Pits Up

As an educator, I realize that all of you parents think that your child is perfect. You probably think that they even smell perfect. Well, as a person who cares about your child but knows the truth, let me fill you in on a tiny secret: your child will not smell perfect forever. Once they hit the fourth grade (or in some cases third grade) please tell them to lift their arms so you can teach them how to apply deodorant. Degree, Secret, Old Spice, I really don't care; just pick one and have them wear it every day.

I subbed fourth grade the last two days. For the most part it went smoothly. Today kids started talking back to me and I totally wasn't having it. I am becoming excellent at perfecting my evil glare. I did, however, have some of my third grade students from last year in my class which was totally awesome. I missed them so much. It kind of makes me sad because they have all changed so much in such a short amount of time. I don't want them to grow up. I'm really glad I was able to be in the classroom with them today. What a great experience to see how far they have already come since last year.

Tomorrow I am subbing at UHS. It is always awkward to run into my former teachers. I tend to hide in the classroom all day.

Quotes of the day:

1.
You look like the next Miss. USA!

2.
Miss Hobbs, I loved you when you were my student teacher and I loved you as my sub. Can you come back tomorrow?

Say a prayer real quick for me! I'm hoping something good is brewing!

Meet Caya!

Today and yesterday was fab! I would have posted about my day yesterday, but after reading this post you will know why I didn't update the blog.

I was a roving sub yesterday and went to two different schools. My first class had me a little worried because the teacher told me that her class is totally crazy this year and she had to leave early yesterday because they were so awful. Luckily, the class was amazing for me, so I was totally thrilled.

At the second school, the kids were a little crazy but it was still ok. I probably would have turned mega mean on them if I hadn't checked my phone and noticed that I had two text messages waiting for me. While the students were taking their multiplication test, I checked my phone and noticed it was from Matt's cousin and Matt's aunt. If you don't know, Matt's cousin was expecting a baby. The texts told me that the baby was coming!!! Oh gosh, I'm not even technically related to this kid but I almost peed my pants with excitement right there in the classroom. I got to thinking and thought that Rachel and Jo were playing a trick on me because I kept bugging her and we kept joking back through text message about if the baby was coming. Well, they weren't joking! As soon as the kids were done taking the test, I couldn't hold in my excitement any longer so I told my class that I was going to be an auntie in a couple of hours! The girls all said ooooh and ahhhh and the boys all cheered. In actuality, I doubt they cared and just wanted an excuse to make noise, but I didn't care.I know I am not technically the auntie, but when Rachel first found out that she was pregnant her and Brian said I would be Auntie Cass, and I gladly take on that role. I have always wanted to be an auntie.

Caya didn't come until this morning at 10:59. Matt and I got there right before she was born. I really am truly so in love with this little girl already. She is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. I swear when I held her for the first time and I looked at her puffy little lips, I almost cried. Such an emotional day and it wasn't even my kid! I can't wait to see her again on Monday.

I'm such a lucky auntie!

Beautiful isn't she??

Make Changes

I was able to get to know the first graders a little bit better today. They are so fantastic and ready to learn. Seriously, the cutest kids ever. I really cannot wait to teach them!

I think one of the things I need to work on most as a teacher are things I say to them. Last year when I was student teaching, I was able to joke around with my students and call them goofy names which was fine. This year I feel like students are very sensitive. Today I was joking with a third grader and I said "Stop making such weirdo noises!" The student got realllly upset. I know this is something I need to work on and I have been doing much better with it but today it just slipped out! I still feel so bad because it was clear that the student was taken off guard and I hurt his feelings. I apologized and was able to talk to the student about it, but I am still aware that I need to think about how I present things before I speak. Ughhh. I feel so bad, I want to cry. I guess all I can do is keep trying to be aware of the things that I say and how I say them. I am such a worry wart. I hate making kids feel upset. That was totally not my intention

Quotes of the Day:

1.
Me: Great job buddy!
First grader: Thanks, I am good at math because my daddy is too.

2.
Third grader: Wow, you have the same key chain as a lady I know but she's old so it's not as cool.

Kindle

I subbed sixth grade middle school language and social studies today. It was a really good day for the most part. The students I worked with during three of the five periods were really good but the class I had in the middle of the day were out of control. Whatever though, I made it through and didn't let them ruin my day. I saw several sixth graders that went to the school I did my student teaching at last year. It was crazy because they all knew my name and I had no idea who they were... Bad Miss. Hobbs.

I have a small little confession to make. I, Cassie Hobbs, ordered a Kindle with my graduation money and giftcards today. The confession isn't that I bought a Kindle, it is the reason I bought one. I have been reading The Hunger Games trilogy, but I have a long list of books I want to read. Some of them (such as Fifty Shades of Grey) probably shouldn't be flashed at students during SSR time, so I figured I could get a kindle and read all of my books without feeling embarrassed or awkward or inappropriate.You can make fun of me all you want, but I am quite excited about my Kindle. Thanks to those of you who gave me giftcards or cha-ching for graduation. =)

RSP

I was supposed to sub for RSP today and I guess I technically did, but I was sent to a second grade class to take over while the teacher tested her students. Weird right? I thought it was a strange day.

