. He was obviously not brave enough to say it in English and let me hear it, so I know he did not mean it or it was not meant for me to hear. Another reason I do not really care is because if he needs to make himself sound cool in front of his friends by making an unwarranted insult in a language the target cannot understand, it only shows this student's weakness about confrontation and he still knows that saying that is wrong. If I heard it and/or understood it, two things would have happened. The first is calling him out on it saying something about how his unprovoked insult made him look so "cool". The second thing would be to tell him to stay in at lunch and we can discuss it.
My ears are open now.
I am having some trouble with classroom management. I have yet to stumble upon my style of discipline, though I am seeing shades of it. I always went with honesty being the best policy, rather than punishment, but these current students are pushing me. I have a few ideas I still need to try. I am going to have some one-on-one talks with some students tomorrow. If that does not work I will be calling home.
I cannot continue to have this issue. I feel like the students' learning is suffering because of it. I spent a week on something that should have taken one, or two days max.
I have told myself if I need to be grumpy, I will be. Unfortunately, that is difficult being who I am. I hate being mean, but it looks as though I will have to be until I get respect from people. I am turned off to this age group. As of now, I would prefer to teach middle school students, or 11th/12th grade students.
Anyway, enough of the downside. I am liking the high school overall. My literacy placement is an ELD class that I like very much. This is my first time in an ELD class and it is great. The teacher is magnificent and kind and patient with the students. I am learning a lot about being a caring teacher from her. The students themselves are very respectful, overall. They usually all say good morning and bye, and most of them are willing to do the work. If I find a position as an English 11/12 & ELD 3-4 teacher when I graduate, I will be very happy.
I just checked my email a few minutes ago and read something interesting from my CT about an encounter she had with one of my students today. It was somewhat educational, somewhat sad, and somewhat inspiring. It makes me want to stick around for a bit.
Til next time.
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