any school teachers here?

[ladykemma]

any school teachers here?

i have been in my "last week before teachers have to report", last minute hunney-do''s and decluttering. replaced light bulbs, threw out the raggedy towels, replaced the bar mops, ordered fresh stiffel lamps, switched the knick knacks around, rearranged the furniture, got rid of cr#p, minor repairs, and tasks long put off. all the stuff that has been bothering me but didn''t have time to deal with during the academic year. i hired a little summer help for deep cleaning.

it''s easier when hunney is off-shore. and I am trapped by torrential rain. And lots of caffeine!

doctor''s appoinments, dentist, eye appointments, stuff that needs doing, because i find that during the school year, nuthin'' gits dun! I will look at the burned out light bulb til july because it involves pulling out a ladder.

do you do the same? or does your flow do a different flow? are you able to get stuff done during the school year?

I used to shame myself, now i have come to realize that summer is when I can get things done or get it hired it out. Ain''t gonna get done during the school year.

 

[pinkflamingo]

yup yup and YUP!

we repainted the bathroom, put oak floors down in the livingroom, dining room, hallway and entry way. new fixtures, new stuff all over the house. but, we are not done with the floors so the house is a wreck... AND i just reported back today.... UGH!
the last week has been crammed with dr appointments, dentist appointments- for all 3 of us. school shopping is a nightmare. its tax free week here as well so every road and store is madness. i hate it. i want summer vacation back.

sighhhh

 

[ladykemma]

i feel sad and wistful that summer is so short. It''s a lie that teachers get the summer off - summers, for me anyway, are full of meetings, inservices, and conferences.

I had only three weeks where i a clear schedule.

switch gears

for me, the start of school is mentally first day of the year. It''s a fresh start, and a joyful one. i have always functioned to an academic calendar. I still respond like a little kid to school supplies, fresh shoes and clothes. yippee !

i still get nauseous and nervous on the first day of school. do you all?

 

[pinkflamingo]

i started at a new school today, i was so nervous last night and this morning. i don't know anyone. im not nervous for the kids--- kids are kids wherever you go.

one of my coworkers is already ticking me off. i miss my old school, had some of the best co-workers who became wonderful friends. but it was a terrible school, run really poorly and i got no support except for my team. i needed to leave... but it is so scary to start over. the old school is headed for state take-over next year due to no child left behind, it is that bad!

i am just kind of depressed about starting school this year. it is my 5th year and i am just kind of sick of it. plus the kids dont come back for a week... so we have day after day of inservices... JOY!!

anyway...

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 7/26/2006 5:22:56 PM
Author: pinkflamingo
i started at a new school today, i was so nervous last night and this morning. i don''t know anyone. im not nervous for the kids--- kids are kids wherever you go.

one of my coworkers is already ticking me off. i miss my old school, had some of the best co-workers who became wonderful friends. but it was a terrible school, run really poorly and i got no support except for my team. i needed to leave... but it is so scary to start over. the old school is headed for state take-over next year due to no child left behind, it was that bad!

i am just kind of depressed about starting school this year. it is my 5th year and i am just kind of sick of it. plus the kids dont come back for a week... so we have day after day of inservices... JOY!!

anyway...

wow you start early!

officially we report august 9, but team leaders report aug 1.

we had several teachers retire and leave all their sh*t in the classrooms, so the other science team leaders are going in early to clear out the empty rooms for the newbies. a lot of schmoozing and informal planning occurs when you are pitching in to do big jobs.

i pick up my keys on monday.

I''m sorry you are upset with another teacher, what is she/he doing to upset you? and you have the extra burden of hating teaching, what a bummer.

I don''t like No Child Left Behind. I disagree that all children can learn. someone in texas, in thier infinite wisdom, decreed that "all children shall have chemistry".

another teacher and i are going to teach "co-teach" a special ed chemistry course with two teachers present and limited to 16 students in the class.

woop de doo! this should be interesting...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don''t think a chemistry requirement is directly related to NCLB!

