I just don't know what to do with myself . . .

School is out! I’m excited. All I have to do is show up for a few summer practices & run concessions and then I’ll get to rest a little more. I want to go on a vacation somewhere. My budget is limited, but I feel like I MUST get out of this city. Maybe, I could go visit a friend—that would be lovely. I’ve never had a real vacation like that before. I feel like a kid in a candy shop. Last summer, there was not even a thought of a vacation. Now,I'll try to take one, not just wish about it. YIPPPEEEE!!!!

The last bell has rang . . .

FOR THE STUDENTS. You would think I’d have massive amounts of time to post the events of my day or reflect on the success of my year. Sadly, this is not true. I am under these massive amounts of paper while making final decisions about grades and reflecting for my administration. On top of that I’m finishing paperwork for my permanent license. It feels like this school year will never end. I love the end of the year b/c you can look forward to fresh starts—and begin preparing for something new.



The picture is what my kids spent their last day doing. In one class, only 2 students showed up. I had all my classes complete reflections which I’ll share on another day in another posting. They were great & funny & sweet. I’m going to miss these students.






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In the midst of all the paperwork, I seemed to have gotten my principal chewed out. The district office called and chewed Principal out for something I said to a parent. As I look back on the events, really I don’t think that I did anything wrong—well, maybe. Student C’s mom went to the district office. I have no idea why, I went over and beyond on how to the help this student. At any rate, Mrs. C told them that I said the only reason I gave her child make up work was b/c Principal told me to. This is true. Apparently, I said this to the child, too. I do not recall this, but I might have because I was so angry about the whole thing. Principal got chewed out b/c I said this.

I don’t quite understand the ramifications of all of this and why it was so bad. However, Principal said that I could never say things like this again to a child. It has something to do with professionalism. I explained to Principal that what we were doing to pass this child along was unethical especially since the student has no learning disabilities or a 504 (I hope called the name of it right). Student C is just as bright as any other child in my class. Coming to school regularly is the problem. Principal said that she defended me and my actions, but I don’t understand where the problem is and why I needed to be defended. Why should this student receive special treatment? No other child, except those in SPED program, had accommodations like this.

It is these situations that make me grow disillusions with teaching. However, the problem is that the student is failing ALL classes, not just mine. So what am I to do? They have tenure; I don’t. So here’s another injustice: A student passed a class without earning it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the upside, I’m finished with grades. All I need to do is complete some last bits of paperwork and clean up my room. YIIIPPPPPEEEE!!!

Two days left!!!!

Everyday this week I have come home exhausted and drained. Tonight was my first night getting in before 7:00 PM. I am so drained that I can hardly make the drive home. I close my eyes and rest while sitting in the drive thru. It seems like the end of the school term is just dragging and dragging and dragging and there is still tons of work to do. We’ve got put grades in the computer system AND average them manually. Complete a failure lists, turn in this and that, go through exit interviews with reflections and the list goes on and on and on. Calgon take me away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Drama Queen saga continues
She came to me today and apologized. I accepted her apology. She said that it really bothered her that she had disrespected me in such a way. She doesn't believe in treating adults like that, but she had so much on her. She said that she's under a lot of stress and that was simply her breaking point. I explained that life beyond high school will treat her bad on a different level and she'd can't respond the way she did to this. She said her teammates were angry with her for quitting. Drama Queen wants back on the team. I told her I would have to think about it. The answer is no because it will set the wrong example. No matter how badly we need her. I pray I making the right decision.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Cheaters
We’ve been having final exams this week & a freshman teacher thing happened to me. The kids stole the key to my test and cheated. Because we have such a GREAT discipline program, we can’t make the students take the test again without proof—crib sheet or visually seeing them—even though another student who saw them turned it in. What kind of honor policy is this. Two of the students would have failed the class without making such high scores on the exam. I am disappointed that there was nothing more that could be done. I strongly believe that no bad deed goes unpunished and they will get theirs in another way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Cry Babies
In one of my classes, I scored the exams while they were still in the class and was able to give them their final grades. In this class, I only had 2 to fail. One begged and begged me for extra credit. I said no amount of extra credit was going get him from a 60 to 70 on a semester grade. It just couldn’t happen. The other girl started crying when she found out she had a 65 for a semester grade. She wanted me to give her all 5 points. I explained it was just too many points.

