Beware: Reality slaps hard.

Education Interview Day= a strong dose of reality.

I was so nervous about today. I'd been nervous since the middle of January. I can literally talk to anyone but when I know that what I say and do determines my future, my stomach turns. That's just me.

When registration finally began (after standing in line for 30 minutes) reality set in. There were hundreds (not exaggerating) of people there with the same exact hope and purpose that I was. And, I am not talking just college students. There were people there who had graduated 2 years ago and were still looking for a job. BOOM! Reality elbowed me right in the side. There are people who have been looking for jobs for TWO years. And here I am thinking that I am going to find a job BEFORE I even graduate. Finally, after sitting through registration in the auditorium, it was time to go around to sign up for interview times. When the man said, "Okay, yall are dismissed." it reminded me of Black Friday. People were RUNNING to tables to make sure they got an interview slot. Thankfully, with my experience of the Black Friday rush, I managed to get the 5 interviews that I wanted.

My first interview
Purpose: to get all the nerves and jitters out before I went to interview with a school I was FOR SURE interested in. Overall, it went great. Met the principal of the school (which did not interview me but overheard my interview and wanted a copy of my resume) and I realized that today wasn't going to be AS bad as I had made it out to me. Final question for my interviewer: "Are there going to be any openings in your school system for the 2012-2013 school year?" Response: "I've been working with this school system for 15 years and we've never not had any openings." Seemed as though the room got a little brighter.

Second Interview:
Purpose: GET A JOB. Outcome: Unsuccessful. My interviewer was a principal at a local school. All she did was ask questions and write my response down word for word which was what every other interviewer for this school system was doing. Kind of disappointing but hopefully something good will come of it. I want a job with this school system more than I want my gray hairs to stop appearing. That's BAD.

Third Interview:
Purpose: Go out on a limb. Outcome: Done, son. This was with a Birmingham area school system. HUGE school system. 39 schools with 28,000 students and largest employer in the county (3500 to be exact). Do I see myself moving to Birmingham and teaching there? If the opportunity arises, possibly. Final Question: Same as interview 1: "Any openings?" He gave me his e-mail address and said to look for openings to be posted and either e-mail or call and he'll be glad to send my resume and cover letter to the principal of that school. PERFECT!

Fourth Interview:
Purpose: Same as interview 2. GET A JOB! Outcome: Same as interview 1. Interviewed with the principal at a local middle school. The last thing he wanted me to do: "'I'm going to give you 2 minutes to sell yourself and convince me that we should hire you." I know this is hard for some to believe, but I find that awkward. I don't know everything. Never will. But, I rambled through it.

Fifth Interview:
Purpose: Get the experience. Outcome: Success. I really just signed up with this school to get more experience in interviewing and questions. It was the end of the day. Said she'd be in touch if anything came open.

Driving home, reality strikes again. It's so hard to comprehend that I have worked so hard and am so passionate about teaching and today proved that not all great canidates get a job. Not all excellent canidates get a job. Only the elite get jobs. It's discouraging. So discouraging, I literally want to bang my head against the wall. I have seriously gone to school for 4 years (giving up every summer for school since I graduated high school to be done quicker) and now it comes down to this?!?!?! REALITY hits. (This time it dead legs me.) But the truth is, teaching is what I love and I will not give up on it. I will find someway, somehow to continue doing what I love.  I tried to picture myself in other professions but I just can't see myself doing ANYTHING else without a daily reminder that I know I belong in a classroom. If it's meant to be; it will be. And it;s not up to me. It's up to God. That's what I keep telling myself! I just need to let go, and let God handle it.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a planner. I can't decide on Wednesday, "Hey, let's go to the beach Friday after work." Why? Because then I wouldn't have time to make a packing list or lay all my outfits out or plan an agenda. Yes, I take things to that extreme. So, letting go and not worrying about what will or will not be is difficult for me. Dang near impossible. My lease at  my house runs out in July. I can't go back home. Well I can, but I am ready to be a big girl. (Plus mom and I have already talked about how we would claw each other's eyeballs out. In a nice way of course.) So, not knowing if I'll have a job or not is KILLING me. I think about it daily. Sometimes about 5 times daily. I am so ready to get a classroom of my own. My mom has so graciously taken up my addiction to teaching stuff and school supplies, and I have boxes, probably around 20, filled to the top with teaching materials and stuff to decorate my classroom with and now I'm scared I won't even get to use it. What if it's 2 years from now when I get the stuff out to use? Reality again. Its hit so hard today, I can't even feel it!

