I am a very devout and conservative religious person. I think Calvin and Edwards had it right, and I wish I could be more like the Puritans were. As a literature teacher, I often get to teach literature that has a religious connotation. Friday I taught "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by John Edwards. This is pretty great stuff in my opinion, but I have to be careful that I don't go too far and lose my job. I have to be constantly on guard that I say things like,"They believed." or "That is the Christian philosophy." instead of saying, "I believe." or saying that anything is truth when it comes to religious beliefs and theology. It is a fine line.
I love that I am able to share the gospel under the guise of teaching literature. I mean, it is in the literature book, so no one can complain about teaching a sermon from a Puritan minister. I may not be able to say it is truth, but the message still gets put out there, and for a lot of these kids, it is the only time they hear it.
This year I had a girl say that she thought Edwards was crazy for thinking about people going to hell, and that she thought he had it totally wrong. This really disturbed me for two reasons: 1. her family says they are Christians because they attend the (fairly liberal) Methodist church once or twice a year, and 2. she is the superintendent's daughter (so I have to be even more careful with what I say). I really thought about how to respond to that; I wanted her and the rest of the class to see that you can't say someone is crazy for trying to save someone from hell if that person TRULY believes the other person is going to hell...regardless if you think hell exists or not.
This video was my solution...
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Monday, September 13, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
This Might Be A Good Year
Things have been going well at school this year. Almost too well...
One of the big changes that has seemed to help out with previous problems at school has to do with getting rid of the junior high. We finally opened a new junior high building which means that the high school and junior high is no longer in the same building. This has been great. First off, we were able to move all the high school teachers into the building; some had been in trailers in the back parking lot due to some structual problems (one building colapsed and a sinkhole under a few classrooms). The high schoolers seem to be behaving better without the junior high students around.
I haven't had any classroom management problems with this year's crop of juniors. So far Project Redneck seems to be going well and I think that is also helping. Right now my biggest problem seems to be tardies. I've always been able to deal with this in-house, but I think I'm going to have to officially start turning in tardies for some of my students. Not sure why that seems to be a problems this year.
I am hoping that the rest of the year goes by as smoothly, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
One of the big changes that has seemed to help out with previous problems at school has to do with getting rid of the junior high. We finally opened a new junior high building which means that the high school and junior high is no longer in the same building. This has been great. First off, we were able to move all the high school teachers into the building; some had been in trailers in the back parking lot due to some structual problems (one building colapsed and a sinkhole under a few classrooms). The high schoolers seem to be behaving better without the junior high students around.
I haven't had any classroom management problems with this year's crop of juniors. So far Project Redneck seems to be going well and I think that is also helping. Right now my biggest problem seems to be tardies. I've always been able to deal with this in-house, but I think I'm going to have to officially start turning in tardies for some of my students. Not sure why that seems to be a problems this year.
I am hoping that the rest of the year goes by as smoothly, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Those Stupid Kids Gave Me Pink Eye!
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| This is how I feel... |
Thankfully my eye doesn't look quite this bad. Mostly because I haven't been rubbing it very much. I had to make a trip to the doctor yesterday ($25) and get some drops ($30) for my eye. I know my students somehow gave me pink eye! It itches like crazy and then hurts like mad when I do rub it.
Technically, I'm not supposed to be at school with conjunctivitis because it is highly contagious. I talked to the school nurse and she said it should be okay as long as I wash my hands... A LOT. She said the kids walk around school with it for days before they come to her and get sent home (and they aren't careful about not spreading it). Today I managed to not touch my eye at all while at school and didn't touch anybody. I probably should stay home, but I have too much to do to stay home for something like pink eye!
This is the first time I've ever had it. My eye started bugging me Sunday night, and by Tuesday evening had figured out it was more than just allergies. Has anyone else had to deal with it? I'm hoping I caught it early enough that it won't ever look bad.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Project Redneck...So Far, So Good
I have been hard at work on Project Redneck, and so far it seems to be working. One of the other teachers even heard the leader say, "She's not so bad." when my name was brought up in her class. You can't imagine how big that is.
