Day 2 ...and No, I'm not going to keep that up much longer...

Good grief! How do I get myself in this much trouble??? I make all these super secret plans and right about the time I have committed internally to doing something, someone walks by, asks an innocent question and B-L-A-H! There's my super secret plans out there for everyone to see. Not so super secret anymore. Now it's no more excuses and I've GOTTA do it... That's how I roped myself into that 5k... ugh...


(But I'm still kind of proud of that.)

So, today I was talking with a friend in the hallway and I asked why I hadn't seen her son in the Pegasus room. (I promise I'm not stalking the Pegasus room... it's just that they're two door down the hall from my classroom and they have such sweet adorable faces and eager, smiling attitudes and cute, light up shoes...) She tells me he's not at school yet because he's going into KINDERGARTEN this year??!!!??? WHAT!!??! He just arrived and now he's old enough for Kinder? Where the heck (See that? I'm getting ready for school-- I didn't even say the OTHER "he_ _" word...) does time go? Anyway, we continued to chat about this and that and somehow we got on the topic of report cards and grades... and she asked me what I thought of those. Well, duh! There should have been red lights flashing in my head and that robot from "Lost in Space" should have been flailing his arms saying, "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" But, since I'm convinced that yellow means accelerate and not "caution", I walked right into that one and told her exactly what I do think of grades and report cards. She knows me well enough to know I have an opinion about everything... and I know myself well enough to know that if someone asks me a question, I am sure going to answer it... {sigh}

So, my intention this year is to do joint parent/teacher conferences with the student and I discussing their progress with their parents. The student will talk about their learning and how they are feeling and doing in each subject area (as well as we can distinguish between them because I like to integrate things...) and I will record annecdotal notes on what I see. I will use the form that we used in Scotland as a starting point but I'll have to tweak it to some how get our state standards in there. I'm sure I'll still have to give checks and pluses on the regular report card because that's the District policy. But what the heck is a plus? It tells me even less than a 92 or 76... Whatever they mean...

I hope parents will leave the conference knowing where their child is on the educational spectrum and proud of their incredible, genius child. But more importantly, I hope my students will feel empowered and will take charge of their learning. If I've learned anything after 20 years of teaching, it's that I can't do the learning for them.

I truly believe that kids can and need to take responsibility for their own learning and one way to do that is to begin a conversation that lets them know that they are capable. With guidance and support, kids can do A LOT! They really are quite amazing.

Day 1

So, today I got to see my friends and even got a few more things done in the classroom. Half the day was spent with the entire faculty in an ice-cold library while we went through the basic beginning of the year business. The afternoon was spent next door congratulating our sister school for their academic achievement of obtaining a "Recognized" status; a portion of the afternoon was spent with the First Grade team outlining curriculum for the first nine weeks of school; another part of the afternoon was spent wandering the halls and talking to everyone catching up on events that occurred during the summer and finally, a small part of that 3 hours was spent in the classroom working on my endless to-do list.

By far, the best part of my day was watching the wee ones come in for their first day of school this morning. We have what's called "The Pegasus Program" which is designed to be a teacher daycare that also models behaviors and learning for developmentally delayed 3 and 4 year olds. Since the teachers had to be at work today, their children started school today. The other students will come on Tuesday with all the other students. Still, it was astonishing that so many babies that I remember being born just last year (or so) were suddenly old enough to be in our program! How did that happen???? Time flies... I just wish MY students were walking through the doors today.

Everything that I wanted to get done today is finished and I have a few more things that I should be able to fit in during tomorrow's meetings. All in all a lovely day. I am feeling like I would like to begin planning lessons but I must confess... I am tired.

I think it was my wedges...

Back to Work

I've laid out my clothes and I've packed my lunch. I am so excited to go back to work! Molly is picking me up at 6:45-- we'll go to Starbucks and get coffee before heading up to school. She must not be excited either because we don't have to be there until 8:00...Maybe I'll even order a Caramel Macchiato in celebration instead of my usual tall, black and bold order...

Ah yes... my job... I love it-- as much as I complain at times about the difficulties, I L.O.V.E. it. True, I spend all of June mourning because I miss my students. In July, I decide to look for another job. After a few days, I decide that changing fields is too much work. I then become resigned to starting all over again. I usually have my family around so I can forget about work but right around the end of July and certainly by August 1st, I'm itching to get back to work and ready to fall in love with a whole new group of amazing children. I'm telling you, my job is the greatest. It's the whole heartbreak when you say goodbye in June...

This year, I'm teaching first grade, again. I've had a 7 year hiatus whilst being the librarian and a second grade teacher but tomorrow, I'm going back to my roots. First grade is where the rubber meets the road. There is a lot of prep work done in Kinder. There's much review and refinement in Second grade but First Grade... well, there's nothing else like it. It's here they learn to read and write. It's here so much of their educational outlook is formed. A good first grade year can easily carry a kid into third grade if not beyond... I am determined that my students will have the best first grade experience they could ever hope to have. Not coincidentally, I am also hoping to take these first graders into second grade. Yes, that is my evil masterplan! Then I don't have to say goodbye in June, it's just "See you in two months"... Of course, it'll be miserable the year after but I am not thinking about that now.

