It was so nice to check back into my journal and find such great words of encouragement. I've been way too busy and overwhelmed with what is supposed to be a seminar course (with limited involvement) and balancing student teaching. I have learned now to expect the unexpected and just try and tread water. I'm hoping not to go under this week.
Try as I might, I just can't get used to getting up at 5:15 a.m. everyday...I'm much more efficient at getting ready in the morning and I'm hitting the snooze for 15 more minutes. As long as I'm out the door at 6:30 I am in front of the buses and not behind. Getting behind a bus adds 10 to 20 minutes of travel time on the back roads to the high school. On Saturdays I sleep in until at least 9 a.m. - it seems to be the only way I can stay sane. Our classes begin at 7:40 a.m. and that means my 1st and 2nd period classes (because of the block schedule) seem to be extra quiet and sleepy. I have taken control of the senior English classes in their entirety now doing all lesson planning and teaching. The junior English class still has some behavioral issues even with my cooperating teacher in charge. After my last post when I'd taken over the class, this group totally imploded the following Wednesday after two great days with me leading most of the instruction. My CT took over again and observed for another 2 weeks. I would have rather eased into teaching this class again with her in the room. Despite this, she turned the reigns of this class over to me last Friday also. We made significant gains by the end of the class period (she did pull out and do interventions with 3 boys who just would not cooperate...I don't think it was me, they have been acting out all along.) I was very please when she stopped back in with 10 minutes to go and all were in their seats and participating in a great discussion wrapping up our cooperative learning activity. Tuesday should be easy with this group; we are watching the video Smashed about teen drinking.
I am being observed by my faculty advisor from UOP on Monday. I am behind on getting her my lesson plan but did manage to get her a unit outline with three possible plans last Monday. My CT likes to make and revise lesson plans at the last minute. I understand her thinking but would like to make plans a little further in advance. I will be observed teaching my first and third period seniors--amazing classes of very engaged and cooperative students. I am having the best time with these young adults! I know that I can count on these students to do their very best on Monday for me.
We did manage to get out our first newspaper in the journalism class. I wish I could have stayed later in the evenings helping and coaching these students but I feel that I did help them a great deal in the writing process. The students have discovered that I am a good coach. However, I do have to keep myself from editing in the traditional catch and change the mistakes fashion of an English teacher. Pointing out grammatical issues is one thing, re-writing their stories is another. I have to get used to asking questions and making comments that lead them in the correct direction.
The reason I could not spend as much time during production week after school hours is my seminar course: Student Teaching II. Student Teaching I was not as demanding as this course last February and we were not student teaching at that time. This facilitator has us writing papers and doing team projects over and above the demands of putting together our Teacher Work Samples (which takes the place of a Masters Thesis and is as involved and demanding a writing project.) As I have 2 different preps for classes, have special education students mainstreamed with behavior problem students, regular students who will not be heading off to four-year universities, and students who should have been in Advanced Placement classes and will be going to 4-year schools, accomodating all needs is very challenging. The time needed to keep up with grading English papers and journals ranged from an hour after school to 3 or 4 hours a night once I get home from school. (Remind me to get to the third set of journals tonight for 2nd period senior English!) I knew that teaching was demanding; but the extra "crap" required by this particular facilitator is beyond what should be expected of us. The other student teacher at my school does not have any course work besides meeting every other week with other student teachers to discuss their experiences. My CT has complained to the UOP administrator in charge of student teaching for our program and told him they are being unreasonable. I was surprised when she told me that she actually reached the man; he has never returned any of my phone calls.
The lady that runs the rescue organization, from which we adopted our Niko, emailed me a photo of a 9-week old kitten her group pulled out of an abandoned apartment building in New Orleans. We have been hoping and waiting for a little female, but have decided to go and meet this little hurricane victim tomorrow morning (if I can feel caught up enough on my school work). He is quite handsome but isn't scheduled to be neutered until Wednesday. We need to make the run over to the Yellowstone region over Thursday-Sunday--a four-day break from school--to close up my family's cabin. DH thinks the timing is all wrong but is as intrigued by the little guy as I am. Tilda has been pining for a kitten to mother and Niko really needs a playmate with lots of energy. He is still growing at 3 1/2 years of age but still acts like this little baby. DH comes home at lunch time to play with him and I have to keep tossing toys while I'm doing school work or grading papers in the evening or he is chewing on them. It is hard to know whether a little brother will upset Niko...who has become the "Lion" of the house, it was our reasoning that a little sister would be less threatening to his ego. Still we won't know if he is the right one to bring home if we don't go and meet him.
Beth, my feet are not as sore, and you are right, those Danskos do need breaking in. Or maybe I'm just getting use to sore, tired feet!
I believe that I may have lost a little weight (with being on my feet most of the day and running up and down stairs before, during, and after school), but I have'nt gotten the scale out--I'm just going by how my pants are fitting. The worst of it is that I am craving sweets for some reason...must be stress. I have tried to not start snacking when I get home and DH and I try to have an early dinner instead and then get to bed early (even if I don't always fall asleep when I should).
Hoping to check in again after my observation. Thanks again for the positive thoughts and prayers headed my way.
They probably are also not used to having a student teacher who is older than 22 and needs their hand held. It's only for a few months and then you'll have a position of your own and you'll be free to use all those good ideas you've got. Time is on your side, Laurie, and you'll be able to do more creative things soon. 
It's Friday, Laurie!! 
However, this seminar course is NOT helping! When is it scheduled to be over? Hopefully soon! 
Maybe this new little one will work out for Tilda and Niko. How sweet to look after a little orphan. I hope he's as sweet in person as he is in the pictures. 
Hi Laurie! 
