On Wednesday, January 5, I accepted a position as a 2nd grade teacher. Several years ago, I graduated from UF completely unsure of what I would do with my degree. After 2 years of searching and thinking, I observed in a 2nd grade classroom and decided right then and there that I was called to be a teacher. It took much struggling and many tearful and stressed out moments to get me to this point. I never dreamed of getting a job immediately after graduation, especially not in the grade I had always wanted to teach.
In order to get officially certified as a teacher, I had to forge past a couple of small mountains. It seems that not changing my name officially and having graduated too recently was causing problems. I have been praying for nothing but strength and patience. A moment before losing hope and patience, I realized something. I was wearing the same shirt on the day I observed years ago that I wore at my interview and was offered the position. This was completely unintentional, but it taught me something very deep inside. Aside from the fact that I obviously don't update my wardrobe very often, I realized that my prayers had come full circle. God had shown me that I truly was meant for this position and that I only needed to follow the path He laid out for me. So what if my transcripts didn't come through right away or that my name change slowed the process considerably? Who cares that I had to get hired as a sub for a day before I could be hired as an official teacher? Did it make a difference at all that I wanted these things to happen faster? In the end, God knew it would work out and He knew that I would need to learn patience and perseverance in order to become a truly good teacher.
Monday of this past week was my first day of school as a second grade teacher. It took everything I had to make it through this week! The first 4 days, I counted my blessings that even though we didn't get through all of the lesson plans and I only remembered to check their homework folders once, at least there was no blood or broken bones. Then Friday comes around. Just when I thought I was going to make it through the week, a bloody-mouthed child walked up to me near to tears. He had slipped in the bathroom and hit his already loose front tooth. His mouth was bloody and his eyes were teary. Fortunately, we were in mid-transition and all the other students were on their way out the door to other classrooms. I was able to walk him up to the capable and experienced hands of the angels in the front office.
In all other ways, my first week as a teacher was a complete success. Every day got better and better. The students are still testing the waters to see what they can get past the young, new teacher, but all-in-all we are all making the best of the transition. One dad said to another teacher, " I heard my kid's new teacher is hot, where is she?" =) I guess I'm in with the parents already!
I told Ryan that it was part of his husbandly duties to help his wife set up her very first classroom. I explained that it was part of the contract and it was signed, sealed and delivered when he said, "I do" and kissed my face. Unfortunately, he was incredibly sick that weekend and could barely bring himself out of bed. He was so sick, in fact, that he took his first sick day in about 3 years. I excused him from his duties and took the rain check for the weekend before my second week of school. Just as good I suppose. I promise to take pictures and share my new classroom once it is truly set up.
I must say that being a teacher is incredibly rewarding and apparently incredibly exhausting. I have been going to bed anywhere between 7:30 and 9:30 every night. Last night I had to work my second job and I could barely stay on my feet until closing. My very kind boss has offered to allow me to stay active on payroll by scheduling me one day per pay period. I only have to work 2 nights a month, get to keep my discount and have a back-up plan in case I don't get picked up right away for the following school year. She literally said the words, "We'd do anything to keep you. Any one of the other managers would hate to see you go." I was completely flattered and my job satisfaction climbed to new heights.
Things are working out better than I ever imagined. I am truly blessed and thankful.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Oh baby!
Subbing in kindergarten is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get. I've had experiences in Kindergarten that have made me want to leave the teaching profession altogether and never look back. But then there are days like today when I have the sweetest, cutest bunch of kids that leave me not only wanting my own classroom, but also wanting to have my own little babies!
For now, I will settle for a classroom of my own. The Lord may be answering my prayers after the holidays, though. I found out on Monday that a teacher at my school may be moving away. The first person she thought of to replace her in her classroom was ME! It is still on the down-low that she is leaving, so they are not interviewing or posting the job, but the assistant principal has been making arrangements to observe me in a classroom when I am subbing. Some of the other people on the hiring committee have made it known that they fully support me and my abilities as a teacher. I am so excited at the opportunity and the support! My mom and sister are already putting in their prayers for me and I am fervently praying myself!
