"I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to 'cut back.' From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible."
(Erma Bombeck)
Monday, October 3, 2011 at 12:16AM I haven’t updated my blog in over a month. I’m not sure, but I think that’s the longest window of time since I started writing this blog in July of 2008. Apparently, I haven’t had a need to “talk.”
Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 10:21PM In case you haven’t noticed, I took a break from my blog. I’ve had plenty to write about, though. This last month, I: a) Finished my two-year CTE Teacher Preparation Program; b) Finished my first year of teaching; c) Cleaned out my classroom and office, turned in the keys, and said my good-byes to Lakewood High School (my contract was not renewed due to budget cuts); d) Came home from my last day of work and found a voice mail from the school district offering me a contract next year for half the hours (.4 FTE); e) Declined the reduced offer since it would be only 16 hours a week and involves a commute (and won’t cover my bills, especially increased college tuition for the kid); f) Applied for unemployment (still waiting to hear if I’ll get the benefits); g) Applied for nine jobs to meet the unemployment requirements (three employer contacts per week); h) Celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary by getting married in the Orthodox Church!
Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 8:22PM I knew something was up when my boss showed up in my classroom and said we needed to talk. First thing that ran through my mind was that a student or parent had complained about me—every first-year teacher’s nightmare. I’d noticed his somber demeanor and wondered if my job was in jeopardy. It was, but not for the reasons I thought.
Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 10:08AM I’ve now been a high school teacher for almost six months and just last week, I became aware of a peculiar and unanticipated side effect: my heart is growing bigger. Of course, I’m not referring to my actual, physical heart, but my ability to have compassion—and dare I say?—even love for my students.
Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 11:58AM My first quarter as an official teacher ended last Friday and I also had my first evaluation. Seems like a good time for an update.
Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 1:31PM I have now completed three weeks of teaching high school. My days have turned into commuting, working, eating, working some more, and sleeping. After I was hired on September 1, I was given keys to two different classrooms, shown my office, and told to report to work on September 7. School had already been in session for two days without me (a substitute handled the first sessions while I was being hired).
Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 8:35PM In case you hadn’t noticed, I took a break from my blog for most of August. I was off from work and enjoyed not having to do anything. I read some books, went on a five-day vacation with hubby and daughter to eastern Washington, and had a job interview three days after my return from vacation (more about that later).