If I can just get those boys on my side, my discipline problems will be cut in half. That would really be nice for a change. I have fairly good classroom management skills, but those boys can be a handful when they want to, so if I can convince them (trick them) into behaving...
Here's hoping for a good school year!
If I can just get those boys on my side, my discipline problems will be cut in half. That would really be nice for a change. I have fairly good classroom management skills, but those boys can be a handful when they want to, so if I can convince them (trick them) into behaving...
Here's hoping for a good school year!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Really...I Don't Hate Rednecks!
As the new school year really starts to get underway, I am once again up against the redneck students. In the middle of rural Missouri, there are plenty of rednecks...and they are proud of being rednecks. I'm talking confederate flags everywhere. Every year there will be a few redneck boys who come into my class having already decided they don't like me. I have two strikes against me before they ever even know me: 1. I'm female and 2. I teach English.
Being female means that I automatically don't understand them. For some of them, my being female means that I'm a second class citizen, but that's not all of them.
Teaching English is the biggest problem they have with me though. English is almost always their least favorite subject. It requires two things they hate: reading and writing. Also, because I speak well, they assume that I am not from around here.
These students always assume that I don't like them, which is not true. Often I do not like their behavior, but really...that's not my fault.
This year I have decided to try to get the rednecks on my side. I may not be able to change their mind about English, but maybe I can get them to change their mind about me. I am concocting a plan to accomplish this near impossible feat.
1. I have told them (all the classes actually, but even more so in the "redneck class") that I am not prejudging them based on what I've heard about them from other teachers, and as far as I'm concerned they are angels.
2. I have been giving them a lot of praise when they do something right. I told the one class that they were a smart class, and one boy said that no teacher had ever told them that before.
3. I am going to talk about growing up on a big farm, doing lots of farm chores, and how I still basically live on a farm.
4. I'm going to tell my crazy stories about wild animals getting into my house and my having to shoot things like possums and raccoons.
5. I'm going to put pictures I've taken of our farm (animals, equipment, etc) and my niece and nephews dressed up in John Deere and hanging out on the farm as my screen saver for my school computer. Often, my screen saver is projected on the board, so they will see the pictures.
6. I am focusing on their leader. If I can get him on my side, the rest will follow.
So far this is working. I am already ahead from where I was last year with last year's rednecks. Last year the leader was against me from the beginning and I never got him on my side, this year I think the leader likes me so far (even if he hates school and especially English). Today they were all engaged and participating during class. I am hoping that I can keep it up. Regardless, I'm going to keep trying and hope that I can get them on my side for as long as possible.
Just for fun, I would like to leave you with a few pictures that depict parts of the redneck lifestyle...
Being female means that I automatically don't understand them. For some of them, my being female means that I'm a second class citizen, but that's not all of them.
Teaching English is the biggest problem they have with me though. English is almost always their least favorite subject. It requires two things they hate: reading and writing. Also, because I speak well, they assume that I am not from around here.
These students always assume that I don't like them, which is not true. Often I do not like their behavior, but really...that's not my fault.
This year I have decided to try to get the rednecks on my side. I may not be able to change their mind about English, but maybe I can get them to change their mind about me. I am concocting a plan to accomplish this near impossible feat.
1. I have told them (all the classes actually, but even more so in the "redneck class") that I am not prejudging them based on what I've heard about them from other teachers, and as far as I'm concerned they are angels.
2. I have been giving them a lot of praise when they do something right. I told the one class that they were a smart class, and one boy said that no teacher had ever told them that before.
3. I am going to talk about growing up on a big farm, doing lots of farm chores, and how I still basically live on a farm.
4. I'm going to tell my crazy stories about wild animals getting into my house and my having to shoot things like possums and raccoons.
