and living life one day- and book- at a time
It is almost Thanksgiving Break, and I am in survival mode. Not only am I in survival mode, but I can sense that many of my students are as well. The holidays are coming up, and some seem to need extra attention. Survival mode during the holidays can mean many things for many people. For …
Nurses, Police, and Teachers can tell you that things go crazy when there is a full moon. The energy kind of ramps up a bit, and usually chaos follows closely behind. But what if there isn’t a full moon in sight? Friday, on my way to work, I listened to my grandson in the back …
Two months ago I was diagnosed at the age of 53 with ADHD. Upon speaking with other adults, it’s not something that is unusual. Much of our symptoms are combined with other things such as anxiety, stress, and our mental health that many doctors fail to realize that perhaps those things are a direct correlation …
There is a clear difference between children and adults in how they handle put downs. I think if it came down to it, I’d be more upset over another colleague saying something than I would a student. It’s how we handle conflict. As an adult, you begin to master the art of “oh well.” Lately, …
One of the benefits to our school district changing over to a year round schedule (not really year round, but close) is that it offers an opportunity for a long week and a half break after each 9 weeks. The good thing is that you can relax and rejuvenate yourself before starting another 9 weeks. …
Today as I was sitting in a meeting with my fellow co-workers, I realized that perhaps my patience -the patience of a saint- isn’t a gift after all. Perhaps maybe it is a flaw. It’s no secret that this year’s group of students have tested that patience. The patience that I pride myself for having. …
When I was in college, I was often told: Don’t smile until after November. The reason behind this is that in order to have effective classroom management, your students need to know that you mean business. What they don’t tell you is that it’s difficult to do that when you cycle up with the students. …
I haven’t truly had the time to process this week the way that I really need to process this week. I’ve cried a lot. I’ve been bullied by students (that will be in a later post). I’ve received a diagnosis which made me realize that I wasn’t losing my mind. Let’s begin with the crying. …
I blinked, and August disappeared. I’m not sure what happened, but one day I was starting August, and the next, it was gone in a flash. Labor day is behind us, and I noticed that the leaves are in prep mode to change. I do apologize for not posting, but in my defense, school life …
Work emails are rolling in. Sign ups for beginning of the year PDs are being sent. Schedules for the first week is here. That first day of school is fast approaching. I. Am. Not. Ready. Our district is initiating the year-round school calendar. The drawback: Teachers return in July and students start August 1st. It …