One little comment

It's funny how one little comment can ruin you day.  To everyone who's day was ruined by any of my comments during their lifetime, "I'm sorry."

Chick Pox and other fun festivities

Today the office called me and notified me that I had yet another student diagnosed with chicken pox (That makes four in two weeks).  They asked me to sanitize the classroom.  We actually did that yesterday when we realized we were in the middle of an epidemic.

After I got off the phone, Ky started asking specific questions about chicken pox.  "What do chicken pox look like?"  He asked.  "Do they itch?"  It was then that I realized why he was asking and asked him if he had chicken pox.  He lifted his shirt and showed me the spots on his chest.  I had no idea.  I don't think he did either. 

So not only was my class the first class in the entire school with chicken pox (Four cases to be exact), but my son spread it to the sixth grade.  I am so proud.  (Note the sarcasm) 

The school nurse sent home a note that states 40% of the children that have had the chicken pox vaccine, can get chicken pox.  But because of the vaccine, they are entirely immune to SHINGLES.  The vaccine also makes any vaccinated child's case of chicken pox, mild.

I'm going to Boston!

A colleague and I applied for a grant offered through the Jordan School District.  It was open to all fifth grade teachers in the district.  It consists of two sections.  The first section is this summer and is here in Salt Lake City.  There will be three weeks of classes about American History.  These classes are designed to assist me in teaching American History.  The second section is the summer of 2012.  I will go to Boston.  The grant provides my travel expenditures.  After completing both sections, I will be given $1500 and an I-Pod for my classroom.  I am way excited!

School Update

So I was super worried about this school year. I have been pleasantly surprised. I have great kids and great co-workers. I enjoy going to work every day.

I had an evaluation by the principal this week. I worried because last time I had an evaluation, I was fired. They told me I was too tolerant and nice. So I was worried what this principal would say. I asked him afterward and he said that he is not allowed to talk about the evalutaion until he gets the results back from the district. But he did say that he enjoyed it.

They have an actual scan-tron sheet that they use for the evaluations. There are points for specific things and a place for principal's comments. They even tally how many times you compliment a child or call on students. They send it in to the district and get a score.

I had a flash of inspiration before the evaluation and I placed signs on the back wall to remind me all the things that I needed to make sure and do. I also placed four signs on the front board- Review, Objective, Directions, and "So What". The kids saw the "So What" sign and started singing. I explained that it was to remind me to include how a lesson pertains to actual life. It is my sassy way of saying, "So you taught me all this, but why should I care."

I feel like the evaluation went well.

Just call me messed up!

Things have been bordering on crazy the last little while. I officially start school on Monday. My students start on Wednesday. I can't even explain the anxiety I have. I was so destroyed by my last teaching job, that I fear failure. My dreams at night have the same two themes-(1)That my students are out of control (2)That I have the same militant principal as previously. I don't think I will be at ease until school actually starts and I make it through the first day.

I have reflected a lot on my experience with Legacy. I would like to say there were a lot of good things about the school. I learned how to track data on students. I learned how to teach to the CRT tests ;) I learned how to make sure that every student was progressing.

I am not sure if Legacy did more damage than good, however. At my new school, my principal is amazing. I went into his office to have him sign a paper for me. There was a fourth grade teacher sitting in his office just talking. That wouldn't have happened at Legacy. At Legacy, the teachers are all scared of the principal. She is very cold and flashes fake smiles all the time. I was talked down to and even yelled at. So when I walked in my new principal's office, I didn't know what to think besides, "Is this for real or am I dreaming?"

At my new school I am treated like a professional. I should actually say district, because there are so may more support people to turn to at Jordan. I went to a two day training and was amazed. Every trainer kept saying to call or e-mail him/her any time if we had questions or concerns. I had to actually ask the teachers at the school if the trainers really meant it. At Legacy, if I came to them with a concern or didn't come to them with a concern, it was noted. Then it was held against me.

I have so many emotions right now and I still have to work through them. It is a cycle. I worked through a lot of them in March. But starting school again at a new school is starting the cycle of feelings again. I just can't wait to feel calm again.

Masters program

I just received my acceptance letter yesterday. I already started taking classes last Monday. The school allows students to take nine credit hours in the program without being accepted. I guess I don't have to worry about that.

The masters program can take anywhere from 2-4 years depending on the number of classes taken each term. The classes during the summer are during the day. The other terms are in the evening.

Nuclear Science Merit Badge

I signed Kyath up for Orchard University Summer of Fun (www.ousf.com)this summer. It is a stake in Bountiful that is holding merit badge classes throughout the summer. Last week he had physical fitness, personal management, and cycling. There are still some requirements he needs to fulfill before he will get these. This week he took a nuclear science class. Today they went on their field trip. Kyath officially has one merit badge done. I am so proud of him.