Tropical Storm Fay has arrived! I won't lie, I welcomed her!
A little rain, a little wind and.... a day off! Oh the glory!
Instead of waking up at 4:15am, I got to sleep in with my little Bug until 7:45. Do you know how marvelous that felt?
**Side note**What makes this day off better is the fact that I have a "severe sinus infection." I was just diagnosed with that last night. For those of you that live here in the area, there is a GREAT clinic in the Walmart in Yulee. They take Tricare, it's never busy, and you just walk in. I was done in 20 minutes. Awesome! The doctor told me that I should have been seen oh....last week!!!....but what can I say? I'm stubborn!
Anyway...so I've got this sinus infection. I've been sick for a week now. I figured I'd just caught on to the cold that Jeremy and Noah were hauling around. Nope. So having this day off is great because it gives me a wonderful chance to catch up on rest. And....I need to do work as well!!
So Fay, thank you for giving me the break I so desperately needed. Thank you for giving my students some joy in their day yesterday as well. It was hilarious watching them yesterday as I announced (in the middle of their writing workshop) "School will be canceled tomorrow" stand up and cheer "Yay!! We get to sleep in!!!" So much for writing, they were done for the day. It was fine, though. I was just as happy for them as I was for myself.
We finished class, I packed up my things and headed for home. We actually got to spend a nice night as a family. It's amazing what happens when you know that time is on your side. After filling up with odds and ends at the doctor, we headed down to Jacksonville. We laughed at ourselves as we were driving down into the darkness and rain at 5pm. "Thanks, Fay!" I said aloud as we made our way into the city. "What's that for?" My husband asked? "If it wasn't for Fay, we wouldn't be together...right here...right now." He smiled and agreed as he held my hand. Sure, we'd be together at home, but we'd be in our usual rush to get things ready for the next day. Hurry up and eat dinner, give Bug his bath, get things laid out for tomorrow. Are clothes ironed? Did the dogs get fed? Finish grading papers. Get to sleep at maybe 11 or midnight. Tonight we had a chance to slow down and enjoy the time we shared together. It was so nice. Actually, it was more than nice, it was perfect.
Sometimes we need these times that force us to slow down. Last week for me it was coming home to find the power was out. So Bug and I shared some special time playing together. No TV, no music, no nothing. Just the two of us and maybe a few books. For 90 minutes, time stood still. Sure, I could have taken the easy way out and left the house, but I didn't. I just enjoyed the time we had together. This week, it was taking a trip to Jacksonville during Tropical Storm Fay.
Thanks for the break, Fay, our whole family needed it. For you readers out there, I hope you get a break of your own soon!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
I'm Here, I'm Just...
....treading water.
I'll give you a visual. I'm swimming in a pool that's filled to the brim. The tricky part is, people on the outside of the pool keep dumping more buckets of water into it. So as I'm treading water, a bucketful gets splashed into the pool dousing me with water. For a few minutes, I can't breathe. I get myself composed for a little while, I'm cool with my surroundings again, and then another bucket of water comes.
That's how things feel these days.
I just can't get ahead. I just can't lift my head high enough above the water.
I committed a "cardinal sin" on Friday. I told a class of students that I was pretty confident that I'm a terrible teacher. Shoot. These days I'm feeling pretty terrible as a wife, mother, and teacher.
My students were awesome, though. They gave me just the boost I needed. They really are learning from me. Are they going to remember for years to come what the elements of a short story are? Or what Beowulf's name means? Probably not. But the life lessons I'm teaching them? Those things...they are remembering. My students are remembering discussions we've had about quotes I've posted. Political talks that have taken place. Things I've told them to get their days started on the right track. Those things mean the world to me.
Does it take away the feeling that I'm feeling so far behind and completely lost? No. But I'm glad I'm having an impact on them.
Now if I could just stop treading water.
