Much to my surprise I ended the year upbeat and more excited about next year than I have ever been! The school I work at opened their arms to me the first day and haven't let go since. I am relieved that they are kind and wanting to improve their teaching for the students. ALL OF THEM!
This is a rare find. Having come from many different district and schools my observations have been that about 10% of the teachers are there for a paycheck until retirement. They choose to not interest the students and help them grow. They fall into the same routine and curriculum with no updates each year.
As all technology gets updated so should our teaching. I encourage those who have fallen into the same old, same old routine to seek out something new and try it. If it doesn't work then fine but keep trying something new. One thing a month, a week, or a day you choose.
This year marked my 11th year teaching. It was the first I was able to teach general education. I enjoyed it but found my weaknesses blaring out at me each day. Having never really taught a class of over 15 students I was overwhelmed with 33! Even 25 students in one of my classes was hard to manage. But, I tried one new thing a month in classroom management. I found some times it didn't work but I moved on. I adjusted what didn't and focused on what did.
As they year came to a close I grew excited about my prospects for next year. Big changes for my new students but back to something familiar for me. Challenges will be presented and students will rise to meet them. Perhaps because I will help them along the way. Perhaps because I won't be willing to put them on an island and say "Stay there, you are different, you are only going to do this and not that."
From my first years of teaching I always looked at my special education students as those who are able to accomplish much more than we give them credit for. I want to push them to their limits and then expand what they do know. The brain is mysterious and complex and is able of much more than we know. I hope to encourage, challenge, and help my students gain new skills and confidence to try something new and exciting.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
A New Opportunity...
Again this year I look at the options for the next school year. Being a temporary employee at a school for the last few years I am used to the change every year. This year is a bit different due to the opportunity to possibly stay in within the same district. It is unfortunate that I will not be able to stay in the same position. I think the superintendent had me in mind for the position that he said might be available when he hired me last August.
Oh well... back to special education I go. So a little background might be in order. I have been teaching special education for the last 10 years! I can't believe it... Although, I got a bit of a reprieve this year by being able to teach regular education English and History. It has been a challenge though learning how to manage 30 students rather than 10. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I love working with the team of teachers and will miss some of those interactions next year. I will be on the same campus but a world away.
I look forward to having a job in the field that I know I am capable of doing with ease.
Oh well... back to special education I go. So a little background might be in order. I have been teaching special education for the last 10 years! I can't believe it... Although, I got a bit of a reprieve this year by being able to teach regular education English and History. It has been a challenge though learning how to manage 30 students rather than 10. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I love working with the team of teachers and will miss some of those interactions next year. I will be on the same campus but a world away.
I look forward to having a job in the field that I know I am capable of doing with ease.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Too Long...
It has been too long since the last time I wrote. I had a wonderful plan and then life happened. :) OH well, back on track. Spring break was this week and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I haven't done much... I got the laundry done at least! Oh and I bought a new car! My first new car ever!!!
The history of my car life has been filled with wonderfully used cars. My first car was a Chevy Citation. It was a shade of brown that was no longer shiny. His nickname was Cockroach. 1987 was a good year for the little 4 door car. I bought it from my aunt for $500. In high school we all had used cars or borrowed cars. I learned to drive a stick shift because of that car. (Which my husband is thankful that I know how. :) The unfortunate transmission decided to die and I was no longer able to drive it long distances. After getting it fixed I sold the poor thing to my cousin for $100. He amazingly got $1000 from insurance when a lady rear ended him in it.
My next car was given to me by my parents. My first hand-me down car a lovely Mercury Sable. This car was silver. I had it the first year or so of college in 1996-1997. It died one summer night when a drunk driver crashed into it while it was parked. It was a good buddy for the short time I had it.
Number three happened to be a nice upgrade and a zippy little 2-door light blue Nissan Sentra. She was great! I zipped around Redding to and from Livermore frequently as a college student does. At one time I had 5 college students squeezed into it for a driving scavenger hunt! A college friend of mine BJ decided it would be a good idea to pop the gears into park or neutral as I was driving frequently almost killing my little Sentra.
