Yesterday was great! Seriously. I don't have a room. The technology is lacking and sporadic. But all of my classrooms are right next to each other--and we're located in the 9th grade annex (the nice new little separated building with only 10 classrooms). It will be a nice little island away from the serious hustle and bustle in the rest of the school.
The mentor teachers are genuinely fabulous and willing to help in any way possible. I have a base room that I share with a girl I've had grad classes with before--she's easy going and it's her first year too. The flexibility that was scaring me--lack of departmental guidelines, etc. seems to be something that everyone sees as a good thing. My mentor teacher is sharp and we seem to be on the same page as far as the novels we want to cover, etc.
When I walked into the school, the band, volleyball team, and dance team were practicing--it was festive. But most importantly I walked in and thought, man, these kids are so young! With my experience being in middle school I wasn't sure what high school would feel like. And while I never thought I would feel necessarily like them--I was worried I might walk down the hall and get lost in the crowd. I am a couple of feet shorter than some of them, but there is definite distinction. Feeling drastically different is the most important element.
We will get a little money for supplies--but it won't get to us until later in the quarter so I'm glad I went ahead and stocked up. And I'm really thankful that I do not HAVE to decorate a classroom this year. I have spent so much time studying the curriculum/planning lessons that I feel prepared--definitely more prepared than the other new teachers. It's a start and I don't feel behind anymore. A slight sigh of relief leading to twinges of serious excitement--about MY students, OUR studies . . . To Kill a Mockingbird, Mythology, Animal Farm, Romeo and Juliet, Lord of the Flies, etc.
I just finished my classroom rules, procedures, routines, and now I'm fine tuning my syllabus and year overview of big projects, books, etc. I'll use today and this weekend to wrap up any errands, make sure my professional clothes are in order (considering I haven't really used them since last December), and finalize my daily plans for the first two weeks.
I also hope to get in my long run, a long ride, and celebrate the last weekend before school starts, before the Memphis marathon training program starts, and life in general.
TGIF :o)!
7.31.2009
7.29.2009
Consumed
I apologize in advance if you're more interested in reading running logs and race reports--this one is a rambling bit about all the other stuff that happens between:
When I think of the word consumed I usually think of two things: food/drink or fire. One is obviously pleasant; the other sort of depends on the context I suppose.
As of today, the word appropriately seems to describe my state of being. Not by fire or in foodities but by WORK. For the first time in my life I can honestly tell you that the work I am having to do now is HARD--I mean really, brain-twistingly difficult. And it's inescapable.
I'm even having productive dreams--complete with students, new teaching techniques, and those dreaded evaluations. It's not the sort of typical nightmare you hear new teachers talking about--the naked-in-front-of-the-class-and-everyone-is-laughing kind. Although they are fraught with anxiety, I feel mostly amused and invigorated. The administrators in my dreams continue to shake their heads at me though. This is the only true anxiety-producing element.
I think the dreams fit what I believe will be my reaction to this whole teaching gig. Although I may enjoy it--and even revel in how deep the planning can be and engaging (and entertaining) the students are--I will never EVER achieve a level of perfection that I'm used to seeking. (Yes, I am, admittedly, one of THOSE people.)
I'd gotten to the point in my last job where I felt like I could do it with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back. Perfection, although not necessarily in process but product, was tangible and something I and the staff strove for EVERY day. That magazine came in from press and I inspected it, holding my breath looking for errors, and 99.9% of the time breathed a sigh of relief that we had yet another close-enough-to-perfect issue on the stands. Perfection was at least definable in that field. Please and inspire the readers (or most--because it was obvious we would never please ALL). Avoid errors in accuracy, color, printing, ad/edit adjacencies, and delivery. Should an unhappy reader contact one of us and rant, we would take the comment with a grain of salt and our fine art director would say, "Well, at the end of the day it's just a magazine." We would take the criticism and apply it, but more importantly remember that it didn't necessarily mean that we had failed.
Now I'm sitting here at 11:30 p.m. surrounded by stacks and stacks of books and almost $500 worth of supplies that I had to foot the bill for (due to the recession), marveling at all we are asking of teachers. It's a tricky thing. My professors, friends, and mentors have all said, "You can't reach them all. Don't let that dismay you." But that is what I am SUPPOSED to do. That is what my principal, superintendent, governor, and President are asking me to do. I am to leave NO Child Left Behind.
I love the sentiment--truly. But I hate it when I feel that the task ahead of me is next to impossible before I even begin. Catch is I am NOT going to leave anybody behind--we may just all end up in varying places in the end--places that are hopefully the best place for each of us. I love to think about it--what could I do to interest this student or that one? It truly is a profession centered upon thinking about thinking--the students' existing knowledge, how they process information, and how they will learn or think most effectively. I am consumed almost every minute--in this process.
