Don't Let Your "Friends" Pick your classes!!!

I spent today in acronym "h***". My "friend" was taking a class and thought I should too. She found this one for me about Improving Report Writing. Thought it would help me teach my students to write better. Nooooooooooooooooooo.......It was about writing better Special Ed reports to get students evaluated or after they have been evaluated. How to write better ARD (acronym) meeting reports!!!!
It only took about 30 minutes into the class for me to realize I did not know ANYTHING they were talking about. To make matters worse - We had a test on what we knew!!!! Nothing - Zero for me!!!
Group work was humiliating!!! My table would look at me and ask - what tests does your school use (TAKS was NOT an answer choice). So since we were in to acronyms I said WTF don't you use that one? "What evaluations do you use?" CFHS - isn't that what you use??? OMG
Got out for lunch 15 minutes late, because the instructor had 5 more minutes of information to give us. Must be some form of acronym math. (I don't do math - But my friend is, I'm signing her up for a MATH class - more on that later)
Get back from lunch and the instructor tells us "We aren't going to take an official break so we can get our of here by 4" WTF (oh wait, that's a test). She starts flying through material - did you know there were 17 forms of G evaluation and apparently I do because I have been using them for year. "Right?" I became the queen of bobble head yes movement!!!
Now just when I thought things couldn't get worse, we start writing the reports for ARD meetings - OMG times 2!!! So I text my frenemy to tell me when she is on a break so I can take one too, and she texts me at 2:43 to tell me she is out. I think break - WRONG!!! Out for good!!!! I'm stuck till 4 and she is out at 2:43!!!!
As soon as I post this blog I am finding a Math class to sign my friend up for. You see she HATES math, and I think turn about is fair play. Wooo Calcus looks good to me!!!

Compassion????

Why is it not all children/students aren't treated equally? I give my students every opportunity to complete work and to be successful. Why can't that same attention be given to my own children. Is it too much to ask to have assignments explained in writing? What 13 year old can remember all the details for a major project after 6 other class periods? Mine can't!!! He's then told he loses points because his mom is a teacher, and he should have done a better job. Is this teacher saying I should have done the assignment??? I am trying to teach my son to be responsible for himself, and he is continually being told "Your mom is a teacher so... you should do better, you should be better, etc." Just because he is the son of a teacher doesn't make him some type of "model" student and it shouldn't! I don't ask my students what their parents do and then expect them to perform to that job level in my classroom. And how do you stop this prejudice with out black balling your child with that teacher? I would love some suggetions!!!

The Cold

My favorite times of the year are Spring & Fall. I love cool nights and moderately cool days (60 - 70 degrees). I really enjoy this weather. It allows me to work in my yard. I get to spend time outside with my boys playing soccer, football, riding bikes, etc. Lately have been really spoiled by the fact that it has stayed so nice to the end of November, but things are changing QUICKLY!!! The weather is changing fast, and weathermen are predictin SNOW for tomorrow night. SNOW!!!!! Now my boys love snow, and I do too - to look at it. I don't love snow when it is in my front yard. Snow in the front yard causes the boys to go out for maybe 20 minutes, come back inside to warm up and change clothes (theirs are wet), and then to go back outside in under 20 minutes. The launder just piles up on those rare days. So I am not looking forward to the forcast. Bring back the FALL temperatures!!!

To Improve?????

I am contemplating going back to school to get my Masters. As students and school politics have changed, I would really like to move to teaching teachers. The only thing holding me back are my own insecurities. It has been a "couple" of years since I have had to study, do homework, etc. I don't know if it will all come back to me. If I hope to move up it is something that I have to do, so I am going to take this Thanksgiving break to decide. I will let you know.....

In a Fog

I am in a fog. I think that I have a massive sinus infection and either from the pressure, stuff in my nose, or the cold medicine, I am operating under foggy conditions!!!! If I was a student of mine, I would have probably taken the entire week as sick, but here I am trying to teach the masses while really wanting to curl up on my desk and go to sleep. Why do I care so much more about school then they do??

Children are Children & Mother's have Instincts!!!

