Hedgetoad Teaching

idea from House In Progress , Family Photos that I haven't hung. Included are my favorite photos of my Grandmother from this summer, my mother walking in Paris and my cousin holding her baby brother. A Purpose Driven Life , which I just can't seem to finish. I think my life has too many purposes. And a journal to go with it. What Do I Do Now - 90 Days To A New Direction , there's a theme here... Why I Believe, Becoming the Process and Answers to Prayers. Also, The Journey (about teaching) and a dog training book. The sets of earings and a star of David necklace. Two candlestick lamps with hand painted shades... painted by me with ocean themes and little red sailboats. A box of random jewelry and two pillow shams that have never made it on pillows.

My school is looking for a new Math teacher - one who has AP training and experience... and after a month of applications, we had no qualified applicants. Sad, but I know every school is facing this. However, I think we do have some factors in our favor. First, we have one of the best AP programs in the area, and are a choice school for several students because of the program. Second, we have a very supportive administration. Last, and most important , the local cost of living enables teachers can actually have a life on a teacher's salary. No one works a second job during the school year (except coaches) and summers are devoted to conferences (which are usually paid for!). Personally, my job satisfaction level is pretty high. I can work with my students and not be worrying about paying bills. We're also looking for a new English teacher, although the position hasn't closed yet. While discussing possible interview dates, I'm pretty sure the principal was feeling me out ...

I think I'm more ready for summer break than the students.... This past weekend, my cousins, my brother and I did the Rhody Run in Port Townsend, WA . It's a 12k race, similar to Bloomsday... except that it's all uphill within the first three miles. My time was pretty good. I managed to beat my Bloomsday time by almost 10 minutes! While this sounds incredible, I think it may have a lot to do with a certain amount of panic on my part. I missed the mile 2 and 3 markers. Never saw them, never heard the splits (I swear, they were on bathroom break), so I kept worrying that I was still on mile 2 and I walking very, very slow. They were almost completely uphill, but I still couldn't believe it was taking me that long to get to mile 2. Lack of spacial ability can really suck. When I finally saw "4 mile" painted on the pavement I nearly collasped with relief. My cousin and I came up with a plan for the summer. If we do a race every couple weeks, somehow we'll end ...

sorry, to make my last entry so cryptic. It's really not that big of a deal... sometimes, I just can't give up on a kid, no matter what ejits they are or how much better it may be for everyone. Anyhoo, it was a banner week. The following day I got into a yelling match with another teacher about a new proposal that's come down from the administrative office. I think this harkens to my previous discussion about working the corporate world vs. teaching. Some people think that everything from the D.O. is part of a vast conspiracy to transfer all of our salaries to the superintendent's bank account or fund massive administrative parties. Somewhat reminiscent of what we all thought our parents were doing after they sent us to bed. Needless to say, this attitude is wearing and I had enough of listening to endless complaints. Another teacher stepped in to try to keep the "conversation" on an even keel... and I swear to God, it was comic relief. I was told in the most ...

I really try not to blog about students... at least not in a way that would make the easily recognizable. It's a little hard to do because, like it or not, they are a large part of my days. And hysterically funny most of the time. Today there was an incident with a student and the administrative reaction to it is making me very uncomfortable... and I'm not sure what my next step should be or where to turn for advice.

Usually (last year! it feels like I've been teaching for decades!) I have students do a portfolio of their writing over the year to turn in at the end of the year. I also had a brilliant idea of doing a literary journal this year... but with only 5 weeks left and Julius Caesar still to read, I'm thinking that it won't be possible. Freshman will still have the Greatness Project and I'm hoping that their Romeo and Juliet "newspapers" will come out really cool. Why is it the end of year always seems like such a cram? I also have to start planning for next year. At least the AP classes - the master schedule has not been set - need to get their summer reading lists and a hearty shock to their overachieving systems. Anyone have a really good AP summer reading program?

