Saturday, May 30, 2009
ATL, here we come!
We're leaving for the Boise airport in about 2 hours. We're excited to be going home for about a week! We know it'll go way too fast but it's better than nothing at all! :)
Yesterday I had an interview for a German teaching position at a high school (actually it's at 2 high schools because I'd have to travel to the other to teach 2 periods). The bad thing about this is that I don't get a planning/lunch period...eating on the go is NOT the ideal situation for someone on Weightwatchers....the GOOD thing is that the pay is regular contract pay, PLUS 1/6 additional payment because I will have to teach 6 periods instead of the regular 5 that a "normal" classroom teacher would do. Money's good, especially when it's extra. But I better not get my hopes up yet though because there are 5 candidates and I'll never know just who they have in mind. Although, I have been getting very strong recommendations from the Boise High principal, who according to the French teacher, has some weight to throw around (haha, this is kinda funny because he's actually kind of a heavy guy too). He's really nice though and he lets me know every day that he's pulling for me. :)
One thing I have not let anybody know yet is---I've picked up another endeavor. I've started the ABCTE teacher certification program. What it is, is an alternative route to teacher certification for other fields of study (in my case). Only 4 or 5 states in the country accept this, which is a little stressful because if we somehow have to move before I'm done with this stuff, there's a chance that this money could go to waste. Anyway, I've decided to get certified in elementary education as a back up back up plan if neither of my other things (German or ESL) work out for me. I'm trying to make myself as marketable as possible. Unfortunately, it's a little overwhelming but I'm trying to take it one step at a time. I've got my praxis test for ELL coming up in late July and I've gotta study like a fool for that because sadly, my Master's program classes has taught me NOTHING in regards to technical language acquisition (i.e. phonology, morphology, syntax, etc...). UGH! So, I have a praxis study guide, notes I've been taking from that, and some newly acquired books from a friend of mine that has already taken the test. I think I'll be working on studying for this during this trip of ours. As for studying for the ABCTE certification exams (Multiple subject test and Professional Teaching Knowledge), I have up to a year to complete this. I can kinda put this on the back burner until I've come to grips with this Praxis stuff. *Sigh* I'm so busy. Busy, Busy, Busy...
Oh well...I've got big plans. Let's hope that at least something works out for us. :)
Yesterday I had an interview for a German teaching position at a high school (actually it's at 2 high schools because I'd have to travel to the other to teach 2 periods). The bad thing about this is that I don't get a planning/lunch period...eating on the go is NOT the ideal situation for someone on Weightwatchers....the GOOD thing is that the pay is regular contract pay, PLUS 1/6 additional payment because I will have to teach 6 periods instead of the regular 5 that a "normal" classroom teacher would do. Money's good, especially when it's extra. But I better not get my hopes up yet though because there are 5 candidates and I'll never know just who they have in mind. Although, I have been getting very strong recommendations from the Boise High principal, who according to the French teacher, has some weight to throw around (haha, this is kinda funny because he's actually kind of a heavy guy too). He's really nice though and he lets me know every day that he's pulling for me. :)
One thing I have not let anybody know yet is---I've picked up another endeavor. I've started the ABCTE teacher certification program. What it is, is an alternative route to teacher certification for other fields of study (in my case). Only 4 or 5 states in the country accept this, which is a little stressful because if we somehow have to move before I'm done with this stuff, there's a chance that this money could go to waste. Anyway, I've decided to get certified in elementary education as a back up back up plan if neither of my other things (German or ESL) work out for me. I'm trying to make myself as marketable as possible. Unfortunately, it's a little overwhelming but I'm trying to take it one step at a time. I've got my praxis test for ELL coming up in late July and I've gotta study like a fool for that because sadly, my Master's program classes has taught me NOTHING in regards to technical language acquisition (i.e. phonology, morphology, syntax, etc...). UGH! So, I have a praxis study guide, notes I've been taking from that, and some newly acquired books from a friend of mine that has already taken the test. I think I'll be working on studying for this during this trip of ours. As for studying for the ABCTE certification exams (Multiple subject test and Professional Teaching Knowledge), I have up to a year to complete this. I can kinda put this on the back burner until I've come to grips with this Praxis stuff. *Sigh* I'm so busy. Busy, Busy, Busy...