I just wanna do what I love. No offense, but there are some teachers who HATE their jobs. I'd gladly take their position. I just need the opportunity and I promise that I will not let the individual down who gives it to me.

Until next time, I'm plotting revenge on reality.

Got a little bite to go with my bark.

P.S.- Every interviewer today asked me where I was from. "Tallassee" EVERY REPLY, "Ohhh where the historic hotel burned down. So sad." Maybe we aren't known as "Lil' Miami" anymore. Or maybe they fogot when they heard about the hotel. Either way, the Hotel Talisi is remembered.

Making up for time, but trust me: it isn't lost.

Yet again, as I begin to write, I try to think of the main reasons why I have YET to keep my promises of blogging. I have an explaination. Well, okay, I admit it. I have an excuse. But, if I am going to have an excuse it has to be a good one. Ehhh...it's questionable. Unless you are an intern, you probably won't consider my excuse a good one.

I haven't taken pictures of my 100th day bulletin board. However, Valentine's Day is approaching and I will definately be taking a picture before I swap from the "Picturing Ourselves at 100" bulletin board to "Ms. Newman's Sweeties" So what is the excuse for this? I have been really busy changing around a few things to make classroom procedures run smoother. For example, I made a bulletin board that reads, "I need to (picture of ketchup bottle). This is where I post all assignments that were not turned in, tests not taken, etc. I can't take credit for this adorable idea. Thanks, Pinterest.

Excuse #2: Today was my first of 10 non-consecutive teaching days. YEAH! One down, 9 to go. I am teaching all week this week except for one small chapter group reading group and social studies. The only reason I am not teaching these are because the small group is in the middle of the chapter book and the students are working on a project in social studies. I am just excited as the students about the social studies project as my students. We will be having a "Living Museum of Famous Americans". Students will dress up as a famous American, come dressed as them, and recite a speech from memory about the person, a few facts, and why they are famous. Some famous Americans include: Barack Obama, Rosa Parks, Oprah Winfrey, George Washington Carver, Hellen Keller, and Martin Luther King Jr. I am really most excited because MY MOM IS COMING TO MEET MY STUDENTS and watch the students speeches. I already told them and they wanted to know what she looked like, if she was going to come early to meet all of them, and how long she was going to stay.

Excuse #3: Since I am teaching all this week, I had to do lesson plans for each day, for 3 subjects. Plus, 2 reading groups. That makes the total number of pages for my lesson plans for the week.............drumroll please.............16 pages. (and no, we aren't talking 18 pt. We're getting real with 11 and 12pt.)  Yeah, I am so glad that is over. That in itself should be a pretty dang good excuse. Oh, and trust me. I have already started on lesson plans for next week. I don't really want to spend my weekend next weekend working on lesson plans. I got a tad bit burnt out on that this weekend.

Excuse #4: I am now responsible for reading 21 journals that are written in everyday and commented on by yours truly. I can't say that I DON'T enjoy this. An absolutle hoot. DOWN RIGHT HILARIOUS. STRAIGHT UP HONEST. Some kids will say ANYTHING that comes to mind. No matter who reads it!  Then, there are some that are so sweet, it brings tears to my eyes. Probably my favorite thing to bring home from school to do. Here's why: (I am sharing just as they are written so no, I haven't forgotten how to spell)

Suzie:
#1: "I love Jesus. I will tell you about Jesus. He died on the cross to take away our sins. He was born on Chirstmas Eve. He put a star in the sky to tell people that he had came. If you want to learn about Jesus you can go to church. Once he turned water into vine. he can do meracals. He is is the holy spirit. Jesus lives in heaven with the angles. Jesus always has and always watch over you and me."
*Amen.