For now, I will settle for a classroom of my own. The Lord may be answering my prayers after the holidays, though. I found out on Monday that a teacher at my school may be moving away. The first person she thought of to replace her in her classroom was ME! It is still on the down-low that she is leaving, so they are not interviewing or posting the job, but the assistant principal has been making arrangements to observe me in a classroom when I am subbing. Some of the other people on the hiring committee have made it known that they fully support me and my abilities as a teacher. I am so excited at the opportunity and the support! My mom and sister are already putting in their prayers for me and I am fervently praying myself!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
New look...
It was apparently time for a new look. I finally had a minute to explore the blog design options. The controls have changed quite a bit since the last time I changed the look, much easier to use.
So it seems wasting time has not been my strong point. While I have been watching Sex and the City, it is more of a background thing while I work on other things. When Ryan and I were first discussing how much I should work each job to make a reasonable amount of money without breaking my back, I figured at least 5 sub days a month (you never can tell when you'll be needed as a sub) and then 20-25 hours a week at Target. As soon as I spread the word that I was subbing, I got about 5 jobs in the first hour. Now, teachers search for me in the various classrooms and schedule sub-days here, there and everywhere! I am so blessed to get so many jobs that I don't have to worry about how many hours Target schedules me. My sub calendar for the month was full by December 7 and I am still getting random phone calls from other schools and teachers! I have reserved 1 day a week to spend time in my internship classroom because I loved those kids and my cooperating teacher so much.
Being in different classrooms everyday hasn't been easy. The morning starts off with establishing myself with 15-20 students as a credible teacher worth listening to for a minute or two. Then we spend the day trying to get through the lessons and deciding when the kids are telling me the truth about what Ms. or Mr. Normal Teacher "usually does". I am, however, really enjoying getting to learn how each teacher sets up his or her classroom. I have learned so many tiny little things that make the classroom run smoothly and keeps it organized. Also, I am getting tons of experience teaching the new (nearly impossible) math standards that everyone is having trouble with teaching. It is very difficult to pick up the math lesson for the day and try to teach it to the kids. Most of the time, I am clueless as to how much of the previous lessons that the students understood. I just have to pray that they understood enough to make it through the next lesson that I have to teach. I'm glad that I am getting to go to different grade levels because the more exposure to the new math, the better prepared I'll be when I have my own math lessons to teach!
As far as the apartment looks, you wouldn't be able to tell that I have had much time off. Technically, I haven't since I've been subbing during the day and working target some nights and every weekend. The dishes have been caught up and the laundry is less of a mountain and more of a normal looking pile. There is still work to be done, so off I go!
So it seems wasting time has not been my strong point. While I have been watching Sex and the City, it is more of a background thing while I work on other things. When Ryan and I were first discussing how much I should work each job to make a reasonable amount of money without breaking my back, I figured at least 5 sub days a month (you never can tell when you'll be needed as a sub) and then 20-25 hours a week at Target. As soon as I spread the word that I was subbing, I got about 5 jobs in the first hour. Now, teachers search for me in the various classrooms and schedule sub-days here, there and everywhere! I am so blessed to get so many jobs that I don't have to worry about how many hours Target schedules me. My sub calendar for the month was full by December 7 and I am still getting random phone calls from other schools and teachers! I have reserved 1 day a week to spend time in my internship classroom because I loved those kids and my cooperating teacher so much.
Being in different classrooms everyday hasn't been easy. The morning starts off with establishing myself with 15-20 students as a credible teacher worth listening to for a minute or two. Then we spend the day trying to get through the lessons and deciding when the kids are telling me the truth about what Ms. or Mr. Normal Teacher "usually does". I am, however, really enjoying getting to learn how each teacher sets up his or her classroom. I have learned so many tiny little things that make the classroom run smoothly and keeps it organized. Also, I am getting tons of experience teaching the new (nearly impossible) math standards that everyone is having trouble with teaching. It is very difficult to pick up the math lesson for the day and try to teach it to the kids. Most of the time, I am clueless as to how much of the previous lessons that the students understood. I just have to pray that they understood enough to make it through the next lesson that I have to teach. I'm glad that I am getting to go to different grade levels because the more exposure to the new math, the better prepared I'll be when I have my own math lessons to teach!
