Still Winter

So, I was inspired Monday morning as I was attempting to break into my car because it was frozen shut. Tuesday morning I took some pictures of the ice on the trees because I thought it was really pretty. Now, if I could just stay inside and enjoy the beauty, I'd be a much happier person...

The one in the top left is a picture of the giant icicle that is hanging outside my window. I think it's kind of cool. Everything was much prettier on Monday morning because of the sunrise, but alas, I did not have my camera, nor was I willing to run upstairs to find it since I was already running extremely late for school.

We're supposed to get more ice and snow tonight through Friday. I think we're actually in a "blizzard warning," whatever that means. I'm not sure how this is going to work. It was 71 at home today, I'm not used to "blizzard" conditions. It's definitely time for Spring Break. I'm ready for some sun and warmer weather, even if that is just going 6 hours south to home.

Only another week and a half till I switch schools. Honestly, I'm kind of sad about it. I will miss my 9th graders, but I'm excited for my 6th graders. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with them, but I have a feeling it's going to fly by!

Of course I've only been inspired to take pictures, not actually do anything else. I did finish one standard for my portfolio, so I guess that's a start. I should probably be more productive with that.

Interview!

I'm currently in the process of setting up an interview in Topeka when I go home for Spring Break! This should be interesting... I'm kind of nervous, but excited all at the same time!

I got an email from another district I applied to, and, I didn't realize this, but there are "transfer" credits on my transcript. They're actually credits from my International Baccalaureate tests, similar to AP tests, so I hope that's not a problem, considering they don't actually have grades attached to them... I wish I would have realized that sooner to figure out what I needed to do with those. Oh well.

The weather is gross again. It's supposed to get really cold and nasty, with ice and snow this weekend. Needless to say, I'm not excited about it.

Applications!!!

I sent in one application last night and mailed two more this morning. It's kind of scary. I'm actually taking the next step to being an adult! Now I guess it's just playing the waiting game. My mock interview went well yesterday, so hopefully the real ones go just as well. I can't believe I only have another 2 and a half weeks with my 9th graders... It's been really fun. Teaching and job hunting at the same time are exhausting. I'll be glad when I have a job and don't have to worry about all of that anymore. I suppose I should be working on my portfolio.

Job Hunting!

So, the job that I really really want because I really like the principal is open. The thing is, it closes March 2, so I really need to get the application in ASAP. I'm really glad I went to order my transcript the other day, because if I hadn't, I'd be that step behind. I have filled out the majority of the application, minus some things I'm not really sure about and need to have clarified, and now I'm just waiting on people to let me know if my cover letter is ok, and to get my 3 letters of recommendation in so I can scan them and send them in with the application as well. It just seems like, as with everything, that there are a ton of hoops to jump through. I guess since I've started the application process, I should just fill out the other applications for the jobs that I would be interested in. I really need to get the Topeka one in if I want them to consider interviewing me when I'm home for Spring Break. It has all suddenly become extremely overwhelming. Fortunately, I'm pretty much done with my stuff for R&J, minus teaching it, which opens up some more time to work on other things. I have my mock interview with an assistant principal on Tuesday, which is good, considering I could be really interviewing for jobs very soon! AH! It's exciting, but kind of scary all at the same time. I guess time will tell what's going to happen.

My sister won Homecoming Queen last night! She called me around 11. I was so excited for her, ad she sounded just as excited! I'm really happy for her, esp. since I now get to live vicariously through her because I was never even in the running in high school due to some technical flaws with the system (I know, I was part of the "system"). One more thing for her to add to her list. I'm sure she's still floating!

I gave my students their big project assignments on Friday. Surprisingly enough, they didn't really complain that much. I think the majority of them would rather do a project than take a test... We'll see what they think about my writing assignment that they're getting next week. Part of me is still trying to figure out if I should give it, but the other part of me thinks it's valuable. They have all class time to work on it, so it will be fine. That, and I can show I am collaborating with other teachers (the computer teacher specifically) to create a project. It's going to be awesome! I somehow forgot my R&J book at school, so I couldn't get as much done this weekend as I would have liked, but oh well. Most of it's done. I just have to finish the study guide for Act 5 and the quiz. I'm really happy with the majority of my students right now - most of them have all their work in, which of course helps boost their grades. And, apparently I have gotten some students who don't usually turn their work in to turn some in, so I guess I'm on the right track!

