Survior

I officially survived parent teacher conferences. GO ME! After only knowing these 4th graders for 3 weeks and struggling to complete their report cards - I DID IT!

I was really eye-opening to conclude that all parents truly know their kids. Even when I was telling parents their kids were failing certain subjects or that their social behavior needed drastic improvement, parents were not surprised at all. Often when I had to share less than desirable news, parents would say it was still an improvement over last years marks.

My friend (and master teacher while I was student teaching) sent me a wonderful gift. She sent me a beautiful flower arrangement with a note saying, "Have fun this week. You can do it!" I received it during school hours and the kids were having trouble understanding why I had tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. It was so touching and sweet of her. Having those flower on the table with me during the p-t conferences made it feel like she was sitting there with me, rooting me on.

After this very stressful situation I am confident that p-t conferences with my own class and students will be a breeze.

One week off for Fall Break won't be nearly enough time to recuperate, but I'll take what I can get!

Spinning Heads

Sorry my blog is so not-up-to-date. I started a long term sub job (early cause the lady had her baby 5 weeks early) and my head is spinning with the adjustment. Katie's been sick for a month solid now. 1st with pneumonia, and then bronchitis -both with airway constriction. The infection is finally gone, but the trouble breathing is not - we are seeing a specialist this month. Combine that with Rick coaching both kids' soccer teams, soccer games every Sat., Kenny and Katie adjusting to having a working-mom, figuring out who is doing the household chores now and general day to day stuff and it leaves little time to update the blog. I am hoping to be more "normal" with updates after Christmas (hey at least I am realistic).

Already out of a job!

The school I was doing my sub job for found a permanent (and properly credentialed) replacement. Guess that "long term sub" position wasn't so *long* after all. I am out of a job. Now I can sub where and when I want and have a few days here and there to just be a stay-at-home mom. I should enjoy it while I can, cause I am aiming to be in my own classroom by next August (keep your fingers crossed for me... and the economy - which I hold highly responsible for me not being in my own classroom this year).

Runner Up Prize

I got disappointing news today. I didn't do well enough on my teaching job interview to get put on "the list" of candidates they call when opening crop up.

I did get the runner up prize though ~ a long term sub position as a Special Education teacher. I will spend 25% of my day at the local middle school and the rest at my kids' elementary school. It'll be a wonderful addition to my resume and a great experience to boot.

The kids have mixed feelings about it all. They really don't want me to go to work, but were brought to tears when they saw me crying and whining earlier today.

Rick is going to help out by changing his work hours so he can get the kids to school for me. Friends and family will pitch in here and there on days I need to work late (which I hope are few).

So many people have been praying, thinking good thoughts and just hoping things go my way ~ it does a heart good to know so many people are rooting for me. Thanks!

Great News on the Job Front

I've spent the last 24 hours in San Diego with my mom, burying my Nana is the city she loved with all her heart.

While driving from my Nana's chapel service to her graveside service I got a cell phone call. It was a secretary from the school district where my kids go to school. They want to interview me for placement into their second hiring pool. Yes!!

My interview is Friday (think good thoughts for me). If I score well enough on the interview and written "exam" then I will be placed in the district's hiring pool. THEN when openings come up (there aren't any right now), I can be called and offered a position sometime during the school year. I'll take what I can get.

The end of summer is proving to be very stressful in many different ways. Isn't life funny and beautiful and full of adventure?!

Holy Schmoly!!! I checked the Edjoin website today, Buckeye School District is now accepting applications to create a second eligibility pool for the 2008-2009 school year. The whole timing of it all has me in goosebumps. How interesting it is that the job posting waited to come out today so I could concentrate on my family and Nana prior to this.
I am certainly going to put my application in and am busy whipping all the pieces up and tweaking and updating it all. The deadline is Tuesday and since I'll be in Tahoe figure I have to get the thing into the District office today!!! So... that's what I'll be doing today.
Think good thoughts for me.
Trina