On Saturday night I drove up to Spirit Lake to judge a spirit competition between two rivalry schools. When I was in high school we had Fight for the Fish and it was a big basketball game event. First the girls played and then the boys and all the while the entire school is cheering and dancing and trying to prove to whoever got to decide that we were the ones who should take home a painted wooden rainbow trout to lord it over the other school that we got spirit yes we do, we got spirit how about you!? And so, this year I was that person armed with my pencil and paper and innate sense of school spirit.
I have to admit, I was a little hesitant to go. It was snowing in big chunky flakes and I had to drive half an hour away on roads that were less than ideal. Plus, I was going to a nerdy high school event and it was starting to bring back all the feelings.
Sitting in the gymnasium, staring at the painted posters and the decked out students in their crazy school colored outfits definitely brought back the memories. Last year this was me. I had my advanced art students work on the posters for our version of the spirit competition and we were taping things up at the very last minute, scrambling to have everything in place. It was all melodramatic and exciting.
Being laid off, while incredibly different from being fired, still left me feeling like I failed. Mostly I can shove that feeling away and go about my every day life as a local artist and juice bar manager, but sometimes I still get angry about what happened. I didn't want to be one of the statistics that says a certain percentage of teachers don't make it past their first year. I wanted to teach for longer than that.
But then, when I was there in the trenches, lesson planning and grading and dealing with students on a daily basis I kind of wanted to rip all the hairs out of my head, you know? It's always glorified in my memory because people just choose to remember the good. However, the first year of teaching is always, always, always the hardest. No amount of preparedness on paper actually makes you ready for what you experience when those kids are in your classroom expecting knowledge to exude from your being every day.
I actually think that it was a good thing I got laid off because I didn't feel like I was actually growing up there. I had been in school my whole life and teaching was just a step up from that while still being eerily the same. I looked like a student even though I dressed professionally and I felt like I was still a little kid. Being the youngest person on staff with little to no experience in my field just made me crazy. My classroom management wasn't what it should have been and I had a really hard time disciplining my students when they misbehaved because I was terrified of calling their parents.
Living and working outside of the school system has been really fun for me. I get to do artwork for myself and I am learning how to market and manage a business - which I actually really enjoy. Marketing and running the instagram page for the juice bar and posting on the Facebook wall have been a real adventure. Especially because while I was still in college, this is the kind of work that I dreamed about. And then I decided to teach instead.
Judging this competition made me do some hard thinking, though. And not just about which team deserved the mounted antlers the most. My super intendant from last year was also at the game. He said hello and told me that they may be opening a position up in the district next year and I should keep my eyes open. I smiled and nodded and said I would look into it, but inwardly I kind of panicked. Is this something that I want? Or do I want to stay at the juice bar?
I guess this is what adulthood feels like.
Showing posts with label high school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high school. Show all posts
Monday, January 19, 2015
Monday, April 28, 2014
ADVENTURES AND PROMS AND BEING AN ADULT
This weekend was a lot of things for me. There is a situation at work that is stressing me out and last week I was on edge every day it seemed. So, it's not been very fun to be me recently, is what it comes down to.
But Saturday night was prom. Our theme was "Under The Sea" and someone unnamed had volunteered me to chaperon. At first I was a little hesitant, but since I was actually staying in town this weekend I decided to just do it. (Introvert problems, you know? I'm sorry, you want to hang? I can't. I have to sit at home by myself and watch Netflix...)
I met up at an Italian restaurant with a bunch of the other chaperons for our pre-prom dinner. This place provides crayons and covers their tables with butcher paper. There is a six year old child inside of me that just can't resist this combination. I drew sea creatures and a small drawing contest erupted between me and the two teachers I was next to. There was a flying manatee at one point. Teachers know how to party.
Then we headed out to the golf course event center that's right on the lake. It was gorgeous. I wished a million times that my high school proms could have been held there instead of at the resort. Oh well. And the decorations the students have been working on for the last three weeks were everywhere. The place just looked amazing.
Students started flooding in, the lights got dim. The sun set behind the mountains (the view! you guys!) and the music started thumping. The base was loud. The music was a good mix of things before my time, during my time and after my time. A lot of what blared through the speakers was music from my high school years, which felt a little odd, admittedly. Apple Bottom Jeans, anyone?
We did the Cupid Shuffle and Cotton-Eyed Joe. The students all got ridiculously excited about the Wobble...which I am wholly unfamiliar with. The girls were really into it, so. It was fun to watch.
I danced a lot more than I had anticipated and I sang along with tons of the songs. By the time I got home that night my voice was scratchy and my ears were ringing. It's been a long time since I've had that much fun at an event similar to this one. My high school prom experiences weren't bad, but they were followed around by that typical teenage girl angst of wanting to dance with boys. I never attended a formal dance with a boyfriend (which I've heard is a good thing. there are some horror stories out there) and I always had fun. There was also always some sort of tension between me and my date because one of us always cared more and it usually wasn't me. Except when I went to prom with Jeff because despite the joke about us being "secret lovers" a la the commercial that was so popular back then, we truly were just friends and that was a great night.
But I digress.
I've decided that I like chaperoning prom a lot more than I liked attending it when I was a student. And perhaps next year us chaperons will show up in our own poofy prom dresses. Like I said, teachers know how to party.
Sunday morning woke me up at 7 with a healthy dose of prom hangover. I spent the day on the couch binge watching Futurama and sleeping.
And then in the evening I went on one of the longest runs of my life. I hadn't planned it that way, but then, adventure.
You guys, running is such a metaphor for life. Can I just tell you? Because it is.
There is a route that I usually take, and I just stick to that route. I know it. I'm comfortable running it. It's not too crazy and it's not too far. I'm usually out there for fifteen or twenty minutes and I come back feeling good. But just like in life, sometimes routine gets boring.
So instead of turning and crossing the road at my usual spot, I decided to go straight. I knew what was up ahead, but I hadn't ever ran there before, you know? I jogged up the road, passed by my old middle school. Turned into a big neighborhood and ran down to the park that I've played at off and on since it was built. The whole thing took me about an hour before I found myself back at my apartment complex.
