Well holy smoleys it has been a long time since I wrote last. I have had a super busy month and have been putting this off for a long time. So ready or not here comes what I have been doing the last month and what I am working towards now and what I am struggling at in my class and how I am going to fix it.
Well let's see...back in September I found yet again mice poop in my kitchen, but in my sink and I told my landlord that morning that I was leaving. I looked and looked for an apartment and settled on one that is only 4 blocks from school and it is a short 5 minute walk in the morning. It is a 2 bdrm on the top floor or a house. I get to keep my crazy kitty and into like it. I have gotnhelpnfrom some of my fellow teacher colleagues and I am very grateful for that. I moved all last week and have my two couches...after I look for mice (found poop on box spring and right by pull out couch) and inspect them we will see if they get moved into my new place. That is what scares me the most. I thought they were just in the kitchen but nope they were everywhere!!! YUCKO!!!
So I am in the process of getting my place back to normal and trying to hang my stuff up on the walls up holy that is hard when my walls are full of studs that won't let me out a nail in. It is very lopsided with all of my stuff on the walls. But it is going good.
I haven't had any other attacks with my gallbladder so that is good news for me. I had p/t conferences two weeks ago and they weren't so bad and it was nice to let the parents know that this is a hard class and that their students have to study for it or will not do well at all.
My 1st quarter of classes are done this Thursday and I will get a new batch of students for my exploratory classes. Today I felt horrible that I was already swishing that the quarter was done to be rid of some of the problems in my room. I couldn't believe that in my first year I would be wanting the end of that to come soon. I do realize that I need to change the structure of some of my classes in hope that the next quarter goes smoothly.
Out of the last 5 weekends I have been to Mitchell 4 times but they were all worth it. I love seeing my friend Chelsea and Kayla and the others and seeing Ethan. It's a nice break from the job and a way to relax. We had a wedding this last weekend and it was gorgeous and fun with the man. We had to do a kiss that the bride and groom would repeat and it was so funny and I turned dark RED!! I love him so.
So now I am just struggling when I give my students a number quiz and they fail it and then when I give them a previous homework assignment and the topic we have been covering for the last 2 months and they do poorly. I just need to regroup and figure out this mess. I mean what we are doing is not complicated and it is only one verb. Argh just blows my mind. Especially when they do not come in for extra help and the parents say what can they do to get their grade up...STUDY...ask questions...come in for help. I can't do it for them. I believe the majority of these students are in the rut of oh ya I can retake this and study for it later, but that is the easy way out and I don't allow it. I tell them retakes are harder and longer sound I take the second grade because they would have had more time to study. So we will see what happens this week.
But besides moving and seeing Mitchell a lot recently I don't have much news. It is getting cold down here in Nebraska. I am done with volleyball 2-4 I believe and now need to figure out what I am going to do with my time. Clean or cook/bake with my new stove!!
Well tootles.
Any advice on different teaching strategies for a large class and 70 minute time frame please let me know. First year teacher can try anything thing and see how it goes.
Chau Chau
I have been doing really good with my lesson plans lately and just need to keep focusing on how I am going to reach my students in different ways.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Student Accountability...is it ok for retakes or not?
Pay day is getting closer and I am getting excited. I don't expect a lot, but hopefully enough to cover the things I need to cover (bridesmaid dress) and to get by. With this newly found health condition I now have a $1000 medical bill to pay for, but it's the real world and I am figuring it out :). The other day I got my letter in the mail from my insurance company saying that I have 11 months to wait to get my surgery covered (any pre-existing conditions) and then hopefully I will be good. So as of now I am doing everything I can to hold out until then.
This means that there is NO greasy food, fried food, examples (all the YUMMY food that I love) cheeseburgers, fries, sour cream, pretty much a little to no fat diet. I need to mainly stay away from egg yolks, cheese, extra oils, salt, mayo, excess butter, too much dairy and this is what I have been doing so I feel ok. I do let myself splurge a bit sometimes like having a brownie or two, but yesterday I ate a carmel roll, part of a bagel with cream cheese and was feeling some pain and trouble breathing. So I just got to watch it and will be fine.
Today and yesterday we had off for professional development about Response to Intervention. The guy, Mike Mattos, was very knowledgeable and had a lot of great ideas and ways to incorporate this new process into our school. We are on our way to this model and had a lot of discussions by buildings and this is something that we are looking into and want to incorporate asap.
This month is crazy. Our calendar for this month is so out of whack. We had two days off this week, in the middle, so the kids I saw last friday I will finally see again tomorrow and the kids I saw monday I won't see until friday. Argh this week is a mess. Then next friday we have 1/2 a day with the kids and then professional development and finally the last week we have parent/teacher conferences and have the 28th off of school. I do like the time off and learning with my building, but the end of the 1st quarter is Oct. 18th and I will be giving my first test the first week of October. So my kids need to speed up and move on in Spanish. I do have a good group of students and hopefully they will improve at the end of the year.
During our conference we have been talking about all students learning and succeeding at high levels. Our conversation was talking about what we do in our rooms to help the students succeed. Some of us put in the time to meet with a student after school or before school to offer retakes and hold the students accountable for showing up and scheduling the time to meet. The majority of our table asked the students, on the first day, to set a goal of what they wanted to get out of the class and the majority said that they wanted an A or to do well in the class. What I tell my students is that I will not just give an A out to any student that I want. The student needs to put forth the effort, participate, do the work and earn the A or grade in the class.
