I've been through three different living places. House was a dumb, second place was sweet, I took it, but it was large and pricey. The lady then told me about this other place. Single bedroom for two hundred bucks less. I'll save some money and be in a place more my size. I lose my den, but whatever. I put together a website for my classes. I'm excited to try it out, but I'm not sure how well it will work, it just doesn't do all the things I would have liked it to do. But it'll be good for a first try, and it might impress my new boss. These people are so nice.
I'm thinking right now about day one. What do I need to do to get these kids on my side. I have a few ideas and am mulling some stuff over. Ideas about talking about pride and respect. But these are more like last day talks, not first day. I just need to find the right thing and start talking about it. I got my "curriculum" stuff, CLTs. Critical Learning Targets that my 7th and 8th graders must know how to do before they can move onto the next level. The other grades look like they are totally up to me.
I got some materials from the school the other day. Something like 15-20 books. I've already read a few of them and am about to finish another, I just get hot and cold with these things. I cant just sit there and read for three days solid, I need to do other things. I went out and rented Ghostbusters the Videogame yesterday. It was a blast. I finished it today, it was so cooooool. I'm a long time Ghostbusters fan. Movies, the old cartoon show, I have some of the old toys. I just love the stories, the characters, and the idea. It's always kind of fascinated me. And I love Slimer. I'm also a big X-Men, TMNT, and Thundercats fan. Those are just a few of my nerdy leanings.
Well, I'm out of stuff to say. Gotta go watch the Rockies end this game against the Dodgers. Up 3-0 one out left in the top of the ninth. All they need is three outs.
I move the 15th of July.
Later.
Visualize, actualize.
Out number three, lets go Street.
:-)
Bye.
6/30/2009
6/23/2009
6/22/2009
I got a JOB!!!
Hey all. I got hired. It's been a while, and a little has gone on since then. The biggest and most important piece of news is my fancy new job. GO BOBCATS! 7-12 in Bethune, CO. I get to stay in state, I get to try out the little town thing. I get the little classes, I get to be a part of something, and I get to work and be productive. WOOWHO. I am uper thrilled.I'll be quite honest. I had just nailed an interview, had fallen in love with this other school in The Springs. They rejected me, the old "lack of experience" thing. The principal was super nice about and all apologetic and sad and all. I had nothing. I wasn't getting interview calls, I couldn't find open positions to apply for, I was about to give up. I was looking into publishing jobs, into jobs that would get me a steady pay check. I signed up for Monster.com and found a teaching position. I shot them a message, went out there and it was gorgeous. It's so open and green and beautiful. The people were so nice, I had a good interview, and they were excited to have someone young and full of energy. I was ecstatic. Now I'm looking for a house, got one that sounds beautiful, and if it's still available come Wed. I'm scooping that baby up. It's a little pricey, but I've crunched the numbers, I can afford it. I might get to do everything down there. Coach multiple sports, teach every grade level, be a part of a school and not just a cog in the machine. This is going to be awesome.
Man, what else. Went out with some friends the other night. I had to drive an hour and a half to get up there, that was a pain, but it was fun. We went over to one of her friend's house and played a little board game thing. Then we went back to her place and got into a great debate about education. She and I argued that our school's needed more resources and that we need to try and reach every student and that they all deserve the same opportunities. This other guy argued that resources cripple the great, and that we need to focus on the students that can actually be helped and excel.
I'd equate his argument to Social Darwinism, and without saying it overtly, it can also be racist if you look at the "students that deserve to be left behind" since basically those would be inner city schools and kids that lack the basic things us "lucky" people tend to have. And I would consider us only lucky. Lucky that we were born fully functional, lucky that we were born into our social situation. It comes down to basic luck, unless you believe in some kind of caste and reincarnation system. And we did bring that up in our argument. And if you do, please don't let me step on your toes. It was a good debate. The problem we had was that our education system is failing. It's hard to debate for something that in this country is seen as a joke. When Kobe Bryant, a rapist who's only contribution to this society is so that 20 million idiot fans can get drunk and believe that they are a part of something bigger than themselves is able to make 20 billion dollars peddling crappy shoes and being a pretty boy on the court. Now, I love basketball and I was rooting for the Birdman and Carmello to kick some Gasol and Kobe ass. I went to a game and loved it (Graduation gift), so I'm not going to bash the game or anything, but our pay scale and our priorities as a society and totally skewed when they get payed billions and a teacher is worried about being able to rent a house.
It's hard to say we should give money to something that is failing and that many people don't have fond memories. But if we look at our bursting prisons, our homeless, our druggies, all of these things can be solved with a stronger educational system.
Sigh, but what do I know.
The sad part was, the guy that was for Social Darwinism was an actor. And the only society in the history of the world that would have ever considered an actor worth anything is our own. He's the first kind that would have been dropped in his educational system. The world has no need for more prima-dona actors. Of course, you cant say that in a true debate. Besides which, I like to see both sides of an argument. Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one, and like everyone one else in this near-sighted world, I'm not giving mine up for his. Opinion that is, not the other thing.
The students that I know I wasn't able to help are like weights on my stomach. I would give anything to be able to go back and try one more time to reach them and connect and help them. The student destined for the marines, the student destined to diesel school. Look, if that's what you love, then dont let dumb old me get in the way, but it should be a passion not a fall back. I hate seeing the people that I worked at Wal-Mart with still working there. It sucks. Those are the nicest people in the world and they are stuck there for whatever reason. It is our job to try to reach every student. In reality, no I dont see us ever reaching every student every time, but I see it as an affront to everything if we dont try.
