Wow...

It's been a long time since I last posted! But here's a quick update:

I'm so close to the end of my first semester of teaching that I can literally taste the cocoa and candy canes that will come with Christmas break. I thought I was doing pretty good until about a couple weeks ago. Now, I'm seeing just how scattered and disorganized I really am. I am not anywhere near ready for finals, nor am I ready to start a new semester. I miss my the careful planning time I had while student teaching. I have barely had two days planned before I start them this semester, and that makes me worry. And it makes me feel incompetent.

I broke up with the person I was seeing. It was sad at the time, and I do still miss him. But I do think it has been a huge personal learning process for me, and that is good.

I miss Boise. I want to sit in my favorite coffee shop on Saturday mornings. Watch the people bustle to and fro. Instead, I have a small town cafe to take it's place, and it's no where near as friendly, cozy, interesting or cost effective. I'm managing though, I guess.

I have decided to train for another triathlon. This time, it starts with some plain old weight loss. I have been attending several classes at my gym in addition to a few days worth of my own workouts. Its been nice. I know a few people, and living out here is slightly more bearable now.

I am working to clear my vision of the future. Already, a year into teaching I both want to be better, which takes time, and move on, move up, and do more in the education world. I'm thinking I need to have a better understanding of education legislation, and the goal of compulsory education in our system in order to do that. However, I'm unsure of the first step in that direction.

Anyway...that's about all I got. (my battery is dying now...)

quit yer bitchin'

You know, I was all ready to sympathize with some of the teacher blogs I was just reading, and then I realized...NO! You have it so much easier than I do! Now wait...I will tell you why.

I am teaching 5 separate classes. One of which was added the week before school started which gave me zero time to prepare. One of which I'm not certified for...yet. Two that have near-or-over capacity numbers. Two students in regular English classes that read no...zero...not a word...of English. And one that is specifically for our state mandated test...can you say pressure?

And I only have one prep period.

Every other day.

Quit yer bitchin' or step on up to the podium in my classroom.

To be fair, I know every teacher works hard. But this is my load as a first year teacher. I'm tired. I'm stressed. I can't sleep. I have no idea what I'm doing in class tomorrow. I'm sick (whether actually sick or just stress related is TBD.) I'm tired. And I really need professional "teacher" clothes. I feel so out of place with my cargo pants and flip flops. I have yet to receive my first paycheck. grrr...maybe I should just go back to school. This teacher thing is hard! :)

A) none of the above

Ah...I finally feel like I have time to breathe. And think. Here are some thoughts regarding a) a move to a new (smaller) town, b) a new school (and my first real teaching job!) c) sophomores d) a new (good!) relationship. I may or may not address all of the above, and in fact may include others not mentioned.

a) I was super hesitant taking this job simply because it required a move. I don't deal very well with big changes, and this was like two HUGE ones in one fell swoop. It's been a little stressful, and I've had more than one breakdown already. However, I have yet to regret the decision. I'm not as in love with the place as I was hoping to be, but I think it will grow on me, and should I not find a job in my "hometown," I think I can survive a few years here. At least until I decide I can't, and start to actively pursue that PhD I want. ;)

b) The school is...old school. So much could be better. But in fairness, so much could be much worse. I have aides in my classroom, I have sufficient supplies (so far, though I haven't asked for too much yet,) I get a prep period, something I didn't get while student teaching, and the staff is friendly enough. Staff morale is something that could improve...morale isn't quite the right word. But I'm starting to loose the "you're all so awesome, you teachers, you" twinkle in my eye. Instead, I wish the staff room at lunch was a little less gossipy, the halls before and after the bells a little more...lively. And that my questions received answers...the ones about students who I don't know yet, strategies I need help with etc. It's very small, which is good because my classes have stayed fairly small (average about 20, though both English 2's have 30+.)And the kids are well behaved (except the sophomores...) and really sweet. They live a life so foreign to me, traveling for heffer shows and rodeoing on the weekends. It's fun just getting to talk to them about what they do afterschool.

c) Sophomores. I guess I haven't ever really worked with sophomores. If I had, I may have been better prepared for the CONSTANT talking, the inability to listen and use ANY motor skills at the same time, the CONSTANT talking, and the attitude. Oh, the attitude. In all fairness, most of the sophomores have a pitch perfect sense of humor. So much so, that I often find it hard not to laugh at them. Which really does nothing for my sense of authority in the classroom. And did I mention they are CONSTANTLY talking... not that I mind students sharing, thinking, working together etc. But it becomes something different altogether when I explain the task, give them help, suggestions, hold their hand through the first step, and then ask them to keep going...and they immediately turn into the Access Hollywood of XHS. Seriously. Shut up.

d) so far, in all honesty, the only thing keeping me sane is my...boyfriend! So...at the same time I moved and started my new job, I went out on a date with an amazing guy...who is still in town A. I live in town B now. Lots of talking on the phone, and an astronomical phone bill later, I am dedicated to him, and he's taking all my crazy in stride. What a sweet dude. :)

Updates, updates.