This conversation stuck in my head about offering retakes on quizzes and tests. In my time at school we were aloud retakes if we did very poorly and they would often be harder than the original, but I am stuck on whether or not to give a retake on a test. I am ok doing it with those that fail the test and I believe that what I test the kids on is essential to learn and if they want to continue in a Foreign Language they need to know this. So I am asking for opinions on whether or not to give a retake on a test. I am calling all you educators to help me on this.
Currently this is how I go: One retake on a quiz if they failed, and will incorporate a retake on a test (not tell them it is allowed--so they don't intentionally do bad) but make it different and a little harder. If they see the exact same as the original they will not do good on the first knowing that the second time it is the same.
I believe that all kids can succeed and reach great levels of success at their own speed/rate. I have high expectations for them--the teacher in me.
Please help me out on this one.
This means that there is NO greasy food, fried food, examples (all the YUMMY food that I love) cheeseburgers, fries, sour cream, pretty much a little to no fat diet. I need to mainly stay away from egg yolks, cheese, extra oils, salt, mayo, excess butter, too much dairy and this is what I have been doing so I feel ok. I do let myself splurge a bit sometimes like having a brownie or two, but yesterday I ate a carmel roll, part of a bagel with cream cheese and was feeling some pain and trouble breathing. So I just got to watch it and will be fine.
Today and yesterday we had off for professional development about Response to Intervention. The guy, Mike Mattos, was very knowledgeable and had a lot of great ideas and ways to incorporate this new process into our school. We are on our way to this model and had a lot of discussions by buildings and this is something that we are looking into and want to incorporate asap.
This month is crazy. Our calendar for this month is so out of whack. We had two days off this week, in the middle, so the kids I saw last friday I will finally see again tomorrow and the kids I saw monday I won't see until friday. Argh this week is a mess. Then next friday we have 1/2 a day with the kids and then professional development and finally the last week we have parent/teacher conferences and have the 28th off of school. I do like the time off and learning with my building, but the end of the 1st quarter is Oct. 18th and I will be giving my first test the first week of October. So my kids need to speed up and move on in Spanish. I do have a good group of students and hopefully they will improve at the end of the year.
During our conference we have been talking about all students learning and succeeding at high levels. Our conversation was talking about what we do in our rooms to help the students succeed. Some of us put in the time to meet with a student after school or before school to offer retakes and hold the students accountable for showing up and scheduling the time to meet. The majority of our table asked the students, on the first day, to set a goal of what they wanted to get out of the class and the majority said that they wanted an A or to do well in the class. What I tell my students is that I will not just give an A out to any student that I want. The student needs to put forth the effort, participate, do the work and earn the A or grade in the class.
This conversation stuck in my head about offering retakes on quizzes and tests. In my time at school we were aloud retakes if we did very poorly and they would often be harder than the original, but I am stuck on whether or not to give a retake on a test. I am ok doing it with those that fail the test and I believe that what I test the kids on is essential to learn and if they want to continue in a Foreign Language they need to know this. So I am asking for opinions on whether or not to give a retake on a test. I am calling all you educators to help me on this.
Currently this is how I go: One retake on a quiz if they failed, and will incorporate a retake on a test (not tell them it is allowed--so they don't intentionally do bad) but make it different and a little harder. If they see the exact same as the original they will not do good on the first knowing that the second time it is the same.
I believe that all kids can succeed and reach great levels of success at their own speed/rate. I have high expectations for them--the teacher in me.
Please help me out on this one.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Getting the hang of it...
Oh geez with things going the way they are I am busy and seem to keep putting this off. Argh it has been 10 days. But a lot has happened in the last ten days. I have been coaching volleyball (sore from tossing the ball) ha ha. I have been getting the hang of things and figuring out how to plan and get things done. I have been observed a few times and have got a lot of compliments from them. It's nice to know that I am doing well.
So end of the 3rd week in school I have learned a lot. I have learned to not FREAK out on people (haven't done it, but have heard and seen that it is not good). I have learned to continuously explain the directions 5-6 times to the class, because they will not get it the first 5 times. I have come to see the true colors of some of the kids and it doesn't make me happy. I gave a discipline today to a student who is having problems with my class and all the others also. I just have one class where three students should not be together. It makes it difficult for the other students and I have even had other students complain about it. But I am stern with my students and do not yell, but they know that I am disappointed and upset. I am learning to lay the law down and that if I don't they will run me over. Also the biggest thing for me is that I am not alone, it is happening in one way or another to someone else and there are people to help me out.
Other than that I am really getting into my classes and trying to do my best. I am just taking a quiz in my Spanish class and now we are getting into the book and I am strategizing ways to differentiate the instruction and vary the activities. I want them up and out of their desks, but yet I still want them learning. I am now using the assessments from the book and will need to make sure that I cover what is on that assessment. So I am excited and still nervous for how I want to approach the text. I collaborate every Wednesday with the high school Spanish teachers and am getting a lot of advice and strategies and love it. I have been contemplating going home where my family is and boyfriend, but then I would have to start this all over again and these people are so dang friendly and helpful.