I just think of the old story of the boy on the beach as the tide had left and he's tossing star fish back into the water. A man comes up and asks the boy what he is doing. The water has left, these starfish will die if I dont throw them back into the water says the boy. The man says, you cant possibly throw them all back in, what does it matter. The boy picks up a starfish and holds it up, it matter's to this one he says as he tosses it back into the water.
We may not be able to reach every student, but the one's we do will make all the difference. We need to try to reach every student, and when our country is done collapsing maybe it'll pull it's head out, and will get this educational thing straightened out. Because there is no fathomable reason why Tom Cruise is plastered all of the damn place, but Gary Cordray is a nobody. I'll tell you what, Tom Cruise has never ever, in his entire life, done half of what Gary does on a single day. And it's pathetic.
For some reason I feel really guilty about something. Guilty or nervous or scared or something. I'm the most conscientious person in the world, but I just dont know what has me feeling so bad. I haven't done anything wrong. I dont know what it is.
Kat didn't spend any time with me. I guess things are awkward between us, but whatever, I'll be surprised if I ever see her again. I was surprised to see her this time. It stinks, but whatever. Besides, I heard some things about her that I'm just not that impressed with. I dont know what kind of person she is, I just wish I could help her.
I'm still lonely, but I feel better. Knowing I'm moving a million miles away, I really cant have anything like that holding me back. I'll miss my family, but I need to get away from them, I've had just about enough of them, but whatever. I love them to death.
I'm opening a new chapter in my life. I dont know what is going to happen, but I can make good things happen. I need to start this chapter right.
Later all.
Make good things happen.
Man, what else. Went out with some friends the other night. I had to drive an hour and a half to get up there, that was a pain, but it was fun. We went over to one of her friend's house and played a little board game thing. Then we went back to her place and got into a great debate about education. She and I argued that our school's needed more resources and that we need to try and reach every student and that they all deserve the same opportunities. This other guy argued that resources cripple the great, and that we need to focus on the students that can actually be helped and excel.
I'd equate his argument to Social Darwinism, and without saying it overtly, it can also be racist if you look at the "students that deserve to be left behind" since basically those would be inner city schools and kids that lack the basic things us "lucky" people tend to have. And I would consider us only lucky. Lucky that we were born fully functional, lucky that we were born into our social situation. It comes down to basic luck, unless you believe in some kind of caste and reincarnation system. And we did bring that up in our argument. And if you do, please don't let me step on your toes. It was a good debate. The problem we had was that our education system is failing. It's hard to debate for something that in this country is seen as a joke. When Kobe Bryant, a rapist who's only contribution to this society is so that 20 million idiot fans can get drunk and believe that they are a part of something bigger than themselves is able to make 20 billion dollars peddling crappy shoes and being a pretty boy on the court. Now, I love basketball and I was rooting for the Birdman and Carmello to kick some Gasol and Kobe ass. I went to a game and loved it (Graduation gift), so I'm not going to bash the game or anything, but our pay scale and our priorities as a society and totally skewed when they get payed billions and a teacher is worried about being able to rent a house.
It's hard to say we should give money to something that is failing and that many people don't have fond memories. But if we look at our bursting prisons, our homeless, our druggies, all of these things can be solved with a stronger educational system.
Sigh, but what do I know.
The sad part was, the guy that was for Social Darwinism was an actor. And the only society in the history of the world that would have ever considered an actor worth anything is our own. He's the first kind that would have been dropped in his educational system. The world has no need for more prima-dona actors. Of course, you cant say that in a true debate. Besides which, I like to see both sides of an argument. Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one, and like everyone one else in this near-sighted world, I'm not giving mine up for his. Opinion that is, not the other thing.
The students that I know I wasn't able to help are like weights on my stomach. I would give anything to be able to go back and try one more time to reach them and connect and help them. The student destined for the marines, the student destined to diesel school. Look, if that's what you love, then dont let dumb old me get in the way, but it should be a passion not a fall back. I hate seeing the people that I worked at Wal-Mart with still working there. It sucks. Those are the nicest people in the world and they are stuck there for whatever reason. It is our job to try to reach every student. In reality, no I dont see us ever reaching every student every time, but I see it as an affront to everything if we dont try.
I just think of the old story of the boy on the beach as the tide had left and he's tossing star fish back into the water. A man comes up and asks the boy what he is doing. The water has left, these starfish will die if I dont throw them back into the water says the boy. The man says, you cant possibly throw them all back in, what does it matter. The boy picks up a starfish and holds it up, it matter's to this one he says as he tosses it back into the water.
We may not be able to reach every student, but the one's we do will make all the difference. We need to try to reach every student, and when our country is done collapsing maybe it'll pull it's head out, and will get this educational thing straightened out. Because there is no fathomable reason why Tom Cruise is plastered all of the damn place, but Gary Cordray is a nobody. I'll tell you what, Tom Cruise has never ever, in his entire life, done half of what Gary does on a single day. And it's pathetic.
For some reason I feel really guilty about something. Guilty or nervous or scared or something. I'm the most conscientious person in the world, but I just dont know what has me feeling so bad. I haven't done anything wrong. I dont know what it is.
Kat didn't spend any time with me. I guess things are awkward between us, but whatever, I'll be surprised if I ever see her again. I was surprised to see her this time. It stinks, but whatever. Besides, I heard some things about her that I'm just not that impressed with. I dont know what kind of person she is, I just wish I could help her.
I'm still lonely, but I feel better. Knowing I'm moving a million miles away, I really cant have anything like that holding me back. I'll miss my family, but I need to get away from them, I've had just about enough of them, but whatever. I love them to death.
I'm opening a new chapter in my life. I dont know what is going to happen, but I can make good things happen. I need to start this chapter right.
Later all.
Make good things happen.
6/01/2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
