I am not a big fan of grading papers. If my students would just want to learn...I would grade less. My physical science class, you have to collect everything in order for the students to even do it. In honors physics....I stopped collecting homework because if they don't do homework, they will fail every test and quiz. Although on Friday I collected the homework.
When did students start feeling comfortable in copying homework in the same room as the teacher? I'll admit that I probably copied a homework assignment as a student, but I never did it in front of my teacher. I can't believe them.
What's the world coming to, when our students feel like copying is okay? Now, that I know that they copied, I am going to grade it super tough! Yes, I am mean. Don't take advantage of me.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Early Morning
There is a calmness to the morning that I don't experience in any other part of the day. I love the morning. I love the early morning. It's before anything can go wrong. It's before the day has revealed itself. It's before I mess up.
I love the early mornings of my life. Now some might be amazed, but I wake around 5-5:30AM. I leave my house for work around 6AM. I am usually the first car in the faculty parking lot. That always makes me smile for some reason. As I walk down the empty halls, I almost smile about how calm everything. Within in 2 hours, the halls are bustling with staff and students. There's shouting, there's crying, there's laughter. But as I prepare myself for the day, I love my 3 minutes of walking through the school alone.
This morning, as I did my morning routine, I showered, checked email, did my hair, put on make up. Then I grabbed my wrist watch, I paused as I put it on and noticed the time. It was 4:21 AM. Something went terribly wrong. I must of messed up the time as I set the alarm for this morning. So, one would think I was mad, but no. I was able to finish grading those papers I never looked at last night. I wrote the transparency for the lab for class today. And now, I have 20 minutes of "jane" time.
Here's to the morning, which is so hopeful and lovely. Today might be a little tiring because I lost one hour of sleep, but I am prepared for the day. I'm enjoying my coffee and I am off to teach my students.
I love the early mornings of my life. Now some might be amazed, but I wake around 5-5:30AM. I leave my house for work around 6AM. I am usually the first car in the faculty parking lot. That always makes me smile for some reason. As I walk down the empty halls, I almost smile about how calm everything. Within in 2 hours, the halls are bustling with staff and students. There's shouting, there's crying, there's laughter. But as I prepare myself for the day, I love my 3 minutes of walking through the school alone.
This morning, as I did my morning routine, I showered, checked email, did my hair, put on make up. Then I grabbed my wrist watch, I paused as I put it on and noticed the time. It was 4:21 AM. Something went terribly wrong. I must of messed up the time as I set the alarm for this morning. So, one would think I was mad, but no. I was able to finish grading those papers I never looked at last night. I wrote the transparency for the lab for class today. And now, I have 20 minutes of "jane" time.
Here's to the morning, which is so hopeful and lovely. Today might be a little tiring because I lost one hour of sleep, but I am prepared for the day. I'm enjoying my coffee and I am off to teach my students.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
The Incident
Teaching is hard. Teenagers are emotional. I am human. These are statements that keep going through my head after what happened yesterday.
After being cursed out...(use your imagination), my student continued to yell at me, call me stupid, referred to me making him feel stupid, and I believe there were other things he yelled. As he yelled, I stayed calm, I took deep breathes. I tried to diffuse the situation. I didn't. What scared me was that when I asked him to stay in the hall, he followed me into the room. I was sincerely scared at that point. The teenager in question was a lot bigger than me. Once my adrenaline was pumping, there was no turning back. Thank God, there was only 3 minutes left in class. As I replay the situation for the millionth time in my head, I see how I could have changed it. This is the part of teaching that no one prepares you for. Even with my prior experience with situations like this doesn't really help. It's hard not to yell back at the student. It's hard not to slam the door in his face. It's hard to not feed into the emotions of a child.
Last weekend, I realized that my 12-14 hour days continue. I feel this pressure, probably self imposed, to do my best everyday. Where the grace that I am suppose to give myself, when the best doesn't happen? Where's the balance here?
I have never worked this hard in my life. I don't know how to work faster, better, or smarter. This is the best work I've ever done in my life. Even in the midst of an awful day yesterday, my mind is running to what I can change. How can I relate to the student that yells at me? How do I win that class back? How do I tell the students text messages are not important during the 90 minutes they are with me? How do I convince the student with social anxiety that the class likes him? How do I encourage a student that because things are hard doesn't mean that you should give up easily? How do I let my honors physics students realize that physics is hard and not every one gets an A?
