Monday, August 31, 2009

The Student Becomes the Teacher

Well, last day of vacation. Professional days start tomorrow. I will leave out my opinions here. Honestly, I just want to get started, no prestuff. And we all know the sooner the year starts the sooner summer can begin. I have two days after these to get ready and all. The weather is cooperating, hopefully it will stay cool.

I wanted to see if I could take a class this semester, but not looking too good. I need the rest I guess. That is sad because I love being a student. I can pretend, well let my classes teach me what to do and not do. I have so much to give them, but so little time. I really want to get so much done before all MCAS nightmares begin. I am going to try to get out of proctoring. I am not good at it. I would rather watch a cafeteria full of kids than deal with all that. I might not have a choice this year though, we are short a department head. UGH. Maybe I can coach cheerleading again...NOT.

We are short on paper (woah news, NOT). So I am finding ways to do stuff online. The honest truth is that putting stuff online is tricky. You have copyright issues, distribution issues, and let's face it, kids do not have all the access to online material as we think they do. Plus they do not have lots of printing accessibility. You see, I like technology, but it has its limits. There is too much technology. You have to know when to say no, but when the district embraces it so, you do your duty. It is a constant battle. I am being observed this year by the assistant superintendent, but she is new so who knows. I might be able to get by with a simple PowerPoint. But worry not, I have bells and whistles like no tomorrow.

I need to go to Boston, go to the library, do a bit of shopping, and just hang out for the last time. It was a great summmer, a few notable exemptions, but good, and I am ready to start all over again.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

How tired am I?


BORED

I am so very bored. I have spent the last 3 days sitting on the couch doing just about nothing. OK appt and shopping yesterday. And well the weekend does not count. This has been the first time since July 7th, that I have had free time. All other days/hours were spent travelling or reading/studying, etc. But I am also tired. It is like my body is saying, "YO girlfriend, slow down, smell the roses, clean the litter box, how about some clean laundry?"

But I want to be doing things. Thinking Fenway tomorrow, plus there is Maine, upstate NY, Vermont, the Cape, although I may do that Monday. The Raw Bar has the best food evah. Seriously the lobster roll is bigger than my head. Part of me wanted to go to Kentucky...but cooler heads have prevailed. I still plan to go to Wisconsin for Columbus Day. Checking for flights and rental rates. Already have hotel in Madison. But I could change my mind and go to Minnesota, or DC. If I were not broke, you know I would be somewhere. Gotta finish NEH evals, and I will let you know what I personally thought of my seminars...Pretty much you should apply for them.

Back to deciding what to do. This couch is getting old.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Summer winding down

Where has the summer gone...honestly where oh where has my summer disappeared to? Ok, I have had some serious fun studying and traveling, but I am sad to say that it it just about over. I am almost done with 7 straight weeks of workshops and institutes. Yes, it has been stressful and a whole lot of work, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I love teaching, but if I could do this all the time, you know I would. I love learning. I am a teacher, I have to love learning. I am going to bring back so many great things to my classroom for all this work over the summer. From architecture to George Washington, my kids will hate me beacuse of all that I will be bringing in to the classroom. Well off to have some more fun.