Bullying. Everyone has heard of the word, and everyone knows that it is becoming a popular topic in schools. The question is: WHY is bullying becoming more common now than ever? Or was it just swept under the rug before?
Today at school a boy wrote a list with another kid's name on it. He is a sweet kid, and I have worked with him several times this year, but apparently another kid keeps threatening to throw dodge-balls at his head. My student took out his anger by writing the other student's name over and over again on a piece of paper. What would have happened next if the paper hadn't been found and the problem hadn't been addressed right away?
It saddens me to think that bullying is becoming so popular.
I wish I could make his pain go away.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Tips of the Trade
I met with the principal from the school I had my interview with today. She is one of the nicest administrators I have ever met. I think that given different circumstances, we would become close friends. She told me that she has no doubt in my ability to be able to teach students, be likeable, and to connect with students, but she gave me additional tips to help me in an interview in the future. The things she had to say to me were so kind that I wanted to crawl on the floor and cry because I haven't heard such kind words in a really long time. I decided against the crying because that would be weird... and I don't want to be weird in front of a stranger. She could tell that I was a new teacher and gave me a lot of advice to help me in future interviews. She also told me that I was chosen out of 169 people for an interview, which is a feat within itself. Although I wasn't a good fit for the position I applied for, she said that she would keep her ears open and would recommend me for positions that she came across in the future. It was really reassuring to receive such positive feedback from a person I have only met twice. I sent her an email thanking her for offering me her time and for helping me in more ways than one but I don't think words could describe the gratitude I feel towards her. People like that don't come around often. She deserves a prize.
After my meeting I went to work for a half day. I subbed for a class that was quite rambunctious. There is a student who is super allergic to certain things, and if it touches him, he will die within minutes if he isn't treated properly. I was kind of worried about it when I got there but everything ended up working out just fine. No deaths occurred on my watch today, which makes for a successful day in my book.
It was also Red Ribbon Week this week. Today was the last day and the school dressed up in orange and black. Katie found some pretty amazing bows to put in our hair. I felt like Minnie Mouse with curly hair and a cute bow. I just love being twinisies with her.
After my meeting I went to work for a half day. I subbed for a class that was quite rambunctious. There is a student who is super allergic to certain things, and if it touches him, he will die within minutes if he isn't treated properly. I was kind of worried about it when I got there but everything ended up working out just fine. No deaths occurred on my watch today, which makes for a successful day in my book.
It was also Red Ribbon Week this week. Today was the last day and the school dressed up in orange and black. Katie found some pretty amazing bows to put in our hair. I felt like Minnie Mouse with curly hair and a cute bow. I just love being twinisies with her.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Like a Punch to the Stomach
Well, I officially received word that I didn't get the position in Monclair. I didn't think I'd feel so depressed because I pretty much already knew that I didn't receive the position. The principal said I was a strong candidate and will keep my name out there. I am meeting with her tomorrow to discuss my interview. I feel so down in the dumps.
I subbed half day for the same 2nd grade class I subbed for a couple weeks ago. They exhaust me. I feel like I cannot breathe because they are so needy. Don't get me wrong, they are a cute bunch, but they follow me around everywhere asking the most ridiculous questions. If one more student asked me if they could sniff the smelly markers, my head was going to explode. At the end of the day we finished 30 minutes early so I put on a movie that the teacher left. Those 30 minutes were like pieces of heaven. Only a few kids asked me off the wall questions so I was able to enter my zen and relax.
Quote of the Day:
Student 1: Oh my gosh Ms. Hobbs, what the heck happened to your glasses?
Student 2: Yeah, I thought you wore them every day.
Me: No silly, I wear contacts sometimes too.
Student 2: Ohhhh ok. You look younger without them.
Student 1: Yeah and way prettier. You know what they say about young teachers!
Me: No, what do they say?
Student 1: Well, the younger the teacher, the longer they teach.
I subbed half day for the same 2nd grade class I subbed for a couple weeks ago. They exhaust me. I feel like I cannot breathe because they are so needy. Don't get me wrong, they are a cute bunch, but they follow me around everywhere asking the most ridiculous questions. If one more student asked me if they could sniff the smelly markers, my head was going to explode. At the end of the day we finished 30 minutes early so I put on a movie that the teacher left. Those 30 minutes were like pieces of heaven. Only a few kids asked me off the wall questions so I was able to enter my zen and relax.
Quote of the Day:
Student 1: Oh my gosh Ms. Hobbs, what the heck happened to your glasses?
Student 2: Yeah, I thought you wore them every day.