My life has been linear. It has been routine, even though the routine has changed a couple times. But I always just take what's ahead of me. I brace for it, whatever it is, instead of maybe choosing something different. I went through school. Graduated. Went to college. Graduated. Got a job working in my field.
It's always been a progression. There hasn't been really any sideways motions, just always forward. This thing I'm dealing with at work could end up aiding in carrying through that forward momentum, or it could throw me sideways. Which, here is why running is my life metaphor.
Yesterday I decided to take a turn in a direction I hadn't been in before. There was no magic button to reset and put me back at my door step if I didn't like where I was or I got too tired to go on. There was no cell phone in my pocket to call for a ride home if my feet suddenly gave out. It was just me and the asphalt paved pathway my running shoes were pounding on.
There's a fork in my road. My job could go one way or the other and I'm not sure what's going to happen and it's a little scary. What happens if I have to go sideways? My plans have never really had the potential to change this drastically. I've always been the one with the power, and here it feels...different.
Whatever happens to me, I'm going to be alright. I know that. I've just started realizing what adulthood is all about. It's not about just taking the next step and following a certain plan. Plans change. Adulthood is about how you respond to the changes. How you roll with the punches and go with the flow. You can sit and fight the current or let it take you away. And there isn't really a right answer, which can be both exciting and terrifyingly horrible.
But I will end with this, I suppose. I still think being an adult is the stupidest thing I've ever done. And I love mostly every single stupid second of it.
But Saturday night was prom. Our theme was "Under The Sea" and someone unnamed had volunteered me to chaperon. At first I was a little hesitant, but since I was actually staying in town this weekend I decided to just do it. (Introvert problems, you know? I'm sorry, you want to hang? I can't. I have to sit at home by myself and watch Netflix...)
I met up at an Italian restaurant with a bunch of the other chaperons for our pre-prom dinner. This place provides crayons and covers their tables with butcher paper. There is a six year old child inside of me that just can't resist this combination. I drew sea creatures and a small drawing contest erupted between me and the two teachers I was next to. There was a flying manatee at one point. Teachers know how to party.
Then we headed out to the golf course event center that's right on the lake. It was gorgeous. I wished a million times that my high school proms could have been held there instead of at the resort. Oh well. And the decorations the students have been working on for the last three weeks were everywhere. The place just looked amazing.
Students started flooding in, the lights got dim. The sun set behind the mountains (the view! you guys!) and the music started thumping. The base was loud. The music was a good mix of things before my time, during my time and after my time. A lot of what blared through the speakers was music from my high school years, which felt a little odd, admittedly. Apple Bottom Jeans, anyone?
We did the Cupid Shuffle and Cotton-Eyed Joe. The students all got ridiculously excited about the Wobble...which I am wholly unfamiliar with. The girls were really into it, so. It was fun to watch.
I danced a lot more than I had anticipated and I sang along with tons of the songs. By the time I got home that night my voice was scratchy and my ears were ringing. It's been a long time since I've had that much fun at an event similar to this one. My high school prom experiences weren't bad, but they were followed around by that typical teenage girl angst of wanting to dance with boys. I never attended a formal dance with a boyfriend (which I've heard is a good thing. there are some horror stories out there) and I always had fun. There was also always some sort of tension between me and my date because one of us always cared more and it usually wasn't me. Except when I went to prom with Jeff because despite the joke about us being "secret lovers" a la the commercial that was so popular back then, we truly were just friends and that was a great night.
But I digress.
I've decided that I like chaperoning prom a lot more than I liked attending it when I was a student. And perhaps next year us chaperons will show up in our own poofy prom dresses. Like I said, teachers know how to party.
Sunday morning woke me up at 7 with a healthy dose of prom hangover. I spent the day on the couch binge watching Futurama and sleeping.
And then in the evening I went on one of the longest runs of my life. I hadn't planned it that way, but then, adventure.
You guys, running is such a metaphor for life. Can I just tell you? Because it is.
There is a route that I usually take, and I just stick to that route. I know it. I'm comfortable running it. It's not too crazy and it's not too far. I'm usually out there for fifteen or twenty minutes and I come back feeling good. But just like in life, sometimes routine gets boring.
So instead of turning and crossing the road at my usual spot, I decided to go straight. I knew what was up ahead, but I hadn't ever ran there before, you know? I jogged up the road, passed by my old middle school. Turned into a big neighborhood and ran down to the park that I've played at off and on since it was built. The whole thing took me about an hour before I found myself back at my apartment complex.
My life has been linear. It has been routine, even though the routine has changed a couple times. But I always just take what's ahead of me. I brace for it, whatever it is, instead of maybe choosing something different. I went through school. Graduated. Went to college. Graduated. Got a job working in my field.
It's always been a progression. There hasn't been really any sideways motions, just always forward. This thing I'm dealing with at work could end up aiding in carrying through that forward momentum, or it could throw me sideways. Which, here is why running is my life metaphor.
Yesterday I decided to take a turn in a direction I hadn't been in before. There was no magic button to reset and put me back at my door step if I didn't like where I was or I got too tired to go on. There was no cell phone in my pocket to call for a ride home if my feet suddenly gave out. It was just me and the asphalt paved pathway my running shoes were pounding on.
There's a fork in my road. My job could go one way or the other and I'm not sure what's going to happen and it's a little scary. What happens if I have to go sideways? My plans have never really had the potential to change this drastically. I've always been the one with the power, and here it feels...different.
Whatever happens to me, I'm going to be alright. I know that. I've just started realizing what adulthood is all about. It's not about just taking the next step and following a certain plan. Plans change. Adulthood is about how you respond to the changes. How you roll with the punches and go with the flow. You can sit and fight the current or let it take you away. And there isn't really a right answer, which can be both exciting and terrifyingly horrible.
But I will end with this, I suppose. I still think being an adult is the stupidest thing I've ever done. And I love mostly every single stupid second of it.
Friday, September 20, 2013
ON BEING NON TRADITIONAL
Sometimes I like to think I don't fit the "traditional" mold for teaching. I try to think back and remember how my teachers were when I was in high school and what about them made me like them. What did they teach me while I was there? How did they relate to me?
And I realized something. I realized that my favorite teachers weren't the ones who did the traditional crap. The teachers that made an impact on my life were the ones who shared real parts of themselves with me and taught from a passionate place. My favorite teachers were people who turned out to be more of a mentor and less of a lecturer. A friend, if you will, while still maintaining good boundaries.