A 1997 4- door white Chevy Blazer was my graduation from college present. It had been a work vehicle for my dad. He was able to buy it off of the company when they changed over the vehicles. My blazer spent a week floating in the pacific ocean on its way to Hawaii for a year and then came home with me. It drove to Pinetrees beach which is a secluded locals only spot for camping and surfing. It went around the big island without any problems. It was a sweet ride that served as a tent twice when camping on Pinetrees beach.
Next up was a Ruby Peal Toyota Avalon. My mom's second hand-me down. I got this when I returned from Hawaii. I sold the Blazer to a different cousin due to the fact that the Avalon had much better gas mileage for driving around the Bay Area. The Avalon lasted me up until two weeks ago. She decided one Sunday evening to start shaking after I had started her up and began to drive her. Derrik checked her out and found that the compression in one of the valves was gone. :( She will be on her way soon...
After having a wonderful chauffeur for the week before spring break we began the hunt for a new car. Last Saturday after much research we went to test drive some cars. Many phone calls back and forth with my parents I was finally able to secure a new 2014 Chevy Equinox. In my 36 years this is my first brand new car. I still can't believe that the vehicle sitting in my driveway is mine! It's like a rental or a borrowed car. I suppose it will take some getting used to having a new car. I'm excited about driving everywhere!
See you on the road!
The history of my car life has been filled with wonderfully used cars. My first car was a Chevy Citation. It was a shade of brown that was no longer shiny. His nickname was Cockroach. 1987 was a good year for the little 4 door car. I bought it from my aunt for $500. In high school we all had used cars or borrowed cars. I learned to drive a stick shift because of that car. (Which my husband is thankful that I know how. :) The unfortunate transmission decided to die and I was no longer able to drive it long distances. After getting it fixed I sold the poor thing to my cousin for $100. He amazingly got $1000 from insurance when a lady rear ended him in it.
My next car was given to me by my parents. My first hand-me down car a lovely Mercury Sable. This car was silver. I had it the first year or so of college in 1996-1997. It died one summer night when a drunk driver crashed into it while it was parked. It was a good buddy for the short time I had it.
Number three happened to be a nice upgrade and a zippy little 2-door light blue Nissan Sentra. She was great! I zipped around Redding to and from Livermore frequently as a college student does. At one time I had 5 college students squeezed into it for a driving scavenger hunt! A college friend of mine BJ decided it would be a good idea to pop the gears into park or neutral as I was driving frequently almost killing my little Sentra.
A 1997 4- door white Chevy Blazer was my graduation from college present. It had been a work vehicle for my dad. He was able to buy it off of the company when they changed over the vehicles. My blazer spent a week floating in the pacific ocean on its way to Hawaii for a year and then came home with me. It drove to Pinetrees beach which is a secluded locals only spot for camping and surfing. It went around the big island without any problems. It was a sweet ride that served as a tent twice when camping on Pinetrees beach.
Next up was a Ruby Peal Toyota Avalon. My mom's second hand-me down. I got this when I returned from Hawaii. I sold the Blazer to a different cousin due to the fact that the Avalon had much better gas mileage for driving around the Bay Area. The Avalon lasted me up until two weeks ago. She decided one Sunday evening to start shaking after I had started her up and began to drive her. Derrik checked her out and found that the compression in one of the valves was gone. :( She will be on her way soon...
After having a wonderful chauffeur for the week before spring break we began the hunt for a new car. Last Saturday after much research we went to test drive some cars. Many phone calls back and forth with my parents I was finally able to secure a new 2014 Chevy Equinox. In my 36 years this is my first brand new car. I still can't believe that the vehicle sitting in my driveway is mine! It's like a rental or a borrowed car. I suppose it will take some getting used to having a new car. I'm excited about driving everywhere!
See you on the road!
Saturday, January 18, 2014
In The Beginning...
I was so good about blogging in the beginning... Here it is months later... I ignore the blog startup page every day... NOT ANYMORE... I must write. I must keep prodding on.
My journey of health has been better than this time last year. After moving, beginning a new job, and settling in in a house, I am able to say that I have lost 20 pounds! Without doing much other than cut back on what I eat... oh wait... my stress level is now very little which makes for much better results and a much happier heart.
I did have a little trouble with my back but my chiropractor put that back in place. I now only have occasional numbness on the bottoms of my feet. :) I have a pinched sciatic nerve in my lower back. I feel much better knowing that I can go in to a chiropractor and have him snap, crack, and pop my back and neck into their original positions.
