Funny Samuel story.
Samuel and I were in the car when he started acting up. Here is our conversation.
Samuel: being a smart mouth...
Me: You need to change your behavior.
Samuel: I did change my behavior.
Me: How?
Samuel: I changed it from good to bad.
Me:
He was so serious. Like, super serious. He wasn't being smart when he said it. It was just matter of fact with those big, cute eyes opened up really wide.
I have to give it to him, he was telling the truth. But he straightened right up after this.
My Samuel is so funny.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Excitement is BACK!!
I've talked a lot on here about leaving my position as the preschool teacher and moving to a position teaching children with vision impairments. I wanted to do this for so long but when we actually started working and when the first syllabus came in from Western Michigan, the doubt started creeping back in.
What if I'm too old to learn anything else?
What if my brain is already FULL?
What if my fingers are too rittled with arthritis to learn braille (not sure where that particular hysterical rant came from since I do not currently have arthritis, but I still thought of it)?
What if I can't figure out all of the technology of having online classes? I did go to school during the time of actually GOING to class with a real live professor standing up front teaching.
But, after I had my little breakdown, I drank some whiskey and I'm so much better. Seriously!! I really think I can do this (as long as I lay off the whiskey....braille and whiskey probably don't mix).
So, now I'm really excited about this job and going back to school. My kids are so great and the teachers have been really nice to work with (well, not one but I'm TRYING to be positive here people).
What if I'm too old to learn anything else?
What if my brain is already FULL?
What if my fingers are too rittled with arthritis to learn braille (not sure where that particular hysterical rant came from since I do not currently have arthritis, but I still thought of it)?
What if I can't figure out all of the technology of having online classes? I did go to school during the time of actually GOING to class with a real live professor standing up front teaching.
But, after I had my little breakdown, I drank some whiskey and I'm so much better. Seriously!! I really think I can do this (as long as I lay off the whiskey....braille and whiskey probably don't mix).
So, now I'm really excited about this job and going back to school. My kids are so great and the teachers have been really nice to work with (well, not one but I'm TRYING to be positive here people).
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Healthy Harrison
Harrison had his 12 year check up today. He is as healthy as a horse, according to the doc. Also, he has a clean bill of health to do sports this fall at school. The doc asked about his heart murmur and if he had been cleared by a cardiologist. He got a clean bill of health at around age 8 or 9 from the cardio. She said the hole was closed but the docs may hear an echo. Dr. Lewis listened for a long time and never heard anything, thank goodness.
In addition to his regular physical, he got the sports physical paperwork signed so he can play sports at school. He is going to do Cross Country this fall. Practices start July 15. He is supposed to be running every day but only gets to run a few times each week due to swim team and playing with his friends. He has to be able to run at least 3 miles without stopping by July 15th. He can already do that so I am not worried about him. I do need to get him a couple of more pairs of running shoes. He wears them out FAST with all the running.
In the winter, he will hopefully, play Basketball and in the spring he will do Track. He will be super busy but that is best for Harrison. He does better at school if he is busy and has less down time.
One funny thing happened today on the way back from the doctor's office. We were listening to the radio and there was a commercial about "Red, White and Boom". When he heard it, he whipped his head around and asked, "did they just say Red, White and BOOB???" HAHA, the mind of a middle schooler.
In addition to his regular physical, he got the sports physical paperwork signed so he can play sports at school. He is going to do Cross Country this fall. Practices start July 15. He is supposed to be running every day but only gets to run a few times each week due to swim team and playing with his friends. He has to be able to run at least 3 miles without stopping by July 15th. He can already do that so I am not worried about him. I do need to get him a couple of more pairs of running shoes. He wears them out FAST with all the running.
In the winter, he will hopefully, play Basketball and in the spring he will do Track. He will be super busy but that is best for Harrison. He does better at school if he is busy and has less down time.
One funny thing happened today on the way back from the doctor's office. We were listening to the radio and there was a commercial about "Red, White and Boom". When he heard it, he whipped his head around and asked, "did they just say Red, White and BOOB???" HAHA, the mind of a middle schooler.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
You Big Crybaby!!
