Top 10 reasons you know you are in a small school district....

I have spent a week in training; meeting new friends and colleagues and getting my new room together (or shall i say box).. During the many mind wandering moments i had, i comprised a list of differences or reasons that you know you are in a small district versus a large district.. I thought it would be nice to share..

10. No free water or chocolate during training... And they expect me to stay awake?!?
9. If you are breathing you are hired.. Yes, #1 quality.. all others can be fixed..
8. You co-teach with scorpions.. Don't piss them off..
7. More micro-managing.. No where to hide.. Even if you are 4 feet tall..
6. Dinosaur technology if any in the classrooms..
5. No free stuff from administration.. Where are my post its and cool teacher stuff?
4. No a/c in classrooms while setting up your room.. (Box turns into an oven)
3. Admin more in tune with dress code.. No capris (doesn't apply to me.. but no jeans ever.. Not even on Fridays when we have to wear a t-shirt.. what the * uck..
2. Walking into a local eatery or store and having someone call your name and give you some bit of information about you that you wonder if are listed in the local paper under single, breathing, and employed..
1. And the #1 reason is money.. there is none.. no tree, not under a rock, and even the idea of new taxes is like george w bush passing a 5th grade TAKS test.. even with three tries.. impossible without mods..

Hope you enjoyed and laughed a little.. I am looking forward to this school year of substantial change and learning.. Both feet in (and on the gas)..Breathing..

Head examined

I think after today I should have my head examine for any sign of sanity.. I got up before God and drove for an hour and a bit more (and I don't even remember the drive), went to the first part of training for New teachers not new to the district.. So, i sat through 4 hours of how to login into your email, curriculum, messenger, etc.. The 2nd half was even better.. 4 hours of special ed info.. what is an IEP, ARD, TAKS-M, REED, etc.. HELLO!!! I am a special ed teacher where is the quiz I can take so I can leave? And I had no book! UGH

Well, we did leave early but I had a stop on my way home so I left at 6:05 and got home at 6:30.. Nice huh?? Where is the nearest head shrink.. It is going to be a long year.. I must say there are 21 new teachers at my school and at least 10 of us live here so I am going to set up a car pool.. That'll help right?

Exhausted and breathing barely..

Full circle

Today began with an oops.. Apparently, I was supposed to be at work but I wasn't in attendance due to lack of communication on their part.. So, now I have to report to school tomorrow and for the rest of the week.. Although, I am excited about beginning this school year in a new setting I am wary of the traveling.. But you work through the difficult times to do the thing(s) you love. I do love teaching and being a teacher, I think it is what I am meant to do and to toot my own horn I am good, no very good, at it. My life this year has been a roller coaster ride with more dips than rises.. But through it all I have persevered. I have learned many life lessons, met new friends, said goodbye to old ones. I have begun to make new plans for the future which was hard for me because of the scars I have and doubt that hides inside.. But, I have nonetheless.. I know that I have people out there that love and value me which has become my life support.. Life comes around in full circle when you least expect it..

Another oops today was a call I made to inquire about a friend from work.. I learned that a Melvin friend did not get anything he expected but got what he deserved. Does that sound harsh? If so, too bad.. I smiled with that news and felt a little bad but that did NOT last.. I believe that being in education and now working in a small district with the same aspirations our paths will cross again and time heals wounds.. I predict this within the next 2-4 yrs.. I will be a stronger, wiser, mentally healthier person..

My parents (especially my dad), all told us that when life hands you lemons make a pie and share it..

I love you dad and mom.. I miss you a lot.. But, I am here and I will continue on..

breathing..

Blindly

What is it about money that tears people apart? I was given an ultimatum today and money is at the root of it. I have a small benefit coming to me that I need to use for some legal issues which were created by this person. It went so far as an if then situation. A contestment of the will could occur which would delay the deed title change which would delay a home equity loan I need to complete all the legal issues and save me from any adverse legal actions. I am trying to see both sides of this story but it is hard to see through the hurt..

Well, i am off work on some projects for some clients..

What's under my bridge?!?!?!

I have been busy cleaning my domain, reorganizing my mom's stuff, and fixing bits and pieces of this wonderful little house of mine thus I have forgotten to take time for myself. However, thanks to a very unexpected phone call I received today I remember how uplifting it is to blog.. When my mom passed I expected to receive some calls from previous colleagues I worked with but did not. I chalked it up to a one-sided conversation and me being the missing piece. I was hurt and disappointed but got over it. I have a new circle of friends, a new job, a new/old family friend who I am very happy he is in my life again and of course a strong knit of faithful friends who have not left me.. Lately, I have been missing those friends and those relationships, wondering if I will ever be able to overcome this feeling of loss.

