Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008 at a Glance

This post is taking a look back at 2008. It was quite a year, with ups and downs...we are quite ready for 2009!

January 2008
January 2008 I started this blog! What a great idea...it has been a great source of release for me and it is great to go and look back on all the things I have done, felt, experienced etc. It is like a digital scrapbook!

I was still working as long term sub for Libby at St. Nicholas while she was on maternity leave...St. Nicks was a great school, with great kids and I am so glad that I had the chance to work there...it also led to my current job which I am incredibly grateful for.

I got a job offer from Rhythm and Moves and accepted...but continued my sub coverage through the month of January.

February 2008
I began my teaching at my new school that I was offered a job for...Capri and Blackford. I remember calling myself the "new Michelle Pfeiffer" since the very first day of school (at Capri) involved 3 fist fights!

Aaron, at the ripe age of 25, got shingles...that was quite the experience!

February is the month that the cone wars started! This is when the construction worker left the cone on our doorstep and Libby thought it would be really funny to leave it there to freak us out a bit...which it did...I was wondering if our house was leaking/flooding or something! We later returned the favor and placed the cone on top of her car..and she couldn't reach it the next morning because of her vertical challenge-ness.

We remodeled the bathroom...new paint, new tile floors, new toilet, new cabinets, new vanity mirror...all the hard work and labor put in by Aaron and I!

A visit to Disneyland!

March 2008
Harley had her first trip to the dog park!! Aaron and I were so nervous since she used to be a little dog aggressive, but she had been a lot better so we wanted to try it out and socialize her some more...she did a great job!! And we were so proud...I even cried and video taped the whole event!

After just remodeling the bathroom, Aaron's dad went into the attic to install the new exhaust fan for the bathroom and uh..he fell through the ceiling!

We celebrated Harley's 3rd birthday!

Aaron quit his job at the Right Stuff...one of the best decisions ever made..EVER!...but left us pretty financially hurting...but it was really, the only option and again, the BEST choice ever made!

Aaron started working at Equinox as a personal trainer.

Harley got Kennel cough and had to be seperated from all dogs for more than 3 weeks. =( We took real good care of her and had a humidifier on every night....poor girl, I felt so bad for her!

Baby Jennifer rolled over for the first time!!!

April 2008

Found out that the lump in my mom's breast was cancerous...I was completely heartbroken, speechless, mad...

Mom had her surgery to remove the lump from her breast, extra tissue, and a lymph node to see if it had spread and also put in the balloon tube for a new type of radiation treatment

Jennifer's Baptism

Found out that my moms cancer did NOT spread and they began radiation treatment with the new balloon technique...radiation continued for 5 days. I can't even begin to describe the emotions I felt when we found out the cancer had not spread!

Aaron and I always try and help lost dogs find their homes...if we find a wondering dog, we always stop to see if they have a collar, etc. We found a beagle, with a collar and we tried to take him back home, but when we were taking him back, he bit Aaron right on the hand! It freaked me out..but he didn't break the skin so I felt we were alright...we did find the owners!

May 2008
Moms radition is done! Now she only has to go see the oncologists for future check-ups and check her incisions.

Aaron and I graduate college!!

After college graduation, Aaron and I do an east coast to west coast road trip to celebrate our graduation. It was the best, most memorable vacation of my life!...to name a few, we stopped in DC, New York, Niagara Falls, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Vegas, San Diego and more!

My sister and parents through Aaron and I a surprise graduation party at home in combination with her 23rd birthday party! It was the best party!...my parents hired a company that comes out and brings poker tables, craps tables, etc. and dealers!...there were kegs..it was AWESOME!

June 2008
I started teaching summer school at Argonaut..I taught 2/3rd grade public speaking and 3rd grade math superstars

I made my first ever fondant cake!

my mom and sister got new cars! It was about time!

July 2008
Tucker celebrated his 1st birthday with a bang!...with party hats and dog bone cookies and everything!

Created my 2nd fondant cake! (for the 4th of July!)

I notice a water leak down stairs in our living room....we come to find out that the toilet is leaking...had to rip out the sealing and replace the sheetrock.

I got my very first KitchenAid Mixer!

Tony, Libby, Jennifer, Aaron and I all visit Brentwood...they kind of fell in love!

Created my own apple pie recipe that was EXTREMELY popular with the family...it is now known as Mrs. A's Applelicious Apple Pie!

Jennifer's Adoption Finalization!!!