Take my German teacher, for instance. Frau would share stories of her life, she invited us over to her house, she involved us in her thoughts. She was never overly organized and probably the least professional (in only the best ways) and she did her best to lift us up and make us feel smart.
I had an English teacher that I also really enjoyed, and he treated us in a similar fashion. He was a little more organized and professional on the business end of things, but he taught us in a fun and relevant way. He used youtube videos and humor all the time.
My history teacher junior year was a young teacher, like me, in maybe her second or third year. She was knowledgeable about her subject, but she kept history interesting. We would start out the day with "On this day in history" and if there wasn't anything good she'd pick a student's birthday during the summer or a school year break that we wouldn't get to and read that one instead. It was always a fun environment to be in, and when kids are able to have fun and still learn then that is when you've hit the magic mark.
So sometimes I get a little worried that maybe I share too much or I'm not professional enough and I don't conduct myself in necessarily the right manner, but then I realize that's completely stupid. I have to be myself or i'm not going to be good at what I do. My art teacher in high school was very strict, she kept her classroom quiet, she marked you down for talking, she made sure that you did the assignments to her specific outlines - no deviating.
And I hated it.
I hated her.
My goal is to create a learning environment where students are free to express themselves. Where they feel like their teacher not only knows what she's talking about, but allows her students to learn from her in a non-stuffy environment. I want my classes to be fun and entertaining as well as educational. You do your best work in a place where you feel comfortable, and if you can't be comfortable in an art classroom then something is gravely wrong with the world.
You don't have to be good at drawing or painting to be an artist, you just have to be willing to open up the creative side of your brain and let it spill all over your page. And that is what I want for my students. A comfortable environment with a passionate teacher and an end goal to become the most creative they can be.
So far, I think I have a real good start on that.
And I realized something. I realized that my favorite teachers weren't the ones who did the traditional crap. The teachers that made an impact on my life were the ones who shared real parts of themselves with me and taught from a passionate place. My favorite teachers were people who turned out to be more of a mentor and less of a lecturer. A friend, if you will, while still maintaining good boundaries.
Take my German teacher, for instance. Frau would share stories of her life, she invited us over to her house, she involved us in her thoughts. She was never overly organized and probably the least professional (in only the best ways) and she did her best to lift us up and make us feel smart.
I had an English teacher that I also really enjoyed, and he treated us in a similar fashion. He was a little more organized and professional on the business end of things, but he taught us in a fun and relevant way. He used youtube videos and humor all the time.
My history teacher junior year was a young teacher, like me, in maybe her second or third year. She was knowledgeable about her subject, but she kept history interesting. We would start out the day with "On this day in history" and if there wasn't anything good she'd pick a student's birthday during the summer or a school year break that we wouldn't get to and read that one instead. It was always a fun environment to be in, and when kids are able to have fun and still learn then that is when you've hit the magic mark.
So sometimes I get a little worried that maybe I share too much or I'm not professional enough and I don't conduct myself in necessarily the right manner, but then I realize that's completely stupid. I have to be myself or i'm not going to be good at what I do. My art teacher in high school was very strict, she kept her classroom quiet, she marked you down for talking, she made sure that you did the assignments to her specific outlines - no deviating.
And I hated it.
I hated her.
My goal is to create a learning environment where students are free to express themselves. Where they feel like their teacher not only knows what she's talking about, but allows her students to learn from her in a non-stuffy environment. I want my classes to be fun and entertaining as well as educational. You do your best work in a place where you feel comfortable, and if you can't be comfortable in an art classroom then something is gravely wrong with the world.
You don't have to be good at drawing or painting to be an artist, you just have to be willing to open up the creative side of your brain and let it spill all over your page. And that is what I want for my students. A comfortable environment with a passionate teacher and an end goal to become the most creative they can be.
So far, I think I have a real good start on that.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
FIRST DAY. NAILED IT.
Well guys, I survived my first day of classes. To say that it was an interesting experience would be maybe the understatement of the century. My students so far have been all over the board. Some are thrilled to be in art class beyond all reason and others are merely checking off their humanities credit boxes in order to complete all their graduation requirements, which honestly is exactly what I expected.
Whether or not it worked remains to be seen, it is only the first day after all. Sheesh.
If I can tell you one thing though, it's that I am not at all a big fan of the first week of school. Too much setting up the classroom and organizing and syllabus reading and monotony. I am ready to launch into projects and establish some routines already.
But then that Nathan guy said something that made me reconsider a little bit. It'll be winter break before you know it so you should enjoy it all while it's here babe. And he's right. I will only have one first week to my first year of teaching and that will never happen again.
My advanced art class is my last class of the day. I already know a lot of the students in that class and it's basically a giant flash mob. There was rapping and singing and more swag than I knew what to do with. Plus one of my students asked me when I was going to get married and then he tried to guess my boyfriend's name. I was too busy laughing at the ridiculousness to answer his question. It's going to be a fantastic year, or at least I hope so.
So I tried to motivate them by making them sit through this video:
Whether or not it worked remains to be seen, it is only the first day after all. Sheesh.
If I can tell you one thing though, it's that I am not at all a big fan of the first week of school. Too much setting up the classroom and organizing and syllabus reading and monotony. I am ready to launch into projects and establish some routines already.
But then that Nathan guy said something that made me reconsider a little bit. It'll be winter break before you know it so you should enjoy it all while it's here babe. And he's right. I will only have one first week to my first year of teaching and that will never happen again.
My advanced art class is my last class of the day. I already know a lot of the students in that class and it's basically a giant flash mob. There was rapping and singing and more swag than I knew what to do with. Plus one of my students asked me when I was going to get married and then he tried to guess my boyfriend's name. I was too busy laughing at the ridiculousness to answer his question. It's going to be a fantastic year, or at least I hope so.
Monday, August 26, 2013
it's beginning again
Do you remember what I was doing this time last year? I just met the teacher I would student teach under, I spent my first day back in a high school after four years in college and I had just finished working at the theme park. This year is so different from the last! So much has changed and I can't believe I'm here - you know, almost 23 and about to work full time as an art teacher.