But life goes on and another bridge is built as another burns.. I guess so.. As I spoke with SV I wondered how and why it has taken her so long to call? Why hasn't anyone else? I was very guarded during my conversation and she was graceful and polite. I was glad she called but upset that she has been the only one so far. I wonder if this will ever become water under the bridge or will I just park a troll under this bridge to guard those emotions?

On another note we are supposed to go spread my parents ashes in Corpus this weekend hopefully; but my sis is having reservations and I believe letting do issues.. I know my parents would want up to spread them as soon so we can move on.. I am wanting to close this chapter so I can begin a new school year with a new beginning and get through this year.. I am praying and hoping next year will be much better. I am so over 08.. Bring on the odd years! Well, I need to bring in my kids..

OHOH! I forgot to mention to myself that as a bartering tool with one of my clients; I now have a personal chef. She needs my services but can't afford the monetary costs. I agreed to work with her and her kids and she agreed to cook for me.. Not bad eeh.. Maybe my diet and body will become more at peace and in tune.. We shall see..

Still breathing...

Priceless

A trip to target for snacks for a road trip-- $5.75; Gas, music, and traveling games-- $68.23.. Spending the weekend with my family and friends enjoying nature priceless..


I had a good weekend, enjoyed myself tremendously even though I ingested too much river h2o on Sunday..

I am back working with my clients this week trying to get some sort of schedule and organization going to maintain time records and logs.. As well as open a dialog with my boss about returning to teaching in the Fall.. I think I have come to terms with teaching an hour and 20 minutes from home and commuting.. I have done the math it works out the same if I stay or if I go.. The tilting factor are my four legged kids.. I can't live without them nor can they without me especially S.. R would be sad but accepting and D would probably take her aggressions out on my house here.. (Speaking of my kids they are wrestling around the living room with a banana holder.. it is this obscene red plastic in the shape of a banana which looks like something else..) :* It was a gift from a seasonal friend I had last year.. I guess it was time to let that gift go..

So, I will commute and use the travel time to think, listen to books on tape, and plan my day.. Which will allow me to put my day into perspective.. I seem to be rambling today but I haven't blogged in a while so bear with me..

Today, I cried a little on my way to a new client who is absolutely wonderful.. I look forward going to her house and even if i have to drag myself there.. I was listening to Josh Groban's new CD Awake.. When I listen to it I am reminded of my seasonal friend and I realized how much I miss the friendship but know that it was not positive for me and it was onesided.. I was used and I made poor choices with this friend.. But I still miss the friendship.. Any how there is this song on there that helped me get through that feeling of loss and change today..




Still breathing..

Coincidence

My belief in giving God my faith has been somewhat wavering. I have always tried to find a logical answer and dealt with the consequences with that ideal. My life this year has been a rough one. I have had several deep holes in which I have had to dig out of..My shoulders are tired, my legs and knees hurt, my eyes are sore, my back is tense, and my soul has been hurt. But I have made it through so far. After my mom passed away I knew I still have another hole to dig myself out of.. It is a very deep and thorny hole.. I could lose everything; my career; my character; and my freedom.. But, there is some hope and I am coming to terms with it.

Now comes the coincidence; before my mom passed her family came down for a visit including her sister and a cousin from her oldest sister whom I have not yet met.. Jill played host to our relatives.. It is that relationship she fostered that has been very helpful.. She was able to call upon my cousin who was able to call a friend who is able to assist me. It is not going to be easy or cheap but the knots in my stomach are gone and I can sleep in peace and not worry or have fear.. So, this blessing that has been sent to me has connections that will hopefully bring this issue to rest in a calm and non-abrasive manner..

I blogged yesterday about the circles we run in and how people come in and come out.. Today, a friend sent me a text about God seeing me struggle and a blessing will be coming my way.. I initially thought it was from my sister but it wasn't.. it is was a friend who in not in this circle.. Is that a message or sign? I don't know but after talking with several people today I think no.. i know it was.. I know that today I was blessed and feel at peace for the first time in quite some time.. I am by no means out of the hole but I have a plan and a decent shovel..


breathing slowly..