There are things that would make this process easier. To know that I would consistently have access to the following:
Supplies--copy paper, file folders--multiply anything by 144 and it gets expensive!
Technology--projector, transparency
A Classroom--someday (am glad I don't have to spend my time decorating, though)
Seating Arrangements--will have to work within classrooms I move between
Departmental Expectations--hope to have these tomorrow
Student Files--also hope to have these tomorrow
But I do not. Some of them will come with time--others just are not going to happen this year. At the end of the day I have to find a way to make this process work, work efficiently and effectively, and work in a way that is inviting and intriguing to all students. Part of the challenge I guess.
J. keeps having to repeat questions to me. He'll ask me a question and catch me staring off into space (thinking about how to gauge how much time students are going to need to read the class novels or whether we should write collaboratively or individually for their first writing pieces . . . and so on). I promise I'll come back to you, J. And I apologize for my head-in-the-clouds demeanor :o).
My first day at the school is tomorrow--kids come August 12. That leaves me just under 2 weeks to figure out all the rest of the details that are boggling my brain at the moment. In the mean time, buckle up runners, triathletes, and friends--this blog is probably going to take a detour here or there. Hopefully some of it will be inspirational, some of it funny, most of it will probably be humbling--hopefully not too humiliating. It's time to document some professional growth (fingers crossed) along with the physical goals and progress.
No work or school experience compares to this one and I am hungry for the challenge. The only thing I remember feeling this daunting was that week before the really long run . . . the first 18-miler. That marathon mentality is going to have to get me through this--a series of small runs and one long run at a time, consistent training, the reward is in the process, etc. . . . mentally and physically. I hope to apply these skills to my next endeavor. In the words of my energetic assistant principal, I'm "going to have to teach these kids how to think."
At the end of the day all I can do is keep moving and hope to bring as many as possible along with me.
When I think of the word consumed I usually think of two things: food/drink or fire. One is obviously pleasant; the other sort of depends on the context I suppose.
As of today, the word appropriately seems to describe my state of being. Not by fire or in foodities but by WORK. For the first time in my life I can honestly tell you that the work I am having to do now is HARD--I mean really, brain-twistingly difficult. And it's inescapable.
I'm even having productive dreams--complete with students, new teaching techniques, and those dreaded evaluations. It's not the sort of typical nightmare you hear new teachers talking about--the naked-in-front-of-the-class-and-everyone-is-laughing kind. Although they are fraught with anxiety, I feel mostly amused and invigorated. The administrators in my dreams continue to shake their heads at me though. This is the only true anxiety-producing element.
I think the dreams fit what I believe will be my reaction to this whole teaching gig. Although I may enjoy it--and even revel in how deep the planning can be and engaging (and entertaining) the students are--I will never EVER achieve a level of perfection that I'm used to seeking. (Yes, I am, admittedly, one of THOSE people.)
I'd gotten to the point in my last job where I felt like I could do it with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back. Perfection, although not necessarily in process but product, was tangible and something I and the staff strove for EVERY day. That magazine came in from press and I inspected it, holding my breath looking for errors, and 99.9% of the time breathed a sigh of relief that we had yet another close-enough-to-perfect issue on the stands. Perfection was at least definable in that field. Please and inspire the readers (or most--because it was obvious we would never please ALL). Avoid errors in accuracy, color, printing, ad/edit adjacencies, and delivery. Should an unhappy reader contact one of us and rant, we would take the comment with a grain of salt and our fine art director would say, "Well, at the end of the day it's just a magazine." We would take the criticism and apply it, but more importantly remember that it didn't necessarily mean that we had failed.
Now I'm sitting here at 11:30 p.m. surrounded by stacks and stacks of books and almost $500 worth of supplies that I had to foot the bill for (due to the recession), marveling at all we are asking of teachers. It's a tricky thing. My professors, friends, and mentors have all said, "You can't reach them all. Don't let that dismay you." But that is what I am SUPPOSED to do. That is what my principal, superintendent, governor, and President are asking me to do. I am to leave NO Child Left Behind.
I love the sentiment--truly. But I hate it when I feel that the task ahead of me is next to impossible before I even begin. Catch is I am NOT going to leave anybody behind--we may just all end up in varying places in the end--places that are hopefully the best place for each of us. I love to think about it--what could I do to interest this student or that one? It truly is a profession centered upon thinking about thinking--the students' existing knowledge, how they process information, and how they will learn or think most effectively. I am consumed almost every minute--in this process.