This all happened so fast. I student taught which led to a library aide position which led to full time art teaching all at the same school and with awesome people. Today was my first official day back in the halls where I will start teaching next week. I was in my classroom moving tables and tearing down butcher paper on bulletin boards.
Last year I was looking a lot towards my mentor teacher - what to do on each day, where does this thing go, what should I do with this? And now I'm the one charge. I get to make the decisions. I get to say what goes where. It's a little bit scary, all that power.
I am ready for school to start in that I'm excited for the year and to meet my students and to make awesome art projects. I am not ready for school to start in that I still have some rearranging and lesson planning and room decorating to do. I'm really excited mixed with a little bit of a ball of nerves. This is my big girl job. This is the job that comes with a 401k and life insurance. A salary and sick days. What am I? An adult or something? Weird.
And as I am up here preparing to deal with teenagers full of attitude, my friends are down south starting their first week of classes at the university. Honestly, I am a little jealous. I really enjoyed college - the atmosphere, the classes, the way professors treated you more like adults and just expected you to do stuff without holding your hand, the freedom and independence that come with living out of the house. I just keep reminding myself that soon they will all graduate and get real jobs and work all the time and I will still have summers off. And it will be glorious.
Mostly, I suppose, I just can't believe that I'm here. That I'm a real teacher. That I have a real classroom and real lessons and real students. It seems like yesterday I was a little 16 year old girl who didn't know what she wanted in life and now not only do I have a full time job, but it's even in the field in which I graduated. How often does that happen? I mean really. God provides for His children in ways we cannot imagine.
Summer has been crazy and wild and not at all what I expected and I'm pretty sure that fall will be the same way. This 2013 year hasn't ever been what I had thought it would be - always showing me things I didn't think could happen or would happen but did. 2013 has been the year of surprises so far, both good and bad but I think that just makes me more excited for what's to come. Bring on the new school year!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
funny things my students say
"You know what they did? They were all out of chocolate milk! I was so pissed!"
first student: Son of a biiii-
second student: That's push-ups!
((if they cuss their first warning is push-ups - if it happens again they have to leave))
first student: But I didn't finish the word!
third student: That's right cuz you have to say please after!
"Miss K, I love your laugh. It makes my day when you laugh."
"Miss K you are here everyday. Are you stalking me?"
*after a failed pass in basketball*
[name of student], I'm not Usain Bolt fast!
me: Why did you bolt when I walked over here?
student: Because you're scary!
me: Crushed it!!
student: Miss K that just made my day.
student: Miss K, we never hang out anymore.
me: That's because I only hang out with the students I like.
me: Well, you guys seem to like me well enough.
student: That's cuz you're AWESOME!
"Miss K, do you like my shorts?"
"Miss K, watch this!"
"Miss K, did you see that?"
((the first lunch kids got their open gym privileges taken away because they were eating in the locker room and not cleaning it up so i have to keep them all out of the gym by standing guard at the door))
student: Miss K can we go in there today?
me: Do you think if I'm standing out here that you can go in there?
student: Well, it was worth a shot.
((a student grabbed a granola bar off my desk as a joke like he was going to steal and eat it))
me: You can have that, if you really want it.
student: Seriously?
me: Yes, seriously. I'm not going to eat it.
((he opens the wrapper and licks the granola bar))
student: Are you sure?
me: Yes. Do you think I want it back after you licked it?
student: There are 54 states, right?
me: I'm going to pretend you didn't ask that.
first student: Son of a biiii-
second student: That's push-ups!
((if they cuss their first warning is push-ups - if it happens again they have to leave))
first student: But I didn't finish the word!
third student: That's right cuz you have to say please after!
"Miss K, I love your laugh. It makes my day when you laugh."
"Miss K you are here everyday. Are you stalking me?"
*after a failed pass in basketball*
[name of student], I'm not Usain Bolt fast!
me: Why did you bolt when I walked over here?
student: Because you're scary!
me: Crushed it!!
student: Miss K that just made my day.
student: Miss K, we never hang out anymore.
me: That's because I only hang out with the students I like.
me: Well, you guys seem to like me well enough.
student: That's cuz you're AWESOME!
"Miss K, do you like my shorts?"
"Miss K, watch this!"
"Miss K, did you see that?"
((the first lunch kids got their open gym privileges taken away because they were eating in the locker room and not cleaning it up so i have to keep them all out of the gym by standing guard at the door))
student: Miss K can we go in there today?
me: Do you think if I'm standing out here that you can go in there?
student: Well, it was worth a shot.
((a student grabbed a granola bar off my desk as a joke like he was going to steal and eat it))
me: You can have that, if you really want it.
student: Seriously?
me: Yes, seriously. I'm not going to eat it.
((he opens the wrapper and licks the granola bar))
student: Are you sure?
me: Yes. Do you think I want it back after you licked it?
student: There are 54 states, right?
me: I'm going to pretend you didn't ask that.
***
I tell you, these kids are something else. And this isn't even half of the word vomit that leaves their lips on a daily basis. Good gravy I do love my job!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
We Got Spirit Yes We Do
Can someone please explain to me how it's already October? And where the heck did the year go? But dudes, seriously. I got back from a weekend trip to Seattle to see TheKeeper and his lovely girly-friend and it was October first. I kind of scratched my head and looked around the room and thought wow, how did I get here?
Not necessarily how did I get to my room, per se. I mean, I remember the long drive home and the crawling into bed exhausted. Just how did I get here? To this time? To October of my last semester of college? To age 22? I blinked and everything changed. One minute I'm living in a dorm in Moscow at the ripe old age of 18 and now I'm back home about to graduate. It really blows my mind sometimes if I sit and think about it.
Anyway, enjoy some pictures from spirit week at the high school I'm student teaching at. There are some pretty rad outfits.
We followed up spirit week with everybody's favorite pep assembly! Pep assemblies are honestly my absolute favorite part of high school. I remember my senior year being over dramatically sad that I had just attended my last pep assembly.
The atmosphere! The stupid games! The class pride and school pride. The shouting. The noise. I'm not usually one for incredibly noisy and loud things crammed with people, but there's just something about wearing your school colors and standing next to your best friends in a crowded gym screaming "SENIOR POWER!" at the top of your lungs. I just, I mean, I have no words.
