A positive week

This stressful week is almost over!  It has been positive.   I’ll share why:

1. I don’t believe that I have been surplussed.  However, I believe there are a total of 10 teachers who will not be returning next fall.  I feel blessed and reassured about another year.


2. Cheer tryouts are officially over.  I have tallied the scores and now I just need to review them with my principal.  I hate it, but some good OLD girls will not be returning.  Maybe next year they will take things a little more seriously.  Additionally, I got major compliments from one of the principals I report to.  She stated that my tryouts were organized and of high quality.  


3. My lessons were good this week AND my kids tested well on their quizzes for a change.  One of my fellow co-workers asked me how I do it all, I told her about some of the old “faithful” strategies that I’ve picked up from veteran teachers:  reading groups, map exercises & lots of Q & A.  I wouldn’t say my kids are learning a lot, but they are definitely active in class.  And there is very little down time.  One of my kids was telling me today, “ Miss A. this is the first free day we’ve had all year.”  It wasn’t even really a free day, b/c of a program, I gave them a worksheet to do AND I sat down.  They had 10 minutes to talk.  They thought this was a free day. . . .isn’t that funny!

Delivering disappointing news

I am in danger of being surplused. Today, I looked at the seniority list AND I am at the bottom. Which means they could send me to another school next year. I love my school and my job. I don’t want to go, but I PRAISE THE LORD, at least I will still have a job. I am THRILLED that I will be fully licensed in a few months. People are telling me not to worry because I am the cheer advisor and so that would make me stay over someone who is not doing anything. BUT STILL, this is a little stressful.

Cheer tryouts are this week and that is stressful, too. I’m not worried about the girls who are new, I’m worried about the old girls. Some of them simply believe because they were on the squad last year they are entitled to this year. I hate that I am going to have a battle on my hands in the next week or so; because I don’t want the same experience. I just don’t know how its all going to work out—but its like sitting on pins and needles. Don’t know what the judges are going to say OR how scores will run. I think the major reason I am worried is because I hate to see people have hurt feelings. But in life, there will be disappointments. I guess I’ve got to learn how deliver the disappointing news.

Updating after a long time away

Someone reminded me that I haven’t posted in a really long time.  I didn’t even post over spring break.  I think I am suffering from BURN OUT!!! It is that time of year when getting out of bed every day is a chore. . . . I give a lot more worksheets, lecture less.  I wish I could find  a way to handle burn out a little differently, but I guess as I gain more experience and have more resources, I’m sure it will change.  

I was talking about team teaching with another teacher and possibly spending the summer to work on lesson plans for the upcoming year.  I really like that idea.  I think it would be great if our teaching/lessons were uniform.  Also, I like the idea of having everything laid out in advance and just having to review prior to teaching it.

Progress reports were given out yesterday and I gave a lot of Ns and Us in conduct.  Today they were whining and complaining that the people who did the most talking got Ss and Us.  I explained to them that errors were possible; however, they should consider their attitudes and behavior.  To be honest 5th and 6th periods are really working my nerves, it is sooooo difficult to get through these two classes.  

I’ll try to post pictures of my classroom etc on another day!!!