After this I decided, I would give no more students final grades. I am not emotionally equipped to handle the reactions of students. I say let them find out when they are home over the summer and I’m not around to discuss it. Students from my other classes came in to find out their grades, I lied and said I wasn’t finished yet. My last period, knew I was finished and after I explained the crying situation, they still wanted to know their grades. I refused, plain and simple. I know this is all apart of the job--but I'm still going to avoid it.

Taking Suggestions for a new name

This year I had my own website for my classroom. It was my first and last name together. I don't like it b/c it is not very private. I wanted to get a new website, with sort of a cute name that can last for years. I will work on building it over the summer. I am taking suggestions. Here are few basic facts about me. Maybe it'll help you think of something

My favorite quote is by Dr. King "Faith is taking the first step without seeing the whole staircase."
History Teacher--I get the pleasure of teaching African American history next year
cheer sponsor
Favorite game is monopoly
I'm a shower singer
The username i use for this forum is proverbs16three. . . i should change that name too, b/c its grammatically incorrect--but I had it on my email for years, so i just keep it that way.

The Drama Queen Quit!

I actually wrote this on Monday, but didn’t have a chance to publish it b/c of the craziness of the day.

Everyday, since Saturday, I get on here thinking that I’m going to write about graduation. I took pictures and everything, but something else takes hold of me and I have to write about that instead.

Today’s headline story: Drama Queen Quit

As many of you remember, my cheerleader, Drama Queen, threatened to quit. Today, she came to me after school and said that she was quitting because the money and the fact that I was unfair. In this meeting, she told me that I was unfair to give her demerits and that I picking on certain people. She said that her main reason for quitting was the fact that she didn’t have the money to continue doing it. She said, “Miss A., I could find the money, but cheer isn’t any fun anymore.” I refused to dismiss her demerits and told her as sincerely as possible that, “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

My version of the whole situation:
Drama Queen doesn’t want anyone to correct her. She wants to be the center of attention except when she has done something wrong. Drama Queen is concerned about everything and everyone other than herself. She wants to make sure that she’s in the limelight. Drama Queen has a bad temper and when she’s gone the atmosphere of practice will change.

“The N word is fraught with such enormous pain.” –Eric Michael Dyson

The quote in the title of the post is my inspiration for my writing today . . .I heard it on a news program this morning.

Last year, I had the great opportunity to teach contemporary issues. I think I will be teaching this course again for the 2nd semester following African American history. I am excited by this prospect; I have wanted to address the N word with my classes for soooo long. When I first taught CI, I addressed it briefly, not a lot of discussion; however, I am planning to seriously address this issue as apart of this course next year.

Why?

At the beginning of the year, I tell the kids my pet peeves—this is apart of my procedure, so as to let them know what will set me off & rub me the wrong way. They learn them and can quote them on command. The one thing that they are forbidden to do is use the N word. In a school that is 90% African American, this word is used all day by Black students toward other Black students. I never worry about my White students using the word— they just seem to know better—besides, in the mighty South, it could possibly end in a race fight. My African American students use the word so flippantly. Instead of saying, “whats up, hommie” or “hey, man,” they say things like “what’s up my N” or “that’s my N.” For them, it’s a term of endearment. For me, I can’t stand it. I flinch every single time I hear the word. No one can use this word.

I come back to Eric Michael Dyson’s quote; this word is hateful & painful. It is what we as African Americans have fought against for years. Civil Rights activists were murders, beaten and discriminated against—the perpetrators ALL used this word. This word was used jeeringly at public lynchings. It WAS NOT used affectionately. And it IS NOT affectionate. I don’t understand how this word can be RE-DEFINED, when it has a racial stigma still attached to it. There is no way this term could be endearing. In my opinion, saying it is endearing or affectionate is absurd. When we use this word over and over again and allow the world to see it, we proclaim that we are “happy little darkies.” I am not and never will be a “happy little darky.”