I''m not fond of the testing insanity, however, it has forced states to actually think about teaching all kids to read for the first time. There are pains with it, but all in all, more children will learn to read than they did before. It was shameful how bad the basic reading and math scores in this country were before. It won''t solve everything, but I am seeing some focus on research based teaching of reading for the first time in many years.

But aside from that, we went back to a later start a year ago. Teachers report around Aug. 18 and students on Aug. 25th. Then we get out around June 8th or so. I do like that better.

We''ve done projects, too. New carpet in part of the house that isn''t hardwood, my daughter stripped the wallpaper in one bathroom and I''m waiting for the new shower curtain to arrive to pick out the paint. I am not nearly finished with everything I need to do, partly because we have been gone a lot.

Pink Flamingo, I actually found this thread because I was doing a search on your posts to see if I could find a picture of of your SC Tiffany ring...I need to decide on a setting ASAP!

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 7/26/2006 6:58:15 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I don''t think a chemistry requirement is directly related to NCLB!

I''m not fond of the testing insanity, however, it has forced states to actually think about teaching all kids to read for the first time. There are pains with it, but all in all, more children will learn to read than they did before. It was shameful how bad the basic reading and math scores in this country were before. It won''t solve everything, but I am seeing some focus on research based teaching of reading for the first time in many years.

But aside from that, we went back to a later start a year ago. Teachers report around Aug. 18 and students on Aug. 25th. Then we get out around June 8th or so. I do like that better.

We''ve done projects, too. New carpet in part of the house that isn''t hardwood, my daughter stripped the wallpaper in one bathroom and I''m waiting for the new shower curtain to arrive to pick out the paint. I am not nearly finished with everything I need to do, partly because we have been gone a lot.

Pink Flamingo, I actually found this thread because I was doing a search on your posts to see if I could find a picture of of your SC Tiffany ring...I need to decide on a setting ASAP!

i am guessing that you teach elementary. I hope that the kids that are being taught now-- I will see the results in 10 years - 10th grade.

what I like about NCLB is the ability to get rid of bad teachers.

The folowing rant is not directed at anyone in particular:
high school chemistry is abstract and requires algebra. some kids and some special ed kids don''t acquire ability for abstract thought until 19-20. Some never do.

just in time to ruin their self esteem and pride in their ability. they feel like failures, they cannot graduate, and they drop out, or get a "certificate of attendance"

This makes me mad. I think we are doing a disservice. Some kids would benefit more from an art class or a shop class or a trade school. not all kids are going to university.

despite our TAKS scores rising, my school has a 50 percent drop out/ disappearance rate. some of this is due to hispanic culture (early marriage/ having to work to support the family) and some due to chronic failure -- what''s the point?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 7/26/2006 7:13:08 PM
Author: ladykemma

Date: 7/26/2006 6:58:15 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I don''t think a chemistry requirement is directly related to NCLB!

I''m not fond of the testing insanity, however, it has forced states to actually think about teaching all kids to read for the first time. There are pains with it, but all in all, more children will learn to read than they did before. It was shameful how bad the basic reading and math scores in this country were before. It won''t solve everything, but I am seeing some focus on research based teaching of reading for the first time in many years.

But aside from that, we went back to a later start a year ago. Teachers report around Aug. 18 and students on Aug. 25th. Then we get out around June 8th or so. I do like that better.

We''ve done projects, too. New carpet in part of the house that isn''t hardwood, my daughter stripped the wallpaper in one bathroom and I''m waiting for the new shower curtain to arrive to pick out the paint. I am not nearly finished with everything I need to do, partly because we have been gone a lot.

Pink Flamingo, I actually found this thread because I was doing a search on your posts to see if I could find a picture of of your SC Tiffany ring...I need to decide on a setting ASAP!

i am guessing that you teach elementary. I hope that the kids that are being taught now-- I will see the results in 10 years - 10th grade.

what I like about NCLB is the ability to get rid of bad teachers.

