3rd Grade

I didn't even realize how much I missed my class today. I subbed for the class I will be long terming for. Even though a few students in that class like to challenge me, I have grown quite fond of each of them.

Today, however, I did see the waterworks like 4 times. One little girl cried during the assembly because she didn't get more than one award. Other kids cried because they had to pull a card for behavior, and because they lost something. I felt like I was a therapist. It all turned out dandy in the end.

There is the sweetest boy in my class. I just love him. Today he held up a white board that said "I love Ms. Hobbs". He is my little helper too, always asking to pass out a paper or hold the door open. I know that a lot of kids in school do this, but he is just so genuine... I don't even think he realizes that he is brown-nosing. ;)

Tomorrow I should be subbing this same group half day, which will be fun. I baked them cookies for all of their good behavior lately. The last time I was there they did a good job too. If they behave tomorrow, a chocolate chip cookie will be awaiting them as they exit the classroom.

In the morning I am also going to the first grade class I will be doing my long term in. I am very excited to get to know the kids better! I baked them cookies too because I have to spoil them both ;)

Reading Specialist

I subbed for a reading specialist class today. It was interesting to say the least. Overall the kids were pretty good. One of the stories we read talked about different cultures and we had to discuss the meaning of "cultures". I said that different cultures sometimes have different foods, so for the rest of the day the kids kept talking about food from Mexico- tamales, enchiladas, tortas, burritos.... Needless to say I was hungry for most of the day and have been craving a tamale or empanada ever since. Someone feed me!!!

At the end of the day I helped the other reading teacher work with two first grade students and another little girl. They were so cute! It just made me that much more excited to start my long term. The girl I was working with, however, is eight years old and is starting her second week of school EVER! No, she hasn't even been home-schooled. Crazy right? So they have an eight year old girl in a kindergarten class for part of the day and the reading class for another part of the day. When the teacher told me she was eight years old I didn't believe it! She still looks and has the mentality of a six year old. It was crazy and really quite sad to realize that kids live in those types of situations around the world more than we realize.

Tomorrow I am subbing for a half day kindergarten class and on Thursday and Friday I will be subbing for the third graders I am doing my long term in. Then I get a whole week off for Thanksgiving break. Woohoo.

What to do?

Since the outlook for teachers getting hired is slim to none at the moment I am weighing my options.. To go back to school, or to not go back to school- that is the question. I don't have a high enough paying job to pay off my loans, so why not go back to school? Really the only two things holding me back from going back to school are the facts that a.) I will just be adding to my loans and b.) What if a teaching job comes along and I have already started the program?

I don't know what to do! I am hoping for a little answer from up above or a sign or something.

As of right now, I have started an application for Cal State Fullerton's Higher Education program. I think I would absolutely love working in a college setting, but the drive would be really hectic if I subbed during the day and had to drive to Fullerton at night. I don't know how I would swing the drive at night while still working. BUT maybe they will have weekend classes to allow me to work during the week.

I am also thinking of applying for Cal State San Bernardino's English as a Second Language program. The program is strictly online, which is promising, and since a good majority of students are ELD here in Cali, it could be a good degree to have, right?

I need answers. I hate not having a plan or knowing what the future holds. Someone give me an answer.

Veterans Day

I subbed the second grade class that I have subbed for several times again today. They are a fun bunch but quite rambunctious. There is a little boy who follows me around and complains about everything! Relax dude, things will be ok!

At the end of the day the 2nd graders had a performance to honor our veterans. It was the CUTEST thing ever! The kids all sang songs about America and I tied red ribbons around their neck. At the end of the performance the kids all saluted the troops in the audience. I loved it.

2 day kinder

The truth of the matter is I go through withdrawals when I am away from kindergarten for too long. Today and yesterday my friend was sick so I got to sub for her kiddos. I love going back and seeing students that I have worked with in the past. It was a fun but tiring two days and I am super exhausted.

The only downside to today was that I had to call the vice principal in for help for the first time EVER. I had a student who wouldn't follow directions, continuously crawled and hit the floor, and kept touching other students. Finally I had enough and couldn't figure out how to get this student to cooperate on my own so Letty went and got me a little help. I thought I was going to cry with frustration, but I kept my cool.

Overall it was a good two days with a couple bumps in the road.

Quote of the Days:

1.
Boy: Ms. Hobbs, did you know that Michael Jackson is dead?!?
Me: Yes, I did.
Boy: Yeah, do you know why?
Me: I think so.
Boy: Yeah, he did so many drugs and his pasty skin made him crazy!

UCLAAAA

Matt and I went on a field trip with his students last night. We went to a UCLA game and they killlled AZ. It was cool for the kids to see all of the hype, and to be honest I really enjoyed it as well. I loved being able to go to school at La Verne, but I think I would have also liked all of the hype of having a big football game. It was a wild and crazy time.

All of the kids knew that I was Matt's girlfriend but they still called me Mrs. Izaguirre. I loved the sound of that. Can't wait to get hitched to him one day.

Here is a picture of us before the game.

Payback

Last night I got a call to sub for today at around 10:00. I was totally excited because this week I haven't been scheduled to work until the morning of which worries me. I need to work every day and not knowing whether or not that will happen messes with my mind. This morning at exactly 5:00 I received a phone call telling me that my assignment was cancelled! I was so upset. I spent the rest of the morning attempting to fall asleep but couldn't because I was so angry. Luckily, I did get called for a half day. Even though it wasn't a full day like I had hoped, some is better than nothing, so I will take it!

I subbed for a middle school class. As soon as I walked in the door I noticed that the teacher looked really familiar. I couldn't quite pinpoint it, but I knew that I had met her before. I could instantly tell that the students and her had a great relationship. Once she left I kept thinking about where I knew her from and then it clicked: she was my sister, Marissa's first grade teacher! I text my sister and asked her if she had a teacher by that name and sure enough, that was her! Very cool.

The fact that I have graduated college with a Master's in Education should mean that I also have a full time job by now, but I do not and I need to start paying my loans off soon. In order to do that, I need to find another way to make more money, so I have decided to open a store on Etsy with crafts that I have made. I will mainly be selling tu-tus and decorations for the home, but once I get the store up and running I will let you all know. Help a sista' out if you like some of the items. =)