My boyfriend has been playing professional ball with a team back home in the area and he has been really successful. He will get his first start here at the end of the season in Canada, but he has shown them a lot. He pitched on Tuesday and man everything was working from what I heard. Almost the whole town area back home was there to support him and I am so glad for him. I do get a little down when I can't be there and will never get to see him pitch in his first pro year, but he reminded me that I have a career. I am not 1 hour away, but 7 hours and it is not easy. I just felt like being that I am dating him I should be there, but there is no way I could right now. I know that I can only be there in heart and that has to be enough. I am just so very proud of him and how much he has accomplished thus far. He has put in time and effort to get where he is today. Things have not always gone his way and over the last 4 years there have been ups and downs with this sport. He has persevered and realized his dream of playing ball the hard way. It goes to show that nothing is impossible.
(pic of us in May at a Redhawks game--5th row behind homeplate at the field he now plays on--imagine that 2.25 months later he would be suited up on that field!)
He supports me being 7-8 hours away (3 this fall) and what I am doing. I support him by going to as much as I can to be there for him and listening when I can't. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to see him this last Saturday in KC just for the day until Sunday morning. He asked that I get there early and I did (1045 am) and we walked around and just caught up and hung out together. It was very nice to spend the time with him after 1 month and a half (which neither of us can help) and just do whatever. So I know that he knows that I am proud of him and would be at every game if I could. It is nice that we both understand that our lives have different schedules, but this is nothing compared to what we have done before (whole continent away). Each of us has our own lives and I am here making my new life and start at teaching and he is doing his thing with ball. I love it. Also I did get my birthday present from him (loved it). I was telling my friends at work well it would be hard to guess that I had a boyfriend who loves baseball and I do too if my gift was a NBC World Series hat and shirt and an AWESOME Twins sweatshirt. I was so happy. He knows me well.
But I better go get ready for the evening, eat and clean before my friend gets here tomorrow. I can't wait to see here and she will be here all weekend with me!! Fun we will have to see how Coco does!
So end of the 3rd week in school I have learned a lot. I have learned to not FREAK out on people (haven't done it, but have heard and seen that it is not good). I have learned to continuously explain the directions 5-6 times to the class, because they will not get it the first 5 times. I have come to see the true colors of some of the kids and it doesn't make me happy. I gave a discipline today to a student who is having problems with my class and all the others also. I just have one class where three students should not be together. It makes it difficult for the other students and I have even had other students complain about it. But I am stern with my students and do not yell, but they know that I am disappointed and upset. I am learning to lay the law down and that if I don't they will run me over. Also the biggest thing for me is that I am not alone, it is happening in one way or another to someone else and there are people to help me out.
Other than that I am really getting into my classes and trying to do my best. I am just taking a quiz in my Spanish class and now we are getting into the book and I am strategizing ways to differentiate the instruction and vary the activities. I want them up and out of their desks, but yet I still want them learning. I am now using the assessments from the book and will need to make sure that I cover what is on that assessment. So I am excited and still nervous for how I want to approach the text. I collaborate every Wednesday with the high school Spanish teachers and am getting a lot of advice and strategies and love it. I have been contemplating going home where my family is and boyfriend, but then I would have to start this all over again and these people are so dang friendly and helpful.
My boyfriend has been playing professional ball with a team back home in the area and he has been really successful. He will get his first start here at the end of the season in Canada, but he has shown them a lot. He pitched on Tuesday and man everything was working from what I heard. Almost the whole town area back home was there to support him and I am so glad for him. I do get a little down when I can't be there and will never get to see him pitch in his first pro year, but he reminded me that I have a career. I am not 1 hour away, but 7 hours and it is not easy. I just felt like being that I am dating him I should be there, but there is no way I could right now. I know that I can only be there in heart and that has to be enough. I am just so very proud of him and how much he has accomplished thus far. He has put in time and effort to get where he is today. Things have not always gone his way and over the last 4 years there have been ups and downs with this sport. He has persevered and realized his dream of playing ball the hard way. It goes to show that nothing is impossible.
(pic of us in May at a Redhawks game--5th row behind homeplate at the field he now plays on--imagine that 2.25 months later he would be suited up on that field!)
But I better go get ready for the evening, eat and clean before my friend gets here tomorrow. I can't wait to see here and she will be here all weekend with me!! Fun we will have to see how Coco does!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Busy little bee
Well hello there again. I have been busy and it is only the 2nd week of high school. I had a good weekend and just woke up from a 2 hour nap-so I must have been tired. But I keep putting this off and doing something else, so I decided nope it is time to write to these people again because they are so kind and reading this.
Well this past weekend was our town days and I did go and see a few things. Friday night I got home from school and was so happy to put some sweats on! Ha that just makes me laugh to say that sometimes. :) But Friday I went downtown just to walk around and see how it goes, and I was kind of hoping to lay low but I ended up seeing quite a few of my kids and saying hi to all of them! I got in line to one of the 5+ BBQ places we had and decided to try some pulled pork--no bun but some yummy sauce and beans. Now I love food and especially bbq and ribs, so those are not going away easily. I ate it and man oh man was it scrumdiliumpcious. NO pain no nothing, good work huh?!
I meet some colleagues in line and ate with them which was great and spent two and a half hours chatting up with them and just hanging out. Saw a lot of kids in the foam dance-foam/soap comes out of this machine and kids dance and play in it and were covered head to toe!! Someone tried to give me a high five, but I didn't want foam even if it smelled super fruity! Saturday after it poured and tried to brighten up, I met up with a friend and met for lunch and decided to go to the talent show. I went shopping a little bit afterwards and got a new teal purse and some skinnies to match it.