The media and poor urban communities are sometimes more effective teachers than I am. I am hoping that I can reprogram or undo some of the damage that these outlets have done. I am hoping that if I show them the original motivation and intent of this word, they will eliminate or minimize their use of the word. I don’t think I can expect miracles, but my sincere prayer is that students will evaluate their use of this disgusting word. . .

For more info on stopping societal use of the N word, check out this site. http://www.abolishthenword.com/

I'm tired Rant

I am not handling frustration well. At all! I feel like I’ve had it, today! Things I’m frustrated about and can do nothing to change:

1. I am tired of a child who is consistently late to practice b/c she has
to pick her mother up from work and then come back to school for practice. Today was the worst b/c she showed up over an hour late for practice.
2. I am tired of these children who feel they can skip practices as they choose. They want to be on the Varsity squad AND was given an advance schedule—but repeatedly do not show for practice and USE lame excuses. So am doing something about this: Continuing to give them demerits until they have eliminated themselves from the team.
3. I am sooooo very tired of practice starting late. B/c there is no set practice
area & we get booted from everywhere we practice b/c of scheduling conflicts—there is no master schedule & every sport takes precedence over us
. . .Which brings me to #4
4. I’m tired of running around everyday trying to figure out how & where we will practice. It’s a pattern of inconsistency that I CAN NOT stand.
5. I’m tired of girls getting an attitude & not wanting to condition. It’s the most absurd thing in the world. They know they need it. They know it is required. They
know its going to happen. Yet, they still complain about it. Its not
like other schools where they have specific morning practices dedicated to
conditioning that are much more of a challenge
6. I’m tired of being asked by these CHILDREN; why can’t you do it with us. You should. I’m not the one cheering or going to a competition, so I can do whatever I
want.
7. I am definitely tired of saying, “worry about yourself and not
what others are doing.” Everyone is minding someone else’s business and
worrying about stuff being fair. Mind you own business.
8. I’m tired of giving so much to ungrateful and mouthy children. If having your
own is like this, I don’t want ANY ever, especially if they are like this all the
time.
9. I am tired of being asked if, when and what fundraisers are going to be done AND GIVING THE SAME answer. I don’t organize them anymore,
its your parents' responsibility.
10. Mostly, I’m tired of the parents’ lack of responsibility and accountability. They ask constantly what I’m going to do and the real question should be “what am I as a parent going to do?”

I guess what this all boils down to is that I’m tired. I’m frustrated and I’m ready for this all to end. One more thing, I'm tired of this post b/c it won't format and it sounds like I'm whiney and grumpy--which is probably true.

Singing the Hallelujah chorus . . . .

I'm expecting to do my Holy Ghost, rolling in the floor & snot, crying tears of joy and screaming dance in 8 days. Today was the last day for seniors, so I already hear that climbing bassline in the distance (for those of you who are not familiar--where there is dancing in Black churches, the music accompanying it usually has a climbling bassline)

We should be more careful about who gets diplomas or It might be the weed

I wanted to share conversation I had 2 two times with a graduating senior this morning. This is an example of who is getting high school diplomas in the American education system. I’m beginning to worry about who will take care of me in my old age. Or maybe it is just because I’ve been really moody/busy/crazy the last couple of days.

Mistake #1: Late for work again (this time caught by the RED PEN),
Mistake #2: So I run to the upstairs copier where the students can see and get to us (because its closer to my clasroom)

D sees me and comes in the copy room. “Miss A, when are we taking the final?”

Mistake #3: Answering his qestion instead of asking him to leave the teachers' space. “It was a take home final for seniors, but you missed out because you haven’t been to school in about a week. I passed them out sometime last week”

“Oh, can I get it?” D inquires.

