My dad is almost 80 years old. So weird. He's having shoulder replacement soon. It really sucks getting old.

I finished up my first ESOL certification class yesterday! What a relief. I'm mostly on schedule with my two other classes too. Last night I went out to First Mission with some other teachers...like an adventure game place. It was free, haha. It was interesting.

I finished up most of my first ESOL specialist certification class, and I'll do the rest this weekend. I'm pretty much on schedule with my two other classes also. I'm just really stressed though--they assigned me to coaching again this year, and I wish they hadn't. I have so much to do, and now I have to deal with a coach coming in to observe me once a week. She doesn't stay too long which is fine--I get nervous. However, I then have to meet with her once a week to review. Th

I went to a co-worker's play tonight since I'm not teaching tomorrow...see my title for the title of the play. It was cool--three drained women in a psychiatric unit talking about their stories and imagining happier lives for tortured female artists.

I went to a pretty cool book talk by Harlan Coben tonight. I'm beat--see photos. More soon.

I had a super embarrassing event Thursday...luckily no one at work noticed. I was feeling more and more nauseous as the day went on. Luckily, we had a half-day of classes as there was a welcome kick-off party at the football field. I somewhat unexpectedly threw up all over myself just before the students were dismissed. I felt awful I couldn't walk them over to make sure they went (figures I miss the fun part too), but I had no choice. I sent frantic emails and texts to get t

I've been struggling with some students in my classes who are really defiant. They come in and start by refusing to sit where I ask them to. They swear their heads off because they know I don't like it. One told me I was racist for asking him not to swear because that was how he talked. I kicked one out today because of his incessant rudeness. It's almost traumatizing. I hope it's better Friday.

On Friday afternoon, before a holiday weekend, I learned I was going to be observed by my teaching coach from last year...today. One business day's notice and no say in the matter. I'd learned they were doing coaching again from our assistant principal that Thursday. The objectives of the coach and the assistant principal didn't exactly match. I emailed the coach about it and went to ask her. I also had some other questions about the toxic nature of the school's work environm

I finally finished reading The Counf of Monte Cristo! It took me ages, but it got exciting at the end. I couldn't stop then. Diabolical cold revenge.

I didn't drink enough water today, and then when I went for my fingerprints for school there was no AC. It was a super hot day...must've been 100 degrees in that small room. Now I'm in bed not feeling great.

I keep forgetting to post. I'm fired. Almost two weeks of school in the books this year. I'm behind on grading and contacting parents, but I will catch up. Tomorrow is Friday, and then we have a long weekend...I hope I can finish most of my first ESOL certification class then. And sleep, haha. I have three classes now, and I'm already beat. The ESOL class is 6 weeks long, and I'm almost done with the first 4 weeks--I'm ahead a week which is good because the biggest assignment

I was exhausted when I got home...I stayed after school for a bit to see a girls' volleyball team. Two players are in one of my classes. Then I got home and zoned out half-asleep watching I was a Stalker on Netflix...managed to eat. High school teaching can be tiring for little middle-aged ladies. However, of course now it's 9:30 and I feel awake. I made a vow to stop watching stuff on my personal laptop while working/studying on my work laptop. It's a good decision...of cour

I already did my video introduction for one abd requested the necessary security clearances for my observations. I rearranged my work/study spaces at home too...a good feeling.

I had a nice Korean BBQ lunch today with my new friend M. Then, we went clothes shopping at Forman Mills. I spend $70 there, haha. Good deals though. I got a $15 pair of sneakers to keep in my classroom. I heard my lead at work talking about the benefits of keeping an extra pair of shoes in my classroom. She said she stepped in shit (in the staff bathroom) her first year teaching. Yikes. My last Secondary Ed. certification class and my dissertation advisement I class start Mo

I had a decent third day although a lot of students were still absent. I was a bit of a pushover in my last class. I may have to rearrange some seats. My brain is a little numb.

I guess I forgot to write yesterday? My first two days with my new students went okay. Today felt better than yesterday, so I guess I'm adjusting. I'm beat when I get home though. It was cool to see the students I had last year again. About half the students were there in my classes, and only a few were in my homeroom. We have A days and B days, so it's like two first days in a row. I even wore fancy shirts. T-shirts the rest of the week now. I splurged on a bunch of motivati

Here's hoping it goes well. I'm pretty prepared, but I have to make copies. At least I have my prep period first on A days like tomorrow. I should be able to do it then although I have to go up two floors to use the printer I can actually connect to. It was out of toner Friday, so I couldn't make copies then. The IT office there had no extra toner. Fingers crossed. I had tapas with my new friend M today. It was nice, but I was a little grouchy at the end because I felt sleepy

I mostly finished up my classroom. Monday the students come! Tomorrow I have my second CLEP exam. Can't wait for that to be over. Then I think I'll have lunch with my new friend M. I've managed to do one assignment for my first ESOL certification class daily...hopefully I can continue that way and finish most of it before my other classes start on the 31st. I have to do 10 hours of observation, but I can observe myself, haha. I can't really think about it, but I'll have finis

I'll write more tomorrow. One more day of prep. Almost ready!

The most mortifying thing happened today. People can be so catty and petty! I was sitting in an auditorium waiting for a PD to start, and another teacher from my school was suddenly standing near me. I asked what her name was again, and if she wanted to join me. I'd never really talked to her, and she seemed kind of unfriendly to new teachers. Today was the worst! She said she was looking to see if anyone else was there...she must not have seen anyone because she asked me to