And this pep assembly lived up to my highest expectations. Even though I am now a faculty member and I didn't get to cup my hands around my mouth and yell sen-ior pow-er over and over again until my vocal chords failed me, I still had an unbelievably good time. I think I beamed like an idiot through the entire thing. It was probably one of the best days of school so far. I mean, honestly.
Not necessarily how did I get to my room, per se. I mean, I remember the long drive home and the crawling into bed exhausted. Just how did I get here? To this time? To October of my last semester of college? To age 22? I blinked and everything changed. One minute I'm living in a dorm in Moscow at the ripe old age of 18 and now I'm back home about to graduate. It really blows my mind sometimes if I sit and think about it.
Anyway, enjoy some pictures from spirit week at the high school I'm student teaching at. There are some pretty rad outfits.
redneck day (nothing really out of the ordinary for Idaho, but still fun)
twin day (my mentor teacher and I were crazy art teachers!)
decade day (subtle 80s)
zombie apocalypse
We followed up spirit week with everybody's favorite pep assembly! Pep assemblies are honestly my absolute favorite part of high school. I remember my senior year being over dramatically sad that I had just attended my last pep assembly.
The atmosphere! The stupid games! The class pride and school pride. The shouting. The noise. I'm not usually one for incredibly noisy and loud things crammed with people, but there's just something about wearing your school colors and standing next to your best friends in a crowded gym screaming "SENIOR POWER!" at the top of your lungs. I just, I mean, I have no words.
And this pep assembly lived up to my highest expectations. Even though I am now a faculty member and I didn't get to cup my hands around my mouth and yell sen-ior pow-er over and over again until my vocal chords failed me, I still had an unbelievably good time. I think I beamed like an idiot through the entire thing. It was probably one of the best days of school so far. I mean, honestly.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I'm The Student Teacher
Student teaching is an interesting experience. In all honesty, I actually really love teaching. I'm a mix of nervous and excited for the rest of the semester and I'm ready for routine to settle in. Five minute warm up drawings, different projects, different problems, different solutions. High school is so different from the other side of the fence.
It brings back a lot of memories, mostly because high school really wasn't all that long ago for me in the grand scheme of life. Four years, that's all. There are still the skinny cheerleaders, giant jocks, goths, nerds, hipsters, etc, that existed when I roamed the halls of my upper level education facility. But now I look at them through different lenses. I'm not looking to be their friend, per se. It's a fine line between being their friend and their teacher. You want to be strict, but not too much. You want to be nice, but not let them take advantage of you.
Everyone keeps telling me not to smile until midterms. Be serious. Make them understand that you respect them so they should respect you and all the rules and procedures that you have put into place. And then once you've developed that wonderful relationship, you can relax a little bit.
Truthfully this whole endeavor has just made me want my own classroom with the freedom to make my own rules and teach my own classes. But I'm not quite ready for that yet. I'm transitioning into that world - you know the one - the adult world.
Next year I could potentially be working as an art teacher at the school in which I am now currently student teaching, and if that were to happen I would be beyond happy. Not only would this be my first "big person" job (haha) but I would also have a salaried position and benefits. From a minimum wage job to one with a yearly salary? It kind of blows my mind.
Wow.
You think after you graduate high school that you are headed into the real world and nothing will ever be the same again, and while that is partly true (the things not staying the same bit) the real world doesn't really start until you graduate college. But really, it doesn't seem like it's going to be that bad of a place.
And really? I'm just kind of ready to be there already. It's really too bad you don't get paid to student teach. I like only having one job. It's nice.
It brings back a lot of memories, mostly because high school really wasn't all that long ago for me in the grand scheme of life. Four years, that's all. There are still the skinny cheerleaders, giant jocks, goths, nerds, hipsters, etc, that existed when I roamed the halls of my upper level education facility. But now I look at them through different lenses. I'm not looking to be their friend, per se. It's a fine line between being their friend and their teacher. You want to be strict, but not too much. You want to be nice, but not let them take advantage of you.
Everyone keeps telling me not to smile until midterms. Be serious. Make them understand that you respect them so they should respect you and all the rules and procedures that you have put into place. And then once you've developed that wonderful relationship, you can relax a little bit.
Truthfully this whole endeavor has just made me want my own classroom with the freedom to make my own rules and teach my own classes. But I'm not quite ready for that yet. I'm transitioning into that world - you know the one - the adult world.
Next year I could potentially be working as an art teacher at the school in which I am now currently student teaching, and if that were to happen I would be beyond happy. Not only would this be my first "big person" job (haha) but I would also have a salaried position and benefits. From a minimum wage job to one with a yearly salary? It kind of blows my mind.
Wow.
You think after you graduate high school that you are headed into the real world and nothing will ever be the same again, and while that is partly true (the things not staying the same bit) the real world doesn't really start until you graduate college. But really, it doesn't seem like it's going to be that bad of a place.
And really? I'm just kind of ready to be there already. It's really too bad you don't get paid to student teach. I like only having one job. It's nice.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
and so it begins
I never imagined I would be here. Well, I mean, I did, but also I didn't. This is my final semester of college and in the grand month of December I will wear a black cap and gown with a gold tassel and receive my bachelor's of science degree in art education.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves, you know. There is still a lot of work to do before then.
I have been working in one of the high schools in a town around twenty minutes away from my house. My mentor teacher is pretty much amazing and the more time I spend with her in the school preparing for the upcoming semester the more excited I get. Which is kind of a big deal since I was almost too nervous about it to function at the end of last semester.
The most amazing part is that there is a part time art position opening up at the high school next year because one of the teachers is retiring. And do you know who could be in line for that job? That's right. You guessed it! This girl! What?
I know.
The faster time goes by the quicker I'm slipping into adult world. It's already incredibly different to be on this side of the school system, but don't you know? I'm so used to being a student and being required to follow the student rules that the fact that I am no longer bound by them is still something I'm getting used to.
You mean I can actually answer a text in class and no one will threaten to take away my phone? What is this madness! Not that that gives me permission to abuse the privilege and ignore my students in favor of my phone conversations, but I don't have to convince my parents to go pick up my phone from the vice principal lest I get in trouble.
