Open Mic

It's open mic so I just want to vent. At my school, whenever we (the teachers) want to do something, whether it's a field trip, fundraising opportunity, "out of box" classroom strategy or even something that is required like teachers getting their required professional development hours, the initial answer is always no. This is the most frustrating thing I have ever experienced in a professional work environment. Everything is always "policy and procedure" this or "district policy" that. Most days I'm optimistic but sometimes I get really down. I want to help the kids and give them new and real world experiences, of course while covering all the standards. Case in point, some of our CTAE students attended a district-wide health and wellness symposium at Atlanta Metropolitan State College this past Wednesday. The field trip had to be rescheduled because it was originally scheduled to take place during our 2nd Snowpocalypse. Our CTAE department notified us (after the district notified them) that we did not have to resubmit the field trip paperwork, we only needed to have the students and parents complete a new permission slip. My administration did not allow this. I wasn't made aware that I had to resubmit all the field trip paperwork until the Monday before the trip. On this past Monday I had to drive to 3 separate locations and retrieve signatures because interoffice mail would not have gotten the paperwork to the necessary offices before the field trip. It was storming rain and very chilly on Monday. I really wanted my students to attend the symposium so I did what was required from my administration to make that happen. I feel resubmitting the paperwork was very unnecessary, especially since the district did not require it. Why must potential road blocks be placed in front of us, while attempting to help the students?

Open Mic

Wow! I can't believe it is over! I just think about starting the program last summer...almost a year ago! I have learned so much and am so grateful for everything that NTI has taught me! I feel much more confident in myself as a teacher after going through NTI. I honestly do not see how teachers that come out of field and in to the classroom survive without going through some time of education program. Teaching is a totally different world! Thanks to all of the instructors and fellow teachers for all of the knowledge, information, and suggestions that you all have shared! It has been great meeting teachers from various parts of the state who can relate to the every day struggles (and rewards) of teaching! I feel that we all have made connections with each other that we will keep throughout our careers in education. Although I am glad that we will have this summer off and we do not have to pay tuition anymore, I am kind of sad to know that it is over! NTI has been a wonderful and helpful experience!

Open Mic

Well...not only is today Easter Sunday (Happy Easter to those who celebrate), but it is also the last day of Spring Break. I have been moping around all day thinking of the many things that were on my "to do" list this week that did not get scratched off. I did, however, get the baby's room cleaned out, which was a major task marked off of my list. I am stressing about this upcoming week because I have three field trips. I am going to Jackson State Prison with a group of students on Tuesday and Thursday. Then on Friday, I will be at the Airport for the SkillsUSA State Conference. Whenever I am going to be out of the classroom that much, I always worry about the sub...Did I leave enough plans? Are my kids behaving? You know, that kind of stuff. Then, there is the fact that I have not started working on sub plans for my maternity leave. I am not sure why, but I have found this very difficult because I feel uneasy not knowing exactly when it will happen. I know the logical thing to do would be to make more than enough just in case. I think the reason I am finding it so difficult is because I do so many hands on activities in my room when I am there to monitor, but when I have a sub, I feel that their behavior will be altered due to them feeling as though they are getting "busy work."
I think I need to have a talk with them before I leave. But, then again, I also think at the high school age, it is very important for the substitute to establish his or her expectations with the class from the get go otherwise they will fully take advantage of any situation, (no matter how good they are when you are there) especially since it is the end of the year. I am sure it will all work out. It always does.

Man...I really needed to vent. Thanks for listening! Have a wonderful week.

Open Mic

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my school, as well as my NTI instructors for being so helpful and considerate during this time. My life has been extremely crazy for the last three months or so. I am currently right at four months pregnant and have been extremely sick. I have to leave my classroom several times throughout the day to go throw up. I have had to depend on neighboring teachers to step out of their rooms and watch my class and they have willingly done so. I have even had to leave work a couple of times because I felt so bad and other teachers covered my classroom. I can not thank them enough. Not only have my coworkers been extremely helpful, but the administration has been wonderful as well. One morning, I had to call in after seven o'clock because I could not quit throwing up. The principal was very understanding (and luckily I had wonderful emergency lesson plans due to NTI) and has continued to be during this entire process. On top of this, I am the assistant varsity girls basketball coach, so the head coach has had to be very flexible with me...and he has managed to do so with a smile! Next, I would like to thank Dr. Burns and Mrs. Hayden for being so caring and willing to work with me throughout these months. I have felt so bad for being such a slacker and feel like I have had to apologize to more people within the past few months than I have had to apologize to in years. The good news is, I have feel pretty good this morning and think all of the rest I got this weekend was something that my body really needed to hopefully recover from all of this sickness. I miss my old self!