Dear Miss I.

Today, I went to another annual Teacher Convention. As much as I enjoy hanging out with my colleagues all day, I usually find myself planning lessons in my head and missing my students. It's always a good reminder that the classroom is where I'm happiest on a work day.

I've been out of university for almost 10 years. !0 years ago, I had my 12-person panel interview at Lanigan and GOT THE JOB! :) It was the best place for me to be a new teacher. Looking back, I was loved, mentored and put through my paces.
In the ensuing 10 years, I have learned a lot of things about teaching. If I could go back in time, or send myself a message from the future (holograph, of course), this are a few of things I wish I could say to a very keen Miss I.

-Go home! Stop fretting over lesson planning until 7:30 at night. The students certainly don't care this much.
-Stop giving so many marked assignments. Marking all evening after working well into the supper hour is not good.
-Get to know your colleagues better (I can still heed this advice - I'm terribly ant-social).
-Personal life should ALWAYS come before professional life.
-Don't take teenagers to Europe!
-Don't take 41 students to the PA Penitentiary on your own.
-Love those RISK kids more... you'll spend the rest of your career missing them.
-Laugh every day with students. (Silently fart near the ones who bug you and give them a dirty look shortly afterwards).
-Teach all those kids, not just the highly motivated ones. Regular teachers only really gear their plans for the "smart" kids. Good teachers focus on all of the students. (The reward for teaching the stragglers is much, much higher!)
-Read during Silent Reading.
-Don't read every email from admin - those articles are a time-suck.
-Change, even when it sucks and is unwanted, is still good.
-You're going to miss being Miss I.

Growing up

One of my former Lanigan students came over today for tea. It was so good to see her all grown up. She's absolutely fabulous and I'm proud to say that I've taught her.
Students are the best thing about my job. It's nice when I can make a connection that goes beyond the curriculum. It's nice when they grow up and become my friends.

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.

Preparing for the big move...

Now that we have bought our house, we're waiting for our big move-in day. I (Jill) have started to slowly dismantle my classroom and my apartment. I officially resigned from Lanigan High (sigh). I s'pose I'll have to start letting go of life in LaLaLaLanigan. My kids and staff have meant so much to me; it'll be hard.
Trevor and I have been busy getting this wedding ready. I'm glad that the invites are finally out. We're starting to get a trickle of yes and no answers. Thanks. That's helping us figure out numbers.
Lastly, the play is a week and a half away. YEAH! The kids are doing a stellar job but, I'm tired. Poor Trevor has to deal with a Jill on the verge of breakdown every few days. I'm not keeping up with my school work as much as I'd like and I'm missing out on my runs. Ah, this too will pass.
Ciao!

Happily overwhelmed...

We're happily overwhelmed at this point. We're working out invitation ideas (of which there are plenty... yet nothing concrete), working on flowers, favours and rentals. Ahhh... if it were just the wedding.
I have committed myself co-directing a full length play that will take place the last week-end of May. There are 17 actors. It's hilarious. If anyone is around Lanigan around this time, I highly recommend a quality evening show. (I realize that most people reading this are far, far away for Lanigan. It'd be a cool road trip!)
Trevor and I met with a realtor this past weekend and we are starting to house hunt. I love it but it's scary. There's so many things to know (and we just don't... we are trying to learn quick). This coming Saturday, we're going on a parade of homes in our price range. Should be fun.
We're also trying to work full-time, coordinate family things, job hunt (ah yes, I'll be knocking on public school doors) and date long distance. On that note, if we seem like neglectful friends or, if you think we've fallen off the face of the Earth, sorry... we're just happily overwhelmed.
The picture is of us at Blue Mountain (North Battleford) where we chaperoned my Outdoor Ed winter adventure a few weekends ago.
If you have any house-hunting tips you'd like to share, leave a comment.