The folowing rant is not directed at anyone in particular:
high school chemistry is abstract and requires algebra. some kids and some special ed kids don''t acquire ability for abstract thought until 19-20. Some never do.

just in time to ruin their self esteem and pride in their ability. they feel like failures, they cannot graduate, and they drop out, or get a ''certificate of attendance''

This makes me mad. I think we are doing a disservice. Some kids would benefit more from an art class or a shop class or a trade school. not all kids are going to university.

despite our TAKS scores rising, my school has a 50 percent drop out/ disappearance rate. some of this is due to hispanic culture (early marriage/ having to work to support the family) and some due to chronic failure -- what''s the point?

Oh, yes, yes, yes! We only have an algebra requirement for graduation, but I believe kids officially labeled LD in math can exempt it. But goodness me, not everyone is able to do algrebra, and not only that, a lot of kids simply don''t need it. And the same for chemistry. That is a college prep class as far as I am concerned!

I have been in special ed. for years. My present job is my favorite..I teach kids one-on-one with dyslexia (reading disorders). I''ve taught at all levels including high school, so I can relate to what you''re saying. But I am at the elementary level now, since it is a nice idea to teach kids to read before they move on to middle school!

 

[ladykemma]

get this - texas kids have to pass algebra 2 to get a texas diploma

 

[fatafelice]

I''m going to stay away from the NCLB debate so I don''t get all riled up...

I am definitely trying to get as much done as I can while I am off now; my list is two pages long! Especially since I am planning a wedding for next June. The more that gets done before Labor Day, the better! Nothing gets done during the school year. And I don''t even have children, a second job, or classes at night. I don''t know how some teachers do it! Of course, I''m only going into my third year, so maybe it will get better in the future.

When the time comes, I know I will be anxious and not able to sleep the night before. I hate the first week of school and all of the "back to school" adds give me panic attacks. Once I''m in there, know everyone''s names, and in a rhythm....then I''ll be happy again.

Fortunately, I still have more than a month before I go back. But that isn''t all free time, like you said, Ladykemma! We''re writing a new curriculum in my department and I have a ton of organizing and planning to do before school starts.

Good Luck to all the teachers who are starting soon!!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/26/2006 4:42:21 PM
Author:ladykemma
*snipped*


I will look at the burned out light bulb til july because it involves pulling out a ladder.

This made me laugh out loud, and I''m not even a teacher.

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 7/26/2006 7:36:16 PM
Author: fatafelice
I''m going to stay away from the NCLB debate so I don''t get all riled up...

I am definitely trying to get as much done as I can while I am off now; my list is two pages long! Especially since I am planning a wedding for next June. The more that gets done before Labor Day, the better! Nothing gets done during the school year. And I don''t even have children, a second job, or classes at night. I don''t know how some teachers do it! Of course, I''m only going into my third year, so maybe it will get better in the future.

When the time comes, I know I will be anxious and not able to sleep the night before. I hate the first week of school and all of the ''back to school'' adds give me panic attacks. Once I''m in there, know everyone''s names, and in a rhythm....then I''ll be happy again.

Fortunately, I still have more than a month before I go back. But that isn''t all free time, like you said, Ladykemma! We''re writing a new curriculum in my department and I have a ton of organizing and planning to do before school starts.

Good Luck to all the teachers who are starting soon!!!

yeah I''m in my fourth year.

my school is fabulous, good teams, little politics. My supervisor made me teach all the curriciula in the first three years, so I basically had three "first year"s physical science, biology and chemistry. ay!

this will be my fourth year (at age 43) Because they groomed me to be able to teach anything, I am the wildcard depending on whom they will be able to hire. Word has it that I will teach ESL physical science (ESL - mostly in spanish), and special ed and regular chemistry. subject to change.

What are you going to teach?

I get anxious the week and the night before. I can''t sleep, because my body has adjusted to a summer schedule. I have to get up at 4:30 to be at school by 6. My team all gets there early at 6 to avoid traffic. we plan and set up labs togther. then we all walk out together at 3.

so the first week i get home, grunt to the hubby and fall face first into the bed.