As far as the apartment looks, you wouldn't be able to tell that I have had much time off. Technically, I haven't since I've been subbing during the day and working target some nights and every weekend. The dishes have been caught up and the laundry is less of a mountain and more of a normal looking pile. There is still work to be done, so off I go!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wastin' Time Day 3
I never knew just how much time I could waste, until I had time to waste it! I turned in the last of my assignments on Wednesday, the first day of the month and the first night of official free time!
While I will not feel completely and totally unstressed until I get my actual grades and degree, I am feeling like a 3 story brick building has been taken off my shoulders. Just in time for full-blown Christmas relaxing. Well, that's not entirely true. As soon as I finished my internship and classes, I immediately picked up as many sub-jobs as possible and increased my availability at target by 300%. Even so, there is no greater feeling than coming home from my job(s) completely free to do anything.
Lately, Ryan has been asking me, "What have you been up to?" periodically throughout the day. I find it hard to answer that question. Hours pass and I have no idea what I have done. I'll probably start feeling guilty about not getting anything accomplished eventually, but as of now, I am enjoying the lazy-time that I have earned.
By day 3, I have wrapped up Christmas presents, washed a few dishes and hung a few clothes. I have started checking off items from me "Freedom List". This includes re-watching all of the seasons of Sex & the City - I'll round-off that item by watching both movies. Also on the list - read a magazine cover to cover. I've got issues from August that haven't even been touched! There are about 6 books on the list that I have been dying to read. I've found several art and sewing projects that I would love to try, too.
I figure by day 5 I will be ready to whole-heartedly tackle the things that actually need doing such as the laundry or the dishes or or changing my last name or calling my mom (just kidding, I did that on Day 1 - moms are important!)
In the meantime - pictures!
Our first Thanksgiving dinner as husband and wife: meatballs, ham, broccoli casserole and steamed green beans.
Homemade pumpkin pie for dessert:
After the meal, we put up the tree!
Cheesy picture! Hanging our first ornament together
All decorated:
While I will not feel completely and totally unstressed until I get my actual grades and degree, I am feeling like a 3 story brick building has been taken off my shoulders. Just in time for full-blown Christmas relaxing. Well, that's not entirely true. As soon as I finished my internship and classes, I immediately picked up as many sub-jobs as possible and increased my availability at target by 300%. Even so, there is no greater feeling than coming home from my job(s) completely free to do anything.
Lately, Ryan has been asking me, "What have you been up to?" periodically throughout the day. I find it hard to answer that question. Hours pass and I have no idea what I have done. I'll probably start feeling guilty about not getting anything accomplished eventually, but as of now, I am enjoying the lazy-time that I have earned.
By day 3, I have wrapped up Christmas presents, washed a few dishes and hung a few clothes. I have started checking off items from me "Freedom List". This includes re-watching all of the seasons of Sex & the City - I'll round-off that item by watching both movies. Also on the list - read a magazine cover to cover. I've got issues from August that haven't even been touched! There are about 6 books on the list that I have been dying to read. I've found several art and sewing projects that I would love to try, too.
I figure by day 5 I will be ready to whole-heartedly tackle the things that actually need doing such as the laundry or the dishes or or changing my last name or calling my mom (just kidding, I did that on Day 1 - moms are important!)
In the meantime - pictures!
Our first Thanksgiving dinner as husband and wife: meatballs, ham, broccoli casserole and steamed green beans.
Homemade pumpkin pie for dessert:
After the meal, we put up the tree!
Cheesy picture! Hanging our first ornament together
All decorated:
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Masters Degree - Elementary Education Comprehensive Exams
3 weeks.