5. I'm going to put pictures I've taken of our farm (animals, equipment, etc) and my niece and nephews dressed up in John Deere and hanging out on the farm as my screen saver for my school computer. Often, my screen saver is projected on the board, so they will see the pictures.
6. I am focusing on their leader. If I can get him on my side, the rest will follow.
So far this is working. I am already ahead from where I was last year with last year's rednecks. Last year the leader was against me from the beginning and I never got him on my side, this year I think the leader likes me so far (even if he hates school and especially English). Today they were all engaged and participating during class. I am hoping that I can keep it up. Regardless, I'm going to keep trying and hope that I can get them on my side for as long as possible.
Just for fun, I would like to leave you with a few pictures that depict parts of the redneck lifestyle...
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| That is not a shirt! |
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| Realtree prom! |
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| Pool time! |
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| Lost his toothbrush...at age 5! |
Monday, August 23, 2010
School's Back In Session
Today starts the first full week of school. I always have mixed feelings about another year of school starting. There is always a little reluctance to let go of the summer, but at the same time, it gets a little boring not having something to do every day. I look forward to starting over with a new group of students; it's like a fresh start every year. However, it takes awhile to get to know the personalities of each new year's crop of students: which ones are the trouble makers, who is going to be the star student, who will need that extra push. And, of course, I have to learn a whole new set of names.
Everyone keeps asking me how school went, what do I think of my students, are my classes going to be okay? It is hard to say at this point. Last week was only 3 days long and the first 2 days are just going through the school rules and my classroom rules. Plus the students are still a little wary of me and aren't really acting like themselves yet. I will know more after this week. The regular school routine starts, and the kids start acting like themselves.
I am cautiously optimistic about this class of students though. I am hoping that most of the trouble makers are split up enough to not cause too much trouble. I'm also really excited about the new way we are teaching the classes this year. We have changed the Honors English classes to College Prep English classes. This allows us to teach the regular English classes with the knowledge that none of the students in the class are planning on going to college, so I have taken out all the lessons on formal writing (MLA format, literature analysis, etc) and have replaced the research paper with a Career research project which should be much more valuable to students who are going into the work force after high school.
Although I teach juniors, I do have one freshman Basic English class. I am teaching it as a composition class and plan on trying to get the students caught up on their English skills. I'm cautiously optimistic about that class as well, but also anxious because I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to teach each skill and will have to write lesson plans throughout the year. Working without a syllabus is weird for me. I usually know what assignments I'm going to teach throughout the entire year!
Everyone keeps asking me how school went, what do I think of my students, are my classes going to be okay? It is hard to say at this point. Last week was only 3 days long and the first 2 days are just going through the school rules and my classroom rules. Plus the students are still a little wary of me and aren't really acting like themselves yet. I will know more after this week. The regular school routine starts, and the kids start acting like themselves.
I am cautiously optimistic about this class of students though. I am hoping that most of the trouble makers are split up enough to not cause too much trouble. I'm also really excited about the new way we are teaching the classes this year. We have changed the Honors English classes to College Prep English classes. This allows us to teach the regular English classes with the knowledge that none of the students in the class are planning on going to college, so I have taken out all the lessons on formal writing (MLA format, literature analysis, etc) and have replaced the research paper with a Career research project which should be much more valuable to students who are going into the work force after high school.
Although I teach juniors, I do have one freshman Basic English class. I am teaching it as a composition class and plan on trying to get the students caught up on their English skills. I'm cautiously optimistic about that class as well, but also anxious because I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to teach each skill and will have to write lesson plans throughout the year. Working without a syllabus is weird for me. I usually know what assignments I'm going to teach throughout the entire year!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A Short "Catch-Up" Note
Just a quick note to check in...
First of all, I've been super busy getting ready for the school play. From about mid-January until mid-April it is about all I do. The play was a little over a week ago and it was awesome! I'm so proud of the kids. Now I just really need to clean up the stage before someone else needs it...