 

[pinkflamingo]

Ah, where to start-

Diamondseeker- I don't have a good picture of my ring. currently i dont have any pics of it because they are on my old computer.

my digicams stink. where is Mara when you need her? I love the setting- seriously, it is low maintenance, classic, set so low, and looks so subtle and elegant. if you want a serious bling bling ring, this setting is not that... it doesn't show off at all. i like that.
the focus is on the clean lines and the beauty of the stone. i really think it is high quality.

NCLB-
in FL it is almost impossible for a teacher to get fired once you have tenure. unless you pull a Mary Kay Letourneau or something. (barf.) the teachers' union is very strong here and i see bad teaching and bad administrators all the time. we have a super huge teacher shortage, they just gave us a 10% raise this year, they need 10K teachers by 2010 in Florida or something like that. (warm bodies will do in other words).

my last school had serious discipline problems. iss was "the cool place" to hang out, there was no after-school or saturday detention. the kids would try to get in ISS, often times there would be 30 or more kids crammed in a tiny room, "chillin' n sleepin'" as one of my kids said. the principal left this year and the AP took over and it is going to be a downhill slope IMO.

about the other teacher- well, to start off, she is a total a$$ kisser. not to be offensive, please forgive me, but I am teaching in the 9th largest school district in the nation. there are two types of teachers around here- those who teach, and those who ladder climb. she is a ladder climber to the extreme and it is a turn-off. i knew of her in the past and was not impressed.
anyway, she stole my room over the summer. the last teacher left and she just moved her stuff in. it is a huge room, and i teach orchestra, she teaches choir. i have huge instruments, 4 basses, 6 cellos, 40 violins and 10 violas... she has a set of books. on top of that, i have twice as many students. i asked the principal about it and he defended her. said that she needed more space for choir robes that she might order this year. there is no arguing because she is rumored to become AP later this year. i dont want to get started on the wrong foot. she took advatage of this, i think. grrrrrrrrrrr...

 

[ladykemma]

we have a bad administrator - for summer school he put the english classes in the science rooms and the science classes in the english rooms.

A smart cookie who was going to teach physical science for summer school came over in early may to scope out the rooms. She asked if she could have mine? sure! the water, gas, and plumbing work and all the equipment is in there.

we went to the bad administrator to ask if she could be assigned my room. he said no.

I think the *sskisser choir teacher stole your room becaue she has seniority.... is the prinicipal going to intervene?

 

[fatafelice]

Date: 7/26/2006 7:58:57 PM
Author: ladykemma
yeah I'm in my fourth year.

my school is fabulous, good teams, little politics. My supervisor made me teach all the curriciula in the first three years, so I basically had three 'first year's physical science, biology and chemistry. ay!

this will be my fourth year (at age 43) Because they groomed me to be able to teach anything, I am the wildcard depending on whom they will be able to hire. Word has it that I will teach ESL physical science (ESL - mostly in spanish), and special ed and regular chemistry. subject to change.

What are you going to teach?

I get anxious the week and the night before. I can't sleep, because my body has adjusted to a summer schedule. I have to get up at 4:30 to be at school by 6. My team all gets there early at 6 to avoid traffic. we plan and set up labs togther. then we all walk out together at 3.

so the first week i get home, grunt to the hubby and fall face first into the bed.

I teach middle school Reading and Language Arts (we have two separate classes). First year, I had all 7th. Last year, I had mostly 8th. So far, I am supposed to have all 7th again this year(my preference) and my own classroom for the first time. Goodbye, cart!

I think the beginning of the year is going to be even worse for me this year, because my FI is going to be working out of town during the week. He's my support system when I am all stressed out, so I am not looking forward to going solo.

My one hope for this year is that our principal is well enough to come back and stay back. He had a stroke and was out the last few months of school. Discipline went completely down hill to the point where it felt like the inmates were running the asylum, so to speak. And last years 8th graders were a rough bunch.

