...is HARD! Thankfully, the first night of my second class ended early, or I would've been WAY overwhelmed. Tonight's class was Applied Linguistics, and I actually think I will enjoy it, but the academic side of it is huge. My other class, something about teaching ESL students with the SIOP model (yeah, no idea on that one yet), is focused more on the practical side of things. I have lots of homework in addition to work related to my real job - teaching!
On the plus side, I did get to skip Meet-the-Teacher night. YAY! ;)
Monday, September 8, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
I'm Surviving
Well, I survived the first week of school and am almost finished with the second. :) I seem to have a mostly good group of students. There are a few potentially shady ones, but they are laying low for now.
My first graduate class began last night. I already feel overwhelmed. I have to read 4 chapters by next Wednesday, and my second class begins on Monday! Ack!!! I miss summer.
My first graduate class began last night. I already feel overwhelmed. I have to read 4 chapters by next Wednesday, and my second class begins on Monday! Ack!!! I miss summer.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
School Starts Tomorrow!
I must admit that I'm not as excited about this as I'd hoped to be. However, after last night's sermon at church, I'm realizing more and more that this negative attitude is really a trust issue. Am I trusting God to provide for me this year? Am I satisfied knowing that this may be where He can be most glorified in me? At the moment, not at the level I should be.
Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need
What I really need is more of Him.
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please . . .
Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need
What I really need is more of Him.
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please . . .
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Gratitude
So, today was the first official day back for teachers. Let me just say that it did not start well.
Yesterday evening, I walked out of my school to find that my car had a flat tire. What time was it? Just past 7:00, meaning all the tire places were closed. However, by the grace of God, the man at Firestone was still there vacuuming and was nice enough to air it up for me. In the process, he found a nail in the tire. My wonderful roommate picked up a can of Fix-A-Flat for me on her way home, so I'll be able to make it until tomorrow to get my tire fixed.
Anyway, I got up early this morning to use the Fix-A-Flat...not a problem. I just haven't seen this hour of day in quite a while, so I wasn't Little Miss Sunshine when I arrived at school at 7:30. We had to sit with our teams during breakfast which was fine, but then the meeting went downhill fast. Some inappropriate comments were made - as a "joke", the table next to mine thought it was okay to talk during the entire 2.5 hour meeting, and two of my team members found something negative about every presentation/presenter. I must admit that at this point, I seriously began to wonder if a job change/early retirement might be in my near future. But have no fear! I know God is taking care of things and that I am where I am for a reason.
I had lunch with our awesome librarian (who did not marry until she was 37, btw ;)), and we had a GREAT time. Seriously. We had each other cracking up every 5 minutes. In fact, lunch put the day back on track, and I got lots of things done in my room. On the way home, I got to talk to my two previous classroom neighbors, which was great fun, and I also had some heart-to-heart time with my Savior. It was during our chat that God remind me of how faithful he has been and just how much I have to be thankful for. For the last few weeks I have been obsessed with the Nicole Nordeman song "Gratitude". I first heard it at Mary Beth and Michael's wedding - where I thought it was far too long. Sorry, MB. I've since seen the error of my ways. Exerpts from the song with my comments follow...
Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
It was raining hard on my drive home.
Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
I have a job that I love despite the bad days. It more than pays my bills, helped me become debt-free, gives me summers off, and provides the opportunity to affect over a hundred lives daily.
So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .
(Chorus)
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
He is all I need. I have so much to be grateful for.
What about you?
Yesterday evening, I walked out of my school to find that my car had a flat tire. What time was it? Just past 7:00, meaning all the tire places were closed. However, by the grace of God, the man at Firestone was still there vacuuming and was nice enough to air it up for me. In the process, he found a nail in the tire. My wonderful roommate picked up a can of Fix-A-Flat for me on her way home, so I'll be able to make it until tomorrow to get my tire fixed.
Anyway, I got up early this morning to use the Fix-A-Flat...not a problem. I just haven't seen this hour of day in quite a while, so I wasn't Little Miss Sunshine when I arrived at school at 7:30. We had to sit with our teams during breakfast which was fine, but then the meeting went downhill fast. Some inappropriate comments were made - as a "joke", the table next to mine thought it was okay to talk during the entire 2.5 hour meeting, and two of my team members found something negative about every presentation/presenter. I must admit that at this point, I seriously began to wonder if a job change/early retirement might be in my near future. But have no fear! I know God is taking care of things and that I am where I am for a reason.
