Taking Some Initiative

Now that I've finished my master's degree, I've been stepping up more at work and getting more involved with clubs and such. My reason for doing so is because now I've got a ton of time on my hands and feel like I can contribute a lot to my school. It's a double edged sword though, my reasons. On the one hand I am doing this because I want to be noticed by administration. It just so happened to work out perfectly that our new administration came at the exact time that I finished my program. While taking my master's, I didn't really involve myself in extra-curricular things as studying took up any free time that I may have had. I'm now determined to show my usefulness and prove that I am a great asset to the staff. The other reason that I'm doing all this is because I actually want to. I enjoy getting involved and getting my ideas out there. It's good for me to show people just what I am capable of doing. It's time to let my true potential shine through.

This has been happening with my class as well. I've got lots of ideas for improving our program and am doing things differently than I did last year - trying to make it more fun for my students while having them learn all along. Basically I'm trying to trick them to learn. This year I have one of the lowest classes I've ever had with regards to their ability to read. I've got a good half of my students who are at level 0 or level 1 which isn't good considering that when students enter grade 1 they should be at a level 6. I feel badly for saying this but it makes me wonder what the hell they did in Kindergarten. It also makes me very close to asking for the SK position next year so that I would be sure that by the end those kids would definitely know their letter sounds and how to read even at a basic level. Because I haven't been so frustrated in my life. These kids don't know their letters ... never mind what the letters say. AHHHHHH!!! I still have another 2 months or so before 1st term report cards. I'll have to see how far I can get them by then.

So Far So Good

Well the year is pretty much underway. A month into school and I'm kinda sorta getting into the hang of it. We had re-organization at the end of last month but luckily my class was at the cap (20) so there were no changes to my class.

We have new administration and I have to say that I am so lucky to have them. I have heard of some major horror stories with admin and so far I haven't had to deal with anything barbaric. The new principal has adopted a new policy where every Friday evening after work is happy hour with a few MASSIVE jugs of beer. Talk about keeping your employees happy. I've been more involved with school stuff now that I'm done my master's program (I've got the time for it now).

There is this teacher there who is a story in and of herself and oh do I have plenty where she is involved but I shall keep it under wraps for now. She's just seriously a piece of work. Very childish. Anyways I'm happy to know that my grad degree will be giving me a pay increase which is nice. I figured that since I was at my cap that there was no going further but apparently there is. Woot! I won't say no to more money.

My kids are great ... aside from one tight ass (who is another story for another time) my teaching partners are great too. I'll be back with some juicy stories soon.

Oh and Happy Thanksgiving Day!