Pink Flamingo,which district in Florida?

 

[ladykemma]

yay no more cart! it''s nice having a room.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 7/26/2006 7:34:38 PM
Author: ladykemma
get this - texas kids have to pass algebra 2 to get a texas diploma

Darn, y''all must have half the kids drop out (or either the class has been watered down!).

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 7/26/2006 10:11:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 7/26/2006 7:34:38 PM
Author: ladykemma
get this - texas kids have to pass algebra 2 to get a texas diploma

Darn, y''all must have half the kids drop out (or either the class has been watered down!).

yes to both. we have a 50% drop out/disappearance rate.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 7/26/2006 10:14:35 PM
Author: ladykemma

Date: 7/26/2006 10:11:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 7/26/2006 7:34:38 PM
Author: ladykemma
get this - texas kids have to pass algebra 2 to get a texas diploma

Darn, y''all must have half the kids drop out (or either the class has been watered down!).

yes to both. we have a 50% drop out/disappearance rate.

You know, you''d think they''d eventually get the picture that there needs to be a general high school diploma and a college prep diploma. I mean, who exactly are we kidding when we make the standards SO high that we lose half the kids (who get no diploma at all)??? Heck, I have a master''s and do out taxes, and I could have managed without algebra. So I just don''t get it for the kids who aren''t college prep.

 

[Mara]

my mom is an elementary schoolteacher, and i grew up never realizing that everyone's parents didn't hang out with them all summer. i really had it great. so does my sister now...she is always at the movies with my mom, or at the mall, or having lunch or something cool and fun. i miss those days!!! i have a flex schedule, so i can meet them sometimes for a movie or lunch which is fun but it's not quite the same as being young again...hehee.

mom spends most of her summers just relaxing and doing her hobbies like knitting, crocheting, sewing...she also sees tons of movies, eats out a lot with us and my sisters and dad, and just in general has some down time. she also uses the time to do things to the house, like right now she is having the kitchen remodeled, and last year they had new wood floors laid down etc. her garden goes crazy too during the summer when she has time to tend it.

i think she goes back to get things ready in third week of august or similar...so she has a few more weeks left! she usually gets a little cranky the last week before school starts! she only has about 5 more years left or so and i know she is counting them down. she loves teaching, and she is an AWESOME teacher, but she has been at it for 25+ years and i know she is tired!

 

[pinkflamingo]

hey there-
I am in Hillsborough county (Tampa area)

LK- the @$$ kisser choir director has the principal wrapped around her finger. he supported her taking over my room for the most ridiculous reason. i think he just doesn''t want to get involved, understandably. she is this big, pushy woman and she just mows over anyone who gets in her way. i have no allies at the school yet, only have talked to the principal once before today. I could make a huge stink but then i will have to deal with super b*tchy backstabbing choir director off the chain all year. better to lie low and be thankful I realized what a b*tch she is now, as opposed to later, after investing time and mental energy trying to "be her friend".

aaarg! I want to retire!!!!!!

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 7/26/2006 10:44:13 PM
Author: pinkflamingo
hey there-
I am in Hillsborough county (Tampa area)

LK- the @$$ kisser choir director has the principal wrapped around her finger. he supported her taking over my room for the most ridiculous reason. i think he just doesn''t want to get involved, understandably. she is this big, pushy woman and she just mows over anyone who gets in her way. i have no allies at the school yet, only have talked to the principal once before today. I could make a huge stink but then i will have to deal with super b*tchy backstabbing choir director off the chain all year. better to lie low and be thankful I realized what a b*tch she is now, as opposed to later, after investing time and mental energy trying to ''be her friend''.

aaarg! I want to retire!!!!!!

she''ll be gone soon! encourage her to get her masters so she can become a principal!