San Diego/SeaWorld/Disneyland Roadtrip with the Kranz family! It was an AWESOME vacation!!

August 2008
Disneyland continued!

My dad got a new truck!...this was WAY overdue!

Aaron's 26th Birthday....dinner at Buca di Beppo, lunch in Montery at Fishermans Grotto

Aaron started his new job with Rhythm and Moves as a PE teacher!

1st year teaching at my new (and current) school, Simonds!...Had a great first week with the kiddos and am so happy about the school change! The kids are amazing!

Sought help for a matter I don't discuss on this blog for the first time.

September 2008
Aaron and I celebrated 2 years of marriage in Huntington Beach, and well, of course, Disneyland! (on the weekend) and the day of our actual anniversary we would to Shadowbrook Restaraunt and then to Capitola State Beach!

Aaron and I got our first real fish tank! (20gallons)

Aaron got a new truck...a 2008 Honda Ridgeline

Aaron and I drove up to San Francisco, trekked on foot...all over the city to find Citizen cupcake...we were eventually successful and enjoyed some pretty delicious cupcakes!

October 2008
Babysat Jennifer while Tony and Libby went out to celebrate their anniversary!...she was a peach! Daisy on the other hand....um...barfed all over my crotch!

Called the cops on our neighbors for banging on our door at 1am (they were letting us know that Aaron left the light on in his truck)...we didn't know it was the neighbors and I freaked and called the cops! (and...uh..they did it again the next night! LOL! Aaron told him, if it happens again, just let me wake up to a dead battery!)

Started restoring my mustang (new convertible top, carpet)

Spent nearly all day helping Libby create/make her 2nd adoption profile...it was a lot of work, but it came out great and it was good fun!

Jennifers 1st Birthday!!!!

November 2008
I cut my hair shorter than it has ever been...a little shorter than shoulder length and I love it!

Uh...Aaron and I, well...actually the crap jumper cables, started a fire when we were trying to jump my mustang!....Fortunately, we reacted fast and put the fire out!

December 2008
My 26th Birthday...it was a great birthday! Only one thing could have made it better but overall it was wonderful and I know that that one thing I so wish and hope for will happen one day and one day soon!

Christmas....was a lot of fun...a lot different than usual...sad/hard at times but we made the best of it and had a great time. I cooked candied yams, green bean casserole, 3 pie (apple, chocolate banana, and pumpkin) and cookies (snickerdoodle, white chocolate cranberry, and giant chocolate chunk)...the food was delicious and the company even better!

Started new medications, hoping and praying it works!

2008 has now come to an end, and we are more than ready to see what the new year has in store for us!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

One Proud Teacher!

Today, the 4th and 5th graders attended an assembly to listen to the ASB candidate speeches....so everyone in the cafeteria was a 4th or 5th grader.

I teach PE...only 4th and 5th grade....so I know/teach all the students in the cafeteria.

So again...I teach PE...I LOVE my job but often times it can be a thankless job. Some teachers (homeroom teachers) look at you as babysitter who looks after their kids so they can have their prep period....and that I just teach them games...not that I teach them about fitness, health, how their bodies work, etc....teachers aren't the only ones who think that way..I know some parents probably do to.

My kids are VERY smart...and I teach them about a lot of things, not just games. My kids more about their bodies than most adults! My kids can tell you what their gastrocnemius is! Do you know what that is? (It is your calve muscle)...they know nearly all the muscles (the real names) in their bodies. They know heart rate, how to calculate heart rate, target heart rate and why it is important. I could go on and on....I teach my kids. I don't babysit. And they love learning....they beg me for information! They also ask me at the end of the day to tell them a "fun fact for the day" which is something I came up with where I give them a little fun fact about fitness, their bodies, anything really...and they live for it!

I absolutely love my students and care about their education.

Anyhow...today at the candidate speeches, candidates start talking about who they are, their current and previous teachers, what they are going to do for the schools and all that good stuff. Anyhow, when students are naming off their teachers, I NEVER expect my name to come up because I am not a homeroom teacher...I am the PE teacher. BUT today, when one the students was listing off her teachers, she says...Mrs. Avrech! I was shocked!..I smiled and it really warmed my heart to be named with the other teachers....equal with the other teachers. When the student said my name, ALL the students in the cafeteria turned around and looked at me and smiled....like they were so happy that she mentioned my name. My heart melted again. THEN....another student said my name in his list of teachers!! Again...shocked!

