Veteran's Day

We had a very nice assembly last Friday in honor of Veteran's Day. We honored past graduates, current employees as well as those in the community that have served in the millitary. Among those honored was a Marietta High graduate Captain Hayes Clayton. Captain Clayton was killed in the line of duty in Iraq last December. He left behind a wife and baby son. He also left behind his parents and two brothers. The reason that this story is so special to me is that I actually knew Hayes Clayton. We grew up on the same street and spent a lot of time together as kids. I had not seen him since high school when I found out about his death and I got to see his family at the assembly and offer my condolences. I just want to say a thank you to all who serve and have served because I really appreciate all that you do.

My Schedule

I am getting a little absent minded lately. I find myself forgetting to do things I normally do with no problem. I blame it on my busy schedule. I have my teaching responsibilities, then I also have the many requests that come in from my co-workers and administrators. It sometimes feels as if they don't realize I actually have to teach a course also. They constantly walk into my room during my class to ask for jobs, sometimes I'm in the middle of instruction.

Then I coach as well. I recently finished my freshman football season only to begin my wrestling season. I enjoy coaching and it usually is no problem, however this year another twist has been added. The head coach of our middle school team also coaches varsity football and since our team has made the playoffs we have no one to coach that team. So after school I run over to the middle school and coach the middle school team.

I also have my NTI course load. I think I am finally up to date with most of it, except this blog assignment. Then I have my church life. I am involved at my church and I enjoy that also.

First, and foremost I am a husband and father of two girls. I have to find time for them also. I think that I am finally getting the hang of it and I think the key is realizing how much time is actually in a day and that I have more time than I realize. I also am just trying to hold on until February, wrestling season ends and I go home at the normal time. I guess this is helping me to multi task and schedule better because I now need to.

Skills USA Leadership Conference

Last weekend, I went to my firs Skills USA function. I was impressed by the energy the students involved put forth. Being a sports coach, I saw a true competitive spirit there and I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I was not very happy with the location, but that will be changing soon I hear. I think Savannah would be a good alternative. I did learn a lot about the organization and how much work goes on behind the scenes. I feel a lot better prepared to sale the group to my students now.

First Time

Well, here goes. This is my first blog attempt and I guess that I will just start off with how things are going. This is not my first year teaching, but it is my first year as a graphics instructor. I did a year as a para-pro, then a year at the middle school teaching special ed. social studies, then a year at the high school teaching drafting and now I am in graphic communications. I feel as though I have finally found my subject matter. So it is not the teaching aspect that I feel uncomfortable with, but rather the extra things that go along with being a graphics instructor.

The odd jobs and favors that are asked as if I don't actually have to teach a class also. I started the year in the hole because I had so many favors to get done that I had little to no time to get my class in order. I finally feel as though I am getting to the point that I am on track. However, the jobs are still coming in but I feel as though I have them under control now. When you add my coaching and NTI class I stay very busy. Did I mention my wife and two daughters? Any way I like being busy and I think that now things will start to settle down. Well, I think I'm done venting for now. Thanks for listening.