3 questions.
3 research papers.
3 weeks starting 2 days after Ryan and I got married.
3 questions related to the Accomplished Practices of Professional Teachers.
3 in-depth research papers which must be in perfect APA style and use peer-reviewed articles from within the last 10 years.
I PASSED!!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Love my cookbook!
Give me 2 days off in a row and I can get so much accomplished...except when I wake up on the first of the two days with a stuffy nose and a headache. We are now at day 3 of being a sicky. Tylenol for the headache, decongestion medicine for the nose and my cookbook for the soul.
Ever since the bridal shower, I have had my nose stuck in the cookbook at least twice a week trying out new recipes. My spices cabinet has pretty much doubled in size! This week we are trying a beef stew, rosemary chicken with wild rice and beef stroganoff. Yum!
I am so excited about all the new kitchen gadgets too! I remember shopping for my brother's weddding. I kept thinking, "If I buy this for them, I am certain they will never use it." That is not the case in my kitchen! I never knew what a pastry blender was until I started devouring the cookbook and now I am on the hunt for one!
I love my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook! Thank you to Ryan's beautiful parents for thinking of such a lovely gift!
Ever since the bridal shower, I have had my nose stuck in the cookbook at least twice a week trying out new recipes. My spices cabinet has pretty much doubled in size! This week we are trying a beef stew, rosemary chicken with wild rice and beef stroganoff. Yum!
I am so excited about all the new kitchen gadgets too! I remember shopping for my brother's weddding. I kept thinking, "If I buy this for them, I am certain they will never use it." That is not the case in my kitchen! I never knew what a pastry blender was until I started devouring the cookbook and now I am on the hunt for one!
I love my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook! Thank you to Ryan's beautiful parents for thinking of such a lovely gift!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Send me to the kitchen!
Tonight, for the first time since December 2009, I have no homework! Spring semester really, really kicked my ass. My hard work paid off as I finished off the semester with 3 A's and a Satisfactory in my pass/fail class. Woohoo!
On a whim, Ryan and I stopped by Borders after having a celebratory dinner and ice cream. As I shopped, I found a cute little lemon print apron on clearance. I have been thinking about making or buying an apron for a couple of months now, but haven't found anything terribly desirable. The apron was a bit too long, but I bought it anyway because it was just cute enough. Something about it inspired me. As I showed it to Ryan I realized that with a bit of effort I could trim off the lengthy bottom and use the excess fabric to create pockets. Sold! I am aware that the project is a minor one to any seasoned seamstress; for me, it was an honest-to-goodness sewing project!
When we got home, I set right to work. It took some re-acquainting with the wonderfully mysterious contraption (at least for me) that is the sewing machine. There was also some trying and re-doing involved as always with me and my sewing projects. However, I did not give up! I now have my very own semi-homemade lemon print apron, complete with pockets! Enjoy:
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Buried under homework!
While I should be doing homework, I am updating the blog in hopes of building some momentum to write my paper that is due by midnight tonight.
There is so much homework due this week and I cannot seem to bring myself to complete it! This semester has been quite a struggle. I had to complete 80 hours of observation in addition to working at least 10 sub days (around my classes and other job). I am embarassed to say that I have yet to finish 25 hours - all that must be logged by the end of next week.
Due this week:
1. Strand Assignment - Oultine all of the Next Generation/Sunshine State Standards from Kindergarten - 8th grade on one strand of Mathematics. Then find 3 hands-on activities for each grade level. My strand is about Geometry. I had completed about 1/3 of this gargantuan assignment, took a break and came back to find that all of my work had been lost! I considered dropping out of school at this point.
2. Position paper on my personal Philosophy of Discipline - Choose and support my choice for which discipline plan works best for my future classroom. Align my discipline model with one of the researchers we have discussed this semester and detail some of the strategies I plan to use. I am actually interested in writing this semester. The class has been my favorite by far because the information I learn is applied directly when I substitute. Some of the theories actually work, can you believe it?!
