A Belated Post

Is anyone still out there?

After not blogging for nearly a YEAR I can't imagine anyone still follows this unreliable piece of work.

And yet, I've decided (once again) to begin blogging again!  I'll do my best my friends.  I'll do my best.

What has changed in the last year?  Lets see:

- My first full year of teaching went TREMENDOUSLY well.  I still have a job.  I was voted "Favorite New Teacher." I'm still in love with my career

- I got ENGAGED.  That's kind of a big deal I guess.  Mark your calenders: 7.06.13.  Galena, IL

- Kyle and I MOVED.  Again.  We have an actual house with a huge back yard!  Also, we're having a party tonight so if you're in the area...

- I made it through my first half marathon.  And haven't run since.  Oops.  I might want to think about starting that up again.  The number on the scale keeps going up.  It's like weight and exercise are related somehow.  Hmm

- My girl crush Ann Curry was fired from her TODAY show job.  I feel very angry with NBC over that.  In fact, after Conan/Curry-gate I would completely boycott the network if it wasn't for Parks & Rec.  Crap.

And that is honestly about it.  I'm nothing if not consistent.

Fast Times at Whitney High

Things in my life have suddenly accelerated.  A lot is changing (very quickly) and it is questionable whether it is all for the best.

These numerous changes are the main reason for my recent blogging absence. Oh, and I've also been playing a little bit too much Tap Fish.  How do you waste so much time on a pointless app you ask?  Good question.

So what is ch-ch-changing?  Here is the short list

1. BAD: My car "Sassy." Just paid her off as of TODAY.  So naturally, over the weekend she started acting like a real bitch.  Currently she's (hopefully) being fixed.

2. GOOD: School is done, one week from today!

3. BAD: School is done, one week from today, meaning I have piles of work to get done!

4. GOOD: Kyle and I found an apartment we love, love, LOVE and put in our application for it.

5. BAD: Still no word on whether or not we got the aforementioned apartment

6. GOOD: Training for a 1/2 marathon in August (Thanks Nate).  Yes, that is 13.1 miles.  Yes, I have lost my mind.   No, I have never run that far in my life (current record: 6 miles).  Yes, I realize I have a loooong way to go.

6. QUESTIONABLE: My job for next year.  It was posted to internal candidates: No takers.  It is now being posted to external candidates (since it is considered a "new" position).  I will be a "preferred" interview but everyone keeps reminding me someone good, great, better than me could interview.  Thanks for the reminder.  And to make me keep sweating, the interview might not take place until EARLY JULY! Ugh!

So there you go.  My stress level as of late is through the roof.  I do believe I'm always 2.5 seconds away from a heart attack.  At least I have tap fish....at least I have tap fish.

Hope Lost?

Today I am sad, I am angry, I am upset, and I am feeling a little bit hopeless.

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a teacher.  When I did my student teaching, I KNEW teaching was perfect for me.  Teaching makes me happy, I honestly feel like it is what I was born to do.

And while I don't want to whine and complain and feel sorry for myself, I am just so FRUSTRATED right now. 

We had "teaching meetings" today, and I was hoping to get some good news about my job for next year.  And while I didn't get the worst news (aka: "No job for you next year") it isn't what I would call good...by a long shot. 

To be a full time teacher at my school you must be considered 12/12.  (I am currently 4/12).  Next year my position will become 11/12.  Sounds great right?  Nearly full time!  However, it is looking quite likely that this 11/12 will in fact become a FULL time.  What's wrong with that you ask?

As soon as my position becomes full time, it will be opened to district employees, and potentially outside candidates.  I heard a rumor today that there are some Middle School teachers chomping at the bit to get into the high school.  Not good for me.  If the position is opened to outside candidates, I would have to go through the interview process (again) and could potentially face off against someone with more experience (and frankly more talent).  Again, not good for me.

I'm trying not to be dramatic, but in the pit of my stomach I just don't have a good feeling.

I want to teach!  More than anything!  Why is it so hard for me to just get/keep a job?

It is so unbelievably depressing to think about going back to subbing.  No matter what anyone says, it makes me feel like a failure.

It hurts to feel that way about  yourself.  Very much so.  And hurts to potentially not be able to do something you love. 

I've been praying for two years now to get a full time job.  I keep hoping beyond hope that something will work out for me.  But when, WHEN will it be my time?

I'm keeping my fingers tightly crossed.  But after two years of failure, I think mine may be broken.

Frustrated with a capital F

"Back to school. Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool. I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight"

And I almost did get in a fight.  No, actually that is a complete lie.  However, my first day back at school did prove to be frustrating.

