8th grade-isms

Conversation with a student in the computer lab:

Student: Why is Facebook blocked?
Me: Probably because it's a waste of time.
Student: Waste of time? No it's not. I have friends in Guatemala!

T.A.s

Sometimes I wish I could ask my t.a. to go to the bathroom for me.

Things I'm Into Currently

Florence and the Machine

Maybe you've heard of her? She's on the radio a lot with that Dog Days are Over song. Her voice is so sweet and syrupy while being bold and rich at the same time. The music is unique; it catches me off guard and makes my shoulders move. Kelly and I borrowed the album from the library and I can't stop listening to it. It's great for so many things: dancing, grading, driving, playing while your students review for the state test during Flex time and watching them laugh at my "lame music taste."

"PLAY SCREAMO!!"

never.

NEXT

This book.

I have avoided this book for a long time because someone told me they didn't like his book Feed. Why do I listen to people? I'm almost finished with it and it's so intriguing. The 8th graders learned about this period of time in history this year (the boo

k is set in the 1700s) so it's fun to dive into it after hearing so much about it from my students.

The book is separated into 3 parts. The first part is kind of....dragging. It's really weird. And you're thinking the whole time - what is going ON!? But then it starts picking up and you realize what's happening and you're pulled in. It's fun writing. It's period writing so it is a little confusing at times. I like to just skim over words I don't know and guess. That's because I'm a good English teacher. (?)

I want to finish it so badly, but I have to read these research papers that I made my students write. Although I am quite into these research papers at the moment too. They're pretty funny sometimes.

Exhibit A:

The paper was supposed to be at least 8 paragraphs long...

NEXT

Twilight Zone Pinball

Kelly and I played it for 3 hours last night. I became

a Twilight Zone pinball addict. It's so intricate and FUN. Oh man.

NEXT

Hacky Sack

Kelly was teaching me how to play today. We played in our house for about 45 minutes. Then we got too sweaty so played in our apartment hallway. We're apparently 16 years old and stoners.

NEXT

Weight Watchers

This is day 6 for me trying out the new Weight Watchers. Kelly will attest to my recent insanity. I think about it a lot; words like "power foods" and "points" and "popcorn." Hey, I may be annoying but I feel great. I feel in control when I usually feel like a robot with a spoon for a hand, programed to seek out ice cream and consume it. Today I actually passed up big, delicious, free donuts and ate grapes and apples instead. DID YOU HEAR THAT!? Have I ever done that before? No. The answer to that is no I haven't. So it's going pretty well I guess.

I'm outy 5000

The Wait is Over

I got the job!!

Moments after the hinting counselor left, Principal S came in and talked to me. He offered me the job and I accepted on the spot.

Kelly took me out to a celebratory dinner at The Cheesecake Factory that night. It was amazingly delicious. I stuffed myself because that's how true victors celebrate!

I will be working as a full-time English teacher at Vista Heights Middle School next year!


Think about what this means:

1. All of those times when students have said, "I hope my brother gets you next year!" I no longer have to feel sad at the thought that I might not be here next year.

2. I will be making more money than I ever have before in my life. A real job with a real salary. I'm fully anticipating a blown mind when that first paycheck comes in.

3. I don't have to move all my stuff out of my classroom and find someplace to store it all. Phew. I was dreading the possibility of hauling out all my teaching resources, posters and books. Dodged that bullet.

4. I can start next year being known as Mrs. Thomson. I won't have to be approached by so many confused students saying, "Ms. Culp...I mean...Mrs. Thomas...what's your name again?"

Not having to wait anymore feels so good.

Still Waiting...Conversation...

I still haven't talked to Principal S yet, but a counselor just came into my room and said, "How is your day going?"
I replied, "Good."
He then said, "Just good? I'd expect it to be amazing and awesome and fantastic."
I asked, "Why?"
He responded, "Because I know everything that goes on in this school."
So I said, "Well you must know something I don't yet..."


SO......
I still need to hear the official word. But apparently I should be feeling amazing and awesome and fantastic!

Waiting...

I had an interview last Tuesday at the school which I am interning at right now. I really want to stay here next year, and the principal has told me he would love it if I stayed. But alas, they had to interview a lot of people and there are no guarantees. So I've applied to many other places and I have some interviews lined up, but I really want to stay here.

I'm supposed to know this week if I have the job here.
The interview went really well. I was confident and professional and spoke clearly. I was prepared and the principal smiled.
So nonw I'm waiting. And waitig.
And everyone else is waiting too.

"How did the interview go?"
"Do you know anything yet?"
"Has Principal S talked to you yet?"

All these questions to which I have no answer. Yet.

And I'm in the lab right now with my students, helping them type their research papers, and someone pops his head in the door. Principal S. He looked at me and said, "I can see you're in the middle of something so I'll come back." He left. And he was smiling. Yes, he's always smiling but what if? Is this the big one? Do I have a job here next year??!!!!?!?!?!?!?!??!

What did he want!?
What was he going to say!?
When will he come back!?

All this and more today at 5. (this is a news story)

I'll let you know when I know....

Currently...

• I feel like I never woke up this morning. I'm super tired.
• Emily wrote a song for her songwriting class and I played it for all of my classes. One boy asked, "Is she black? She sounds black."
• I have a teacher meeting in 4 minutes.
• My eyes itch.
• We're writing research papers in class. It's kind of haphazard and thrown together, but at least they know how to ask questions and find sources. That was the point.
• Only 4 days until spring break. - Being a teacher means you never really have to grow up. You still get summers, holidays and all the fun breaks off.
• I decided to do this blog in bullets.
• The final four for music march madness are: Selena Gomez, My Chemical Romance, Michael Jackson, & Queen. What?
• I had cold pizza for lunch. It was fantastic.

Sleep teacher days.