There are things that would make this process easier. To know that I would consistently have access to the following:
Supplies--copy paper, file folders--multiply anything by 144 and it gets expensive!
Technology--projector, transparency
A Classroom--someday (am glad I don't have to spend my time decorating, though)
Seating Arrangements--will have to work within classrooms I move between
Departmental Expectations--hope to have these tomorrow
Student Files--also hope to have these tomorrow
But I do not. Some of them will come with time--others just are not going to happen this year. At the end of the day I have to find a way to make this process work, work efficiently and effectively, and work in a way that is inviting and intriguing to all students. Part of the challenge I guess.
J. keeps having to repeat questions to me. He'll ask me a question and catch me staring off into space (thinking about how to gauge how much time students are going to need to read the class novels or whether we should write collaboratively or individually for their first writing pieces . . . and so on). I promise I'll come back to you, J. And I apologize for my head-in-the-clouds demeanor :o).
My first day at the school is tomorrow--kids come August 12. That leaves me just under 2 weeks to figure out all the rest of the details that are boggling my brain at the moment. In the mean time, buckle up runners, triathletes, and friends--this blog is probably going to take a detour here or there. Hopefully some of it will be inspirational, some of it funny, most of it will probably be humbling--hopefully not too humiliating. It's time to document some professional growth (fingers crossed) along with the physical goals and progress.
No work or school experience compares to this one and I am hungry for the challenge. The only thing I remember feeling this daunting was that week before the really long run . . . the first 18-miler. That marathon mentality is going to have to get me through this--a series of small runs and one long run at a time, consistent training, the reward is in the process, etc. . . . mentally and physically. I hope to apply these skills to my next endeavor. In the words of my energetic assistant principal, I'm "going to have to teach these kids how to think."
At the end of the day all I can do is keep moving and hope to bring as many as possible along with me.
7.15.2009
You Want Me to do What?
I'm working on this assignment that I've been putting off for days . . . well weeks at this point. It's due tomorrow--at 12:30. I've just gotten to page 3 of the assignment and the professor wants me to wax poetically as I compare Juliet to the following:
Animal
Plant
Element
Smell
Color
Texture
Food
Drink
Clothing
Car
Movie
TV Show
Game
Book
and wait for it . . . a piece of . . . f u r n i t u r e!
seriously.
I love metaphor just as much as the next language junkie but this borders on blasphemy (sorry Shakespeare).
Yep. The Bard would be proud that some 400 years later a frustrated graduate student is trying to decide whether Juliet is more like a dresser or a vanity . . . or maybe a strikingly beautiful, young settee.
Oy . . . I'm procrastinating again.
Animal
Plant
Element
Smell
Color
Texture
Food
Drink
Clothing
Car
Movie
TV Show
Game
Book
and wait for it . . . a piece of . . . f u r n i t u r e!
seriously.
I love metaphor just as much as the next language junkie but this borders on blasphemy (sorry Shakespeare).
But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun
Yep. The Bard would be proud that some 400 years later a frustrated graduate student is trying to decide whether Juliet is more like a dresser or a vanity . . . or maybe a strikingly beautiful, young settee.
Oy . . . I'm procrastinating again.
7.13.2009
Good Times in Tennessee
With many of the boys qualifying for Nationals and the PowerSpouses placing third, I think I can say that everyone feels like this weekend was a success! We enjoyed spending time with everyone and are already looking forward to Mountain Lakes next month! Here are some pics from the weekend--courtesy all of the AMAZING family and friends (Wendy, Nelle, Kacey . . . and girls) who were there to hang out, watch, and support all of the racers. I just grouped everyone's pictures together and tried to get them into some sort of chronological order :o). Music courtesy Tonal Vision (this song, "Solstice," written by Colin):
I anticipate J. will have a race report to follow full of the details . . .
And a link to the Web album if you want some pics from our camera is here (click below):
I anticipate J. will have a race report to follow full of the details . . .
And a link to the Web album if you want some pics from our camera is here (click below):
 |
| Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon |
7.10.2009
Friday Funny
Our gang is headed for the mountains of Tennessee . . . a repeat of the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon--Olympic Distance. This year I'll just be doing a relay leg (swim) instead of the entire thing (which means less stress, less exhaustion, and a lower probability that I will be stuck on a race course in a raging thunderstorm like last year). So good luck to all racers--especially to the PowerSpouses!!
And here's a funny clip to set the "river-bound mood" . . . if we ever get tired of this running and triathlon gig maybe we can take this up:
TGIF--Enjoy racing and playing!
