Happy Mother’s Day & Graduation to ME!

Dear Readers,

Today, I have at least three great things going for me. First, I am a mother, and have been for over 23 years. My children range in age from 11-23. So, HAPPY, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to me!

Secondly, I walked across the stage today at LMU for my Master’s in Special Education and my Education Specialist teaching credential. YAY ME!!! It was a struggle, but it’s done. Next step is Ph.D when Phillise graduates from high school in 8 years!

Lastly, I’ve been blogging for 6 years now! I can’t believe it. The time has simply flown by. I sometimes look back on my posts and see how far I’ve come. Lately, I’ve been a little discouraged. I’ve gotten better though. I was only looking at the negative and not the positive. I’ve been meditating and reading Iyanla & keeping my thoughts positive. I just might make it. I’M GOING TO MAKE IT!!!

I am the little engine that could. I’ve progress from I think I can to I know I can and will!

Thank you for being there Dear Readers. Here’s some pictures of me on my special day today!

Self-portraits @ 42, almost 43 years old!

     

My husband and my four children relaxing after graduation!

Spring Break without the Kiddos!

Dear Readers,

The great thing about working at a private school is that my schedule is out of sync with my children’s schedule. They attend a public school, so they go out for Spring Break on the 22nd. So, they went back to school on Tuesday. Whereas, mine has just begun.

I’ve had a busy week. I went out to lunch with my husband yesterday, dinner on Wednesday with him and the kids, to the movies with my sister (a late birthday gift), my weekly walk with my favorite sister, karaoke with my family on Friday night, and a lunch date with my sisters on Saturday. Did I also mention that I am going walking everyday this week?

Almost Spring Break!

Dear Readers,

It is almost Spring Break. I AM SO HAPPY! I simply cannot wait until Spring Break is here. The countdown has begun. I am so done! I will write more about that later!

Leila

Burned Up Me!!!

Dear Readers,

I am so very, very grateful for God having his hands on me. I say this because a couple of weeks ago as I was driving home, I noticed that someone’s car was smoking. As I looked into the rear view mirror, lo and behold, I discovered it was, in fact, my car that was doing the smoking. You could have knocked me over with a feather!

Once I noticed, I attempted to slow down, but couldn’t. Why? Well, it was because I had no brakes. Quite odd since I had brakes just two minutes before that. I didn’t panic though. I was very calm. It was like a supernatural calm. (My best friend, Danika, didn’t even realize how bad the situation was because I was so calm.)

I managed to pull the emergency brake and pull over. I thank God that nothing happened. I didn’t hit any cars, parked or otherwise; I didn’t hit any people. I didn’t hit any buildings or destroy anyone’s property. The fact that I didn’t was a minor miracle.

Once I pulled over, I gathered myself and called my husband to call AAA. Then I called 911 who dispatched a fire truck. They were very nice as they put the fire out. They believe it was the brake line that caught fire!

Looking at my car and thinking about the accident I was in last year, on Valentine’s Day, I thank God that he has he hand on me. I was slightly shaken but not bruised.

The accident yesterday makes two potentially fatal accidents I could have been in in less than a year’s time, that I walked away from without so much of a scratch. I feel very blessed this morning. I feel like screaming and shouting from the rooftops.

Once I was safely in the rental car, the song My Soul Looks Back came to mind because I truly wonder how I’ve made it through the past couple of years. God has truly been good to me!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Hello everyone! 2013 is going to be a fantastical year. I can feel it! For the first time in a long time,  I am looking forward to a new year and a new ME!

-Leila-

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

Dear Readers,

I learned a very valuable lesson today- Say something before you get to your tipping point. I am too tired to write about it tonight, but i will write about it tomorrw. Until then. Bye for now!

Almost at 100!

I can’t believe what a difference a day makes. Only yesterday I was feeling pretty lousy. Today, I feel so much better. I’m almost back to my old self. I have a lunch date with my sister, my niece, & her daughter on Wednesday, so I need to be at 100 percent. Here’s hoping I do. Bye for now!

Those Bricks!!!

As I write this I am still a little headachey & cold. I’ve been sick for the past four days. I don’t know who hit me with this ton of bricks, but someone surely did. I felt fine up until Tuesday afternoon. Once I left my school’s luncheon, I was a little cold, but that was to be expected since the temperature was in the 50′s. The problem began when I got home, got into bed with four covers, and still found it hard to warm up. My husband & sons had to wait until I went to sleep to turn off the heater because I just kept turning it back on. Once I got up on Wednesday morning to take my little boy to school, I felt lousy. My scratchy throat from the night before was very sore now. Not only that, I now had a headache & muscle aches as well now. It seemed to come out of nowhere. By the time I got home, it felt like someone had definitely  hit me with a ton of bricks. I’ve been in bed with a ton of tissue, cough drops, & Alka Seltzer Cold medicine since then. All in all, not a bad start to my vacation. I got in a ton of rest. Since I am still sick, I will write more later. I still have some recuperating to do! Bye for now!

