gamble's rambles

I really just need to keep a running list of quotes from throughout the day… 

- Last Friday, I what grade I was in by a pack of second grade girls. 

- Yesterday, one of my students told me that I looked like a college kid. (Hey, that’s an improvement!)

- I was reviewing for a test with my science students (upper high schoolers). We have lots of fun in there, and we did a hypothetical experiment with the new UGA football uniforms. It’s amazing how much their work increases when it’s something they love.

- In that same review, we played a version of 20 Questions concerning natural resources. My students now think I’m ridiculous because at one point, I looked over a group’s shoulder to see what resource they had chosen. I said “Tricky… tricky… trick you are”. Now they call me Yoda. 

- That review continued to be entertaining. After talking about coal and having a student learn for the first time that we weren’t talking about charcoal, I was reminded of a ridiculous story of how when I took my high school small group to the farm, I almost burned myself alive with the charcoal grill. One of my girls is in my class. We had to tell the story. I almost cried from laughter.

- I also almost cried from trying not to laugh at this… There are 4 types of models used in reporting scientific data: graphical, conceptual, physical, and mathematical. I asked them for an example on a physical model, wanting an answer like “a dinosaur replica” or “a globe”. Instead, one student named another boy in the class who just so happens to be a model. Touche. 

- After school, my cross country boys came to visit me after practice. They know I have a bag of Starburst in my cabinet, and they know I’m at school far later than anyone else. Thus, they visit. And they came in as I was listening to music. “Weird music” as they said. Sorry, kids, one day you’ll think obscure bands are cool, too. I promise.

- I referred to a civilization today as “being emo”. I mean, hey, that’s kind of how The Dark Ages happened in Greece. They didn’t want to be in contact with anyone else, and they neglected things. Emo. My kids jumped all over that and freaked out. Typical. 

Awww yeahhhhhh. I was anxiously awaiting for the clock to strike 10 am this morning, using my fancy little promo code to get free tickets to see Avett next Friday.

Low and behold, Mr. Fire Drill interrupted my plan.

So I missed my chance. My code didn’t work.

And then Little Miss MORGANGSTER sent me another one.

And it worked.

So, I have two free tickets to see my boys play. Awww yeahhhh.

Well, today was the day… Test day. I think that I was more nervous than my students were, though none of them actually believe that. It’s the truth, I tell ya. 

Thoughts that crossed my busy brain today:

- Yes, your essay does need to be in complete sentences. Shocking, I know. It’s a novel idea. Call me crazy.

- No, Mesopotamia is not pronounced Mes-uh-pot-uh-mee-a. It is not friends with onomatopoeia. 

- No, I did not mess up on those three questions. They’re part of the true/false section. So, it’s a 50/50 chance that my statement is actually false. It is okay if it is false, I promise. Just tell me that. I’m not trying to rewrite history. 

- Thank you for being honest and writing “I know I failed because I watched the VMAs last night” beneath your essay. I appreciate that about you. And I’m glad you didn’t actually fail. 

- Your referencing “those Asian folks that came in and did some stuff” is, I think, the same as the Hyksos who came to Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period and taught them the art of war. Correct me if I’m wrong. 

- So many students talked about “fur trees”. I’m sorry, but my cat Little Sir was not around during the time of Solomon’s temple. Perhaps you meant “fir trees”. Just sayin’.

I used to set an alarm for Sunday mornings… or a few to be exact. And I’d finally drag myself out of bed, shower, and go to church. (Church starts at 10:30, so this is pretty embarrassing to admit.)

Now a days, I can’t sleep past 7. So, not only did I have the whole catapult yourself out of bed, thinking you’ve overslept, only to realize it’s the weekend thing happen this morning. But I have so much spare time before church. So much spare time, in fact, that I just made up the first two quizzes for my classes. Really? Really. C’est la vie. C’est mon vie.  

So, I’m teaching my science class on Thursday, and in walks my principal. He arrives unannounced, takes a seat in the back of the lab, and stays for quite a while… Thankfully, my time at UGA quickly acquainted me with the constant pressure of observations. Whether it was the mentor teacher, your UGA supervisor, or your principal, someone was always watching, or so it seemed. So, when Mr. Principal walked in, it wasn’t anything terrifying. I was nervous, though… This was the second day in a row that my juniors weren’t in class, so there really wasn’t much for me to do. I was trying to review, but there’s only so much you can do in the first week of school. I felt like my lesson wasn’t stellar, but I was hoping he would be able to realize that half my class was out. 

Friday morning I had to meet with him and another teacher for something completely unrelated. (I’m getting the final jewel in my crown of nerdom by becoming a coach for Academic Teams and starting their Literary Competition program. I’m also researching this year to start a Mock Trial team next year. Oh baby!) As we’re sitting in his office, he says “Katie, can we talk about your observation before we get started?” My thoughts are Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Not in front of this other teacher. You can hold it together. You can. You can. You can.

So then he goes into how he’s been a principal for over 20 years and can tell so much about a first year teacher by one observation. He says that “teaching” is something you have or don’t have, and you can spot it from the start. He told me that I definitely have it, and that I have the presence and confidence greater than any first year teacher he’s ever seen. He said that he could see me staying here forever. And he would like that a lot. (I was sad about having a meeting during my only free period yesterday, but it was totally worth it!) 

I am so thankful for my first week of teaching… I survived without a single tear! I’ve learned all of my students’ names (all 88). I’ve spent 13 straight hours at school. I’ve cheered for my kids as they played volleyball and football, and I’ve laughed so much with them. I’ve fallen more in love with the school each and every day. I absolutely love the people I work with. I’m thankful for my pseudo-family… My mom diagonally across the hall, my brothers next door and across, and my sisters over on the middle school hallway. And, of course, all of my kiddos. My department head left flowers on my desk yesterday morning congratulating me on my first week of teaching.

 I think I’ve got this rotating schedule thing under control… I think. I’m scared to say that out loud, but I think I’ve got it. A Days are long, but begin with opening the doors in the carpool line, watching the precious little ones scamper off to The Little Wolverine Cottages. B Days have two breaks, which is wonderful. C Days keep me in my room all day without relocating to the lab, spending quality time with my baby freshmen. D Days are long, but I have a good break at the end. It’s fun having a different schedule every day, and it certainly makes the day fly past! 

I’ve dealt with losing my keys… but I found them after beginning a search party. I’ve found my place at the teacher table. I’ve fought with the laminator. And won. I’ve made my mark on the high school test calendar. I’ve come close to having 88 kids fall in love with Egypt… and with a giant cow named LeRoy. I’ve had unexpected visitors pop into my room while teaching. I’ve arrived at school dressed identically (down to the watch and shoes) as another teacher. (I guess we’re just soulmates.) I’ve watched my department head be assaulted by a wasp… and I failed at not laughing at him. I’ve watched the sun rise and set in the same day from dear ol’ Ruth Jackson Road. I’ve survived the first week. And I can’t wait for Monday.