Byrnin’ for Bio

I am in the library awaiting more student performances. The school is in a buzz over this two day event called Arts Fest. They have local artists come in and the students also perform. We’re encouraged to bring our students to these things, but so far, I am less than impressed. Yesterday we had an hour long assembly which was totally worth it. Bush Mango, an African drum and dance corp, came to perform. I took one of my LE classes to their session afterwards. That was great. We are so far ahead, I knew we could spare the time. But for other classes, we really should not have. While I think it is excellent for the girls to be exposed to all of these different things, I wish there were more diverse opportunities. All the workshops were full, so we’ve been at student performances all day. And they are less than impressive. Today we have shortened days to accomodate the final student assembly this afternoon. I have been going back and forth about the value of this stuff. I like the assemblies and workshops, but not these student performances. I am disappointed that I brought my AP Bio classes. But, the whole school is so unable to concentrate on anything but this and the classes are only 33 minutes. What would I really have done anyway? And we have only about 6 weeks til the AP, so I thought maybe one last hooray of fun before the next grueling 6 weeks.

Other things - I had $24 stolen from my wallet in the media center here. I’m debating about the single gender environment and the value of this pricey education. Is this the right place for me next year should there be an opening? Do I enjoy having people constantly watch over what I do even though I’ve been encouraged to just teach the girls science? Do I like having to report to parents who have all the control because they pay the money? I’m just very frustrated right now with my place in this educational environment.

Personal notes - I’m overwhelmed - the house, the wedding, all the personal changes, the uncertainty of where I’ll be next year, the AP, adjusting to a new school and missing my old one, starting MCC again. I think MCC is my one saving grace because I get to do what releases stress. And I need to get back to the gym. I was doing really well for awhile and since I hurt my knee ( I might need surgery) I’ve been in pain and can’t workout the way I’d like.

Wow, okay. That’s enough ranting. I miss blogging!

Dan and I are buying our first house. It’s in the city near Savoia’s bakery. We are supposed to close in exactly two weeks from today. I can’t wait to have people over. I’ll post pictures when I get a chance. ..

… So we closed last Friday, March 16th. That night we went to the house to change the locks and noticed the doormat. It had an N on it. That is Dan’s last name. I knew it was meant to be. We have been messing around with getting utilities turned on. Of course that was not without repairs. This has been such a learning experience. We finally have heat, water and electricity. We’re cleaning today and tomorrow and painting all weekend so we can get the floors refinished next week. Hopefully we’ll move in on March 31st. The colors of the house are so crazy. Magenta dining room, school grey living room, pink and purple bedrooms. Oy! I’m taking pictures all along to see the transformation.

Hi! For those of you who don’t know, I’ve accepted another long-term position at Our Lady of Mercy High School teaching 2 sections of Living Environment and 2 of AP Biology til the end of the school year. I’m really excited about this. But, I miss my Fairport kids dearly. They leave me messages all the time on my school MySpace page. It’s a great way to keep in touch with them. At the same time it makes me so sad to know I am helpless. Anyway, I have had a lot of support here in my first week. It’s been very hectic because the teacher ended up leaving early on bedrest. She wasn’t really ready to leave yet. The good news is I can do what I want and don’t have to use the prescribed note packet. And I work along with another teacher who is open to new ideas. The only drawback is the girls in the LE class are a little lower functioning than those in the other classes, so it makes it difficult to follow her schedule. It’s a totally different world as far as funding, resources, etc as well as Internet access. I have run the gammot as far as places and courses I’ve taught. I’m hoping this will help me land the elusive full-time position at some point. I’m hoping I will have more time to write on here as well because I miss the reflection time. I’ll keep updating as time allows…

So.. I realized I haven’t written on here in quite some time. And I feel guilty because it reminds me of the Warner Way and I’m so not following it. I am totally using notepackets at Fairport and I know they suck. I try to spice it up with my sense of humor and we do labs. I let them experiment from time to time, but it’s like the worst science ever. I’m ashamed. But, I also overcommitted myself and thank God this wasn’t my real first year. I now know I cannot teach at MCC, work at the clinic, be an athletic trainer and a teacher, and plan a wedding (more to follow)… I think I have about 2 weeks left, for a grand total of 10 weeks and I’m really upset that I allowed myself to succumb to the notepackets. We did do some cool Jeopardy review. And I feel like I got in trouble for it because I’m behind the other teachers. And we all use the same midterm so I have to get the kids to a certain point. But I feel like the kids don’t get what we’re doing. We go so fast! It’s nuts! For this unit, I decided to teach photosynthesis first because I did it that way student teaching and I think it’s easier. Whoa! Was that the wrong thing to do. Anyway, what else. I definitely know I need to set stronger rules from day one. Obviously, I’m too stinkin’ nice.