Me: No silly, I wear contacts sometimes too.
Student 2: Ohhhh ok. You look younger without them.
Student 1: Yeah and way prettier. You know what they say about young teachers!
Me: No, what do they say?
Student 1: Well, the younger the teacher, the longer they teach.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Cake Decorating
I remember when I was in first grade and my mom gave me an angel food cake to decorate at Stork Elementary School for the cake decorating contest and school fundraiser. I was (and still am) a total girly girl and I decorated the cake in all blue and set a mermaid barbie on top. I didn't win the contest, but I will never forget feeling like a rock star decorating that cake. I'm pretty sure that no one placed a bid on the god awful looking cake and I didn't win any awards, so my parents had to buy it to take home. Thanks mom and dad!
Today I subbed at my old elementary school and they had their cake decorating contest. I didn't participate in the cake decorating at the school when I went because I had just transferred and was pretty shy. The cakes all turned out super cute!!! I also got to help judge the contest and choose the best ones. They were all so stinkin clever, it was hard to decide!
The class I subbed for was the 5/6 combo class that I have been in several times this year. They are such an amazing group of kids. They are one of the only classes that I love teaching math to because they ask important questions and are interested in the information that is taught. Each student brings so much excitement to the class that I forget I am actually there to teach. Things just run so smoothly; it is like teaching them comes more naturally than usual. We can be goofy but still get work done and students know when it is time to gear up and get serious. I just love working with them.
Here is a picture of some of the cakes:
Today I subbed at my old elementary school and they had their cake decorating contest. I didn't participate in the cake decorating at the school when I went because I had just transferred and was pretty shy. The cakes all turned out super cute!!! I also got to help judge the contest and choose the best ones. They were all so stinkin clever, it was hard to decide!
The class I subbed for was the 5/6 combo class that I have been in several times this year. They are such an amazing group of kids. They are one of the only classes that I love teaching math to because they ask important questions and are interested in the information that is taught. Each student brings so much excitement to the class that I forget I am actually there to teach. Things just run so smoothly; it is like teaching them comes more naturally than usual. We can be goofy but still get work done and students know when it is time to gear up and get serious. I just love working with them.
Here is a picture of some of the cakes:
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
4th Grade
Subbing for little angels is always a blessing! I subbed 4th grade today and the kids were amazing! They got to work quickly and quietly and if they finished early they didn't ask what they were supposed to do. It was awesome.
The school I was at has a PE teacher for each class. I think that is pretty amazing. The kids love having a PE teacher a few times a week that teaches them all sorts of new games while still working them out. I wish all districts could afford that for each of their schools.
Im not sure if I have a cold or if my sinuses are playing games with me, but I have been feeling really cruddy since last Thursday. Yesterday I was finally feeling better but this morning at about 8:00 I keep sneezing and have a sinus headache. If the class wasn't better today, I think I would have cried my way through the day.
I am in bed now, so hopefully a little R&R will spunk me up and get me ready for tomorrow!
The school I was at has a PE teacher for each class. I think that is pretty amazing. The kids love having a PE teacher a few times a week that teaches them all sorts of new games while still working them out. I wish all districts could afford that for each of their schools.
Im not sure if I have a cold or if my sinuses are playing games with me, but I have been feeling really cruddy since last Thursday. Yesterday I was finally feeling better but this morning at about 8:00 I keep sneezing and have a sinus headache. If the class wasn't better today, I think I would have cried my way through the day.
I am in bed now, so hopefully a little R&R will spunk me up and get me ready for tomorrow!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Revelation
I subbed for a jr high English class today. The neighborhood has a lot of Latino and African American children and at one point, when students entered the classroom, the first thing I heard a student say is "Oh my God, a blonde white girl is our sub today. Ask her what color her eyes are." It was pretty awkward. The kids are really nice when I talked to them one on one but they loved loved loved to push my buttons (as do all jr high students). The teacher next door heard how loud they were being and told me to send them to his class if they couldn't pull it together. Luckily, I only had to send two kids to him, so it wasn't too bad. The teacher I subbed for was really sick and didn't send me her lessons until five minutes before the bell rang, which made it a little hard to make 150 copies before first period. Overall though, it was an ok day. Nothing really exciting or funny happened, but we did get out two hours earlier than I had been scheduled for, which is always exciting!
