I can't believe our holidays are half over already. I still haven't graded the projects the students were working on before the break, nor have I written the pacing guide/task analysis for the Earth/Environmental Science course [regular and honors], due about two weeks ago.
Today I did some light grocery shopping, not looking for anything in particular. Of course, Monday (the 26th) would have been the better day to find post-Christmas deals, but I am no longer fond of standing in long line-ups for unreasonable amounts of time to save a few dollars.
25.12.05
...Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Season's Greetings...
My first Christmas away from home. The couple left for Suffolk, VA to visit relatives on Friday morning, leaving the whole house to myself!
Last night I was at A. and R.'s house; they were hosting Christmas dinner for the family this year. I met R.'s parents this time around, who drove up from Florida, and his sister's family [with two kids], from Minnesota. R.'s parents spend their year in three different places: Charlotte, New Bern, and Fort Lauderdale, depending on the season.
Dinner consisted of turkey, stuffing, gravy, creamed onions, green beans, cranberries, and, of course, pie! Three different varieties. I drank a little bit of white wine. I am still not a big fan of alcoholic beverages.
We watched Meet the Fockers, a gift to Mr. Bob [R.'s brother-in-law] from A. and R.. Everyone in the family received loads of presents, children and grown-ups alike. Personally, I was just happy to be around friends at this time of year.
My first Christmas away from home. The couple left for Suffolk, VA to visit relatives on Friday morning, leaving the whole house to myself!
Last night I was at A. and R.'s house; they were hosting Christmas dinner for the family this year. I met R.'s parents this time around, who drove up from Florida, and his sister's family [with two kids], from Minnesota. R.'s parents spend their year in three different places: Charlotte, New Bern, and Fort Lauderdale, depending on the season.
Dinner consisted of turkey, stuffing, gravy, creamed onions, green beans, cranberries, and, of course, pie! Three different varieties. I drank a little bit of white wine. I am still not a big fan of alcoholic beverages.
We watched Meet the Fockers, a gift to Mr. Bob [R.'s brother-in-law] from A. and R.. Everyone in the family received loads of presents, children and grown-ups alike. Personally, I was just happy to be around friends at this time of year.
19.12.05
Coincidence? After all of the events of today, I just received this message from VIF today:
Hang in there
To: All Teachers
Date: Dec 19 2005
Author: VIF Staff
We hope you enjoyed the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and are preparing to celebrate the upcoming holidays either here in the States or back in your home country. In addition to holiday festivities, successfully completing the first semester of your school year is another reason to celebrate!
Year after year, participating VIF teachers, especially initial term teachers, report that the first semester of the school year is the most challenging adjustment they experience. They also report that the second semester and the years to follow are significantly easier and more enjoyable. In fact, second semester has been referred to as a "rejuvenation phase." Teachers sense more self-confidence and relief that half the year is complete. We are confident that by spring, each of you will have become very comfortable in your host school and community.
Below is a sampling of the benefits, as gathered from current and former VIF teachers, of remaining with your host school for a second and/or third year:
1. It gets better! The hardest part is over. You have already adapted to a school's curriculum, regulations, student population and community norms and quirks. The vast majority of second- and third-year teachers are pleased they have returned and feel that school is even better than their first year.
2. Establishment. You have already made wonderful friends within VIF and local communities. Furthermore, you have established relationships with fellow teachers, administrators and students that will strengthen in years two and three. Relocating, in most cases, means starting over, just like a first-year teacher.
3. Familiarity. You know your way around, the local customs, the best places to eat, where to go to the movies and, on top of all that, likely have a nice, furnished place to live.
4. Opportunity. First-year participants sometimes receive challenging assignments and have less authority. Returning teachers often command additional respect and may be offered additional leadership opportunities in their schools, communities and through VIF.
5. No worries. Going back to the same place means you know what to expect in your school and community. You'll be able to spend the summer relaxing at home or traveling without the worries of what community you'll call home, where you will live or what your students will be like.
If you like your host community, but believe the challenges you've encountered with the environment in your host school or your current teaching assignment cannot be resolved, you should check with your host district transfer policy. In some locations, you can pursue a transfer within your current host district. This policy is district specific, and some do not allow any placements changes, but you can contact them to find out. If your district allows for these types of changes and you are able to secure a new position in the district, please notify VIF when the subsequent assignment is secured so we can update our placement and contact records.
Hang in there! The entire VIF staff congratulates you and wishes you the best of luck as you finish out the first half of the school year! As always, we are available to assist you in any aspect of your VIF experience. Congratulations on your successes and thanks for your commitment to cultural exchange and excellence in education.
Thank you,
The entire VIF Staff
Hang in there
To: All Teachers
Date: Dec 19 2005
Author: VIF Staff
We hope you enjoyed the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and are preparing to celebrate the upcoming holidays either here in the States or back in your home country. In addition to holiday festivities, successfully completing the first semester of your school year is another reason to celebrate!
