Practice

For the month of March, I have the privilege of introducing 2 university students to the art of teaching. It's fun. I have 2 extra adults in my classes. They are trying lots of new and creative ideas. It's good to see them try their ideas, take risks, have successes and put theories into practice.

When I started teaching 10 years ago, I had NO IDEA what I was getting into. I LOVE my job but it's hard. It's hard to teach good, well prepared memorable lessons. It's hard to manage class after class of adolescents with their varying needs and moods. It's hard to mark assignments when there are no longer any repercussions for students who choose not to do their work or hand it in on time. It's hard to meet all the needs of all my many students as well as meet the government's requirements. I manage but, when I explain my job to my pre-interns and watch their jaws drop, it's a shocking reminder about how challenging my career is.

The public usually just thinks that what I do is a 9-3:30 job with great holidays. Tell my pre-interns that. They're barely teaching one class a day and they are working around the clock. Wait until they have 4 additional classes, unknown curriculums, and the mysteries of their adolescent students. They will get the hang of it but, it will be hard. Many teachers in their first few years don't make it.

All in all, this has been great professional growth. I plan on doing it again next year.

French Friday

It's January and we're freezing in under 5 minutes in this part of the world.
My commute has days that make me question our choice of location to live. I love our beautiful house - I wish I could transport it to, I don't know, anywhere that is warmer then our current -30 degree weather.

Life is a busy blur. Expository essays, Beowulf, "y" and "en" and "futur proche" makes my head spin. Suspended students (oh the juicy reasons why) and needy smarty pants worrying about exams. I come home to supper, house chores, toddler snuggles, marking and TV. Currently, we're on the 2nd season of Homeland - it blows my mind.

I'm reading Gone and I have to admit, it's a little freaky. Much better the the Shiver series I just finished. Too angst-y for me - like Twilight but with just werewolves and no love triangle to annoy me.

I'm dreaming in French music. These three songs get stuck in my head regularly. I guess I'm brainwashing more then my students.

Enjoy rocking out en francais!

Work

Today, in church, I overheard a man complimenting a young woman for staying home with her kids because, he affirmed, that's what's best.

I work.

I felt a little offended at his remark.

I have stayed at home. I have worked full time and I have worked part-time. No matter what, I am still the best Momma for my kids. I have known stay-at-home Mommas who whine about their kids, their husbands and their homes. I have known full-time Mommas who have lamented missing their babies and not being 100% on-task at work.

Different strokes for different folks. Personally, I need to to work. I became a little too petty and me-focused when I was alone all day with little kids. Preferably, I'd like to work part-time. This way, I can give both my classes, my kids and my home all the attention they need.

So - yes, I work and that's what's best for my kids. Sorry, sir - I didn't appreciate the judgement call.

On that same note, holidays are over tomorrow. Wish me luck as I guide very sleepy teenagers into 2013.

A little batty

We went to Pumpkin Hollow last weekend. It was warm and the sky was blue. The kids rode the cow train, jumped on the bouncer, met farm animals, climbed bales, got lost in the maze and checked out the pumpkins. It's hokey and I love it.

I went to 2 Children's Used Clothing sales in the past 2 weeks. I LOVE getting quality clothes for just a few dollars!

I'm presenting tomorrow at our Professional Development Day. Basically, I'm Book Talking with a colleague. I'll be introducing graphic novels to a lot of middle aged ladies. Should be fun! :)

We're hosting Thanksgiving for my family this year. I've never cooked a turkey before. Should be a good little adventure.

I finally tracked down a bat costume for Simon. Who would have thought that a bat would be such a hard costume to find in this city? Now, he never wants to take it off. We've negotiated a deal where he can't wear it to bed but, he can sleep with it beside him. Silly bat!

Comfortable with Being Weird

I teach grade 9s (and 10s to 12s) and I am always struck with how important it is to "fit in". I guess I learned early that I was a little to quirky to be cool and I accepted it and moved on. By grade 10, I was a barrette wearing, overall-clad happy bookworm. I had a good group of "geeky" girlfriends and that was enough for me. Every now and then, I longed to have the confidence of some of the other kids in my class but, I realized that it wasn't happening for me.

I watch my students. There are those kids who are comfortable in their own skin who set the tone for the class. Then, there's my 40% of kids who are questioning who they are and how they need to present themselves. I wish I could make them understand that nobody is watching them as closely as they think. I wish I could transfuse self-confidence the way a nurse transfuses blood.

