Thursday, April 17, 2008

Is it Friday yet?

This week has been a loooong week and I still have one more day to go. It is funny too, because I thought it was going to be a relatively easy week considering I was only actually in my classroom for two days.


Tuesday I had the chance to attend a Principal's meeting for a workshop. It was very informative and really kind of put a spark in my interest to become a principal. I greatly enjoy teaching right now and am content to be in the classroom, but I do see myself doing something else in the education field eventually. Maybe a principal or maybe something else. I know God will open some doors or windows when the time is right.


Wednesday we had our big 3rd grade field trip to DC. More on that on a different post! It was a pretty relaxing day though considering all my kids had a parent or chaperone and I just meandered around the mall by myself.


Then today I spent working with a committee on re-writing some assessments. We just adopted a brand new program, which I love, but their assessments are ridiculous. My district is very assessment driven so a team of us have basically written out own assessments for the curriculum. We keep joking that the company should be paying us!


I went back to school after the meeting only to find my classroom was an absolute mess, two of my students were suspended, three were involved in a fight, and a few bullying incidents reported. Uh, I will NOT be leaving my classroom for the remainder of the year! So I guess tomorrow will be a busy day as we catch up on everything that hasn't been getting done while they have been acting like hooligans.


The thing that has really made it long though is that yesterday my district had an emergency meeting where the Superintendent told the staff that at least 40 teachers would be cut by the middle of May. So much for thinking there is job security in education!! This has greatly impacted the morale in the schools as everybody is trying to see if they will be one to go or stay. I wasn't able to make the meeting since I was in DC, but my closest teacher friends all called me yesterday to catch me up. Evidently we will be ranked with different point values. We "earn" point values for our years of experience, degrees, extra professional development, and some other things. Tomorrow by 9am a list is supposed to be posted in our staff lounge of where we fall on the list. Needless to say I am sure tomorrow will NOT be a great day at school. My feelings keep swinging back and forth as one moment I believe I will be safe and then the next minute, not so sure. I have worked my butt off since I started and each year have done something to increase my own education so I am hoping it is enough. However, even if I am a lucky one to stay on board I am sure next year will not be fun as our class sizes will be crazy. So needless to say I'm a bit stressed! I'm hoping tomorrow to not be in the bottom 20...hmmm sounds like we have our own little American Idol thing happening!! Yes, making jokes has been how I have been coping!


Anyways, I will keep you all posted. Meanwhile though cross your fingers and pray for the families who will be impacted. According to our local paper over 1,000 teachers will be let go and the worst thing is since it is all districts in our state that means that the teachers will have no place to go.



Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

8 comments:

  1. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes and hope it works out for you and your family.

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  2. I wish I knew why the education in this nation is at such an awful situation. Our district is cutting teachers left & right......taking away PE, Music, and Art. It's awful. I've never heard my hubby really say anything one way or the other till this hit the news the other night. I don't know what they are thinking? I don't suppose dropping the Super's salary down $150,000 would help? (He makes $250,000)

    I am a former teacher too.....middle school English & Reading. I loved what I did for many years but discipline became such a huge problem that I decided to go another avenue in the field. Now I work from home selling to schools. The benefit is that I am able to go to all my kid's school activities.

    Good luck as you aspire to become a Principal.

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  3. Our school district is cutting support positions this year. It's so sad. I know that it's not the teachers yet, but still. Good luck!

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  4. I'll be thinking of you! How stressful that all sounds.

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  5. Our district received the same news... very scary! One minute I tell myself I will be fine... the other minute I am stressing out... only time will tell.

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  6. Oh, how unfortunate for all the families affected and the children who will surely be missing out on some really fabulous teachers.

    It is so sad in the education system these days that they are cutting so many teachers when the class sizes are just growing.

    Certainly a change should be a coming!

    Take care,
    Amy

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  8. My goodness Mel... what a wirlwind. I am sending positive vibes that you will be able to keep your job. (((HUGS)))

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Go ahead...tell me like it is!

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