Ok...so it's only Sunday morning; however, the Sunday night blues are sneaking in early this week. My confidence is still a bit shaken from "the Friday from hell" which is what the end of last week will be known as from now on.
My answer was to settle in for the weekend with movies such as Stand and Deliver, Freedom Writers, and Dangerous Minds in hopes that I would become re-inspired, re-energized, and confident before I headed back on Monday.
It worked a little. I've regained a sense of hope that next week could be better. In addition we will be revisiting some classroom procedures. I've also decided that they will no longer have time to work on homework in class and I'm going to be calling home like a maniac. These kids are out of control and it needs to stop.
Goals this week:
1. Be in bed by 9pm every night this week
2. Present rules, consequences, and rewards in class this week
3. Hope that my next review will not state "loose classroom management that did not improve later in the day"
On another note...Michigan beat Notre Dame today! Woot! That made my weekend as well as spending quality time with an old college friend who helped to lift me out of my grading burden as well.
I don't want to live this year surviving day by day...but the more I google tips on first year teaching all I find are "survival tips" "stress reduction" and "work life balance" articles. Almost everything talks about surviving the first year so that you don't quit the profession...at least I'm not alone in feeling a bit distressed.
It has to beg the question...what the hell is wrong with kids these days...or more accurately the adults that are failing to raise them properly.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Learning...
I'm convinced during the first year of teaching the teacher is learning more then the students.
The third week of school is coming to a close and I think I'm finally learning how to manage things a bit better. Today I would say 3 out of 4 classes went well...and I really question how accountable I can be held during my last hour. I have no special education training so I just don't feel nearly as bad when lessons go a bit awry.
Things I learned today:
1) The teacher who had her students stand in a straight line in a hall before letting them is not crazy. She is a genius. If I let my kids have two minutes to chill in the beginning of class my life is a nightmare. We stand in a line now.
2) It is possible to ask your superior what to do about kid x and get the response "I'll call the parents to check on meds" three times in one day...how medicated is this generation
3) Conversations like this will happen:
Me: "Are they always this loud?"
Other staff: "Yes"
Me: "Do they get more quiet as they mature?"
Other staff: "No, this is the hood. You're not from the hood are you? It's loud." hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha
p.s. My new nickname by my female students "Ralph Lauren"...at least I know they look at me sometime during the hour.
The third week of school is coming to a close and I think I'm finally learning how to manage things a bit better. Today I would say 3 out of 4 classes went well...and I really question how accountable I can be held during my last hour. I have no special education training so I just don't feel nearly as bad when lessons go a bit awry.
Things I learned today:
1) The teacher who had her students stand in a straight line in a hall before letting them is not crazy. She is a genius. If I let my kids have two minutes to chill in the beginning of class my life is a nightmare. We stand in a line now.
2) It is possible to ask your superior what to do about kid x and get the response "I'll call the parents to check on meds" three times in one day...how medicated is this generation
3) Conversations like this will happen:
Me: "Are they always this loud?"
Other staff: "Yes"
Me: "Do they get more quiet as they mature?"
Other staff: "No, this is the hood. You're not from the hood are you? It's loud." hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha
p.s. My new nickname by my female students "Ralph Lauren"...at least I know they look at me sometime during the hour.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Irritation of the day...
I understand that the U.S. does not have an official language. However, there are a lot of rules that aren't actually written that American's follow...i.e. how far away you stand at the ATM, elevator behavior, and traffic habits.
HOWEVER...if I need to run to the bank and deposit a check it should not take me 30 minutes because all four people in front of me cannot speak English and need to play charades with the teller.
Honestly, I don't care what you speak in your home or among your acquaintances, preserve your culture all you want, but you are interfering with my business with your lack of language skills in public settings.
So annoying.
rant over.
HOWEVER...if I need to run to the bank and deposit a check it should not take me 30 minutes because all four people in front of me cannot speak English and need to play charades with the teller.
Honestly, I don't care what you speak in your home or among your acquaintances, preserve your culture all you want, but you are interfering with my business with your lack of language skills in public settings.
So annoying.
rant over.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
A girl's got to eat...
I've come the realization that I have a severely limited repertoire of meals that I can cook. My first week here I ate a lot of variations of eggs. sick. In light of that I am going to try and spend each Sunday creating a weekly dinner. Hopefully, this will guide my grocery shopping as well and avoid the blank stare into the fridge that leads to another egg entree.