I'll give you a visual. I'm swimming in a pool that's filled to the brim. The tricky part is, people on the outside of the pool keep dumping more buckets of water into it. So as I'm treading water, a bucketful gets splashed into the pool dousing me with water. For a few minutes, I can't breathe. I get myself composed for a little while, I'm cool with my surroundings again, and then another bucket of water comes.
That's how things feel these days.
I just can't get ahead. I just can't lift my head high enough above the water.
I committed a "cardinal sin" on Friday. I told a class of students that I was pretty confident that I'm a terrible teacher. Shoot. These days I'm feeling pretty terrible as a wife, mother, and teacher.
My students were awesome, though. They gave me just the boost I needed. They really are learning from me. Are they going to remember for years to come what the elements of a short story are? Or what Beowulf's name means? Probably not. But the life lessons I'm teaching them? Those things...they are remembering. My students are remembering discussions we've had about quotes I've posted. Political talks that have taken place. Things I've told them to get their days started on the right track. Those things mean the world to me.
Does it take away the feeling that I'm feeling so far behind and completely lost? No. But I'm glad I'm having an impact on them.
Now if I could just stop treading water.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Failures
I've spent the last few posts writing about teaching experiences, but tonight I want to write about how this recent endeavor has impacted the most important aspect of my life.
When I took this job, I never realized just how much it would change my life at home. Granted, I knew that I would have to adjust - heck, our whole time in the Navy has been about flexibility and learning to adjust - but this has just been completely different. I guess I thought that when you want something so badly, you just fall right into it. All the pieces and parts just come together. Everything fits. You don't have to work so hard - things just happen. Boy, was I wrong.
In the past week since I've started work we've: missed meals and baths, forgotten to brush teeth, missed out on story time, skipped meal time prayers, had frozen pancakes for dinner, and missed seeing Daddy before he left for work. Those are just the things I can think of! I'm sure there's more! Sadly, those are just the ones dealing with Bug. If I added in all the ones for my dear husband, the list would be even longer.
When I think about all these things, I start to see how much I've failed...and it's only been a week.
When I took this job, I never realized just how much it would change my life at home. Granted, I knew that I would have to adjust - heck, our whole time in the Navy has been about flexibility and learning to adjust - but this has just been completely different. I guess I thought that when you want something so badly, you just fall right into it. All the pieces and parts just come together. Everything fits. You don't have to work so hard - things just happen. Boy, was I wrong.
In the past week since I've started work we've: missed meals and baths, forgotten to brush teeth, missed out on story time, skipped meal time prayers, had frozen pancakes for dinner, and missed seeing Daddy before he left for work. Those are just the things I can think of! I'm sure there's more! Sadly, those are just the ones dealing with Bug. If I added in all the ones for my dear husband, the list would be even longer.
When I think about all these things, I start to see how much I've failed...and it's only been a week.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
You Know You're a First-Year Teacher When...
You Know You're a First-Year Teacher When...
(the BEFORE student edition)
- You find random furniture in sitting in front of your classroom each day after word got out that you were in desperate need of a few items.
- Other faculty members don't know your name quite yet so you just get called, "Miss."
- You tend to walk into work looking lost, so someone almost always asks, "Do you need any help this morning?"
- You yawn...a lot.
- When people ask how your lesson planning is going you start to laugh as you say, "Lesson plans? I don't have time for those yet!"
- When you attend yet another faculty meeting you find yourself asking the veterans sitting next to you, "So just what is this for?"
- When you come home and your family asks, "What's for dinner?" you try to make the all important decision between peanut butter and jelly or a run through the nearest fast food joint.
And finally...
- Sleep? What is sleep?
(the BEFORE student edition)
- You find random furniture in sitting in front of your classroom each day after word got out that you were in desperate need of a few items.
- Other faculty members don't know your name quite yet so you just get called, "Miss."
- You tend to walk into work looking lost, so someone almost always asks, "Do you need any help this morning?"
- You yawn...a lot.
- When people ask how your lesson planning is going you start to laugh as you say, "Lesson plans? I don't have time for those yet!"