At that moment, I felt appreciated...that the students really feel as if I am an asset to their education and that made me feel really good about what I do....PE teachers don't get that recognition very often, if at all. So it was great to have that experience today.

Today was a really great day at work...I felt appreciated, the kids did really great learning new dances today (which was partner dancing!) and it didn't rain and I was able to complete my lessons!

And to top it all off...when I got home, Libby called me and told me that Michelle (one of our supervisors) came out to watch her teach and as they were walking in the school, a bunch of girls were running to her and Michelle said something like, the kids must really like you here....and then Libby heard the girls say, "that isn't Mrs. Avrech!"....they thought I was Michelle and they were excited to see me! I haven't seen any of those kids since February when Libby came back from her Maternity leave and I left!...it was nice to be remembered and missed so much!

What a great day!

Monday, September 15, 2008

So Grateful....

for my new school!

Seriously, these kids are great and this year has been 110% less stressful so far just by changing school sites!! Thank God for these children, because they are helping me keep my sanity!

Oh and the $10K/yr. raise helps too!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

First day back to teaching was....

AWESOME!!!

If I was to go back to the beginning of my blog and the HORRIBLE troubles I had at my last school....I would probably be even more grateful.

But believe you me...I AM SUPER grateful...These kids are WAY WAY WAY more well behaved than the students at my last school....Seriously...WAY more! At my last school, I finally got them in a rhythm and was enjoying teaching but I was their 4th teacher and that was hard for them and me.....but even though it got better, I was totally wiped out by the end of the year...so much so that my doctor said I had some kind of "psychological let down" (hence all the sleeping I was having back when...)

Anyhow...these kids are great....this school year is going to so much less stressful! The only thing that stinks is I work until 3....I know...whine! But I am teaching PE in the dead heat of the day and I am not just one of those teachers that stands around...I am VERY active...so it is damn hot and exhausting...and there is no indoor teaching area for the days that are unbearable or rainy or whatever....but really...I can't complain because these kids are stellar!

Although I did have one rebel...Eli....It is the only name I know so far and I won't soon forget it....but 1 student in comparison to the very many I had last year....HEAVENLY!

Oh and Aaron had his first day today too...and he loved it!! He said he did have one challenging class...it was a class with all special ed students...some with anger issues, some with autism, so with other disabilities and so that was different and challenging...and plus Jo, our supervisor, came out to watch him teach...and of course it was during that class...but she was definitely very understanding and thought he did a great job! I am so proud of him and SO glad that he is loving it...we'll see how he feels at the end of the year!?!?! LoL!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Summer School

I have been bumming like crazy about having to teach summer school this year....I just wanted to take some time off and relax....and I was stressing because I have never taught these subjects (2nd grade public speaking and 3rd grade math) before and had no idea what the curriculum was and I had to create lesson plans in a short period.

Thankfully, I found a box full of public speaking information and was able to write up some awesome lessons plans...the kids are going to have so much fun with it! Oh and Libby taught the same class I am teaching last summer and she sent me all her stuff...so I was able to easily write up lesson plans for that class!

Well, today was the first day and I have to say that I am SO glad that I am doing it!! It is so freaking easy! Seriously.....I only teach from 8:30-12:15 and I am really out of there at 12:15 and I still get the fourth of July off! And I get paid a ridiculous amount of money to do this....well...for the amount of work/time I have to put in! And I am getting paid through my other company over the summer at the same time...so doubling up on money!

The students were really very easy today!....This is going to be such a cake walk...4 weeks of teaching with easy students for $$$$...are you kidding?!?! I am so happy I just sucked it up and did it!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Teacher Appreciation Day

Teacher Appreciation Day was on a day that I was away on our graduation road trip....well, one teacher in one of the classes had her students write one letter to any teacher in the school that they appreciated most. Isn't that cute?

Well, today was my first day back and the class and teacher came out and told me about how the assignment, and 6 kids chose me as the teacher they appreciated most! I couldn't believe it!...I was shocked and very touched!

Here are what the letters said.

Dear Mrs Avrick,

You are the coolest and best P.E. teacher ever! You have taught me a lot about physical education. I have learned a lot about the games we play. I have learned a lot about football and tag games. You have made me feel confident. I feel excited during P.E. You are nice, and kind to everyone. I appreciate what you do! You have made P.E. awesome and fun! You have made it cool by doing fun games and sports. You rock, Mrs. Avrick!