Sunday I did not go anywhere besides the grocery store and get fruits and veggies. I was getting sick of the food I was eating and needed some good tasting food. So I just finished my half watermelon that I got when I got home today cause i was Hun gary (ha not the country). But I am excited to make some cauliflower and broccoli soup with some squash and make it into a cream soup all blended with some type of cream--need to find that is not dairy or cheese--not sure yet.
But overall a good weekend, and today was good in class. I had to lay down the law in my classes and talk to a student twice in one day and even take him out of class. But made a goal to not have a talk about misbehaving again for the week. So we will see. Cross your fingers.
Well I am off to bed. Tomorrow we have an open house and I have friends visiting on their way to CO and then off to KC this week to see Ethan it has only been almost 1.5 months! So I need to get all my work done and kind of unwind this weekend.
Now I have been trying to figure out if it would be wise to wait a year to get my gall bladder out. I have only had one attack and have not eaten cheese in a week and have changed to a more healthy diet. But I am not sure how bad they are and if my doctor thinks I can hold out or if I need to get it out soon. So I have been working on all of that and kind of anxious about everything which isn't helping. So please let me know if you have any had anything like this and what kind of advice you can give me too. Fingers crossed all I need to do is exercise again and continue to eat right and can hold off for that spendy bill for a year if not more.
Tootles for now and have a good one
Señorita Wirries
Well this past weekend was our town days and I did go and see a few things. Friday night I got home from school and was so happy to put some sweats on! Ha that just makes me laugh to say that sometimes. :) But Friday I went downtown just to walk around and see how it goes, and I was kind of hoping to lay low but I ended up seeing quite a few of my kids and saying hi to all of them! I got in line to one of the 5+ BBQ places we had and decided to try some pulled pork--no bun but some yummy sauce and beans. Now I love food and especially bbq and ribs, so those are not going away easily. I ate it and man oh man was it scrumdiliumpcious. NO pain no nothing, good work huh?!
I meet some colleagues in line and ate with them which was great and spent two and a half hours chatting up with them and just hanging out. Saw a lot of kids in the foam dance-foam/soap comes out of this machine and kids dance and play in it and were covered head to toe!! Someone tried to give me a high five, but I didn't want foam even if it smelled super fruity! Saturday after it poured and tried to brighten up, I met up with a friend and met for lunch and decided to go to the talent show. I went shopping a little bit afterwards and got a new teal purse and some skinnies to match it.
Sunday I did not go anywhere besides the grocery store and get fruits and veggies. I was getting sick of the food I was eating and needed some good tasting food. So I just finished my half watermelon that I got when I got home today cause i was Hun gary (ha not the country). But I am excited to make some cauliflower and broccoli soup with some squash and make it into a cream soup all blended with some type of cream--need to find that is not dairy or cheese--not sure yet.
But overall a good weekend, and today was good in class. I had to lay down the law in my classes and talk to a student twice in one day and even take him out of class. But made a goal to not have a talk about misbehaving again for the week. So we will see. Cross your fingers.
Well I am off to bed. Tomorrow we have an open house and I have friends visiting on their way to CO and then off to KC this week to see Ethan it has only been almost 1.5 months! So I need to get all my work done and kind of unwind this weekend.
Now I have been trying to figure out if it would be wise to wait a year to get my gall bladder out. I have only had one attack and have not eaten cheese in a week and have changed to a more healthy diet. But I am not sure how bad they are and if my doctor thinks I can hold out or if I need to get it out soon. So I have been working on all of that and kind of anxious about everything which isn't helping. So please let me know if you have any had anything like this and what kind of advice you can give me too. Fingers crossed all I need to do is exercise again and continue to eat right and can hold off for that spendy bill for a year if not more.
Tootles for now and have a good one
Señorita Wirries
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Better day
Well today will be a short post. I am feeling a lot better, no attacks as of now--please cross your fingers and pray for me--so I've got that going for me. :) I had a good day at school, lay down the law a bit and made sure the students knew that I was serious. Tomorrow afternoon will be the first day technically with the Spanish 1 students and GPS who I missed because I was sick yesterday. I am very thankful for my paras who covered for me and got everything rolling. It was amazing.
Today was a good day, but I was a little run down from just being sick yesterday so I just woke up from my nap and hopefully it will help for tomorrow.
Last night I had some grilled chicken, corn, and soup and things were perfect. I ate applesauce and drank apple juice along with eating some dry toast today. It was a pretty bland diet, but it should help me out. So I just wanted to update you all. I am going to try to wait until my insurance kicks in and I can get it precertified to get surgery. Hopefully 3 weeks unless I am doing awesome that I can last longer. Well I am off to do some homework since I just woke up from a nap with Coco. Adios
Tootles,
Srta. W
Today was a good day, but I was a little run down from just being sick yesterday so I just woke up from my nap and hopefully it will help for tomorrow.
Last night I had some grilled chicken, corn, and soup and things were perfect. I ate applesauce and drank apple juice along with eating some dry toast today. It was a pretty bland diet, but it should help me out. So I just wanted to update you all. I am going to try to wait until my insurance kicks in and I can get it precertified to get surgery. Hopefully 3 weeks unless I am doing awesome that I can last longer. Well I am off to do some homework since I just woke up from a nap with Coco. Adios
Tootles,
Srta. W
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Oh the excitement, nerves, and the PAIN!!