Oh well...I've got big plans. Let's hope that at least something works out for us. :)
Friday, May 22, 2009
Drunkity-drunk, drunk, drunk! (I think)
Today was a different schedule--a nice one, seeing as though the kids were all dismissed in my 4th period by about 11:40am. In my 3rd period today though, I had some interesting events happen. First thing was that a girl had some kind of powder to put in a drink (a flavored sugar stuff) and she poured some of it into the hands of some other students. One boy decided it would be "funny" to snort it up his nose! I wrote him up. It's showing that he possibly has drug tendencies--I would say 96 percent of that class has drug tendencies! They almost always look stoned at some point in the week. Another boy came in a little late and I think he was drunk. He kinda stumbled in and was a little wobbly looking and very distant look in his eyes. He slowly made his way to his desk and sat down. I walked over to where he was sitting and asked him if he was okay. He said he was really tired. I don't believe it for one second. Later on in the period, he came over to my desk where I was sitting and he kinda did this leaning act and he didn't even look balanced at all! He said he was gonna ask me something and then he forgot what he was gonna ask. He just stood there for a minute kinda leaning off kilter. Then he walked slowly away. Even some of the other students noticed he was acting a bit "strange". I quickly emailed the assistant principal and actually it was unfortunate because of this different schedule because he didn't have a chance to call out this boy to his office. So now, he won't probably talk to the boy until next week--too late. But at least maybe he can get it out of the boy that he was under the influence of something. These kids are messed up beyond repair!!!!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
What gets into these kids? The devil, that's what.
I had a kid in one of my classes blatantly take a red marker and go over to the debate teacher's side of the room and make a line of red on the teacher's debate team picture! What the ...??? I don't understand these children!!?? They make absolutely no sense whatsoever! I wrote him up IMMEDIATELY because I was just so aggravated and irritated at the little turd! No respect for personal property...AT ALL! I think I have the worst classes compared to the other foreign language teachers because whenever I tell them about what has happened in my class, they act all shocked and are like, "They really did that?" I guess it also matters that the other language teachers on my hall teach mainly Advanced Placement students. That makes a huge difference a lot of times. BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO HAVE THE BRAINS TO LEAVE CRAP ALONE THAT'S NOT THEIRS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just want to scream sometimes. No...all the time. My second period sheltered English class for ELLs are getting weird too. The boys are getting extremely aggressive with each other. Particularly with this one boy. This boy is a senior (22 yrs old, mind you). The only reason he's in school is the district interpreted the rules differently--how they did this, I don't know because I thought with all students, they are allowed a Free and Appropriate Education up until the age of 21. Anyway, that doesn't really matter to me. The other boys are calling him "pirate" because he's from Somalia. They also are just trying to pick fights with him and get him fired up. I talked to the head ELL teacher and she said that she's witnessed this also and she's tried to talk to them about it. Apparently, they just aren't listening. As much as I hate to do it, I may just have to start writing up the aggressors. It's driving me insane! They're so loud and they won't shut up! I constantly raise my voice at them to get them to shut up and sit down and calm down...that doesn't help (of course, I don't say shut up but I wish I would). I finally had to talk to the junior vice principal to see if he could talk about it with the boys. I don't know if anything will happen. I'll probably have to write some people up tomorrow during class.
I have 6 days left. Help. Me.
I just want to scream sometimes. No...all the time. My second period sheltered English class for ELLs are getting weird too. The boys are getting extremely aggressive with each other. Particularly with this one boy. This boy is a senior (22 yrs old, mind you). The only reason he's in school is the district interpreted the rules differently--how they did this, I don't know because I thought with all students, they are allowed a Free and Appropriate Education up until the age of 21. Anyway, that doesn't really matter to me. The other boys are calling him "pirate" because he's from Somalia. They also are just trying to pick fights with him and get him fired up. I talked to the head ELL teacher and she said that she's witnessed this also and she's tried to talk to them about it. Apparently, they just aren't listening. As much as I hate to do it, I may just have to start writing up the aggressors. It's driving me insane! They're so loud and they won't shut up! I constantly raise my voice at them to get them to shut up and sit down and calm down...that doesn't help (of course, I don't say shut up but I wish I would). I finally had to talk to the junior vice principal to see if he could talk about it with the boys. I don't know if anything will happen. I'll probably have to write some people up tomorrow during class.
I have 6 days left. Help. Me.
Monday, May 18, 2009
9 more days...
That's all I can say about now...I'm happy. Tonight I have to go to an Awards night because I had to nominate a couple of students that I thought were outstanding. I managed to find a couple, believe it or not. :)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Ha-Ha-Ha! Not getting away with this!
I had a senior girl tell me today that my game was "Bullshit and busy work!" You know what I did? Wrote her up! Discipline referral is what she got! She sat the whole time in class with her head down on the desk, "not sleeping" and when I asked her to participate and read along, she'd say, "I'm not sleeping..." Here's the thing too, she is always wanting to check her grades for German because she HAS to have an A or else she doesn't get money...boo friggin' hoo! Anyway, so she does all this complaining and then what does she do? Doesn't participate by putting her head down and "not sleeping". What a crock. Today just really ticked me off and I started getting irate with her and that's when she said the bullshit thing. Then she wanted to know why I was zeroing in on her. Go figure, this next week is her last week of school and it's gonna be crappy at the beginning because she's gonna get called into the VPs office to get a stern talking to. Awesome. Why someone would do this their last week of being at school, I don't know.