Your student,
Paul

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Dear Mrs. Avrick,

You're my first and best P.E. teacher because you are so active, nice and cool! You always make us have the most fit bodies ever. You always teach us new games and give us new challenges.

Love, Jorge

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Dear Mrs. Avrick,

I'm writing this to you because you're the nicest P.E. teacher. You really care about us, you are fun and you always know what to do. You are always in a good mood for P.E. and so am I. You always tells us we were the best class and that makes me very happy. I wish you would never leave Capri. You are my favorite P.E. teacher ever.

Your student,
Yamlak

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Dear Mrs. Avrick,

Thank you for P.E., also known as physical education. It is so fun playing the games, and my favorite game is boys against girls. I do get in trouble a lot, but it is just because i want to play the game. I memorized some of the games, I think. Well, when you get back I hope we play it again.

Your student,
Justin

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Dear Mrs. Avrick,

Thank you for letting us do P.E. I got more flexible than usual. I really like it when you let us do flagtag and other fun stuff. And that you again for letting us do fun stuff in P.E.

Your student,
Reo

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Dear Mrs. Avrick,

You're my favorite P.E. teacher! I have a lot of fun with you. You're nice, and fun, and energetic. I love it when we do the drawing each week. It's fair and square and everybody's happy. I'll never have another teacher like you again.

Your student,
Andrew

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Aren't those letters the cutest?? They are just too sweet and I will seriously cherish them forever!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Potential Career Change

First, I love teaching. It is a great job and I love children. But, really...the pay isn't very substantial.

This Sunday, technically, I am a college graduate with a degree in Sport Management with a specialization in Fitness and Wellness. In July I start my masters program in Exercise Science and Health Promotion with a specialization in Rehabilitative Sciences. I have taken a TON of science courses including many biology courses, chemistry courses, and anatomy and physiology.

When I was in high school I always thought about becoming a physical therapist or even an occupational therapist. Today, I decided to research this career path and I became EXTREMELY interested. The average income in San Jose is about $75,000 annually and it is in my field of education. I have had a lot of experience in rehabilitating individuals through personal training over the years and this physical therapy goes even further into my field of interest. I feel like it would be a challenging and mentally stimulating career that wouldn't become stagnant. And...it would provide for my family financially without working ridiculous hours! Aaron actually has shown some interest in taking this career path as well! So you never know, one day you may have to make a stop into "Avrech Physical Therapy"

I not saying I am quitting teaching...but it is a possibility that I may change my career path in the future. I am going to do some further research. Right now I know I have to further my education to even make this an option so we will see. I still need to obtain my masters, potentially earn a doctorate (not required but looks good) and I need to pass a licensing exam.


Here is just some information on physical therapist and what they do...

On a typical day a physical therapist will:

  • examine patients’ medical histories;
  • test and measure the patients’ strength, range of motion, balance and coordination, posture, muscle performance, respiration, and motor function;
  • determine patients’ ability to be independent and reintegrate into the community or workplace after injury or illness;
  • develop treatment plans describing a treatment strategy, its purpose, and its anticipated outcome

Monday, April 7, 2008

California Subject Examinations for Teachers

On March 15th I took the multiple subject CSET in order to fast forward into my teaching credential program. I decided to take all three subsets, rather than take one at a time, just so that I could get it over with and get a feel for the exams.

The three subsets went as follows:

SUBSET 1: Reading, Language, and Literature; History and Social Science

SUBSET 2: Science; Mathematics

SUBSET 3: Physical Education, Human Development, Visual and Performing Arts

I went into the test without studying much at all. I registered for the test late because I was hoping to get in to the test so I could put my registration date onto my Cal State Teach application. Since I had to register so late, I didn't have much time at all to prepare for this exam. With that in mind, I had hoped to just pass one subset, but I wasn't feeling to good about passing any of them because of my lack of studying AND my teaching credential advisor told me a few days before the test, "I hope you have studied a lot, it is a VERY difficult test and a lot of information they test you on is stuff you didn't even learn in school!" I wasn't feeling to optimistic about passing any subset, but figured even if I don't pass any subset, at least I will get a feel for the exam and will be able to better prepare myself.

Fast forward----I took the exam and finished all 3 subsets in 3 hours (I had a 5 hour limit). When I left the exam room, I had NO clue how I did. The essays were pretty difficult. I had 4 essays to write in subset 1, 4 essays to write in subset 2 and 3 essays to write in subset 3. The multiple choice questions were OK, but really, I either knew it or I didn't and there were quite a few that I wasn't sure about; especially questions regarding California History. So, again, I was hoping and praying that I would just pass 1 subset! But still wasn't feeling good about passing any.