I Passed, Part II

As the title states, I passed the R.I.C.A. I am over the moon happy. I cut it very close. I just got the results last night. I just exhaled again. Now, all I need are my final grades. Once I see those, the rest of my vacation will be spent relaxing. Final grades come out tomorrow. I have much to write about, but will not write about it now because I am going to pick my little boy up from school in a little bit. I will keep you updated though. Bye for now!

Leila

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FAILURE is NOT an option!

Dear Readers,

The last three weeks have been a whirlwind of test taking and super business! Within the past three weeks I took and passed the C.S.E.T., took and passed the R.I.C.A., completed & submitted my final project, wrapped up my pilot program at work, & finally submitted my portfolio for the whole program at the very, very, very last minute. WHEW!!!!! I honestly didn’t think I could do it. I came so close to giving up on my literature review, but since failure was NOT an option, I persevered. So, the word of the day is PERSEVERANCE. That word means so much to me.

It didn’t matter what grade I got in classes; the most important thing was that I finished. I FINISHED!!! In the past, I started so many projects that I never finished. They were just left sitting on a backburner that never got lit! That, however, will be my post for tomorrow. Bye for now!

I Just Exhaled!

Dear Readers,

When I say that I waited to the last minute, I mean that I waited until the last minute. I just submitted my literature review that was due by midnight. It was three years in the making. I’ll tell you all about it, but not now. I am exhausted! I have seriously been working all weekend. I started yesterday morning at 8:30 and finished at about 1:30 a.m. Today, I started at about 7 a.m. and just finished. But, that’s what happens when you wait ’til the last minute. I have seriously learned my lesson. Now, I have to bite my nails to wait and see if I pass. I’ll keep you updated. Bye for now!

What Happened?

Dear Readers,

I’m sure, by now, you’ve heard of the horrific shooting in Connecticut. I am still in shock. It’s all so senseless.

I heard the news as I was going to my school’s Christmas party at the Rectory. The Pre-K teacher told me the horrific news. I couldn’t breathe and nearly passed out.

“Are you serious,” I asked. She told me that she found out by looking at the computer as her students were using it during Choice Time. She said she instantly thought about her family in Connecticut, so she called them to ask what happened.

As I went to the Christmas party I couldn’t concentrate or think straight. Honestly, the likelihood of the shooting happening in Los Angeles, where I live, is much more likely than it happening where it happened in Connecticut. Truth be told, no matter how likely it is, it shouldn’t happen anywhere. I feel for the parents of the children. This is an unspeakable horror that no one should have to endure.

This story hits especially close to home since I am a mother of four and I work in a school which is not in the least secure. In back of my school is Social Services that’s host to many unsavory characters. There’s a small gate, but that does not offer a whole bunch of protection. They could simply jump over it. Sometimes the doors to the school are locked; but most times they are not. I will stop talking about this because it’ll make me want to play hooky from work. I know that many people may not agree, but I also feel for the young man & the family of the young man who committed the murders. They have to live with that legacy of murder, mental illness, and guilt. They have to wonder why they couldn’t have predicted this. Let’s not forget that they lost two family member as well. I know that it was by his own hands after he committed an unspeakable crime, but he was still so still a son, brother, cousin, etc. It just makes you wonder WHAT was going through his mind!

I cannot say what was going through his mind, but I can’t help but to wonder what was going through it. What made him want to harm innocent little children? What made him take his own life? Was he then so overcome with grief that he did so after realizing the heinousness of his crime? What happened that made him think this was the solution? I guess no one will ever know!

I Passed!

Dear Readers,

I’m not sure if I shared that I had to re-take the C.S.E.T. after passing it 5 years ago. I didn’t know the scores were only good for 5 years. You learn something new everyday! Anywho, CONGRATULATIONS TO ME!

Different Types of Children with Aspergers!

Dear Readers

Here’s an excellent article I read regarding children with Aspergers. It’s pretty long but I think it’s worth it:

The Emotional Aspergers Child

Many children with Aspergers and High-Functioning Autism fall into one of the “emotional types” listed below. Their feelings control their actions. These kids have many more tantrums, are less available, easily disengage, and are more prone to defiant behavior.

This is the most difficult type of Aspergers child to deal with, because rules – and the reasons for rules – mean much less to him. The parents and teachers who have to deal with the emotional Aspie often find themselves in a state of frustration or crisis. Many of these children will end up on medications for their issues, because their coping skills are poorly developed and inadequate to meet the demands of home and school. But that’s o.k., because the right medication and an effective behavioral plan can do wonders.

