The most important thing

The most important thing I've learned about my students this semester when it comes time to step up to the plate to support the teacher they will! This has amazed me all year. Every time that there was a need from the students to help or support me in a project they were always there. The same group that I wanted to choke one minute was saving the bacon the next. The bacon reference is appropriate for public safety, if you know what I mean.

Career Day

This week the CTAE Department hosted Career Day. There were 27 vendors from colleges,banks,business etc. The teachers in the department had to make a major adjustment to bring everything together. Some of our classrooms were being used for sessions. Some of us had to keep other teachers students,bring food, coordinate students to go to the appropriate session etc. We were running around the school like we were running a marathon. It only lasted for 3 hours but it seemed longer. It seems everything went well. The suprise I had as being a shy person, my duty was to welcome all of the vendors to the school. Well lets just say I did it. It was quite an experience. Thanks to NIT

The light.....

I think I saw a light go off in some of my "Intro" students eyes this past week and they actually began to use common sense and put things into perspective. More often then not the level one students just try to memorize and do what is necessary for a good grade. I am trying to teach them (as I did with level two and three classes prior) that if they try to digest and discern, things will come easier and they will come together for the big picture. It is just like profiling offenders (organized/disorganized etc...) it is part common sense, a dash of "art" and a handful of science. Isn't that how life is? If we use common sense, our personal experiences with factual information everything seems to come together and the light goes on! I guess that is why teaching can be so gratifying, like Courtney said in his blog about a student skipping then texting him. Students cease to amaze us......especially when the "light" goes on! As one of my female students said to another student "Don't hate because I am beautiful, hate me because your boyfriend thinks so." Arrogance, swagger and confidence all rolled into one. Now if only the "light" would come on for her! Ha!

Countdown

The students are anxious for the exiting committee to start issuing exit letters. They are becoming uneasy because they have to pass eight out of eight classes to exit. The students are driving us crazy because they continue to ask the teachers are they on the exit list, which the teachers are not giving any clues. This is the best time of the year for us and the students because you are proud of the ones who put forth the effort to meet the criteria to exit and hopefully never to return.

Tough Week

This week has been a tough week but I hope it will get better. I love teaching and have to remind myself often how much I do love what I do, to keep me going. Some of my students have pushed me to that breaking point this week. I got rid of culinary club and our fundraisers in the morning because it had become me doing everything rather than my students. My mom was telling me that they call the kids we are teaching the "me" generation and I believe it. They want someone to do the work for them and then they get the results from it.

My students were selling sweet tea in the mornings and it was a huge money maker for us. I realized that I could teach these kids anything with food because our budget was no longer an issue. The problem became that I was the one getting there early to set up the tea station, I was the one helping make the tea, and I was the one that had to clean up afterwards. On Thursday, I walked back into my room from my morning duty and saw my students just standing around while the room was a disaster area with empty tea pitchers everywhere. That was my breaking point and I made Friday the last day for tea sales. The sad thing is the students don't seem to understand the consequences because I do not think that they usually have to deal with consequences. I think they will understand next week when we cook a very small amount of what we were planning to cook because we must now budget our money.

I care so much about my students but I realize that I cannot do things for them and expect them to learn. I hope that the rest of the semester goes better and that they will be begging me and promising me that they will work harder if I bring back tea. It makes my life easier if we do not have to budget so carefully.

Decisions.......

I know at 46 years old and in my second career that life is about decisions. I understand decisions are about choices and that is all good. However; it is the decisions that come up unexpectedly that can make you go "hmmmm". I guess being a S.W.A.T. team leader, a K-9 Officer and a football coach in my mind decisions can be a matter of life or death or possibly your job! In this case thank God it is none of the aforementioned and all good no matter which I choose. I base all my decisions on God, Family then football/teaching. I guess I am having a hard time seeing the forest through the trees, because with that formula it should be easy and right now it seems a little cloudy. Whatever I decide I want to use my podium as a Christian coach/teacher to be significant in the lives of my students and players and keep my family happy as well. I write all this to say that I am looking forward to the Christmas break to clear my mind, decide on what path to take and come back with the same focus I had early on. I feel myself teaching with the same passion; however I feel like my thought process is fatigued if that makes any sense. As I stated earlier this is not a life altering decision or career altering for that matter; however it does change the path that I was riding on fairly smooth. I know God has a sense of humor and I know a few months from now I will be good to go whatever path I take and will grow and be better from this decision. Yet they are still decisions and they effect more then just us as individuals and that is the part that makes them difficult even if they are for the best in the long run. Let me close by saying this is not a bad thing and my wife, children, coaching and teaching will all benefit from the choice I make whatever it maybe. I am blessed and thank God everyday for what I have and what I look forward to in the future. This semester has been challenging with all the juggling, but seeing you all going through the same things has helped immensely. Look forward to the final semester and I hope you all have a Blessed Holiday!

