Hi Ho Hi Ho...

...it's back to work I've been this week.

It was not as difficult to leave the little Monster as I thought it would be (even though I reallllllllllllllly did not want to return to work and begged Jason to let me stay home-his reply was much nicer than this, however he said, "NO!")

My first day back was Monday which started our state testing. About half of my students are taking the four tests (Algebra, Biology, English and Government)so teaching is definitely a challenge with some students present on one day but not another. So we've been reviewing.

Everything was going along nicely until my fifth period class (the hellions). I told one student three times to put away his water bottle within the first 5 minutes of class. Then the principal escorts one of my students to class (the student likes to be late ALL the time) and promptly tells the student with the water bottle to hand it over. Said student says, "NO!" and walks away from the principal saying that he's just going to the office. This student is now suspended. I probably won't see him for the rest of the school year. The rest of the day went well. It was nice to go home and see Monster.

Day 2 was pretty much the same...things were going well until 5th period. I had warned the students that if they misbehaved that there would be consequences of detention and/or an office referral. Well, the aforementioned student who likes to saunter to class late did so again and refused to sit in his seat. I gave him a choice-sit in the seat or go to the office. Guess which he chose? Yup-going to the office. So on my second day back I wrote a referral. UGH!

Day 3 has been going well so far. I had an interview for a media position at another high school in the county. It went well even though the manner in which the interview was conducted was a bit strange-they gave me a list of questions to answer before they interviewed me and then asked me about my written responses. There were other questions asked as well, but I've never participated in an interview like that before (and I've been involved with some real winners!). I've also yet to have 5th period...so we shall see!

New Year, New Semester...New Job???

I've mentioned before that I hope to graduate from McDaniel College with a Masters degree in School Library Media in December. I had a meeting yesterday with the coordinator of Media Specialists in Howard County and learned that I should start filling out transfer forms so that I can be a Media Specialist while I finish my internship in the fall. Oh my...

I have to fill out a transfer form for every school that I would be interested in working at regardless if there is an opening. If I fail to fill out a form for a school and there is an opening, I will NOT be considered for the position. There are 12 high schools and 18 middle schools (I only want to work in a secondary school.) in Howard County.

I went to the principal's secretary this morning to get the forms. Of course, the principal was there when I asked for the forms. Uh oh. He asked me if there was anything that we needed to discuss. I explained that I do not really want to leave The Lake, but that I am nearing the end of my Masters program and have always wanted to be a Media Specialist. If I could stay at The Lake, I would. I have been there for 6 years, but it feels like I've taught there for my entire career (15 years)! It feels like home...

I've filled out 7 forms already, used up the ink in one pen (it was already nearing its end) and my hand is cramping. There are only 20 more forms to go...

***All forms have been filled out, turned in and now, the waiting begins. (1-15-08)

Another Sort of Madness...

Tomorrow is the end of the third quarter at school. Today, I had 2 students come after school to make up quizzes because they will not be at school tomorrow (it's also a 1/2 day and the beginning of Spring Break). What responsible students, right? To balance this, I also had a student who requested any "make-up" work to improve his grade. He doesn't understand why his grade is so low. When I said that it might be because he is never concerned about getting work turned in or paying attention to what is going on, his response was, "but I sit in the front of the room!"

Now, I know that sitting in the front of a classroom does have SOME correlation to your performance in the class (I tested this out in college...) but so does paying attention, asking questions to clarify and handing your best work in on time. I stated all of this to the student in question.

His response...

"I still don't see how I could be missing so much work. I sit in the FRONT of the class!"

This got a head shake and an eye roll from me (how professional, I know) and I told him to see me after school and we could take a look at his grade, etc., etc. Bet you can guess what happened next....


HE NEVER SHOWED UP! Talk about responsibility...