Type 1: The Fearful Aspie—

What I Cannot Change!!!

I was listening to the radio this morning and was pleasantly surprised to hear LeAnn Rimes-Cibrian. She is one of my favorite singers. Her voice is super fantastic. I listened to her explaining her story regarding her and her husband, how she was sorry about how things happened with their other spouses. She seemed truly sorry. She even wrote a song about it called What I Cannot Change. It’s really beautiful. It made me think about my life. How I wish it would have gone the way that I’d planned it. Who doesn’t, right?

I have been feeling sorry for myself a lot lately. This song, however, has made me realize that I need to accept what I cannot change. Take a listen to this song. It’s very beautiful!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Dear Readers. I’d like to tell you what I am thankful for. First and foremost I am thankful to God for waking me up, for being in my right mind, and for my health. I am truly thankful for my health. We may not realize just very important health is, until you don’t have it.

I am thankful for my husband and four wonderful children, Sam, Dakota, David, & Phillise. I can honestly say they are the reason I work so hard. I’m also thankful for my family even though they get on my last nerve. I could go on, but I’ll stop at the basics. So, what are you thankful for?

So Busy!!!

Dear Readers,

I’ve been extremely busy this week. Too busy! I have a ton of posts stored up in my head. I’m pretty sure I will not be posting tomorrow. So, I will take the time over the long weekend to post my thoughts. Until then!

On Your Mark…Get Set…Stand Still!

***Dear Readers,

This is a long read, but well worth it. It comes directly from one of my favorite inspirational websites, The Diva Zone. I felt as if the writer was talking directly to

Good Morning God’s Beautiful People!

I love the way God speaks to me through His beautiful nature. I personally don’t seem to hear His voice (speaking to my heart) in the loud booms, but in the quiet moments and when I’m least expecting it.

Yesterday morning I had one of those moments I will never forget. I was at my home in Virginia and my mother and I were sharing a coffee break. I was staring out of the deck door just watching the ducks quietly swim in the creek, listening to the birds sing praises unto God and just feeling truly grateful to God for His love and provision.

As I was preparing to get up from coffee time and depart back to the hustle and bustle of the great tri-state area, I was stopped in my tracks by a bonus gift from God! A beautiful deer (a doe) came darting through the woods to get a sip from the creek. She was running so fast at first then stopped suddenly in her tracks as if she had seen a barrier. We love watching deer, so, my Mom and I gathered by the window to get a better view. The doe stood in the same spot for 10 minutes, only moving her head to observe her surroundings from time to time. I was expecting her to make a dash into the woods after a few seconds, but the strangest thing happened. She stood in one spot as if she was being given instructions; then she turned in the opposite direction and pranced through the woods…this time in no rush at all. As I mentioned before, she came darting through the woods at first…what made her stop in her tracks like that? While observing her I noticed something about her feet…with just one move she had the ability to go from lower ground to the incline of the hill in the woods. She was out of our sight in no time and without running.

So Conflicted!

Dear Readers,
I had a good laugh today, even though I probably shouldn’t have. During yard duty I saw that one of the first graders was having a bit of a hard time. You could see it in her face. So I asked her what was wrong.
She replied, “Well, Angelina & her friends are being mean to me & my dad told me if they are mean to me or if they hit me, then I should hit them. But I don’t want to hit them. But my dad told me to hit them.
“What should I do?” she asked herself.
It was like an epic battle of good and evil! I could see the seriousness of the situation, but it was incredibly funny. You had to see the look on her face. Let me assuage your fears lest you think I ‘m a monster. I did talk to her and calm her down, but it was still funny!

I Won!!!

Dear Readers,
I am so excited. I wrote a book grant back in August for my school and was recently notified that my school won to the tune of 489 books. This is such great news. Especially since the school librarian won a book grant earlier in the year for which we are having an assembly in November.
It was my wish to give the books to the parents during the ceremony. Now that wish has become a reality. I’ll speak with my Principal and see if I can pick them up sometime this week.
I am really excited about this. I’ll keep you updated. Bye for now!

Half Full? or Half Empty? (or All About the Solutions!!!)

To quote Adrian Monk, “It’s a gift and a curse!”

Is the glass half full or is it half empty? It all depends on how you look at it. I’ve always had the ability to identify problems. This can be seen as a negative or a positive. In my life, it’s mostly been a negative. However, in the classroom, it’s definitely a positive. I can spend 5-10 minutes with a child and be able to tell you so much about them. People wonder how I’m able to do that! Well, it’s amazingly simple- Just listen! Children are amazingly self-aware. If you ask them, 9/10 times they will tell you what you want to know.

