July 27, 2009

  • Random Work Ramblings....Blah! Blah! Blah!

    I thought summers would be easier....less hours, not many kids to work with....you know...an actual summer vacation! It definitely hasn't turned out that way.  Ever since I got back from California and started work again on the 13th, I have been pulling FULL work days - 7:15am - 5:00pm and sometimes even 6:00pm.  I've been working with kids and prepping for those sessions, observing our incoming freshmen in their Summer Academy classes, prepping tutorials for outside tutors to work with some of my students this summer, IEP meetings, communicating with parents, prepping and giving presentations to teacher trainees about SPED, and more. It's quite exhausting actually, but hopefully there will be some more downtime in August before I have to get in gear again to begin the next school year. If I don't get a period to just relax a bit more, I know I will go crazy before the school year even begins. 

    I am excited about this school year though.  This year, due to some Obama stimulus funds, I get a full-time assistant.  She will only work for my department.  She'll do everything from setting up IEP meetings for me/sending meeting invitations home to confirming and reminding parents about meetings to translating SPED documents into Spanish to managing test accommodations to a host of other tasks that will just make my job easier to manage.  Second, we're going to begin using a new program called LANGUAGE! It's a comprehensive literacy curriculum. I've been using the Wilson Reading System for the students who need the most phonics support, but having the LANGUAGE! program will bridge the phonics more with grammar, writing, comprehension, etc. I get to teach two LANGUAGE! classes - one for repeating freshmen and another one for new freshmen. We found this program after my assistant principal and principal visited a KIPP school in Houston. Third, I have moved into new office.  For the past three years, I've been working comfortably in Room 219.  I've moved to Room 211 which is a bit smaller than my old room but has more window area.  It'll be a nice change.  I moved into the room last week, but I haven't done anything with it so it looks like a tornado blew through it. Finally, this year, I will witness the seniors graduate.  These are the seniors who were freshmen my first year at MATCH.  It's going to be incredible to see them after 4 years together walk across that stage come June 2010.

    I also hope that come 2010, new opportunities will come my way. Roger and I are still planning a summer 2010 move.  I've been in need of a fresh new start with my hubby - free from parents and having our own space. Cross your fingers so that everything will work out the way we want it to.

    I miss the BGC , and I can't wait to see many of you next month!

Comments (3)

  • Close to a full circle, watching the kids graduate in 2010. Keep up the good work.  I wish I had a teacher like you when I was  going through public schooling.  I might have been a happier person if I knew someone believed in me. 

  • I'm really glad you have found some light for this new school year.  Your school and your students are lucky to have you.  I can't wait to see what unfolds for summer 2010.  I think a fresh start with your hubby sounds good.  I know Chris and I are thankful for the time we spent in Wisconsin before moving home. 

    I hope you get some rest before the school year starts!

  • I'm moving offices too, and I just found some floppy disks in my desk drawer, which tells me that it is clearly time for a change! I also hear you on the students - I must have started at Chavez the same year you started at Match, because the kids who were freshmen my first year are graduating this year. So exciting!

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