Fast forward again--- Today is the day I get the unofficial scores for my CSET exams! I am nervous and just hoping I pass 1! I open the first subset and check my score and it says.... "Did Not Pass" CRAP! I am thinking, oh man, I didn't pass any of them! This is going to suck! I barely missed passing this one! You have to get a 220 to pass, I got a 202! I move on from my failure and open up the second subset and it says.... "PASS"!! Woohoo!!! I did it, I pass one! I am grinning ear to ear at this point!! I didn't think I was going to pass any! I stop the celebration to open up the final subset and it says..... "PASS"!!! Oh my freaking goodness!! I passed 2 of the subsets!! I didn't think that was going to happen at all but I am VERY glad it did!

Now, I no longer have to worry about subsets 2 and 3 and now all I have to focus on is subset 1! I already registered to take it again and I will be taking it on July 19, so I have plenty of time to prepare for the exam! And now I have the ability to just focus on one subset and really put all my effort and energy into it. I feel very confident that I will pass subset 1 on round 2!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Mama Didn't Save the Drama

Oh my gosh, what a stressful, ridiculous day!

Each day, my students start class by grabbing their team flags, run for a lap, sit down, and take roll before we begin our sport activity. As I am waiting for all the kids to finish their lap I see a student on the ground with a few others surrounding him. I drop my grade book, run over to him to see what has happened and make sure he is OK. When I get to him I see that he is holding his head and crying. I asked him if he was OK and what happened and that is when he told me that another student kicked him in the head after he fell to the ground (he tripped). Apparently the student decided to try to jump over him rather than go around and/or help the classmate up and as he jumped he kicked him in the head! Are you freaking kidding me?

In the middle of dealing with that situation, a couple of other students come up to me and tell me that another classmate is mad at them and how that classmates mother is going to yell at them. Apparently the students mother was on campus. I kept them with me and assured them that I wouldn't allow the parent to yell or harm them. I really didn't think a parent would actually come up to them and begin reprimanding them but I wanted to make sure they felt safe in my class; they were very nervous and crying.

At this point my class is just out of control. I finally get them all together and begin a quick game of flag tag just to get them going and focused. It was very difficult because they all wanted to know what happened to the classmate that was hurt, what the drama was with the 3 girls and the mom. Finally, I got the class playing flag tag and kept the girls with me.

A couple minutes into the game, I see the mother they are talking about and I couldn't believe it, but she began walking up to me and the girls. I was thinking, well, maybe she is just going to talk to me. But NO! Of course not!! We are just going to disrupt my class farther and upset my students. So this mother comes stomping up to the girls and begins pointing her fingers at them and yelling, "you need to stop telling lies, and you need to stop spreading rumors" blah, blah, blah! I said, very sternly, "Excuse me, please do not approach my students. If you have a problem, please take it to the principal." So she left and went to the principal. I let the girls know that I would inform the principal and their teacher of the mothers inappropriate behavior.

Oh and you know what else the mother did? Before approaching the two girls, she was talking to her daughter and a friend of the daughter and said, "don't worry, "SALLY" is just a bitch!" I didn't hear this, but a number of students did and told me. I just couldn't believe how freaking inappropriate and childish this mother was.

The teacher and principal actually did come to talk to me to confirm that the mother had in fact approached the children in the manner that she did and I told them exactly what had happened. It seemed to all be resolved, through the principal, by the end of the class.

I don't know exactly what started the whole mess, but I do know that it had something to do with a boy....Geez!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Exhuasted Drunk

So, work yesterday was frustrating and exhausting and I was not looking forward to the return today. I had to keep reminding myself that it was only the one class that was horrible and I would only have to endure them for 50 minutes of my workday. So with that in mind, I went to it!

The first two classes were amazing!! No problems whatsoever. No outbursts, no fighting, no swearing, nothing. The listened and were very well behaved. And actually many of them were extremely helpful to me throughout the class period.