But that's really not the biggest thing, I mean, even though I'm excited about that. Mostly because I feel naughty replying to a text message or answering a call inside a classroom. I'm sure that will get less weird with time, but I'm still not quite there yet. But the biggest thing is that here I sit at almost 22 years old and I'm going to be teaching children.
Think about that for a second, if you will.
I am frequently asked what grade I'm going into this year. People mistake me for a freshmen in college and it's no exaggeration when I tell you their jaws drop once they find out I'm not only not a freshmen but I'm also about to graduate. I just feel like the fact that I look like I'm still in high school is going to be something I'll have to overcome during the course of my student teaching.
My wardrobe should help fix that. And my attitude. So we'll see how it goes. I'm excited about the actual teaching portion, but I'm not excited about all of the hoops I have to jump through to get certified. But on the plus side, job offer!!
The only downside to accepting this job offer, if it is indeed offered to me in the near future is that I'll have to move closer to that school which is farther away from The Boy and where I wanted to be. But at the same time, you know, real big person job! With salaries! And things!
But let's not get ahead of ourselves, you know. There is still a lot of work to do before then.
I have been working in one of the high schools in a town around twenty minutes away from my house. My mentor teacher is pretty much amazing and the more time I spend with her in the school preparing for the upcoming semester the more excited I get. Which is kind of a big deal since I was almost too nervous about it to function at the end of last semester.
The most amazing part is that there is a part time art position opening up at the high school next year because one of the teachers is retiring. And do you know who could be in line for that job? That's right. You guessed it! This girl! What?
I know.
The faster time goes by the quicker I'm slipping into adult world. It's already incredibly different to be on this side of the school system, but don't you know? I'm so used to being a student and being required to follow the student rules that the fact that I am no longer bound by them is still something I'm getting used to.
You mean I can actually answer a text in class and no one will threaten to take away my phone? What is this madness! Not that that gives me permission to abuse the privilege and ignore my students in favor of my phone conversations, but I don't have to convince my parents to go pick up my phone from the vice principal lest I get in trouble.
But that's really not the biggest thing, I mean, even though I'm excited about that. Mostly because I feel naughty replying to a text message or answering a call inside a classroom. I'm sure that will get less weird with time, but I'm still not quite there yet. But the biggest thing is that here I sit at almost 22 years old and I'm going to be teaching children.
Think about that for a second, if you will.
I am frequently asked what grade I'm going into this year. People mistake me for a freshmen in college and it's no exaggeration when I tell you their jaws drop once they find out I'm not only not a freshmen but I'm also about to graduate. I just feel like the fact that I look like I'm still in high school is going to be something I'll have to overcome during the course of my student teaching.
My wardrobe should help fix that. And my attitude. So we'll see how it goes. I'm excited about the actual teaching portion, but I'm not excited about all of the hoops I have to jump through to get certified. But on the plus side, job offer!!
The only downside to accepting this job offer, if it is indeed offered to me in the near future is that I'll have to move closer to that school which is farther away from The Boy and where I wanted to be. But at the same time, you know, real big person job! With salaries! And things!
Monday, August 6, 2012
a new adventure
Guys! It's August! And you know what that means right?
No, no. It doesn't mean moving into a dorm room in Moscow for my fifth year of school. I'm done with that dorm crap I tell you! And I have been for a while, although admittedly I did like living in the dorms for all the friends I made there...but anyway! No! I am living at home.
And going back to high school.
Say whaaat?
You heard me. High School. That confine with the cheerleading and the footballing, and the goths and the nerds and the latest gossip about who's dating who and the like, I mean, you remember it don't you? But AREN'T YOU SO TOTALLY EXCITED? Don't lie. I mean honestly I still get confused for a high school student and I'm almost 22 years old! But hey, I keep hearing that will serve me well in life, so I don't hate it. Okay, maybe a little and only because people sometimes don't take me serious.
Well, I'm not very serious. But only sometimes.
The bright side to this time around though, is that I'm on the other side of the high schoolers. I will be their art teacher! And they will LOVE it. I mean, they have to right? Who could resist this face?
I was in Moscow on Saturday to see The Boy and to attend the most prestigious pajama party on the block. I was so excited to see him that I could't fall asleep for hours and then once I did drift off to dreamland it was only for a few hours and then my body woke back up around five. Yeah, cool kid status up in here, up in here.
The pajama party was pretty great, but by 10 o'clock I was starting to die. So....tired...need....caffeine... Truth be told, I really just wanted a white coffee latte, but that late at night in the summertime where do you find one of those? Cruel joke, world.
So I went to the grocery store for an energy drink, because what else was I supposed to do? Just fall asleep on the couch? Not happening.
There's a point to this story, I promise.
The Boy came with me, and I picked out some fruit and a red Amp to help wake my brain back up. We discovered that our taste in bananas is vastly different. He likes them to be mushy and I prefer them just barely ripe - in case you were wondering.
In the check out line, the cashier was a pretty, young girl, but I didn't really notice who she was. She recognized me from school and asked me if I was going to teach any more classes at the university next semester. I had to look up from my wallet to see her face. She was one of my art 100 students.
We chatted about teaching and schooling for a few minutes and then I wished her a good night and The Boy and I left back for the car. He gives me this sidelong look like "what just happened?" So I told him I used to be her teacher.
As to which he asked about 7 billion questions about "But wait, you taught here? At the University?" and "how long was the class?" and "so then why are you so worried about student teaching?"
And really, why am I nervous about that? Because it's something I've never done before. It's totally classic fear of the unknown with me. I taught Art 100 studios for a year. I completed my practicum in the Moscow High School art room. I was a day camp counselor for two consecutive summers.
I have got this down.
But I'm still nervous. Excited, too, but mostly nervous. I figure once I'm actually there and I got my feet wet it won't be such a big deal. For now, though, it's a little nerve racking. What kinds of things do I need? What am I going to talk about? I've never done pottery before. I'll have to learn as much as the students. Deep breath. It'll be okay. I've got this.
Fake it til you make it, as they say. And I feel like that's exactly what I'll be doing. This is gonna be fun.
No, no. It doesn't mean moving into a dorm room in Moscow for my fifth year of school. I'm done with that dorm crap I tell you! And I have been for a while, although admittedly I did like living in the dorms for all the friends I made there...but anyway! No! I am living at home.