I had lunch with our awesome librarian (who did not marry until she was 37, btw ;)), and we had a GREAT time. Seriously. We had each other cracking up every 5 minutes. In fact, lunch put the day back on track, and I got lots of things done in my room. On the way home, I got to talk to my two previous classroom neighbors, which was great fun, and I also had some heart-to-heart time with my Savior. It was during our chat that God remind me of how faithful he has been and just how much I have to be thankful for. For the last few weeks I have been obsessed with the Nicole Nordeman song "Gratitude". I first heard it at Mary Beth and Michael's wedding - where I thought it was far too long. Sorry, MB. I've since seen the error of my ways. Exerpts from the song with my comments follow...
Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
It was raining hard on my drive home.
Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
I have a job that I love despite the bad days. It more than pays my bills, helped me become debt-free, gives me summers off, and provides the opportunity to affect over a hundred lives daily.
So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .
(Chorus)
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
He is all I need. I have so much to be grateful for.
What about you?
Saturday, August 9, 2008
This week...
Monday: I spent my time from 8:00-2:00 at a district workshop for English teachers. We learned how to use children's books as a tool for teaching various things in our middle/high school classrooms. (Side note- district workshops make me anxious for some reason. I always feel overwhelmed and vastly inadequate before, during, and after them; this one was no exception.) After the workshop, I went home and cried. I kid you not.
Tuesday: Day 2 of the district workshop. This time, we separated into groups by campus and learned about Thinking Maps. My department already uses two of the maps frequently, but it was helpful to practice with the others. I will actually use the ideas from this workshop. (Sadly, this is not always the case.) After lunch, I was told that I have one class of senior English. This caused much anxiety for about an hour, but it then subsided into mild anxiety that continued until Thursday. After the workshop, Deanna and I ran errands before going to the teacher meeting at our tutoring job. Thankfully, they feed us and pay us for attending these monthly meetings.
Wednesday: I went up to school and worked in my classroom. I even got to use my cordless drill to put together some bookcases. Let me just tell you, there is something about being a girl and using this drill that is very empowering...just ask Deanna - I have more tools than most guys our age. :) While at school, I got a phone call from my sweet Grace thanking me for the flowers I sent her. (Her mom, Kerry, is one of my closest friends from way back in elementary school.) I knew Grace would be starting kindergarten the next day, so I thought I would send her some pink tulips to tell her that I was thinking of her. My favorite part: "Mommy, Kristy sent me bubble wrap!" Kerry's reply: "Keep looking, Grace. I think there's something else in there." LOL.
Thursday: I went up to our district's administration building to edit some district-wide assessments. Since this was a paying endeavor, I was much more excited about it than my previous work for the district this week. :) Sharon, my department head at school, and I always make the most of our time together, and we've gotten very good at entertaining ourselves and each other at these things. When I got home from this, I had to drop Deanna off at the airport. She's currently visiting some friends of ours in Florida. Lucky!
Sharon called and asked if I would rather teach a PSAT class instead of senior English. Apparently, we have a teacher leaving, and now the schedule is up in the air. God definitely worked this one out. I already have PSAT training from working at Huntington (where I tutor), and this class will be less work (as far as planning/reading) than senior English. Praise the Lord!
Friday: Ah, Friday. I slept late. :) I worked on some things around the apartment and crossed a few off of the to-do list. Then I went shopping for some "professional" clothes for school. When you're my age and height, it's important to invest in things that actually help you look like the teacher.
Saturday: Today I worked at HLC for a few hours with a first-day student. His name is Greg, and he's going into eighth grade. He was so fun to work with...we bonded over long division. :) Since I only had to work from 9:00-11:00, I had planned to go work in my classroom, but I think I've just decided to stay here and relax. :)
I am trying to get better at updating and adding in fun stories. Maybe I will learn to post more than once a week. Don't give up on me!
Tuesday: Day 2 of the district workshop. This time, we separated into groups by campus and learned about Thinking Maps. My department already uses two of the maps frequently, but it was helpful to practice with the others. I will actually use the ideas from this workshop. (Sadly, this is not always the case.) After lunch, I was told that I have one class of senior English. This caused much anxiety for about an hour, but it then subsided into mild anxiety that continued until Thursday. After the workshop, Deanna and I ran errands before going to the teacher meeting at our tutoring job. Thankfully, they feed us and pay us for attending these monthly meetings.