To be honest, I think the incident yesterday makes me want to be better. If I plan better, grade fairer, I will win over my classes. I don't know how I am doing it. I work 12-14 hours each day. On the weekend I am working 3 - 8 hours each Saturday and Sunday...getting ready for my classes or grading. I keep thinking that sometime life will ease up, but I don't know when.
After being cursed out...(use your imagination), my student continued to yell at me, call me stupid, referred to me making him feel stupid, and I believe there were other things he yelled. As he yelled, I stayed calm, I took deep breathes. I tried to diffuse the situation. I didn't. What scared me was that when I asked him to stay in the hall, he followed me into the room. I was sincerely scared at that point. The teenager in question was a lot bigger than me. Once my adrenaline was pumping, there was no turning back. Thank God, there was only 3 minutes left in class. As I replay the situation for the millionth time in my head, I see how I could have changed it. This is the part of teaching that no one prepares you for. Even with my prior experience with situations like this doesn't really help. It's hard not to yell back at the student. It's hard not to slam the door in his face. It's hard to not feed into the emotions of a child.
Last weekend, I realized that my 12-14 hour days continue. I feel this pressure, probably self imposed, to do my best everyday. Where the grace that I am suppose to give myself, when the best doesn't happen? Where's the balance here?
I have never worked this hard in my life. I don't know how to work faster, better, or smarter. This is the best work I've ever done in my life. Even in the midst of an awful day yesterday, my mind is running to what I can change. How can I relate to the student that yells at me? How do I win that class back? How do I tell the students text messages are not important during the 90 minutes they are with me? How do I convince the student with social anxiety that the class likes him? How do I encourage a student that because things are hard doesn't mean that you should give up easily? How do I let my honors physics students realize that physics is hard and not every one gets an A?
To be honest, I think the incident yesterday makes me want to be better. If I plan better, grade fairer, I will win over my classes. I don't know how I am doing it. I work 12-14 hours each day. On the weekend I am working 3 - 8 hours each Saturday and Sunday...getting ready for my classes or grading. I keep thinking that sometime life will ease up, but I don't know when.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Ok, so what now.
Recently a friend mentioned that it's been cool to see God's hand prints on my life. As I have been transitioning for the past couple of months...it's been hard to stay focused. I do believe that this has been guided by God, but I found myself wondering last night and today. "Now what?"
In no means do I feel I am even close to being done, but I am sort of at this place where major change has happened and I am beginning to settle in. It's not disappointing, my life is really good. Although I almost feel a sense of loss, now that I know that I am suppose to be teaching. Which really makes me wonder what is it that I feel loss about.
I am a big advocate of plans. I came up with this saying a couple of years ago. "Just because you can't predict the future, doesn't mean you have to live aimlessly in the present." (That's a Jane original...sometimes I astound myself when words fly out of my mouth) During "The Transition," I really turned to God and felt led by my faith. I wonder if I have lost that. Right now I have a plan for this year and am beginning to make plans for next year. (National Board Certification...more about that later). Did I pray about that or did I just hope that my thoughts are lined up with God's plan for me? Am I where I am suppose to be in all the parts of my life? I feel confident I am in the right job, but as for the rest...I don't feel as confident.
In no means do I feel I am even close to being done, but I am sort of at this place where major change has happened and I am beginning to settle in. It's not disappointing, my life is really good. Although I almost feel a sense of loss, now that I know that I am suppose to be teaching. Which really makes me wonder what is it that I feel loss about.
I am a big advocate of plans. I came up with this saying a couple of years ago. "Just because you can't predict the future, doesn't mean you have to live aimlessly in the present." (That's a Jane original...sometimes I astound myself when words fly out of my mouth) During "The Transition," I really turned to God and felt led by my faith. I wonder if I have lost that. Right now I have a plan for this year and am beginning to make plans for next year. (National Board Certification...more about that later). Did I pray about that or did I just hope that my thoughts are lined up with God's plan for me? Am I where I am suppose to be in all the parts of my life? I feel confident I am in the right job, but as for the rest...I don't feel as confident.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Teaching
Okay...first week half done! I have enjoyed teaching, but golly gee....I AM TIRED! Did I mention I am tired? I have worked 12 hour days...I go home eat, rest, then go back to bed! Sleep....then up at 5AM.
Thank God, that next week is only a four day week. Oh, how I love Labor Day. Maybe I can get ahead of myself.