“Sure, I’ll give it to you when you come to class. It is due back on Wednesday.”

“So can we use our books?”

Dumbfounded, I responded, “It’s a take home exam.”

Again he asks, “We can use our books?” My mouth drops and I say nothing.

When he’s still standing there a minute later, to make sure I retain my job, I reply “I’ve gotta finish making copies.”

******Skip forward to 3rd period********

“D, here’s the exam. It is due back tomorrow.”

“So we can we use our books on this test, right?”

“Ummmm, yeah, it’s a TAKE HOME test.”

How do you not say something sarcastic when you are repeatedly asked the same question over and over and the answer to your question is staring the asker in the face. What makes the question nuts is that he asked me the same question at two different times—so he had time to think about it, plus his classmates have said over and over to each other how happy they are to have a final like the one that I gave them. No other teacher is doing this; but I have a mixed class & can't stop an entire class to test 7 or 8 students. I'm worried because, this is an 18 year old, soon-to-be graduate of a school of one of the best schools in the our district. I’ve been told many times by the students themselves that most of my kids smoke weed on a regular basis. If he’s one of them, he better stop soon.

Teachers Appreciation & Mothers Day

I was appreciated for Teacher Appreciation Week by the administration at our school. I was surprised b/c I expected the typical donuts, yogurt and bagel breakfast at school on Friday morning. Honestly, I was kind of frustrated when I arrived and there was no breakfast. Instead, they gave us a steak lunch. It was really nice, plus we were able go home after we had finished our lunch. In addition, we got a key chain & nice pen. These were nice perks. It feels like someone appreciates the work that I do at my school. Also, on Thursday, one of my student’s parents brought all of his teachers a nice lunch to school. It was unexpected and very nice, I thanked the student. He was kind of bashful about the whole thing.

It is nice to be celebrated once in a while. I guess that’s what Mother’s Day is all about . . .and I’m beginning to feel a wave of guilt b/c I didn’t do anything “special” for my mother today. I’ve done things all throughout this year for my mom, so I didn’t see the point in sending her flowers or anything b/c she gets other things at other times. I don’t like sending flowers, b/c I feel like they are a waste of money. I like to give practical gifts, things people can use—beside my mother doesn’t need anymore knick knacks or stuff, her house has enough of that stuff now. So I didn’t really see the point in getting anything. I guess as I reflect, I see that it is simply about being appreciated; it’s the thought. I wish someone had told me this a week ago. She would have felt more appreciated today. How is it that I can be woman and not realize these things? I really feel like should know better.

As I was chatting with my friend yesterday and I was explaining my philosophy about these type of days, she got really frustrated with me. My rationale was that my brother never does anything for any day, so why should I, just b/c I am the girl child. His lack of sensitivity to the holidays is never questioned. It seems like he gets off easy b/c he is cheap and b/c he’s guy. I don’t get that pleasure, EVER! It seems like I’m just supposed to know what to do all the time. When he is rude or never calls or is just plain lazy, it is accepted. I despise this double standard. How come we as women can’t care? How come (especially in the south) we can't be rude? Why do WE always have to remember? I know that it sounds like I am making excuses and playing the blame game for my insensitivity or lack of warmth, but . . . . oh, hell, I’ll just send something online now & this conversation can end and my guilt, too.

12 days left. . . . .I'm striking the up the drums

I did the unforgivable today. I gave my World History classes a project that is due on the last day of classes. They will be presenting their projects on this day. Many of them do NOT plan on coming to school; I suggested they turn in their work early—the get bonus points for doing so. I am expecting a lot of early projects, because none of them want to come to school after Memorial Day. I am planning on spending exam time grading all of my early projects.

