I Can't Believe It's Almost Over

Tomorrow starts the first day of the last week of this school year.  I say this every year, but this year it seems like more than ever it just FLEW BY!!!  This time last year was very hard for me.  Like so many people have experienced over the last 10 years or so our school district was experiencing some budget cuts and therefore had to lay off a ton of jobs.  Basically any teacher that was in their first year did not get their contract renewed.  Then, there were other teachers who signed a contract, but were not sure where they would end up... like myself.  Our math department (which is what I taught) had to be cut in half.  We were going from math being double blocked to being single blocked, so you only need half the teachers.  I was devastated... The year before I had taught 6th grade math.  Last year I taught 7th grade math.  So, I wasn't going to be able to see my kids in their last year of middle school.  I had made so many teacher friends that I wouldn't see on a daily basis.  And, I worked with my mom... I wouldn't be able to see her every day!  I figured it would all work out for the best, but at the same time... it was just hard.  Well guess what?  It all worked out.  I ended up at a great school.  I have made many new friends.  The kids are awesome (except for a couple toots who haven't matured as much as they should).  And, the best part is that I was able to switch subjects.  I am now teaching the subject I originally wanted to... SCIENCE!  I was always better at math in school, but I wasn't too shabby in science.  And I really just thought that teaching science would be fun.  And it is!  It turns out that the kids enjoy science so much more, and it really helps out with behavior issues.  I mean, I have plenty of discipline issues, but they seem to be not as major or many.  


So, in all honesty, I can't believe this is the last week of school.  Having had such a great year makes me really look forward to next year!

And We've Reached the Single Digits!

We officially have 7 days left of school!  So exciting!!!!  Just wanted to share that :)

My Three Favorite Things About Teaching...

1.  June

2.  July

3.  August

We have 11 more school days until summer... AND I CANNOT WAIT!  I started my countdown over 2 weeks ago!  I think I am more ready for this break than the kids are.  Then again, with the way they are acting... maybe not.

I don't like having to have a substitute, but sometimes you have to.  I am going to be part of our AVID site team next year at my school.  AVID is a program that is supposed to get kids ready for college even at a middle school level.  Well, the site team had to meet yesterday to plan for next year.  (I am in charge of the ice cream social, by the way.)  Our meeting was on campus, but it was an all day thing, so I was required to get a substitute to cover my classes. The last time I had a sub, two of the three classes that she covered were A-W-F-U-L!  Like, she was crying at the end of the day.  Poor lady... Anyway, I had made my kids feel pretty bad the last time they acted up, so I warned them that if they did not behave I would not be happy.  GUESS WHAT?  Not only did my kids not behave, but my sub didn't behave!  I mean, I know that subbing is a hard job.  The kids don't always respect substitutes, and I know that they give them a hard time.  But, the answer is not to try and become their friend. 

My first instruction that I left said to make sure the kids were sitting in their correct assignments.  He told the kids to sit anywhere they wanted.  My second instruction was for them to watch a Bill Nye video and answer questions.  Someone in my 6th period broke my VCR.  (Yes, I said VCR.)  They ran behind my desk, where they are not allowed, and got caught on the cords.  Two of the three prongs are stuck in the back of it now.  My 3rd instruction was to complete a worksheet that had two sides.  The front was a word search.  The back was a drawing.  I said they could talk quietly, but if it got too loud they would lose their talking privileges.  I had 2 teachers complain about the noise level coming from my room through their closed doors.  He told them they could get out their iPods and listen to music.  He cussed at 2 of my classes.  AND HERE'S THE KICKER..... Someone in my 6th period dialed 911 and left the phone off the hook!  The most insulting part is that he left me a note and told me all of my classes were good!  He even said he would be happy to come back and cover my classes again!  He said, and I quote, "They were good.  Most of the kids didn't try the work.  They be talking, but it was under control."  WHAT?!?!

Needless to say, I asked that he not sub for me again.  I even gave all the info to our administration and ask that he not be allowed to come back to our school.  Keep your fingers crossed.  

The rest of the year should be easy-breezy as long as the behavior issues stay at a minimum.  I mean, out of the 11 days I have left, 2 are used for semester exams, 1 is the awards assembly, 1 is the 6th grade field trip, and 4 are going to be movie days.  Educational of course!  Finding Nemo is ALL about ecosystems!

I hope everyone has a great week!