Hurricane Gustav Stephen Spielberg Boudanza

That's right, the hurricane is headed straight for Liziana this weekend. We have water, poptarts, several Stephen Spielberg movies (David has never seen Jaws, Close Encounters or Poltergiest!!!!!!!!!), batteries, car chargers, boudin, dominoes and a boombox. David doesn't have school Tuesday, and it's looking like I won't either. Ryan is staying with us because he recently moved to New Orleans. We are taping up the windows, lighting up the flashlights and candles and trying to turn it into a scary/fun/poptart filled/relaxing weekend. I've never been in a storm before that you could prepare for days in advance. Walmart was like the day before Christmas, if you wanted to get your kid a generator or bottled water. We are totally safe and if things get bad, we'll all hold the fort down in the bathroom. I'll keep you posted.

We found this at walmart; it looks EXACTLY like Boomer!

Teaching

This week was tough. I had to refer a child to social services because one of my kids is definitely experiencing neglect and possibly experiencing abuse. On Thursday when school let out, getting him to go home took 20 minutes and broke my heart in the process. On Friday one of my students told me he loved me in the morning and in the afternoon he hated me. Also one of my students kicked me because I wanted him to do his language worksheet. I called his guardian and she got so upset when she got to the school she began to have medical problems and we had to call an ambulance. Needless to say, on Friday I came home exhausted, had a good cry, and picked myself up again.

Despite all of this, I'm really happy this is where I ended up. This is where I need to be. A lot of people told me not to take this job because it was a rough school, but I think that's why I took it.

Teaching is a misunderstood profession. When you are a teacher, you're a nurse, a parent, an advocate, a judge, and a counselor. People are quick to blame the parents, but I know that's not it. Poverty is rampant and desperation causes people to loose sight, give up, or kill themselves trying. With the cost of food, energy and gasoline things that were already hard are getting dangerously worse.

My school has a health clinic on campus and is working on getting a dentist. My school understands that we have to tackle the whole problem. You can't teach a child that is hungry or a child with a toothache or a child whose relative has just been shot. Because of all of this, I'm proud to be a teacher in my school. I am also profoundly glad to have my Masters from the Clinton School. I know I could have taught without my Master's degree, but I also know that I would have had no idea how to fix any of the problems my 10 year olds deal with everyday.

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I couldn't help it

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from dawn til dusk

Sorry Sorry Sorry. I've been way to busy to post. I really hope that in a few weeks this work from 6am to 10pm thing is going to end. I'm worn out. My school ended up hiring another teacher so now my class is 4 students. We had one kid get socially promoted so there are 8 total. I took the older kids, because I'm good with them. I've been planning and trying to get organized constantly. Last week was open house. I had to be at school until 8pm and none of my parents could come. I was even on the committee! Regardless, I think my classroom is finally in good shape and my kids are going to start getting somewhere now that we've settled in. Here are some pictures of a bulletin board David helped me make and my classroom. I really like my job, and I think I'm good at it. I just have this little issue where I have a tendency to work too hard. I'd write more, but I need to go to sleep. Our air conditioner broke last night, so it's been a hot weekend.

Last minute change

Okay, so Thursday I found out through a happenstance conversation that they never hired another self-contained teacher, and that I am the only one, leaving me with all grades and all 12 kids thus far. I also found out that almost all of the kids are 4-5th grade and are all boys. As most of you know, I was gung-ho ready for K-2. It's been a pretty big shock. Overnight I have to move from writing letters to writing essays and addition to geometry. Needless to say some of my Clifford decorations are a little kiddish since a lot of my kids may be teenagers. I'm taking the news surprisingly well though. I can use a lot of stuff that I couldn't with the little ones like interests surveys and, well anything with written word. Also, now I can read aloud fun books like Mania Magee and The Chronicles of Narnia. David helped me set my classroom up but it still needs a lot of work. For instance, I have about 12 kids and about 22 desks. This is a little annoying. Also I don't have a schedule, any of their individual education plans. I start school on Monday and the kids start on Thursday so wish me luck. I feel really unprepared now, and you know that makes me nervous :).

Busy Busy Bees

Sorry I haven't been posting. I've been really busy with a gagillion trainings, and I still haven't gotten into my classroom. Cross your fingers for this week because I start school on Monday. I'm actually pretty much terrified since my room hasn't been cleaned out, more or less set up, and I have no idea who my children are or what any of my school's policies or procedures are. I guess it's just one of those things that you have to jump in head first.

Since there really isn't anything I can do after 5pm until I get into my classroom, I've been watching Lost nonstop on the internet. It's gotten so bad we moved the computer into the bedroom so I can watch it back there and never have to move. I've obviously watched way too much, because last night I woke up yelling that Mr. Eko was in our room. If you know of any sleep studies, please give me their number. If I wake David up one more time I think he's going to sleep on the couch permanently.

In other news HOT! Yesterday was a record breaking 105 in B.R. and the heat index was expected to be 110 today. Of course, my dad and Ashur came to town and we decided to take him to the zoo, where the electricity was out, and it was broiling. The water fountains didn't even work. Despite it all, I had a really great time. We played Wii and ate cookies and went to the dog park and etc. They are on their way to Allybama to go look at the Battleship.

David is currently trying to convince me to go on a walk, but it's still 92 outside and the sun is down.

Also this weekend I painted a bookshelf, David reupholstered a bench and the sunflowers bloomed. Here are some pictures to brighten your day. The picture of that room full of stuff, that should be in my classroom by next week :).

I had a great time at home.  It was really good to see my family.  As soon as I got back though it was non stop training time. I've had reading training and DIBELS training every day this week.  Next week is Special Education training and New teacher training.  The next week is Special Ed training and other random trainings and then school starts.  P.S.  all of this training and I still don't know what I'm doing.  Teaching is a lot more involved than I remember.  David's been working non-stop as well (and watching lost when he's not) so we've both just kind of been coming home and immediately going to sleep.  I wish I had more interesting news to report.  Please enjoy the adorable photos.

4th of July weekend

We had a ton of fun last weekend in Rock Town.  I got to meet Brooks and Jessica's baby, Luke and Kat and Karl's baby, Nate.  We went to David's fam for the 4th.  I also bought a dress for the Spann wedding and had an overall fabulous time.  On the way home though, we got a ticket for speeding.  I guess it's kind of a miracle we haven't gotten one yet, and I know my new red car didn't help matters.  Stupid, little Mississippi speed traps.

As soon as we got home, I was like, where's my economic stimulus check, and looked it up online.  Turns out, even though I made 6,000 dollars, because 4000 was my AmeriCorps award (which they took taxes out of) I don't get the freakin' check.  Lying government you know whats.  

David got a new job this week sanding counter tops.  He likes it, and now he has to get up early too.

Tomorrow night is the closing ceremony for the TeachBR Summer Institute.  I am giving a speech to represent everything that we learned this summer.  Wish me luck.  I'm leavin' on a jet plane for Siloam Springs on Friday.  I'm sure I'll have oodles of adorable little kid pictures to post when I get home.