School District Rant: How am really upset about how my school district, parents, administration and students handles make-up work. I have a lot of students who are absent a lot! In one of my classes I have a student C, who in previous terms comes to school about 2-3 days per week. About 3 weeks ago, his mother called the school upset b/c no one would give her son make up work for the first semester. HELLO, WE ARE IN THE SECOND SEMESTER!!! She ended up talking to our curriculum principal, who told her that she would have to talk to the individual teachers. Most of the teachers are tenured and have been teaching for years. Their answers were “no, absolutely not.” I am not tenured. . . .so here goes my story: Mrs. C would not give up. I explained to her that it was not fair for her to complete work that other students had done on time and were diligent about their attendance. She stated that his attendance should not matter. At any rate, she proceeded to berate me (I could tell she wanted to curse me.) I told her that I would speak with my supervisor and let her know. We decided that this student would sign a contract to do some additional work. Today, she calls back wanting to know how the child did. I explained to her that I have NOT finished grading C's work. She wants to know when I will finish grading that work. Why should I grade 25 pages worth of work on my OWN time when the child didn’t make time to do the original work? I don’t plan on grading a sheet of it b/c I don’t have time for it. I just filled out the grade change form for the lowest possible passing grade. It is not right—or ethical in my opinion. The principal even agreed it wasn’t right but we had to try to help the student pass.

Is this what school is supposed to be, kids are given grades? Kids are passed along to avoid the hassle of parents who decided to wait until the end of the year to do something about their failing child. Life does not treat you this way. You rarely, Rarely, RARELY get the opportunity to make up for things you have failed to do because of sheer laziness. I fail show for my job, can I say I’m sorry about that, give me another shot. No, I would be released from my position. Imagine if I didn’t meet my deadlines over and over again. Life does not work the way we are handling them at school. A child’s parents can’t get them out of sticky situations once they are adults. Excuses don’t matter in the REAL WORLD.

I have another child, N, who skips out for 3 to 4 weeks at a time. They bring her parents in to truancy court and you know they decide to withdraw her, but N shows up to school about 1 week later reenrolled. This has happened 3 or 4 times this year. Each time N comes back, N assumes they should be able to make up work. I talked with the discipline principal this time AND guess what he agreed that N shouldn’t be allowed to make up the work. So yaaaah. . .so I guess I won one today.
~~~~~~~~~
Another edition of the “Preacha’s” saga: Today, he let cheerleader know that she would be perfect for him b/c she’s shorter than he is, she’s smart and quiet. She was very nice about it all. She laughed while he was saying all these things, but tomorrow, I’ll get the skinny on how she feels about his advances toward making her the girlfriend or “future preacha’s wife.” LOL. My lunch hour was hilarious today, as I sat in my classroom and listen to him try to “talk” to her. I told him he was too young to settle down, he said “all my preacher friends have girlfriends, so I should have one too.” Peer pressure even affects preachas.

A rant about sleeping and giving grades

I don’t know why when people call me in the afternoon, they seem shocked to find me a sleep. If I don’t have an afternoon practice, why wouldn’t I come home and go to sleep? Don’t people realize that teachers are exhausted this time of year? Does there always have to be something wrong? Aren't adults allowed to have naps on non weekend days? And no, I'm not sick. No, I'm not pregnant. I don’t know why I am offended –because I’m grown. I have every right to come home and go to sleep. I don’t have any children or a husband—all I have is this job right now. I deserve to sleep and sleep well. I earn time off and my sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, it is testing week, again. I don’t feel like I’m accomplishing much with my students. We are discussing the Rwandan genocide in World History. The sad part about all this is that I don’t have very many grades for any of my classes. It is difficult to create assignments when you are not teaching. For the practical law class, I gave them a packet of work to do. One of the seniors said to me, “Miss A., I’m a senior. I don’t know why you are giving me all this work, when I only have one week left. Honestly, we are finished.”

My response, “Student F, I don’t have any grades for you, what should I do, when I can’t teach you for the 3 weeks you are here.”

Student F, “Oh . . . .well, are you going to give us time in class to work on it?”

“You have the whole hour. AND its not due until Friday.”

Anyone else have a better solution to this type of problem? Seniors only have me for 3 weeks out of a 6 week term and two of it has been spent in state testing? Just give everyone an A? I really believe that kids have to earn their grades. Thats why I love my freshman, they know they have 3 more years of work. They can't even use the end of year excuse.

15 days and counting. . . .

Ever had a day where you were utterly exhausted. That’s me today. . . that’s me every Monday. Mondays are the long days of my week. I have a day of teaching followed by gymnastics and usually do not make it home until after 7pm. I decided to journal before turning in—thinking it could clear my head so that I can rest deeply.

It is another week of testing for me. I’m administering/proctoring every day this week. I’m disappointed because it means I have NO planning period at all this week. This means I need to make sure I get to school EXTRA early to use the copy machine for my lessons. Yes, I am going to attempt to teach this week! I am determined to teach the lessons I have planned to get out before the testing period begins. There are some things that I don’t want my students to leave my class without knowing. Am I crazy or what? I know, I should probably just go with the flow, but I can’t see allowing my kids to have 2 complete weeks of videos and free time.
~~~~~~~~
On Friday night, I had insomnia so I played around with Windows MovieMaker and made my first home video DVD with background music and commentary—of my cheerleaders practicing. It was soooo exciting. I went to bed after 1:00 am, b/c I am such a perfectionist. (I would love to share it on my blog, but I’m sure I’d be violating some type of rule—don’t know which one—about protecting the privacy of my students.)

