Back in the swing of things

School is starting again soon.

In some ways it is too soon -  I love spending time with the kids and I will probably be very teary the first day without Aiden and Carly. Thank goodness it will be an inservice day.

In some ways it is going to be glorious - I am NOT the stay-at-home-mom type.

Back up, did she just say "thank goodness for an inservice day?"

Yeah, I did, I would much rather cry in front of other moms that get it, than in front of my students on the first day of school.

Who am I kidding, my students all know I am ubber emotional.

So while I am getting back in the swing of things. My kids are too. Here are a couple pictures of Carly, Aiden and I swinging together. Finding myself on this side of the camera is strange.

 

 

Feels less like icky

The beginging of school always feels icky to me. I am never prepared enough nor am I in the swing of things.

This year felt more icky than usual. I don't like not being prepared - seems strange coming from a person who flies by the seat of her pants 90% of the time, but those are choices I make - so maybe I am a control hound.

Situations I can't control are okay to an extent, I can't control how many kids are enrolled or which kids, but I can control where they sit and my expectations of them.

I can't control how my day is set up, but I can control how I use my time.

I can't control who comes in to my classroom after school and wants to chat for thirty minutes while I am anxiously trying to enter grades and pick things up so I can go get my girl. I can control if I shut off my lights, lock my door and move my computer away from the windows so everyone thinks I am already gone.

About that last one....I don't feel icky about doing that. Sanity saving measures are sometimes necessary.

Now that school has started and I have come to terms and begun to plan and deal with the icky things school is less icky.

By November I will think it is icky again and wonder why I keep doing this job. But I know why, because if I left these kids I would feel icky.

Trippin' 2013

That time of year again, Senior Trip!! WOOOOO!! (did you feel the sarcasm?)

I enjoy planning the trip but not necessarily going on it. It is simply because I am a worrier....like a MEGA WORRIER. I worry that a kid didn't put on sunscreen, or she will over sleep, or he will sneak to the qwikie mart to get a Dr. Pepper and be kidnapped, I worry that someone will mess up and I will have to call parents to come get them.

Not because they are bad kids, they are really, truly good kids, but the worry is because of follow through. I follow through on my consequences and those consequences can be harsh.

This trip we didn't even have to remind them of the consequences after we got there...we just went and did and enjoyed.

Dallas was good to us, minus the ridiculous road construction that made me want to scratch my eyes out...it took us 47 minutes to go 6.3 miles to the MALL, oh and the lady down stairs. She called the front desk at 2 am to tell them the kids were being too loud. One of them had gotten up to go to the bathroom and flushed the toilet. Anyways - we switched rooms and all was well.

The JFK memorial was neat to see, this group of kids found it interesting, we also went to the Dallas World Aquarium, Six Flags, USA Bowl, Adventure Landing and Zero Gravity.

We ate at Rudy's BBQ which is inside a gas station and reminds me of Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City and we also ate at the Iron Cactus, it was beautiful on the rooftop patio where we ate.

The hubs went too and I think he enjoyed himself. I enjoyed his company as did the students, he provided lots of comic relief and another set of eyes and ears.

Dear Blogger

December 7, 2012

Blogger
123 Blogger Street
P.O. Box 456
Bloggertown, BT 78910



Dear Blogger -
I have been teaching my students to write courteous complaint letters so I am modeling that now. Your schedule function is not working correctly. It is making me very annoyed because I like to blog a few times then not post them all at once. However; your non working function is making that impossible. Things are not showing up when they are supposed to.

I would appreciate it if you could give me some feed back on what I am doing wrong, or fix the issue. I like all other aspects of your service and would like to continue use with Blogger.

I look forward to a speedy conclusion to this issue. Thank you for your time.


Sincerely,

Kayla Taylor

Kayla Taylor

Please Read and Follow the Directions

Did you ever have a teacher that tested your ability to follow directions? Gave you a quiz that said in the directions "Write your name at the top of the page, read to the last question, and answer it only." and then the last question said "Draw a picture of anything on this question and wait ten minutes after you finish drawing to turn it in." Then your classmates or you, would be feverishly working because you only had 20 minutes to do a front and back quiz!!!! Just to get to the bottom and realize it was a trick...dang teachers making us follow the directions and making us look like fools when we don't.

I have a guilty pleasure - reading the internet news on my homepage. Sometimes it is cute things, sometimes it is radical things and sometimes it is absolutely rediculous.

