Hedgetoad Teaching

Still don't understand half of what is being said in class, but getting better at tuning out what I really don't need to know. It's going to quite a chore organizing my notes into a coherent document that I can use in class - it's very haphazard at the moment. I'm really hoping that I can get it somewhat ready for the upcoming year. We started with a discussion on the new synthesis prompt, and have interspersed various tid-bits throughout out the discussion. Yesterday I stopped off while out to dinner to grab some overpriced post-it notes. Now my note book is full of things that say "important-tone!" "to-do: Satire" and "reading aloud=ability to read aloud silently" and "do we need to use footnotes? what about in-text citation? just show?" We also talked about the upcoming AP audit - but only slightly. For myself, it will definitely force me to get hyper-organized and create a tight syllabus before school starts. It's alwa...

Completed day 1 of the conference. Lots of people and lots of different classes, I imagine it's what it would be like to attend a huge high school, but with fewer cliques. I wish I could I say that I learned a lot and am really excited about the whole thing, but I just can't. Because someone in my district dropped the ball, I wasn't registered until the last minute. This meant that I was assigned a class with both new and experienced AP teachers. When I found out, it sounded like a great opportunity. annnnd... no. What it's meant is that the experienced people have dominated all the time, questions and discussion. It also means that we spent all day talking about changes, which would be great - if I had any foundation to build upon. I don't. Thus, I spent much of my time reading the numerous handouts and wondering what the hell was being discussed. The instructor isn't very organized. Really nice and very knowledgeable, but it's a bit like swiming in the dee...

For most of the school year, I look forward to summer and all the reading delights that are in store for me. I keep a running list of what I want to read and have even been known spend an entire day inside a book store reading books I'm too cheap to buy. Luckily, my local area has an incredible library system that allows me to obtain almost any book my heart desires for free! Currently, I'm in the process of reading: A Prayer for Owen Meany - for AP, a lot of my students choose it for their summer reading Reading Lolita in Tehran - this may be a little to complex for summer reading The Half Brother - it was on someone's best list... but I know nothing about it Alexander Hamilton - it's supposed to be good The Awakening - for AP The Devil In White City - some AP teachers put this on their summer reading lists 1776 - always the history buff Five People You Meet in Heaven - this also appeared on some summer reading lists. It seems too short... Living and Teaching t...

It's yours truly getting screw'd once again by the cable company. Comcast is evil. I'm pretty sure that Brian L. Roberts is the anti-christ and that he, in fact, orchestrated the entire Iraq war so that once stabilized, he could move his entire company there to create the new Babylon and bring about the end of days. Watch your born again friends. They may disappear soon! How do I know this? Because only a company championed by the anti-christ would have a policy that not only charges you to aquire their service, but also to get rid of their service. Personally, if I wasn't afraid of the demons Satan has under his control, I'd just stop paying the bill. The credit ding is a lot cheaper. FYI - if you're wanting a cheaper cable rate, just call up and threaten to leave their coven. It's amazing how much those customer service agents will grovel. If they don't convince you to stay, there's hell to pay.

The year is over - and now it's time to review... Although I think it was a successful year for myself, there are some things I won't be doing again and some things I need to do. For example, I won't be buying a house again... so I should haven't an insanity inducing obsession to distract me from grading. On the grading front, I'll definitely be keeping up with that next year, because the never ending piles just seemed to multiply like dust bunnies in the Palouse. Additionally, I think there were more than a few assignments that seemed to come out of no where, at least in student's eyes. My first year, my expectations of what students should do was a little high... I nearly killed them the first semester. This year, I think my expectations were a little low (see above grading ). I'm hoping that in the upcoming year, I can find a happier medium. I'd also like to do a little more advance planning and becoming more cohesive - it's still not a seamless ...

since it was published in the local paper yesterday, I guess I can officially talk about our WASL scores in more detail. So here's why there was a small freak out initially... our scores jumped by 40% in reading and writing. We nearly hit 100% in reading - I'm not even sure it's possible to go higher from where we are... Once the scores were announced over the PA system, and we got over the inital shock, the department talked for over an hour discussing the why this happened and what the ramifications would be. Audit by the state? Was there a grading error? Could it be that 40% of students had been purposefully failing the test because it didn't really count for anything (it's now a graduation requirement)? And isn't it sad that we're not celebrating - that we assume that huge number of our kids just couldn't pass the test?

I was looking over a post from last year ... reminding myself about the end of the year gossip. We're all bored with each other, the students and this whole teaching crap come June. What seemed so fresh and excited is now mundane. Another paper to grade. blah, blah, blah. So, of course we all turn to gossiping. I wish I could even remember what last year's scandals were. I'm sure the yearbook thing was some photo that somehow got by the censors... and there will be one in this year's, because that's just way yearbooks go. (my high school yearbook has a grainy photo of two guys fighting in the old cemetery - scandalous.) I wish I gush about this year's, 'cause it's way juicy. Unfortunately, it's all gossip and no one really knows for sure... I will, however, dispense this advice. If you are a teacher and you also have a sideline business that is not "school appropriate," you definitely should not be participating in that business during scho...

As the Science Goddess said preliminary WASL scores were released to schools yesterday. So far, the only quasi-official news I've heard outside of my own school, is this paltry excuse for news reporting in the Seattle Times. The scores are up. This was predicted long ago... students now have to pass this test to graduate. Of course, they will try harder. The question lingering for the past 12 months (possibly even last 3 years) was will they really? If so, by how much? To say that our scores rose lacks the depth of what was really announced over the intercom just before the final bell. To say that they rose so much, we're not even celebrating due to shock is more like it. We keep looking around asking if there was some kind of recalibration? A misscoring pproblem ? Were there that many students who hadn't taken the test seriously before? In the midst of the apathy, are these students geniuses in bud? Should my classes be even harder? Will next year's students be able ...

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...