Then came THE class. The one I was DREADING! The kids grabbed their flags and went for their warm-up run. In the meantime, the teacher stays to talk to me. She tells me that one of the students will no longer be attending PE. This is the child I sent to the principal yesterday and I guess this incident was the final straw. This child is the one who instigated quite a bit of the troubles I was having with the class. Anyhow, he is no longer attending PE for the rest of the school year. During the PE instruction, he is sent to the library for the entire period. With this child no longer a part of the class, I was pretty excited (mean and sad, I know…but it relieved a lot of my stress) and thought the class may do better today. I didn’t however forget about the many others who had outbursts and wasn’t about to think it would be easy. I was just excited to have one less instigator. Anyhow, the class gets all settled in and I start instructing the class and I can’t even begin to explain how much easier today was! There were still a couple of children who were disrupting the class and myself, but I was quick to quiet them and let them know outbursts and misbehavior will not be tolerated. The class went smoothly with no fights, or complete defiance. I know have the one child removed from the class helped, but I also think that letting them know yesterday I was not accepting their behavior was helpful as well. Today when they came to class, they knew what to expect from me (Touch somebody in a harmful manner= principal- No exceptions, disrespect the class or myself= reprimanded- no exceptions) and made the decision to behave appropriately. Now, it wasn’t the best, easiest class I have ever taught, but it was a HUGE improvement from yesterday.

My next to classes were AMAZING!! They were all very well behaved, helpful and put forth 100% effort. It was a great way to end the school day.

Now the only thing I have to get use to is my increased hours. I went from working 10 hours a week to 30 hours a week. And also waking up at 6:45am instead of 9:15am. This is something I use to do all the time. My previous job was 45 hours a week and I was up at 6:30am but the amount of energy this job takes because of the poor discipline and defiance just DRAINS me. I am just absolutely 100% drained at the end of the day and that is only 2:20pm!! And to top it off, I am out in the sun all day so that just wipes me out! (I need to buy a hat to wear!! I am already pink with a sunburn and I put sunscreen on this morning!) My brain, body, soul just shuts down….and wants to rest. And when I want to rest, I am CRABBY!! I hate being crabby as I am generally a very happy person. So, I am just hoping I can adjust soon so that I can be my very happy self when work comes to and end each day.

But all in all, today was SO much better than yesterday and that definitely puts a smile on my face. As I sit here with that smile on my face, I probably look like an exhausted happy drunk in need of desperate sleep.

The Next Michelle Pfeiffer

Today was my first day at the new, highly unwanted by others, job. And oh my, what a day it was!

This school is a squillion times different from the school I just came from; the last school I taught at was a K-8 private Catholic school in Los Altos filled with very well off families whereas this is a K-5 public school in a lower income area. I am the 3rd teacher for this school (insert red flag) because the other teachers just couldn’t deal with the children well. This school is regarded as a “tough” school with poorly disciplined children. I knew this going in, but didn’t 100% understand what to expect.

So this was my day:

My first class was smooth sailing! I was thinking, why did the teachers have such a hard time with these kids?? They are listening well and behaving wonderfully. The only thing that was different for me was one child spoke absolutely zero English. I was trying to tell her what color team she was on and I couldn’t remember for the life of me how to say orange in Spanish.

Then comes my second class; again, pretty much smooth sailing. There were a couple of kids that acted out, but that is pretty normal in all schools/classes. However, I did find one student making comments that were a little unsettling. He was angry with another child and kept saying how he was going to kill him. “Kill him” is nothing I want to hear and is a huge red flag to me as far as behavioral issues go. I talked to him and he did fine throughout the rest of the class. First 2 classes down and I am feeling pretty good!

RECESS!! Woohoo….Time to enjoy my snack and call Aaron for a quick catch-up.

(((RING))) Time to get back to class. So in comes my 3rd class. They are all lined up nicely and I am thinking, wow, this is going to be a well behaved class. I sent them off on their warm up run and the teacher stayed behind to give me some info on some of the students. Apparently there are a lot of behavioral issues among many of the boys in the class. OK, no problem, I’ll watch and make sure they stay in line. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I have never seen a class like this in all of the classes I have taught! Nearly every single child was misbehaving and calling out. They just didn’t care. They didn’t care about getting in trouble, going to the principal, being docked in their grade. They just don’t give a crap. I get real serious, and let them know who is in charge and that they will not be able to walk all over me (You can tell the other teachers were probably just walked all over).

I got them settled down and into their stations. Almost immediatley when the teams were separated in their stations, I had 2 kids down. One child punched two other children in the stomach. I checked on the children, asked them what happened and approached the the child who hit the other two. He said he punched them because he thought it would be funny. I said very sternly, “It is NOT funny and NOT appropriate. Go to the office, now!” I can see that violence is a problem with the students in this class, so I wanted to let them no right off the bat that it wouldn’t be accepted. Once the child went to the principal, the class settled down and got back to their stations and work.