And here's a funny clip to set the "river-bound mood" . . . if we ever get tired of this running and triathlon gig maybe we can take this up:
TGIF--Enjoy racing and playing!
7.06.2009
Life is Good...Staring off Into Space
Its the last day of our vacation. Its been fun. Its been hot. I've managed to get in a couple decent runs and rides.
Recently I have found myself "zoning out" on a regular basis. Simply staring off into space, pondering everything under the sun. Katie catches me and snaps me back to reality with a comment, often asking me what's on my mind.
These moments are mostly spent thinking of my grandfather, amazed at all the things he accomplished in 84 years and thankful for the 28 that we had together. Its hard to believe its been 6 months since he passed away. I search for signs that he is still here, with us in some form. The signs don't appear often, but occasionally occur.
This deap, meandering thought process usually then leads to my own life. Hopefully Katie and I have 60 more years. Not much time when you think about it. I want to make the most out of these years, wasting as little time as possible. I think I've been wasting more time than I should lately.
I don't watch much tv, but I think I watch too much. Its time to start doing a few more things. Its time to finish that basement room. Its time to read more. Its time to run more. Its time to laugh more. Its time to do.
We're off to the bookstore. Since Katie is the English teacher, she's going to help me pick out a good book.
Here's a couple quotes I read this week.
Carpe Diem!
"I believe that when you're dead, your spirit lives on to think about all the things you didn't accomplish in your life. So I'm trying to accomplish everything" David Goggins
"If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, jobs, and maybe your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery, isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance. Of how much you really want to do it. And you'll do it, despite rejection in the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods. And the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is."
Charles Bukowski
JG
Recently I have found myself "zoning out" on a regular basis. Simply staring off into space, pondering everything under the sun. Katie catches me and snaps me back to reality with a comment, often asking me what's on my mind.
These moments are mostly spent thinking of my grandfather, amazed at all the things he accomplished in 84 years and thankful for the 28 that we had together. Its hard to believe its been 6 months since he passed away. I search for signs that he is still here, with us in some form. The signs don't appear often, but occasionally occur.
This deap, meandering thought process usually then leads to my own life. Hopefully Katie and I have 60 more years. Not much time when you think about it. I want to make the most out of these years, wasting as little time as possible. I think I've been wasting more time than I should lately.
I don't watch much tv, but I think I watch too much. Its time to start doing a few more things. Its time to finish that basement room. Its time to read more. Its time to run more. Its time to laugh more. Its time to do.
We're off to the bookstore. Since Katie is the English teacher, she's going to help me pick out a good book.
Here's a couple quotes I read this week.
Carpe Diem!
"I believe that when you're dead, your spirit lives on to think about all the things you didn't accomplish in your life. So I'm trying to accomplish everything" David Goggins
"If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, jobs, and maybe your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery, isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance. Of how much you really want to do it. And you'll do it, despite rejection in the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods. And the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is."
Charles Bukowski
JG
7.02.2009
Life is Good....At 4:29 AM
By the end of today we'll be on vacation : ).
We'll be arriving at the beach about 17 hours from now.
I got up extra early today to get in a long swim with Colin. It should be pretty torturous. After that I've got to go to work, pick my bike up at the shop, and buy new running shoes as mine no longer have any rubber on the bottom.
Can't wait for 4 solid days of relaxation with Katie, good rides and good runs. I wish I was brave enough to venture out into the ocean for an open water swim, but at this point I'm still afraid of encountering unfriendly sea life a 1000 yards from the shore.
JG
We'll be arriving at the beach about 17 hours from now.
I got up extra early today to get in a long swim with Colin. It should be pretty torturous. After that I've got to go to work, pick my bike up at the shop, and buy new running shoes as mine no longer have any rubber on the bottom.
Can't wait for 4 solid days of relaxation with Katie, good rides and good runs. I wish I was brave enough to venture out into the ocean for an open water swim, but at this point I'm still afraid of encountering unfriendly sea life a 1000 yards from the shore.
JG
7.01.2009
MJ Tribute & Good Times Between Training
We had a great time this weekend @ the Tonal Vision show. C. & the band did an awesome tribute to the King of Pop. We danced, laughed, and enjoyed the opportunity to just be silly. Some pics courtesy Neily:
What rock stars!
What rock stars!
More stats from yesterday
BodyPump: 49 minutes, average hr 144, max 195
RPM: 51 minutes, average hr 169, max 204
I pulled back a bit in RPM--mostly because I was wiped out!
RPM: 51 minutes, average hr 169, max 204
I pulled back a bit in RPM--mostly because I was wiped out!
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