Welcome Back!

Being gone a week can really mess with a routine. As a new teacher this last week was my first week away from my students so that I could attend a conference. I am having a hard time getting back in the swing of things. Unpacking, doing laundry, doing this week's lesson plans, and grading papers. I didn't realize how much my life revolves around school sometimes, especially out here in the bush. There isn't much else to do. I spent more of my weekend in the school then at home.

The whole week before leaving I made sub notes, lesson plans, and copies. After getting all the sub notes ready and then making sure that all the materials were ready for my fourth graders to have a successful week I thought I was ready to go. I then began second guessing myself through out the whole time I was gone. Calling, skyping, and texting other staff members to find out if my students had ran the sub out or if the sub was having a hard time understanding what I wrote in the sub notes. I really didn't have much to worry about, however, I feel like that was what I did. :) I came back Friday evening to a very clean classroom, all of the students work was even turned in. They even made sure to wash their desktops off. Wow, maybe I should leave more often! I didn't expect them to put their chairs up, let alone wash their desks. They even wrote fantastic color poetry!! Maybe I am having an effect on them. I will have to see what happens when they arrive in a couple of hours.

Contracts Are Here!

So I received my contract today for next school year. Super relieved. Wondering if I should turn it in right away or hold off a while longer to see if things change right away. I will probably hold on to it for a while longer and see.

On another note today is the school's celebration of being named1 of the 2, Title 1 Distinguished Schools for 2010-2011 by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. Some of the teachers and the principal just got back from Tampa Bay, Florida to receive the award at the national level. It is kind of exciting many of the community members are making their way to the school to help set up and serve food and prepare for the celebration. It is a big deal for sure. I am excited to see the community come out and support the school and the staff. I will however have to miss some of it for one of the classes I am taking. Hopefully we get done a little earlier tonight so I can join in.

There has been very little changing over the last couple of days. I am excited to be leaving for Anchorage on Friday after school. I should be flying in about 8 pm. It will be great to see other people who I haven't seen in a while. I wish it was for fun and not for work, but I am sure I will have my fair share of both. I can't complain too much I get paid to learn something new, and also be away from my students for a week. A much needed break :).

I will post again soon! Enjoy the weather where ever you are we are in the process of getting 6+ inches of snow. Hopefully it will cover up some of the ice that is coating everything. All of you know that I am no friend of ice not matter how pretty it is. Clumsiness is not a friend of ice. :)

Contracts Where Are You

So this is my rant for this week... I am starting to wonder if contracts are really for people who are impatient. I am becoming worse than I was as a kid around Christmas time. I can hardy keep my cool when I don't know if my contract will be renewed or if I will be needing to find a new job come the end of March. I don't want to move again, especially when I have been moving every school year sometimes twice within that school year, for the last 5-6 years. I guess I shouldn't be too concerned I feel like I do my job well and no one has told me different. But what's a girl to do when there is so much riding on it. Who knows, right!! I guess I will find out soon enough.

I started another class last night, this class is on teaching writing, which God knows I need help in. My students are a tough crowd in this area and really don't enjoy anything that might even be considered as work. I guess that is how a lot of the kids out there are now. I am hoping that this class will be good and worthwhile. I am seeing great things so far. Well until next time, I miss you all and hope everyone is doing well!! :)