A friend and I have just instituted MONDAY happy hour as a "thing." It makes Monday that much less sucky as the year winds down and the kids lose their minds almost as much as we do.

Yahoo for BK!

We are not nearly as close. I don't count down until the very end of the year. I refuse to believe I am running out of time. So much left to teach!

I think girlikeu2 has the right idea for tackling Mondays! :wine:

I am late getting my kid to bed as we were doing homework. Tired mommy. For a teachers kids she sure does miss the homework deadline sometimes. Sigh...

You know what? Don't sweat it the homework deadlines. Ya win some, ya lose some. Spawn (my daughter) is in 3rd grade and I have given up the illusion that her mother is any less addled than any other kid's mother. OOPS when I forget to sign the agenda or check the spelling, math, and science homework of the day.

I have to say that being a parent makes me a MUCH better teacher because I GET how "stuff happens" is a valid explanation sometimes. I also think that "it just wasn't worth the melt down (hers or mine)" should be a valid excuse every so often.

Sign me

Underachiever but darn it all I am not dying of a stroke from 3rd grade stress.

Personally I am all for a critical look at the function of homework.

And I agree, being a parent, has made me a better teacher. :)

Congrats on surviving and thriving BK! I am a little jealous of you having the moment of verklempt chokinguppedness - I haven't had that since 2009 when I left the school I loved to move and cried like a big baby while hugging my old principal. Good news is that one of my former students and her mom are planning to come visit me in Key West the weekend after school is out!

And I am voting for Sanibel --- generally they don't lose power and end up floating in the middle of the ocean for days waiting for Coast Guard rescue ;)

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BK has earned the adult specialty beverage break and the chance to wear jeans!

:) You made it!

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The end of another school year is beginning. We have 2.5 short weeks left to enjoy, celebrate and grow some more. At the end of the year I am leaving a building I don't like working in but some fabulous students. I've made some work and personal friends, learned so much and witnessed the blossoming of fantastic learners. Sure the "leaders" or administration of the building has frustrated me endlessly. Luckily the kids way out number the grown ups!

I can't stop smiling when I look at the 2nd graders and their grace. The determination, comfort and inquisitiveness is inspiring.

It's over. Thank god. Mounds of paperwork AND we had to pack up our classrooms because we are moving to another site (nearby). Our registrar walked off the job about a month before the end and had been screwing up before, so the paperwork was a bigger nightmare than I gather it typically is. It truly was a nightmare.

The blessing was we had a full week to do all this after the last class. I have never taught anywhere that gave you that. But we have extra paperwork because of the nature of the work, so that's why.

It was a hard year, but a good one. Lots of successes. One heartbreaking loss.

I got recognized at the end of the year for my work with a group of students. It was during an alt ed meeting where others were being recognized too. But it felt good. I happened to sit beside my boss at the retirement lunch for a couple of staff members the next day, and she told me how pleased she was with my work. She had already given me the best evaluation I have ever gotten.

And I like her too. She was pro-active a couple of times when my students weren't getting services that they are entitled too. That's rare in an administrator. And I like the teachers I work with. I think the job is a keeper. I am just not in love with where I live, but there are summers and breaks. And I might end up moving to the coast and commuting. I am still debating it. I don't know. Someone in my chosen family just had a baby. And being near where the baby is (which is also near work) appeals.

Anyway, wow. WOW. There is no minimizing how tough the end of the year is, is there? You work hard all year, but you forget how hard you actually CAN work until June approaches.

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I am constantly learning from them....

Quick introduction
 

Hi I'm Pink. I've drifted on and off this board (and the older b-f site) over the years. I know a few site members in real life. I work in education and thought I'd make a brief introduction.

I do educational testing with private clients and curriculum development. I also serve on the NAGC GLBTQ Special Interest Group and moderate an online support group for parents with gifted lgbtq kids who are in the midst of coming out. I live in Maryland.

I never knew this board existed in my previous romps through BFP, but I'm glad I found it today.

Welcome Pink. I love this thread...we have many wonderful/creative/supportive/knowledgable educators on the planet!
I have personally found encouragement and support here .... but especially this past year!
Again - welcome - share, ask, explore, laugh, cry....

Thinking my students may think this before algebra exams....
 

Thank you for the kind welcome, BK.

I'll share a gripe, if you don't mind. I had a test client send an email today canceling her appointment for tomorrow morning. She did "research" on the GORT and CTOPP and decided they aren't "appropriate" to help determine if her almost 6yo may have a reading disability. Ummm, okay,

Self-employment makes me go "grrrrr" sometimes with what people say. But, then I remind myself that it's often better when something like this happens because clients like that are usually very demanding and are not happy unless you give the diagnosis that they are asking for.

Anyhow, I hope you and everyone else had a relaxing weekend.

Good Morning! Welcome Pink! Sounds like you have an interesting job. This is a great thread for sharing triumphs and struggles.

I've taught for 14 years. All in elementary special education. Next year is a big transition for me. I'll be moving to 2nd grade. I am super excited and a wee bit scared. I've been a dual endorsed teacher all this time and finally I am making a break from special education. It was past time.

The last 2 years I've really enjoyed the students I am worked with but found the job of being a "case manager" and "special education team member" to be frustrating. This was compounded by working in a school with a wacky vice principal (who is the sped supervisor) and not real assertive principal. Turns out their leadership (lack of) was just the final straw to get me motivated to finally leave. I've been a bit crispy burnt out on sped for a while. I love to teach though. So the classroom is where I am headed.

The transition to 2nd grade is coupled with a big life move. My partner, daughter and I have settled in Maine together. This means a new district (big school in a small town in the "down east Acadia Region" of Maine), new grade, new everything. Luckily my partner is very supportive! My daughter is going into 2nd grade too so this is becoming quite the family bonding change. :)

I visited the state department of education last week to apply and learn about Maine licensure. I learned I need to retake my Praxis tests and a couple other odds and ends. So I'll be studying. I've also ordered a couple of books to refresh myself on the "general education" side of things. :) The specialist to classroom teacher perspective is going to be interesting and a ton of work.

I think I am ready!