The inaugural list:
Sunday Aug. 16: Chicken and orzo with orange peppers and onions
Monday Aug. 17: Spaghetti with marina sauce
Tuesday Aug. 18: Leftover Jambalaya
Wednesday Aug. 19: chicken fajitas
Thursday Aug. 20: Linguini in pesto sauce with cherry tomatoes
Friday Aug 21: going to the ball game microwave meal :0)
Saturday Aug 22: Chef salad
Here's to expanding my horizons!
The inaugural list:
Sunday Aug. 16: Chicken and orzo with orange peppers and onions
Monday Aug. 17: Spaghetti with marina sauce
Tuesday Aug. 18: Leftover Jambalaya
Wednesday Aug. 19: chicken fajitas
Thursday Aug. 20: Linguini in pesto sauce with cherry tomatoes
Friday Aug 21: going to the ball game microwave meal :0)
Saturday Aug 22: Chef salad
Here's to expanding my horizons!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The First day...
Today was my first official day of big girl work. Woot!
This week is pretty chill...I have a 10 minute-ish commute to a science center and then we have new teacher professional development from 8 to 4. A bit long...and it may be interesting when it comes to the curriculum. I'm having a really hard time picturing if we even to get to lesson plan or create our own classes. It seems as though things are really planned and scripted. I'm sure there will be more to come on that.
On the plus side there seem to be plenty of people my age. Including one girl who will be working in the same school as I am. Hopefully we'll be able to have some fun times in the city.
As for the apartment...it still needs some work, but my Dad and Uncle were of AMAZING assistance. They fixed things I didn't even know were broken..lol. Not to mention fully equipping me with the basic but annoying to spend money on things like mops, dish racks, and shower curtains. We had some good times eating out and drinking beer while eating pizza surrounded by boxes. They may also have bribed the cable man so that I can watch television from my bedroom. Which is a little bit hilarious. Here are some pics of the new place:
A view from the porch:
The kitchen
Tomorrow I plan to adventure towards the pool and squeeze in a run. Time to start owning this town, right?
This week is pretty chill...I have a 10 minute-ish commute to a science center and then we have new teacher professional development from 8 to 4. A bit long...and it may be interesting when it comes to the curriculum. I'm having a really hard time picturing if we even to get to lesson plan or create our own classes. It seems as though things are really planned and scripted. I'm sure there will be more to come on that.
On the plus side there seem to be plenty of people my age. Including one girl who will be working in the same school as I am. Hopefully we'll be able to have some fun times in the city.
As for the apartment...it still needs some work, but my Dad and Uncle were of AMAZING assistance. They fixed things I didn't even know were broken..lol. Not to mention fully equipping me with the basic but annoying to spend money on things like mops, dish racks, and shower curtains. We had some good times eating out and drinking beer while eating pizza surrounded by boxes. They may also have bribed the cable man so that I can watch television from my bedroom. Which is a little bit hilarious. Here are some pics of the new place:
A view from the porch:
The kitchen
Tomorrow I plan to adventure towards the pool and squeeze in a run. Time to start owning this town, right?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Family
A speaker at church mentioned Ozzy and Harriet as an example of American parents. Upon noticing the blank stares coming from the audience and noting he had just "aged himself" he asked: "What would be a couple nowadays?". Someone was quick to mention Jon and Kate. Gross.
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was a sitcom based on the real-life Nelson family which epitomized 1950's family life and the nuclear family. The ideal family propagated by the media included a hard-working father of integrity who honored his wife and who helped guide his sons through the difficulty of adolescents. While I understand that this is far more ideal then real-life I simply want to point out that the prominent picture of American family life shown in the media was actually what the Bible intended. Love, leadership, and a commitment to integrity and doing the right thing.
Jon and Kate we're married when they were in their mid-20's, college educated and financially stable. However, if one were to watch the show (and trust me...I love this show...those kids are precious) they would see a nagging wife and a passive husband. There was little teamwork witnessed between the couple. Now after only about a decade of marriage they are getting a divorce. There are now 8 children under 10 who live in a broken home. Jon already has a new girlfriend (who is only 22 by the way) and a NYC apartment a state apart from his 8 children. The divorce also came after months of speculation of both Jon and Kate's infidelity. This was the couple that came to mind for what American family's are...sick.
Is there any hope for our generation?