I came to school very excited today, having been assured my job status for next year at B.C. High School would be decided.  However that is now NOT the case.  New estimate: end of April.  Another month of stress...yay!

On top of this, I had a very fun frustrating day with my students.

In my World History class, SIX groups were scheduled to present a project they had completed before break.  Actual groups ready to present: ONE.

In that same period, this happened:

Student X: While Ms. C. is busy with another student, flips American Flag upside down.

Me: Noticing upside down flag, "X, turn the flag right side up."

X: "Ughhhhhhh, NO"

Me: "NOW.  You should treat our flag with respect"

X: "I can treat our flag however I want!  It doesn't represent ANYTHING!  We have NO FREEDOMS IN THIS COUNTRY!"

Me: "As a history teacher and someone who has family members in the military, that statement is both incorrect and offensive."

X: "I DON'T CARE!  I will say that to anyone!  I'll say it to everyone in the military!  I can say whatever I want here.  It's called FREEDOM OF SPEECH!"

If that doesn't show logic, I don't know what does.

Welcome back to me, Welcome back

Unemployed Whit

Welp, I got the official word today from my principal: All first year teachers are being let go.

Don't worry, I didn't cry.  I knew it was coming and also know there is a chance I'll be back at B.C. high school next year.

I was told by the principal that "he'll do whatever he can to keep me around."

But it all truly depends on numbers; how many new kids enter the school, how many Social Studies electives kids sign up for, and class size.

After talking to my department chair it looks like this:
1. The biggest likelihood is there will be the exact same number as this year: meaning I could be part-time again.
2. There is also the small chance that numbers will increase slightly resulting in me still probably being part-time, but having an extra class or two (and being paid more)
3. Finally, the small chance that numbers will decrease slightly meaning I'm out of a job.

To sum it up: No one really has a clue yet as to where I stand.  By early April I should get the official word.

So please Blog Readers I ask you this: Send positive thoughts my way, Cross your fingers for me, or Pray for me that I am asked back next year or at least get a teaching job somewhere else.

I NEED to be teaching and I need all the help I can get.

Blame Me, I'm a Teacher!

Please excuse me if I rant and rave.

Please excuse me for being a teacher.

Please excuse me for "being overpaid" and "hardly working"

Please excuse me for being the reason this country is in so much debt

Please excuse me for being money-hungry, selfish, lazy, and nothing more than a babysitter

NOT. 

If you cannot tell, I am quickly growing tired of the blame-the-teacher attitude that seems to have taken over our country in recent years.

A quick FYI for you teacher-haters:

1. Me, overpaid?  Hardly.  You think once I'm a veteran teacher with a Masters degree I will be earning the same as someone with the same degree/experience in the private sector?  Hardly.
2. GOOD teachers are some of the hardest workers I know.  Most of us don't work 7:00-3:00 days.  No, no, no...that is just SCHOOL hours.  We're with students before school, after school, doing prep work at home for hours during weeknights and hours during the weekend. Of course there are a few teachers who work the system and take off early and don't do any outside work.  But would YOU want to be judged by the few bad eggs in YOUR line of work?  Didn't think so.
3. You think I'm a babysitter?  Fine, pay me like one.  I'm going to be real here: working as a 1st year part-time teacher I bring home $400 a paycheck.  If I was paid only $3 per hour to "babysit" each of my students I would be making OVER $850 every paycheck!!!!  Yes, Please!

And while we're at it: I dislike the fact that teachers have to be fearful of losing their jobs based on how well students perform on tests and in school.  Should teachers be held somewhat accountable?  YES.  It is our job to teach.  But should others be held responsible as well?  Indeed.


For starters, if we are going to have an accountability system it needs to start in  ELEMENTARY schools.  Too many high school kids come in with 5th/6th grade reading/writing levels making teachers play catch-up for far too long.

And what about parents?  What has happened to their responsibility in all of this?  If every parent made sure their kids were fed and clothed properly, checked on their kid's homework, and offered support to schools - SO much more could get done.


Also, lets be honest.  There are just some kids out there who no matter how hard teachers and parents work just.don't.care. about these tests; and will put no effort in to study and prepare.


I will not deny some things need to change in Education.

There should be a (reformed) accountability system.  And I do believe the tenure system has created some teachers who get lazy.  I am more than OK with this system being reformed so that incompetent tenured teachers can be more easily fired.

But to blame teachers for state/national debt?  To call us lazy and overpaid?  WE educate your kids!  WE teach them life lessons!  WE inspire them to learn!

By the way: the only 5 states in the U.S. who do NOT have collective bargaining (S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Virginia  Georgia, and Texas) were ranked nation-wide as follows in 2010 ACT/SAT scores: 49th, 38th, 34th, 48th, and 45th.