3. Complete 2 more Math problem sets - Design at least 3 "good problems for students" and provide evidence of their work. Complete 3 activities on the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, provide evidence. (This one is easy, but tedious).
4. Comprehensive Unit - Write a 10 day unit for a grade level of your choice on the topic of your choice. I chose 2nd grade subtraction to include basic subtraction, subtraction with regrouping, and multi-digit subtraction. The unit must have sunshine state standards listed and complete lesson plans.
5. Paper on Accomplished Practices - Following my almost finished 80 hours of observation I must write a discussion on 8 of the 12 Accomplished Practices of Educators. Using the Key indicators I have to discuss how the accomplished practices helped to shape the outcome of successful learning in a 4th and 2nd grade classroom.
These 5 things don't seem like such big monsters when I list them. However, this past weekend I had such a good time relaxing in Tampa with friends that it was hard to get back into the swing of my academic life. On top of that, the father of one of the teachers I have been observing passed away. She asked me to sub for her as many days as I could this week so that she could take care of everything and to help her get through this sad time. Between her classroom and the other school I sub at, I have subbed every day this week and will be subbing tomorrow. This included a half day immediately following my morning class on Wednesday. I am just happy that I only had to work 1 night this week at the other job. Early mornings have been rough this week and that does not make it easier for my brain to pump out accomplished practices or geometric activities or classroom management strategies!
Enough procrastinating...if you can't find me, just dig underneath the pile of books near my computer - I'm under there somewhere!
There is so much homework due this week and I cannot seem to bring myself to complete it! This semester has been quite a struggle. I had to complete 80 hours of observation in addition to working at least 10 sub days (around my classes and other job). I am embarassed to say that I have yet to finish 25 hours - all that must be logged by the end of next week.
Due this week:
1. Strand Assignment - Oultine all of the Next Generation/Sunshine State Standards from Kindergarten - 8th grade on one strand of Mathematics. Then find 3 hands-on activities for each grade level. My strand is about Geometry. I had completed about 1/3 of this gargantuan assignment, took a break and came back to find that all of my work had been lost! I considered dropping out of school at this point.
2. Position paper on my personal Philosophy of Discipline - Choose and support my choice for which discipline plan works best for my future classroom. Align my discipline model with one of the researchers we have discussed this semester and detail some of the strategies I plan to use. I am actually interested in writing this semester. The class has been my favorite by far because the information I learn is applied directly when I substitute. Some of the theories actually work, can you believe it?!
3. Complete 2 more Math problem sets - Design at least 3 "good problems for students" and provide evidence of their work. Complete 3 activities on the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, provide evidence. (This one is easy, but tedious).
4. Comprehensive Unit - Write a 10 day unit for a grade level of your choice on the topic of your choice. I chose 2nd grade subtraction to include basic subtraction, subtraction with regrouping, and multi-digit subtraction. The unit must have sunshine state standards listed and complete lesson plans.
5. Paper on Accomplished Practices - Following my almost finished 80 hours of observation I must write a discussion on 8 of the 12 Accomplished Practices of Educators. Using the Key indicators I have to discuss how the accomplished practices helped to shape the outcome of successful learning in a 4th and 2nd grade classroom.
These 5 things don't seem like such big monsters when I list them. However, this past weekend I had such a good time relaxing in Tampa with friends that it was hard to get back into the swing of my academic life. On top of that, the father of one of the teachers I have been observing passed away. She asked me to sub for her as many days as I could this week so that she could take care of everything and to help her get through this sad time. Between her classroom and the other school I sub at, I have subbed every day this week and will be subbing tomorrow. This included a half day immediately following my morning class on Wednesday. I am just happy that I only had to work 1 night this week at the other job. Early mornings have been rough this week and that does not make it easier for my brain to pump out accomplished practices or geometric activities or classroom management strategies!
Enough procrastinating...if you can't find me, just dig underneath the pile of books near my computer - I'm under there somewhere!
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