I have been really excited about my new job. Seriously, excited. Teaching kids with visual impairments is what I have wanted to do for about 4 years. However, I NEVER thought it would be so hard to leave TCE. I got everything packed up in my room, all paperwork turned in and then... it happened. As I was walking to the office to turn in my key and do the final check-out I could feel the tears right under the surface. I never in a million years thought the simple act of handing my key to my principal would make me start crying but I couldn't stop those tears from coming. I won't go into all the snotty, teary eyed details but, once I got home I cried for about an hour. I will really miss being part of the TCE family and seeing all those familiar faces everyday. Samuel has one more year at TCE so I will have to be really involved as a parent.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Bittersweet
Well, it is official (almost). I will be leaving my position as the preschool teacher at my school to take a position as a teacher of the visually impaired for the district. I am so super excited about this but at the same time so terribly sad.
When the news started to get out and more people started to ask me about leaving, I realized that I have spent the majority of my teaching career at this school teaching in the preschool program. Not only that, two of the major events in my "grown up" life have occurred while I have been at this school.
1. I met my hubby in the teacher's lounge when I was in grad school and working there as a special education assistant. I actually first noticed him the year before at the end of the year band concert. I told the other assistant "he's hot" and she wrinkled her nose at me. I thought about him off and on during the summer but we actually didn't meet until the next fall. I was taking my break in the lounge and he had his planning at that same time. We met this way and talked for a few days before he asked me out. We kept our dating a secret while I was working there because we didn't know if there was a rule about staff members dating. We used to leave sweet little notes in each others mailboxes.
2. I had both my babies while working there. Well, that surely didn't come out the right way. I didn't ACTUALLY have the babies at work but you know what I mean. What I should have said, the staff at school helped me celebrate the birth of my children. My kids have practically grown up there.
And don't even get me started about how the administration and staff have welcomed Samuel into the school and made his transition to this new school so successful. He LOVES it there and has really grown socially, academically and emotionally. He actually LIKES school and now sees himself as a smart kid who can do well in school. I have been asked if I will leave him there or take him to another school and I can say WITHOUT A DOUBT he will stay there. I wouldn't dream of taking him out of such a supportive school.
Now, to my new job. The great thing about this position is that it is an itinerant position, meaning I will travel to different schools each day to work with students who have visual impairments or are blind. Another great thing about it is that instead of having my own classroom of students, I will work ONE ON ONE with students. That means I will basically have my classroom in my car. No classroom to get ready, no bulletin boards to put up, no furniture to arrange.
I'm so excited I just can't wait for school to start in the Fall. In the meantime, I guess I'll have to settle for going to a few Professional Development meetings to learn about different types of visual impairments and how to deal with them in the classroom.
Who would have thought I would love school so much that I would be going back at 40 years old?
When the news started to get out and more people started to ask me about leaving, I realized that I have spent the majority of my teaching career at this school teaching in the preschool program. Not only that, two of the major events in my "grown up" life have occurred while I have been at this school.
1. I met my hubby in the teacher's lounge when I was in grad school and working there as a special education assistant. I actually first noticed him the year before at the end of the year band concert. I told the other assistant "he's hot" and she wrinkled her nose at me. I thought about him off and on during the summer but we actually didn't meet until the next fall. I was taking my break in the lounge and he had his planning at that same time. We met this way and talked for a few days before he asked me out. We kept our dating a secret while I was working there because we didn't know if there was a rule about staff members dating. We used to leave sweet little notes in each others mailboxes.
2. I had both my babies while working there. Well, that surely didn't come out the right way. I didn't ACTUALLY have the babies at work but you know what I mean. What I should have said, the staff at school helped me celebrate the birth of my children. My kids have practically grown up there.
And don't even get me started about how the administration and staff have welcomed Samuel into the school and made his transition to this new school so successful. He LOVES it there and has really grown socially, academically and emotionally. He actually LIKES school and now sees himself as a smart kid who can do well in school. I have been asked if I will leave him there or take him to another school and I can say WITHOUT A DOUBT he will stay there. I wouldn't dream of taking him out of such a supportive school.
Now, to my new job. The great thing about this position is that it is an itinerant position, meaning I will travel to different schools each day to work with students who have visual impairments or are blind. Another great thing about it is that instead of having my own classroom of students, I will work ONE ON ONE with students. That means I will basically have my classroom in my car. No classroom to get ready, no bulletin boards to put up, no furniture to arrange.