I'm still on my way to becoming a thinner me. Yesterday I weighed in, and I've lost 40.6 pounds so far! That puts me at 265.8 pounds. I have a little goal of trying to reach 50 pounds by the first weigh in of June, so 10 more pounds to go. I know I'll reach 50 pounds lost; I just hope I can do it by June. My next significant "mini" goal is to get below 250 pounds, so I've set 245 as the goal. It's been a long time since I've been under 250. I would guess close to 5 years. 20 more pounds and I'll reach that big (for me) "mini" goal.
I was able to fill a garbage bag up with all my old clothes that are too big! So excited about that. I had saved back some pants/jeans that were a size smaller, so I still have stuff to wear. It's like I have a bunch of new pants!
It's been exciting having people come up to me and say that they are noticing how much I've lost. I'm proud to tell them how much I've lost (although I don't tell everyone where I started).
I've also started walking. I'm walking 2 miles every chance I get. Actually, I just worked up to 2 miles the other day. I walk on the county roads by my house and it is SUPER hilly (Don't forget I live in the Ozarks!)!! I walk at a pretty good clip, especially since I just started and am still pretty out of shape. I did my first 2 mile stretch in 45 minutes. I think that's pretty good considering some of the hills I have to climb.
Keep me in your prayers. Everyday is a small challenge (although it's getting easier). I told myself today that one thing I like better than the food I've given up is hearing people comment on my weight loss!
First of all, I've been super busy getting ready for the school play. From about mid-January until mid-April it is about all I do. The play was a little over a week ago and it was awesome! I'm so proud of the kids. Now I just really need to clean up the stage before someone else needs it...
I'm still on my way to becoming a thinner me. Yesterday I weighed in, and I've lost 40.6 pounds so far! That puts me at 265.8 pounds. I have a little goal of trying to reach 50 pounds by the first weigh in of June, so 10 more pounds to go. I know I'll reach 50 pounds lost; I just hope I can do it by June. My next significant "mini" goal is to get below 250 pounds, so I've set 245 as the goal. It's been a long time since I've been under 250. I would guess close to 5 years. 20 more pounds and I'll reach that big (for me) "mini" goal.
I was able to fill a garbage bag up with all my old clothes that are too big! So excited about that. I had saved back some pants/jeans that were a size smaller, so I still have stuff to wear. It's like I have a bunch of new pants!
It's been exciting having people come up to me and say that they are noticing how much I've lost. I'm proud to tell them how much I've lost (although I don't tell everyone where I started).
I've also started walking. I'm walking 2 miles every chance I get. Actually, I just worked up to 2 miles the other day. I walk on the county roads by my house and it is SUPER hilly (Don't forget I live in the Ozarks!)!! I walk at a pretty good clip, especially since I just started and am still pretty out of shape. I did my first 2 mile stretch in 45 minutes. I think that's pretty good considering some of the hills I have to climb.
Keep me in your prayers. Everyday is a small challenge (although it's getting easier). I told myself today that one thing I like better than the food I've given up is hearing people comment on my weight loss!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Frustrations Abound
I have had a few frustrating moments over the last few days...
My junior students have spent the last 2 months or more begging me to be their class sponsor next year. They are losing both of their sponsors after this year (one to retirement, one to a job change). At our high school, each class gets two sponsors their freshmen year that go through the next four years with them. Senior year is a big deal because the seniors run all the concession stands at games in order to raise money to go on senior trip. Today I finally capitulated and told them I would do it (I just did it a few years ago and it is A LOT of work for very little pay). I told the principal that I would do it, only to find out that two other teachers already said they'd do it over a month ago, but they just hadn't told the kids yet. The kids aren't going to be very happy about it because they thought that I was going to do it and they were excited. The teachers that are going to do it are not core teachers, so the students don't really know them. They will do a good job, I just know the kids will be disappointed. I'm glad I don't have to do it though.