I've looped before when I was teaching 5th grade. I looped into 6th with my students and after a half hour of discussing our summer, we were ready to get down to work. That second year with my students was amazing! I knew who could do what, I knew families and strengths as well as weaknesses. You just don't hear, "We didn't learn that last year.", because you know what they learned. That whole first four weeks when we learn about students, classroom rules and learn about each other is over. It's astonishing how much progress you can make in one GOOD year but it's pure dead brilliant what you can do in TWO years! I want that again. And so I've gone through the ordeal of moving rooms and learning new curriculum because I have a plan. Famous last words, to be sure, but stay tuned for the wonder of my working life...

In the meantime, I have picked out an outfit that should say "stylish" but not "trying too hard". I've packed a lunch consisting of a bowl of soup, salad, and cantaloupe because I cannot believe what damage two measley scoops of ice cream for dessert every night can do to my body and I'm ready.

I'm really ready.


I hope I can sleep tonight...

Grief

I haven't blogged.. yes, I've wanted to... it's just that what's on my mind isn't just about me. It's about my family and there's no way I'd want to hurt them-- even inadvertantly. But I don't think anyone is reading this so maybe I can just get some things out there so it's not all muddled up in my mind, weighing me down...

My son-in-law is dead.

No, we didn't always get along... he was actually cruel many times in our relationship... but my daughter loved him and his boys loved him. I could see the potential he had and although I don't weep... there's a deep gaping hole where he should be and is not.

When I got one of the first frantic messages telling me to call my younger daughter, my heart froze and I thought that he had killed my daughter... It's been my worst nightmare since they married. I have his social security number... I have his license number.... My daughter insisted that he would never hurt her (she lies) and so I have a full description of him set aside in the event that my biggest nightmare would come true...

But he was dead instead.

He shot himself in the driver's seat while my daughter sat in the passenger seat. And I truly think that he was only playing mind games with her-- he was like that-- but the alcohol impaired his senses and I think he did not expect to actually die.

But, really, who among us does?

My Morning Addiction

'Virgo
You are refreshed and ready to go. So be sure to take time to go to your kickboxing class or jog through the park or just walk around all morning long. You'll really feel the difference between what it's like to feel good and what it's like to feel great, when you take a good mood and add a healthy, active lifestyle. Today could be the beginning of some fantastic new habits. Good for you!'

Yeah, see even my horoscope is giving me props! Love that! And yes, although I am technically a Libra, I have so many planets in Virgo that I may as well admit I am an uptight, perfectionist. I am.

So, most people who know me, know that I have to have Starbuck's Cafe Verona to really start my morning right. I've tried Starbuck's regular House Blend, Sumatra, and even Maxwell House (which comes surprisingly close) but as long as my budget can afford it, I drink Cafe Verona in the morning. Yes... and I've gotten very good at taking care of my addiction. I travel with a tiny portable coffeepot and a baggie of Verona when I'm on the road--- except when I go to North Carolina. My daughter and son take care of me there. I have a Starbuck's card tucked in the back of my wallet for emergencies and I have the "Find the nearest Starbuck's" app on my iPhone. I'm covered. As a result of all this coffee drinking, I have LOTS of empty bags.

Now, if you look closely at a bag of Starbuck's coffee, they tell you that each time you bring in an empty bag to a shop, they will give you a free tall coffee. LOVE THAT!!! So, I do. I brought those bags in my luggage when I went out to San Francisco. After walking on the pier for hours, Mom and I sat down to two tall coffees at Starbuck's (I paid for the pumpkin cake.... yum!) for FREE! I took them when we went out to North Carolina in the airports and got more free coffee. Yes, I do love my Verona but my mom was starting to think things about me... I mean maybe it was tacky to drag those empty bags around the U.S. just for free coffee. But hey, why pass up FREE COFFEE!!!?

It's been Spring Break which means that I don't have to go to work early in the morning so I've been running beside Lake Pfluger. I know, I know, it's wasteful to drive out to the lake just to run beside water but it's Spring Break and I really miss water so I drive out there every other day just to listen to water lapping against the shoreline and watch blue heron hunting in the shoals as I struggle to look good as I run. (Although, I think my red face and huffing and puffing give me away despite my best intentions.) On the way out to the lake, I pass a Starbuck's. Not like thats unusual in America anymore. Even in my small town, we have four Starbuck's quite close and several other coffee shops as well. So I started thinking... I have all these empty coffee sacks... I pass by a Starbuck's... are you seeing where my mind went?

Yep. So this week, after I finished my run, I've been swinging into Starbuck's-- not the drive-thru (I, at least, try to minimize my carbon footprint that far.) and get myself a free tall.

Is it sad that the beauty in my life comes from such minor details? The sound of water, blue heron, mountain laurel in bloom, Zoey running beside me, AC/DC on my iPod, free coffee? Perhaps, but I am more than content with my beautiful life.

Salud!