Instead, I teach. This week, we read an article called "Comfortable with Being Weird" and I talked about not being cool and being okay with it. Vulnerable - a little. However, after reading their journal responses, I know we're getting somewhere. Some kids are realizing that being mean to people who are different then them is mean (strange how long it takes that concept to kick in). Kids who aren't so confident are opening up a little about their search for self. Slowly, we're addressing real issues in class. This is why I love what I do.

Wish me luck as I journey through grade 9 for the 10th time. :)

Golden

We have the most beautiful view of our creek. The leaves are turning colours and I love seeing the changes every new morning brings.

The kids LOVE their baby-sitter and their delightful little buddies. Although there are a few tears in the mornings and waking up is hard to do, the kids are alright with their adjustment to full-time care.

I love my job. I love sorting through the mundane problems of how to engage students, how to connect kids with needs to the material and I realized how much I've missed preparing good lessons. I could do without the marking but, that's life. I love reconnecting with some beautiful colleagues who do inspiring things with students. I love the feeling standing in front of my class and making meaningful connections.

Coming home is always a chaotic blur of snuggles, catching up, making supper, playing and bedtime. I wish I had more time with my munchkins. I'm looking forward to part-time next semester for this very reason.

Life feels like it's flying fast.

Like being back in my comfy jeans

Have you ever had a pair of old, comfy jeans that somehow, for some reason, you haven't worn in a while? I love that feeling of putting them on again.

Today was kind of like that for me. I went back to high school today. Back to the place I was transferred (by surprise) from after my mat leave with Claire.

I didn't have to set up any bulletin boards (just my posters, like normal) and all of the jargon made sense. I was able to connect with good colleagues who know me and accept me as I am.

As difficult as it will be to leave my sweet kids to work full-time for the next 5 months, I think being back in a place I love is worth it. Part-time for semester 2 and hopefully some continuity for next year.

PS - Today affirmed again for me how much I LOVE teaching!!! This is exactly where God wants me to be.

Today

Today, I celebrate my beautiful grades 6/7 students. I am continually blown away by their sweetness, their energy, their giggles, their stories and their spunk. I am so hoping that they wind up in one of my high school classes in a few years. I would love to teach them again!

Today, I eagerly anticipate summer. One more (full) day and then, I am a full-time Momma for the summer. I am ready to snuggle more in the morning and have adventures with my babies. Play dates are welcome - if you want to hang out, I'm excited to do that! This is our first no morning-nap summer in a while and I am pumped!

Today marks our one-month anniversary of being "homeless". I am still very, very thankful to my in-laws for allowing us to "holiday" here. I am also crossing my fingers and toes for an accurate possession date.

Today, I will go to my staff party and awkwardly mingle with my co-workers. I suck at this! I work with fabulous, kind and caring people. It's not them - it's me. My introvert side takes over at staff parties and I spend most of the time feeling like a deer caught in the headlights.

A Compromise

Last month, I made a choice about working part-time. I felt like I was settling for a not-so-great job (pushing the Core French cart) in order to make a good choice for my family. I felt really good about the family part but, let's be honest, I was doing a lot of positive self-talk to motivate myself about next year. I'm a really positive person and I know that attitude is everything. However, having to constantly "look for the good" and "get excited for change" was starting to wear on me. (Besides, I kept having a recurring nightmare about Middle Years children, French verbs and me trying to sing in French with them).

Another opportunity to go back to my old high school arose. Subjects I know and love. This job, however was full-time for the first semester and part time for the second semester. After a lot of thought, I realized that this might be the compromise I need. It's full time but, not forever. I think I can manage that.

Today, I said yes to that compromise.

A Choice...

In the midst of packing up our entire house last week, I finally got the call about the transfer I'd been wanting back to high school. The gig I have now is fun but, not at all what I want to be doing. I was offered a one year job at my old school. No guarantees to stay the next year. It was for teaching subjects I'm familiar and that I miss. The only catch was that it was only being offered as full-time.

After a walk the park with my sweet babies, I decided to say "no" to a full-time job doing what I love to settle for a job that's okay. Don't get me wrong, my students are FABULOUS; I just miss the rigor of upper level thinking.

This is my season to be a Momma. I had a lovely season of surly teenagers, busy extra-curr and marking until the wee hours. Now, I get to snuggle my sweeties, play important little games and go about the business of looking after the practical needs of our home. I am one fortunate soul! Eventually, I'll find my way back to full-time life in the classroom. Until then, I'll be rocking my babies because babies don't keep!