Today a feature was a girl who did not get to go to a dance because she had an overdue library book.

My first response was - good for her, she was reading...wonder what it was?

Then I realized she was pitching a fit because she didn't follow directions - she said the school didn't tell her when the book was due, and she spent so much money on a dress, etc.

When you enroll you get a student handbook - this is standard procedure at each and every school, in it states the eligibility rules for various events.

Our school has a policy that if you are on the D and F grade list you can not participate in school functions for the next week - NONE, including sporting events, club activities that take you away for the day (like FCCLA conferences or a Scholar Bowl event), class activities (even senior trip!), and fun things (like Homecoming and Prom)....if you are a Homecoming candidate and your grades slip the last week before homecoming...sorry Charlie- you are out.

This is a well known policy and in my opinion a good one, not every school has it.

In my opinion students need to be taking more responsibility and initiative in their life. Most expect you as a teacher or parent to hand feed them exactly what they need to do and remind them several times - not so in my classroom. If you are absent your paper/notes/what we did for the day gets put in the "Absent Work" folder on the wall by the door and it is your responsibility to get it and turn it in. If you do not I will give you a zero because that is what you earned.

This is not to say that I am a heartless teacher, I will remind students of things to a point. If a child has been gone for many days they get a checklist showing what they are missing and when I expect each paper/notes/project to be turned in. My tests clearly state "Use complete sentences (this includes capital letter, correct grammar and punctuation)". However, if they can not or will not follow directions - they get the grade they earn unless I have made a mistake - which happens more often than I would like.

Okay - I am going to hop down off my soap box.

And then there was another flood

Back when I went to college there was a basement, that flooded when it sprinkled out. Thankfully in said house there were some pretty crafty people who could run a sump pump in a 5gallon bucket and a garden hose like nobody's business. This I call the Great Clovia Flood.

Now there is the Great Flood of 2012. Only this time there were no squeals as girls slopped through water and made a bucket train out to the street. This time there was a very pissy teacher with a wet classroom and a very pissy science teacher, whom also had a wet classroom.

Guess where the flood originated? Oh yeah, my room!!

Oh dear, I hope nothing got ruined.

No, nothing got ruined except my mood...and the mood of the football coach.

Did you yell at him? You made an ass out of yourself didn't you!?!

NO...No, thankfully there were students in the classroom when he came to see me about it. My look conveyed my mood just fine as well as my angry washing and the fact that the students were being vary studious. He apologized, and left me a jersey to fix for one of the football players. What a sweetie.  I told him to not hold his breath on the jersey.

How did this happen, I don't understand. Did some pipes break?

You see, the washing machine and my west sinks drain out the same pipe which isn't so bad...except it's 1 inch pipe!! (way to freaking small for a billion gallons of nasty clothes ...or in this case football uniform water...to go through)

When the washing machine is running and then rinses the water can't all go down the drain at once because of the tiny pipe so it backs up into the west sinks. This is usually not a problem...except when the plugs are in the sinks because when the water tries to go down it can't...the plugs are doing their job and PLUGGING THE SINKS!

Then the next time the washer rinses and drains the water backs up again...only this time (because the sinks are full of water already ) it flows out of the sinks, down the front cabinets, into the drawers, under the cabinets and refrigerator, under the wall and into the closet and classroom next door.

Back up...football uniforms? Why do you have to wash the football uniforms?

Excellent question, I don't the football coach does and after FOUR YEARS of training him he still freaking forgot to check the sinks!!!!! He did turn on the vent to pull the lint out, he did change the settings on the washer back to normal, he did fold all his clothes, he did take the uniforms with him. HE DID NOT SEE THE GIGANTIC FLOOD.

How it wasn't noticed I am not sure but it wasn't. Sigh......so I mopped and washed and rinsed and dried out cabinets and put up a sign.

Oh, did I mention the football team now has their own washer and dryer. They didn't yet have hoses.

Rest assured, they do now ;)

Thinner

As teachers we are always stretched a little thin, be it budget, patience, time for grading, time for the student that needs a little more help, time for a meeting, emotionally drained from the kid that drives you nuts and the kid you worry about when they are at home.

As mothers we are always stretched a little thin, be it laundry that needs to be done for tomorrow, dishes, meals, time to play, time to listen, time to feed, emotionally drained from the bad days, tired from the good ones, sick with worry.

As wives we are always stretched a little thin with housework, being a confidant, friend, support system, encourager, lover, worrier, whatever the role may be.