Holy smoley's. Oops. It has been a while since I posted. 1 week to be exact and it has been a busy one at that. I started school and have had a lot of ups and downs this week.
All the staff returned on the 8th and it was nice to have people stop in and say hi and to share anything with me. I sat in my room a lot and worked on decorations and had constant visitors which I loved. Even if they came in and scared the bee-geebers out of me. I have already gained a lot of knowledge this last week and I still have 185 days of the year left.
Thursday, my oldest sister visited me from up north and spent the weekend with me. I LOVED IT. She did so much for me this last weekend that I was not expecting and I am very grateful for everything. My apartment now reminds me of a homey place and somewhere that I can feel comfortable. It is very very nice in my living room with lots of my personal decorations and even a bookshelf we picked up for 5$!! Let me tell you spray paint is awesome and it works great.
Friday I had a staff meeting all day and it was my birthday. The whole staff sang Happy Birthday, awesome--embarrassing, but awesome--and I got myself a 4 legged birthday present. My sister put the bug into my ear and I thought it would be a great idea to keep me company and to have something to come home with, and hopefully cure the pest problem in the kitchen. I got a little kitty, Coco, for myself. I rescued her from Paws and Claws, local pound. So we have been getting to know each other over the weekend and into the week, she is still shy and likes to hide, but she is a darn cutie that likes to play at 10pm! The weekend ended and it was sad to see my sister go, but I will see her in a few months.
Sunday night I was very nervous to meet my students, but at the end of the day I realized it was nothing. Today was the first full day and being nervous to lay down my classroom management model with all my classes I got to school early, first one there I think. I had to get ready mentally and everything for class. My first two classes were great, my procedures and rules were sticking, I had to make one verbal warning to a student but things were awesome. I was relaxed a bit by lunch (10:45) and prepared for the rest of my day. I would move to a different room for my next class, so I got the nametags on my desks for the classes in my room next.
As I walked into the room to get ready for Spanish class I started to feel very sick. I went to my room planning on grabbing some desks and bent over having difficulty breathing. I started to burn up and sweat like crazy, breathing rapidly and having trouble and I had the most crazy pain in my stomach area. I went to the nurse and was there for 1.5 hours. I could not find a position that was comfortable and still trying to catch my breath. I did vomit and didn't feel better. 1.5 hours later I magically felt better. Everything was gone. To my surprise it was similar to a pain I had the night before, but that did not last even 5 minutes. I decided to go to the doctor and he recommended an ultrasound and that is where I got my diagnosis.
I was told that I have a gall bladder full of stones and that is why I was feeling so ill. He recommended surgery, which I will do eventually, but my insurance with the school does not kick in for 18 more days. I will be waiting it out, just watching what I eat until then. So I went out tonight and got a few things that can get me by and will go get some veggies and fruit tomorrow. I am nervous about having another attack at school, so I am trying food tonight so if something happens it will be at home.
I have teachers/colleagues that are there for me and offering help at a moment's notice. I am very lucky. I feel better and will be going to school tomorrow and hopefully not experiencing it again. I can't believe that it happened on my first day of school, but now I can monitor it. Crossing my fingers for tomorrow. So if anyone has information on what I should be doing/eating please let me know. Also any tips for the kitty. She is a tough kitty to survive while I am at school. But I am going to go and try to eat some chicken from my grill and see how tonight goes.
Please let me know.
Tootles,
Señorita W
All the staff returned on the 8th and it was nice to have people stop in and say hi and to share anything with me. I sat in my room a lot and worked on decorations and had constant visitors which I loved. Even if they came in and scared the bee-geebers out of me. I have already gained a lot of knowledge this last week and I still have 185 days of the year left.
Thursday, my oldest sister visited me from up north and spent the weekend with me. I LOVED IT. She did so much for me this last weekend that I was not expecting and I am very grateful for everything. My apartment now reminds me of a homey place and somewhere that I can feel comfortable. It is very very nice in my living room with lots of my personal decorations and even a bookshelf we picked up for 5$!! Let me tell you spray paint is awesome and it works great.
Friday I had a staff meeting all day and it was my birthday. The whole staff sang Happy Birthday, awesome--embarrassing, but awesome--and I got myself a 4 legged birthday present. My sister put the bug into my ear and I thought it would be a great idea to keep me company and to have something to come home with, and hopefully cure the pest problem in the kitchen. I got a little kitty, Coco, for myself. I rescued her from Paws and Claws, local pound. So we have been getting to know each other over the weekend and into the week, she is still shy and likes to hide, but she is a darn cutie that likes to play at 10pm! The weekend ended and it was sad to see my sister go, but I will see her in a few months.
Sunday night I was very nervous to meet my students, but at the end of the day I realized it was nothing. Today was the first full day and being nervous to lay down my classroom management model with all my classes I got to school early, first one there I think. I had to get ready mentally and everything for class. My first two classes were great, my procedures and rules were sticking, I had to make one verbal warning to a student but things were awesome. I was relaxed a bit by lunch (10:45) and prepared for the rest of my day. I would move to a different room for my next class, so I got the nametags on my desks for the classes in my room next.As I walked into the room to get ready for Spanish class I started to feel very sick. I went to my room planning on grabbing some desks and bent over having difficulty breathing. I started to burn up and sweat like crazy, breathing rapidly and having trouble and I had the most crazy pain in my stomach area. I went to the nurse and was there for 1.5 hours. I could not find a position that was comfortable and still trying to catch my breath. I did vomit and didn't feel better. 1.5 hours later I magically felt better. Everything was gone. To my surprise it was similar to a pain I had the night before, but that did not last even 5 minutes. I decided to go to the doctor and he recommended an ultrasound and that is where I got my diagnosis.
