Happy New Year

It has been longer that I thought since I last wrote here.

Things are going really good here. I am currently on vacation, at least until Monday. One of the great things about teaching... holidays and summer vacations.

Several things have happened here at home since I last wrote.

The oldest is out of the house - he is off at college. Go AGGIES!
K has finished her student teaching, graduated from college, and has been accepted to graduate school. Sounds strange, but I wanted her to go to graduate school before workign full-time. There were several reasons why:

1) She doesn't want to just teach. She wants to be a reading specialist and that takes a masters degree.
2) We are currently use to operating on just one paycheck, so why not continue on to grad school now?
3) At the half year mark most of the jobs available wouldn't be ones she wants or would be happy doing. AND they don't pay her the same.

L has been accepted to college. GO AGGIES!
We never doubted she would be accepted, but it was a relief to get the actual confirmation.

I have been partially promoted. I know that sounds nuts to some, but I am now a part-time assistant principal. This means I still teach, but have administrative duties as well.
I am enjoying my classes, for the most part. Have had some interesting things happen the first half of the year. Six weeks into the school year the powers above switched out my classes, literally. I was teaching 3 classes of Advance Placement and 3 classes of regular geography. They collapsed my 3 AP classes into 2 and gave me 4 classes of world history.

It has taken some getting use to - but I think I finally have a handle on it. I also have a better handle on my AP classes (I think.) They are challenging. Trying to keep ahead of them is tough. They ask questions that I don't know the answer to and finding assignments/projects for them to do that are challenging for them yet get the information they need out to them is tough.

I have been reaching out to other AP teachers. Trading information, getting projects ideas, and essay ideas. The kids really need to be prepared to write the essays. Thats one of my biggest fears, not preparing them.

I have been sent to some trainings and hope to go to some more. It helps get some perspective and I get to meet people I can connect with. To get more info and support from.


Kt is about to turn 12 and C is about to turn 8. they have grown so fast. At least thats how it feels.

We are looking into moving further north, where we will be more accepted. Its tough here, outside our house sometimes. We love our house - the land - the peace, but we have to work and our kids have to go to school and they should be hassled by others because of my marriage.