Archive for the ‘Education’ Category
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 |
I think it might be unusual that I have a random 80’s movie playing in my head at almost all times. When the tough get going, the going go 80’s… in my case that is. For instance, when I feel ripped off, I usually hear, “I want my two dollars!” – Better off Dead of course. When things go awry, I tell myself, “Screws fall out all the time. The world is an imperfect place.” – Breakfast Club, come on now, John Bender. I also refer to my neighbors on the left as the Klopecks.
This is definitely a Goonies kind of week. It seems as if the Universe is stacking more and more on my full plate: a family full of stomach flu, parent/teacher conferences, big grad. school project. However, I do see a light at the end of the tunnel, and that light, 
boys and girls, is a three day weekend. Yes, a weekend where my needs and whims will be tended. I forsee television, sleeping in and theraputic cookie baking. Oh, heaven. So, I will play the game, Universe. I will give my principal my hexter grades on time, wow my professor with a well-done project, and nurse my vomiting family back to health. Why? Well, because, “Right now they gotta do what’s right for them, ’cause it’s their time. Their time, up there. Down here it’s our time. It’s our time down here. That’s all over the second we ride up Troy’s bucket.” Ok, so that sounds a little kooky once typed, but I promise you those lines are getting me pumped in my head. Just go with it.
On a side note, my two CU classes are providing to be even more useful than I imagined they could be. For instance, my Children’s Literature course is providing me with the most amazing literacy resources that I never knew existed. I emailed my best friend, who is serving in Moldova for the Peace Corps, a list of websites that provide free children’s literature translated into almost any language – even Romanian, which she is desperate for. She was so excited.
That’s it for this week’s blog, kids, and remember even though you are only half way through the week, don’t forget to, “Just let your Soul Glo! Just let it shine through! Let your Sooouuullll Glo, feel’en oh so silky smooth!”
Posted in CU Online, Education, Family, Student Life | No Comments »
Monday, December 14th, 2009 |
It’s almost creepy how fast semesters fly by as a working, online student. I remember this time last year, I was applying to get into the Library Science graduate program and thinking how very long it would take to get done. It seems as though I blinked my eyes, and I’m half way through my master’s degree. In another year I will have completed two short internships and be working on my final portfolio – a nearly certified school librarian.
These nostalgic meanderings are obviously due to the fact that it feels good to be done with another semester, but also because I just learned that there will be some librarian positions opening up in my school district next year. Half the people in my program are already working as a librarian while finishing up their degree; there just aren’t that many of us. This is both exciting and terrifying. I could do this. I could apply for a library gig.
Change is wonderful… and necessary… exhilarating… and scary as hell. When I started this program I had visions of a life without freshman essays to grade, paper spit wads to clean off my desk, and five hour parent teacher conferences to smile through. The library seemed like a dream: books to order and read, kids to help with research, and did I mention no freshman essays to grade? It does sound awesome, so why am I coming up with every reason in the book not to apply? Seriously, Sarah’s subconscious, not having lunch with your English department is not a valid reason!
I guess change is scary even for an old pro, like me. Sure, I moved a thousand miles away from my family and didn’t think twice about changing cities a few times. It’s been fun, but there was always one constant: I was always a teacher. Teaching To Kill a Mockingbird never changed with my zip codes. I have to admit, I love the terrified look on people’s faces when I tell them I teach high school English. It gives me street cred. And I’m good at it. I mean, I’m no teacher of the year, but I’m good and comfortable. I suppose that’s the center of this conflict: comfort. How many of us put off dreams, shoot down ideas, stay right where we are because it’s comfortable? It may be draining and mind-numbing, but it’s comfortable. Walking into my classroom every day, I know what trials I will face, but they are familiar trials – trials I know I can win.
What if I change jobs and I’m just no good at it? What if I stink? What if the unknown (however free of freshman essays it may be) is worse than my current obstacles and stressors? I suppose there is only one way to find out. Here goes noth’en.
Posted in CU Online, Classes, Education, Online Experience, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Saturday, September 19th, 2009 |
Alright, so this week is going much, much better. Anyone who read last week’s posting realized that I was at the end of a very short rope and feeling crazy – totally overwhelmed with the work, school and motherhood. Thankfully, things are look’en up. There was one event that really helped to turn this ship around: my student teacher took over half my classes. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Halleeee-luuuu-jaaaahhh! This means that that I still teach kiddos in the morning, but she takes over my afternoons while I observe, take notes, and mentor her towards success. This also means I do my online banking, get grad. school stuff done and work in some butt crunches at my desk. Yes! She’s getting plenty of experience; I am feeling sane; everyone wins here.
My online class is going great – loving the subject, the professor, the exchange of ideas with my classmates. Like I’ve mentioned before, it’s nice to have a course where what I learn is immediately transferable into my day job. Our school has thirty minutes of reading every day – a dream come true for me, a pain for the kids who hate reading. So, I’ve taken to bringing in my novels from this CU Young Adult Literature class and giving mini book talks to the kids. It’s working, too, some of my most reluctant readers have asked to borrow the novels I brought in. Hey, maybe they’ll do my homework for me. 
This weekend is off to a great start, too. Today I took Audrey to the Butterfly Museum in Westminster for some mommy/daughter fun. The butterflies were amazing; although, this trip Audie wasn’t too into them. She favored the slippery-when-wet signs, puddles, and putting her fingers in goopy drains. Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing: our last trip to the butterfly exhibit was gruesome because Audie loved the butterflies and I mean LOVED the butterflies. Sometimes love hurts. I am uploading a couple videos of us on our nature adventure. Now, the camera work is pretty bad – think Blair Witch Project. I promise to get better next time. As far as this video, not only am I new to working the camera, but I was a solo-parent today, trying to keep up with a toddler in a public place. If I only would’ve had my kid leash… yeah, I have one. Back off. I only bought it because I was flying with Audie by myself last summer, and whoa, did I get dirty looks. I felt like saying, “I’ve got a 16 month kid, two suitcases, a diaper bag, a purse and a layover, People!” Anyone who frowns upon a kid leash in an airport has never had a toddler. I personally think they should issue them like baggage claim tickets to all kids under four. I actually saw a woman at the grocery store last week using the same kid leash that I have. That is gutsy! I caught her eye and gave her the mommy thumbs up. It’s funny how my definition of bad-ass has changed.
More to come: I’ve started making some new jewelry pieces and when I’ve found my groove I will post some pictures. Ta ta.
Check out our videos from today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69BrXjVYV14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_w6v5MJyd8
Peace,
Sarah
Posted in CU Online, Classes, Education, Family | 1 Comment »