#2: This morning I spilt my cearal on the table, chair, and even my own pants. I will tell you how it happenned. I was putting my elbow on the table and axadently I bumped my cearel and it spilt! I did not now what happenned for a minute. I went to tell my mom then I got a towal and started whipping it all up. At least nnot all of it spilt. It was a axident."
*And I thought my Friday was rough.

Minnie:
#1:"My dad's birthday was yesterday. At first, my mom buyd a card with a dog wearing a cowboy costume. Then we went to a restaurent that has really yummy foods. They have TVs and ice cream. My little brother likes green tea ice cream but I like chocolate better. Then we went back home with and gave the card to my dad with one hundred dollars because my dad works hard for us and bring my mom money. It is so exciting because my dad birthday is in Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday that why my mom gave one hundred dollars to my dad and I love him."
*Presh.
#2:"My friends are very some they said they don't like my brother so they get in lots of troubles. If my brother cries they dont even care of my brother so I talk to them if you dont take care of my brother you will get in trouble. That is what i do when people dont care of my brother. That is very mean if you do that everyday. I can talk like that every morning if my friends dont care of my brother. I love my little brother always and everyday will love him always. If he gets hurt i will tell my mom always and everyday. What ever my little brother do I am going to protect him always. My litte brother's favorite drink is milk and juice."
*Even more presh. Teared up on this one.

James:
#1:  (Writing about my new desk in the classroom)
"Today when i came in the classroom the tadles are switches around evereything is switched around today xcept outside. I had a hard time finding wher i sit. it is switched around because we have a new tadle in here. it is a big table. can you imagine you haveing a hard time finding your seet with a table so big. I had to ask adam to find my table. YAAAAAAAAAAA!
*Literally LOL'd. Had no idea James was so out of sorts over my desk.
2: "I finilly got a new favrit restrant. it is called subway. I love that place. you can get some real good stuf there cant you. any stuff your going to ask about then call 501-8**3. Other thing you sometime get a toy! cool toys! man i love subway so much man. Do you wish you were there? yes/no circle. ms. newman bring your kids there they will enjoy it just like me.
*Ahhhh, only been asked if i have kids 10 times and they still dont understand. Oh and how ab that telephone number James gave me on the drop of a hat. I did't put the real number, because it could be his phone number.
#3: (Portion of 100th day of school journal)
" i loved the 100th day of school. I wish every day was the 100th day of school. exeped saturday, sunday, and marten luther king day and christmas and other holidays."
Note: all of the days he wished the 100th day of school wasn't on, there is NO SCHOOL! Duhhh. Funny, james. Real funny.

Ann:
#1: "Last Monday was MLK jr. Day. THe next time I see Tim we are going to set up a table in front of the driveway and we will have 2 baskets for the money to donat. One is for the animals at the human sitedy. The other one is for the for all the people who are poor. I will sell the drawings I am working on. TIm is giong to helpe me make posters for the neiborhood. We are going to have 2 of every box exsept for one the cloths*(clothes) box for kids and grownups. Thier is a food, clothes, Valentine's cards, and winter clothes. I will have a box full of paintings, drawings, and color sheets that people can buy and we can take the money to the animal shelter."
*Future President for sure.

Vicki- (Writes about her best friend K everyday. Literally everyday. Here's some funnies.)
#1. We still like to play with K's brother, but when he bites, pushes, and pulls our hair out."
*Daaannnnnnnggg Vicki. You betta run!
#2: Her bed is about 4 and a half feet tall. I need a ladder to get up there. If I was sleeping on her bed I could fall off and bust my head WIDE open. And I'd get blood everywhere.
*TMI (Too Much INFORMATION)
#3: My little brother, (who is the most annoying animal on the planet) could not go on the ride. He was too short. Shortie pants.
*Ruthless.