I have been reading a book called The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. I am only a little more than half way through the book, but the meaning of the book is very clear- God has a plan and we as people, are so focused on worrying about what is going to happen tomorrow, or in a week, or a year, that we forget to focus on what is going in our life now and be thankful for the little moments. It has made me reflect on my attitude these past few months, and I do not like it. We need to stop playing with time. From now on, I am going to focus on myself and stop longing for other people's opportunities. I have been offered several opportunities in the near future that I am extremely excited for. I appreciate the things I have been given and am working hard to earn a position in education. Education is all about supporting each other, and I am going to focus on that more, instead of being envious or wishing for more than what I have. I have an amazing family, loving boyfriend, and a dynamite set of friends. Eventually everything will work out. I feel good. (Sorry for all the run on sentences- deep thoughts don't allow me to have proper sentence structure)
I have been reading a book called The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. I am only a little more than half way through the book, but the meaning of the book is very clear- God has a plan and we as people, are so focused on worrying about what is going to happen tomorrow, or in a week, or a year, that we forget to focus on what is going in our life now and be thankful for the little moments. It has made me reflect on my attitude these past few months, and I do not like it. We need to stop playing with time. From now on, I am going to focus on myself and stop longing for other people's opportunities. I have been offered several opportunities in the near future that I am extremely excited for. I appreciate the things I have been given and am working hard to earn a position in education. Education is all about supporting each other, and I am going to focus on that more, instead of being envious or wishing for more than what I have. I have an amazing family, loving boyfriend, and a dynamite set of friends. Eventually everything will work out. I feel good. (Sorry for all the run on sentences- deep thoughts don't allow me to have proper sentence structure)
Friday, October 19, 2012
Friday
I subbed the third grade class that I will be long terming for today. As you are fully aware, I have already subbed them several times but today something was different. I felt like I am actually starting to form relationships with each student in the class. Learning their names has helped a lot (I am awful at remembering names). I feel like I didn't have to keep telling students to be quiet or behave in an appropriate way like I normally would. I also met a parent today after school who was extremely nice. It is helpful to know that parents really do care about their child's success in school. Today was just what I needed to give me that spark again. I loved it!
My friend Katie and I decided to dress alike today for work. We made cool bows like we used to wear in AYSO soccer. Katie is doing a long term sub job at Solorio. Hopefully she will still be there when I start my long terms. It is nice to be able to talk to her. We both went through the credential program at La Verne together and did our student teaching together. Here is a picture of us...
Well, I have been avoiding this topic but now I feel comfortable enough to discuss it. I suppose. Last week I went for an interview at a middle school for an ELD position. I haven't really mentioned it to very many people because I don't want sad puppy eyes from people if I don't receive it- I just feel worse about myself. Although the position isn't one that I particularly have always dreamed of, I know that if I receive it, I will be able to pursue all of the things I have been waiting for. I know that I am young and I have a lot of life ahead of me but I also know the things I want in life. I am ready to have a "real" job, get married, buy a house, have kids, etc., but until I have a job I can't have any of that which is really quite frustrating! Unfortunately, I haven't been offered the job and it has been a week. I talked to my references and they haven't been contacted, which pretty much tells me that I didn't get the job. I am ok with not receiving the position, because after the day like I had today, I know that eventually the right position in the right school will come along. I just wish that I was able to have those things mentioned above without having to wait even longer, but it is looking like it will be quite a long wait. All I can do is keep working my bum off and continue to pray.
My friend Katie and I decided to dress alike today for work. We made cool bows like we used to wear in AYSO soccer. Katie is doing a long term sub job at Solorio. Hopefully she will still be there when I start my long terms. It is nice to be able to talk to her. We both went through the credential program at La Verne together and did our student teaching together. Here is a picture of us...
Well, I have been avoiding this topic but now I feel comfortable enough to discuss it. I suppose. Last week I went for an interview at a middle school for an ELD position. I haven't really mentioned it to very many people because I don't want sad puppy eyes from people if I don't receive it- I just feel worse about myself. Although the position isn't one that I particularly have always dreamed of, I know that if I receive it, I will be able to pursue all of the things I have been waiting for. I know that I am young and I have a lot of life ahead of me but I also know the things I want in life. I am ready to have a "real" job, get married, buy a house, have kids, etc., but until I have a job I can't have any of that which is really quite frustrating! Unfortunately, I haven't been offered the job and it has been a week. I talked to my references and they haven't been contacted, which pretty much tells me that I didn't get the job. I am ok with not receiving the position, because after the day like I had today, I know that eventually the right position in the right school will come along. I just wish that I was able to have those things mentioned above without having to wait even longer, but it is looking like it will be quite a long wait. All I can do is keep working my bum off and continue to pray.
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