Year after year, participating VIF teachers, especially initial term teachers, report that the first semester of the school year is the most challenging adjustment they experience. They also report that the second semester and the years to follow are significantly easier and more enjoyable. In fact, second semester has been referred to as a "rejuvenation phase." Teachers sense more self-confidence and relief that half the year is complete. We are confident that by spring, each of you will have become very comfortable in your host school and community.
Below is a sampling of the benefits, as gathered from current and former VIF teachers, of remaining with your host school for a second and/or third year:
1. It gets better! The hardest part is over. You have already adapted to a school's curriculum, regulations, student population and community norms and quirks. The vast majority of second- and third-year teachers are pleased they have returned and feel that school is even better than their first year.
2. Establishment. You have already made wonderful friends within VIF and local communities. Furthermore, you have established relationships with fellow teachers, administrators and students that will strengthen in years two and three. Relocating, in most cases, means starting over, just like a first-year teacher.
3. Familiarity. You know your way around, the local customs, the best places to eat, where to go to the movies and, on top of all that, likely have a nice, furnished place to live.
4. Opportunity. First-year participants sometimes receive challenging assignments and have less authority. Returning teachers often command additional respect and may be offered additional leadership opportunities in their schools, communities and through VIF.
5. No worries. Going back to the same place means you know what to expect in your school and community. You'll be able to spend the summer relaxing at home or traveling without the worries of what community you'll call home, where you will live or what your students will be like.
If you like your host community, but believe the challenges you've encountered with the environment in your host school or your current teaching assignment cannot be resolved, you should check with your host district transfer policy. In some locations, you can pursue a transfer within your current host district. This policy is district specific, and some do not allow any placements changes, but you can contact them to find out. If your district allows for these types of changes and you are able to secure a new position in the district, please notify VIF when the subsequent assignment is secured so we can update our placement and contact records.
Hang in there! The entire VIF staff congratulates you and wishes you the best of luck as you finish out the first half of the school year! As always, we are available to assist you in any aspect of your VIF experience. Congratulations on your successes and thanks for your commitment to cultural exchange and excellence in education.
Thank you,
The entire VIF Staff
A student decided it would be fun to light sugar cubes on fire underneath a sink in the science lab on the Gibson side. I just can't believe the thought processes and rationality of these students. First the boys' restroom, then the girls'; now this. Unfortunately, the most dangerous one (today's) was started by one of my students. Thankfully, we do not store any chemicals in the lab.
A student took the fire extinguisher and put out the fire. Something that was quite amazing to watch, actually. He tells me afterwards that he was scared of the fire.
We are having a door decorating contest on our side, and at lunch today, some foolish student decided to tear one of the entries off the wall. Just stupid.
I was so upset at all the goings on today that I skipped the academy teachers' potluck lunch. I just couldn't eat.
A student took the fire extinguisher and put out the fire. Something that was quite amazing to watch, actually. He tells me afterwards that he was scared of the fire.
We are having a door decorating contest on our side, and at lunch today, some foolish student decided to tear one of the entries off the wall. Just stupid.
I was so upset at all the goings on today that I skipped the academy teachers' potluck lunch. I just couldn't eat.
16.12.05
I can't wait for the holidays.
On top of the regular discipline issues we face at school, our team is working on a project where all subjects are integrated into a common theme. This semester's theme is Renaissance: Discovery and Exploration. Which is great if you're teaching English or World History.
In science, students worked on a 'wanted' poster of an astronomer from the Renaissance (or ancient times), a travel brochure and postcard from a planet other than Earth, and a short report on a NASA mission. That is as good as I could blend course objectives and this thematic unit stuff, a requirement for the 'talent development high school' program that our school has implemented and the grant money that comes along with it.
Competency testing also took place this week, so classes were extended and shuffled to accomodate this. If I were a young Buckaroo (a Team 500 student), I would be overwhelmed with all these projects for each class just before the holidays, and the odd scheduling.
It wasn't any easier as a Team 500 teacher, either. The class that I had to teach for an extended period of time was my troublesome second period. Thankfully, I made it through all five days. Now only if 1 inch (2.5 cm) of snow would fall on Monday or Tuesday...
On top of the regular discipline issues we face at school, our team is working on a project where all subjects are integrated into a common theme. This semester's theme is Renaissance: Discovery and Exploration. Which is great if you're teaching English or World History.
In science, students worked on a 'wanted' poster of an astronomer from the Renaissance (or ancient times), a travel brochure and postcard from a planet other than Earth, and a short report on a NASA mission. That is as good as I could blend course objectives and this thematic unit stuff, a requirement for the 'talent development high school' program that our school has implemented and the grant money that comes along with it.
Competency testing also took place this week, so classes were extended and shuffled to accomodate this. If I were a young Buckaroo (a Team 500 student), I would be overwhelmed with all these projects for each class just before the holidays, and the odd scheduling.
It wasn't any easier as a Team 500 teacher, either. The class that I had to teach for an extended period of time was my troublesome second period. Thankfully, I made it through all five days. Now only if 1 inch (2.5 cm) of snow would fall on Monday or Tuesday...
11.12.05
Wait a minute. At this time of year, Edmonton is supposed to be the city with strong winds, heavy snowfall and cold temperatures. It looks like today would be a good day to go out in shorts.