Okay. I literally spend an hour and a half typing all fo this so some people better forgive me. Or I will bust my head wide open on the floor.

Pinky promise, I'll be backkkk before the week is over.

                                            Making up with TMI,

MY APOLOGIES. It WON'T happen again....I hope.

Okay, I honestly knew that I shouldn't have said that I was going to blog EVERY single day of my internship. Am I the only one who didn't believe it? Surely so! (Ha)

Well Tuesday was ROUGH! I often have these little "episodes" at night where I think i hear things moving in my house, or there is this dog in a trailer park behind my neighborhood is barking his head off. When it warms up, I am going to bring a red rider up to Auburn, put on my hunting boots, get me a flashlight, and light his tail UP! (Did I sound redneck at all?) Seriously, it takes my tower fan, ceiling fan, and bathroom fan to drown him out. That is simply unacceptable. Monday night was one of those nights that I turned my T.V. off at 10:00p.m. and did not go to sleep until AROUND 12:45a.m. Through this, I learned that I, Rachel Newman, can NOT function as a happy, bubbly, productive Ms. Newman when I have only 5 hours of sleep. On the other hand, who CAN function on that amount of sleep.

Anywho.....I was super tired Tuesday when I got home and that is my excuse for that night. Wednesday, I had to make-up a day of ARI (Alabama Reading Initative) training that I missed in order to recieve my certificate. PRAISE JESUS, I am done with that! Oh, and we had a fire drill during the middle of the session. I didn't take a jacket. That was the day that it did not get above 46 degrees I believe. Yes, I was too frostbitten to blog that night.

Thursday. Ohhhh, THURSDAY. How I will DESPISE you until the very last day. It is very, VERY hard to hate Thursday because that's Jersey Shore night (Yeahhh buddyy!) and Friday EVE! But, spending 11 hour days at an elementary school is NOT fun. It just isn't. In addition to our internship, we must take a "seminar" class which is held at my school, for the entire cohort. This class doesn't begin until 4:00p.m. and doesn't end until 6:00 p.m. So, I do not leave school when it is over or when teachers are dismissed.  I leave when it is pitch black outside. Oh well, at least it isn't pitch black when I go in.

Friday- Awesome day. I got to teach a lesson on MLK. We read a passage and made an anchor chart as a class. Then, students had to make their own anchor chart for a grade.

Today- I have spend the ENTIRE day working on my lesson plans for the week, odd and end activities for the week, and lots of freakin' adorable activities for the 100th day of school which is Thursday. Some of the things we will be doing on Thursday include:
1. Draw a picture of what you will look like when you are 100. (We will crumble the paper up and flatten it out a few times, then hot glue cotton balls for the hair). Don't worry, pictures to come.
2. "I could carry 100_____, but I could not carry 100______. I could eat 100_____, but I could not eat 100_____. I could put 100_____ in my desk, but I could not out 100_____in my desk. I wish I had 100______, But I am glad that I do not have 100_____. "
3. Making a paper chain that has 100 links to decorate the bulletin board with.
4. Calculating what year you will be 100.
5. Estimate where you will end up in the classroom taking 100 steps.
6. MY FAVORITE: Students will close their eyes. Start a stop watch and ask students to say "now" when they think 100 seconds has passed. Prizes to the winners.

Tomorrow- I will be teaching a small group in reading. We are reading Poppleton in Winter. This is their very first chapter book and the 5 students I am teaching are so excited about being in my reading group. Hopefully next week, I will complete my first FULL day of teaching.

Oh! How could I forget. I got a kidney shaped table. (I always called them rainbow tables) but I am too excited to have my own desk. I brought all kinds of cute things to decorate with and my teacher just laughed and said, "Oh Ms. Newman, you classroom with be adorable one day." You got that right, Ike.

Promising to be a better blogger and less of a slacker.

First "Official Day" = First Wonderful Placement

I am absolutely LOVING my internship placement. This is just like my first experience at this school. The teachers are such a joy to work with. They love their job and they love their students even more. What a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, knowing that this is going to be an amazing experience. I am so very blessed that I was lucky enough to be placed in a school that I would do anything to be offered a job in.