One thing noted on my observation was "consistantly seeking to improve teaching methods and student learning." Personally, this seems like a no brainer, but I've been told many times that this trait is a tell-tale sign that I have worked in private industry several years prior to teaching. In corporate America, employees are only as good as their last project. In order for an employee to be successful, they must constantly prove their value to the company. Current trend to even get a job is sending letters to employers displaying the potential employee's profit-making/cost-saving ability, instead of the usual resume highlighting skills and talents. Many in the business world see this as a solution to improving public education... teachers in high impact jobs and displaying exceptional teaching ability getting more pay, while those in lower impact jobs or not-stellar teaching (which is measured how?) get lower pay. While this idea sounds good on paper - it doesn't...

This morning, I walked into the office to grab and some coffee. The Vice Principal walked up and asked if I had time to observe my class today... what? oops! I mean, observe your class. Yeah, sure... previous plan - continue reading Romeo and Juliet; current plan - cut reading short and toss in yet another writing assignment - just toss it on the foot high pile to grade - because it's more interesting to "observe." I'm sure I could file a grievance with the union, but honestly... it's May. I just don't give a crap and I roll with it.

As the days get warmer, and students get more antsy... schools turn to planning for next year. As mention previously , that means examining the SIP (school improvement plan) for the coming year. We're reporting on progress and revamping. Last week we actually got paid time to do this! No "adding one more thing" or wasting valuable department meeting time. Unfortunely, my group had two attendees out of 10. I'm including myself in that "two." At least there was little discussion and we completed the rough draft rather quickly. With nearly hour to just sit and talk, we had an interesting conversation about teaching, working and what the job really is about. My committee companion stands firmly in the camp of " teaching is fantastic, and really, the pay isn't that bad ." She has around 500 years experience, so I usually bow to her experience. However, in this case I have to somewhat disagree. Teaching is a good job. There's lots of variety, ton...

Even though it is only the beginning of May, the end of the year is rapidly approaching. Of course, this means we're well into planning the upcoming year. So far, this is what I actually can confirm as fact, rather than spurious rumors.... I will be teaching AP English Language next year. Other than that, I don't have a clue. No one knows how many sections will be needed and how that will affect the rest of my schedule. Actually, no one knows how many sections of anything will be needed. Although basic registration was completed a month ago, the information has not been fully entered into a computer program. Also, no current WASL scores will be available until June... see #2 The course listings for the English Department have been changed. Besides AP English, my other options are English 9, Honors English 9, English 10, Honors English 10, English 11, English 12 or English Lab ( crap! I flunked the WASL/sophomore and/or freshman English - I have to take it again ). Except for th...

This weekend I attended a workshop with Jim Burke . If you get the chance to go, definately go! Completely worth the $$$, lots of information and ideas... and he's hysterical! I can see why students would want to work for him!

It's strange - I actually feel like a more well-rounded person with all sorts of responsibilities and plans for my house. I don't even feel guilty for not doing anything to do with school for last 48 hours. I spent the weekend painting the kitchen walls and covering the hideousness that was the blue counter top from hell. At first the green wasn't quite... well, it wasn't working for me. But I forged on and it grew on me. I was really surprised how well the counters turned out, especially given their former state. As you can see from the photo below, it was stained, cracking and generally spending a lot of time as a bacteria factory. Removing the switch plates revealed much crusty-dirty something. I decided that it wasn't worth dwelling upon. Would you believe it's vinyl peel-n-stick tile? I've read about it being done a few places on HGTV and one of my cousins said his kitchen counters were vinyl tiled and it seemed to work. As soon as all the little awkwar...

A collegue described this activity to me... I'm still looking for the right moment to use it. Slide-Show In a group, students choose the key moments in a story that can be used to describe the story. The group then plans out a group "snap-shot" position to illustrate each key moment. The group then gets up in front of the class. The teacher instructs the rest of the class (audience) to close their eyes. The performing group gets into position to illustration the first key moment. The audience is then instructed to open their eyes for approx. 40 seconds and then close them again. The performing group then arranges themselves to illustrate the next key moment. The audience then opens their eyes to view the new position and so on, until the story is told. It sounds like great fun and something that could be the most hysterical event of the day.