I have to go tutor my student in Clive and then get some more work done. This weekend has been productive for the most part, but I still feel like I could have gotten more done - like start working in my portfolio for student teaching. I'll start on it this week, after I get applications in... :)

Snow, Romeo and Juliet, Dance, and Summer

So, we got 5 inches of snow the other day and are expecting another inch or so this weekend. I like the snow, but I’m definitely ready for it to start warming up. I guess it’s supposed to warm up next week, which is way exciting!

Student teaching is going well. I can’t believe I only have 3 more weeks until I’m done with my first placement! I’ll miss the kids, but I’m also really excited about going to work with the 6th graders. I’m also really excited about Spring Break coming up! They’re going to get their final project assignments tomorrow, so we’ll see how much of an explosion of complaints I get tomorrow. I think they’ll be fine. I’d much rather do a project than a final test, but many of them don’t see it that way. They have a lot of choices for their projects, so they have plenty of opportunities to make it their own.

We performed Friday night for the Women’s basketball halftime, and last night we performed at a convention for quarry/mining people. It’s been fun, but I’m glad things are going to be less hectic for a little bit. My body is tired! It’s kind of sad because I only have one or two performances left because I’m graduating in May… L

Two of my friends are getting married this summer, and I’m in both of the weddings. Apparently, pastel is in for bridesmaid dresses. One dress is coral, and now I have to find a sage green dress… Yay. It’s a good thing that I tan fairly easily, otherwise I would be really washed out with these dresses. The things we do for our friends! Whatever makes them happy! We’re going to Vegas for my friend’s bachelorette party! I’m so excited!

I’m thinking about applying for jobs soon. That should be fun. I need recommendation letters first, and then it’s time to apply! Kind of scary…

Dance!

We performed tonight at the Women's Basketball game. It went pretty well, considering we just learned the dance two weeks ago and have been drilling hardcore since. It was kind of a sad thing for me since it's my last performance at a basketball game at Drake :( We are performing on Valentine's Day for something or someone with a small group, which should be fun. That will officially be my last performance unless we dance for Relay for Life in April. Ah, the lasts of college. It's kind of a weird thought.

This week seemed kind of long with the students, but I think we're all starting to get used to each other finally. I get to spend my weekend grading and making up study guides and assignment sheets, and I'm getting evaluate on Wednesday again, but I think it will all be fine. I'm looking forward to sleeping this weekend though - it's been a long week.

It's starting to warm up, which is exciting. And, I love that the sun is up now when I'm driving to school. It definitely starts my day off better. :)

Brrrr!

So, I'm definitely ready for it to be warm again. I'm such a baby when it comes to the cold anyway, but even more so when it's below freezing for a really long time! We're supposed to get more snow tonight/tomorrow. I don't really mind the snow so much, it's just the being out there at 7 in the morning trying to get it off my freezing car, that won't warm up till I get to school! Ah, c'est la vie when you live in the semi-north. I don't know how those who live further north deal with it, I know I wouldn't do well.

We didn't do a whole lot for the Super Bowl last night. We just hung out at a friend's house and watched the game and the commercials. I didn't really think they were that good this year. There were some, but not a lot that really caught my eye. I did like the one with the girls in the car and all the guys come up and take their shirts off, and the one with the stray dog that looks like a dalmatian and it gets on the Budweiser wagon.

I feel like I've been really off at school lately. Friday I didn't feel well and still ended up going to school to teach, and today I just felt like I was short with the students who give me the most trouble, even though they weren't even really being problems today. I don't know. They talk about a "teacher slump," but I don't think that's supposed to happen only 3 weeks in. Hopefully the rest of this week will go better - when we're actually doing some more with the play. I just get frustrated sometimes with the students that aren't there for days at a time. I want to catch them up and make sure they're on the same page, but I don't have the time, and I don't feel it's my job to seek them out and make sure they understand. But then again, they are 9th graders and still learning how to play the school game. I just wish they could all be there all the time so we didn't have to do make-up work. I graded all weekend, and I still have papers out. They get progress reports tomorrow, so maybe that will motivate them a little bit. It's still a lot of fun, and I'm slowly starting to get to know the students a little better and make connections with them. I'm interested to see how everything progresses these next few weeks.

Dance tonight, performance at the men's basketball game on Friday. It should be fun!