Recently my son has been accused of stealing. Something I know in my heart of hearts he did not do. He was questioned repeatedly at school by administrators and the police. He consistently stuck to his story that he did not know what they were talking about. They eventually told him he could confess or go to Carver. He did not. When I learned all of this was happening from a phone call from a principal, I had my son taken out of school for the rest of the day.
I then had to force him to go to school the next day. Then he was accused of texting ME at school to pick him up. He did not know how to respond because he did not know about my phone call with the principal. Needless to say he was held, surrounded by three ADULTS and forced to confess to texting at school so they could confiscate his phone. Stating that his mom does not ESP and doesn't know when to pick him up with out him calling.
Long story short -- They had the wrong Zack from the beginning. My son was NEVER involved, as a thief or witness. This does not negate all the trauma my son has endured over the last two days.
When as educators did we start forgetting we were working with CHILDREN!!! The adults in charge at his school have treated my son as a guilty adult. Never taking into consideration that they were dealing with a 13 year old. Not an adult.
I would never dream of treating my students the way my son has been treated. He has been traumatized, threatened, and hurt by all of this.
But you know what -- I do have ESP where my children are concerned. I knew talking to all of those adults and the police would be traumatic for him and sitting at school would not be productive. Do you know what told me that my ESP. I usually call it my Mother's Instict. It started the day I knew I was pregant.
Mother's Instinct let me know that when he was 3 and climbing on a wall, he was going to fall. It let me be there to catch him. It was there when he was 6 and I signed him up for PIPs because I "just knew" it would be a good program for him. It is there everyday, helping me know how he is feeling, what he is doing, etc. Every GOOD mother has it.
I have instructed him to tell the office that Yes I do have ESP!

Good Things Do Happen

What a whirl wind the start of school has been. I started out as a Math teacher, a subject I have not taught in 11 years. Talk about a Homework, intense learning, and flying by the seat of your pants. You might be thinking - Math is Math and doesn't change, but let me tell you that in the 11 years since I have taught math there have been ALOT of new techniques, methods, and terminology add. I spent the first four weeks one day ahead of the students. Never really feeling completely confident in what I was teaching, but definitely giving 110%. Our math department is the hardest working group of people I have ever met. BUT......

I math teacher has been found and I am back to teaching computers. YEA ME!!!!! I am so happy to be back to teaching what I know and understand. I am now actually happy to go to work everyday, and what a huge difference that makes!!!

Winds of Change

Sometimes in our lives situations occur which require us to make changes. I am not talking about changing brands of shampoo or where you eat out, but what could be called LIFE CHANGING events. I am in the midst of one of those right now. A career that I had grown to truly love was recently taken away from me. Just taken away and it has forced me to look at myself, my family, and to what do "I want to be when I grow up". And too what is best for all of us.
There have many good things from this event. My FRIENDS have supported me beyond belief. I know that with out them I would have fallen apart. Their prayers and strength have given me the ability to move forward. And to realize that this was meant to happen, possibly to force me to make a necessary life changing event. We will see.
This event has shown me that I am strong enough to stand up for myself, that I am worth being treated fairly and respectfully, and that with Friends, I can make it through anything.

Camp

This morning I put my 9 year old on a bus to camp for 5 days. FIVE!!! DAYS!!! There were about 200 other kids going -- 6 from his soccer team -- and he was so happy & excited when I left, but tonight I sit here wondering ----- where is he sleeping, are they all still together, what did he have for dinner, DID they even make it to Brownwood???????


I know that I would have heard something by now if they hadn't made it, but .... I guess I should explain that they were not allowed to take ANY electronic devices with them to camp. So has I sit here staring at his cell phone, I realize how dependent I have become upon it to know where he is and what he is doing.

So for the next 5 days I am going to be left wondering --- what is he wearing, does he know where his shoes are (something I am always having to help him find), what activity is he doing, does he miss me as much as I am missing him?????

What A Trip!!!!

I just spent 5 glorious days on Inks Lake with my boys. What a fantastic time we had!!! It started off a little hot & we could not find a spot on the water, but with perseverance (lots of looking & racing back to headquarters) we did get a spot on the water with lots of shade!!!

The week consisted of jumping in our kayaks whenever we wanted and paddling around the lake. We would paddle to the Devil's Watering Hole where I would watch my fearless sons jump off the rock. (I freely admitted I was too chicken to even climb up & think about jumping off). We also paddled around just looking at the different foliage and wildlife the lake had to offer. It was incredibly relaxing!!! We just took up kayaking last summer and are now a three kayak family. If I could kayak everyday, I would, it is so relaxing and fun. It is amazing to watch how easy it is for my two sons. They have taken to it, like they have kayaked all their lives.

