My birthday is coming

We got together with Werty's family today for lunch and birthday cake. We grilled up some hamburgers - I flavored them with spinach, yum! I made a citrus chiffon cake. I figured a mid-day celebration called for something lighter and fresher. Zinx was happy because there was fruit in the filling, and this last week he had commented to his wife that he wanted to see a cake with actual fruit in it. Not sure what we are going to do on my actual birthday. I am a little sad to be leaving my 20's behind, but with so much going on right now, I haven't had a lot of time to think about it.

To be employed, to not be employed...

Monday began with TQ day - Teachers work on end of term grades and go to meetings, kids have no school. Our department meeting went like this: "Well, there are 7 of us, next year we can only have 6." Hmmm, guess who is the only teacher in the department not tenured?

With the bad economy, schools are receiving less money from state and federal funds - some of which is usually generated with investments - and we all know what has been happening in the stock market. Our district is in better shape than most in the area - we started out in the black before the cuts. But my school has to cut 12 teachers. I know that at least 2 of us who were given new positions this year have received "the letter." This is the letter where they legally must inform you that they may not renew your contract for next year.

The week before, word in the department was that everyone was safe. Then the admin decided they would terminate the PAUS program unless they could get enough students to sign letters of intent for next year. With that program now exed - the affected teacher in our department now needs to fill the rest of his schedule with regular class sections - sections that would normally go to teacher #7. (They are also increasing class sizes again, 42-43.)

The school is facing a problem - the IB History curriculum is changing next year - and with money problems the school can't afford to send another teacher to IB training (over $1000). In the training I received last October I was given the new materials. This is the reason why the principal really wants to keep me. But so far, none of the other teachers has decided to leave or transfer. There's me - bottom of the totem pole in seniority.

The good news - if another position in the district were to open up, I can transfer with my admin's recommendation. The bad part of that is - I might be back to teaching ESL, might be teaching at a middle school (shudder), and I would NOT be teaching IB. (Best case scenario - I would be teaching at the rival school, and my 10 'bulldog' siblings-in-law might want to disown me). Plus, adjusting to a new school on top of everything else that is happening next year - I don't know if that is wise.

One of the other History teachers spoke to me when he saw that I was waiting for the principal - when I got the summons on Wednesday - I know what it meant. His comments were SO not helpful. "Well, you'll probably like your new school. You have less attachments here than the rest of us. You've been here, what, about two years?" "Five. This is my 5th year." "Huh. But you worked in ESL before. (so that doesn't count?) Well, I was at another school for 5 years before I came here. Sometimes I think about that school, but I like it here." (Yeah, me too...which is why I worked for less pay than what I was qualified for the last FOUR years to get this job. I decided to stay the last two years because I learned that the IB program was coming to my school - and I wanted the chance to be a part of it.)

So, who knows what is ahead for us. It's one of those times when you have to put things in the Lord's hands because it is all uncertain. At least, I had the chance to live my dream this year - teaching my favorite IB History class to a great group of kids. I hear my old ESL job will be available next year - but at reduced hours - better than being unemployed, right? We'll see what happens.

Some Recent Quotes from the Classroom

Told to me by one of the ESL Aides about a student's loud outburst during Algebra class:
"I feel about his class like Mufasa feels about the hyenas."

While telling a story to my students, I mentioned I had been married six years.
"She's married?" - student #1 to her friend
"How many kids do you have?" - student #2
"None."
"Don't you think you should start working on that?" - student #2
(awkward silence as the rest of the class stares at him - and I keep the retort "Well maybe I should go home right now and work on it" to myself.)
"Teacher, how old are you?" - student #3
"That's not really an appropriate question. But it is my birthday this month."
"Are you 26?" - student #3
"Older."
"Let's see. Most people get married when they are about 24. If you have been married 6 years, then you are 30. Am I right?" - student #4

Today in class: (much nicer version - between myself and a small group of students working on the assignment - totally out of the blue)
"Teacher, do you have any kids?" - female student #1
"Nope."
"Do you want any?" - female student #1
"Oh yeah. I want kids."
"Me too. I want twins - one boy and one girl." - female student #1
"I want at least four kids." - female student #2

Maybe it's the promise of Spring coming. Who knows. Like the worst answer given at the Daffodil Princess pageant to the impromtu question "What does Spring mean to you?" - "I mean, look at all the animals. You know. It's in the air. "

The end of term is getting closer

It feels like the days have been long, but the term has flown by. Since the IB students were working on their big IB paper all term, we haven't had as many assignments. The end of term is in two weeks, and they have no grades yet. None. Don't we love the age of web based gradebooks, where the students and parents can see the grades change as each assignment is turned in...and they can tell when the teacher still hasn't graded anything yet for that class because she was getting the grades caught up in her other classes - the classes that complete about one assignment each class session? Yeah, so I showed the students last week what 5 assignment were going to be making up their grade this term, so they would know. That's the best I could do. I am reading sample IB papers right now, to prepare for grading their actual papers. After I am done grading their papers, IB HQ will choose three of the papers for me to mail so that another teacher in another country can double check my work and tell me if I graded them too high or too low. So, yeah, I am reading sample papers to try to get it right. See why this takes so much longer than the grades for my other classes? It's not like I can get input for another IB teacher either - this is the first cohort of students to complete the program at this school. No one knows if they are grading correctly yet. It's a learning process. But I will say that we are finishing the WWII unit right now, and it was a blast to teach. For being such a peaceful person, I can't explain why the age of dictators and WWII is so interesting to me. However, we are running out of time and we still need to cover the Cold War and "limited" war.