Speaking of temperature, I regret to say that after more than three months, I still haven't adapted to use of the Fahrenheit scale. If you tell me it is 50°F, the numbers don't mean anything to me until I have converted it back to Celsius, and then I have an idea of what you're talking about.
10.12.05
I attended an "Integration" workshop at school, which was being held in my classroom and lab. Our principal said that he hoped there were two reasons why we came: 1) the sausage biscuits for breakfast; and 2) the $100 stipend. Of course, he's got a sense of humor. It would have been more useful if I had the handouts, but a relatively easy day at work.
My friend G. finally got his passports back from Immigration Canada - so now he and his wife have visas to enter Canada for the Christmas holidays. I helped him map out his itinerary to Toronto from Fayetteville.
Afterwards I had supper at Tony Roma's with a teaching colleague, K., a first-year world history and U.S. history teacher from the HAPS Academy.
Points for:
- long table - a table for two that could have seated four, possibly six
- the Chicken Tenderloin Platter (my order), which came with honey mustard sauce, fries and coleslaw
- warm bread with garlic butter
- the wet towelette the server brings you afterwards to clean your hands
Deductions:
- presence of celery in the coleslaw
- no drink refills
- server offered another bread with the meal, but by the time it came around, we had finished
- excessive long wait for the bill
My friend G. finally got his passports back from Immigration Canada - so now he and his wife have visas to enter Canada for the Christmas holidays. I helped him map out his itinerary to Toronto from Fayetteville.
Afterwards I had supper at Tony Roma's with a teaching colleague, K., a first-year world history and U.S. history teacher from the HAPS Academy.
Points for:
- long table - a table for two that could have seated four, possibly six
- the Chicken Tenderloin Platter (my order), which came with honey mustard sauce, fries and coleslaw
- warm bread with garlic butter
- the wet towelette the server brings you afterwards to clean your hands
Deductions:
- presence of celery in the coleslaw
- no drink refills
- server offered another bread with the meal, but by the time it came around, we had finished
- excessive long wait for the bill
6.12.05
I spoke with the EC consultative science/social studies teacher today, and she agreed to come and work with me during the 2nd period class every day until the end of the semester. Until today, I have been teaching a class of 26 students, of which 16 have are classified as ADD, ADHD, BED, ESL, LD, EMD, or just B-A-D. OTM-OTM (on the mind, out the mouth), ghetto, I have them all.
Now, I am one of the few teachers who have to deal with all of them at once. Although my team has common students and classes, the math and English teachers don't have to deal with all of 'em at once, because if the students in the class have math during this semester, some of them go to TAMS (Transition to Advanced Math), TAMS for special needs students, or Algebra I. Same goes for English (English I, Strategic Reading). No such variety exists for the science classes, so they all reassemble here for second period.
Now, I am one of the few teachers who have to deal with all of them at once. Although my team has common students and classes, the math and English teachers don't have to deal with all of 'em at once, because if the students in the class have math during this semester, some of them go to TAMS (Transition to Advanced Math), TAMS for special needs students, or Algebra I. Same goes for English (English I, Strategic Reading). No such variety exists for the science classes, so they all reassemble here for second period.
3.12.05
During the Thanksgiving weekend, I went with A. and her husband to Huntersville to have Thanksgiving dinner with her family. We went out for a walk in the neighborhood, watched football and played dominoes. A. is my next-door neighbor at school, and teaches world history.
Since then, I've been dealing with ups and downs at school. Thursday was one of the worst days in my life. The second period class was throwing things during class, and one student had the audacity to throw an orange in my direction, but missed and hit a student instead. The next day, eight students were missing from my class (the throwers).
Today I decided to rearrange the classroom, and I went out with E. and her daughter (a cute Grade 1 student) for lunch and shopping at School Tools in between. I found a couple of science books. E. is a math teacher on our team, and works with exceptional (special needs) children.
I am happy to have these two teachers as supportive friends. Without them, I probably would have jumped off a bridge by now.
P.S. A VIF teacher was killed in a car crash earlier this week. She was a second-year teacher in Salisbury, NC. Unfortunate timing: a car in the other direction crossed the median and hit her car head-on. She leaves behind a husband and a young daughter.
Since then, I've been dealing with ups and downs at school. Thursday was one of the worst days in my life. The second period class was throwing things during class, and one student had the audacity to throw an orange in my direction, but missed and hit a student instead. The next day, eight students were missing from my class (the throwers).
Today I decided to rearrange the classroom, and I went out with E. and her daughter (a cute Grade 1 student) for lunch and shopping at School Tools in between. I found a couple of science books. E. is a math teacher on our team, and works with exceptional (special needs) children.
I am happy to have these two teachers as supportive friends. Without them, I probably would have jumped off a bridge by now.
P.S. A VIF teacher was killed in a car crash earlier this week. She was a second-year teacher in Salisbury, NC. Unfortunate timing: a car in the other direction crossed the median and hit her car head-on. She leaves behind a husband and a young daughter.
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