Last Day of 5th Quarter!

Today was the last day of the 5th 6 weeks of the school year.  Tomorrow is grading day/ professional development day.  We had a "Carnival" today for the students.  They had a choice of attending different activities throughout the school... except the students who had to attend study hall because of their grades.  It was a bit chaotic having students run around the school with no accountability of being anywhere.  I roamed around the school a little to see the activities in action.  It seemed like majority of the students were in the gym for the dance, and I did not want to go in there so I walked by it. haha... I had to break up one couple sucking each other faces during 4th period in the hall. haha.  It was quite awkward, and please don't do that in school!!! Especially in the halls... so awkward to see middle schoolers making out... O_O"    I was shocked... It looked so weird. I yelled, "Stop it, [student's name] Go to class!!!" Yes, I knew the boy kissing the girl. hahaha. 

Anyhoo.... on another note!  Teaching has been going well.  I am going to have new seats starting next week, and will use a new system for students participating during the Warm-Up.  I have everything ready today for Monday, which is nice not to worry about during the weekend.  50 more days until Graduation!!! Just keep swimming...

School/Facility Visit!!!

This morning I went to visit MacLaren in Woodburn.  It is a correctional facility for youth, and I went to visit because I applied for a math position at the school in the facility.  It was quite the experience.  I worked in a correctional facility before, but this was different.  The were younger, and held here for hard crimes from all over Oregon.  I met with the Principal, and he showed me around the grounds and we chatted about the "students."  It was interesting... They application process ends this Friday, and then they will hold interviews the first week of May... I think it was interesting to see how the education is handled in the facility for the youth to attain their high school diplomas and some their college degrees.

interview. :O'

Yesterday evening I had my interview for being a Global Teaching Fellow in Tokyo, Japan.  I was very nervous.  I had 6 people interview me!  It was a round table interview, and they all asked me one question. It was a bit intimidating, but I think I did okay...  They said they will contact those who interviewed in about two weeks to inform us of the school's decision.  They will pass on the recommended candidates to Tokyo International University, and hopefully will hear back soon!  After hearing more about the program, and what I will do... I was getting more excited about this opportunity.  Before I was thinking if it is a good idea to stay in the U.S. and get my teaching experience built up here.... NOW I am all on board to go on this next adventure...

Finding beauty in the storm...

Yesterday was a furlough day, which is a cut day because of the budget cuts. Today we went back to doing our teaching, and it is crazy to think there are only 8 weeks left! Some students said 7, but I am pretty sure 8 including this week. That means there are...

-8 weeks until Graduation
-7 weeks until my oldest sister graduates from Pharmacy School
-5 weeks until Ashley's Wedding in Cabo
-5 weeks until my Prospectus Research paper is due
-4 weeks until Saud graduates from Willamette's MBA program
-3 weeks until my Work Sample is due

There is a lot to accomplish in the next two months, and it is crucial to take the time to acknowledge the good things about the things we do day in and day out.

+Today, one student who usually is off-task and is gone for ten or more minutes during class came back on-time and was doing his work!!! I acknowledged his timely manner and work effort in class. :)

friday----

What a week!

I am glad it is Friday and nervous about the work I need to get done this weekend. I plan for it to be a productive weekend full of yoga, good food, sleep, work sample, homework, job applications, and teacher research. Woohoo!!!

(:

Observation #4

My advisor came to observe me in my fifth period math class. It was weird to be observed after being gone for two days. There are always things to improve on, and I am a fixer... He asked what i did well... and I always struggle with answering that question!!!

Overall, it went well today.... Two more formal observations to go. Hopefully i can get some administrators to observe me as well. And the instructional coaches too.... That means I need to spend more time on my lessons, which would be a good thing. :)

I applied to the Lincoln County math position and the Willamette ESD math position today. Applications are a lot of work! More job apps to fill out... Never ending work to do... Gotta keep my mantra to get things done. :)

I can do it.
:D

Visiting my Portland Students...

First stop was at L.E.P High School, which is located in East Burnside in Portland.  I have a few of my students that I worked with from last school year now attending school here after Marshall was closed.  It was nice to catch up with them, and hear that school is going well.  They still feel upset about Marshall being closed, and wish they could go back to school there... One of my former coworkers teaches at LEP and I sat in and observed her class for a bit... It was nice to be in another school and see how things run compared to my daily life at the middle school.  It gave me some ideas about how to adjust my teaching, and reminded me to keep in mind what to do to prepare my students for high school!!

 

Next stop was at Madison High School!!! Where I got to see my other wonderful students from my first year of tutoring, and another student from my second year with Step Up.  My oh my... it was great to catch up with all of them.  One asked "So... they call you by your last name? That is weird!" because for Step Up they would call me by my first name. hahaha. It was a great reminder as to why I am working to become a teacher... the STUDENTS!!!! :)  It was also nice to catch up with former coworkers that are doing inspirational work...

Even though I did not have any interviews today with the districts/ agencies from the Educator Fair yesterday, it was wonderful and inspiring to chat with my Step Up community... Also, I checked my e-mail once I got home and I received news about conducting a formal interview for teaching in Japan.  Today was a much needed day of inspiration... now to keep the motivation going!!! 2 months until graduation...

ORegon EDUcator Fair

Yesterday was the educator fair in Portland.

I left Salem around 7am and arrived to the fair about 8:30.  There were lots of people looking to find jobs, and it was quite the experience.  I was intimidated and nervous at first, but then I jumped right in.  I spoke with people from...

• Vancouver Public Schools
• State of Hawaii Public Schools
• Clackamas County
• Gresham-Barlow SD
• Hillsboro SD
• Lincoln County SD
• Ontario SD
• Salem-Keizer SD
• Willamette ESD
• Federal Way Public Schools
• Doha-Qatar
• Silver Falls SD

It was quite exhausting.  The two that were promising were Federal Way and Willamette ESD.  They have job positions currently open for teaching math, and they encouraged me to apply online.  They were not holding interviews.  I did get some practice doing screening interviews with Vancouver, Hawaii, and Hillsboro.  What a day!!!

I am still waiting to hear about the Global Teaching Fellow position for TIU... I should be hearing back sometime this week if I get an interview!!! Must be patient....

Peace.

Spring Time

This past few weeks have been going by...  Spring Conferences on Wednesday was canceled because of SNOW.  Yes, SNOW!  And it is Spring.  Today it finally stopped raining, and the sun has graced its presence in the NW!!! A very much needed break from the rain.

Teaching has been going pretty well.  Spring break was a nice break to relax and get caught up on sleep.  This week I struggled with getting out of bed. I got used to waking up late and taking my time in the morning.  It is not the same this week since I have to be at the Middle School by 7:15....  I was really pushing how late I can get out of bed this week. haha. I plan on being better next week, but next week I will be going to the Oregon Educator Fair in Portland on Tuesday.  My goal is to get practice interviewing with as many districts/ agencies as possible.  Practice Practice Practice.  If any of the interviews lead to a possible job opportunity... I would not mind. :)

We'll see what happens... Happy Saturday!