Since I’m tired, I will not write a long drawn out post. I will simply wind this up. Being able to identify problems is a good skill to have, but it’s only half the battle. Now, since I’m the Inclusion Specialist at my school, I’m the one responsible for finding solutions. Believe me when I say that I’ve been working overtime doing just that. I’m all about the solutions.

Now, in addition to finding problems, I’ve found that I also have the ability for finding solutions. It’s funny what you learn about yourself when you’re under pressure or you have to do what you have to do. One other problem I have the answer to is…Sleep! I’m on my way to bed! Goodnight!

How Far I’ve Come!

One of my favorite songs is, “Come This Far by Faith.” I’m not sure if that’s actually the name of the song, but that’s what I know it by. The words go:

We’ve come this far by faith,

Oooh, yeah, leaning on the Lord,

Trusting in his holy word,

He’s never failed me yet,

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Can’t turn around. We’ve come this far by faith!

Let me tell you something, Dear Reader, I have come this far by faith. Even though I had to reach deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep, deep down, I did manage to Hold On For One More Day.

I’ve been reflecting on the past couple of years and cannot believe I made it through. Although there were more than enough times when I didn’t think that I would, I did! You know what, I embrace it all; all of the hard times, suicidal times, even the  times when I reached rock bottom. ALL of it!!!

Recently, I read something that sums it up perfectly. Like to hear it, here it goes:

Pain makes you STRONGER,

Tears make you BRAVER,

Heartbreak makes you WISER,

So, thank the past for a better future.

I could not agree more. During the time when I was going through some of the worst times of my life, I did not and could not  appreciate what this little poem is expressing. To me, life was just too hard and I was tired of living. Now that I’m “out of the fire” I see things differently. I can appreciate that Pain has made me stronger and that my Tears have made me braver, and that Heartbreak has made me wiser. I would like to take time to thank my past for the future I’ve been prepared for. I could not have imagined doing this even 6 months ago.

Yes, Dear Readers, I have come very far. I’m so proud of myself for having the wherewithal to reflect even when I felt like I simply could not take anymore; when I felt like I wanted to curse the day for waking up. I can’t lie, some days I did curse the day. However, once those days became fewer and farther in between, I knew I was at the end of my trial.

If you would like some encouragement, look back on my posts from October 2009 and you will see how far I’ve come. I was so at the end of my rope, I did NOT think I would make it. But, I did!!!

So, if at all possible, I would like to encourage you if you are at the end of your rope. Don’t let go. Hang on!! Even though it may not seem like it, things will get better. JUST HOLD ON!

Common Signs of Dyslexia by Reading Rockets

 

Here’s a great checklist for common warning signs of dyslexia. Again, it’s a bit of a read, but worth it.

Common Signs of Dyslexia

By: International Dyslexia Association

Dyslexia is a language-based disability that affects both oral and written language. With help, children with dyslexia can become successful readers. Find out the warning signs for dyslexia that preschool and elementary school children might display.

Facts about dyslexia

Startling facts about dyslexia and related language-based learning disabilities:

• Fifteen to twenty percent of the population has a reading disability.
• Of students with specific learning disabilities who receive special education services, seventy to eighty percent have deficits in reading. Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties.
• If children who are dyslexic get effective phonological training in kindergarten and first grade, they will have significantly fewer problems in learning to read at grade level than do children who are not identified or helped until third grade.
• Seventy four percent of the children who were poor readers in the third grade remained poor readers in the ninth grade. This means that they couldn’t read well when they became adults.
• Individuals inherit the genetic links for dyslexia.
• Dyslexia affects males and females nearly equally, and people from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds as well.

Common signs: Preschool

Defeat Dyslexia by Catching It Early by Mindy Toran

Hello Dear Readers,

I found this great article on dyslexia. It’s a little bit of a read but worth it; especially if you suspect your child or someone you know has dyslexia. (Taken directly from: http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2012/08/24/parents_express/doc50355aeec2882548048182.txt?viewmode=fullstory 

“Awareness is the key to addressing dyslexia and other language-based learning differences,” says Julia Sadtler, president of the Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. Recognizing a learning disability earlier rather than later is important.

According to the National Institutes of Health, it’s estimated that 15 to 20 percent of the population, or one out of every five students, has a language-based learning disability. The most common of these disabilities is dyslexia, a neurological disorder that results in difficulties with language skills such as reading, writing, spelling or word pronunciation.

On Your Mark…Get Set…STAND STILL!

***Dear Readers,

This is a long read, but well worth it. It comes directly from one of my favorite inspirational websites, The Diva Zone. I felt as if the writer was talking directly to you. Hopefully you will get something from this as well. ***

Good Morning God’s Beautiful People!