- When you attend yet another faculty meeting you find yourself asking the veterans sitting next to you, "So just what is this for?"
- When you come home and your family asks, "What's for dinner?" you try to make the all important decision between peanut butter and jelly or a run through the nearest fast food joint.
And finally...
- Sleep? What is sleep?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The morning after
My mini presentation went well! Thank you for asking, Amanda! :)
I ended up following a guy who graduated from the high school a few years ago. He pointed out all the teachers who motivated him to become a teacher and was moved to tears. Tons of people were crying. Whew. It was a tough act to follow!
So....I said my little light blub quip and heard all sorts of "ooo's" and "ahh's." I had to chuckle. I sat down with my lead teacher in front of me only to have her turn her head right around and say something like, "Spoken like a true English teacher."
It was pretty neat, though. We have two gentlemen who have come to us from the professional world. They left multi-million dollar industries to teach children. What heart and passion they have. It's not about the money. Lord knows there's no money in teaching. It's about teaching kids. So many times we all think about what we'd do if we just had a little more money in our pockets...they had it and left it all behind to teach. That says something.
So many people have asked how I'm "feeling" about starting school on Friday. I will not lie. I am feeling a whole mess of emotions. I'm not sleeping well, and my clothes will show you that I haven't been eating all that much, but I am moved to tears at the thought of being able to stand up in front of my 9th, 10th, and 12th graders finally. I have waited for three years to get to this place, and now I'm here. There's so much I want to say, so much I want to do, so much I want to get excited about - they're going to think I'm crazy. But the overall goal is to get them excited about what we're working on. Get them to really think about what they're learning.
What am I "feeling" about Friday? I just wish it would get here.
I ended up following a guy who graduated from the high school a few years ago. He pointed out all the teachers who motivated him to become a teacher and was moved to tears. Tons of people were crying. Whew. It was a tough act to follow!
So....I said my little light blub quip and heard all sorts of "ooo's" and "ahh's." I had to chuckle. I sat down with my lead teacher in front of me only to have her turn her head right around and say something like, "Spoken like a true English teacher."
It was pretty neat, though. We have two gentlemen who have come to us from the professional world. They left multi-million dollar industries to teach children. What heart and passion they have. It's not about the money. Lord knows there's no money in teaching. It's about teaching kids. So many times we all think about what we'd do if we just had a little more money in our pockets...they had it and left it all behind to teach. That says something.
So many people have asked how I'm "feeling" about starting school on Friday. I will not lie. I am feeling a whole mess of emotions. I'm not sleeping well, and my clothes will show you that I haven't been eating all that much, but I am moved to tears at the thought of being able to stand up in front of my 9th, 10th, and 12th graders finally. I have waited for three years to get to this place, and now I'm here. There's so much I want to say, so much I want to do, so much I want to get excited about - they're going to think I'm crazy. But the overall goal is to get them excited about what we're working on. Get them to really think about what they're learning.
What am I "feeling" about Friday? I just wish it would get here.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
I am a _____ because....
Tomorrow morning I have to stand up in front of my new faculty-friends (250+) and answer the statement, "I am a teacher because...." It's sort of fitting that I'm answering this statement tomorrow of all days as tomorrow is my 26th birthday. No one there is going to know that since I'm the newbie and all, but for me, answering this statement on my birthday means that I'm coming full circle.
"I am a teacher because...."
One of the Assistant Principals (and also my Department Head) gave all the first-year teachers the task of answering this statement as a sort of kick-off to the year. She wants us to inspire the veteran teachers. Basically, remind them why they got into teaching in the first place. First-year teachers come into teaching with passion, excitement, and gusto. The kind of energy that makes a person feel like he/she can take on the world. The Assistant Principal wants us to remind all the veterans of that feeling. Passion....I've got that! That sort of passion to teach kids has been burning in me for YEARS. You can ask my husband and my best friend, Jennifer. They know. And I'm sure by now my friends around here know, too. It's in me. It's apparently so obvious that my bosses notice. Why? I'm the only first-year teacher with more than one class. Not only that. I'm the only teacher new to the school with more than one class. That's pressure. Why did they do that? As my Department Head told me, "I believe in you. You have passion." I guess I'll trust her judgment and leave it at that.