I'm so excited I just can't wait for school to start in the Fall. In the meantime, I guess I'll have to settle for going to a few Professional Development meetings to learn about different types of visual impairments and how to deal with them in the classroom.
Who would have thought I would love school so much that I would be going back at 40 years old?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Back to School
No, I'm not talking about all the school supply sales. I'm not talking about next school year either. I AM talking about me going back to school to add on another teaching certification. I have wanted to add on the visual impairment certification for quite a few years but the timing was just never right. Every year I keep thinking that I should just bite the bullet and do it but never have. Well, I'm biting that bullet.
In Kentucky, there is only one university that has the certification program for Teacher of the Visually Impaired. I was so excited to get registered at University of Louisville. I only needed 6 more classes according to their website. I was totally blown out of the water when I received an email stating I could not register for the program because the state of KY had suspended their program to anyone not already enrolled due to lack of funding. They have to offer the classes to people currently taking classes but won't let anyone else register. I was so disappointed. I was very mad. I was an email writing maniac. I tried EVERYTHING short of bribery and threats to get in their program for the classes. I mean, seriously, it's only 6 classes. They are going to offer them anyway. Why can't they let me take them?
The professor at U of L was great about emailing me different schools across the United States who offered the program. The bad thing about taking classes from another state is that I live in Ky and can't be traveling every weekend to some other state. He finally emailed me a booklet listing all of the universities across the USA that offered the certification. My name is all over the place. I emailed no less that 10 universities trying to find a program that fits my situation.
Well, I did it. I found a great program that is very well known for being a great program. I will be attending Western Michigan University from the comfort of my own home. I will be doing most of the classes online (which I have never done before). I say "most" because next summer I will be moving to Michigan for the hands on classes. I am so excited about this. The program is a Master's program. I never thought about getting another Master's degree. I already have one so I didn't really think I needed another one. But, this opportunity is too good to pass up. There is a grant that helps with tuition so that really helps a LOT!!
This whole process has made me think that MAYBE I could go and get my PhD. I have some friends who are going through the "doc" program at UK in special education. I could do it too. I don't really want to teach at the college level but I would love the degree just for me.
In Kentucky, there is only one university that has the certification program for Teacher of the Visually Impaired. I was so excited to get registered at University of Louisville. I only needed 6 more classes according to their website. I was totally blown out of the water when I received an email stating I could not register for the program because the state of KY had suspended their program to anyone not already enrolled due to lack of funding. They have to offer the classes to people currently taking classes but won't let anyone else register. I was so disappointed. I was very mad. I was an email writing maniac. I tried EVERYTHING short of bribery and threats to get in their program for the classes. I mean, seriously, it's only 6 classes. They are going to offer them anyway. Why can't they let me take them?
The professor at U of L was great about emailing me different schools across the United States who offered the program. The bad thing about taking classes from another state is that I live in Ky and can't be traveling every weekend to some other state. He finally emailed me a booklet listing all of the universities across the USA that offered the certification. My name is all over the place. I emailed no less that 10 universities trying to find a program that fits my situation.
Well, I did it. I found a great program that is very well known for being a great program. I will be attending Western Michigan University from the comfort of my own home. I will be doing most of the classes online (which I have never done before). I say "most" because next summer I will be moving to Michigan for the hands on classes. I am so excited about this. The program is a Master's program. I never thought about getting another Master's degree. I already have one so I didn't really think I needed another one. But, this opportunity is too good to pass up. There is a grant that helps with tuition so that really helps a LOT!!
This whole process has made me think that MAYBE I could go and get my PhD. I have some friends who are going through the "doc" program at UK in special education. I could do it too. I don't really want to teach at the college level but I would love the degree just for me.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Middle School Honors Band
This year was Harrison's first year to try out for the middle school Honors Band. Being a band director's son, he didn't really have the option to NOT try out for it. He auditioned on trumpet and baritone. He plays the trumpet in class and has learned to play the baritone just for fun at home. I am proud to say he was one of only a few to audition on 2 instruments. Long story short, he is the 2nd alternate on trumpet so he probably won't be called to play trumpet. However, he came in 3rd on baritone!!!! Not bad considering he was competing with all the middle school 6th graders in the county. He is so proud of himself. Here is a pic of us toasting the next night when we got the results. Don't worry, it is sparkling grape juice!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)