I love the way God speaks to me through His beautiful nature. I personally don’t seem to hear His voice (speaking to my heart) in the loud booms, but in the quiet moments and when I’m least expecting it.

Yesterday morning I had one of those moments I will never forget. I was at my home in Virginia and my mother and I were sharing a coffee break. I was staring out of the deck door just watching the ducks quietly swim in the creek, listening to the birds sing praises unto God and just feeling truly grateful to God for His love and provision.

Journey 2 the Center of…ME!!!

I’ve been on a quest to conquer my laziness this summer. But, with a limited budget since I don’t get paid in the summer, I’ve been searching out free activities in the surrounding cities. Some of the activities I’ve found:

• free movies at the local Rave theaters. They’re old, but still relevant.
• LAPL has book clubs with free crafts on different days,
• LACMA’s Friday night Jazz,
• the Howard Hughes Promenade jazz on Saturday nights,
• Baldwin Hills Crenshaw plaza free concerts.

The Forest…

Dear Readers,

I am so mad at myself. Let me explain. The title of my post is The Forest. I titled it that because I didn’t see something that was right in face. You see I’ve been on a mission to battle my summer laziness, which is very similar to the summer slide for kids. So, I’ve been looking for free stuff to do for about 3 weeks now. In all that looking, I did not look to my go to source- Los Angeles Public Library. I cannot believe I totally forgot about signing up for the Summer Reading Club. I usually do it every year before school is even out. Why didn’t I see the forest for the trees?

Oh well, better late than never. I’ll sign up tomorrow!

The Quickening, Part 4!

I’ve been learning so much lately. It’s like information coming at me from many different ways. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. It’s like the quickening in the movie Highlander. You can read about it here, here, and here.

During the school year, I am so inundated with workshops & training, report cards, etc., you get the picture, that I don’t have time to assimilate or process all the information. However, during my down time, information comes at me left and right. I have so many a-ha moments!

This year is no different. Once I relaxed, I started having my quickening experience. I have so many ideas for next year. I’ll share them with you as I go.

Lakeshore’s People Colored Crayons & Loving Yourself!

This is just a observation of mine I discovered regarding students who are insecure in themselves. I actually begin the school year using this as a test. It’s not foolproof though, since there are some students who aren’t aware of their skin tone, but I use it anyway. That’s one of the reasons I love, love, love Lakeshore’s people-colored-crayons and what they represent. It helps me know which students I need to work with on their self-esteem. At the beginning of the school year I make it a point to have my students pick the color closest to their skin color. The students who aren’t secure with themselves or who don’t like their color invariably pick a color nowhere near their own skin tone. It’ usually about two shades lighter than their actual skin tone. Imagine my surprise when the same thing happened with Hispanic students. I thought this was a phenomenon exclusive to black children. Has this happened in your class or with someone else you know? What say you?

Happy 4th of July!

The Meaning of Life…

***WARNING- I RAMBLE A LOT IN THIS POST. I MEAN IT. THIS POST IS ALL OVER THE PLACE.***

Does anyone remember the show Step by Step? There was this really air-headed character by the name of Cody. Cody & the other characters on the show had a contest to see who could stay up the longest? Well, the longer they were woke, the smarter and less air-headed Cody became. He was just about to discover the meaning of life when he passed out from delirium and lack of sleep.

Well, my experience is the exact opposite. When I am not getting enough sleep, I get delirious, but not smarter. In fact, I do what I call Midnight Thinking. It’s the time when you think you are putting out brilliant thought after thought, when, in fact, you are actually kickin’ kaknowledge.

So, I said/wrote all that to say that I have been having mind-blowing revelations lately. With a little downtime, I’ve been able to clear my mind & come up with some badly needed answers in my personal & professional life.

I was also thinking about how this blog never fully recovered after I posted about losing faith a couple of years ago when I was having such a hard, hard time in my life. I was expressing my disillusionment & loss of faith. I was having trouble with the saying, “God never puts more on you than you can bare!” I took issue with that because I felt like I did have more on me than I could bare. I simply shut down. I haven’t fully recovered, partially because nothing has really changed. But, since this blog cannot take another hit like I did a couple of years ago, I will simply keep it to myself.

I was also thinking about attraction between two people. What makes one person believe they have to have that one special person?

I was also thinking about my plans for next year. This, as per the last couple of years, has been a hard year for me, both personally & professionally. I can only hope that the next school year will be better.

I have so many, many thoughts in my head that need to come out. However, I can’t seem to organize them. When I can’t, I get a post like this. I’ll try to keep it together.