As daughters and sisters we are always stretched a little thin by being a peacemaker, confidant, supporter, encourager, prayer partner, steward of good or bad news.

But I forgot how stretched thin I was as a college student - these master's classes are making me crazy! I forgot how picky and intimidating professors can be. I keep reminding myself it is only 4 semesters and 2 summers....I can do this, I can do this, I can do this!

Dang- college seemed a lot easier 5 years ago!

Annnnndddd....they are done!

Graduation was Saturday. I cried on Friday when I gave the Senior's my little speech about "there are a hundred people in the gym who love you" "this is the beginning of your journey not then end" "manners get you farther than most anything so remember your pleases and thank yous"  "make good choices" "have RESPONSIBLE adventures" yadda yadda yadda.

They don't usually get all of it because it's really hard to understand me when I am doing the ugly cry. It was ugly. I always cry on the seniors last day and not at graduation, I can hold it together in public pretty well,  but this year it was worse. I cried on the way home Friday, on the way to school Saturday and on the way to my cousin's graduation after. There was even a little tear when a particular student that has become an important part of my daughter's life walked across the stage.

This group of kids has been really special to me because they were freshmen my first year teaching here. I and only two other high school teachers are still here that they began high school with. They changed me and made me a better teacher because they are not the easiest class....trust me they are good but they are squirrely as all get out!!

They speeches the kids made were really good and the power point presentation of their pictures was flawless. I am really proud of them.

And for me it is not the end of the journey either...I am just as excited about next years Seniors!! They will be in two new classes I am offering and will be the pilot class for some exciting projects.  Next year is going to be great, but man do I need a break - here comes SUMMER!!

Trippin'

So you know how I worry, about everything, all the time, and I worry about worry. Well I have this friend Sharita and she worries too but her blog is helping me to worry less and have more faith. Funny how our friends help us even when we are a bazillion miles away from them. Thank you internets (and Sharita) (and Jesus).

So in my last post I mentioned going on a little trip. I was sad one student didn't go - even though this student and I are not particularly fond of each other I encouraged this student to go. Be a part of your class. Make memories. Cause me worry. But my words did little. So we went and it turned out great even though we were short one. A brief itinerary of our events - only a few pictures and none good pictures because honestly.....I can't post students on my personal blog if there are defining features. So here ya go....

Thursday- 12:00pm The other sponsor, Ben and I checked bags and locked them in the board office before he scampered off to a track meet. I worry the whole time that we will find something and have to tell a kid he or she can't go.

Friday - 3:30 am I am up and heading to Wal-Marts to get breakfast for the kids so that we don't have to stop.
Ben and I check purses and back packs for contraband - NONE found. These kids!! Leave, 2 minutes behind schedule and I am worried we will be late. Arrive at Amtrak 45 minutes before we need to board, board and get settled.

Arrive on time, get to hotel, get vans and leave for SkyZone. This is a whole building FULL OF TRAMPOLINES!!! Which is pretty great unless you have had a baby and your bladder is all jacked up. Never fear - I came prepared and YES I wore Depends underwear. I had a great time - f you baby bladder you can't ruin my fun!

Saturday- Six Flags...Who needs real entrances when you can climb under the big sign to get to the ride you want. Thankfully we had a lookout and no one got kicked out.

Tattoos anyone?? TEMPORARY!!  Thank goodness.

Then to the NASCAR Speedpark. It was a lot of fun - there were really fast go-carts, putt putt, Laser Tag and a rock wall...yep that's me, sans Depends underwear.

We grabbed a bite to eat at the world's fastest and most sketchy Arby's and headed back to the hotel.

Sunday - It rained a lot, all morning. Took the MetroSketch as the kid's dubbed the MetroLink public transportation system. I was worried they wouldn't get on all the right tram or would get off at the wrong stop or get approached by an unsavory character. Nothing even remotely close.

Went to the state History Museum and the Science Center so it was a good day to be inside. I got splashed at a cross walk by a car just like in the movies. Kids thought it was great.

Went to Delmar and the Loop to Fitz Botteling Company and ate lunch it was SOOO GOOD.

Then back to hotel to get ready for our big evening at Caleco's Resturant on the class. Two girls ate only dessert. I should have too instead I got the ravioli florentine and the chocolate fudge cake. Kids were really tired by the time we got there so I didn't worry too much but I did make my 2 and 4 O' Clock rounds.

