This week I lived through my 19th first day of school as a high school educator, and, except for my very first year, I don't ever remember being more anxious about the start of a year.
First Day
Category: Education
Seniors
This morning, our high school had the first of two graduation ceremonies. Because the class is so large (around 1100 students) social distancing procedures required that graduation be split into two. Watching the first ceremony on the Internet this morning was surreal. The chairs spread out all over the football field so graduates were not … Continue reading Seniors
Dress Codes
Trying to look on the bright side of life here...One of the nice things about teaching high school from a distance is that I can really focus on the content and how I am delivering it. While recording my lessons, if I mess up, I can stop and do it over. I also don't have … Continue reading Dress Codes
Rates
Since I teach social studies, it happens from time to time that I can use current events as real life application for what we're doing in class. I actually wish it would happen a little more often, but for AP US History, we don't spend much time at all on recent events, and for AP … Continue reading Rates
Graduation
So my adventure in getting rid of most social media ended sooner than I expected. But before you think of me as weak-willed, let me explain.In the past few years, my main activity on Facebook is to watch over many of my former students to see how their lives are going. As of today, I've … Continue reading Graduation
Cherries
After my aunt took me to Hawaii as a college graduation present, I came home with a newfound distaste for pineapple. It didn’t start that way. I used to really like pineapple. But after a week of having pineapple served to me with everything I ate and drank, I’d had enough.
Breathing
Today, I started the fifth week of school.I managed to survive the first four weeks, and I finally feel like I'm mostly caught up...for now. As any teacher can tell you, there is always work to do, even over the summer. It just happens from time to time that there may not be anything pressing … Continue reading Breathing
Summer
I told myself once that if I ever decided to quit teaching, I would not make that decision during the school year. Why?Because even though the school year is mentally and physically draining...Because even though by the time May begins, I'm marking off the days on my calendar until summer break begins...Because even though after … Continue reading Summer
Choices
A couple of years ago, my social studies department head asked if I would be interested in representing our school and department at the school district's annual job fair. I work in a large, well respected district. Thousands of people drive fairly long distances in order to have an opportunity to work in our district. I … Continue reading Choices
Reading
I don't really like to travel. Okay, that's not completely accurate. I enjoy visiting different locations away from home. I just don't enjoy the travelling part of travel. I need to get a teleportation device of some kind to beam me where I want to go. At any rate, I am currently in Louisville, Kentucky … Continue reading Reading
Reflections Of A Middle Aged Nobody 