My Blog

I am looking for a copy of Explicit Direct Instruction if anyone has an extra copy that they no longer need....

I also am interested in Power Teaching. I want to learn how to apply it in my classes that I sub for, for now, and eventually apply it in my very own class. Does anyone have extra resources they do not use?

Rebecca Armstrong, 909-994-2697 or 760-243-3602

So, the school sent a letter with the tentative courses I will be teaching: AP English Lit, IB English 4, and English 4 Honors (the last one is a bit of a surprise). "The Powers That Be" have decided to take the 68 students who have signed up for AP to make two classes of 34 rather than three classes of 22, 23, and 23. Yeah, it's the same amount of students, but in three classes, discussions go so much more easily. We'll just see how it goes when we get our "official" schedules 30 days before school starts (July 17).

Other than that, I'm editing my book with much more ease than I had expected. I think I had put it off because it's such a daunting task, but it has to get done. It should be done before the end of the summer, if I am consistent. That would be awesome. 

Well, my mother goes for her knee replacement surgery today. It should go well, but any time spent under anesthesia can be tricky. My prayers are with her. -- It's now 2:24, and Mom is in surgery. She should be out by 4 p.m. or so. We have to wait to see her until she's in recovery for a bit. Not sure if it's a good omen, but the rain has stopped and the sun is shining.

So, summer is upon me. It's a bittersweet moment, especially since I don't know the fate of some of my colleagues, some of whom are dear friends, dare I even say family, to me.

I have many goals this summer, and I plan on completing each one. Now, how much I complete them is yet to be seen, but I will do my best to have a productive, and fun, summer. Editing my book is a labor of love, but it's a necessity. After almost 25 years, it's about time to get down to it, eh?

Well, I'm sure I will have more to say soon, but it's late, and I want to just chill out. 

But, as CCR once said, "I see a bad moon rising. I see trouble on the way." We have some changes coming which will not bode well for us, but we'll just have to see what happens.

I am trying to have faith and be the eternal optomist, but it's not easy.

When I can say more, I will. 

What was the line from Pinky and the Brain....and now we plan how to take over the world?  That's me.  That could be you.  Could that be you?  Any teacher interested in helping unite teachers is welcome aboard the Flagship T-S.  Hit me up.

Summer is almost here. What will that mean for me? Well, editing the manuscript of my novel that has been about 24 years in the making, for one. I want it done before someone has to publish it posthumously.

I am looking forward to spending some time this summer just doing "me" stuff (no trips abroad, no conferences), taking time to work on my running and gym time, building myself up a bit. During the school year, doing those things is almost impossible and quite frustrating. Between the high school teaching, the college teaching, and the occasional scoring of teacher certification exam essays, I have effectively burned myself out. I'm not sure I like the person I started to become. Cranky, tired, and stressed.

This fall, I will have tweaked my college syllabus so I can take full ownership of it. This will help immensely. It'll feel like something I want to do.

That's all for the moment. I'm sure there will be more soon.

 D 

Ok, 9 days of school left and I still haven't got called to sign a contract.  My Principal says that she is trying some sneaky politics so that she can keep me and I completely trust her but this waiting is killing me!  Anyone else in this situation?  I hope not and that you all are safe and secure.  My principal told me that God has a plan and she has a plan and if those plans are the same then I get to stay....if not she loses.  Then on my way home I say the marquet of a local church that said "Worrying is a result of a lack of faith that God's got it handled."  So, what to do now?  I've decided that the best way to handle this for tonight is to have a cold beer and drink it in my hammock....

 

It's insane how quickly a school year passes. It seems like yesterday that I was greeting each of my students at the door for the first time; yet, here we are, less than three weeks from the end of the school year.

As a second year teacher, I question myself continuously. Did I teach them everything they need to know to be prepared. What could I have done differently? What do I want to change for next year?

I guess, as teachers, we consistently second guess ourselves. Make changes. Move in different directions. I am glad, however, that I found this online community, because it is refreshing to know that there are others out there who can give advice, feedback, etc. and help me to develop into the type of teacher to which I aspire.

It's Sunday, May 25, around 12:15 a.m., and I'm wide awake, so I decided to come to teacher-space to hang out for a bit. I hope this place grows so we can have a vibrant teacher community where people can network, share teaching ideas, and make friends. At least I know that everyone here understands what it means to be a teacher.

 Anyway, I hope to see more people join, and I certainly welcome any friend requests.