Conference, Schmonference

Hello, welcome to our class. Oh, you must be "so and so's" parents. Good to meet you. Did you bring her report card. Excellent.
Blah
Blah
Blah
Blah
Blah

I like meeting the parents of my students. This year, I happen to love most of my students so, I have nothing but good things to say. However, 4 hours on a Monday night and then 4 hours on a Wednesday night make this girl very, very tired.

Note - getting a "B" is not the end of the world. "Cs get degrees", folks. Most children do not deserve A+s all the time. (Just like every performance does not deserve a standing ovation!) Sigh...

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.

Arena Bound

I read The Hunger Games series after Christmas break. Every time I stuck my nose into the books, it felt like I was submerged under water and I could barely breathe until I had to break the surface back into my reality. It was that intense, folks. If you haven't read it yet, where have you been? under a rock?

Normally, I would read the series and be done. However, I teach Middle Years now. I have built this elaborate community of readers (my students ROCK) and they watched me read The Hunger Games series during our Silent Reading time (any teacher who doesn't read during Silent Reading is missing one of my favorite parts of the day - yes, I am modelling and yes, I am reading for my own pleasure - it's awesome). I have Book Talked the series with every kid that has read it in my room. We have had the best discussions about love, family, the Roman Empire, government, power and sacrifice. Even better, all these conversations have been student led and we've been equal participants. (The girls and I have held lengthy debates about who's cuter and better: Peeta or Gale. It can get quite intense!) It's a level playing field when you talk to someone about a mutual love for a book. That makes it real to life instead of just something the curriculum requires. I love it!

Now, I've been roped into leading a Hunger Games Book Club at school. A bit of a challenge as all my participants are in varying parts of the series. Our first meeting is tomorrow. I have a cornucopia of ideas planned (literally). Should be fun.

Today, I booked tickets for Trevor and I to go to the movie. (It was supposed to be a surprise but I don't have a poker face and my husband can read me like a book.) Date night + a movie version of a book that has played a huge role in my 2012 so far = a very happy me!

Smooth

When I started back to work, I was a little unsure about how to do lunch. I knew I had a 15 minute window when my classes would end, I would prep and clean up and be out the door to pick up the kids. I did not want to waste any of my precious time walking to the other side of the school (staff room) to toast a bagel or warm up soup (my usual go-to lunches). Also, I wanted something healthy and easy to take with me in the car.
No, I don't want to eat sandwiches... too many carbs and I ate too many when I was in school.
I decided to try flavoured canned tuna. There's plenty of good flavours and I would also bring some Triscuits along (as well as a yop-like yogurt drink). The tuna always tasted good and always filled me up. Unfortunately, every single time I opened up a tin, I felt like I was opening up cat food. Most days I managed to swallow my gag reflex but, it was hard to shake.
My brother, Tim, is in a similar boat. He travels between his two pt. time jobs (teaching and pastoring) at lunch. His solution to lunch is a smoothie. Yum!
Now, I drink a delightful blend of fruit, yogurt and milk every day. I add honey as a natural sweetener and a dash of cinnamon. The cinnamon is the best part. I actually crave it all morning until smoothy time.
Best work lunch ever!
Add a granola bar (nuts = protein) and an apple (honeycrisp, please) and I'm a happy girl!

Part Time Momma

Let's face it folks, 100% Mommying isn't quite my bag of tea. At first, I was a little disappointed in myself... shouldn't I want to be with my kids all the time, planning playdates, playing outside, going on little adventures, teaching them things big and small? I LOVE doing all those things. What I don't love is day after day after day of yucky food, cleaning only to re-clean, crying, clinging, fighting and these 4 walls closing in around me. I have realized that I need to leave the house and do something productive that I'm passionate about. I love my job. However, 100% teaching isn't for me right now either. As much as I love the students, building relationships, gossiping with staff and facilitating memorable learning experiences, I can't handle prepping for 10 periods (with little prep built in), extra curr and all that marking. I don't want to be playing with my kids while wielding a red pen.
Therefore, I'm a giving 100% to my half-time life. There's less pay cheque (and yet more then mat leave) but, it is more rewarding. I get to have a little of everything except maybe a sit down lunch.
Kudos to you stay at home Mommas - I think you're brave, brave ladies. Kudos to you full-time working Mommas - don't burn yourselves out. For those of you who have found this part time, sweet spot - enjoy!

