meet oscar

He's our new class pet!

funny story

My principal just conducted my formal evaluation on Wednesday. We met today to talk about it. Things that she specifically asked me to note and work on:

• Don't try to get a higher score (because she could sense I was "trying" since I was asking what I could do to get better)
• Be less urgent
• Last year I wasn't working on building responsibility in my students. This year I am, but that doesn't matter. Because last year I wasn't. 
• I am not warm and caring with my students because I'm too focused on learning. 

My score is actually fine and I'm really not worried about it, but sometimes I just can't believe the things this woman says. 

grade-level partner

Another one down. The woman who replaced the lovely Ms. N at the beginning of the year is no longer with us. It sounds as though she had some health concerns but she also didn't show up at all last week without calling or emailing. Everyone was pretty worried. Then she was supposed to be in today and didn't come. Apparently, that led my principal to decide to let her go.

I don't know what to think -- except, I feel really bad for her children and their families. What an awful way to end their first year of school.

teacher's lounge saga pt. II

My principal called me into her office today to talk about my formal observation (Wednesday) and also about the alleged gossip. I tried to be as open as possible with her about my frustrations and concerns. I actually would love it if she became a better leader. I tried to tell her that I would much rather have a conversation than a blanket email. At the end she said something that just made me so sad...

"I need you to remember, if nothing else, change in education is slow."

Maybe that is true, but let's not expect it. She also told me I was bitter and could easily become a toxic influence. That I am a different teacher than I am this year. That the "balls" I was handed this year are not being juggled as easily.

insect lore

I just ordered butterflies! It's my favorite time of year! Very hungry caterpillar, symmetry painting, camouflage, huzzah!

45 days left to go

From Friday right before an early dismissal for staff, an excerpt of an email from the principal titled, "Teacher's Lounge":

Remember that whatever you say in that lounge can and will be repeated to the administration, so I wonder why do it?

Her email is perhaps 3-5 paragraphs of rambling about negativity and how she just can't let it go. While I respect that she is in fact distressed about the negativity in her school, I take issue with her email for the following reasons:

• She is asking every staff member to call into question all of their colleagues. The message I got was, "Trust no one."
• She is effectively destroying one of the only safe spaces for teachers in the building. Already, everyone I have talked to has said that they won't eat in there any more. This is especially difficult for me because I personally spent the first two months of school getting teachers to eat together.  
• She specifically notes that she was advised not to send the email but does it anyway.
• She has made it very clear that we are not to bother her about anything unless it is an absolute necessity. Literally, she has said, "Don't ask me. You have a team leader for that." 
• Even when teachers do bring concerns to administration, those concerns are not always addressed or resolved. 
• She made no effort to personally address the problem. 

Some teachers have nervously pointed out that they hope they are not called into her office about this email. Frankly, I hope I am. I think that she really needs to reflect on the expectations she set at the beginning of the year and how that affects the culture of our school. 

48 days to go

Today has felt a lot like I am running just to stay in place. Homework isn't copied, parent-teacher conferences tomorrow are eating all of my free time, and the joy at seeing the kiddos already wore off.

During bathroom break before gym Texas raised his hand. He informed me he had an accident and showed me that it was running down the leg of his pants. I immediately felt stressed. I already had a line of five children to talk to about one thing or another before I let them go to gym (e.g., you still need to apologize even if you bumped the person by accident). I could feel myself getting frustrated.

Then, the most magical thing happened. Texas said, "Ms. Haley, it's not a big accident and I have a change of clothes. May I go and get them?" He went upstairs, got his clothes, changed, brought his clothes back up to his locker and went to gym. No assistance necessary. In case you've never taught five-year-olds, that kind of independence is A BIG DEAL.

reflections on our first day back from break

Yesterday went really, really went. We all clearly felt a lot of joy in seeing each other after the break and I would say most of the day was a big lovefest.

I gave everyone new seats and it went really well, especially considering that I did it right before I went down to pick them up. N's full time aid started with him, meaning that by law he is legally guaranteed an adult assistant with him all of the time until he shows that he no longer needs it. I don't have lunch duty this week so I spent my break calling parents and scheduling parent-teacher conferences. I forgot my computer at home which meant I couldn't spend any time procrastinating on my blog.

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Best exchange of the day, from the child who chose the word "family" to describe us, Vee, and N:

"I would like to shout-out N because he was sticking his tongue out at me and I told his to stop and then he stopped."

[As we all are giving love to N] "Vee that's because I love you."