As I promised, here are some pictures of the bulletin board that I created using student's New Year's Resolutions.

"I vow to control my talking."
Those teeeth look as if they might be doing a little less talking and a little more biting.

"Face the new year with a new attitude"

"I will learn to be better at listening."
With my mouth open.

"I'm going to go over my spelling words every night so I can get 100's on my spelling test."

"I vow to watch my mouth."
NOTICE the tongue sticking out.

And let's see... I have been working on so MLK activities for this week. Ms. A read a book today before lunch about his life and him being assinated. Many of the students wanted to know what happed to the man that killed him and what color was he was. One boy raised his hand and said, "He was probably hanged or electricuted." When we were walking to the lunch room, Ann grabs my hand. (I am not used to teaching younger grades so when a child reaches for my hand, it completely melts my heart.) She says, "Ms. Newman, I just can't believe a white person would assisnate MLK Jr. White people need a BRAIN CHECK." ( I smiled. And yes, Ann is a white girl.)


If today is a preview of how the rest of the week will play out, I am too excited to go back to school tomorrow. I know. I am a wierdo. But a passionate one.


Excited, passionate wierdo,

First teacher gift and First teacher project assigned

I was one busy little bee today.

 I did a craft with the kids and posted it on the bulletin board outside. I did not have my phone or camera so I will be posting pictures when I go back on Monday.

I also read Martin MacGregor's Snowman by Lisa Broadie Cook.

Martin MacGregor lives for snowman building. Last year, he built the biggest snowman in the neighborhood. This year, it’s simply not snowing. Martin MacGregor obsessively waits for snow. If he sees three marshmallows in his hot chocolate, he can't resist arranging them in a snowman shape. As he grows impatient, he glues cotton balls to the family pet ("Presenting... Sadie the snow dog!") and parades before his mother's book club covered in bubble-bath foam: " 'Look, everybody, a snowman!' he announced.... The bubbles began to slide downward at an alarmingly quick pace."

 (It actually showed his butt in the book, so I just cut out a sheet of paper and covered that up. When I got to the page, Don screamed, "Hey, you covered his butt. It's supossed to be showing." I just looked at Don and kept reading. Awkward.)

    But Martin is too creative to be stopped by that for long. With every month’s disappointment, he tries making a new substitute snowman. In November, he covers his baby sister with flour. In December, he covers his dog with cotton balls. Every month, he gets in trouble. Grown-ups don’t seem to understand.

The book does end happily. Martin finally gets a blizzard in April, exactly what he was longing for all winter. Of course, then in May he stands at the window looking at the rain and wishes to go swimming and build sand castles.

We brainstormed a list of ways that we could make a snowman without snow. Then, I gave my first assignment:) Students have until Wednesday to creatively design a snowman WITHOUT snow using materials found in their home. So, I was even busier making a rubric to attach to a parent letter about their first ever "home project". It was a task, but it is done, son.

Oh, and I got my FIRST teacher present today. It wasn't an apple which I am glad because I don't like apples. A sweet boy, who visitied his home country of South Korea over Christmas break, gave me these. Can't wait to use them.

Don't expect a blog tomorrow. (And the crowd goes ahhhh. Sike) I have internship meetings and seminars so I am not going to school.

Until Monday,

Oh the thing's that will make me laugh/cry.

Day 2: Piece of cake. I prefer chocolate.

The student's were so excited to be back. They all wanted to share what they got for Christmas and Ms. A let them do so. One little boy, Bob, raised his hand to share. Ms. A says, "Was Santa good to you?" He said, "Nah, we wasn't good enough for Santa to come, but I got 2 presents." Tears welped up in my eyes. Now, this child hasn't said 2 words in the 3 times I have been in the classroom, but I don't know what goes on at home. And to know that someone told him he "wasn't good enough for Santa to come" broke my heart. All of the kids turned around and looked at him as if he was telling a white lie. He looked confused; kinda like "Oh, it's not common for Santa NOT to come to kids houses that are bad?" But, he did get a football and a nerf gun. Still, sad.