Monday - Up early, get to Amtrak Station and head home. I slept most of the way. Bus got lost at Amtrak station trying to get out of the city.

When I got back I went home and snuggled my baby and husband. It was a wonderful trip but very very long.

All in all it was a great time.

Going on a trip!

Lately I have been itching to go...somewhere....anywhere...just not there. Where is there? Senior trip. There has been some *ahhumm* turn over this school year and the teacher that was the Senior Class Sponsor is no longer employed here. So who is the sucker that agreed to take over? Yes...me. Insert a sigh, with my head hanging down and a dunce hat on that says "SUCKER" on it.

I had a fantastic time on my senior trip and wanted these students to do the same. They shouldn't get a crappy senior trip just because an adult messed up and was relieved of their duties. So after learning that no plans were made WHAT SO EVER for this trip (or for graduation) we are going to St. Louis, taking the Amtrak to the STL and then doing some wicked fun things, because, hey...teachers want to have a good time too right?!?! RIGHT!!! If I have to take 13 kids across the state then I am going to have a heckofa good time too.

I will let you know how it goes. Not looking for any medals here, just some sympathy and a few prayers for my sanity, and maybe for the children because if they are causing a ruckus at 3:00 in the morning so help me.....

What season is it?

Note: This post was supposed to go up on 1/19 however I didn't get the scheduler thingy right. Sorry about that.

My husband is an avid hunter. He prefers water fowl hunting over any other type but also enjoys pheasant,  quail, dove, deer, rabbit and squirrel hunting as well. I am also a hunter I prefer being warm when I hunt so I don't get to do a lot of it.

I prefer to hunt for good deals and sales, for cheap books for my Kindle, for cute clothes for the baby and for entire rooms on Pinterest I will never be able to afford.

But my favorite season is FCCLA STAR Events season. It's is a true testament of a student's character, if they have started well before the deadlines, if they have their act together. It is how I determine what goes into their scholarship letters and the speeches at the end of the year and the determining factor if I have to break a tie for officer elections.

This is my season of running around crazy and worksheets in all my classes, of crock pot suppers for the husband and cold leftovers for me. My season of sweeping my own classroom because I feel bad for the custodians having to clean up such a huge mess.

This is the time when I hope and pray that they do their best and are happy with the results because they may not be my biological children but I spend more hours a day with them than their parents - they learn to plan for their future and realize their dreams in my classroom. They learn about being a family and how to communicate, we cook, we clean, we get into arguments, we apologize. We are our own special type of family that only spends a few years together, a few years that are special in their own way. A season if you may.

School nesting

Apparently nesting is a part of pregnancy...one that my husband has long awaited. However, with Baby T's room in a state of construction and all of the shower gifts and office paraphernalia in the kitchen and living room there is little incentive to nest there. So I have been nesting at school...which drives the students crazy.

They like the old me. The " It'll be okay until tomorrow...." "A little dirt never hurt anybody...." "Don't worry about it, cooking is messy, we'll clean it up when we're done...." kind of teacher I am.

The "nesting" me sounds more like this "If I see one more spec of anything on the floor we will not cook the rest of the semester...." " Today we are not taking notes (insert cheers and applause) we are reorganizing the cabinets (insert groans)..." "Clean the flour up please...I know you will probably get more on the floor in a minute but clean it up now..." "Who wants extra credit? Pull out the refrigerator and stoves and clean them...."

It's getting a little ridiculous when the custodian sweeps and there isn't anything there! Hope there is some of this energy left when Baby T's room is done!

Need vs. Want

One of the most challenging parts of my day is trying to get students past the "Need vs Want". I NEED and A, I NEED a drink, I NEED a pencil. What I want to say is "no...you think you NEEd and A because your parents will be mad if you get another D but you should have studied so you don't get extra credit." "no..you know your girlfriend will be in the class room next door and you want to peek in at her when you walk by to the water fountain" "no....you just went to your locker and put your stuff away then came to class empty handed, you get a zero for not being prepared." But what I want to say and what I usualy say are different. Usualy I say "okay" (except to the A one).

So I got to thinking about what I Need VS Want.
I Need to post here more often because it is a good way to get the bagillion thoughts out of my mind and on 'paper' so they don't overwhelm me.

I Need to sleep more so I am not so cranky.

I Need to put grades in so my students know how they are doing.

I Want ice cream because it makes me happy and puts my in a good mood faster than a nap.

I Want my students to study not just so they know the material but also so I feel like they think my class is important

I Want to be a better teacher.