This weekend I got to stand in my best friend's wedding. The man she is marrying (Seth) comes from a beautiful family. The reason for this is so evidently their devotion to God and submission to the way God designed families. The were constantly serving each other and it was so clear that Seth's father played an integral role in leading their family and did it through seeking God. His mother and father were affectionate and it was clear that their children looked to them as a model of relationships. Seeing this family and understanding why they were the way there were gave me hope for our generation.
That hope comes from Christ. Yes, American families are broken mainly because people are broken. If we turn to Christ to cover this brokenness and seek His will in our life I think marriages and families still have a place in this world.
Someone asked once asked me "Why would you want to wake up next to the same person everyday for the rest of your life?" They thought the idea of marriage was trapping and limiting. I beg to differ. I found this writing in my journal...and I have no idea where it came from...I think it was a random forward sometime but I think this sums it up:
"Why? Because when you say I do it’s a vow that means forever. Because marriage is honored by God, created by God, and is a beautiful union between two people that love each other with genuine love. Why would I want to wake up to that person every day? Because I wouldn't be able to live without his smile. Because I don't think I could go on without his encouragement. Because his character makes me sit back in awe. Because I would forget how to laugh without his humor. Because his patience is as deep and wide as the sea. Because when I'm in the room I'm the only one he is looking at. Because he loves to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Because he loves children and they love him. Because he has a superman complex and wants to save the world. Because he is a servant of others and shares the love of Christ. Because his eyes say more then his mouth. Because his laugh is the best sound in the world. I could go on but I'll end with this--because love lasts forever. So as long as I am living, that would be why I want to wake up to him everyday for the rest of my life till the day I die. Because as the Bible says "Now abides these three: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love"
I think that is a picture of what it's meant to be...nothing about looks, money, sex, or similar hobbies. All about character, God, and love. I pray my generation would be full of people willing to step up and live a life devoted to God that gives hope to the idea of family.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Post-MAC life...
I'm on summer vacation! For the first time since summer 2007...and that was no summer of relaxation. Its been 1 month since I've been enjoying this miracle cultivated by no-longer active farm schedules...but I'm still so grateful!
What do you do with yourself after a year of 20 hour days?
1. Sleep. I'm averaging at least nine hours a night...sometimes 11. I was averaging 5 to 6. It is amazing to me the cognitive abilities and emotional stability that has returned to me.
2. Clean. Before summer it was actually safer to put shoes ON when entering my apartment. The floor was that disgusting. Now the dishes are done, you can see flat surfaces, and the carpet no longer initiates my gag reflex.
3. Cook. I forgot that you can be creative and have fun in the kitchen. Food for the past year has been lean cuisine and whatever I can shove in my mouth fast enough to make it to class on time. I've rediscovered meat and fresh vegetables. Mmmmmm...
4. Play. Soccer has re-entered my life as well as the Tour de France, ESPN, and whatever various sports possibilities pop up. I've actually run 4 out of 7 times this week. My mind and body are both happy...so are my pants.
5. Nothing. No, I haven't run out of a topic for number 5. I have, however, been able to enjoy moments in which I have nothing I need to do...no grading, no papers, no chores. I have seen sunsets, had wine with friends, and been at the lake with my family. None of these things has increased my productivity, but all of them have recovered my sanity.
t-minus 27 days until I depart for the real-world.
What do you do with yourself after a year of 20 hour days?
1. Sleep. I'm averaging at least nine hours a night...sometimes 11. I was averaging 5 to 6. It is amazing to me the cognitive abilities and emotional stability that has returned to me.
2. Clean. Before summer it was actually safer to put shoes ON when entering my apartment. The floor was that disgusting. Now the dishes are done, you can see flat surfaces, and the carpet no longer initiates my gag reflex.
3. Cook. I forgot that you can be creative and have fun in the kitchen. Food for the past year has been lean cuisine and whatever I can shove in my mouth fast enough to make it to class on time. I've rediscovered meat and fresh vegetables. Mmmmmm...
4. Play. Soccer has re-entered my life as well as the Tour de France, ESPN, and whatever various sports possibilities pop up. I've actually run 4 out of 7 times this week. My mind and body are both happy...so are my pants.
5. Nothing. No, I haven't run out of a topic for number 5. I have, however, been able to enjoy moments in which I have nothing I need to do...no grading, no papers, no chores. I have seen sunsets, had wine with friends, and been at the lake with my family. None of these things has increased my productivity, but all of them have recovered my sanity.
t-minus 27 days until I depart for the real-world.
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