The children are doing fairly well (not the best, I would have liked to see a lot more effort, but at least their was a little teamwork and no violence). I sent them for a water break and then sat them down to explain our next activity. I explain and then send them off to begin their next activity, and as one girl is getting up to go, a boy intentionally grabbed her ankle so she would fall and she face planted into the blacktop. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I seriously was shocked. How can all this happen in one day? My gosh! I walked right over to him and told him he needed to leave and go to the office for his behavior. He begins to walk to the office, and a few children say, “you are going to let him walk there by himself?? He runs away!” I then sent a child to escort him to the office. And guess what?? He did try to run!! The “escort” ran and caught him and took him to the office.

The rest of the class went relatively smoothly.

(((RING))) THANK GOD!! THE CLASS IS OVER!! I get them all lined up to head off for lunch. They go. As I am packing up to head off to lunch myself, I hear, “Mrs. A?” I look up, and one of the students comes to me and tells me that someone stole his lunch!! One of the kids stole is freaking lunchable!! Are you kidding me??

Lunch time is hear and I am ELATED!! I need a break. I need to call Aaron and tell him about my day. I need some food to revitalize me!

(((RING))) Time to head back.

As I am walking back and getting ready for the next class, I see two boys being escorted to the principals office. Remember the boy who was saying he wanted to kill the other child? Yup, you guessed it, it was him and that boy. They were in a fist fight at lunch! And this is no little kid fist fight; these kids were seriously banged up. I seriously have never seen so much violence in one day.

All I am thinking at this point is, 2 more classes to go!! The first class after lunch sits down and is doing great. I get them separated into their stations and then it begins. One boy calls another a name (his last name is Sara and he was calling him Sara as a first name and saying he was a girl), and well this of course pisses off the kid and guess what he does? Yup! Punches him! Didn’t you know that violence is just always the answer?? He was talked to and the rest of the class went pretty smoothly.

And the last class went very smoothly. No problems, not outbursts, no hitting, no pushing, no name calling, ect. It was a good way to end the day.

But my, oh my, what a day it was. Overall, it was just the one class that I would consider unbelievably defiant. And I KNOW this is the class that ran the other teachers out of this school. And I am sure they are going to test me, as they did today, but I will stand firm, as I did today. They will not break me. They will learn to be respectful and behave. I think after the first day even, they realized I am not going to accept this type of behavior. It will just take time, I’m sure. I will have to be the next Michelle Pfeiffer as seen in Dangerous Minds.

But what a story to tell! How’s that for an answer to “How was work?"

Thursday, January 24, 2008

From High to Low

I am completely and utterly bummed right now.

Yesterday I was offered an amazing job and I was completely and utterly excited. Fast forward to this afternoon. I received a phone call from my supervisor and I could tell from his tone that it was not good. He begins to tell me that the position I was offered is no longer available; this position became available when another teacher put in his two weeks and sent his letter of resignation. Well, today, that teacher decides he made a mistake and no longer wants to quit his job. So that leaves me with no position! I was so excited for this, told all my friends and family and then it was ripped away from me and I am bummed.

Fortunately, they have another position open and asked me to fill it but it is not as good as an offer. I will have to go to two schools rather than one and the hours are longer (and I don’t necessarily think I will be getting paid more for those extra hours). But the biggest thing is, I guess these two schools are regarded as “tough schools” and the kids are not very well behaved or disciplined. They hired a new teacher at the beginning of the school year and he quit in November, they replaced him with a new teacher at the end of November and she quit in January. I am very good at dealing with children and am confident in my teaching abilities but I also don’t want to be the new “Dangerous Minds” teacher.

The supervisors were very apologetic and felt very sorry for the situation. (Mind you, this is the 2nd time the position they have offered me became unavailable). She told me should would take care of me, and my other supervisor said he will make sure to really support me at the new schools, but I am still bummed. Very bummed. I mean, it is a job, but who is to say this one doesn’t get taken away also?

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

She Works Hard for the Money

Today was a great day for me!

First, I went and visited Cat for a much needed cut and color and WOW!! She did an amazing job as always; I always leave the salon feeling so beautiful.

So I am feeling beautiful and confident and then I remember I have a meeting to go to…BUMMER!