All I know is, she's sorry.
All I know is, she's sorry.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Bored with my routine but too tired to change it.
I've been getting bored with my exercise routine(s) but I don't have enough energy to change it up and that's bad because now I'm not wanting to go to the gym and earn the necessary activity points! It's not a good feeling especially since I've gained a new addiction: Dreyer's Vanilla Almond Ice cream bars...Granted, they're low fat but after eating 2 and wanting another and another--working out is an absolute MUST! I'm thinking that this slump is probably work related because I'm drained everyday after work. Ugh...I hope I regain my energy after this longterm subbing gig is over. Right now, I'm thanking myself for signing up for just the 5k instead of the half-marathon on the 20th. If I were about to run a half, I would definitely need to be getting off my butt and doing something. Although, at the same time, it's probably a bad thing that I did sign up for just the 5k because now I've cut back my running. I will say though that I can run 3.1 miles with no problems really. I'll definitely be going to the gym tomorrow or just running outside since it's supposed to be really nice and I'll probably try to run to the WW meeting on Saturday morning. It's supposed to reach the 90s this weekend for a temperature!!! Hello, Summer!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Hiatus
Sorry I haven't been posting as much as I used to--I know it gets irritating to come to this page and not see anything changing. Here's an update of what has happened in the past week:
*More work
*Finished my Wednesday night class
*Applied for a German position that's available
within the Boise district (it's not exactly what I want, but it's a paycheck, if I get the job--although I haven't gotten a call for an interview yet but the closing date for the position being online isn't til the 10th)
*Got to page 9 on my 15 page paper
*Gotta finish the paper this weekend and turn it in by the 13th.
*Finally got the backyard mowed this afternoon because this week has been CRAPPY in regards to the weather--rain everyday just about it.
*Got 2 out of the 3 recommendation letters that I need for that application and they were both glowing evaluations of me as a person and as a teacher--the other one, I had to work for today because the 2nd vice principal decided he actually wanted to come in and see me teach (which he's already done once--guess he forgot how wonderful I was--hehehe).
*Been kinda down about my weight loss efforts this week because I used up too many of my bonus points too early this week and so I had left no room for later in the week treats so what did I do? Decided to say to heck with it for a little bit and ate some stuff that I wanted. I seem to go through this every once in awhile but then I get re-motivated. I just don't want to go and weigh in tomorrow--it's gonna be scary. I think I might run there again like I did a few weeks ago. It was fun and it ended up helping me on the scale by making me lose 2 lbs! Of course, the run isn't the only way I lost it--I was pretty good the whole week too--it just helped me a little more. I haven't been to a meeting in 2 weeks because one week, I had a class meeting for my practicum experience and then last weekend, I just wanted to take it easy and sleep as much as I could. This week, I gotta get back on the bandwagon.
We're getting excited for our 2 trips this summer. It'll be nice to get away from things a bit. I definitely need some time out and about without worrying about school and teaching. I have summer classes too but those happen after we get back. I'm also registered to take the certifying exam for ELL teachers. I'm kinda scared because what's sad is, these Master's classes haven't been teaching us jack-squat about what's on this test!!!!! I bought the study book for the test so hopefully that'll help me. I haven't looked at it too much lately because of this 15 page paper but I'm sure that once that is done, I will have more time to focus on studying. I better study--the test cost me $80 and the study book cost me $22.95! Ugh. It's always about the money, isn't it?
I can't wait until Memorial Day weekend. It'll be a nice, long weekend to just sit back and enjoy myself. I wanted to go somewhere with Kyle but it's not going to work out because he switches to nightshift this coming week and that weekend of Memorial Day, he'll have to work on Saturday night. It wouldn't be worth going somewhere for just Sunday and part of Monday. Well, at least not an 8 hour trip. If he didn't have to work that Saturday night, we'd probably try to hit up Portland. We might still try to do that though later on in the summer.
Since Kyle will be on nights, it looks like I might have to learn how to stay up late again and possibly do my housework then. I want to do some more painting around the house. I need to finish baseboards that I still haven't done and refresh some paint on the doors that have scuffs on them. I want to paint our bedroom but that'll be tricky to do. Anyway, they're just plans. Doesn't mean it'll happen right away. I just feel like the house is still unfinished and I want it to be closer to finished by the end of the summer.
Hope this was a good update.
*More work
*Finished my Wednesday night class
*Applied for a German position that's available
within the Boise district (it's not exactly what I want, but it's a paycheck, if I get the job--although I haven't gotten a call for an interview yet but the closing date for the position being online isn't til the 10th)
*Got to page 9 on my 15 page paper
*Gotta finish the paper this weekend and turn it in by the 13th.
