The closing door...

Trevor and I are working on doors this week. I've been busy painting and sanding. Trevor is working on hinges, hardware and hanging. It's been a little tedious at times but, the finished product is satisfying. It's nice to see a freshly painted, closed door that matches the rest of our house.

Today, I walked out of the school I've been temporarily teaching at this year. The door thudded loudly as I left. I'm left with a disconcerting feeling. I've been told by many co-workers that I'll probably be back... maybe. On one hand, that's an incredibly encouraging thing to say. I value that. On the other hand, it's easy to dismiss me that way. It's easy for them to say that as they sit in their classrooms with their permanent contracts. It's not their livelihood that has been affected. I'm glad the school year is over but, I'm sad that the door to that school is currently closed to me. Perhaps I will see a window open... or I will encounter a brand new door somewhere else.

Well, enough with the pensiveness. Today is the first day of my summer holidays. Yippeee!

Gowns and grey hair

Today was graduation. There's nothing more satisfying as a teacher then to see kids walk across that stage. Congratulations.
Today, I met my mother's Home Ec. teacher. She taught at my current school for 27 years. She was a teacher for as long as I have been alive. I was able to tour her around the school. I listened to her stories about former students and co-workers. I was reminded that, even after 5 years, I am still a baby teacher. I should hope, that when I am grey-haired and nostalgic, that I would be welcome to tour some of the places where I've invested my heart.

Last day of school!

I love my job.
I am passionate about lesson plans, objectives and goal setting.
I enjoy building meaningful relationships with students and guiding them as they make important life decisions.
I love all those "ah ha" moments students have when they make connections.

I also love the last teaching day of the school year!
Welcome summer holidays. Where's Mr. Stephen McKerracher to do the "we're free from kids" Happy Dance?

Open Letter to Those Who Rely on Cuss Words

Dear Chronic Cuss-Word Users,
I appreciate that you need to express yourself. I think it is "neat" that you feel comfortable to do so in front of me. Every now and then, you may hear a 4-letter word escape from my lips as well but, you probably won't. You see, I try very hard to take some thought in what comes out of my mouth. I actually have the brain power to edit my speech. Yes, I know that I still say some really stupid things. Yes, I also know that sometimes, when I'm nervous, my words get mixed up. However, I still have the self-control to filter my language use. If I'm using a 4-letter word, it's because I've chosen to. You too have the power of choice.
To my students who sometimes cuss, I don't bat an eye at it. Sometimes, you are angry and it slips out. You look at me and apologize. I can handle that. You are in the self-edit process. What I don't like is when I have told you six or seven times already to refrain from your use of the f-word and you continue. I believe you are intelligent. I wish you would realize how un-intelligent you sound when you keep saying the same word over and over. It loses the effect you desire.
To adults who swear around students and children, you need to realize that you are a role model. You don't impress me with how "real" and "tough" you are. You disappoint me with your lack of professionalism as well as your lack of respect for other people's kids.
Today, I am annoyed, peeved, ticked off, rankled, disgusted and unimpressed. There are swear words to describe what I'm feeling but, the English language has given us other options too.
Therefore, in today's world, know that I do not feel comfortable when you swear. I can tolerate it, to some degree but really, do I have to?

KARMA: what goes around, comes around

On Tuesday night, my senior Drama students presented their collective KARMA: what goes around, comes around. We had a teeny tiny audience but, it was amazing.
It's always one of my favorite things to stand on a stage just before the kids go on. I can hear them backstage behind me. I can hear their nervous voices and I can almost feel the tension that surrounds them. I get to go up on stage and introduce them. Then, I get to sit in the front row, on pins and needles for them, and watch them shine. At the end of the show, I get to go back onstage and listen to them as they run around with their first actors' high. They are full of pride and relief. It's a celebration! They are amazing and they know it!

I love my job. It's not a guaranteed thing next year. I might be back to slogging substitute business cards and walking into random classes hoping kids tell me their real names and don't play "sink the sub" games. (After my grade 8 year, I'm sure that would definately be Karma.) I might be ramdomly given a contract somewhere new with new subjects, new extra curr and a new culture of kids and staff to figure out. I do believe that there is a time for everything. This summer, it will be a time of waiting for me. I'm working to accept that. It's hard. My pride hurts. I'm used to getting what I want right off the bat. I have a week and a half to continue loving the kids I have. I think we'll continue their celebration and enjoy playing in Drama for the next few days.

Give to Get...

Last Thursday, our school spent the afternoon outside re-vamping our student entrance. We had the help of our business partners. They came and put on a BBQ, hired a DJ to entertain us as we worked and helped with the funding.
We planted a strawberry/saskatoon berry patch, 2 huge flower beds with a school logo and a Medicine Wheel and a natural prairies grass bed. A few weeks before, the students had created tiles. We put them onto three benches. This way the kids have a cool area to hang out.
It was such a fun day. I loved playing in the dirt. I loved teaching my students how to break apart a little root ball so that it's happy in the soil. I loved watching them work hard for themselves and for the school. I loved seeing their smiles when they realized that this was all for them.
Education is sometimes about classroom and books. Last Thursday, education was about giving a little and getting a lot.

TREVOR!

Happy Birthday Trevor. You are my world. I love waking up beside you. I love talking with you about our days when we get home from work. I love everything about you!

28

Today, I am 28. I'm borrowing a Jean Little poem to celebrate taking it easy on my B-day.

Today

TODAY I will not live up to my potential.
TODAY I will not relate well to my peer group.
TODAY I will not contribute in class.
I will not volunteer one thing.
TODAY I will not strive to do better.
TODAY I will not achieve or adjust or grow enriched
   or get involved.
I will not put my hand up even if the teacher is wrong
   and I can prove it.

TODAY I might eat the eraser off my pencil.
   I’ll look at clouds.
   I’ll be late.
   I don’t think I’ll wash.

I NEED A REST.

[from Hey, World, Here I Am)

Happy Birthday Little House

Last year, we moved in to our cute little house.
We moved in boxes and furniture. Trevor and I fought fur and grime in our first official clean sweep. We invited family over to celebrate with ice-cream cake. We all got dirty feet because of the disgusting carpet. We finally had our own little home.
I'm pretty proud of our little place. We've done a lot of work to it. The inside renos are nearing completion. Just the bathroom, back entryway and re-painting the doors. Soon, we will have the stucco vs. vinyl siding debate as we re-do the outside. The yard is starting to come along just fine too.
Happy Birthday little house!