I have about a million things to write about. I will write about a few, in true me-style, most likely in long rambling sentences that touch on numerous topics.

I completed my first triathlon last weekend! It was an amazing experience, and I will definitely do it again. During the run (and walk...) I felt unsure if I COULD finish, my legs were moving so slowly, and I had no energy to make them work harder. I now understand why people collapse at the end of marathons... But I knew I COULD finish, and kept on. I'm so glad I did. I had a goal to finish, preferably under 2 hours, and I met both! Yay! I'm planning on doing at least one sprint next year, and I'll be training for an Oly, though I kind of doubt I will be that in shape by this time next year...we'll see.

I did move. I'm living in podunk. Nice podunk. But still podunk. To me anyways. I think it's nice, for what it is, but it's not Boise. And...after all the hemming and hawing, I really, really, REALLY love Boise. And...there might be someone there to keep me there (or take me back...) Time will tell on that one.

I think I finally had a I-have-no-money-but-still-need-to-decorate-my-classroom breakthrough today! I'm getting really excited for school to start, even though I have thought little about what I'm going to do in the first few days. That's what next week is for...right? I am pondering starting a new blog just for lesson plans and classroom musings. If I do, and you're interested in keeping tabs on that one, let me know!

Until next time!

One more reason I love Idaho...

Check it out.

I might be more of an English nerd than I thought...

So I'm sitting in my favorite coffee shop (where the heck else would I be?) trying to figure out how I'm going to teach grammar, without actually having to teach grammar. And I found it!

I've always really liked the idea of using journals in the classroom. But more often than not, these end up being a place for students to copy what the teacher puts up on the board, rather than as a learning tool for the student. But here is the idea I just added to my 1st quarter lesson plans for Junior English:

Grammar Journal- Students will begin a two part Grammar Journal. The first part will contain definitions, exercises, and examples of proper grammar provided in morning mini-lessons. This will serve as a self-created reference for students. The second part is a notebook in which students keep records of sentences they have written that contain grammatical errors. Sentences are obtained from student work submitted to instructors. These errors will be marked in a consistent manner by the teaching when grading. After identifying the errors themselves, students then copy problematic sentences in their journals and rewrite the sentences, making alternative stylistic choices to improve each sentence. To take full advantage of their choices, students can rewrite their improved sentences several different ways. Students who do not have significant grammar problems can use the Grammar Journals to recognize their range of stylistic choices. They can accomplish this by rearranging sentences they have created in various ways to create emphasis or change the feel or mood of a piece they have written.

(part of this was totally bogarted from Developmental Writing.

I'm excited about trying this out. For those that have taught before, you may be laughing at me. But I see this as a two-fold endeavor. The first part is that doing it this way, I avoid the worksheets and memorization I myself have always hated about learning grammar. Instead, I can use mini-lessons to introduce a concept or skill, and then lead students to strengthen their weaknesses by making notes on their writing (my favorite part of English anyway.) The second is the goal that if I allow a little creativity, in the form of owning their journal, personalizing it and such with their own writing (and pictures, and lyrics and etc) then hopefully students will find value in it. It is definitely a more active way for students to learn a skill, having them find out what went wrong rather than me telling them (over and over and over!)

Training

There is so much I could say about training. I love it so much right now. The days where I am unmotivated and struggle to go are fewer and farther between. I love how strong I feel, and have begun to appreciate how hard my body works for me, and can work for me.

I know I've said it before, but I'm not doing this specifically for weight loss. However, it has been so fun to see how my body is changing. I sleep better (although I'm still almost always tired) I can see muscle and definition where I previously didn't, my clothes are looser. I am so excited to see all of this hard work come together on race day. To know how hard I'm working EVERY DAY now, so that I can succeed on that one day.

I'm so excited!