My life is undergoing some minor changes right now, and they mostly seem to be for the better.
About a month ago, a new special education teacher was hired at Lincoln. We hit it off from the first day he teamed in my classroom. We quickly learned that, not only do we like many of the same things, but we live less than fifteen minutes away from each other. The carpool that formed from this chance meeting has been a Godsend for me. I don't think that I have been as disgusted with teaching as a profession since my last year in Colon. I was tired of being beaten up, beaten down, and just plain beaten. Until the carpool, I was coming into work full of venom. And then my new carpool buddy arrived, glowing with pleasantness. His last job had also left him bitter, and he decided that he wanted to start this job as a new man (or, at least, the man he was before he soured). He was on a crusade of pleasantness, and I have not felt this good in a while. My encounters with students and staff have been tremendously more enjoyable, and I truly look forward to coming to work every day. Put all of the politics and external crap aside, I have one of the greatest jobs in the world. Who else gets to spend all day talking about something they love and gets to inspire that love in others?
Unfortunately, I might not be at the high school next year. I received my lay off notice (again), but was told not to worry because the middle school will probably have openings. I am not happy with the arrangement. I know that I can teach middle school (I have done so before), but I've spent the past two years training for and creating AP Literature and World History classes. I already had to watch as someone else was given the Lit course; I don't think I'm ready to lose the World History one as well. Still, I was encouraged this year by how optimistic my students were after this year's test. I am eager to see their results in July.
This will be my last term at Baker's Writing Center. I have been tutoring students here for the past six years, and I want my evenings back. I still plan on teaching a course each term at Baker for the time being, but I've missed too much with my family and been stretched too thin for too long. Today, this Thursday, and next Thursday should be the last three evenings that I spend at the Writing Center desk.
Katrina made WMU's vocal performance program. While other people are warning her to hedge her bets, get a second major, and not count on this playing out as a career, I respectfully disagree. She has an outstanding God-given talent, and the drive to make something out of it. It will be a hard road, but I believe she can make it, and not just succeed, but thrive. That said, having Alex gone this past year has been devastating to me. I don't know how I am going to handle having both of my baby girls gone next school year. They grew up too fast. While seeing them as the gorgeous, independent and talented women they have become, I can't help but think of them as the baby girls who bounced into my arms, who played games as princesses with squeaky voices, and who let me be their hero. At least I have this summer with both of them home.
Life is all about change. I worry that some day I will not be able to handle the changes that life throws my way. These, at least, I believe I can handle and, hopefully, will be better for them.
About a month ago, a new special education teacher was hired at Lincoln. We hit it off from the first day he teamed in my classroom. We quickly learned that, not only do we like many of the same things, but we live less than fifteen minutes away from each other. The carpool that formed from this chance meeting has been a Godsend for me. I don't think that I have been as disgusted with teaching as a profession since my last year in Colon. I was tired of being beaten up, beaten down, and just plain beaten. Until the carpool, I was coming into work full of venom. And then my new carpool buddy arrived, glowing with pleasantness. His last job had also left him bitter, and he decided that he wanted to start this job as a new man (or, at least, the man he was before he soured). He was on a crusade of pleasantness, and I have not felt this good in a while. My encounters with students and staff have been tremendously more enjoyable, and I truly look forward to coming to work every day. Put all of the politics and external crap aside, I have one of the greatest jobs in the world. Who else gets to spend all day talking about something they love and gets to inspire that love in others?
Unfortunately, I might not be at the high school next year. I received my lay off notice (again), but was told not to worry because the middle school will probably have openings. I am not happy with the arrangement. I know that I can teach middle school (I have done so before), but I've spent the past two years training for and creating AP Literature and World History classes. I already had to watch as someone else was given the Lit course; I don't think I'm ready to lose the World History one as well. Still, I was encouraged this year by how optimistic my students were after this year's test. I am eager to see their results in July.
This will be my last term at Baker's Writing Center. I have been tutoring students here for the past six years, and I want my evenings back. I still plan on teaching a course each term at Baker for the time being, but I've missed too much with my family and been stretched too thin for too long. Today, this Thursday, and next Thursday should be the last three evenings that I spend at the Writing Center desk.
Katrina made WMU's vocal performance program. While other people are warning her to hedge her bets, get a second major, and not count on this playing out as a career, I respectfully disagree. She has an outstanding God-given talent, and the drive to make something out of it. It will be a hard road, but I believe she can make it, and not just succeed, but thrive. That said, having Alex gone this past year has been devastating to me. I don't know how I am going to handle having both of my baby girls gone next school year. They grew up too fast. While seeing them as the gorgeous, independent and talented women they have become, I can't help but think of them as the baby girls who bounced into my arms, who played games as princesses with squeaky voices, and who let me be their hero. At least I have this summer with both of them home.
Life is all about change. I worry that some day I will not be able to handle the changes that life throws my way. These, at least, I believe I can handle and, hopefully, will be better for them.
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