Is IB for me????

After school today, I went down to the Board Office to investigate the IB program and my chances at teaching it. The IB (International Baccalaureate) Program is a world-wide, high school program that is academically challenging. It usually draws in highly motivated students who either take some courses in IB or the full IB diploma.
My teacher self is drooling over the possibility of working with students who are more then just physically present in the room. I miss having engaging conversations with our future leaders. Teaching IB History is my ideal teaching career goal. Getting there is tricky. I am only on a temporary contract. I need to make the right connections fast. We'll see how this progresses.

P.S. I did accept the grad speaking engagement at LCHS. I'm really honoured and equally daunted by the request. Ultimately, I'm really proud of those kids and I am so excited to see them succeed.

100 million dollars

Yesterday, the SK premier announced that he was giving some budget attention to poverty in SK. He announced that there would be 100 million dollars of the budget put towards more affordable housing (North Central will be an area that receives this money), education and other poverty related programming. This is AMAZING! I really hope that my students will benefit from this.

I was in Ft. Qu'Appelle for an Anti-Racism retreat this week. It was the most uplifting non-Christian retreat I've ever been to. It was definitely what I needed.

This weekend, Trevor and I are continuing with this house reno hobby of ours.

My parents are living it up on the Big Island of Hawaii. We need to shovel snow. My parents will go to a fancy luau. We'll put on our parkas and maybe head out to buy groceries. Ah... my lucky parents! Good for them!

Worst Teaching Day Ever!

In my 4 1/2 year career as a teacher, my worst teaching day had been finding some of my Lanigan lovelies drinking in Greece. That really was awful!
Yesterday topped that sinking sensation. My lovely colleague J.D. and I were brave and decided to take our little grade 9s to a play at Sheldon. The kids were awful. They defaced the chairs they sat on, they threw pennies and dimes into the crowd (some poor elementary kids were pegged). They swore and cursed and talked loudly and were disobedient. They kept flicking their lighters and trying to start things on fire. They lit cigarette papers and tried smoking them. I spent 2 hours in torment. J.D., the wise lady that she is, went to the Sheldon office and called the bus back early.
We bought the kids pizza and took them out of classes. The school paid their admission into the play and paid for the bus.
In the end, the kids called J.D. a racist and I'm sure we heard the b-word again.
I'm tired of this.

Tagged...

We live in LV. I work in North Central. Everyday, in North Central, I see graffiti. In my mind, it is a North Central thing, not a LV thing. However, this morning, as I backed out of my garage, I noticed that the garbage cans in our back alley had been "tagged". Grumpy morning Jill was not impressed.... until I read the graffiti. On our garbage can, the little perp wrote "Profanity" (the actual word and not swears). On the garbage can a few houses down, the little perp wrote "Great Recycling". Finally, a few houses further down was the typical name signature. Cheeky clever little delinquent made me laugh the whole way to work!

happy happy happy

Happy Valentine's Day! To celebrate, I wore pink and gave my little monsters sugar. Tonight, I'm cooking a nice supper for Trevor and we'll dine by candlelight. No going out, no roses and no gifts over $10. Valentine's Day is a little too commercial for us. We prefer "non-forced" romance.
My grade 9s are settling down. Either that or I'm getting used to the swearing and the lack of maturity. These kids lack the confidence to do anything. We played "Honey if you Love Me" today. They could barely handle it. Most were too scared and just wanted to chicken out. I had 5 kids sit like lumps when all we were doing was acting out kids stories. I'm so mean... I actually expect them to do things...
I took my grade 10s the university for a Shakespeare play (Merry Wives of Windsor). They were pretty entertaining to take out. They really didn't get the play but, they were enchanted with the costumes, the set and the special effects so all is well.
Last night, we had our Care Group over. Trevor and I are really blessed to be in a group with 4 other couples. We're a really new group but, I'm impressed with the depth and honesty that's going on. I look forward to every week and I'm looking forward to getting to know each of the couples better.
I have a Teacher Convention on Friday so tomorrow is my last "kid day"! Yeah! That is why I am happy, happy, happy! :)

Alchemy... my computer game addiction

I grew up never playing video games. I am not a vids kid. My best game ever was getting to the 4th level of Mario on the original Nintendo. I also did okay on my black and white GameBoy. However, just when I was getting places, my Mom would tell me my one hour was up.
Trevor grew up in a different world. He was a vids kid. Actually, judging by the fun he's having with the new Zelda game, he's still a vids kid.
This summer, we had no TV or internet. This was the summer I discovered computer solitaire. Who knew that a world of fun awaited me. Anyways, after a few months of solitaire, I was bored. I still wasn't winning lots but, solitaire had lost it's excitement. That's around the time that my sister-in-law, Andrea, introduced me to Alchemy. It's an internet game but, I became so hooked Trevor actually downloaded it for me to play. It's a matching game... like advanced Tetris (like what I had on my GameBoy). I still haven't beat the thing. I don't even have the highest score. That belongs to my husband who rarely plays (it's infuriating).
So, gamer or not, I highly recommend Alchemy. I'll probably be giving it up for Lent.
PopCapGames site

LaLaLaLanigan

Last night, I went out for supper with some wonderful Lanigan teacher friends. It was so good to catch up on school news and kid gossip. I miss teaching there. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE living in the city and being married to Trevor and near my family. It's just that, professionally, I miss being in the kind of community that we as a staff at LCHS had. Transient students, like the ones I teach, are a little harder to build relationships with also.
I woke up this morning a little jealous. My friends were all in town because, they flew out this morning to the Dominican Republic. I awoke to a chilly -28C. I miss the warm sun. I miss my freckles! I miss spending time outside. Good for them though. I hope they have a fabulous time soaking up the sun.
Also, on a Lanigan note, one of my students called me up and asked me if I wanted to be the grad speaker this year. I was really touched that they wanted me to speak however, it's a really daunting task for me. I love talking in front of kids but, Lanigan grad happens to be in front of the whole town. Eeeek! That means talking in front of grown-ups! I told her I'd consider it. I need to make a decision soon and get back to her.

Super Bowl Sunday

VS.



Who won the SuperBowl? I'm a little foggy. For all the football I've watched since I've been married (which is more then ever in my life), you'd think I'd know. Ah well!
Trevor went to the Science Centre IMAX party and watched the game (and American commercials) in HD. I, went to some of our friends' SuperBowl party and made cards with the ladies and babies in the basement. We had such a good time, we didn't even watch the half-time show.
So thanks Michelle and Dwayne for hosting a FABULOUS party that did not involve me having to watch football!

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Trevor

Lately, my job has been getting to me. Trevor has been such a support. I love him so much. This morning, as we awoke (late) to -30 and bummed around in our pj pants reading comics, I was reminded of how much I love him! So Andrea, begin eye-rolling now. :)
10 - He makes great pancakes and a mean tuna casserole.
9 - He's soooo handsome!
8 - He can make me blush!
7 - He has really big muscles!
6 - He's gentle and patient with me!
5 - He gives the BEST hugs ever!
4 - He desires and seeks to know the Lord!
3 - He's a home-handy man! (HA! RedGreen - he's handsome and handy!)
2 - He's adorable to watch with kids!
1 - He makes me the happiest girl in the world!