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 7/26/2006 10:20:45 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 7/26/2006 10:14:35 PM
Author: ladykemma

Date: 7/26/2006 10:11:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 7/26/2006 7:34:38 PM
Author: ladykemma
get this - texas kids have to pass algebra 2 to get a texas diploma

Darn, y''all must have half the kids drop out (or either the class has been watered down!).

yes to both. we have a 50% drop out/disappearance rate.

You know, you''d think they''d eventually get the picture that there needs to be a general high school diploma and a college prep diploma. I mean, who exactly are we kidding when we make the standards SO high that we lose half the kids (who get no diploma at all)??? Heck, I have a master''s and do out taxes, and I could have managed without algebra. So I just don''t get it for the kids who aren''t college prep.

think it all the way through... these kids will turn to welfare or crime to be able to eat and shelter. good old republicans!

 

[hlmr]

Date: 7/26/2006 10:22:40 PM
Author: Mara
my mom is an elementary schoolteacher, and i grew up never realizing that everyone''s parents didn''t hang out with them all summer. i really had it great. so does my sister now...she is always at the movies with my mom, or at the mall, or having lunch or something cool and fun. i miss those days!!! i have a flex schedule, so i can meet them sometimes for a movie or lunch which is fun but it''s not quite the same as being young again...hehee.

mom spends most of her summers just relaxing and doing her hobbies like knitting, crocheting, sewing...she also sees tons of movies, eats out a lot with us and my sisters and dad, and just in general has some down time. she also uses the time to do things to the house, like right now she is having the kitchen remodeled, and last year they had new wood floors laid down etc. her garden goes crazy too during the summer when she has time to tend it.

i think she goes back to get things ready in third week of august or similar...so she has a few more weeks left! she usually gets a little cranky the last week before school starts! she only has about 5 more years left or so and i know she is counting them down. she loves teaching, and she is an AWESOME teacher, but she has been at it for 25+ years and i know she is tired!

Kudos to your mom for all those years!!(and all the teachers here)! It is not an easy job, especially today.

My Dad took early retirement from teaching because his nerves were shot! He was a teacher and then in administration, and eventually went back to teaching because he hated the BS and loved the kids.

I actually applied to teachers college a few years back, and was accepted at all of the schools except the one nearest my house, where I really wanted to go, so I could be home for my son at the end of the school day! It was a big disappointment and sometimes I still wonder what if?.......but c''est la vie!

 

[RedRaider]

I never understand how I get everything accomplished during the school year. I stay so busy during the summer!

We just moved from Texas to Kentucky at the end of May, so I''ve been trying to get the house together. I''m also in graduate school (Master of Library Science), so I took two classes this summer as well.

After teaching high school English for 8.5 years, I took a job as an elementary librarian. I absolutely loved that job, but we had to move for my husband''s job. I am going back to teaching for this school year. I''ll be teaching senior English and pre-AP freshmen English. Funny thing is, this is the first year in 10 years of education that I''ll actually have my own classroom without having to share it. What an amazing thing!

I hope everyone has a great school year.

~RedRaider

 

[Fancy605]

Date: 7/26/2006 8:19:56 PM
Author: fatafelice

Date: 7/26/2006 7:58:57 PM


I teach middle school Reading and Language Arts (we have two separate classes).

I teach the same things--except I have 8th graders. I think it is just fabulously fun! I am excited for the new group.

 

[ladykemma]

i used to be in the real world. I have been a national aprk ranger, a chemistry lab technician, and a safety professional. Teaching is the hardest thing i have ever done.

In my innocence i thought i would waltz into a classroom, teach lessons to well mannered, obedient kids, and leave at 2:30. HA!

my first year I didn''t get out of there until 6 sometimes 7.

I got smart my second year and stopped assigning things that had to be graded. now I grade only 10 question quizes, given daily. and a daily behavior grade.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It''s good to see a couple of new faces on this thread tonight! Our daughter will student teach 5th grade this fall. I hope she''ll have a good class! I am hoping that the teacher shortage will eventually result in pay increases. People are definitely underpaid for the working conditions in some places.