One little girl lost both of her front teeth over the break and she was so proud. After about 30 minutes of being in the classroom, Joe raised his hand. I asked him what he needed. He replied, "Can I go splash my face with some cold water? I haven't gotten accustomed to waking up early yet." Astonished by the word accustomed coming out of the boys mouth, I kind of just stared. He said, "I'll do better tomorrow I hope." I smiled and nodded my head.

Since this week is a short week, we aren't starting anything new. We reviewed what an adjetive was today and what adjetives describe. So Ms. A listed some common nouns on the board and let the children choose adjetives to describe the nouns. The first word was girl. Each noun got 5 adjetives. The first was pretty. Next was sweet. Third was nice. Fourth was kind. Ms. A calls on Tim to give an adjetive to describe girl. He says, "disgusting". Ms. A put her hand on her hip and gave Tim a stern look. He says, "Whaaatt?! That's what my dad told me." Jan screams out, "Well, I got a adjetive for your dad, Tim. RUDE!" I lost it!

All in all, today was a good day. It's very hard for me to sit at a desk in the back of the room and watch. I am the type that wants to be doing something. Teaching, running copies, cleaning, organizing, etc. and I have done none of that. In a few weeks, I am sure that I will be begging to sit and do nothing.

Anxious (adjective) girl (noun),

 

Paper, Rock, Scissors.

Well, day one is over. I am not tired. I am not upset. I am ready to get this show on the road.

As the Rachel from 2011, predicted, I did not like what I had picked out to wear today, but I did NOT sleep late OR stay up until 2am worrying about what was going to take place today. That's what I call a good day.

This morning I was greeted by the principal, Mr. Pete Forrester. Super nice, very approachable, respected man in the halls of Yarborough Elementary. I sat through my first faculty meeting/professional development session from 8:30-12. Can I just say that the teachers at this school know how to make everything fun? This is why I fell in love with this school the first time I went there. I learned about the 4 stages that ELL's (English language learners) go through during schooling, some strategies to aid them in reading and comprehension, and the last part of the meeting was my favorite.

Unless you are already a teacher, or are going to be one, you really will not understand why what I am about to tell you, is even worthy of your time. So, if you'd like, you can stop reading here. But I wouldn't.

When I first walked in the library this morning, being a lover of school supplies, I could not help but notice 3 huge baskets filled with hand sanatizer and Clorox wipes. I already know what your thinking..."Woo. Hand sanatizer. You are losing it Rachel." But oh no! These are things that teachers have to spend their OWN personal money to buy for their classroom. Oh, and if you know me, you know I love some freebies being a couponer and all. So anyway, in front of the baskets were these staplers.

This I have to share. This stapler can staple 25 sheets of paper with the use of one finger. I know you are laughing but all of the other teachers sat and watched in amazement as Mr. Forrester demonstrated how easy and wonderfully amazing this thing is. Just one finger. 25 sheets. Eeekk. Okay, next I see this. 

Okay, if the stapler didn't blow up your skirt, I bet this will. Mr. Forrester introduced it as the hottest item on the market. I agree.

So next, Mr. Forrester says "Everyone knows Yarborough Elementary is known for it's competitions. So why not have one to celebrate returing back to school today?" And LITERALLY, the teacher's went WILD. Not just a few claps, but I thought 2 teachers were going to do a full chest bump. It was absolutely HILARIOUS! The room was divided to a western and eastern division and the best 2 out of 3 winners of paper, rock, scissors moved through elimination rounds to determine who got the prizes. Each participnt got a hand sanatizer or Clorox wipes.  Of course, I took Clorox wipes back with me to my classroom because I have the worse luck ever. But, I am still asking for one of those staplers for my birthday. (Hint, hint)

All in all, I had a good day. I have to be up bright and early to be at school at 7:00am to meet the kids at the door at 7:15am. Prayers are welcome for a second day:)

One Clorox Happy Girl,