Resource Teacher

I subbed for a resource teacher half day today. The aide that was helping me in the class was amazing! Normally I don't like subbing and having an aide because I feel like they end up running the class and it is a waste of my time, but today we were really able to work as a team and help the students. Her kids all went to the same high school as me and know some of my friends. Crazy small world.

I feel exhausted today. One more day of subbing tomorrow then it is the weekend!

9/11

Do you remember where you were on September 11th? I am reading a book called Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I believe it was turned into a movie and stars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Anyway, the story kind of revolves around the events that took place on September 11th. The book makes me think a lot about 9/11. I know that there are people close to me that know someone that died on that tragic day, but I never really thought about what the people in New York must have felt when their dad didn't come home from work because he was trapped in an elevator or buried alive underground. The reason I am writing this is because on September 11th, I was in 7th grade, and the last couple of days I have subbed at my old jr. high. Today as I was leaving I looked over at my old homeroom class and remembered a conversation I had with my jr. high crush. I had no idea what a terrorist was until that day... until my crush explained that the people who crashed the planes were indeed terrorists. I saw my old English teacher today in the teachers lounge (weird) and remembered his discussion with the class about what was happening to our country. There were so many flashbacks from September 11th throughout my day today and yesterday... It made the saying "We Will Never Forget" a reality for me. I know I am rambling... so I will just change the subject. But if you have a chance to read the novel I mentioned above, I really recommend it. I am only on page 97, but I love it so far. Several 7th grade students today also told me that they read and loved the book.

I don't know how my boyfriend Matt could have the urge to teach Jr. High. My head started hurting during 3rd period and hasn't stopped hurting since... and it is 10:00 at night. I don't even think the students at the school are bad. There are really only a few kids I had to talk to today for behavior issues, but those few made my day miserable. I am sure that students were just as obnoxious as I was when I was their age, and we all tried to show off just as much as these kids do, but I really don't remember having classmates that were so annoying. I consider myself a really laid back and easy sub... I don't mind if students talk while they are working, but I swear jr. high kids are a completely different breed. They love love love to push my buttons to see how far they can push me. I almost sent a kid to the office today I got so annoyed with his attitude! Fear not though, I kept calm and taught on!

When I saw my 7th grade English teacher today he said that he didn't recognize me yesterday but as soon as he saw me smile he realized who I was. I thought that was nice of him to say. I am glad my smile still helps people remember who I am. He was shocked that I remembered his daughter's name from ten years ago. I swear I remember the most random things in life. I remember the most insignificant things and forget the most important. Oh well. =)

Toodles.

Jr. High

I subbed Jr. High today for the first time in ages. It is amazing how different students can be from one grade to the next. As you all know, I love love love subbing sixth grade... but for some reason those kids in 7th and 8th grade just drive me crazy! I am sure it doesn't help that the end of school is only a week away, but man oh man, those kids know how to make my head spin.

Today I subbed at my old Jr. High. It was kind of weird being there. They don't use lockers anymore, my old English class is now the student store, teachers I once had have less hair on top of their head... so strange. I saw a girl crying before school started and I couldn't help but remember that my friends and I were all once that girl. Jr. High was so stinkin' dramatic for no reason at all. I don't even remember why my friends and I fought all of the time. I remember for my birthday in 8th grade a few of my friends bought me thong underwear as a joke.... I was so embarrassed to bring it home I kept it in my locker. The next day all of the thongs were hanging on other people's locker! I was so embarrassed. Later in high school I found out that it was one of my friends that knew my locker combination and broke in. I can't help but laugh thinking about it now.

Sometimes (actually, all of the time) I wish I could hear a voice from above telling me that my resume is being reviewed by a district at this very moment, and I will indeed be getting a job next year. Life just doesn't work like that though I guess.

Too Early..

I wish that I could say I haven't thought about my kinders or third graders since school got out last Tuesday.... but then I would be lying. I woke up from a dream about my kids. I think I am already missing them too much. =(

I have applied to a few jobs this week. It is so frustrating not knowing what will happen. I know that there are thousands of people who have had their teaching credential and have been waiting for jobs longer than I have. How have they survived? I am so anxious to get a real job. I want my own classroom and my own students. I want life to start. It stinks to have worked for this many years towards something only to have no jobs available. GRRR. I know that there are big plans out there for me somewhere, the waiting game is really not my thing though.

Praying is the only thing keeping me going.

Day 2 at the high school

I was supposed to sub for an art class today, but my former teacher, Mr. Hauk requested that I sub for him instead!

What a blast! The kids were great, the classroom was super amazing with mac computers for every kid in the class. The kids stayed on task, I had an aide during two periods of the day... Ahh. I love love love high school. Why didn't I realize this sooner?? I will be studying for the English CSET so that I can get my single subject credential and teach high school.