Funniest thing in 8th period on Friday. We were talking about the three branches of government and checks and balances. We got to the term impeach - we discussed how it means someone is indicted, not that they were found guilty or innocent - just means there is enough evidence for a trial. Of course, Clinton was the last president impeached. It's important for the students to understand it wasn't his affair that was the issue - but that he lied under oath, e.g. even presidents can't break the law. (We also discussed Nixon btw.) Before I can get that out, one of my students busts out with, "It was that Monica lady, she was under his desk." Oh dear. Then he tries to say that there is a secret panel in the desk - installed by FDR when he was in a wheelchair...and then another kid says, "Yeah, I saw that on National Treasure." I was laughing so hard. But then I reminded the student to be more appropriate, and the other student that not everything in National Treasure is fact. Yeah.

I lost my TA!

Having two TA's this term to help grade papers has made a huge difference! Now, one of my TA's, the one who is willing to do more than 15 minutes of work, and gets twice as much done as the other in that 15 minutes, is moving out of state. Sad ; ; The other TA is a sweet girl, I have known her since her 9th grade year. I am glad that I am not losing both of them, at least.

We have another game to work this Saturday. Ugh. The other advisor, the one that all the students coordinate with and love...the one who actually knows the students names...'cause, hey they don't talk to me, except when we are working games...today was her last day. She has transferred to the rival high school in town. So, my plans to tell the admin that I can't work both of these clubs next year, seeing how they have conflicting schedules and activities...yeah...not looking too good. At least the NHS president knows my name and sends me emails to schedule meetings. I actually feel I'm doing my job there. The other club, I'm just a live body when they need an adult present...particularly when they need an adult to work concessions. (There is a reason I NEVER worked in the food industry as a teenager, so why do they make me do it now as part of my career? Seriously, 10-15 people working 6 hours each to earn....$50.) I am a little stressed about the other advisor leaving, can you tell?

We had our first debate in my government classes today. One of the students, when the kids wouldn't quiet down so he could start, did a great parody of me. He put on a serious face and voice and impatiently said, "I'm waiting...I'm going to start counting." (I count how much time they waste and then keep them after the bell for that long.) Everyone broke out laughing, including me. That class is a real challenge, so it was nice to have a good laugh.

PT Conf...and Star Wars in History class

PT conference weren't as bad this time. Maybe because of the cold weather, or because I was stuck in the lunch room (with tiny wobbling tables), or because it's later in the year and parents aren't filled with the "my child is going to have a better year this year" hope/angst. Anyhoo, there was a steady stream the first three hours, but I never had more than two families in line to see me. The last hour things slowed down enough that Werty stopped by and kept me company - which also allowed me to take a potty break. It was a normal PT conference - like the other ones I have done. Last semester was bizarre. Werty and I grabbed some pizza on the way home. After eating, I was so tired, I went to bed around 9pm. It felt so good to get 8 hours of sleep in the middle of the week.

Werty and I didn't get each other any gifts this year, just spent time together. We went to see Desperaux - totally different from the book, but I guess they had to do something to fill out the ending, since it's too abrupt and neat in the book. They took out a few things that are too serious - like the reason why Miggory can't hear is because she was repeatedly beaten. And they change themes mid-story, but it was cute.

Yesterday, we had a great lesson in my IB class. (I warned the kids I might ruin Star Wars for them.) Last time, they watched chunks of Episode III while I met with them individually about the first drafts of their IB paper. So, this time we discussed it and drew comparisons between Episode III and Hitler's rise to power. It was awesome! At one point, one of the students pointed out that Vader was put in charge of building the Death Star, just like the SS were put in charge of the concentration camps. (Death Star is built to wipe out whole planets at once...) I was so proud! The best part is, they are supposed to be able to identify patterns and tactics used by dictators and single party states - and this helped them see some of those patterns in a way that will help them remember it come test time. Yes, I am a nerd...but I'm not a fanatic, or anything. Two students who were less familiar with Star Wars said our discussion made them reconsider it's value. "I always thought it was just a nerdy movie, but now I think it's interesting." Plus, it was fun to teach it this way.

It will be a busy couple of weeks

Why does it seem that in February, a short month, everyone tries to jam pack it with stuff? VT interviews the same night as PT conferences and ward temple night. (Hmm guess I will be at the event I am legally contracted to be at, which means I have to do the VT interview the next day - when I was planning on taking a nap to recover from the sheer exhaustion of PT Conf. Have you ever talked to 100 individual people in three hours? It wears you out physically and emotionally.) Then the following week it's enrichment group (my calling) followed my a RS board meeting the next night.

I am so not looking forward to the 12+ hours I will be working this Wednesday due to PT conferences. Last PT conferences, I had one of the longest lines of parents - people waiting 30 minutes to talk to me - and I never got to pee! (Since it was my day without a prep, I had gone all day without peeing - I already had to go when the thing started.) I think this year, I will lock my door after the bell, so that this time I don't have a flood of students in my room after school wanting to discuss their grade and get extra credit for attending PT conferences before the conferences actually begin. (PT conferences are not held in the classrooms.) That way, I will have 30 minutes to collect my stuff, breath deeply, and PEE before it all starts. I will lock my door and treat my kidneys better!

Oh yeah - I have to tell the school if I am coming back next year or not by...this Friday. Doesn't guarantee me my job or anything. We had a two hour staff meeting last week about budget cuts - and we were told not everyone will get to stay. Guess who doesn't have tenure? But I do teach IB...

On a happier note, I read my copy of "The Tale of Desperaux" they gave me at work - it's the book that all the elementary schools in town are reading this year. I woke up early this morning and read through it while Werty slept in. I was thinking of seeing the movie now that it's at the second run theater. I was a little disturbed that the abused child of only 12 years old was characterized as "fat" and "lazy."But it was nice to read something unrelated to work.

Random Trivia - Did you know that Napoleon was only 30 when he became the dictator of France? Peace and stability through military success was his promise.