Praying for Your Enemies…

PRAYER: Lord, I realize today that when I pray for my enemy and love my enemy, he or she is no longer my enemy. Help me to always respond this way.

My New Position??????????

Dear Readers,

I have been overly busy. I really don’t like being overly busy. I was going to write about my new position, but it seems a bit premature now because I may not be getting that new position after all. Let me go back to the beginning. I created a position for myself @ my school as an Inclusion Specialist. This is basically a Resource Specialist. This would have been a gigantic step forward for my school, but as the head honcho @ my school told me, “That’s not the direction we’re moving in!” She really could have told me that a couple of months ago, instead of leading me on. But, I digress since there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it. So, I have two options- I can student teach… for FREE. Did I mention for FREEEEEE?!!!!!!!!!!!!! My second option is to find a school where I can teach on an intern credential. That would be ideal. But, and this is a big but, the school is paying for me to complete my degree/credential, so that may not even be an option. I’m sure a solution will present itself by August. However, only time will tell!

After You’ve Done All You Can, Part 2

Dear Readers,

I’ve done all I can and I can’t do no more. I’m at my wits end. I’ve tried to hold things together, but they keep falling apart. It seems as if my glue just doesn’t stick. Right now, I’m listening to my favorite gospel song, Stand by Donnie McClurkin. I love the song. I feel the lyrics. I’m living them now. Hell, I’ve lived them time and time again. I’m tired. After all these years, I am still stuck in a holding pattern. My loan modification has been denied. I’m in dire financial straits. Hopefully by the time I get to the end of this post, my strength will be renewed by listening to Stand. I’m kinda’ doubting at this point, but I’ve been worse off than I am now and have had my spirits lifted by this and other songs.

I can only say that I will continue to stand, even though I feel like my legs are about to collapse. I have no choice. I can’t quit. So, I guess I will stand! Lord Jesus, what do I do???????????????????????

After You’ve Done All You Can…

Right now I am listening to one of my favorite songs of all time- Stand by Donnie McClurkin. This song has gotten me through so many different situations. I’m listening to it because, even though there are only about 5 weeks left in the school year, I still have parents complaining left & right. One I’m so through with I don’t know what to do. If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a back stabber. I would really much rather have someone punch me in my face that stab me in the back. But I guess that’s not how the world works now, is it?

I’m not going to make this a long post. I will simple say that I will listen to stand before I go to school, while I’m at school, and after I get home. I have an early morning meeting called by the Title I teacher to address two of my student’s deficits. I’m glad she called it because I was not going to call it. The mother of the two students has a problem twisting my words. That, however, is a story for tomorrow. I’ll write all about it tomorrow because for some people, your all just doesn’t seem to be enough. So, until then, Dear Readers, have a great night!

Twenty Extra Minutes…

Dear Readers,

Let me just give you a little background information. I work in a big building with a lot of empty classrooms. I am alone in my wing of the building. It’s kinda’ scary once the school is empty. That’s why when time “falls back” in the Fall, I usually high tail it out of there around 4:30. Any later than that and it feels like you have someone following you in the hallway. Let me say it again, that it’s a little scary in that building after 4:00. Well, today I was so psyched. I stayed after work today and was not afraid. Why? Well, it was still light. I stayed ’til a little after 5 and was okay with it. I was going to leave around 4:30 like I usually do, but decided to stay that twenty extra minutes to finish up some things I just couldn’t get done because there isn’t enough hours in the day. The only thing I didn’t do was make my To Do list. My desk is still a mess, but I was able to complete a few key tasks. I think I’ll stay a little later tomorrow. That’s all to report. Bye for now!

Validating Me in the Wrong Way?

Today, I was talking to a popular sub @ my school who has the same teaching style I do. She’s tough! well, I was talking to her about my class’ behavior and she totally validated me.

“Yeah, they”re a little rambunctious!” she said.

“Ok,” I thought. She validated my thoughts on them…but in the wrong way!

That’s Not Lodging!!!

Dear Readers,

I’m a little miffed right now. Why? Well, I have training tomorrow. Seems like it’s going to be a pretty good training. However, I only agreed to attend the training, which is in LaJolla, CA, btw (about a 90 minute drive) because the flyer stated that food & lodging were included.

“Sure,” I thought, “A night away from home & time away from my kids. I’ll do it!”

Well, as it turns out, it’s not so simple. Just to be on the safe side, I call ahead just to make sure the room is reserved in my room. I got quite a surprise when the contact person told me that there were no rooms blocked off for guests. I told her that the flyer said that food & lodging were included.

She says, ” I know that’s what it said, but it’s lodging for the day, not overnight.”

She was not very good at expressing herself. Maybe she was flustered. I tried to understand how lodging for the day means lodging included. That’s not lodging!!! That type of “lodging” simply reserves a spot for my behind in a chair.