My lunch stalker from yesterday saw me yet again today and called across campus. I think every kid in school heard my name. Funny times.

Next week I am subbing for an English class at the Jr. High on Tuesday and Wednesday and on Friday I am scheduled at an elementary school. Hopefully I get called for something on Thursday.

Happy 3 day weekend!!

High School English

I subbed high school for the first time today and I LOVED it! I didn't feel stressed once, the kids didn't cry about anything, they were independent, they got their work done, and they know how to be quiet. The classes were amazing, the content was fun to look at, ahhh... I think I need to get my single subject credential in English PRONTO!

I subbed two classes of Senior English and three Junior AP English classes. The kids were all pretty chill and laid back. I felt like it was easier than it should have been. I loved it. I took two of the classes to the psych fair which was really fun. I remember doing the psych fair my senior year with my best friend Cambria... I had a total deja-vu moment when I entered the library and saw all of the different presentations. While at the fair I saw several different teachers that I had when I was in high school. It was really strange for both them and myself to both be in "teacher" positions at the same time. For anyone that went to Upland with me, Mr. Wisdom is still there! Craziness.

Apparently my name was being spread around campus because during lunch time a kid (who was not in my class in the morning) called my name out from across campus. When I turned around he asked if I was subbing for the same class tomorrow. I shook my head no and as soon as I did the kid made a sad face, formed his hands to make a heart, and broke the heart. I wanted to laugh so hard but I just shook my head and walked away.

I had a few of my sister's friends in my classes today. When they saw my name they were like, "Are you related to MARISSA????" It was pretty funny. They all freaked out. Way to go red, you are still famous at UHS.

I really miss high school language arts. The kids were reading The Great Gatsby and are watching the movie tomorrow! I am sooo jealous. I seriously loved that book when I was in high school. I wish I could sub for them tomorrow just so I could watch the movie.

Quotes of the Day:

1.
Girl: Are you the sub?
Me: Yeah.
Girl: All the boys in my math class are talking about you.

2.
(While I was participating in a study at the psych fair)
Boy: Please write your name
Me: (writes: Ms. Hobbs)
Boy: Please write your birthday
Me: (writes: 5/21)
Boy: Please write your favorite animal
Me: (writes: elephant)
Boy: Please write your phone number.
Me: Do you actually need this?
Boy: (laughs)
Me: (writes: 999-nevermind)
Boy: (picks up the paper and runs) GUYS I FOUND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HER THAN YOU!!!

3.
Boy: Do you want to come to my graduation? I'll buy you a ticket.
Me: No thanks.
Boy: You don't want to see me graduate??!!

4.
(While I was talking to a former teacher the same kid that yelled across campus during lunch came up to talk to me)
Boy: Miss. Hobbs, I noticed that you are a MISS... not a MRS.
Me: Thanks for pointing that out.
Boy: Soooo.....
Teacher: You boys are really giving Miss. Hobbs an ego boost today!

Last Day Jitters

When I was finished with my last day student teaching in 3rd grade, I received a book from my class called First Day Jitters. The story is about a teacher that is afraid and nervous about their first day as a teacher. I remember reading the story and thinking about how scared I was on my first day of student teaching. Looking back on my year, I become a little bit emotional. I was so scared to begin student teaching, and now I am so sad that summer has come and my students are moving onto the next grade.

I did not think I would ever like teaching anything above first grade, but the truth of the matter is, I am obsessed with 3rd-6th grade. Since I began my teaching journey way back in October, I have grown as a teacher and as an individual. I think about my third graders and kindergarteners all day, everyday, and when I have a bad day, I imagine my kids and I am immediately relaxed.

I am really upset that today is the last day of school. I will never have my first class again or be able to have both my classes together again in the same groups. It saddens me to think that they will move on and forget about our conversations and all of our laughs. I know I am being selfish because I should be happy for their accomplishments this year, but I don't want them to grow up and change... I want them to always remember me the same way that I remember them. I am really proud of them though, they all changed and grew so much. I don't know... I am sad they are gone but I know that each of them will accomplish great things.

I subbed a first grade class half day today. The kids in the class were super cute. As soon as I walked up to pick them up in the morning a kid told me that he could tell I was going to be super nice. So stinkin cute!!

After school I went out to celebrate the end of the year with a bunch of the staff members. It was a really fun time. I feel like I was able to talk to teachers and other school employees more than I had in the past. It was nice to be able to kick back and enjoy each others company.

I will continue to sub in the other district until they go on Summer break until June 7th. Hopefully over the summer I will find a "real" teaching job.

Special thanks to Letty and Kristine for such an amazing opportunity to teach their classes this year. =)