So why did I become a teacher?
Well, it certainly wasn't for the money or the fame! There are so many reasons, honestly. On Monday morning, though, I'm going to stand up in front of that large crowd, a nervous, passionate, excited, 26 year-old teacher and say,
"I am a teacher because...there's nothing better than watching a student have a 'light bulb moment,' and I want to be the one to flip the switch."
So now I'm going to pass my same task on to you. Why do you do what you do? And I want you to really think about it. Sure, you can always pass off stock answers, "I am a stay-at-home mom because I like watching my kids grow up." "I am a receptionist because I like helping people." But really...think, people!
Enjoy your Monday!!
"I am a teacher because...."
One of the Assistant Principals (and also my Department Head) gave all the first-year teachers the task of answering this statement as a sort of kick-off to the year. She wants us to inspire the veteran teachers. Basically, remind them why they got into teaching in the first place. First-year teachers come into teaching with passion, excitement, and gusto. The kind of energy that makes a person feel like he/she can take on the world. The Assistant Principal wants us to remind all the veterans of that feeling. Passion....I've got that! That sort of passion to teach kids has been burning in me for YEARS. You can ask my husband and my best friend, Jennifer. They know. And I'm sure by now my friends around here know, too. It's in me. It's apparently so obvious that my bosses notice. Why? I'm the only first-year teacher with more than one class. Not only that. I'm the only teacher new to the school with more than one class. That's pressure. Why did they do that? As my Department Head told me, "I believe in you. You have passion." I guess I'll trust her judgment and leave it at that.
So why did I become a teacher?
Well, it certainly wasn't for the money or the fame! There are so many reasons, honestly. On Monday morning, though, I'm going to stand up in front of that large crowd, a nervous, passionate, excited, 26 year-old teacher and say,
"I am a teacher because...there's nothing better than watching a student have a 'light bulb moment,' and I want to be the one to flip the switch."
So now I'm going to pass my same task on to you. Why do you do what you do? And I want you to really think about it. Sure, you can always pass off stock answers, "I am a stay-at-home mom because I like watching my kids grow up." "I am a receptionist because I like helping people." But really...think, people!
Enjoy your Monday!!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Bringing it Back!
The blog is back!
After some thoughtful consideration (and some kind words from a few of my readers), I've decided to bring back the blog.
This time around, though, it's going to be dedicated to my latest endeavor...teaching!
That's right. I'm now an English teacher at our local high school. I just started yesterday (Friday, 25th). This fall semester I will be teaching 12th grade British Literature, 10th grade Literature and Composition, and 9th grade Reading Support. In other words... A LOT for a first-year teacher!
I won't lie - I am completely nervous. At the same time, though, I'm excited as all heck! I don't know how in the world I'm going to balance being a full-time teacher and a full-time mom, but I WILL succeed at both.
This blog is going to be my record of all my upcoming adventures. You're welcome to join me for the ride. Just please know...this blog is NOT my classroom...grammar rules need not apply. ;)
After some thoughtful consideration (and some kind words from a few of my readers), I've decided to bring back the blog.
This time around, though, it's going to be dedicated to my latest endeavor...teaching!
That's right. I'm now an English teacher at our local high school. I just started yesterday (Friday, 25th). This fall semester I will be teaching 12th grade British Literature, 10th grade Literature and Composition, and 9th grade Reading Support. In other words... A LOT for a first-year teacher!
I won't lie - I am completely nervous. At the same time, though, I'm excited as all heck! I don't know how in the world I'm going to balance being a full-time teacher and a full-time mom, but I WILL succeed at both.
This blog is going to be my record of all my upcoming adventures. You're welcome to join me for the ride. Just please know...this blog is NOT my classroom...grammar rules need not apply. ;)
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