Going through some of my curriculum and wondering why my old school didn't take me up on the Government and Senior Project ideas. Guess, like they said, I'm not a regular teacher so I haven't a clue as to how to teach them how to be good citizens.
I know I'm a good teacher, may not be too good at lesson plans and curriculum maps, since I haven't done them for forever and got no help from the administration in classes to take or feedback from them on how to improve. Perhaps they are the ones who aren't good at teaching.

Laid off and not loving it at all

I'm wondering what happened? What did I do wrong? Well, I'm not actually wondering that so much because I was warned that if I didn't resign my program would be cut. And guess what? It was cut! Wanted to fight it, but after one meeting with the power that be and I realized administration not only doesn't care about me, but they really don't care about my students. Athletes rule! No room for the students of fringe.

What is it that makes us care?

Ok, I have to admit that I am feeling totally sorry for myself this week. I am at the bottom and I really can't see the top of the well. I have to stop feeling sorry for myself, kick myself in the ass, and get myself back to doing what I do well---teach.
This is the first week of the next to last four and a half week block of classes. I have nine students in the largest block and they can see my lack of enthusiasm. They aren't stupid and they can tell I'm peddling without a chain.
I want to cry all of the time, but I have obligations that make it impossible for me to do so. I love my family I love my work, and I love my dogs and cats. I just can't seem to get myself out of this funk.

Life is a series of jumps..

I am peddling as fast as I can and I can't seem to catch up. I was inspired last night, I watched Temple Grandin last night on HBO. Amazing woman with an amazing mother! I have little contact with the one Autistic student I do know at Willamina and I'm thinking William may be smarter than all of us if we can just tap that one spark!
Sadly, Willamina seems to stop gap most of its special needs students. To their credit they don't send them to me, but still... We meet the goals in the IEP, but don't seek to go further. Money is always an issue.

I was also inspired by the Project Citizen workshop I attended all day yesterday, yes on a Saturday. I'm thinking my students can do this! Yes they can and I don't we'll need Bob the Builder's help.

Cats and other stuff

Well, I've been bad I haven't been back for a couple of days. Tank is back! The big puffy boy. The first week back from break has been good, actually went by quickly. Next week is finals on two days plus an observation by the principal. Stressful, but I should do ok this time.
All cats accounted for, so I can relax for a couple of days. I think someone is peeing on the couch... gotta love cats...

Day Two

Well I guess I should get this one of my chest now! Lola pooped under the computer today. Found it when I sat down after coming home from work! She is really getting on my nerves. The cat really doesn't get the whole going outside to pee and poop. But she is a pretty little cat, nice calico and a lover. Currently sleeping on top of one of my cupboards.
Haven't seen Tank in three days. Usually the fuzzy guy can be seen out in the field, but it's been raining. I think he has another family somewhere or barn or something. I worry about him.
Everyone else I've seen and or heard. Man they can be noisy.

New month and it's Cats!!!

I am not the creepy old lady next door who has a zillion cats! I only have 11. Five years at this time I had 20 with two pregnant females. Now everyone is spayed or neutered and the only reason the chaos of cats increased in number is because of my beautiful daughter. She gets cats before checking it out with her landlord. Since, the 20 plus cats came along and then went to Salem Friends of Felines, leaving me with 8, my daughter has dropped three more on me. Ellie, who was one of the initial 20 so she probably doesn't actually count, Reese, and Lola. Lola has yet to figure out the cat door and uses the space under this computer to poop or pee when the need arises and she hasn't been thrown outside.
The two lovelies picture here are Reese, the yellow, and Marshall, the Flame point. The boys are lovers and sometimes fighters. Next post, perhaps Killa and Cloe... two of my daughters cats. Almost forgot, I had one cat, Bear. Then my daughter said she would get kicked out of her apartment so I took in Cloe, who was supposed to be spayed. She wasn't and Rio, the black one, and Cosmo were born. Then she dropped off Killa, supposed to be male. She wasn't... she had Marshall, Ellie, and crum I forgot the other one's name. Anyway, I kept Marshall and Kelsey too Ellie and Brandon, my son, took the one whose name I have forgotten. Then Cosmo had Mathers and three others. The black one had one huge fuzzy kitten we named Tank. The black one didn't like Tank so Cosmo who had a batch of her own, took him on. After dealing with other family stuff I contacted the wonderful folks at Salem Friends of Felines and they took the others!
So 11 cats...