So, now I have to leave out the house by 6:30 or 7:00 tomorrow when I thought I was going to be refreshed after a free night’s hotel stay. AWAY. FROM. MY.KIDS!!!!

While I’ll do what I gotta’ do. I’m just saying that if I knew that lodging wasn’t included, I would not have volunteered for this training. So, let me turn in. I’ve got a long drive ahead of me tomorrow. Bye for now!

A PROCRASTINATORSAURUS or (Getting to the Root of Procrastination…)

Lately, I’ve  been on a mission to rid myself, or rather, make more manageable, my procrastination problem. It had become a really big problem. It’s so bad that I have papers in my closet, at work, from last grading period that I haven’t returned to the students. Do you see my dilemma now?

Well, as I said, I am on a mission to make my procrastinating more manageable. I’ve read articles (once I’ve gotten to them), asked for advice from successful people, and listened to meditation CDs.

While listening to the meditation CD, I had time to stop and think about why I have been a Procrastinatorsaurs. That’s when I realized I was procrastinating because I’m afraid of failing at that task. When I am fairly certain that I can perform a given task, I get right on it. However, if I know that I will struggle with it, I will put it off, and off, and off. As I’m doing with my grading and returning student work.

I’m really happy that I’ve gotten to the root of my procrastination problem. So far, I am making great progress. Let’s just hope that it continues. Here’s hoping. Bye for now!

Addressing Drama! Part 3

Dear Readers,

The girls, save one, have returned their permission slips and have begun seeing the Art Therapist. Since I got mad at them the week before last about all of their drama, they have been solving more of their own problems. Thank God for that because they were really stressing me out. Little girls can be sooooooooooooooooooooooooo catty. Whew! Here’s hoping for less girls and more boys next year!

Priorities, People, Priorities!!!

WOW!!!!!!!  One of my students is not coming to school tomorrow because she’s going to Disneyland. REALLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYY!!!! This student is absent once a week. Should her parents really be upset when she gets her report card???????

Addressing Drama! Part 2

Well, I’ve hopefully discovered the solution for the drama queens & kings in my classrooms. Since I work at a Jesuit school, we have Ignatian volunteers. We have a school psychologist, a school nurse, and an Art Therapist. Permission slips have gone home for the students to be able to see them, but so far, no one has returned them. I have been putting pressure on the girls to return them because I am not going to deal with their drama anymore.

The main cause of the drama is Binaca Blast. She is incredibly insecure & her mother is incredibly crazy. This is so not a good combination. She keeps disruptions going in the class all day long. I finally told her that I am not going to entertain her drama anymore. Hopefully her mother will let her participate. Here’s hoping!

10 Simple Truths I’ve Learned About Education

Working in education makes you one tough mutha’, shut yo’ mouth! Although I may get off track and temporarily want to smack someone (as with MFH), I’ve learned many simple truths that will help save your sanity. They are in no particular order. Enjoy!

1. You will have parents (more than likely a mom) from hell who complain about everything.
2. There will be parents who will question your methods.
3. There will be parents who will have your back. Especially regarding the parents from hell.
4. Administrators may turn on you. You’ve got to learn how to have your own back. What I mean by this is that you have to learn to stick up for yourself.
5. Some years will be terrible.
6. Some years will be fantastic.
7. You may not like all of your students. Over the years (since we are human) we may have a personality clash or two with a student or two.
8. You will not get paid what you are worth. Deal with it.
9. Children need to learn:

• Independence &
• Struggle.
• to be told no

10. All of your hard work will one day pay off!!!

What Do You Get When You Combine A Mother with A Teacher?!@#$

My daughter, being the Beggin’ Bessie that she is, keeps asking for money to join all these different websites. I, being the wonderful teacher that I am, did what any mother would do- I charged her the $4/monthly fee. (Only time will tell if she wants to spend her own money next month.) But before I collected the money, I made her write me a persuasive essay detailing why she should be able to spend her money. Yep! That’s what happens when you combine a mother and a teacher.

Snap Back to Reality, Part Whatever!

Yes, I am back from Spring Break. The break was way too short. I definitely could have used more time. That’s okay, though, there are only about 7 weeks left in school. Boy, I cannot wait for summer. This summer, I am putting Phillise in cheerleading with my niece. Not only that, but she’s going back to guitar lessons, & I am thinking about dance @ Lula Washington. Activities for David will include art lessons at Barnsdall & some type of sport or self-defense (probably karate). He was in karate before and didn’t want to do it, so guess what, I didn’t make him. That was a big fat mistake that I intend to correct. But, that’s a post for another day; probably later on today.

Bye for now!