I was told that I have a gall bladder full of stones and that is why I was feeling so ill. He recommended surgery, which I will do eventually, but my insurance with the school does not kick in for 18 more days. I will be waiting it out, just watching what I eat until then. So I went out tonight and got a few things that can get me by and will go get some veggies and fruit tomorrow. I am nervous about having another attack at school, so I am trying food tonight so if something happens it will be at home.
I have teachers/colleagues that are there for me and offering help at a moment's notice. I am very lucky. I feel better and will be going to school tomorrow and hopefully not experiencing it again. I can't believe that it happened on my first day of school, but now I can monitor it. Crossing my fingers for tomorrow. So if anyone has information on what I should be doing/eating please let me know. Also any tips for the kitty. She is a tough kitty to survive while I am at school. But I am going to go and try to eat some chicken from my grill and see how tonight goes.
Please let me know.
Tootles,
Señorita W
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Woof...el yucko.
Tomorrow is the official day that the returning teachers, return. With that it means that school starts in 5 days!! I am getting ready, just really finishing my final schedules for my classes. I do not want to have absolutely everything planned out, because I know that things will change and I want to be able to go with the flow. The only class I have that has a schedule and more of a order that I can pace off of. It is just nice knowing that for that class I just have to go off of my notes and just cruise.
So I have just been hanging out at school after all of my meetings these last few days and finishing my room and plans. Today was quite nice that today as I am sitting in my room, jamming to Journey radio on Pandora and in walks like 5 teachers. I just love having people that I have just met coming and seeing how things are going and still meeting new staff members. Tomorrow I will be introduced to all (on the big screen) and will be ready for more introductions. I feel like I have made a good choice on where I begin my teaching career. So besides all the training I have just been trying to finish off these days relaxing and sitting at the library or just watching videos keeping my sense of humor up and getting ready.
So I forget what day, I believe Saturday, I caught a glimpse of an unwanted pest in my kitchen. I saw a mouse and didn't even know that he was here. All the other tenants have cats and therefore have not had any problems with them, but I do not have any time for it. So I have been trying to catch the little bugger and be rid of him. My sister is visiting on Thursday and I am trying to have him gone by then. We will see wish me luck or any advice on how to get them out of their hiding spot and into my trap so he cannot find a way back here. Being in a new apartment this is not what I wanted, but it is not a big damper on my day, just a pesky bugger.
Like I said my sister is coming this weekend and I am excited to see her and to hang out. My other sister is getting married this winter and I get to be a bridesmaid. I was pumped to have her ask me that and this will be my first time being a bridesmaid. Right now I am waiting the dreaded wait of all first year teachers and waiting until September 20th to get my first paycheck. I believe that they are going to try to do everything they can, but we probably will not get any stipends until September. Phooey. So everything must wait until September 20th!! We will see.
But tomorrow is picture day for our id badges and reuniting with staff members. So right now I am going to go back and watch some Monty Python, listen to the thunderstorm, finish laundry, read a bit of my book and listen to a baseball game where my bf just got signed to play on!! I hope to hear him pitch in the next few days! Go hun.
Ps my bday is in 2.5 days!!
Chau Chau you all
Oh funniest thing I heard today, "there are a lot of ears in a cornfield," referencing ears everywhere careful what you say, only in Nebraska!
So I have just been hanging out at school after all of my meetings these last few days and finishing my room and plans. Today was quite nice that today as I am sitting in my room, jamming to Journey radio on Pandora and in walks like 5 teachers. I just love having people that I have just met coming and seeing how things are going and still meeting new staff members. Tomorrow I will be introduced to all (on the big screen) and will be ready for more introductions. I feel like I have made a good choice on where I begin my teaching career. So besides all the training I have just been trying to finish off these days relaxing and sitting at the library or just watching videos keeping my sense of humor up and getting ready.
So I forget what day, I believe Saturday, I caught a glimpse of an unwanted pest in my kitchen. I saw a mouse and didn't even know that he was here. All the other tenants have cats and therefore have not had any problems with them, but I do not have any time for it. So I have been trying to catch the little bugger and be rid of him. My sister is visiting on Thursday and I am trying to have him gone by then. We will see wish me luck or any advice on how to get them out of their hiding spot and into my trap so he cannot find a way back here. Being in a new apartment this is not what I wanted, but it is not a big damper on my day, just a pesky bugger.
Like I said my sister is coming this weekend and I am excited to see her and to hang out. My other sister is getting married this winter and I get to be a bridesmaid. I was pumped to have her ask me that and this will be my first time being a bridesmaid. Right now I am waiting the dreaded wait of all first year teachers and waiting until September 20th to get my first paycheck. I believe that they are going to try to do everything they can, but we probably will not get any stipends until September. Phooey. So everything must wait until September 20th!! We will see.