It was truly great to not watch the clock, to not have to be anywhere, to just relax, and do whatever. When we camp there is no TV, no time tables, just all natural fun. We played cards, cooked together, and spent time just talking. Between the swimming, fishing, and hiking, I was able to spend a tremendous amount of quality time with my sons, and that was by far the absolute best part!!!!

Just a few short hours and school is out for the summer!!! Believe me, as a teacher, I am counting the seconds till it is done.
It seems as if the students get done earlier and earlier before the actual last day of school. It use to be that after Spring Break they were "done", but it seems like this year they were done after Valentines. That is way too early for them to be through with work.
I will be done when the bell rings at 11:55 am on Friday. Then the fun will begin for the summer.
The summer will be full of sports camps, soccer tournaments, kayaking, and house organizing. Plus lots of just hanging out and enjoying the time off!!!

LIVE - Find the Good!!

I said that my lunch bunch has taught me three things this year: LIVE - LOVE - LAUGH
To really LIVE you have to wake up and enjoy each day. To LIVE is to see the good in everything around you. To find something positive about every situation God gives you.
For example: My brother & his wife had a pipe burst in their bathroom one night. They woke to a house flooded in an inch of water!!! YUK!!! So what good can come from that -- well they brought in a flood repair crew that ripped up flooring and sheet rock from the walls. (Again good?? Keep reading) The crew found black mold!!! Long story short his work (which provided the house) refused to fix it -- He quit. They have since bought a beautiful house near my Aunt in a wonderful neighborhood. My brother has found another job (really did not quit till he had it) that makes him Happy to go to work. See the good is: 1. They are out of a bad neighborhood (Downtown Houston) 2. They will not be bringing their new baby (Due in July) into a home infested with Mold that they knew nothing about 3. They have a park & my Aunt near by to help them. 4. My brother has a job that makes him Happy & in a good mood when he comes home from work.
So in even the worst days - look for something good.
In many inspirational books they say to keep a journal that you write in every night about one good thing from your day. My son's and I do this a dinner every night. They have to tell me 2 good things about their day. Sometimes it takes them a while - like on TAKS days, but they are learning to find at least 2 good things about their days. This then usually leads to more and longer conversations. It also helps them to find a little ray of sunshine.
So if you really want to LIVE & enjoy life, look for the good everyday!

Lessons Learned

I teach high school, so I impart my knowledge on my students. This year however, I have been the recipient of some lessons. I found myself eating lunch with a very diverse group, we call ourselves the Lunch Bunch. They have taught me to LIVE - LOVE - LAUGH.
LAUGH - you have to laugh everyday!!! I'm not talking about a little giggle or hee hee, but a loud, belly hurting, eye watering laugh. A laugh that no matter how hard you try, you can not stop.
In order to do this everyday, you have to learn to laugh at yourself. To be secure enough in who you are to not be offended and hurt when others laugh at something you have done, but to realize "that is funny" and to laugh with them.
This is a lesson I am trying to teach my sons. That through laughter, life is so much happier. Not to laugh AT someone, but to recognize when they have done something that causes others to laugh and to laugh with them. These are the times good memories are made.
As we count the days happily till school is out, I find myself a little sad. I will miss my lunch bunch! I will miss laughing till my sides hurt and my eyes water. It has been these moments that have made the year for me. Thank you lunch bunch!!!

To Blog

I have been told that I must start blogging or I am out of the plastics. lol.... So here goes...
I have actually been blogging, but with two of my classes. I have found it to be very useful and somewhat fun. Of course the blogs are not nearly as good as my friend's blogs.
In school I was never one to write extra, get the essay done early, or even volunteer for ANYTHING that required "writing", so this whole blogging thing is not really something that I am into. Talking -- I can do that forever!! I'm sure all will agree -- (No comments about this please. I already know what you are going to say.) Unfortunately, I am probably not going to have the lengthy, witty, and imaginative blogs my friends do, but if you want a lengthy, witty, and imaginative conversation all you have to do is give me a call. (If you are my friend you know the number, if you aren't then I probably don't want to talk to you anyway).
So hopefully this will satisfy my friends and keep me eating at the IN table. Lunch (and my day) would be completely HORRIBLE without the many laughs we share everyday at that table. I know I would have NEVER survived this year with out those laughs!