One Week Down

We don't have school on Friday so tomorrow is the last day of the work week and let me tell you....

I really love teaching, it's an organic love and I don't have to think too hard, it's natural. We have tough days though.

I could go on and on, but parents are probably the worst part of my job. Let me start by saying there are some great families who instill values in their children and work with them at home, but I would say on average that is the minority.

It's scary how many parents are too busy to work with their kids. They blame the teacher's instead of taking responsibility for their parenting. They don't hold any expectations for their children and when that happens you get kids who are disrespectful, rude, defiant, lazy, unmotivated, mean, selfish, etc.

I had a particulary tiring day today because of one such child. She is labeled "Oppositionally Defiant" in layman's terms, she's an aggressive brat.

A great thing about teaching is that every day is different. I always start each morning fresh, so tomorrow is a new day. I just needed to vent that out so I'm sorry if  you are bored by my post today.

Back to the Grind

I have mentioned it before, but I am a substitute teacher for elementary schools. (I have been trying to land a full time position for five years and in my area getting a teaching job is extremely difficult.) This particular year, I have been blessed to sub because I was able to spend ALOT of time with my baby. If I had been teaching full time, he would have been with a babysitter all day, everyday, and I would have had papers to grade and lessons to plan- it would have been terrible.

My posts may be a bit sparse for the next couple months since I have been asked to finish the year for a teacher in second grade. Today is the first day. I have been in this room before so I am not nervous, but I always feel anxious in new situations. It will be difficult just coming in for the last two months, but I have had worse situations.

Wish me luck!

The Results Are In!!

Yay!! The levy passed in the district I work in. This gives so much hope for next year. I really hope that a few open positions become available and I will be given one of them. The levy passing was just one step in the right direction. Issue 2 (Senate Bill 5) also didn't pass so that's an added bonus. I have so much positivity about the future of my career now.

I have been trying to teach full time for 5 years. I have had little tastes of it here and there as I long-termed subbed a couple times, but never anything continuing. It is time to move forward and do what I love to do permanently.

Happy Happy!!

VOTE

Today is an important day where I live. In northeast Ohio our schools are struggling to get support from the community. Unfortunately, in Ohio, our schools are funded by property tax. This means that people (especially those who do not have children) have a hard time supporting the levies because they don't want their tax to go up. In reality, a $100,000 home would pay around $201.00 a year.

Normally I am not very political but this issue is important to my future. If the levy fails where I work, they will cut dozens of teachers. Most of the teachers cut are those having worked 5 years or less. (Even though the older teachers are the ones making more)

If they cut teachers, I will never have a chance to get in the district because they would hire back the "fired" teachers first. I'm hoping and praying that the voters choose to help the schools!!!

Something to Ponder....

Sometimes I feel "old fashion" in my values and beliefs because our world is so desensitized to just about everything. Mix that with my love of teaching and the number of children I see affected by the changing dynamic of families and it can get me down sometimes. I am so thankful to have my faith and know that I can give Noah a strong foundation.
Normally I do not pay attention or participate in "chain mail" type posts on Facebook. I find them annoying. This particular post, maybe it was the length of it, caught my attention and struck a cord. so I have decided to share it with you.

BY A 15 yr. OLD SCHOOL KID Who got an A+ for this entry Since the Pledge of Allegiance And The Lord's Prayer Are not allowed in most Public schools anymore Because the word 'God' is mentioned..... A kid in Arizona wrote the attached NEW School prayer:

 "New Pledge of Allegiance" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now I sit me down in school Where praying is against the rule For this great nation under God Finds mention of Him very odd. If scripture now the class recites, It violates the Bill of Rights. And anytime my head I bow Becomes a Federal matter now. Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense; it's a freedom scene. The law is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice. For praying in a public hall Might offend someone with no faith at all. In silence alone we must meditate, God's name is prohibited by the state. We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks. They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. To quote the Good Book makes me liable. We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King. It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong. We can get our condoms and birth controls, Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles. But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No word of God must reach this crowd. It's scary here I must confess, When chaos reigns the school's a mess. So, Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot; My soul please take! Amen If you aren't ashamed to do this, Please pass this on. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.' Not ashamed.

From Facebook

Blessed

Let me preface my post today with this...I believe I have mentioned this before, but I am an elementary teacher. (Currently subbing do to the poor job market in Ohio) I have a love (okay obsession) with children's books.

Work has been truly great this time around. I have been subbing for awhile now (not by choice, by necessity) and this is the least stressed I've been entering a different classroom every day. Maybe it is my confidence in my teaching, maybe it is having more experience than ever, maybe it is the fact that I am a mommy, or all of this together.

I was in a first grade classroom of a friend yesterday. She had me do a lesson using the book below. It is all about how each person has an invisible bucket that can be filled or dipped into all day long. You can fill some one's bucket by being kind, helpful, and respectful. You can also dip into some one's bucket when you are negative, mean spirited, or rude.

 

 If you have not been around young children lately, you may be surprised how many do not have families that put emphasis on good character. I think this is a great read and something to share with your child because the best teacher a child will ever have is their own parent.

I also want to add that my own bucket was raised a little higher on Friday. One of the Kindergarten teachers in the building I was working in said to me, "Samantha, I've been meaning to tell you. Of all the subs, and tutors, and teachers looking for a job in this district right now, you are by far the most positive and pleasant to be around. You are always friendly and in good spirits. It is very refreshing. I really hope you end up getting a position because you really deserve it."

This really felt great and I appreciate his words so much. It is sometimes hard to stay positive (just see my previous posts) but I really do try. He could have kept this comment to himself, but he shared it with me, and it really meant a lot.

I hope that my readers find some inspiration in this post.

Sincerely,

S