But tomorrow is picture day for our id badges and reuniting with staff members. So right now I am going to go back and watch some Monty Python, listen to the thunderstorm, finish laundry, read a bit of my book and listen to a baseball game where my bf just got signed to play on!! I hope to hear him pitch in the next few days! Go hun.
Ps my bday is in 2.5 days!!
Chau Chau you all
Oh funniest thing I heard today, "there are a lot of ears in a cornfield," referencing ears everywhere careful what you say, only in Nebraska!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
OOFDAH...that's all I can say.
Well, Well, today was long. I finished my boystown 2-day training today and it was pretty informative. Last night I played some softball and was able to meet quite a few of the teachers and they were very nice. It was nice getting to know a few people.
The girl that actually asked me to come is from my home area and went to the same college as me and has been teaching at this school since she graduated. It was pretty ironic meeting her and she will the one I will be coaching jr. high volleyball with too! Her and her husband picked me up and we stayed later after the game, but it was nice just talking with some people and hanging out. They invited me over for a bbq on Sunday too. She goes, "I kind of forgot we were bringing you home tonight, but I remember that you don't have anything else to do," and I said yup so I am glad to stay. We start school in 10 days!!!
Tonight I did all my syllabi for my classes and got a lot of stuff organized. Tomorrow I will be meeting with my mentor to go over whatever needs to be talked about. I am hoping that she will answer my questions. I do not have a lot left for my room, and just actually want to already be into September and ready to be in the rhythm. Because today I was very overwhelmed.
A lot of time I bottle things up and wait until it explodes, but this time I didn't have a lot of things all bottled up! Today just kind of hit me that it is all real. I found out that I was able to go see my boyfriend in Wichita, KS tomorrow for their game at 10pm and hang out with him, but not anymore. I found out that we do not get paid until September (new teachers) and was already crunching money as we speak. So it was a let down that I could not do something because I would have no money to pay bills. It's just hard to say you will do something and then oh wait I really cannot. So that put me over the top today. Sometimes I just feel like some people do not even get what I am going through and it really stinks. School starting, first year, lots of assignments, no money, argh. Bottom's up. The other things is that Lifelight is at the end of this month (labor day weekend) and all my favorite bands will be there. It is a 3-day free Christian music festival in SD. Hopefully I can crunch for that!!
But on the lighter side, my sister is visiting next weekend (Thursday-Sunday) and my birthday is Friday!! I am so excited that I will be spending it with people and loved ones. So I didn't mean to put a damper on this blog, but I just wanted to be real and share what is going on here in NE.
I do have some really great friends out there praying for me and for strength to get through all this. I am blessed in so many ways.
Stay tuned for the next post.
Any advice on how I should get through this first year jitters, I do have nightmares about my students not listening to me even when I am forced to yell!!! It makes me wake up in tears. :(
The girl that actually asked me to come is from my home area and went to the same college as me and has been teaching at this school since she graduated. It was pretty ironic meeting her and she will the one I will be coaching jr. high volleyball with too! Her and her husband picked me up and we stayed later after the game, but it was nice just talking with some people and hanging out. They invited me over for a bbq on Sunday too. She goes, "I kind of forgot we were bringing you home tonight, but I remember that you don't have anything else to do," and I said yup so I am glad to stay. We start school in 10 days!!!
Tonight I did all my syllabi for my classes and got a lot of stuff organized. Tomorrow I will be meeting with my mentor to go over whatever needs to be talked about. I am hoping that she will answer my questions. I do not have a lot left for my room, and just actually want to already be into September and ready to be in the rhythm. Because today I was very overwhelmed.
A lot of time I bottle things up and wait until it explodes, but this time I didn't have a lot of things all bottled up! Today just kind of hit me that it is all real. I found out that I was able to go see my boyfriend in Wichita, KS tomorrow for their game at 10pm and hang out with him, but not anymore. I found out that we do not get paid until September (new teachers) and was already crunching money as we speak. So it was a let down that I could not do something because I would have no money to pay bills. It's just hard to say you will do something and then oh wait I really cannot. So that put me over the top today. Sometimes I just feel like some people do not even get what I am going through and it really stinks. School starting, first year, lots of assignments, no money, argh. Bottom's up. The other things is that Lifelight is at the end of this month (labor day weekend) and all my favorite bands will be there. It is a 3-day free Christian music festival in SD. Hopefully I can crunch for that!!
But on the lighter side, my sister is visiting next weekend (Thursday-Sunday) and my birthday is Friday!! I am so excited that I will be spending it with people and loved ones. So I didn't mean to put a damper on this blog, but I just wanted to be real and share what is going on here in NE.
I do have some really great friends out there praying for me and for strength to get through all this. I am blessed in so many ways.
Stay tuned for the next post.
Any advice on how I should get through this first year jitters, I do have nightmares about my students not listening to me even when I am forced to yell!!! It makes me wake up in tears. :(
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Little 'ol Nebraska
Well here I am...again. This about the end of the first whole week I have been here. This is also my 3rd blog (3rd time is the best right??) and I will be blogging about my first year teaching. I hope to be able to add ideas that I have used for my classes and share them with my readers.
All right well for those of you who have never read anything I posted here is all about me:
Name: Kimberly Wirries
Age: youngin
Hometown: Ulen MN
Current location: Nebraska
Job: Spanish I (World, German, Spanish culture also and speech and debate) teacher! Oofdah
Personality: FUN! Adventurous, enthusiastic, loving and sportsy.