Hi! Well, I survived my first week at Gates Chili Middle School. It’s definitely been interesting - from the power going out on the first day of school to getting my sub job cut short. I had kids trick me and I let them out 10 minutes early because buses were late - oops! And some kids were switching their assigned seats. But overall it’s been nothing but exciting. Everyone here has been so supportive and helpful. I’ve set up a nice little room here, but I will be taking most of the stuff down. Luckily another teacher who shares this room has some posters so it doesn’t look so bad when I take mine down. I guess I will be here when the new teacher comes back to make a smooth transition and then I will sub for music on Thurs and Friday. I really wish something else would come along. Not that I mind subbing, but I’d love my own classes. I’ve learned a lot though about management - where to put absent papers, extra papers, etc. I think I’m weird because I liked doing it. It was fun setting up the room. And I’ve loved getting to know the kids. I did a great intro activity with M&Ms where students talked about themselves - likes, favs, etc. It was fun. And we also colored license plates to decorate the room. Most importantly, set the tone early and talk about rules first or else they will walk all over you.

Well, lots of people are probably wondering about my interview yesterday. It went well, but I didn’t get the science job. That went to someone who had tenure and 5 years experience at another district. I am still being considered for a middle school health position. I have to teach yet another lesson on Friday about refusal skills. So, I just have to wait and see. I guess there are about 5 other people going for this job as well. But the principal keeps telling me how he really wants me at his school. If it were up to him, I would have the job. I’ll keep everyone posted. Thanks for all of the encouragement. If I get a health job, I would still love to be part of the science group…

****Updated**** I didn’t get the health job either. I guess I present better as a Science teacher. (Not a big surprise) But I did get offered two long-term assignments, 5 weeks and 10 weeks which I am gladly taking for the time being. The first is in science and I get to do all the new teacher stuff because I’m starting out from the first day of school. The second is in health for a maternity leave so that’s cool too. I get experience, which I need, in both areas. Sweet. And it’s at Gates-Chili which is an awesome place. They are extremely helpful and cooperative. I can’t wait! If anything else comes along, I’ll take that. But for now, that’s where I’ll be til about Christmas.

I just got the call from GC. I didn’t get it. I guess there was someone that must’ve been a long term sub or part-time position that got one job and the other went to a person who had more experience. They said I did a super job and really impressed them, but I guess not enough. Oh well. I’m still waiting to hear back from the other school and the RCSD. Who knows. People keep telling me it’s still early.

This is my favorite holiday! Although I can’t stand the president, I am very patriotic and I just love the awesomeness of fireworks. I think I will have a lab about fireworks if somehow I can do that without blowing up a school because that would be bad. I think kids are always curious about how they make the colors. And even though I like flame tests, I wonder if there is something more besides seeing the color it burns. Maybe I could invite in some fireworks manufacturers… We’ll see…

On the job front, I am anxiously awaiting some calls back. Both interviews I went on were great. For superstitious reasons, I won’t say til I hear back. But in both I felt extremely comfortable and thought their ideals matched up with mine. Hopefully by Wed I will know either way.

One class down at the Warner School and one to go before I AM DONE! Oh, and the portfolio Good luck to everyone who is working on it right now. And Congrats to everybody who got jobs so far! Mike and Orlando, are you two alive or what?!

So, I taught my lesson at District F. I thought I rocked it. But, apparently not because I did not get the job. I was offered to come in to discuss what I should do better, but I think it has more to do with the interview than my actual teaching of the lesson. I’m so frustrated by the whole process of interviewing. Like Tara, I’m not good at selling myself. I like to tell it how it is, not sugar coat it or tell you what you want to hear. I’m just hoping some school district will like that approach, because I am not good at playing the game. I’m pretty pissed, but I kinda had a feeling this would happen. I’m not sure what it is about that place, but they seem to tell you one thing and do another. I guess this just gives me a chance to work in the city, so if you (anyone reading this) have any influence there, please help me out!

Well, I had an interview at School 2 where I did my student teaching. The job is a long-term sub position for my CT. I have my pros and cons of that, but I’m hoping the interview went well. It is so intimidating to have 8 adults asking questions when you know your future is on the line, even when you know almost all of them. I know most of the teachers really want me there, but I wonder if someone else out there is better. And I would really like to teach in the city. That’s just what I had set out to do. Who knows… Anyway. Keep your fingers crossed that they call to have me teach a lesson. (Which doesn’t make sense since they saw me during student teaching, but whatever, it’s a District, right Lucas?)