I played and played and played with the MovieMaker AND then I started dreaming. Oh, how I wish I had a 21st century classroom. My kids would love doing an activity like this. I had heard that district was testing laptops in some schools to replace books—I wish my school had been chosen. Doing these types of activities motivates students! I remember making a movie as apart of college project (with a different program), it was so much fun and I learned a lot about my topic in the process. I can dream can’t I?

p.s. does anyone have suggestions of a movie making programs that don’t crash all the time?
~~~~~~~~~
5th pd always makes me laugh: I don’t know if I’ve shared this before on my blog, but in my 5th period class, I have an “amen” corner. I have a young man R, that all of the kids call “Preacha” b/c he wants to be a minister when grows up. He dreams of having a congregation of more than 2,000 and a BIG beautiful church. He has told me so on many occasions. At any rate, whenever were having class discussions or I’m lecturing and he agrees with something that is said, he nods his head in a preacherly way or he might say “say that, now,” or he might say “amen” from time to time. Depending on the day, I might crack up in laughter rather than continue on with my lesson and ignoring him.

On Thursday of last week, one of my cheerleaders came to my room on her lunch. She was helping to remove things from the walls and clean up the room, while the students were viewing “Hotel Rwanda.” For extra credit, Preacha was helping me, too. In the midst of working, Preacha stopped and seemed to be engaged in a serious conversation with the cheerleader. I told him jokingly, “stop flirting and get back to work or watch the film.” Student D, overhead this and began to tease him, “We’re gonna have pastor and wife’s anniversary, today. Cheerleader, you are the new first lady.” The entire class cracked up. I couldn’t help it; I laughed, too. After class, I spoke with him. I felt so bad for laughing. It had not bothered him at all. He said “she’s a nice young lady. Pretty, too.” I began to giggle again. I reminded him that she only needed to date guys with straight A’s. He said I was “blocking.” I laughed more and said it was my job to block for the cheerleaders. So now, I’m an OFFICIAL BLOCKER!!! Woo hoo!!!

~~~~~~~
After all this journaling, I now feel alert and am smiling. I can face another day!

Personal Vent

This post has nothing to do with teaching. I had planned to write about the events of my day--cause I had some good laughs today--but, I AM FURIOUS.

I rent an apartment--that should say a lot--and probably I should have expected this. Anyway, a few weeks ago (more like a month), I wake up to a leaking ceiling in my bedroom. The roofers had been installing a new roof and they left it open one night and of course it rained. The next morning, I immediately called the complex office to let them know. They said they would send someone to check on it and repair it. Nothing happened for a few weeks. Then one day, I arrived home early and happen to run into the maintenance guy outside my apt building. He asked about the leak and if it had been fixed. I told him no. He came in an looked at it--this was about a week and half ago. He stated he would take care of it. I assumed it would be a couple of days. Nothing happened.

