How has the start of this semester compared with the start of the previous semester? What did you do similarly? Why? What have you done differently? W

How has the start of this semester compared with the start of the previous semester? What did you do similarly? Why? What have you done differently? Why?

This semester is different in that I had to create new lesson plans. The start of school last year was smoother in that i had months of lesson plans prepared-Thanks to NTI! I did return from the break better equipped to handle school and administrative business. I still use the NTI lesson plan format. The only difference that I do this semester is the way I take roll. I took roll manually and electronically last semester, this semester I only take it electronically, it makes for a extra minutes that I tie in set induction, lesson, or closure.

WHAT A WEEK......

This week went by extremely fast..I guess because of the "Homecoming festivities and such???"
The kids acted better than I can remember and for that the Principal is allowing a PEP RALLY today..I think the incentive thing works pretty good with High School kids...it forces them to govern themselves more closely. I tested my kids today and from what I see so far they are actually studying and learning somethings...I FEEL PRETTY DARN GOOD!...with all the distractions this week I think it's wonderful to see..
Well see y'all in class tomorrow...have a good FRIDAY!

NOVEMBER!...already!!

November is upon us...the year is getting on by quickly,huh? And to think we still have the teacher workdays and Thanksgiving to look forward to...WOW...and next December!(another abbreviated month)..I LOVE MY JOB, MY KIDS, MY TIME OFF!!!!....If I knew back then what I know now...I would have been an education major in college.....wow! No wonder my wife practically begged me to consider this career change...I am loving now!
Hopefully my career as a teacher will be this wonderful until I hit the "GEORGIA POWERBALL" or until retirement...LOL...
Have a good month of school guys and gals!!! it will be 2008 before we know it...

Homecoming week(revisited)

It is HOMECOMING here at good ol' FOREST PARK HIGH...the kids have been very well behaved...I am impressed! This weeks theme is Mon.-Premiere day(dress as if attending a major function)..real ritzy! Tues.-Classic day(dress as your favorite movie/tv star before 1990) Wed.-Fantasy/hero day(very creative costumes today!!) Thurs.- Tacky/Comedy day(a.k.a. BUM day) Fri.- SPIRIT DAY!
The kids are very creative with there costumes...I often tease them about the time and effort they put toward things like this, and if they put the same effort in their class work they all would be VALEDICTORIANS...lol

Extended Day

How many of you are "Extended Day"? either you have a certain amount of students you teach or you teach 6 periods a day and you come in earlier and leave a little later each day. Some of us are half extended day meaning we do extra curricular things like sponsor clubs, organize functions, travel with students, etc... but we still have a planning period
I am currently half extended day and although a lot of my co-workers like the "extra pay" i am not money motivated and I rather have the extra time to prepare effectively for my classes. I think teachers new to the profession should consider how it may play into your effectiveness as a teacher...the same goes with taking on a sport or being an advisor/sponsor for a major club. It can be rather overwhelming when you are trying to get a foundation. Veteran teachers run like machines they already know how much they can "bite off"

WOW! another break...

Like Mortissa I am coming off a nice fall break...HOORAY FOR CLAYTON COUNTY B.O.E......These breaks really energize me and I often find myself recharged..I really don't see how teachers get burned out of the teaching profession. I have had many jobs in the past that really burn you out mentally, physically, and sometimes emotionally. I often tell my friends that work in 'corporate America' that I LOVE my job and what I do...they say that the pay isn't high enough and I tell them I know "they are Happy with the salary they make...but at WHAT COST??" I love being a little league coach, I love traveling, I love not sitting in 5-6pm traffic jams,etc.....and most off all this is BY FAR the most fulfilling job one can ever have!

Co-Workers

I have a great relationship with the teachers I work with, however I often get a little frustrated when they don't step up to the plate and address some of the school infractions in plain view. I feel that when everyone(Admin.,Teachers,Staff, etc) are on the same page than we can accomplish more. Often times I see student walking down the hall with IPODS,Phones,etc and they pass 6 teachers and I have to be the one to ask them to put it away. Don't get me wrong...I know what battles to fight and how to handle situations but our jobs can be a lot more effective if ALL chip in and enforce some things. Teacher presence doesn't hold any weight and it is pitiful because I can think about when I was in High School and if certain teachers came your way you immediately found somewhere else to be...today it appears that the students DARE teachers to say anything to them...it's ridiculous!. We as teachers need to show them that we RUN THE SCHOOL...not them!
I know that if 7-10 teachers are on the watch then you are not likely to break the rules....
But as we know some teachers need a little guidance as well(*stay tuned for future BLOG about that subject)

CROWDED CLASSES!!!!!!!!!

My counselors are killing me...if it's not the "Who's Who of the Behavioral/I hate School/I'll be old enough to drink in 6months crew" than it's "let's put them in Mr. Wright's class"{because he has plenty of room....}
According to my Vocational Supervisor(Asst. Principal) we (CTAE) will lose some type of funding???? not sure what he said earlier in the year???? .......If we have over 28 students in our class. Well, the counselors are not concerned about that and continue to pile them in....I ONLY HAVE 28 BOOKS...can we say "PROBLEM!!!"...sharing is out the window, they are class room books and I used them regularly. Lucky Dr. S (Voc. Sup) supports us(CTAE) and hopefully things can get worked out.....Every child deserves the attention of their teacher...I can't do that with my numbers......

...this is a certified "VENT"..sorry!

EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN

Gary, Ed, Wesley, and Trevor
It was a pleasure doing a group project with you. Working in groups comes easy with me because I have a very TEAM oriented way of dealing with things, however I did realize that it takes extra effort to put different ideas together, especially when everyone have GREAT IDEAS and input. All in all I wouldn't hesitate to work with you gentlemen again....it was a success!
I enjoyed the laughs...and remember guys this WORLD was built and ran by "B" students...LOL

Personality Test

I enjoyed this weekends class, especially the segment on "personalities" It allowed me to think about different people as well as myself. I found it to be very interesting. I enjoy learning and studying about people. Being a teacher really feeds that interest in dealing with different personalities and people. When I observe people now I will wonder if they are "extroverts" or "introverts"....LOL

Have a good week

First Month of school

I have completed a stress free month of school!!! HOORAY!
I love my classes and my students are typical teenagers.
I have been applying the strategies from NTI this year and I can see a difference in preparation and the students. I look forward to working and networking with my classmates as well as instructors. The remainder of the year should go as smooth as the first month.
Good Luck to everyone and happy teaching!

JaJuan

Saturday Blog

I think I am going to really enjoy the Saturday sessions for NTI...the summer was very informative