A Genesis to Revelation Explanation!

That’s a funny title. You may even be curious as to what it is. Well, what is a Genesis to Revelation explanation? Glad you asked, now I can tell you. My brother-in-law, who’s a pastor, is (let’s say) very thorough. Don’t ask him a question if you don’t want to get an answer that’s at least 20 minutes long. Think I’m exaggerating? Well, you go ahead and ask him and you’ll see what I mean. If you ask him a question about the book of Revelations, he will tell you that, in order to fully understand his answer, he has to take you back to the book of Genesis. Just in case you don’t know what those books are, Genesis is the first book of the Bible, and Revelations is the last book.

I said all that to explain what a Genesis to Revelation explanation is. It’s when you ask someone a question, expecting a simple answer, and they want to give you a very long and complicated history lesson.

Finally Better!

Hello, Dear Readers! I know I’ve been missing in action. I’ve been sick for about 2 weeks off an on. Just when I thought I was getting better, some other symptom would come out of nowhere and knock me on my butt! But, I said no more. Last night, I took a scalding hot bath and washed those germs right down the sink. Boy, do I feel better today. After work I am going to Lysol my house down like I should have done the first time. Not only that, but I am going to clean all the door knobs with bleach.

Now that I’m better, I can finally get some work done. I’ll be staying a little late today to finish up some things I didn’t have the energy to do earlier in the week. I have a couple of posts I want to put up from two Saturdays ago when I went to a fantastic training. It may even have been three weeks ago. So, I need to get on it. Well, that’s my update. Now that you have it, you can go home already. Are you still here? Bye! I will see you when I look at you.

Much Better, But Still Not @ 100%!

I feel much better even though I’m not @ 100%. I am incredibly weak. I keep trying to get up, but my body keeps tell me to lay back down. Hopefully I will be well enough by Monday to go to work. If not, I will simply have to listen to my body and take another sick day. I hate to miss another day but I have to take care of me.  So, I’ll see how I feel tomorrow evening.

San Juan Capistrano Came Alive!

It’s Alive! I wanted to say to my students as we walked into the San Juan Capistrano mission today. My students could not contain themselves as they excitedly looked around. For those of you who’ve never been to San Juan Capistrano, I have to tell you that it’s breathtaking. So much so that it almost made me cry. I felt like I’d stepped back in time as I imagined what it felt like to live there more than two hundred years ago. How hard life was for the People (Indians). I felt a real connection to the place. I loved it and want to visit it again with Phillise in the summer. So, let’s get back to my students.

“Wow, Miss,” they said, “We read about this!

“Ok, then, tell me a little bit about it,” I said.

We talked about the cowhides, tallow (which is fat that’s used to make soap & candles), the buildings, the pueblos, & most importantly, El Camino Real (The Royal Road). They were a little disheartened to see El Camino Real.

“This is El Camino Real?” they asked, with a shocked look on their faces.

“Yep,” I said. They weren’t too happy with it.

I have pictures of my own, but here’s some I found on the internet. The one below is a picture of the Koi pond in the central plaza. Can I just say that I loved this koi pond? The fish were absolutely beautiful. The courtyard is so relaxing.

It was so humbling to be at this historic place. I could not help but be in awe of this mission. I went to the mission at San Gabriel and was not as awed as I was with this one. This one was absolutely breathtaking. The only thing that spoiled the image I’d created in my head was the Starbucks directly across the street. That’s progress for ya! I don’t like it, but what can ya’ do?

African-American Firsts!

For Black History month, I assigned my students projects on trailblazers- the first in their field. I definitely wanted them to do a project for Black History month, but was just tired of students wanting to report on Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, or some other well-known figure that’s been done to death. Don’t get me wrong. I want my current & future students to know about these people, but I also want them to know about the less well known contributors who don’t get as much credit. So, my challenge to them was to find a trailblazer who contributed to all mankind, not just Blacks. Of course they proffered up Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Mike Tyson, The Rock or Dwayne Johnson as he’s known now. My question to them was, “What have they done besides be great at their chosen profession & have brown skin or black heritage?”

They gave me blank stares, but they finally started to get it. Once they got it, they chose well. So, here is the list of people my students chose:

Jack Johnson, Marian Anderson, Shirley Chisholm, Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Carter Woodson, & a couple I can’t remember right now that I will update once I find my list. I am excited about this assignment. I am going to put on a show for the Principal complete with faces stapled to giant tongue depressors.

How’s that for putting on a show?

P.S.- I have a great link to a wikipedia for African-American firsts that take you back to the 1800s & the first known black man to publish a book by the name of Jupiter Hamon. Like to see it, here it goes: Wikipedia link- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_African-American_firsts

HERE’S TO 2011!