The class I covered for was so LOUDDDD! I wanted to poke my brain out at 9:00. I had a student who started crying because someone told her to pass the paper down. Then when she stopped crying she just sat there for the rest of the day and did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! I felt weird disciplining the student with her teacher sitting right around the corner. It was really quite a weird day. Earlier that day I told a student to sit down and stop talking and he started to bang his head against his chair. CRAZY LITTLE DUDE! After school I went and bought a whistle because a kid threw a rock at someone else today and I couldn't get his attention quick enough to let him know that he was in deeeeeeep poo poo. Hopefully a whistle will help in the future.

I know this sounds kind of crazy coming from me, but I really think I am starting to form a love for the younger grades. Yes, they make me want to pull my hair out at times, but I look forward to subbing for Letty and Kari's class and last week when I subbed for kindergarten I had a really fun time. Today I had to pick up the kindergarteners and walk them to the bus. When I walked into the classroom, I felt at home. I don't know what has changed from within, but something definitely has. I am not saying that I only want to teach younger grades (because believe me, I really enjoy my time with upper grades), but now I am more open to teaching any grade. I am hanging out with the first grade kids I am long terming for on Thursday morning. I am so darn excited! I have already gotten to know the third graders, so getting to know the first graders will be fun for me. WOOO!

On a side note, if you like my blog, please pass the website address on to your friends and family. I am trying to get as many followers as I can to read about my journey as a teacher. I know sometimes I don't always have funny stories, but every now and again you and your friends might laugh or have an ah-ha moment. Plus, I always enjoy hearing your feedback and suggestions to becoming a better teacher. =)

Kindergarten

I subbed half day kindergarten today. I always get a little nervous when I sub kindergarten at schools I didn't do my student teaching at. Everyone has a partner teacher and when I don't know people very well I tend to be a little shy. Today wasn't too bad though. The kids were super psycho but it ended up working out just fine. I think it is really sad to see a student just starting out in kindergarten and he already refuses to do any work or interact with other students. I asked him to color a picture and he refused. I asked him to cut out his animal and he refused. It stinks to realize that a five year old already hates school. What is the rest of his academic career going to be like?

At the end of the day when I was about to leave the teachers turned to me and said, "You're so young... you remind us of what a real kindergarten teacher is... Us 20 years ago!" Hahaha I thought it was a funny comment to give someone. Anyway, TGIF!

Super Sub

What a DAY! I felt like I was back in college running around from place to place! Don't get me wrong though, I am glad today was busy.

I started out at my old elementary school from when I was a kid. It is always fun to go back there. There is a teacher on campus who taught sixth grade when I was there. You can just tell that she is the leader of the pack at that school. She is always so vibrant and helpful. Every time she sees me she yells "Boys and girls, we have a SYCAMORE ALUMNI teaching with us today!" It is super cute. The school has smart classrooms in every room. I love it but sometimes I feel really incompetent. I think I am semi-tech savvy but I am still not used to all of the different types of fun things smart boards can do. Today I could not get the sound on the computer to work for me at all! Luckily, that teacher came in and helped me get the sound to work. I just love her and she doesn't even know it. I hope I can become the kind of leader she is.

At my old school I subbed a 5th/6th combo class. I feel like kids just won't be quiet these days! The kids were super sweet which made everything go fast. We watched Cinderella which is my all time favorite Disney movie so it worked in my favor =). I love subbing at that school.

I had fifteen minutes to jet from my school in Upland to the school in Fontana. Luckily, I was only 5 minutes late and my kids were at lunch. I subbed for the third grade class I am going to be long terming for. They are a chatty bunch, and a couple kids like to push my buttons but I am already starting to love them. No one will be able to replace my third graders from last year, but I am excited to start building relationships with this new bunch. Today when the kids saw me they all ran up and gave me a huge group hug. It reminded me of last year when my third graders did that to me. I felt like I was in a mosh pit... but instead of hardcore rockers, they are little munchkins. Such fun kids.

I want to start spending time with my first graders, too, so hopefully next week I can sneak in there and help out for a while.

After work I had to speed over to tutor my kid from last year. I tutored him all summer long, three days a week, for two hours a day. I just love him and his mom. They are so fun to be around and talk to. He is such a smart kid. Seeing him today for the first time in about a month reminded me of how much I missed him.

Overall today was a great day but I am so pooped out! Tomorrow I am doing a half day kindergarten sub job. It starts a little later than usual so I can get an hour more of rest. Woohoo!

I just got off the phone with Matt. He had his first back to school night tonight and said it was a success! I am so proud of him. He can go on for hours about his day and how much he loves his job.

I am so thankful for this wonderful life of mine.