Anyhow, next week is my last week as a long term sub for Libby as she returns on February 4th from maternity leave. That leaves me, um, jobless. =( BUT, and that is a big but!!…Last week, I was contacted by Claire, a head hauncho for the company and she offered me a position in the company! YAY! She said she would call me this week and give me further details. I hadn’t heard from her and was feeling bummed and nervous. I was afraid that the school may have withdrawn from the program, leaving no position open. (This has been on my mind for the last couple of days.)

So, I head off to my meeting, and am really hoping that Claire will be there and I may learn more about the job and/or if it is still available. As I was waiting for the meeting to get underway, I was talking to a coworker when a lady came up to me…yes you guessed it, it was Claire! She said hello, and said she needed to talk to me after the meeting. GREAT!!! Maybe I will learn something!

I am listening to the speaker, anxiously waiting for it to be over so that I can hear what Claire has to say. The meeting ends! WOOHOO!! So I go over to Claire to meet with her and she begins by saying…SO (a long drawn out so), the 2 schools we were going to have you teach at have pulled out. In other words, there is no job. As she is saying this, I am feeling very bummed and start to think about what I am going to do as far as work goes (Back to personal training, teach preschool again, nanny?) She continues…BUT…(and that is a big but!!!), two other positions have opened up!! WOOHOO!!! (Now my mind is having a party with balloons, noise makers and cheers!). It turns out that somebody on the team has put in their two weeks, and they would like me to take over that position.

I am beyond stoked!! It is at one school, so I don’t have to travel to multiple schools in the day, medical and dental coverage and a great team! (Everyone is so nice and helpful). I don’t know the salary yet, as Claire still needs to crunch the numbers, so she is going to get back to me with that. All I know is, it is a full-time job (that I love doing) so I am guaranteed to make more than I do now!

I am so grateful for this job and I am very thankful that Libby set me up here. I really owe a lot to her; she has been a great friend and has really helped lift my career. I am very appreciative of her help and friendship.

This has truly come at such a great time for me and Aaron. This job and the money are really going to help us financially! HIP HIP HURRAY!!!

Monday, January 21, 2008

6th Grade Class Touched My Heart

Last Friday my 6th graders had PE and I was excited to see them and after the class was over, I don’t think I could have been any more proud of any class.

First, let me start off by saying that the 6th graders, when I first started about 3 months ago were the biggest pain in my ass! They didn’t listen, they fooled around, a fight broke out, it was just chaotic. But after figuring out the personalities in the class and learning about them and what they need, they have been my very best and favorite class by far! And Friday, they made me fall in love with them even more.

On with the story…Friday was our first day of the track and field unit, so we were outside and I explained to them the concept of pacing. They understood and I gave them their assignment; they were to run for 8 minutes straight without stopping and upon completion of that and a good long water break and rest, we would time a 1/2 mile run.

Ready go….they all start their run and I remind them of pacing as they go and I am counting down the time they have left throughout the 8 minutes. I am watching and listening and then I see many students (probably about 5) cheering on one child in the class; This child suffers from a disability and it is harder for him to do certain things. He is doing a great job and he gets a great big smile on his face when his classmates cheer him on. As we are winding down the 8 minutes, he is getting really tired and nearly the whole class his cheering him on as they run with him. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Water break!! As I say this, I continue to watch as the students all give this child high fives and hugs and telling him how great he did! It was so touching to see this, and I really couldn’t have been more proud of my class. They are all truly amazing. The teamwork was amazing and I could see the happiness in the boy’s eyes as he received congratulations from his classmates.

Then the kids take their water break and are resting and still congratulating him and others in the class. Breaks Over!! They all line up and get ready to run the timed 1/2 mile. I let them know the best score I had seen so far was 3:01 (A 8th grade girl). Of course many wanted to beat it! Ready GO! They take off. Two boys are really hoofing it and trying to make it under the 3:01. They were a little shy of winning, and they both came in at 3:04. The rest of the class finishes under 5 minutes. The two boys ask if they can run it again. (This was not required, the wanted to), I say, Sure! They take off, the rest of the class, who are now watching the two boys who want to try again, are cheering them on loudly. They have about 1 lap to go and I tell them they have to speed up if they want to beat the 3:01 time. They start moving faster and about 15 kids that were watching get up to run with them to keep them going and keep them motivated. They finish. They didn’t make it under the 3:01 but they finished and the teamwork and class support was just amazing and I was truly proud of them all!

I am really going to miss this school when Libby comes back from maternity leave (I am subbing for her long-term) and I will especially miss this 6th grade class! I am going to make sure to really enjoy my last 2 weeks with them!