Honored

Just thought I'd share with ya'll...I was one of the top 3 finalists nominated for Teacher of the Year at my school for the upcoming year. I wasn't the winner but it was still a great feeling being recognized as one of the top 3 teachers in my school.

This is it!

Hey ya'll!
It's the 28th of May; my last day at Carver. I'll probably be sending my next post from Harris Co. It will be nice to spend everyday, all day, on my house. We need to keep the reunion thing in mind. Any suggestions? O.K., let's all break up into groups, no more than four per group, and brainstorm. You have five minutes to decide. Remember, each group needs a leader, a scribe, a noise monitor and a time keeper. After the brainstorming we will have a class discussion and each group will present their suggestions.

Be safe Memorial Day

Think about you guys!

Walter

For the Nurses

Wow, I miss the whole gang!! I have a question for the other nurses though. How do you set up clinicals? I'm so totally new at this and this next year will be my first year teaching Healthcare 3. Where do I start?? HELP!!!!!!!!!

Anybody out there?

Hello!
Is anybody home? I miss talking and blogging with everybody.
It's been extremely busy at school. This is our first year with seniors and the whole month of May has been filled with activities for our seniors. Tomorrow and Friday our seniors will take their final exams. Friday will be their last day of school. They come back the next week to practice for graduation. Then 9-10-11 graders take their finals next week. Graduation will be May 30 at 7pm. I'm excited to see some of my students graduating. It feels good to know that I helped educate some of these students. That's been kind of a "surprise" feeling for me. I thought I would just be glad to see them go. But instead it's been a deeper feeling. I feel proud that I was one of their teachers, that I really did help educate someone. That's a nice feeling. A bonus. Makes all the hard times, all the hours, all the blood, sweat, and tears, all worth it!

So if anybody is out there, I miss you!

Last Week!

Hey Ya'll!,
Connors here! One week to go! Hang in there! Remember, we're NTI'ers, we can stand till the last gun is fired! The last loaf of bread comes out of the oven! The last bell is rung! The last light goes out! Till the last pea is cleaned from your child's plate! And as some of you know, that can last an eternity! Hold on! Let's go out this year with a bang! Stay in touch ya'll,
Dwayne

Is a college degree overrated?

Hello All,

There is an interesting editorial article in today's Atlanta Journal Constitution that weighs in on the value of a college education. I thought it might interest you. There's also a discussion board linked to the article if you'd care to share your opinion on the article and the subject matter of the article with others. I think all of you would have something of value to contribute to this discussion. Here are the links:

The article-- College degree an overrated product

The discussion board-- Is a college degree overrated?

Touching Base

Hey Gang,
14 days left! Getting closer on my house, almost ready for a rough-in inspection. Looking forward to Harris Co. next year!
Love ya'll,
Dwayne

Master's Program

JaJuan,
Keep me posted on there you're going to work on your Master.
I have been looking a Cambridge College in Mass. They have a 6 week program. I think if I start I want to stay up there and finish.

Message to my colleague
I miss you guys! I am enjoying these Saturday's doing what I like doing.

May God Bless!!

Passed GACE test

Hello NTI family:
Well Good NEWS, I passed the GACE Basic Skills and interviewed at Collins Hill this week. I think I may get the position, but it is not in my field of video production. It would be in Interrelated Spec. Ed. and I actually wouldn't mind since I've learned so much about this field through the Exceptional Child Course. By the way, I have one more Wednesday night of that and then I am done.

Wishing you all a GREAT summer and please stay in touch.

Lots of Love,
Victoria

Opening for a Construction Teacher

If you know anyone looking for a job teaching construction, we have an opening in Social Circle. All interested parties should contact Tony Overstreet at 770-464-2611 or toverstreet@scboe.org for more information and an interview.

Instructions for Applying for Certificate T&I and HSTE Approved Program

When you complete the approved T&I or HSTE certification program at GSU, following are instructions for applying for your certificate. Certification is your responsibility. Timeliness is critical.

There are three forms you must fill out: the Georgia PSC Application, the Approved Program Recommendation Form, and the Employer Assurance Form (if you are employed by a Georgia public school system). Please completely fill out all sections of the Application and Employer Assurance Form.

