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September 15, 2006
First full week of school
I've chilled out at the house this evening. Pint of Black and Tan, finished off the hummus, the sketchy guacamole, and melted cheese with dipping bread. Obviously Derrick is not here this evening. I have the music blaring, Law and Order is on with subtitles, and I'm watching 80's videos on Youtube. I am exhausted. I am happy.
I feel so glad to be back in the classroom.
Things to bitch about: Still not having a complete set of keys. That's really about it. We can blame that on the custodians.
Things to rave about:
My feeling of pure pleasure over the last days watching my new kids connect to math. It isn't perfect, and numerous kids have serious deficits, but a large chunk of the kids CARE about their educations. Why? Because their parents care, the administration cares, and the teachers care. My school had a Saturday meeting for parents, and more than 2/3 of the parents showed. That is 90% of the battle.
This administration works at 110%, and they make sure that their work is effective. I've seen so many administrators spin their wheels, so it is nice to see administration with passion and clear goals. They spent a ton of time making sure that all teachers can regularly meet as departments, as grade levels, and as a whole group. They also helped instill the importance of this to the teachers. Their meetings are productive, their instructions are clear, and they don't fuss too much.
My own teaching feels so good. I've come a long way since that novice years ago. I know how to help kids make sense of math and take charge of their own learning. Because of my training from last year, I can help the new teachers, but unlike last year, I can show them by having them look at me teaching in a classroom. I feel so much more secure, walking around the room, working with individual students, knowing strategies that only develop over time. It is far from perfect, but for the first time in a long time, I feel really good about being a teacher.
Now I'm going back to finding weird things in the fridge that Derrick never lets me eat.
Posted by G at September 15, 2006 07:51 PM
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Comments
Your school has what our school totally lacks; parent-teacher interaction. The only time parents come to school to meet up w/ faculty members, they usually only complain about why their children are failing (in which the student lies about how bad the teacher is) or just to fix the lights in the football field. How do we get parents to be more involved in what's happenin' in our school? I mean, it's obvious they don't care how their kids dress b/c the students always come to school w/ inappropriate clothing, get caught 'n' are forced to either change into their PE clothes or wait in the Principal's office until their 'rents come to give 'em appropriate clothes 'n' THEN complain about why they weren't informed about the dress code. WHADDOWEDO?!?!
Posted by: Doug at September 15, 2006 09:39 PM
Oh yeah, I remember I've had my share of Black and Tan 'n' actually went online to find the history of it. Don't ask why, I was tipsy.
http://www.beerappreciation.com/history.htm
What's up w/ you 'n' eatin'/drinkin' things that are already expired?
Posted by: Doug at September 15, 2006 10:58 PM
It's so easy to hear the excitement and glee in the text, if I didn't know better, I'd imagine you jumping up and down. It all sounds so promising.
You'd think Derrick would allow your indulgences, crafting as you are, young minds; people who can add and subtract without a cash register seem rare these days.
Posted by: copperred at September 15, 2006 11:18 PM
He does allow my indulgences; he just hates to see me eating semi-rotted food. Occasionally he will go out with his friends, knowing I'll leap into the kitchen like a dog into the garbage.
Posted by: glenn at September 16, 2006 10:19 AM
did you know that 93.2% of statistics are made up on the spot?
congrats on the renewed hope....you deserve it!
Posted by: Brian Nesbitt at September 16, 2006 12:55 PM
That's great that you had a solid week back! Having students who want to learn makes life so much easier. No more having to secretly crush up Ritalin into your students' milk.
Posted by: GayProf at September 16, 2006 03:44 PM
Well, that was quite a feel-good post. Thanks for a good read! ;-)
Posted by: PatCH at September 16, 2006 04:59 PM
Great post! Sounds like a great start...!
Have a great year!
Cheers,
Mr. H.K.
Postcards from Hell's
Kitchen
And I Quote Blog
Posted by: Mr. HK at September 17, 2006 02:01 PM
I am so glad that you found a place where you can be successful. It is so important to work at place with great support systems, where where your skills as a teacher can shine thru... I am happy fo you.
Isn't great when you are surrounded by smart people who work as hard as you do?
M
Posted by: Mohammed Aminyar at September 19, 2006 10:16 PM
Yippee! Glad to hear you're stoked about school. Great news, cowboy!
Posted by: just call me jeff at September 20, 2006 12:14 PM
Glad you're having such a good start to the year. It really sounds like a good school to be in.
Posted by: Thom at September 20, 2006 04:31 PM
"Subtitles" in, what... español? Surely you meant captions.
Posted by: Joe Clark at September 22, 2006 07:45 PM
I'm pleased for you. It's always nice to find a happy place.
Posted by: Randy McDonald at September 23, 2006 04:34 PM