Today, I was so nervous I wouldn't get stuff done, that I arrived at school before they opened the doors. I sat in my car and graded papers for 15 minutes before any other car showed up! Then I was at school until 6PM. Yes, folks that would be 12 hours at the actual building.
Thank God, that next week is only a four day week. Oh, how I love Labor Day. Maybe I can get ahead of myself.
Today, I was so nervous I wouldn't get stuff done, that I arrived at school before they opened the doors. I sat in my car and graded papers for 15 minutes before any other car showed up! Then I was at school until 6PM. Yes, folks that would be 12 hours at the actual building.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Early Morning
I was awake at 5:15AM. Ouch. I am starting my days early this week. I am prepping for the first day of school. All I can say is that I love my school. I so enjoy the co-workers I have. I also realize that I am being supported and these people do not even know me. It's utterly amazing to be assimilated into a group this quickly.
More later, but as I contemplate the morning, I thought I would post. It's dark outside, there is a stillness in the day with a sense of urgency to get stuff ready for Monday, the first day of school. Good news is that all my teacher tricks are coming back quickly.
Coffee...I smell the coffee finishing...I must greet my coffee maker with a smile. How do I love an object so much.
Good morning to all!
More later, but as I contemplate the morning, I thought I would post. It's dark outside, there is a stillness in the day with a sense of urgency to get stuff ready for Monday, the first day of school. Good news is that all my teacher tricks are coming back quickly.
Coffee...I smell the coffee finishing...I must greet my coffee maker with a smile. How do I love an object so much.
Good morning to all!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
The Eve of Working
So, this morning is my last morning, not working a full time job. Ahhh....
Okay, so I am excited about starting my teaching job tomorrow. I am probably more nervous about making a good first impression with my co-workers than actually working. Tomorrow is just orientation anyway. I am excited to get started. Since the end of May, I have been dreaming of teaching and getting back into the classroom. I hope all my nifty teacher tricks come back to me.
I would like to report that I finished most of my wish list of things that I wanted to get done! Yippee. Today is a day of fun. I am spending the morning, organizing and prepping my house for a baby shower that's on Saturday. Then I am buying new make-up, then lunching with some friends, then my furniture that I ordered is being delivered. Then I am attending a birthday dinner for a friend. So, lots of fun and resting before work starts.
One guilty pleasure I am going to miss is that I am used to waking up early and watching a movie or TV. This morning as I woke up at 6:00AM (I decided to start going to bed early to prepare for my job and naturally wake up after 7.5 hours of sleep) I watched the movie I had from Netflix. Wow, is the word. I watched "The Last King of Scotland." Maybe I always fell asleep in history class, but I don't remember hearing anything about Amin. Amazing. I will confess that watching violence that is true really effects my psyche. To be honest, there were two parts where I had to cover my eyes and make noise so I wouldn't hear what was going on. For those that can handle violent films, I recommend it more as a learning experience than entertainment.
My blogging will probably start turning more towards the funny encounters with students and co-workers. Don't worry, I'll still have entertaining housework posts too! It's almost here...my new job!
Okay, so I am excited about starting my teaching job tomorrow. I am probably more nervous about making a good first impression with my co-workers than actually working. Tomorrow is just orientation anyway. I am excited to get started. Since the end of May, I have been dreaming of teaching and getting back into the classroom. I hope all my nifty teacher tricks come back to me.
I would like to report that I finished most of my wish list of things that I wanted to get done! Yippee. Today is a day of fun. I am spending the morning, organizing and prepping my house for a baby shower that's on Saturday. Then I am buying new make-up, then lunching with some friends, then my furniture that I ordered is being delivered. Then I am attending a birthday dinner for a friend. So, lots of fun and resting before work starts.
One guilty pleasure I am going to miss is that I am used to waking up early and watching a movie or TV. This morning as I woke up at 6:00AM (I decided to start going to bed early to prepare for my job and naturally wake up after 7.5 hours of sleep) I watched the movie I had from Netflix. Wow, is the word. I watched "The Last King of Scotland." Maybe I always fell asleep in history class, but I don't remember hearing anything about Amin. Amazing. I will confess that watching violence that is true really effects my psyche. To be honest, there were two parts where I had to cover my eyes and make noise so I wouldn't hear what was going on. For those that can handle violent films, I recommend it more as a learning experience than entertainment.
My blogging will probably start turning more towards the funny encounters with students and co-workers. Don't worry, I'll still have entertaining housework posts too! It's almost here...my new job!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