RSP

I was so scared for my day today! I subbed an RSP class at a middle school. I thought I was going to die when I got there. I was seriously dreading the students I had to work with, and I always feel a little weird as a sub when I work with aides. BUT the kids were amazing and the day went quite well. I had a few autistic kids that came in and needed help, but it was no problem. I enjoyed being able to talk to students about how they liked sixth grade and I enjoyed working with the kids in such a small group setting.

For part of my day I had to go into a math class and help out. I know that I am no genius at math, but I can understand sixth grade math. The substitute that was in there was even confusing me! She was older, probably retired, and kept telling the students that she had a special way of teaching math. Ughhh, it just confused them! There were at least 5 RSP kids in the class who were totally lost the entire class period. I was so frustrated but I didn't want to tell her that kids didn't understand how she was teaching it because I would have felt like I was stepping on her toes.

Overall, it was a very good day.

Crimes

Testing kindergarteners this early in the year should be a crime. You're probably wondering how kindergarten work can be such a challenge to test, but believe me when I say IT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE EVER! I felt like I was talking to a wall half of the time. God bless all kindergarten teachers in the world. Seriously. They deserve a gift.

The Land of the Babes

I love the school I did my student teaching at. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I feel like staff members go there because they want to be there. Every time I step foot on campus I feel welcome. It is such a nice feeling.

My friend Katie is doing a long term sub but she had a meeting this morning so I covered for her class for a little while. They are a squirmy bunch but they are fun nonetheless. I am glad I was able to help out. On my way back to kindergarten I said hi to my friend Kristine. She told her class that she is the queen and I was her princess. All of the kids laughed and giggled at that statement. Later in the day I went back in the class. As soon as I walked in they all said, "Hi, Princess" or "Oh look, it is the princess!" So funny!

At this stage in kindergarten, I can't help but laugh at all of the chaos. It is so funny to watch kids try to sit still or focus on what is being taught. I feel like I am the most impatient teacher in all the land so I feel bad when I have to tell kids to hurry up. Letty always assures me that I am not a psycho impatient person though, which is always refreshing. I feel like too many funny things happened today and as I write this entry, I can't think of anything to write down!

I think what I like best but also get kind of frightened by at the same time is how brutally honest kindergarteners are. They always tell me when I look nice or if they like my shirt. What is going to happen in 30 years when I am a hideously fat teacher who wears moo-moos to work? Will they say, "Ms. H, your rolls are in the way of my learning..."? I hope not. Last week when I subbed for third grade Letty said students love me because I am the human barbie doll to kids due to the fact that I am always perky and excited... I hope I can stay that way throughout my journey as a teacher. (Letty, you are so sweet!) ;)

Quotes of the day:

1.)
(After I came back to third grade...)
Me: Let's take a quick quiz... Who remembers my name?
Student: Well, Mrs. Burke always calls you Ms. Hobbies...

2.)
Student: If you are the princess, who is your frog?
Me: My bf, duh!!!
Student: Ew, that's disgusting!

3.) (During share time)
Me: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Kindergartener: A six year old.

Meet N Greet

I met the students I will be long term subbing for in March!!! So excited! For the most part the kids are pretty amazing. There is one little boy that I know will be a real challenge for me, but other than that, I am really excited for what is to come. At the end of the day the class asked if I was going to come back to their classroom... I wanted to say, "YUP! Ill be your teacher for two months and I almost pee my pants with excitement every time I think about it", but instead I told them that maybe one day I will be able to come back and stay a little longer ;).

This morning while getting dressed I was worried about sweating to death, but then it rained all day! It was kind of nice to be able to walk around without feeling disgusting from the heat, but at the same time being on inclement weather isn't fun for teachers OR students. The only good part about inclement weather was that I was able to get to know students a little better. I was secretly trying to memorize names today but with 30 kids and only one me, I was only able to memorize a select few.

I felt kind of bad for my kids today because I felt like a chicken with her head cut off. There was so much work to get done and I know I could have had a more successful day if I had been more organized throughout the day. I think I feel so bad because normally I am overly organized and today I just felt so off my game (boo). Tomorrow is a new day, though and Im sure I will keep things more organized in the future.

I had duty after school today and I ended up taking over crosswalk duty. As I was walking kids across the crosswalk, a man (probably my age) backed up from a parking spot into a big white truck. I saw the man in the big white truck begin to fume with anger and I thought I was going to have to call for some assistance, but the two calmly pulled over, got out of the car and exchanged information. I'm sure if the two were not at a school, the kid my age would have been screamed at by the older gentleman. Ahhh, scary.

4th Grade

Matt's aunt called me this morning and told me that her sister needed a sub ASAP! I was really excited because I didn't think I was going to get called today.

Although today was a half day and I didn't get to spend all day with students, I can honestly say that this class was one of the most well behaved classes I have EVER worked with. Students were respectful and quiet. They asked questions by raising their hand or walking over to me. I am really glad that I was able to work with them today.

Tomorrow I am subbing for the class that I will be long terming for at the end of the year! I am so excited to meet them!!