Happy Birthday Porter

Porter's birthday is the day after Christmas. It is hard to make it special at this time of year. I feel guilty inviting other kids over because I am pretty sure they don't have money for a birthday gift the day after Christmas. But at the same time I feel like I need find a way to make his birthday fun and special.

We were just going to go out to dinner as a family. Porter wanted to go to Chuck-a-Rama as a family. When I told him we could invite some of his friends to go out to eat somewhere, then he decided we could do both. What he doesn't realize is that we will have to wait about a month to go out to dinner as a family for his birthday.

I told him we would take two friends to McDonald's. He invited Megan and Lexi. Don's brother gave us McDonald's gift certificates for Christmas. So we sprang for a cake and called it a party. We ordered Happy Meals for all the kids and had them play on the playland. I think he had a lot of fun. I told the kids not to bring presents and I made sure to take Porter shopping for a present afterwards.

I can't believe Porter is now just one year from turning eight.

Christmas

Santa was very good to us this year. We were blessed by many people who reached out to our family. A neighbor left presents on our porch for the whole family. Someone from Don's work did Sub-for Santa for our family. We are so thankful.

This year was the year that we would not have been able to give the children any presents. I started working full-time, but that money won't really start making a difference till February. So the fact that someone realized that we might need help and took care of my family makes me so grateful. It is embarrassing writing this on my blog, but I just wanted whoever it was to know that they made a difference.

Humble Pie

I had my third evaluation today while I taught Language Arts. Yesterday it was while I taught Science. Yesterday's was a little rough, but today was rougher than rough. I wrote the wrong sentence on the board. I made a few mistakes. In my eyes it was a complete disaster.

Yesterday they told me that I hadn't reviewed enough with the children for them to "get" what I was teaching. They wanted me to review more and make sure that the students understood. Then they came back to watch me teach it again to another class yesterday afternoon.

I spent the rest of today trying to figure out where I was going to apply next. It sure didn't look good for me at that school. I was pretty bummed.

During my planning time I tracked down the Vice-Principal to find out how I did in the evaluation. I wanted to know what things I needed to work on. I was nervous to say the least. I went in her office and said, "Okay, how bad was it? I know it was a complete disaster." She told me that it actually went well. I couldn't believe it. She saw that I was nervous and that I had just made nervous mistakes.

I can't tell you how hard this experience has been. The Principal is coming in tomorrow and then my last observation is on Thursday in math. I can't wait to get this week over with.

Walking on Air

I am flying higher than a kite and no it is not chemically induced (except for the Prozac and Wellbutrin). Do you remember the song "American Hero" or something like that? The words are playing over in my head..."Believe it or not, I'm walking on air. I never thought I could be so free..."

I have been shadowing a teacher at a charter school in hopes to take over her position by February. The school has particular teaching and discipline methods that I need to learn before I will be officially employed as a teacher. I have been observing a second grade teacher and have been teaching part of the lessons. It has been a little bit of a daunting task.

I think the most challenging part is that they will be coming to observe me teach all the subjects to see if I am "a good fit for the school." My anxiety gets progressively worse with the looming observations hanging over my head. Yesterday, I sat down with the Vice-Principal to schedule all four observations.

Today she came and observed me teach spelling and reading. The school uses ability grouping to place students in their specific level for each subject. I teach mostly third graders in spelling and reading. They are great kids, but there are a couple that are really challenging. Just yesterday I struggled to keep them all on task. I was worried that they were going to act up today.

To make a long story short, the class was wonderful. I mentioned before class that I was going to be observed and that I hoped they would be on their best behavior. They were angels. They were the perfect students. The Vice-Principal came up to me afterwards with nothing but praises. She even asked if another instructor could come in and observe on Monday. It was more than I had ever hoped for.

I am still nervous for the other three observations, but now I know that I am on the right track with my teaching methods. I have more of a feel of what the observations are going to be like. The other three are scheduled next week. By Friday of next week I will know if I passed or not.

Happy Birthday Dresden

Last Sunday was Dresden's 1st birthday. It is hard to believe that she is one already. I made her a chocolate cake with white frosting. We went to Debbie's house to open her presents and to celebrate. The beautiful red dress is from the Hadlock family. I of course took it off for her to eat the cake.



Sarah is in the picture with Dresden and the cake.

Dresden is a special baby. She is my favorite girl. I love her beyond words can tell. I hope we are always close.