A New Identity

So, I'm a runner now. Well, maybe not quite yet BUT I am training for a 5k and in my mind that makes me a runner. It's interesting, though, this evolution into a new identity. After I left the Army, I swore I would never EVER run again and here I am, training for a 5k. Of course, I blame it all on my friend, Kelly. She was standing in her doorway with a wrinkle in her forehead saying that she really wanted to sign up for this "Diva Dash" event coming up but Erin hadn't agreed yet... but she really wanted to do it. She had a new app on her iPhone that was taking her from the couch to a 5k but Erin didn't know if she wanted to do it.... angst. I fell headlong into it. "I'll do it with you, Kel!" Was that my mouth those words were coming out of? Well, must've been because Kelly was doing the happy dance in the hallway and showing me the app I need to get so I can start training....

And you know what.... I'm not making any mileage yet but I like heading out to the lake and jogging/running around it! It feels good and that's amazing to me. Granted, I'm not wearing my boots and running up hills in South Korea, but maybe that's why it feels easier. It's a lovely lake I run around and I have a nice mix on my ipod that makes it easy to move. Seriously, who wouldn't move with AC/DC, Kid Rock, Van Halen and GnR pounding your eardrums.... Kinda crazy though, right? Me, a runner.

Well, you know what this means. I can run the Schlotzsky Bun Run on May 1st. It's on my bucket list.

(Check)

Spring Break

[The title is a link to DaltonSherman's speech at Dallas ISD Convocation... Click on it!]

Yes, it's Spring Break 2011 and I have been spending a lot of time in political action. I am not happy about it. I was sure that after I left college my protest marching and sit-in days were over but here I am on a much needed holiday playing politics with people who haven't the slightest interest in protecting children. (sigh) Sometimes doing the necessary is... well... necessary.

On Saturday, I marched with 11,000 people to the capitol of Texas to protest the huge cuts in education that were being demanded by the state of Texas. Here in Pflugerville, we are faced with cutting 20 million dollars. 20 million dollars. I can't even fathom that amount and yet for me, it comes down to class sizes getting larger which means even more students falling through the cracks. It's like Reagan-omics all over again. Every study ever done in education has consistently reported that lower class sizes raise achievement for students. Every study shows that early childhood education levels the playing field and helps children living in poverty to learn and to be successful. Hell, even our early Texas forebears felt that education was so important that they instituted a land grant policy to provide for and fund public education. Maslow has told us in our child psychology classes that until basic needs like food, shelter, and love are met, NO ONE is able to focus on learning and yet we are looking at eliminating each of those items through raising class sizes, cutting preschool programs and raising the cost of education. It's discouraging.... So there we were, me and my buds, hoofing it off to the capitol to protect our kids and their hopes for a quality education.

We listened to inspiring speakers; we closely scrutinized the representatives that were standing in front of us to show their support; we even wept a little as a young boy from Dallas asked us if we believed in him. Oh yes I do, Dalton, and that's why I stood there shouting and raising my sign. I am a teacher for all children, Dalton, but you did us proud.

On Monday, I got into my work clothes (and my shit kickers, again) and went back up to the Capitol to talk with some representatives. Our representative, Mark Strama is a good friend to education. My students still remember his visit to our school where he spoke in an assembly. We met him in the hall and thanked him for his support. We stopped by Dawna Dukes' office and spoke to her assistant about our concerns for education, but she has supported education in the past and we are confident that she will continue. We headed off to Representative Gonzalez' office and actually had a long visit. While he was open to using the "rainy day fund" to allay the huge cuts which will hack into education, he also had other items on his agenda and felt that local school boards should be responsible for their budgets. I agree, in theory, but happens when you have a lousy superintendent and a lackadaisical school board? Where's the protection for schools and their students?

Then we were off to visit with Representative Schwertner from Georgetown. Okay. Wow. Well, this is where I knew I would never be cut out for politics. (Not like I ever had any illusions or even aspiration. Yuck!) Rep. Schwertner continually referred to the degeneration of the nuclear family as the root of all the ills of public education. Well, you know what? The nuclear family was an invention of the 1950's and it was then that society began to have one crisis after the other. The nuclear family was never referenced in the bible that Rep. Schwertner seems to live by. And, guess what else? I cannot refuse a child entrance into my classroom when he or she does not come from a family background i.e. a mother, father and children, that Rep. Schwertner seems to feel is the only one good for raising children. Not that I would EVER refuse a child, but isn't THAT the whole point of PUBLIC education? To give everyone an education so that they are able to participate in our democracy which relies and is dependent upon an educated electorate? OMG!!! Having said all that, I believe that Representative Schwertner has a good heart and good intentions. I still have hope that our words will encourage him to look beyond his rose-coloured glasses and realize that children do not get to choose who they live with and how those adults choose act. Someone needs to defend and protect our wee ones. Rep. Schwertner would be a good man to do that... if he steps up.

And there's more. On Thursday we're meeting to plan the strategy for the next board meeting. Somewhere in all this I am still trying to train for the Diva Dash, clean up the classroom and get the class library organized, and spring clean and organize my house. Good grief. There are just not enough hours in the day for my life.

Ah well, I'll rest when I'm dead...

in 114 years or so...

:p