OMG Books

So I decided to do some reading. OK, I have decided to read way more than humanly possible. I decided that the best way to learn about something is to read several scholarly books. And after a week at UVA and Monticello for my Gilder Lehrman seminar, I was bitten by the academic bug again. I spent WAY too much on used books and books at Monticello and Montpelier.

I am seriously considering a Ph.D now. YES, finally a Ph.D. It would be a joint Curriculum and Instruction program (I would choose History) at the University of Wisconsin. It is the only Ph.D that I have seen so far. I mean let's accept reality, an Ed.D is almost a joke in the real world. Even funnier is an M.Ed; I would know. Education is not respected and teachers are suspect. Even when some professionals see these letters they question the ability of the applicant. It is sad that teachers have lost so much respect that a degree in education is seen as a sign that you are not as well qualified as someone else. And if you decide to get a "real" degree, you are too expensive and no one can hire you. And after listened to On Point the other day, I was further depressed about my chosen profession. http://www.onpointradio.org/2010/07/teacher-layoffs The world hates teachers. We are greedy and only care about our paychecks. As for benefits, I would not call my plan Cadillac by any stretch of the imagination. But why waste my time justifying? Let all those naysayers spend just one day in my classroom and they will see the reality of my profession. If they last that long that is.

I miss grad school. Online classes can never come close. There is a joy in talking to each other and discussing important topics and books. I love technology, but I know it's limits. It cannot replace real world communication. I will still read paper books, I will still visit libraries and archives, and I will never own an i anything. I will teach with notes, critical thinking, and primary sources. You know we can "go green" all we want, but technology cannot replace everything. I have seen the Matrix. I do not want that. I really feel that technology will make us stupid if we are not careful.

I better go before the pitchforks come out. Besides, close to 100 books to read in the next 7 weeks, plus those three workshops.

I am a masochist

Why? I plan on taking the World and US History Praxis II. Why? Options, I need options. And besides a license in Social Studies is like a degree in Education...completely and totally worthless. Why do you think I got a degree in History?

Before anyone calls me names, and I know you will, I am a lowly teacher after all, I spend my own money to go to conferences and I spend most of my summer take classes or participating in seminars and institutes that do not cost my district a penny. But it does make them look good that I am participating though.

I hate standardized tests (ask me what I think about the Teacher Insight bull). And this test is so broad and will cover stuff I will never teach. I am not a good test taker at all. I think too much and I obsess. I don't know how I did on the GREs. Did not take it seriously at all, but got a full ride for my real Master's, so does it really matter? Honestly, I think it is a money maker for these testing companies. They could care less about quality, all they want is the money. The one bright side is that I have taught both World and US (not econ, and I have no plan to) and since that enhances knowledge, it will help.

I have read several blogs, etc. and got nothing of use. Some said read literature and lecture notes from B&N. One said study for 4-6 months. One put down teachers who do not do well on the test. They said the same thing about teachers who took the MA test which went from practice to live in a matter of days. Therefore, it was invalid by all test measures I know. I have AP books for World and US, plus I am getting Econ for Dummies. I want that passing score the first time since failing once will pretty much brand me as an ignorant, unintelligent loser who is not qualified to mop the floor at McDonald's. Hey, that is what my SAT said and I graduated with Honors. Take that College Board.

A A A A Achoo

Well, did my Christmas trip go as planned? Of course not. Got two flu shots and then got sick. So spent it on the couch. But New Years weekend, went to Albany. Might go back this weekend and then to Hyde Park to see FDR's home. Want to see Teddy's. but that is on Long Island.

I did go back to WI in February and April. Can you say LOVE? So if I love it so much why don't I just move there? Well, have you seen the economy lately? Making such a huge move would be difficult and well pretty damn expensive. Last time I moved gas prices were half of what they are now and I moved 30 miles...this is 1100+. I would have to save quite a bit. And I have tenure here, why start all over again?

But have you been there? Ice fishing...on the Mississippi. Cool stuff at UW on Lake Mendota. The landscape is absolutely beautiful. The people are great. Taliesin. Miller Park. House on the Rock. Milwaukee Museum of Art (REAL COOL). I could go on, but I have to visit some more. Maybe when the economy gets better, or I get engaged to someone from there. So in other words, breathe not being held. Plus I would have to find a job.

Wanted to spend August there, but of course, other stuff, good stuff in the way. Maybe a week or two. Check my other blog for more details. Well that is it for now. Too much stuff to do in the am.

ACHOO. Excuse me, it is a bit dusty in here.

Well it is that time of the year again. Tomorrow I will be in lovely, quiet Ogunquit. That is nice and all, and I am excited, but the best is yet to come...The Midwest.

Yes, I will return to my new love Wisconsin after Christmas. Yeah, this Western Mass girl is in love with Wisconsin, are you really surprised? Well first I have to go to Charlotte for Christmas, then stop in Louisville, KY to rest. I have not been there since went to Lexington for, umm cheerleading camp. You read that right. I went to UK for cheerleading camp, any questions.

Yes, I am visiting Louisville Slugger, that is if I leave by 7am. Now will I make it even better by going to Dyersville too? Then maybe Baseball HOF on way home for trifecta?

My big issue is New Years. I have any number of places to go, Chicago? Cleveland? Syracuse? Minneapolis? Depends on what comes out of the Great Plains. I am just happy to be going back to Wisconsin. I will pull another, leave school, hit Pike and not get off I-90 until Wisconsin, except that I will be heading south first. Through NJ, not PA cause my car hates PA mountains.

Well enough for now, need to make ticker, take my remaining 7 students to the pep rally (aka complete chaos and anarchy). More later. Doing Charlie Brown happy dance.

Film at 11

By some miracle, I am now enrolled at Boston University. How cool is that. Access to a university library and holdings...halfway decent parking for Boston (easier than Cambridge). Plus university life in the heart of Boston moments from Fenway Park.

I am taking a film class: Four nonfiction filmmakers. Already I can say that it is cool. But now I am truly regretting not taking French. All the good stuff is in French. I am going through Metropolitan College and getting 4 grad credits. I am using a voucher from a teacher who could not use it. I look forward to class even though my knowledge of film is well non existent.

Well, off to get a roll of quarters for the meters. And find the course site.

It is Columbus Day yet?

Yep...I am going to be on the road again. But I am flying...out of Logan, on Midwest. I am not looking forward to flying out of Logan and on an airline other than Southwest. Southwest crews are the best. Hands down. To be a plane for two hours without them would be so sad. And expensive. But I had a choice, 2.5 drive with nasty traffic from Midway, or a bit more than an hour from Milwaukee.

And I have to rent a car. So I have to curtail the drinking (I would with my own car. Who needs to lose their license?) AND no bringing goodies home. Sigh. But 18 hours is a long drive. I keep telling myself I will drive up after Christmas. But I am sure there will be a HUGE Midwestern storm and I will never make it out of Indiana. At least there are goats and a pony there.

Don't get me wrong. I am so SUPER EXCITED to go back to Madison. Since I plan on getting a small condo or apartment for the summer, I better start getting myself ingrained in the community.

And I a bummed about not taking classes this semester. I mean yeah, I have an impossible paper due in two weeks, but it is obviously not the same. Maybe I can create a mini-course myself. Hey if I read a few books, I can get PDPs for it. Maybe something on how technology is not necessarily the best for students? You know, a back to basics manifesto. Off to do some more lesson planning.

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.