Today, I get home and my bedroom doesn't look like I left it. They repaired the ceiling and there is a layer of white dust all over everything including the bed. At first I was embarrassed and upset because I had left my apartment messy. . . .down to leaving clothes and unmentionables on the floor. Now, I'm mad. Why? Because there is a white layer of dust all over everything. They could have at least told me the roofing people would be coming today so that I could prepare for it! I could have covered my stuff and made sure everything was put away. I don't even know how to handle this. . . I am furious and feel like my personal space was invaded. Should I say anything? I'm so mad I could throw a shoe. Its not right, they should have given me a warning--especially since they didn't make the repairs when they were supposed to. I thought writing about this would be therapeutic, but I'm still not over it. Maybe, tomorrow.

The Countdown has started. . . . 18 days left!

Compliments are rare, but exciting in the world of teaching. I got some compliments today. I was complimented by another social studies teacher viewing the quality work of my children. They love the work that I am doing with them. It shows that I try to use a variety of the skills. I am so happy to even be acknowledged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today was another testing day. Another NON productive day! Anyway, my kids and I played games for a while. It was fun. I found out today that next week will be another testing week. So I’ve got to make the most out of the week. I’ll make sure I plan some things we can do to cover those last 2 chapters before the end of the year. Another teacher told me I should just give up, but I can’t. They need these two chapters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have been assigned new classrooms for next year. I went up to preview mine. Its much smaller than the space I have now. First thing I’m doing this summer is looking at classroom layouts, so that this it can be organized in a way that doesn’t appear to be a lot of clutter. I’ve got start taking down all my stuff. . . urrrggghhh. I hope that the teacher in the current classroom get her stuff packed within a few weeks of school’s end, so that I can go in and start putting up stuff. I don’t want to have late nights of inservice, like this year. I want to be ready to go on the first day of in-service. I’m going to miss my room and the space. A LOT!!!

Another teacher and I will be team teaching a little next year. We are planning to get together throughout the summer to plan lessons that will align. It is strange that we can be teaching the same thing with different styles and still be affective. I am really beginning to love my co-workers and my school, despite the bad days.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Team Teacher reminded me that I definitely must love the cheerleaders, too. I DO! I want to see them succeed and I know that they can! Our coach came to our first practice and it was AWESOME!!!! I was able to sit down and get some paperwork done, but it was sooo awesome b/c they look so very good already. THERE IS A DEFINITE DIFFERENCE IN HAVING A MALE AND FEMALE COACH! Enough said.

Procrastination will be the death of me

I am a procrastinator. I’ve been procrastinating everything lately. Maybe I have spring fever, too. I know my kids at school have it. Maybe, that spring fever has infected me in the form of procrastination. Things I am procrastinating:

• Getting out of bed each and every morning. This morning I didn’t get up until 6:30 and therefore, I was late to work 3 minutes, luckily the RED PEN didn’t catch me.
• Sending the cheer announcements note for the week. Really, I’m procrastinating writing it and figuring out dates and times—also sometimes I dread getting responses from parents.
• Planning a year end celebration for the cheerleaders. (I’m open to suggestions)
• Creating this 6 weeks project sheet. The kids need to get it before next week. Thursday would be a good day.
• Writing my semester exam. . . . urgggghhhh. . . .
• Working on the cheerleaders accounts/statements. . . . urggghh, uurrrggghhh. . . I hate managing the financial aspects of cheer
• Organizing and submitting paper work for this summer’s practices and camps. . . .uurrggghhh, urrrrgggghhhh, urrrrgggghhhhh.. . .
  
  Things I do to procrastinate
• Read teacher blogs
• Play on the WW boards\
• Listen to books on tape
• Check my email every 5 minutes like something new will be there
• Eat/Drink. . . that’s been my favorite past time of late

The sad thing is I know that I am procrastinating and need to do these things, but these things are fun and require less of me.