As part of my quest to make Shakespeare the coolest thing since sliced bread... I taught my students how to do the Pavane . When Romeo first sees Juliet, they're at her family's annual fest. Everyone is dancing except for Romeo, until he sees Juliet. Then he rushes out to get near her. Usually, this scene is portrayed as Romeo and Juliet dancing, ultimately moving to dance with each other. However, this concept is a little hard to understand while reading the play, especially by today's students. They also have a hard time grasping the concept of dancing without a lot of touching or grinding. Dancing the Pavane, makes the concept a little more real to them. Plus it's not sitting and reading, which always a favorite of every student.

The kid who seems to delight in calling everyone "fag," "faggot" or "Queer" for 20 minutes straight or the kid who yells at "fuck you!" Me too. What was surprising was the number of students who were shocked as to which one went to office. In covering a class for another teacher, Mr. F-U wrote a 5 paragraph essay on why he was not participating in the class. The assignment for the class was to answer 6 questions out of the book... guess which one was more work? The essay was really entertaining though.

Earlier this year, a student tried to bribe me for a passing a grade. He did it front of a room full of witnesses, so I wasn't taking it all that seriously. I told him if he gave me an pack of Seattle's Best French Roast. Monday, he brought it to class - presenting it to me in front of the class. It's still sitting on my desk. Staring at me. Is it a bribe? Knowing that I wouldn't trade a grade for coffee... even for a favorite. Is it a gift, given under the guise of pretending to bribe the teacher? I have a feeling that this sack of coffee beans is going to be sitting on my desk for the rest of my teaching career. A silent warning to watch what I say, because you never know what the students will take seriously.

As promised, the completed cabinets full of dishes. One thing I hadn't thought about before putting stuff away was the color balance. How to balance the copper with silver and the lilac colored mugs. I ended up putting a antique tea tin between the white corian dishes - it was too much unbroken white. Not the ordinary thing one thinks about when arranging cupboards. Before taking off all the doors, this corner blocked out all the light from the sliding door and the view into the dining area. You felt clostrophobic standing in the kitchen, with your back to the open. Without even painting the cupboards a lighter color, it felt more open without the doors on - however, I'm still mulling over their complete removal. On this side, I arragned the clear crystal dishes and glasses I received from my Grandmother. No blocking of light, and keeps that open feeling. Now on to the next question... What to do with the counter tops? Not only are they ugly, blue and hiddeously stained, but th...

Finally sitting in my house, just hanging out. For the past 4 days I've been painting, unpacking, arranging and winding my way around a multitude of boxes. Before unpacking anything, it seemed more prudent to start all of the painting. ( for all those who said "paint is cheap!", it's not) . I removed the 1950's style cabinet doors. I like wood, but this is too yellow. Refinishing may come later, but for now it's too much work. After painting the insides, (make sure that Kilz is oil based!) we put away the dishes. I'm hoping to get the counter covered this weekend and will post a completed photo then. At some point, the walls will be painted a light green color to give some color to the room. The bedroom was light chocolate color - kinda like hot chocolate... but way to dark for a room with only small high windows. It definately had a cave like atmosphere. The focal wall is painted "Asparagus," the other three walls are painted "Wild Honey...

still moving - computer just hooked up. Now I just have to pay for it.

As with most homeless people... I'm at the library using their internet connection. It's possible that I might have one on the 8th, but then again, anything is possible. It's the probablity that gets to you. Even though all the papers were signed on Friday - after business hours by the sellers, thank you very much - they refused to let me in early. My reply could only be "fuck you very much." Needless to say, come Monday one employee of the school district will begin to gain the reputation as selfish bitch... and for once, it won't be me. When will I actually move in? No idea. I certainly can't believe anything that anyone tells me because as mentioned before, the entire financial business sector is apparently filled with vengeful, unprofessional children. And they wonder why no one will come to their birthday parties.