Thanks Big Ant for the heads up!

Sly

long week

This week was long to me. I had students that just did not want to follow directions. My student in which the school calls my son got his learners lic. this week. I have seen this past month that many of my male students talk to me different in class than one on one. They want to make themselves look GANGSTER to there friends. I also had a student say that she did not want to go to college this week. I asked the student why and they stated that they were scared to go off to college. I told her that she was not the first to feel that way and that i was scared a little to go off to college so don't think that you are the only person to feel that way.

Keep on Going

This week has certainly flown by. I really think that the break was good for the students. They are so focused. Maybe it's my daily reminder that there is only a very short time left in the semester. I think I have saved the most interesting lessons for the last few weeks , or maybe I m am getting better at planning. (Let's go with the latter !) Thanks to the feedback from my obsevations, the classroom management has improved. Now I just have to use the "language of the standards" in my teaching & I will be perfect (yes in my dreams).

Good Day

Well, It's easter Seals playhouse time again. But this time it's very different. I cannot thank Dr. M enough for suggesting that I assign positions to my students. The level of work completed on a daily basis in incredible. The students are fluent in the language used on a job site. Tools and equipment are handled most professionally. We are already hanging roof joist at the end of the first full week of construction. It's really starting to get interesting watching them work. The students are so receptive to the information this way. And I'm not so exausted at the end of everyday. Thanks again!

Georgia Board of Education trip

Today was a good day my students done great on a test so good I think I might let them eat chips on Friday. I will be going to the Georgia Board of Education on Thursday for the new name in Cosmetology (Personal Care Services) it's from 8-3:30 they are talking about the new pathways for high schools it should be pretty interesting. I saw my self in the paper with Dr. Burns in the NTI class we looked great!!!!!!!!LOL LOL

It's that time Again

Well it's that time again to get down to business. I hope the students can hold on a little longer. I think the break was well needed and deserved for the teachers and the students. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. My family and I certainly took the time out to be grateful and thankful for everything. It's a beautiful thing to have family who loves you. To all the NTI family I hope you all gain more strength and wisdom to hold on a little while longer. I wish the best for everyone as we approach the end of 2009 and prepare for 2010. Be Bless Everyone.

Recharged and ready

I remember this time last year. I was pretty exhausted. This year I feel pretty well in charge compared to last year. Thanksgiving week off gave me a good recharge at the beach. Now we have 15 school days til Christmas break and the wife has done all the shopping already. My plans are done for the week and I am ready to print progress reports when I arrive tomorrow. Lets hope it all holds up!!!!

Getting Back

Well I hope everyone had a great holiday break, but now it is time to return to our beautiful students who awaits our return. I am looking forward to the third week in December because our kids will be exiting the alternative school and I enjoy the looks on the kids face. Its like a look of achievement and relief and I am very proud of the ones who endured this environment, which at times can be very challenging. So getting back is very important for the students who have met this challenge.

Being Thankful for Todays Blessing

Today is a day of Thanksgiving. When i reflect on things , places and things that shape and change our world . Sometimes we forget to give thanks. I was speaking with a young lady in the Aiken County School District of South Carolina , They have be plaqued with the ecomonic crunch also ,only instead of furloughs days , they have be subjected with many teacher layoffs. Wow I'm just thankful that currently I'm employed ! We as Teachers, Parents and People must reflect on Thanksgiving ,and remember to give thanks just to wake up , be alive , and the the great ability to inspire the children of today with our teaching skills,They are truely our future and always give Thanks to GOD . Everyday you have something to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is 365 days a year.

Selina

NTI

I have been studying over my work for class on Monday wondering what type of exam we will have. Everyone get out your work start to study. 3 more weeks until Christmas break I'm getting the class ready for their final exams for the end of the 1 semester.

Full steam ahead!

Wow, my first semester as a teacher is rapidly coming to an end. The upcoming week is filled with parent-teacher meetings, remediation plan completion/submission, HOSA meetings,final exam preparations, and the list goes on. The highlight of my week is the fact that I am going to actually going to have my hair professionally styled. I am finally organized enough to do something for myself--wow. Granted, there are still a million things that I have to complete for the success of the program. I am very excited about using the Group Investigation format recently discussed in the Small Group & Interpersonal Instructional Strategies. This project will guide and prepare students for the HOSA competitions rapidly approaching after the new year. The final weeks before the holiday will prove to be very productive. Have a great week!

Thankful

This week has made me very thankful for all my friends and family. I had a student that needs a lot of special time during the day during school. He skipped my class on Tues. the last day before we got out. Well about 2:00 on Thurs. a got a text saying Happy Thanksgiving and all i could do was laugh. What can I Say. Have a good weekend and look at it like this 3 more weeks until we are out again.