Wisconsin: 3rd.

Youth of America

A few of my favorite quotes from my students in World History today:

"Why don't we just frickin nuke Iraq and take their oil!"

"What I don't understand is, since 9/11, why haven't we just already killed everyone in Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan?"  When I  tried to explain it was not the countries that attacked us but rather a terrorist organization: "Still!  It would make things easier!"

"We should just bomb them in secret and not let the world know"

"Yeah but... after Japan was bombed people went crazy.  Like literally crazy.  Like people are still in mental hospitals today.  For real."

"Wait, we bombed Japan?"

"Why is everyone always sayin the U.S. gets involved in other countries business?  Maybe THEY should keep THEIR nose out of OUR business!"

"Hey Ms. C, who was that one black person who got those black kids to make an army?  They had guns?"

I LOVE being a teacher.  Never a dull moment.  And yes, I corrected these outrageously incorrect statements

SNOW DAY x2!!!!

Tuesday Night - blowing now, yikes!

TWO SNOW DAYS!  YIPPEE!  Odd, that I'm writing about my snow days as I'm back at work (clearly not working too hard).

Ah the joy of a SNOW DAY.  Although, some of the fun was taken out of it in my opinion because both snow days were called off the day before.  There is no better memory then waking up as a kid only to learn you had a SNOW DAY!  Or during the U of I Valentine's Day Blizzard, heading to class with Kelli and learning you got a SNOW DAY then preceding to wake up your entire dorm floor with the news.

Still, it was Fantastic.  Wednesday and Thursday off.  What luck!  And while I was a little jealous that my dad got a third (!) SNOW DAY today, I am a little happy to be back.

I mean really, I hadn't left my house since Monday (Tuesday was my off day).  I was getting all kinds of antsy.  And it's only ONE day back. 

I was also very productive on my SNOW DAYS, I got caught up on grading and even ahead on planning.

Speaking of planning lessons, it's always the irony of teaching that the lessons you put the most thought and consideration into planning, are the ones that fail the most.  For example, in my World History class on Monday I had (what I thought) could be a boring lesson planned.  But it turned out fantastic!  We had such a lively great discussion.  The kids were totally into it.

On the other had...my Monday U.S. History lesson.  I put so much effort into it, and thought it was amazing.  It was over the 1950's American Dream, a woman's ideal role, family life... all of these (in my opinion) fun things.  I had tons of pictures in my PowerPoint, Stereotypical women jokes (really!), and we even watched an episode of "Leave it to Beaver".  Fun right?

Not according to these kids.  Granted it was a Monday- first period.  But they were SO not engaged.  Totally catching flies with their mouths.  FAIL! 

Painful, truly painful.  Ah well, next time I'll get em. 

How about some more SNOW DAY pics?

Dad standing next to a snow drift.  He's so happy

This poor tree was buried!

Opened the garage door, only to find a mini-mountain of snow

Half a tree

Here's What I Think of You!

I love teaching.  Truly, everything about it.  But I know as a young teacher, I have lots to improve.  So, at the end of the semester I ask my kids to "review" me.  Here are some of my favorite responses:

What Did You Like about this Class?
"I Loved your class so much!  Before I hated history but now I kinda like it!  You're a fun/cool teacher"

"I liked the way you teach things.  Your not boring like all the other teachers but I think it's because you're young."

"Favorite class ever!"

What Didn't You Like?

"You didn't let us play cards"

"Why do we write so much?"
"Your bellwork is the epitome of all evil"

Suggestions?
"We should only watch movies"

"Don't make Ms. C. mad! LOL"

It is always a little scary giving students the opportunity to critique you, but I'm getting used to it.  I mean, as a teacher, I know I'm critiqued CONSTANTLY by these kids.  Critiqued, made fun of, laughed at...Remember the things YOU used to say about teachers?


The other day about halfway through my U.S. History class, I looked down only to find my black dress pants had a HUGE chalk smear all across my thigh.  Surprised, I said to my kids "Why didn't anyone tell me I have a giant chalk stain!"  To which they replied, "Oh, we've been laughing at that all period." I tell you.  Kids these days.  


And today for some reason while trying to say "emphasize" in my World History class, it just wouldn't come out right.  It was coming out "EPasi...ePa...EPasize?"  Kid's were trying to guess what I was reaching for when one kid in the back, with a surprising amount of annoyance in his voice loudly proclaimed: "EMP. PHA. SIZE." Well, gee wiz.

And the more I think about it, I do believe most of my blogs will be about teaching/coaching. 

Kids do say the darndest things