Off I go to get ready for a scrapbooking afternoon of fun at my place today. I can't wait to see my mom and my aunt as they join me in creativity today.
My journey of health has been better than this time last year. After moving, beginning a new job, and settling in in a house, I am able to say that I have lost 20 pounds! Without doing much other than cut back on what I eat... oh wait... my stress level is now very little which makes for much better results and a much happier heart.
I did have a little trouble with my back but my chiropractor put that back in place. I now only have occasional numbness on the bottoms of my feet. :) I have a pinched sciatic nerve in my lower back. I feel much better knowing that I can go in to a chiropractor and have him snap, crack, and pop my back and neck into their original positions.
Off I go to get ready for a scrapbooking afternoon of fun at my place today. I can't wait to see my mom and my aunt as they join me in creativity today.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Rainy Day Bliss...
It started raining today. My favorite weather. I suppose because I get all melancholy and such... The cool crisp air, the scent of the rain on concrete, and a hot cup of orange tea makes my day.
This year so far I am enjoying the few moments I get to sit and breathe without interruption. I know in the future those moments will be few and far between. I treasure the time right now that I have before my life gets into too much of routine that I forget to stop and smell the roses so to say.
Life has been better here where we moved to. The northern part of California tends to move at a slower and less stressful pace. It took some getting used to again for me to slow down. Here I sit during one of those times... The laundry is done... granted not put away yet ;-) But it is finished and I am able to relax for a few minutes before I have the next project to move on to.
The house we have been living in has been partially under construction. We are painting, replacing, and fixing different things around the place. Paint is on most of the walls and now that the rain is here we have to get a few more things fixed before we are able to fully move in all the furniture and unpack all the boxes. I really dislike living out of boxes.
This year so far I am enjoying the few moments I get to sit and breathe without interruption. I know in the future those moments will be few and far between. I treasure the time right now that I have before my life gets into too much of routine that I forget to stop and smell the roses so to say.
Life has been better here where we moved to. The northern part of California tends to move at a slower and less stressful pace. It took some getting used to again for me to slow down. Here I sit during one of those times... The laundry is done... granted not put away yet ;-) But it is finished and I am able to relax for a few minutes before I have the next project to move on to.
The house we have been living in has been partially under construction. We are painting, replacing, and fixing different things around the place. Paint is on most of the walls and now that the rain is here we have to get a few more things fixed before we are able to fully move in all the furniture and unpack all the boxes. I really dislike living out of boxes.
Friday, September 13, 2013
The 36th year...
Today marks my 36th year on this earth... Yes, my birthday is today. And how do I feel now that I am 36, you ask? Hmmm.... a bit like I did yesterday. I feel much loved and cherished. It is the first time I have ever had a student give me a birthday present... (a bag of gummi worms and gummi bears) :) Two of my classes sang Happy Birthday to me and the same student who got me the candy also bought the class mini cupcakes. :) I feel loved! Never before have I had such caring students. What a difference a few hundred miles makes.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Lier, lier, pants on fire...
One of my students decided to lie about his reading score. We do Accelerated Reader and he took the tests all last year and this year. He knew that he wouldn't have to read as much if he scored lower.
Little ole me, a former special education teacher, noticed that he scored higher last year than this year. I did a little investigation and 'Oh my!' I found that he got a really high score last year (not a fluke). He also scored a full grade and a half lower than his last score in May of last year. Hmmmmm... suddenly I saw a red flag.
When I alerted his mother she asked him about his reading skills. He said he "doesn't like to read, not he doesn't know how to read..." He admitted to his mom that he faked his scores last year and already this year. Tomorrow, the poor little fellow will re-take his reading test a third time this year. Since, he knowingly blew it this year twice. I think some consequences will happen...
Little ole me, a former special education teacher, noticed that he scored higher last year than this year. I did a little investigation and 'Oh my!' I found that he got a really high score last year (not a fluke). He also scored a full grade and a half lower than his last score in May of last year. Hmmmmm... suddenly I saw a red flag.
When I alerted his mother she asked him about his reading skills. He said he "doesn't like to read, not he doesn't know how to read..." He admitted to his mom that he faked his scores last year and already this year. Tomorrow, the poor little fellow will re-take his reading test a third time this year. Since, he knowingly blew it this year twice. I think some consequences will happen...
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