Quite a year

It has been an amazing and exhausting year.  I cannot WAIT to have the summer off.  But I have enjoyed all the craziness of being back at a campus.  Dramas, comedies, good moments, sad moments: they all contribute to the success of the year.

The main expectation I had in going back to a campus was the idea of helping a specific educational community.  That has occurred, at least for me.  I feel part of the system that is important, day to day interaction with students.

I've also survived the first round of state testing.  Seriously people, can we just end this madness.  Oy.

Anyway, all in all I got what I needed, a reconnect with students.  I'm happy.

Friday!!

Every Friday is wonderful.  But Friday leading into 10 days off...seriously, can it get any better.  The kids need a break from us, also.  I will miss them, but I need some R&R.  A little less routine is good for the soul on occasion.

Wednesday

Half way to Thanksgiving break.  It will be nice to have the break, but some of the students are anxious about being at home so long.  I had that feeling when I was their age, because of my home.

Trouble will be back today

But I won't see it until Tuesday.  Hopefully it comes back calm and cooperative, we shall see.

Lots of learning

There has been lots o' learning in my class.  I'm seeing improvement.  I'm seeing motivation.  Is that not sweet?

Learning curve

Being back on a campus has been a real learning curve.  My primary lesson this week, keep quiet about minor issues.  Not everything has to be addressed and I forget that sometimes.  So, less is more in the talking arena.

Still it was a good decision, bumps and all.

What a week

All kinds of new technology has been added to the classroom repetoire this school year in our district.  First a new lesson planning gizmo and for us Special Ed teachers, an electronic IEP program.  We have all been struggling to learn everything, while using the programs "live".  Teaching has to happen, as well.

All the kids are already sick and sniffling, meaning the adults are falling (include me in that) also.  It is still in the 90's here during the day and there is nothing more miserable, IMO, than a hot weather cold. Ugh.

Having said that  I have gotten my kids through 2 full short stories, English II had a round with Poe, twice and English I has worked through O Henry and now, Gary Soto.  Getting them to write is a challenge and we haven't even started revising and editing in any real way, YET.

I can't wait to see what happens this week and that is why I made the change back.  While at Central I had lost that curiousity.  I just wanted Monday to get to Friday, fast.  Now I want to savor the week, even with some horrendous challenges.  I want to see the students change, because they ALL do.

Best decision I've made in years!