Wednesday: I went up to school and worked in my classroom. I even got to use my cordless drill to put together some bookcases. Let me just tell you, there is something about being a girl and using this drill that is very empowering...just ask Deanna - I have more tools than most guys our age. :) While at school, I got a phone call from my sweet Grace thanking me for the flowers I sent her. (Her mom, Kerry, is one of my closest friends from way back in elementary school.) I knew Grace would be starting kindergarten the next day, so I thought I would send her some pink tulips to tell her that I was thinking of her. My favorite part: "Mommy, Kristy sent me bubble wrap!" Kerry's reply: "Keep looking, Grace. I think there's something else in there." LOL.
Thursday: I went up to our district's administration building to edit some district-wide assessments. Since this was a paying endeavor, I was much more excited about it than my previous work for the district this week. :) Sharon, my department head at school, and I always make the most of our time together, and we've gotten very good at entertaining ourselves and each other at these things. When I got home from this, I had to drop Deanna off at the airport. She's currently visiting some friends of ours in Florida. Lucky!
Sharon called and asked if I would rather teach a PSAT class instead of senior English. Apparently, we have a teacher leaving, and now the schedule is up in the air. God definitely worked this one out. I already have PSAT training from working at Huntington (where I tutor), and this class will be less work (as far as planning/reading) than senior English. Praise the Lord!
Friday: Ah, Friday. I slept late. :) I worked on some things around the apartment and crossed a few off of the to-do list. Then I went shopping for some "professional" clothes for school. When you're my age and height, it's important to invest in things that actually help you look like the teacher.
Saturday: Today I worked at HLC for a few hours with a first-day student. His name is Greg, and he's going into eighth grade. He was so fun to work with...we bonded over long division. :) Since I only had to work from 9:00-11:00, I had planned to go work in my classroom, but I think I've just decided to stay here and relax. :)
I am trying to get better at updating and adding in fun stories. Maybe I will learn to post more than once a week. Don't give up on me!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Talk about an adventure...
I just found out I have to teach one section of senior English. Looks like I'm about to read four novels between now and August 25. Please pray for my morale and anxiety issues right now...
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Oh, my word...
I'm definitely feeling the pressure to update this blog! However, in my defense, I don't really see the point in updating since just about every thing I do around here gets posted on Mary Beth or Deanna's blogs!!
Anyway, here's a quick breakdown of my summer:
JUNE:
-I did some curriculum writing for my school district (for pay!)
-Stopped in B'ham to see Kerry, Grace, and Wes; I
-Julie Dalrymple's bachelorette party in Jackson, MS
-I did some test editing for my school district (for pay!)
JULY:
-I was able to go Sandestin, FL with my roommate and her family for 6 days
-Deanna and I went to visit Mary Beth & Michael in Ft. Worth and show them around the Stockyards
-I went home to MS for the week before Julie's wedding to help her with last-minute wedding stuff; on the way, I was able to stop in Meridian to visit with Katharine & Shawn and spend the night at their awesome new house; on the trip from Meridian to Columbus, I got a flat tire!
-I had the privilege of serving as Julie's MOH at her wedding on July 26
-I was able to see two of my most favoritest people ever (Kerry & Grace) one more time
-Deanna, Mary Beth, and my sweet cousin Jessica rode back to Texas with me, and we got to entertain Jessica for the week
AUGUST:
-Our friend Jesseca (from Huntington) came over and did a Mary Kay party
-Presently, I am in Ft. Worth being entertained by Mary Beth & Michael
That's enough for now, don't you think?
Anyway, here's a quick breakdown of my summer:
JUNE:
-I did some curriculum writing for my school district (for pay!)
-Stopped in B'ham to see Kerry, Grace, and Wes; I
-Julie Dalrymple's bachelorette party in Jackson, MS
-I did some test editing for my school district (for pay!)
JULY:
-I was able to go Sandestin, FL with my roommate and her family for 6 days
-Deanna and I went to visit Mary Beth & Michael in Ft. Worth and show them around the Stockyards
-I went home to MS for the week before Julie's wedding to help her with last-minute wedding stuff; on the way, I was able to stop in Meridian to visit with Katharine & Shawn and spend the night at their awesome new house; on the trip from Meridian to Columbus, I got a flat tire!
-I had the privilege of serving as Julie's MOH at her wedding on July 26
-I was able to see two of my most favoritest people ever (Kerry & Grace) one more time
-Deanna, Mary Beth, and my sweet cousin Jessica rode back to Texas with me, and we got to entertain Jessica for the week
AUGUST:
-Our friend Jesseca (from Huntington) came over and did a Mary Kay party
-Presently, I am in Ft. Worth being entertained by Mary Beth & Michael
That's enough for now, don't you think?
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