Reality Looming

Tomorrow is my final day of holidays. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job. My students are pretty awesome, I love being up in front teaching or walking from desk to desk encouraging my sillies and I love building into kids lives. What I don't like is the tedious marking. Even less... the endless, endless prep. (I'm ruing the transfer that left me in a spot where I spend a lot of time just figuring out the curriculum). I chose not to give my kids homework as long as they read at least 15 minutes a day (because homework is cruel over the holidays). However, I have a pile of homework that I have to do. Blech! I want my magic prep/marking fairy to show up soon. Wish me luck as I continue to procrastinate.
Happy back to school to all you parents!

Teacher Gifts

Since 2002, I have been happily teaching kids. I can count a dozen high schoolers who bought me a Christmas gift. Each time, the gift was thoughtful and it meant something for that student to go out of his or her way to give me something.
This year, I am a e. school teacher. Today, I received my first "teacher gifts". Some parents were very thoughtful and generous. For others, I wish I could tell them "you shouldn't have" because really, they shouldn't have. Although, I am now the owner of snowmen salt and pepper shakers.
Seriously, if you have to give something tangible, coffee, chocolates, homemade baking is nice. I got a Chapters gift card that I am super excited about. However, I'd rather that you go to a site like this and use your money to give someone something meaningful. I'm sure that after a few years of teaching, e. school teachers have a rather large collection of mugs and would prefer your money going elsewhere. I know that I sure would!

'round here

The flu bug bit bad.
Work, kids, clean, cook, nurse, homework, bed... rinse, lather, repeat.
Sad, neglected Fergus.
Houseplans and playdates on weekends.
Lots of Christmas stuff in the works.
Tis the season for too busy and yet... little hands make me stop and soak in happy humming, exploring and playtime.


PS - Thanks for the pics, Auntie Andrea. Once again, you are amazing!!!

Growing Pains

As I carefully stapled the paper to the bulletin board for the first time in my career, my colleague popped her head in my class and told me that I was "cute" because I obviously was a bulletin board amateur. I laughed because that's the reaction that I have when nervous but, the high school teacher inside me felt like crying. Seriously? Making fun of a colleague during her first week? Granted, she also lent me all her borders.
After one week in an elementary school, these are the differences I've noticed:
a)Bulletin Boards - Are we competing? Seriously, why do e. teachers put so much time into those suckers? I think that my high school classrooms were lovely and very visually satisfying and I never had to staple stupid paper to the walls!
b) Recess - Complain all you want about having to supervise every now and then but, I LOVE recess. I even don't mind the fluorescent vest I wear so that I can be seen on the playground. I like the actual break in the mornings, I like getting outside (and this week's been brutal) and I like being able to call my babysitter, go potty or make a photocopy.
c) Helpers - The girls in my class all want to help me do everything. If I really want to accomplish something with all these helpers then, I need to plan for it. Blech...
d) Lack of freedom - "Am I allowed to use a pen?" "Can I write my name on the corner?" "Do we underline the title?" "Can we store our papers in binders instead of duotangs?"
-Honestly kids, do what you want. As long as you hand your work in, keep your notes in some order to help you study and everything is legible, I DON'T CARE.
e)Interviews - Yep, after a week, I have interviews. I've prepared like a fiend because, unlike high school where I see about 16 out of 110 students' families, I get to meet every one of my students' parents.
e)Kids are short and weird - In the hallways and on the playground and in my class I keep seeing little, little people doing weird things like lay on the ground, tantrumming, picking their noses while walking, etc. This does, however, beat walking down high school halls and seeing too much cleavage, canoodling and sneaking smokes.

Week #1 is done and that, in my mind that is the hardest hurdle. I've learned a lot this week. I miss high school but, I'm preparing to hunker down, don my florescent vest and call this school for little people home for a while.

Reworking that Routine

Routine has become the new theme to my life. I need to establish a getting the Schmoos up, dressed, nursed (Claire) and out the door before 7:15 am. My baby-sitter is establishing new routines with her 6 little munchkins. Claire needs to catch on to a napping at the baby-sitter's routine as she's one sad Princess when I pick her up. I need to figure out how to keep house and keep on top of all my prep (this is what happens when you HAVE NO EXPERIENCE TEACHING GRADES 6/7 - you have no idea what you should be doing the next day... blech)!
This is our new life... we just need a bit of time for re-adjustment.

Positives:
-My students are super nice.
-Simon napped yesterday and has potential to nap today.
-Our babysitter is AWESOME!
-My staff is nice.
-I love texting the babysitter with my lovely iPhone.
-I only work part-time - how the heck do full-time Mommies manage?