*Finally got the backyard mowed this afternoon because this week has been CRAPPY in regards to the weather--rain everyday just about it.
*Got 2 out of the 3 recommendation letters that I need for that application and they were both glowing evaluations of me as a person and as a teacher--the other one, I had to work for today because the 2nd vice principal decided he actually wanted to come in and see me teach (which he's already done once--guess he forgot how wonderful I was--hehehe).
*Been kinda down about my weight loss efforts this week because I used up too many of my bonus points too early this week and so I had left no room for later in the week treats so what did I do? Decided to say to heck with it for a little bit and ate some stuff that I wanted. I seem to go through this every once in awhile but then I get re-motivated. I just don't want to go and weigh in tomorrow--it's gonna be scary. I think I might run there again like I did a few weeks ago. It was fun and it ended up helping me on the scale by making me lose 2 lbs! Of course, the run isn't the only way I lost it--I was pretty good the whole week too--it just helped me a little more. I haven't been to a meeting in 2 weeks because one week, I had a class meeting for my practicum experience and then last weekend, I just wanted to take it easy and sleep as much as I could. This week, I gotta get back on the bandwagon.
We're getting excited for our 2 trips this summer. It'll be nice to get away from things a bit. I definitely need some time out and about without worrying about school and teaching. I have summer classes too but those happen after we get back. I'm also registered to take the certifying exam for ELL teachers. I'm kinda scared because what's sad is, these Master's classes haven't been teaching us jack-squat about what's on this test!!!!! I bought the study book for the test so hopefully that'll help me. I haven't looked at it too much lately because of this 15 page paper but I'm sure that once that is done, I will have more time to focus on studying. I better study--the test cost me $80 and the study book cost me $22.95! Ugh. It's always about the money, isn't it?
I can't wait until Memorial Day weekend. It'll be a nice, long weekend to just sit back and enjoy myself. I wanted to go somewhere with Kyle but it's not going to work out because he switches to nightshift this coming week and that weekend of Memorial Day, he'll have to work on Saturday night. It wouldn't be worth going somewhere for just Sunday and part of Monday. Well, at least not an 8 hour trip. If he didn't have to work that Saturday night, we'd probably try to hit up Portland. We might still try to do that though later on in the summer.
Since Kyle will be on nights, it looks like I might have to learn how to stay up late again and possibly do my housework then. I want to do some more painting around the house. I need to finish baseboards that I still haven't done and refresh some paint on the doors that have scuffs on them. I want to paint our bedroom but that'll be tricky to do. Anyway, they're just plans. Doesn't mean it'll happen right away. I just feel like the house is still unfinished and I want it to be closer to finished by the end of the summer.
Hope this was a good update.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Procrastinating!
I'm supposed to be researching and writing my 15 page paper today...it hasn't really happened so far. I went to visit my friend, Karen, at the Blimpie she works at and stayed there for awhile and then I came home and had a yearning to bake something so I decided to make a "Crazy Cake". The recipe uses no eggs..just a LOT of oil (3/4 c)! Here's the link to the recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Crazy-Cake/Detail.aspx
I've had some before and it was absolutely delicious and moist! I'm just going to sprinkle confectioner's sugar on top and that'll be good enough for a topping--no messy icing. Anyway, now the house really needs some tidying but I guess at least I'll start on the paper some more (out of 15 pages that I need, I've got about 5 already--so I'm not too badly behind) I just want to get it mostly finished so I can return some library books.
School's on the downhill slide...only about 3 more weeks for me to stay there! :) It's about time to get the kiddies reviewed for their final unit tests and then review some more for the final exams. Their original teacher will be coming back for the exam week so that'll be a nice surprise for them...or maybe not. They may not like her too much after her leaving them for so long. I kinda would like to be a fly on the wall when they walk in and see her. Oh well, not my problem then. :)
OK...I guess it is time for me to stop writing and get back to work. I will talk to ya'll later. Love you!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Crazy-Cake/Detail.aspx
I've had some before and it was absolutely delicious and moist! I'm just going to sprinkle confectioner's sugar on top and that'll be good enough for a topping--no messy icing. Anyway, now the house really needs some tidying but I guess at least I'll start on the paper some more (out of 15 pages that I need, I've got about 5 already--so I'm not too badly behind) I just want to get it mostly finished so I can return some library books.
School's on the downhill slide...only about 3 more weeks for me to stay there! :) It's about time to get the kiddies reviewed for their final unit tests and then review some more for the final exams. Their original teacher will be coming back for the exam week so that'll be a nice surprise for them...or maybe not. They may not like her too much after her leaving them for so long. I kinda would like to be a fly on the wall when they walk in and see her. Oh well, not my problem then. :)
OK...I guess it is time for me to stop writing and get back to work. I will talk to ya'll later. Love you!
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