Remember?

Remember those ridiculous tests that I kept whining and complaining about?

Remember how I was the worst writer on the planet because all I could do was fret over my 12 hours of testing?

Got the scores.

I EFFING PASSED!! BOTH OF THEM!!!

They were the hardest tests I have ever taken and I passed. First try. Holy crap.

Fiance is taking me out for a date night to celebrate.

Thanks for all the well wishes and good luck when I took them because it paid off!

New Teacher. New Wife.

Let me explain

I don’t think I fully explained my current job situation, and as it will end next week, I feel I should clarify.

I graduated in December with a bachelor’s in Secondary English Education. Basically, I want to be a high school English teacher. Gag. I know. But it’s been a love of mine for years, and I hope I can at least get students to appreciate it. We shall see.

Well, due to the economy falling into the 7th circle of hell (Dante reference??), many schools in the area are not hiring. While it is difficult to find a teaching job in December anyways, all the people that graduated the previous year in December had found jobs. So, it was a little upsetting not to find anything.

So, I decided to be a substitute teacher. As a certified teacher, a sub can make decent money, and I figured if I was on the lists in enough school districts, I would be able to work everyday.

Well, January 4th, I get called from a school district. They have a teacher going on maternity leave, and they needed a sub. For January 6th. Yes. 2 days notice.

Being the broke college student adult that I was, I happily accepted. Basically 3 months of a for-sure job sounded glorious. I wasn’t thrilled of not knowing whether I would work from day to day. I mean, who really wants to go to bed at 9pm if they don’t have to???

Fast forward 3 months. I am in my last week and a half with the long-term sub position, and I am not sure what to think. After days like today, I couldn’t be happier to leave. But then I realize that I will miss some of the kids and I love the team I work with. I work with people who truly love their job and want to help their children.I have truly enjoyed my time there and I have learned sooo much. Good and bad. But this is probably the best learning experience ever.

Working with teachers like that makes it more enjoyable for me, as a new teacher, who is feeling a little jaded already due to extreme testing standards and the fact that so many states are cutting education budgets by BILLIONS of dollars. BILLIONS!

How can you justify cutting so much money from an already struggling sector, but still want our children to compete with Japan and China?? it’s. not. possible.

They demand more from teachers, yet expect them to do it all for less pay. What other profession would people do this??? NONE! Yes, there are teachers unions, but who really pays the price when teachers strike?? The students. Their education is already suffering due to the fact that teachers are losing their want/desire/ability for creativity because we have so many standards and content to teach to make sure our students perform well on tests.

I digress. I could literally talk about this for hours. But I won’t. It’s one thing I am very passionate about and it just upsets me that politicians aren’t listening. Why is education one of the first things that money is cut from??

Ahhhhhhhh.

Well, I will step off my soapbox now and go on to lighter things.

Such as, the greatest dinner ever. Well, not ever, but it is rather tasty and fairly cheap and healthy.

Tortilla pizza

It is a tortilla. I put a little olive oil on it and put it in the oven at 400 degrees for like 3 minutes, just to crisp up the tortilla. I then put spaghetti sauce on it, then some low fat ricotta, fat free mozzarella, and a little Parmesan. Put back in the oven for about 5 minutes, sprinkle with just a dash of pizza seasoning or basil, and Voila! It may sound goofy, but it is soooo good. Fiance puts artichokes or onions or other things on his, but I keep mine simple. Yummmmmy.

Also, if trying to eat a little better, but have a salt addiction like myself:

The Best Pringles Ever

They are truly addicting. And yummy. Just a suggestion.

I hope you all have a good evening. I must find a way to teach clauses in a way that my students don’t die of boredom. Wish me luck.

New Teacher. New Wife.

Oh to be in college still….

Oh, this anonymity thing is already difficult! How does lawschoolwife do it?

All I want to do is scream and shout about my alma mater and their truly amazing showing in the NCAA championship today!!!!!!! Well, I guess that narrows it down, but I can’t help myself. Go us!!!

All my still-in-college friends get to go out tonight, celebrate our victory, kick off spring break early and have fun. i still have to go to bed early. and no spring break next week. I’m not used to this being an adult thing yet.

Also, the weather is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l today. gorgeous. all i wanted to do was take a book outside and read. oh, spring, how I have missed you.

My mood is just through the roof today. We had testing the first 3 hours of the day (just nice because it was quiet and my students worked hard). So, as a reward, I took my group outside for like 20 minutes to enjoy the weather and stretch after working hard. I don’t know if I am still naive, but I was the ONLY teacher to do this. All our kids worked hard, and instead of giving them a short break before starting back into class and working, the other teachers went straight from the test to teaching.

These kids need a break and need to know WE know they are working hard. THEY are the ones who (unfortunately) hold funding based on NCLB in their hands. Let’s reward them and show them how important they are.

It was 20 minutes and when I saw those kids in the hall later, I could tell they were in a better mood and were grateful.

I try. Also, i wanted some fresh air. It’s a win-win.

Something I do not look forward to-teacher drama. They need to realize we are all working, while everyone may not see eye to eye, no need to get all ticked off and send e-mails.

Oh well. I went outside. Enjoyed the sunshine. Hung out with my students and showed them that teachers can be fun too. I think I earned some new respect.

Isn’t it what it’s all about anyways??

I hope you all have a fantastic day and get some sunshine (if it’s sunny where you are.)

New Teacher. New Wife.

—-All I want is to say is GO “ALMA MATER”!!!!