Looking back…

Looking back, it’s funny how things go. Not like ha! ha! funny, not like ironic funny either, just funny! I’m talking about me- how I’ve changed. Since my 1-year anniversary is fast approaching, I’ve been reading back on my post from a year ago and I can see the change in myself. Even my writing [...]

I’m on a roll…

Ever since that b.s. yesterday with the principal, I have been in a very reflective mood. It made me put my money where my mouth is. I know that there are areas that I need to tighten up in. That b.s. yesterday was just the push I needed.
Now, I am on a roll. I [...]

In a better place today…

Today I am in such a better place. After the informal observation with the principal yesterday, I was p.o.’d. However, once I calmed down, I realized that it was a good thing. I did not bring my A-game like I usually do. I have been making all kinds of excuses and coming up with reasons [...]

Still in high school?

I really feel like I am still in high school. Nothing has changed from that time. You still have to be part of the in crowd. You still have to kiss ass.
When I was younger, I thought, “I can’t wait to grow up. I won’t have to deal with all of the b.s. of young-minded [...]

A J.D. moment…

If you watch Scrubs, then you know what I’m talking about. J.D., a character on the show always has these moments where he spaces out. It’s usually at an inappropriate time. Something like earlier… like when I was talking to the principal after my informal observation. I totally had a J.D moment. I spaced out [...]

Storytelling Unit Opener, Part 2

My task (the link to the theme) was to (help make) memories and stories of past events (that) are treasures a family can share. I came up with a great idea.
For this Unit Opener, I cut doll bodies in 5 assorted colors of browns to represent most of the colors of the children in the [...]

Unit Opener (Storytelling) was fantastic!

Even though I am exhausted afterwards from standing on my feet, I have to say that I really look forward to the Unit Openers.
I love the team spirit amongst the other third grade classes. We all work together to come up with something related to the unit that will wow the kids. It’s fun. The [...]

Well, it happened again!

Well, it happened again!
What you ask? One of my students stole something from me.
What was it?
A .50 pack of stickers.
How did I know?
He was hanging around my sticker box a little too long. When it happened I didn’t think too much of it. That is, until recess. I starting thinking to myself that it was [...]

Just going to have to keep on trying!

I was just talking about one of my students, Mannish, who I thought was finally getting it. I don’t expect him to be perfect. I just expect him to do his best, whatever that is. I’m peeved with him because no matter how many times I tell him to stop playing so long after lunch, [...]

Say it with a book!

Ever since assuming control of my classroom, I’ve always told my students that they can find a book for anything they want to say. One of my students in particular, Mannish, is finding this to be true.
His situation: He used to be an only child until 2 months ago until his mom had twins. He [...]

Whew! It’s over

OMG, I am so happy. I just attended my last meeting. It wasn’t really bad. It’s just that it was one extra thing to do. I loved it because my supervisor was so nice. I was happy that I had her. I heard horror stories about some supervisors. But not [...]

What to do? What to do?

I have hit a wall with Lito. I do not know what to do with him and his lack of work. As I mentioned in a previous post, he has a defeated mentality, so he will not try really hard at anything. Whenever he encounters the least bit of resistance, he stops and start misbehaving. [...]

Don’t plan to wear a wrinkled shirt, if you don’t have an iron?…

**Warning- This post is kinda’ long
That’s an unusual title, I know, but bear with me.
I was just talking to my husband about the children at my school when he gave me the inspiration for this post. I am talking about children with behavior problems. Namely my class. Before I assumed control in November, there was [...]

Guess who called?

If you said Lito, then you guessed correctly. I wasn’t upset about it though. He just wanted to talk to me, so I talked to him. He even put his little brother on the phone and I talked to him too.
I know that he wants to behave. It simply is [...]

Oh well…

Oh, well! I had to kick Lito out of class anyway. He wouldn’t do anything; he kept interrupting and was just a constant source of disruption. I felt bad about it, but if I let him continue to misbehave, then two of my other students, Robin and Mannish will start misbehaving also.
Mannish ’s favorite line [...]

So proud of myself, Part ?

I don’t know what part of …So proud of myself this is, but I do know that I am so proud of myself. Lito was having one of his weekly tantrums. Initially he wouldn’t come in, but I managed to get him to come into the classroom. Not only that, I got him to read [...]

Time is of the essence…

Yes, time is of the essence. That is part of the reason that I have not been my usual Blogmëister self and writing up a storm like I usually do. I have so much to do by the end of next week. It is going to be such a hectic week. This is what I [...]

The time has come…

This post has been a long time in coming. Part of the reason that it took so long is because I have been in serious denial saying that I didn’t have enough time. Well, I had enough time to go shopping didn’t I? Well, was there enough time when I was watching Star Trek Enterprise [...]

Guess how smart I am?

I haven’t said this in a long time, so let me say it now. I am the Blogmeister. As with anything, I know that this should not warrant a post, but as I said, I am the Blogmeister. Well, here’s the story, me & my good friend Traci have this saying.
I’ll call her and [...]

The end is near!

The end is near and I am so effing happy. I have been so swamped with work and school it’s crazy. I don’t even know how much more I can endure. The semester ends May 5th.
Yay! I know. I am so happy about that. However, summer session I starts May 18th and runs until June [...]

Finally figured it out!

I finally figured out how to post. Yay me! It only took me about a week. I know that I’ve posted a couple since them, but as soon as I did, I totally forgot how I did it.
Yeah, I know, I’m so smart!

Unmotivated? Lazy? or Defeated?, Part 2

I have been thinking so much about whether my students are unmotivated, lazy, or defeated that I simply had to finish my thoughts on it. I’m sure I will have many more such epiphanies in my life. However, as for now, this is a pretty big one. I think that this may very well be [...]

Unmotivated? Lazy? or Defeated?

Yesterday, I was talking to a veteran teacher. While we were talking I asked for help regarding a problem with one of my students. As it turned out, he was also a former student of hers. Well, she had something very interesting to say when I told her that Lito told me that he was [...]

The AEMP conference was wonderful!

* Warning- this post is kinda’ long*
Well, as promised, here’s a little more information about AEMP.
AEMP stands for:
Academic
English
Mastery
Program
It’s basically an ELD program for black students. There were many mini-conferences that were simply amazing. I learned so much.
Just think! I didn’t even want to go. I wanted to stay at home and laze around. I am [...]

17th Annual AEMP conference!

Last night I was at the LAX Radisson Hotel for the 17th Annual AEMP conference. I will be there for the better part of today also. I would prefer to stay at home and relax, but this is worth 2 salary point for a weekend conference, so you know I’m there.
I will tell you about [...]

Letting me be me!

I really feel like being a special ed teacher allows me to be me. I was reading one of my comments by a reader named Elona Hartjes, who commented that teaching special ed lets her be her. I have to say that I agree.
Since I don’t like to rush, this is perfect for me [...]

The Dr. Who in me!

Your mother telling you that sticks and stones may break your bones, but names will never hurt you, could not have been further from the truth. Words are so powerful. Just ask Dr. Who!
Dr. Who? Who is Dr. Who? Well, unless you’ve had your head under a rock for the past thirty years, you [...]

Happy April Fool’s Day!

One of my students was so happy that it was April fool’s day. I think the main reason was because he thought that he would be able to humiliate people, laugh in their face, and face almost no repercussions.
I had to tell him “Sorry, Mannish! It doesn’t work like that. I don’t care if it [...]