And going back to high school.
Say whaaat?
You heard me. High School. That confine with the cheerleading and the footballing, and the goths and the nerds and the latest gossip about who's dating who and the like, I mean, you remember it don't you? But AREN'T YOU SO TOTALLY EXCITED? Don't lie. I mean honestly I still get confused for a high school student and I'm almost 22 years old! But hey, I keep hearing that will serve me well in life, so I don't hate it. Okay, maybe a little and only because people sometimes don't take me serious.
Well, I'm not very serious. But only sometimes.
The bright side to this time around though, is that I'm on the other side of the high schoolers. I will be their art teacher! And they will LOVE it. I mean, they have to right? Who could resist this face?
I was in Moscow on Saturday to see The Boy and to attend the most prestigious pajama party on the block. I was so excited to see him that I could't fall asleep for hours and then once I did drift off to dreamland it was only for a few hours and then my body woke back up around five. Yeah, cool kid status up in here, up in here.
The pajama party was pretty great, but by 10 o'clock I was starting to die. So....tired...need....caffeine... Truth be told, I really just wanted a white coffee latte, but that late at night in the summertime where do you find one of those? Cruel joke, world.
So I went to the grocery store for an energy drink, because what else was I supposed to do? Just fall asleep on the couch? Not happening.
There's a point to this story, I promise.
The Boy came with me, and I picked out some fruit and a red Amp to help wake my brain back up. We discovered that our taste in bananas is vastly different. He likes them to be mushy and I prefer them just barely ripe - in case you were wondering.
In the check out line, the cashier was a pretty, young girl, but I didn't really notice who she was. She recognized me from school and asked me if I was going to teach any more classes at the university next semester. I had to look up from my wallet to see her face. She was one of my art 100 students.
We chatted about teaching and schooling for a few minutes and then I wished her a good night and The Boy and I left back for the car. He gives me this sidelong look like "what just happened?" So I told him I used to be her teacher.
As to which he asked about 7 billion questions about "But wait, you taught here? At the University?" and "how long was the class?" and "so then why are you so worried about student teaching?"
And really, why am I nervous about that? Because it's something I've never done before. It's totally classic fear of the unknown with me. I taught Art 100 studios for a year. I completed my practicum in the Moscow High School art room. I was a day camp counselor for two consecutive summers.
I have got this down.
But I'm still nervous. Excited, too, but mostly nervous. I figure once I'm actually there and I got my feet wet it won't be such a big deal. For now, though, it's a little nerve racking. What kinds of things do I need? What am I going to talk about? I've never done pottery before. I'll have to learn as much as the students. Deep breath. It'll be okay. I've got this.
Fake it til you make it, as they say. And I feel like that's exactly what I'll be doing. This is gonna be fun.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
blast from the past
So I'm sure you're all aware that my computer broke a few months ago and I had to take it in to get fixed. 150 dollars later and it still wouldn't connect to the internet. Plus, because a large amount of files had mysteriously become corrupted, I lost a whole bunch of my important documents. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. I pretty much threw my computer in the corner of the living room and refused to look at it.
It would call to me from under the blankets beside the couch, but I was too mad to even pretend I wanted to deal with it. All my photo editing software had been removed in addition to it not being able to connect to teh weefees and I just couldn't bring myself to open it up.
My mom took it back in to one of her friends to see if they could figure out why it still wasn't connecting to the wireless internet after windows had been uninstalled and reinstalled and it was basically back to the factory settings. And miracle of miracles that dude got it to work!
So after I did the necessary internet stuffs that needed to be attended to, I thought I'd sift through what pictures were left on my laptop. All of my new pictures that I took with my cannon are missing and a bunch of my school documents are nowhere to be found, but my entire high school career in pictures still exists. And let me just say, that definitely took me back. So many memories! So many things I forgot about until now!
Man, there are some things about high school that I do certainly miss. It's nice to see the photographic evidence!
It would call to me from under the blankets beside the couch, but I was too mad to even pretend I wanted to deal with it. All my photo editing software had been removed in addition to it not being able to connect to teh weefees and I just couldn't bring myself to open it up.
My mom took it back in to one of her friends to see if they could figure out why it still wasn't connecting to the wireless internet after windows had been uninstalled and reinstalled and it was basically back to the factory settings. And miracle of miracles that dude got it to work!
So after I did the necessary internet stuffs that needed to be attended to, I thought I'd sift through what pictures were left on my laptop. All of my new pictures that I took with my cannon are missing and a bunch of my school documents are nowhere to be found, but my entire high school career in pictures still exists. And let me just say, that definitely took me back. So many memories! So many things I forgot about until now!
Man, there are some things about high school that I do certainly miss. It's nice to see the photographic evidence!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Monday, Monday, Monday
But today started out with rain. Which was okay, except that the first sweatshirt I grabbed happened to have a pizza sauce stain right on the pocket and I'm supposed to appear professional for my practicum and pizza sauce just doesn't mesh well with professionalism.
And the shoes I put on this morning apparently have a hole in the soul - some Grinchy shoes I must have picked! And so the ball of my right foot became a tad soaked walking to and and from the art classroom at little Moscow High.
But this weekend was fun and I wasn't ready for it to be over, which made it all the more difficult to drag my butt out of bed this morning. Although, I feel compelled to admit that I was an itty bitty bit excited that this morning was sweater weather after all the hot we've been having.
Except then it reminded me that I needed jeans. My two favorite pairs have holes in the crotchal area that are not seam attached and can't be sewn. Humph. So that leaves me with one pair of good jeans and it's only a matter of time before they become Swiss Cheese Jeans too.
Oh but back to Monday, because it starts the week. This week is "mid-terms." I have a test on Thursday AND Friday. Thursday is education, and Friday is art history death test that scares me to pieces. And I still need to get the images memorized and review all the information.
For the first art history exam we had a class discussion for the review, but this professor only does that once and the rest of the tests it's up to you. Last year I was able to study with Prince Charming (who has a birthday on Thursday!) but this year he's not taking the art history death class with me.
Oh well.
The only good thing about Monday is that House is on tonight, and if I love anything it's Gregory House, MD.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
It's Back To High School For Me
So it's not really a secret that I'm going to school in oder to obtain a degree in art education. In order to become the awesome art teacher that I'm destined to be, I have to complete a 30 hour practicum in a classroom.