The Approved Program Recommendation Form must be submitted to the Office of Academic Assistance in the College of Education (3 rd floor) so that it can be signed, verifying that you have completed all requirements for certification. The computer competency requirement is embedded in the program at GSU, and that box is “checked off” for you at GSU. Also, a copy of your passing GACE 1 (or Praxis I ) results or exemption scores, and your course completion form for the Exceptional Child course should be attached to your recommendation form. GSU cannot depend on the PSC Website, and therefore requires you to submit this information. Once your form and other information is received and it is verified that you have completed all requirements for certification, the form will be signed and returned to you. This way, you may include it with your Application and Employer Assurance Form when you give everything to your system office. From there, your county personnel director will sign the Employer Assurance form and submit the packet to the PSC. You will need to include a transcript verifying your completion of coursework with your packet! You can request your transcript on line from GSU by logging in to GoSolar. If you are employed with a school system it is a good idea to turn all of your certification paperwork in to them rather than sending it straight to the PSC. First, it allows your system to verify that you have completed all of your course requirements so that any pay raise may automatically go into effect. Second, your system may pay the $20 fee for a new certificate for you. Please know that you may contact the Office of Academic Assistance if you have any questions about the application. Be sure to let them know that you are in Dr. Burn’s program so they can best assist you., or please contact Dr. Janet Burns at jburns@gsu.edu if you need further assistance.

Forms for Certification

Jessie and Dr. Burns,
Where do we get the Georgia PSC Application, the Approved Program Recommendation Form, and the Eployer Assurance Form? From our HR Department?

Thanks!
Connie

SkillsUSA

I have just returned from Skills. and to and to our surprise we will be taking 30 students to NATIONAL in June . The students surprised all the teachers, every teacher that sent students won a first place. Last year we won one third place this year we are expecting to improve on that. Standby for the result.

New Beginnings

I really hate for things to end and the word "Goodbye" is like a curse word to me. I apologize to those of you who I did not get to talk to after class was over Saturday. I was very emotional and didn't want ya'll to see it!

This has, by far, been the most interesting, useful class I have ever had to take. Thank you to everyone for making it what it was. There will never be another class like ours!

I just came out of a faculty meeting where we learned that we made AYP again! I'm so excited...our BOE feeds us steak each year we make it. It's a great incentive! Not only that, our Science scores went from a 77% last year to a 92% this year!! We were celebrating of course!

On a different note, based on the fact that we had so many seniors failing the GHSGT and they have now passed, our principal gave us these "words of wisdom". I quote "If the student worked as hard as they did to pass the GHSGT, I expect you to make passing your class happen." What do ya'll think of that? Personally, I am a bit taken aback. I don't think I'll be "making it happen" just because someone says so!

I hope you all enjoy your teaching careers and keep in touch! I can found in a map dot in Social Circle GA during school hours and at home in Covington otherwise. Enjoy your time away from class and catch up on all the friends and family you have missed out on. I know I am going to! :)

Goodbye, Farewell, Alvita zane?

(Extreme and totally uncontrolled sobbing)
Ed kind of brought(sniff) things to reality this past Saturday(sniffle, sob) when he said "After today, chances are, we will never see each other again"! (even more extreme uncontrolled sobbing and whaling) I love you guys! (sob, sniff, sob) Wouldn't it be cool if somewhere, somehow we would find ourselves all teaching at the same school! (a little sniff) The "Dream Team"! The "Magnificent 25 or 30 or so"! (a little less sniffing) A "Band of brothers.....and sisters"! Maybe if we concentrate real hard it will happen! (jumping up and down) Let's try! (closing eyes) OK ready, 1, 2, 3, ..................

KEEP IN TOUCH

Please enclose your school's e-mail address and/or number

jajuanw@clayton.k12.ga.us

Hey I am thinking about looking into a Master's program..if anyone would like to partner up let me know.....I did say I was "THINKING"..hahaha respond fast before I come to my senses....I will never get the "perpetual student award"...LOL
or if anyone knows of a nice program to look into, then please let me know!!!!

Holla at me
JaJuan
..AKA "MUGSHOT"

*place info in the reply of this blog

P.S. Big shout out to Dr. Burns and Ms. Hayden...thanks for making it fun and informative and thank you for your flexibility when dealing with your students!!!!

Week of March 31

Sorry Class, but I have been very sick and physically unable to sit up to post to the blog. However; reflecting on this week I must say that there is some truth to the saying that "You Start to Break Down at 40". Well, I turned 40 on March 31 and my engine literally shut down. I got sick on my birthday, and that has been the sickess I hae ever been in my life.

I hope the engine starts to rebuild itself as I get older, because WOW, I may need to warn others about turning 40. LOL But I feel better now and I must say, I am thankful.

Toni