Happy Sunday! I hope that everyone to some time to rest and reset and refresh this weekend!
I had a bit of a rough week last week. It started with my debit card got compromised, I found out when they spent almost $600 dollars with FedEx. Really!? FedEX!?! So I had to file a fraud claim. When the call was ending and the lady thanked me for being a loyal customer I almost cried. She said “thank you for being a loyal customer for 20 years!” I was like OMG!? When did I get so old! Then I had to cancel my debit card and live like I was from the 1990’s and use use cash. My new debit card came in this weekend so that was good. What a time to be alive! I then had to go in and update things that were on auto pay. my electric bill is being weird so I might need to call tomorrow and deal with that! As I was setting up my debit card to pay something I had another moment. I mean I know it is 2026, I am aware that it is almost 2027. I know. I understand how dates and numbers work but why did it hit so differently when my debit card expires in 2031!?!?!WHAT!?!?!
Then to add to it all I had a really rough time at work last week. The targets for the expectations keep moving. Deadlines change and they tell us like if this was the original deadline, or like we are just supposed to be like “ok, you right”. The curriculum that is put out for us to use is not good yet they expect our kids to be learning. They want us to be using the curriculum, yet adjust it so that it works for your kids, but why aren’t you using the district materials? Why aren’t you on pace with the district? It’s exhausting, frustrating and emotionally draining! At any given point I am one minor inconvience away from a total melt down. I thought the debit card thing was going to do it. Let’s be honest it will be something so much smaller like I can’t find a pen or something stupid!
Look at this picture. This is from the learning guide we give the kids. One of the things that they are docking everyone on in the walk throughs is the use of academic vocabulary. The word forces should be netwons. We measure force in Newtons. There is no excuse for this! If I am adjusting their mistakes I might as well be teaching my own created materials!
We are having to give our kids these “demonstration of learning” or DOL quizzes online. Clearly the people that are creating these initiatives have not worked in the classroom since 1 to 1 computers. Most days it is a 2 question DOL they give the kids 2 minutes per question and 1 minute to get logged in to the computer. When was the last time you had 6th graders try to get logged in to a district computer, then log in to the single sign on page, then open the testing website, then scroll through the list of tests? I takes longer than a minute for sure! When it isn’t a 2 question one, it is a 5 question test and that is supposed to be given in 10 minutes. I really just want the time back to teach!
Then there is my dissertation. I feel like I am not moving as fast as I should. My committee chair doesn’t seem worried about my pace. I mean this is kinda her expertise so if she doesn’t seem worried I shouldn’t either. I think the problem is that I don’t know what it should look like so I built a timeline in my head and I was like this is what it will look like. Well it is not! Since she has done this before, (a few times! haha) she knows what a realistic timeline looks like. I had a bit of a melt down and she brought me back from the edge!
On a better note I am really enjoying the kids! I make it a point to find something to laugh about with them. Thursday one of my kids had a birthday and he brought me a little goodie bag that he was giving to some of his friends. So that was fun! A library book that had been on hold was delivered to a kid in my class room. When I handed it to him he hugged it and said “ooo I have been waiting for this!” However my favorite interaction was Friday morning before school. A stranger kid walked up to me and told me it was his birthday. One of my favorite “teacher bits” to do is ask them how old they are turning!
- Stranger kid: Good morning! It’s my birthday today!
- Me: omg! That’s awesome! Happy birthday! How old are you? like 37? 38?
- stranger kid: haha no! 12!
- me: well that makes more sense since you’re in 6th grade! Any big plans for the birthday?
- stranger kid: DAVES HOT CHICKEN!
- Me: oh wow! sounds delish!
- Stranger kid: I have never been there!
- Me: well do you like hot chicken?
- Stranger kid: yeah!
- Me: me too! Buffalo wings are basically my favorite!
- Stranger kid: ohh with the ranch!?!
- me: I mean sure, but I prefer blue cheese
- Stranger kid: What’s blue cheese?
- Ian: well obviously it’s cheese from blue cows!
Then the two boys shrugged and walked off! hahaha I do have this Ian kid and he is a very quiet kid. This is really some of the most words I heard from him! Neither of them card that is actually not what blue cheese is!
This year is stressful and exhausting, but focusing on the kids is really helping. They are really the only thing that make the job worth it! I feel like I am building great relationships, with these kids. We have a good time. But we are learning in spite of the district!
Another thing that is helping is group of friends that are in the thick of it with me! We laugh together, we cry together (usually one of us is crying at a time!) We find ways to cheer each other up! I am so grateful for you ladies! Thank you! We make it a point to share a meal together any chance we get. We have to laugh so we don’t all just cry! haha
Well I have procrastinated what I need to do long enough! I should get to work! haha I hope that everyone has a great week! Happy Halloween and all the things!
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