I would really like to teach high school students, but it took me a while to decide. At first I was thinking elementary school would be where it's at. My art teacher in elementary school really fostered my love of art. She never told me I did it wrong or bad, she was never mean, and I have to admit that it was a huge ego boost when my pieces of art were used as examples for all the other classes.
But then I thought about it some more and realized that even though in the elementary schools I could foster a love of art in students that may not otherwise be inclined to learn about it, high schoolers can do a lot more skill-wise. Sure there will be a few kids whose art still belongs in kindergarten, but generally high schoolers' motor skills are more developed. Which means I can attempt harder assignments that are difficult but very gratifying.
I completely ruled out middle school because that's where cliques form, puberty happens, and it's generally just an awkward stage of life. Students are going through that "who am I?" phase, teasing is horrid (especially among girls) and I'd really just rather not deal with it, honestly.
So, back to my practicum assignment. Like I said, I have 30 hours of in classroom hours to complete. This involves observing my mentor teacher (who is awesome!) and teaching one lesson plan.
I was assigned to the art teacher at the high school in town. So far I love it. The first class is Drawing, so I'm at home there because if I'm comfortable with any artistic expression, it happens in the form of drawing. Everything else for me has been awkward so far. But drawing? I can do that.
The second class is sculpture. It's a young class - mostly sophomores. And it's loud. And it's sculpture. And it's daunting to me. I don't know an incredible amount about sculpture, so I'm uncomfortable helping students with their projects, but I try.
But today I was thinking about my own high school experience. You see, I didn't really like high school. I loved being with my friends, and all of our extra curricular activities, but I would make myself sick in the mornings dreading going to school. I quit eating breakfast. Eventually I got over that, but I was so glad the day I graduated (thinking I would never have to go back! HA!)
However, I left high school thinking I was going to become a dietician, so I didn't take many art classes. I took a few art classes in middle school and I took two art classes my freshman year of high school. But even though I enjoyed drawing, I loathed the teacher. She was a dictator.
Actually we referred to her as a Nazi teacher.
You see, her classroom had. to. be. silent. Absolutely no talking, and if you did she would dock you points. We only did assignments she told us to do, and we only worked with graphite. There was one assignment that worked with Prisma colored pencils and turpentine, but that was it. Everything else was drawing pencils.
So being in this high school's art room is a totally different experience. We're allowed to talk. The students have an open assignment in which they can use any medium they choose and they have all year to work on it. I'm a little jealous of them, because I think if my art class had been that way I would have advanced in my high school career.
Also what this practicum has done for me so far is renewed my want to become a teacher. After the hard summer I had and all the drama with that one boy I was losing my motivation to be here. I just wanted to run away, leave, go and never come back. I was all ready to become a Simba and go find my own Timon and Pumba.
Except that now Prince and I are on good terms (even though we aren't dating) (which is actually fine at the moment, we're back to being friends. We laugh and joke and hang out and have fun, which is what we're supposed to do, right?) Anyway, my stress level has lowered and combined with the fun I'm having in the high school I'm ready to stick it out for a little while longer.
I would really like to teach high school students, but it took me a while to decide. At first I was thinking elementary school would be where it's at. My art teacher in elementary school really fostered my love of art. She never told me I did it wrong or bad, she was never mean, and I have to admit that it was a huge ego boost when my pieces of art were used as examples for all the other classes.
But then I thought about it some more and realized that even though in the elementary schools I could foster a love of art in students that may not otherwise be inclined to learn about it, high schoolers can do a lot more skill-wise. Sure there will be a few kids whose art still belongs in kindergarten, but generally high schoolers' motor skills are more developed. Which means I can attempt harder assignments that are difficult but very gratifying.
I completely ruled out middle school because that's where cliques form, puberty happens, and it's generally just an awkward stage of life. Students are going through that "who am I?" phase, teasing is horrid (especially among girls) and I'd really just rather not deal with it, honestly.
So, back to my practicum assignment. Like I said, I have 30 hours of in classroom hours to complete. This involves observing my mentor teacher (who is awesome!) and teaching one lesson plan.
I was assigned to the art teacher at the high school in town. So far I love it. The first class is Drawing, so I'm at home there because if I'm comfortable with any artistic expression, it happens in the form of drawing. Everything else for me has been awkward so far. But drawing? I can do that.
The second class is sculpture. It's a young class - mostly sophomores. And it's loud. And it's sculpture. And it's daunting to me. I don't know an incredible amount about sculpture, so I'm uncomfortable helping students with their projects, but I try.
But today I was thinking about my own high school experience. You see, I didn't really like high school. I loved being with my friends, and all of our extra curricular activities, but I would make myself sick in the mornings dreading going to school. I quit eating breakfast. Eventually I got over that, but I was so glad the day I graduated (thinking I would never have to go back! HA!)
However, I left high school thinking I was going to become a dietician, so I didn't take many art classes. I took a few art classes in middle school and I took two art classes my freshman year of high school. But even though I enjoyed drawing, I loathed the teacher. She was a dictator.
Actually we referred to her as a Nazi teacher.
You see, her classroom had. to. be. silent. Absolutely no talking, and if you did she would dock you points. We only did assignments she told us to do, and we only worked with graphite. There was one assignment that worked with Prisma colored pencils and turpentine, but that was it. Everything else was drawing pencils.
So being in this high school's art room is a totally different experience. We're allowed to talk. The students have an open assignment in which they can use any medium they choose and they have all year to work on it. I'm a little jealous of them, because I think if my art class had been that way I would have advanced in my high school career.
Also what this practicum has done for me so far is renewed my want to become a teacher. After the hard summer I had and all the drama with that one boy I was losing my motivation to be here. I just wanted to run away, leave, go and never come back. I was all ready to become a Simba and go find my own Timon and Pumba.
Except that now Prince and I are on good terms (even though we aren't dating) (which is actually fine at the moment, we're back to being friends. We laugh and joke and hang out and have fun, which is what we're supposed to do, right?) Anyway, my stress level has lowered and combined with the fun I'm having in the high school I'm ready to stick it out for a little while longer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