Well ok. I accepted a job offer few months back for a position here as a Middle school teacher. I was not sure when I started student teaching if I would want middle schoolers, but those 160+ of them sure did grow on me. I like the kids at this level. They are so energetic and still at that age where they want to learn!! Like I said up above. I will be teaching Spanish I (specialty) and a lot of culture classes (super excited) as well as speech and debate (could be interesting). Our school starts 2 weeks from yesterday or officially 2 weeks from today! That is so outrageous.
I do have a very TINY room, but I will need to make due with it. I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to organize some stuff (a lot of stuff from teachers and pinterest of course) and put it all in the right place. My room has 26 desks crammed into it, but you know what I need to start somewhere and I want to set a goal to minimize the complaining about my room, because I can't do anything about it. At least I am not on a cart and travel to class. So I have put my alphabet on the wall and got my homework crate almost done. I don' t have much left, but to hang up schedules and expectation lists and get syllabi and parent letters ready!
It has been hot as can be here today and since I got here. 112 was hottest here now average 99-102 everyday. So there goes my electricity bill yikes! But I do not mind it here so much. I am by myself and kind of stinks, but I live in a 4-plex with 3 other ladies and they say it's in the hood--I do not believe it! It is not ghetto at all. My apt is quite roomy and my bedroom is quite large I have a lot of extra space, but need a dresser to finish putting away my clothes. I just finished moving my stuff from Aberdeen to Nebraska this past weekend with the help of my bruddah (who is going to kill his liver or do major damage at WeFest--back home--this week).
I got excited when my oldest sister told me that she was going to come and visit me over my birthday weekend. I means quite a lot to have someone here on my b-day and to just show people what I can do for myself and how I have managed. I like showing people that I can do it and live by myself and still make ends meet.
So today I am sitting in the library (free ac) and listening to my boyfriend (Ethan) pitch in the World Series in Wichita KS. He has had a lot of ups and downs with teams and trying to get drafted and he got the first start with a brand new team in KS. He is doing good so far and I hope this opens doors for him. I mean shoot of course I would love to have him here with me, but that would be so selfish and I want the best for him and for him to not give up on what he has worked SOO hard for. He deserves so much and I hope people will take a chance on him and scoop him up! I would be there now, but I get paid tonight not today :(. It is only a 5 hour drive. Hopefully I can make a game or something.
So well I better get to some planning for these culture classes and figure out how I am going to fill my time. :) But please feel free to comment and stay tuned. I will try to keep this updated as much as I can, but I know I will be busy and plus traveling a bit for volleyball. So stay tuned and feel free to share and leave any tips of advice or comments.
All right well for those of you who have never read anything I posted here is all about me:
Name: Kimberly Wirries
Age: youngin
Hometown: Ulen MN
Current location: Nebraska
Job: Spanish I (World, German, Spanish culture also and speech and debate) teacher! Oofdah
Personality: FUN! Adventurous, enthusiastic, loving and sportsy.
Well ok. I accepted a job offer few months back for a position here as a Middle school teacher. I was not sure when I started student teaching if I would want middle schoolers, but those 160+ of them sure did grow on me. I like the kids at this level. They are so energetic and still at that age where they want to learn!! Like I said up above. I will be teaching Spanish I (specialty) and a lot of culture classes (super excited) as well as speech and debate (could be interesting). Our school starts 2 weeks from yesterday or officially 2 weeks from today! That is so outrageous.
I do have a very TINY room, but I will need to make due with it. I spent a lot of time yesterday trying to organize some stuff (a lot of stuff from teachers and pinterest of course) and put it all in the right place. My room has 26 desks crammed into it, but you know what I need to start somewhere and I want to set a goal to minimize the complaining about my room, because I can't do anything about it. At least I am not on a cart and travel to class. So I have put my alphabet on the wall and got my homework crate almost done. I don' t have much left, but to hang up schedules and expectation lists and get syllabi and parent letters ready!
It has been hot as can be here today and since I got here. 112 was hottest here now average 99-102 everyday. So there goes my electricity bill yikes! But I do not mind it here so much. I am by myself and kind of stinks, but I live in a 4-plex with 3 other ladies and they say it's in the hood--I do not believe it! It is not ghetto at all. My apt is quite roomy and my bedroom is quite large I have a lot of extra space, but need a dresser to finish putting away my clothes. I just finished moving my stuff from Aberdeen to Nebraska this past weekend with the help of my bruddah (who is going to kill his liver or do major damage at WeFest--back home--this week).
I got excited when my oldest sister told me that she was going to come and visit me over my birthday weekend. I means quite a lot to have someone here on my b-day and to just show people what I can do for myself and how I have managed. I like showing people that I can do it and live by myself and still make ends meet.
So today I am sitting in the library (free ac) and listening to my boyfriend (Ethan) pitch in the World Series in Wichita KS. He has had a lot of ups and downs with teams and trying to get drafted and he got the first start with a brand new team in KS. He is doing good so far and I hope this opens doors for him. I mean shoot of course I would love to have him here with me, but that would be so selfish and I want the best for him and for him to not give up on what he has worked SOO hard for. He deserves so much and I hope people will take a chance on him and scoop him up! I would be there now, but I get paid tonight not today :(. It is only a 5 hour drive. Hopefully I can make a game or something.
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