Good times...

It's been a good afternoon. The fact that it's Friday and I don't have to teach for 2 days definitely doesn't hurt.

After school today I was asked (or volunteered... or was asked to volunteer... I dunno) to help plan out the school-wide remediation plan and schedule for the next two weeks. So I spent a couple hours after school sitting with the principal and then I've been firing email back and forth with her all evening.

I realize that doing extra work is not normally cause for a good mood, but I've felt a little out-on-an-island for a good part of this year and having the principal ask for my help and then run not only logistical info (my strength) but also curriculum for gifted 3rd- through 5th- graders by me has been VERY validating.

Also, I think I'm gonna be teaching a bunch of kids to play chess and, possibly, Strat-o-matic baseball for the next two weeks. This could be very cool.

Laterz.

Question of the day- I just brought Sugar-Free Amp energy drink for 79 cents. I understand that that's a loss leader and the store's not making any money off me today, but given that price, how can anyone justify 3 damn dollars for that tomato-paste-sized can of Red Bull? Does it contain liquid gold? I don't get it...

For those of you who think my ego is doubt-proof...

I've spent a lot of time this year doubting myself. I know I spend a TON of time trying to do my job well, but I'm gotten very little feedback of any kind about the work I'm doing.

For this reason I'd like to thank my Curriculum for Gifted Students prof. She offered to write me a letter of recommendation any time I need one. And she based the offer on spending the last 8 weeks looking at my lesson plans and the projects and work that my students are doing.

For the first time in months, I feel like I actually know what the hell I'm doing. Of course now, if I tell my administrators to take a walk if they question anything, I may need that letter...

Laterz.

Hey. I can post from my phone! Cool.

Let's try this again...

I haven't blogged in almost 3 years. This is primarily due to the fact that I determined that no-one actually cared. I think I'm gonna start again. I assume that it's still true that no-one cares.

A quickie update/intro for anybody who's tuning in.

My fam and I live in the armpit of America. Armyville, NC. The fam is myself, my wife S.A., and my 2 boys- Sam and Pete.

S.A. and I are both teachers. She works with not-quite-middle-schoolers. I work with boogers-over-broccoli-eaters.

We always hold down a few extra jobs on the side and I'm perpetually enrolled in college classes. (A function of coming to teaching later-in-life with a degree that has nothing to do with education.)

For me, this blog is about to become my opportunity to vent, share stories, etc. It's my journal, just with an opportunity for feedback.

And truly, that's about it. Feel free to post comments and questions as the need grabs you.