It's summer time! Isn't that the reason we all became teachers? For the summer va-cay? For all that time working on our perpetual tan? So why am I standing in front of a classroom wall? Did I read my calendar wrong? Did I not get the memo? I want to live the dream (a.k.a., the myth about endless days of reckless abandon in the summer) and channel Martha Stewart Home Improvements all summer or Jessica Simpson and check out Beauty all over the world. Well, happily, I can be both of these women and all I need are able-bodied assistants like Quianna, Ajai, Damaris, and maybe 20 others! My little sweethearts represent students who hope to receive their Associates degree when they graduate from high school as part of the Early College magnent program at Duval County schools. They are all rising Sophomores and there is only one obstacle....passing the Reading portion of the CPT (College Placement Test.) That's where I come in. (I'm sounding a little like the original "Friday" on Dragnet...and why don't we get to "wear a badge?") But I digress....This group of young hopefuls is entrusting myself and three other teachers to bump them up in NINE DAYS with all their deficiencies for the Reading and Math portions of the test. The pressure is really on me and my teaching partner because this is their last chance to pass the Reading portion!! They are giving the Math folks another year. (There's got to be a discrimination lawsuit there somewhere.) So, we read and we practice with paper-and-pencil and we talk about strategies and we practice online and we contemplate and we encourage and we all get to end our day eating in the College Cafeteria. That's a BIG THING if you are in the 14 to 15 age demographic! So, how exactly am I Martha? Well, I'm designing a plan for these peeps and peepettes and trying to build something that's lasting and holds its value. About Jessica? Well, I'm around young, innocent beauties all day, every day (even my guys) and it's rejuvenating for me....(Oh and the Florida State College campus we are at is also home to their Cosmetology School. Check out my NEW DO that was only 8 bucks!!!! It's a teaching college so I had the benefit of Nan the stylist and 2 of her instructors when she kept getting nervous about 45 cuts and 90 cuts....I learned a lot! The $10 pedicure is next week!) Well, let's all keep our fingers and toes crossed when they sit for the test next Friday, and I just pray that I am effectively providing them what they need.....Teaching can be a real nail-biter!!!! (which is why I'll never get a manicure there....I would choke from the enamel...ha ha ha)
18 June 2010
School's Out for Summer ??????
It's summer time! Isn't that the reason we all became teachers? For the summer va-cay? For all that time working on our perpetual tan? So why am I standing in front of a classroom wall? Did I read my calendar wrong? Did I not get the memo? I want to live the dream (a.k.a., the myth about endless days of reckless abandon in the summer) and channel Martha Stewart Home Improvements all summer or Jessica Simpson and check out Beauty all over the world. Well, happily, I can be both of these women and all I need are able-bodied assistants like Quianna, Ajai, Damaris, and maybe 20 others! My little sweethearts represent students who hope to receive their Associates degree when they graduate from high school as part of the Early College magnent program at Duval County schools. They are all rising Sophomores and there is only one obstacle....passing the Reading portion of the CPT (College Placement Test.) That's where I come in. (I'm sounding a little like the original "Friday" on Dragnet...and why don't we get to "wear a badge?") But I digress....This group of young hopefuls is entrusting myself and three other teachers to bump them up in NINE DAYS with all their deficiencies for the Reading and Math portions of the test. The pressure is really on me and my teaching partner because this is their last chance to pass the Reading portion!! They are giving the Math folks another year. (There's got to be a discrimination lawsuit there somewhere.) So, we read and we practice with paper-and-pencil and we talk about strategies and we practice online and we contemplate and we encourage and we all get to end our day eating in the College Cafeteria. That's a BIG THING if you are in the 14 to 15 age demographic! So, how exactly am I Martha? Well, I'm designing a plan for these peeps and peepettes and trying to build something that's lasting and holds its value. About Jessica? Well, I'm around young, innocent beauties all day, every day (even my guys) and it's rejuvenating for me....(Oh and the Florida State College campus we are at is also home to their Cosmetology School. Check out my NEW DO that was only 8 bucks!!!! It's a teaching college so I had the benefit of Nan the stylist and 2 of her instructors when she kept getting nervous about 45 cuts and 90 cuts....I learned a lot! The $10 pedicure is next week!) Well, let's all keep our fingers and toes crossed when they sit for the test next Friday, and I just pray that I am effectively providing them what they need.....Teaching can be a real nail-biter!!!! (which is why I'll never get a manicure there....I would choke from the enamel...ha ha ha)
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Cin-I just love reading your posts!...I feel like I'm actually talking to you....You hair looks awesome by the way-and a bargain to boot!....Also, I'm stealing your "peepettes" and making it my own...So funny about the "idea" of summers "off" as a teachers...I've been doing this for 11 years and have NEVER not worked...The idle time ends up costing me---especially when you are shopping without witnesses.... Your Early College magnet problem sounds amazing....You are quite a mentor for these kids....I hope that they all do well on the CPT....How could they fail with YOU guiding them?!
ReplyDeleteTrue Confessions - Yesterday I went shopping without witnesses! It only cost $115 and it was at the Banana Republic Outlet...It's part of my Mentor Package...you know Dress for Success...and it's all to model the right attitude for the kids! LOL
ReplyDeleteBased on your dedication to your students, it sounds like they are in VERY good hands and I'm sure your influence will help them on their CPT. Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteThank you also for your constructive suggestions on my Uncle Bob is King narrative in Doc Sharing; I really appreciate that you took the time to read and comment. I revised according to all of your comments! :)