Educators with PRIDE Unite

[bkisbutchenuff]

Well - here we go ... 4 weeks of doing what we can towards the holiday concert....then - when break comes - half way through the year!!!!
Hope all you educators have a great week!

[Chancie]

I have to teach new material upon which I have only the most tenuous hold.

I know, I know, if you never do anything new, you never do anything new.

[Soon]

I can't seem to bear doing any work over the weekend. They go by so fast, and I feel I need every minute to take care of myself. But, of course, Monday morning is here and now the panic sets in. I have a plan to go directly to Starbucks after first period and mark the papers I didn't do over the weekend. (I have second period as a prep period) Then, back to school for my third and fourth period classes.

I am worried about my arse dragging already and it's not even December.

Chancie, good luck with the new material--you'll be fine. This year I taught a novel and was mere pages ahead of the students at various points. Oops. It happens and you'll be great!

Have a great Monday fellow educators!

[bkisbutchenuff]

Well.....14/15 weeks later, despite being verbally accosted by a parent, I finally had a good week! 5 Whole Days!

[Chancie]

I was sick and tired for so many weeks that I fell behind in just about every way.

My classroom was messy, I was behind on grading, and lots of bits and pieces were left undone. I did stay current with lesson plans.

I finally feel better, and I am finally caught up, or close to it.

My desk is clear, student work is organized, and I may finally get reimbursed for supplies I bought for the robotics and electronics courses.

I shouldn't be surprised at how much I depend on being well rested to do my job well. Excellent self care is key, obviously.

[Martina]

I got observed this week, and I think it went fine. I haven't heard back yet. But that's always stressful. A student asked me what "fiscal policy" is and I hemmed and hawed. lol. But I got through the hour.

This week, one was having a bad day and literally howled in my classroom. Not howled crying, but howled like a wolf. Sigh.

Another kid burst into tears because of home problems. Sad. My response initially was, oh no, he'll never get that writing done now. Then I stopped and actually listened. But I feel so impatient about their progress.

On the good side, the kids are enjoying their arts and crafts. *sigh* Seriously though, I can't BELIEVE there was no art curriculum. I don't know "perspective" from moose droppings. So they are making cute things from materials I buy on sale and which my fellow teacher finds in her crafts closet. They are also doing reading assignments on artists and all that. But they do like to do things. So crafts it is. The best thing I got recently was actually a cigar box monster a student made. There is a huge foam mouth around the opening. He went out and bought his own material to cover it -- it's like a fake lizard skin. He used eye buttons. It looks like a real toy. Seriously cute. He came up with that himself. I basically gave him the box and some glue.

Actually the crafts have been going well because I don't have a clue. I hand them the materials and give them a sense of what I might do, and interesting things result.

Maybe they should just teach themselves. There might be less howling.

[bkisbutchenuff]

Had a good evaluation last week.
11 Days until break....I can't wait....rehearsal went well yesterday...the sounds of the holidays are distinguishable. We have been working hard!
I have 10 students auditioning for the County Honor Orchestra this weekend.
Almost 2 good weeks....I couldn't be happier - all things considered.
I hope everyone is hanging in there as the holiday break approaches...