Quick blog post to brag about my Physics students and to grovel on the ground and beg you to vote for them. I think I mentioned before that they are in the top ten in the nationwide Raytheon competition. Voting is live to see who wins the fame and the fortune (and by fortune I…
read more »After a disappointing past couple weeks, my first group of final exams are in (Seniors take their exams a week earlier than everyone else) and as the last question on both my Physics and Physical Science exams, I asked the students this: Write at least three paragraphs describing what you think is the most IMPORTANT…
read more »This week I was highly disappointed in my students. And of course, Teach for America has trained me to think this is my fault and I have not done enough. I didn’t build strong enough relationships, I did not create a classroom vision my students bought into, my classroom culture was not strong enough, I…
read more »This week, and next week, I have two Physical Science classes and my Physics class…my other three classes are Biology tutorials. State tests are approaching (May 5th is less than two weeks away!?!) and once again I find myself teaching Biology. I thought this summer was the end of it, but when our students are…
read more »…is currently a mess. But that’s okay! Because we made solar ovens this week to wrap up our electricity unit. So there are little scraps of foil and aluminum foil and tape scattered on the floor and under desks and strange foil-covered pizza boxes are covering all available desks and flat spaces. It is so…
read more »Yesterday, I was told that my high school Physics teacher, Mr. Wertz, had terminal liver cancer. I was in the process of writing him a letter last night to send him and let him know how much he inspired me. Then my best friend called me and told me he passed away today. So here is my…
read more »So far, it has been a good week back to school from Spring Break. We started the unit on electricity in Physical Science, which I think students are enjoying it because it is so relevant. And my Physics students have had some really great attitudes lately, which just makes class so much more pleasant. {SIDE…
read more »The title for today’s blog is what I do NOT want to happen. And so, I am working on my lesson plans today instead of going out and spending my Friday off doing more interesting and fun things. But it will be worth it when I can enjoy my Sunday birthday free of lesson planning…
read more »Yesterday, we had ProSat. Which was annoying because we just had ProSat two weeks ago, but with both Mississippi and Arkansas Spring Breaks coming up (yes, I am counting down the days and it is five) they had to be scheduled very close together. Anyway, at our Diversity and Inclusiveness session, my MTLD asked us…
read more »I sent Nick this text message Tuesday afternoon: “My 4A block was the wooooooorst today. I nearly hit someone with a stapler. But I didn’t. So the good news is I’m still employed.” And then when I returned to school on Wednesday morning to a 1B block that was almost as terrible as my 4A,…
read more »Today was…less than perfect. I mean, not terrible, but seriously not good either. BUT. One student of mine who consistently misses my first block class because he never gets to school on time came to me today and we had a really serious conversation about where he wants his life to go and how he will get…
read more »So, driving home from work today I had a really sad realization. With the exception of a few of my students, I realized today that nearly none of my students will be ready for college when they graduate high school. And I say this not because I don’t believe in my students, but because even…
read more »Yesterday, during my planning block, they announced for a list of students to report to the library. As they went through the names, several teachers commented that the students on the list were some of their worst behaved students. Later, during my next two blocks, there were several of my own students pulled out of…
read more »…this is a luxury I do not have very often these days now that a I am a real “adult” with a real job and errands and such to run on weekends. So I am enjoying my day off, even if it has consisted mostly of lesson planning and notebook grading. That said, I have become a…
read more »I love writing blog posts when I feel very happy and positive. And right now, I really feel genuinely happy. : ) **Side note: The only thing really getting me down is this rain and COLD. And let me tell you, I can pinpoint the exact second it became cold in Jackson, MS. I was…
read more »LORELAI: You know the one thing that grown-ups don’t call themselves? RORY: What? LORELAI: Grown-ups. Huh they say “adults,” and they pronounce it “ah-dults.” –A quote from one of my favorite shows, “Gilmore Girls” As my Christmas holiday/break from school/stress was winding down, I came across a blog post entitled “Top Ten Signs You’re an…
read more »This week was full of ups and downs. The downs mostly being students that were out of control loud and disrespectful. The ups: – I got new lights in my room which is awesome wonderful and I can SEE again!! There were close to twenty light bulbs that were burnt out and they have ALL…
read more »One of my students. Comes into third block everyday. Doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t acknowledge me. Doesn’t say a word. Puts his head down. Refuses to work or sit up or participate or open his eyes for the next 90 minutes. And today….. he came in. Gave me a high five (I mean a…
read more »Two good days in a row, so I just had to let you all know. (That rhymed) But yesterday all my classes were so good! 3B even walked TO lunch quietly. Back from lunch is a different story and they’ve now lost bathroom privileges, but that was the only bad part of the day. My…
read more »These are the three words I am making my students reflect on this week. 1. Who is someone that you RESPECT? Describe how you treat this person in order to show them that you RESPECT them. 2. Tell about a time you showed a great deal of RESPONSIBILITY. Why is this a great example…
read more »First. Parent teacher conferences. To quote one teacher in my hall, “It’s like Christmas!” Seriously, though. You should be required to meet your student’s teachers before your child is allowed to attend school. It’s such a breath of fresh air to hear that, yes, of course this student’s mother/father/auntie/grandmother/etc want him/her to do well! And…
read more »When students break your stapler, loose your example project, leave their homework on their desks, talk incessantly, don’t care about class points, take over an hour to shut up and take notes, and ignore every request you make….. at least there are:three students who stay after for extra help, a friend to fix your stapler,…
read more »I know, I know….I haven’t posted since the hurricane. For me, when the going gets tough, the tough get…busy…too busy to blog in fact. Or too tired. But ANYWAY…here I am. With a full (and by full I mean extremely shortened due to the huge amount of time that has passed since I last posted)…
read more »We have off today for the hurricane. I got to sleep in. It was great. Ruth Anne and Jenna hosted a “Hurricane Brunch” which was lovely and delicious. But anyway, I was sitting with Gigi eating dinner. I gave her some food so she could eat with me. When I feed her, the two fish…
read more »Our principal sends us an inspirational “Quote of the Day” every morning and today’s really stood out to me: ———- You have to come to the place where you can say, “I don’t have to have my way to have a good day. My plans don’t have to work out for me to be happy. Everybody doesn’t…
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