I ordered a new lens for my camera and paid extra so it would get here sooner...it didn't get here sooner. I was so disappointed. I tracked it on UPS and they say there was weather delays. Ridiculous. They can say that just so they don't have to refund my money. I know what the weather was like; there's no reason for a "weather" delay. I keep watching UPS today, but it hasn't updated at all, so I don't know if it is going to be delivered today or not.
My other disappointment is my new DSL. I finally got it hooked up yesterday (although not to the wireless router. Can't seem to get it to work yet), but after checking the speed, I was only getting around 260kbps download rate. I am supposed to be getting 1.5mbps speed. That's what I'm paying for. I was getting over 300kbps with my stupid satellite internet. I'm going to have to call them because this is ridiculous!
Good things have been happening too, but I needed a "vent" post!
My junior students have spent the last 2 months or more begging me to be their class sponsor next year. They are losing both of their sponsors after this year (one to retirement, one to a job change). At our high school, each class gets two sponsors their freshmen year that go through the next four years with them. Senior year is a big deal because the seniors run all the concession stands at games in order to raise money to go on senior trip. Today I finally capitulated and told them I would do it (I just did it a few years ago and it is A LOT of work for very little pay). I told the principal that I would do it, only to find out that two other teachers already said they'd do it over a month ago, but they just hadn't told the kids yet. The kids aren't going to be very happy about it because they thought that I was going to do it and they were excited. The teachers that are going to do it are not core teachers, so the students don't really know them. They will do a good job, I just know the kids will be disappointed. I'm glad I don't have to do it though.
I ordered a new lens for my camera and paid extra so it would get here sooner...it didn't get here sooner. I was so disappointed. I tracked it on UPS and they say there was weather delays. Ridiculous. They can say that just so they don't have to refund my money. I know what the weather was like; there's no reason for a "weather" delay. I keep watching UPS today, but it hasn't updated at all, so I don't know if it is going to be delivered today or not.
My other disappointment is my new DSL. I finally got it hooked up yesterday (although not to the wireless router. Can't seem to get it to work yet), but after checking the speed, I was only getting around 260kbps download rate. I am supposed to be getting 1.5mbps speed. That's what I'm paying for. I was getting over 300kbps with my stupid satellite internet. I'm going to have to call them because this is ridiculous!
Good things have been happening too, but I needed a "vent" post!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Still Here...I Promise
I've been so busy at school this week that I haven't made time to blog when I get home. The last two days I didn't get home until around 7pm. And of course today I'm only home for about as hour before leaving for church.
I'm really enjoying my "new" church. I'm learning so much about the Bible and God's plan for us. I've quickly become part of the family again and am making new friends as well as catching up with old friends.
This weekend is my 15th high school reunion. I have mixed feeling about it. I'm not married with kids, and while I'M okay with that, others might pity me. Also there's the weight gain (but that's not unusual). At least it's pretty informal. We're just meeting at the homecoming game for some tailgating.
That brings up a whole other can of worms. I work for a rival school that is doing WAY BETTER than my old high school. Which I'm torn about because my cousin is their football coach! Ouch! The school I work for are district champs and looking real good this year as well...my hometown team is finding it hard to win any games.
So lots of stuff going on, just not a lot of time to blog about it. I'll try to do better!
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel
I'm really enjoying my "new" church. I'm learning so much about the Bible and God's plan for us. I've quickly become part of the family again and am making new friends as well as catching up with old friends.
This weekend is my 15th high school reunion. I have mixed feeling about it. I'm not married with kids, and while I'M okay with that, others might pity me. Also there's the weight gain (but that's not unusual). At least it's pretty informal. We're just meeting at the homecoming game for some tailgating.
That brings up a whole other can of worms. I work for a rival school that is doing WAY BETTER than my old high school. Which I'm torn about because my cousin is their football coach! Ouch! The school I work for are district champs and looking real good this year as well...my hometown team is finding it hard to win any games.
So lots of stuff going on, just not a lot of time to blog about it. I'll try to do better!
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel
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