AWANA

Tonight was the kick-off party for AWANA at Countryside Christian Church.  Taylor and Jocelyn attended most of last year and loved it so we signed them up again this year along with Wesley.  What a kick-off party it was!  We walked into the gym to find a huge bouncy castle/play obstacle course, nachos with tasty cheese, and Kool-aid and water.  Ken and I went to attend a meeting about the Cubbies program for Wesley while the other two played.  Wesley wasn’t too sure about the whole thing.  He sat on my lap and chewed the neck of his shirt, speaking to no one.  He only got happy after he’d had his nachos and the red dye from the Kool-aid (aka sugar) kicked in.  Ken and I are looking forward to Wednesdays when we can drop all 3 off and spend some quality time together, hopefully at the neighborhood Starbucks, catching up on adult conversation.

We’re still up for a busy few weeks!  Wesley’s Open House at school is tomorrow night, Ken works all of Labor Day weekend and Labor Day, Cheri’s bridal shower is Saturday, Darren’s bachelor party Sunday, a couples shower/BBQ Monday, then there’s the wedding, Jocelyn’s 1st Brownie meeting and my seminar/class!!!  Ahhh, busy, busy, busy!

Phase-In?

Our student teaching program usually consists of phasing-in, taking on a full-load for about 3 weeks, then phasing-out.  Last Friday I showed up at school and was told that I was getting it all for that day.  Turns out my cooperating teacher’s son, age 2, had strep throat and she was going home.  I had the opportunity to teach the entire day while the substitute (required to be there thanks to Kansas’ law forbidding student teachers to be paid) sat around watching.  That was an extremely easy day for her and a quick $95.  After that my cooperating teacher has basically been letting me take over whatever I want to, which was not at all what was written on paper for my phasing-in schedule!  Actually, I’m rather pleased since she obviously likes what I’m doing.  She gives me feedback and jumps in when she feels the need.  Now I just need to figure out how she’s doing the planning . . .

The “Real” Week 1

This is — officially — my first week of student teaching.  The 23rd to be exact.  All of last week and the next couple of days are freebies.  I learned soooo much in how to get the procedures down that I feel very confident about applying that and keeping control of the class.  Also, the students have known me since day 1 (that is, the day 1 of Aug. 15 first day of school for them!) so it should make it easier for me when it comes to taking over the whole class.  Here’s some of what else I learned:

 *  It’s not uncommon for someone to enroll for 2 days and then leave.

*  Some students who don’t feel like coming to school don’t.  Period.  They also don’t feel the need to follow the school calendar and show up when they want to.  Example — 1 student started today, oblivious to the fact that school truly started last week.

*  Homework is expected every night — weekends included.  At least 1 math worksheet and 20 minutes of self-selected reading.  NO EXCUSES!!!!  Not even the principal will listen to them.  How does it go, Clay?  “Talk to the hand!”

*  It’s not unusual for at least 1 student to be sent to the office on the first day of school.

*  Supplies?  Optional, but helpful on the part of the teacher’s meager salary.

*  Teaching does not consist of a normal schedule.  You come in early, leave late, and you’re lucky if you get a potty break or lunch.  (I realize lunch is supposed to be a scheduled time but the majority of teachers I know work through their lunch, me included, to help ease the rest of the paperwork burden after school!)

My feelings after a full week?  I’m tired but still lovin’ every minute of it! 

Wee-wee Wesley

Apparently my easy-going Wesley is having trouble adapting to his new role as student at New Song.  He goes three days a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Last Friday and today he’s wet his pants.  He cried so hard when I dropped him off this morning that I nearly cried right along with him.  He claims he has fun but then he says that he hates it.  The actual semester doesn’t start until after Labor Day, so he’s had a lot more fun and games.  I wonder what will happen after that??????

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, it’s off to school they go!

Today was the first day of school for everyone in the Wichita school district.  I am pleased to say that for the most part, there was little trouble, other than my car gushing radiator fluid all over the garage floor last night resulting in a trip to the mechanic early this morning.  Thanks to my hubby who was willingly late to work to take it in and to the kind owner of Unruh who lent Ken his truck so he could get to work.  The school bus was just about on time and both Taylor and Jocelyn climbed aboard willingly, stopping for the never-ending pictures that I always take of them on their first day of school.  They came home full of enthusiasm and eager to tell me about their day.  Jocelyn even started studying for her first “test” which will be tomorrow on the alphabet.  I wonder how long that will last . . .  Before long I’m sure I’ll be fighting with them to get their homework done.

 

 My first day as student teacher was fabulous.  Although my part was just another body in the classroom, mostly observing but also helping the students, it just lights my fire even more.  I am chomping at the bit to get out and have my own classroom but my hands are tied.  The good news is that their are numerous jobs still open in the district and there’s even more money in it now, thanks to a new contract   My job is to learn all I can and successfully student teach so I will competent enough when I do get my own class!  Here’s to learning!  Cheers!

It’s only just begun . . .

Today was Wesley’s first day of Pre-K at New Song Academy.  I must admit that it was a lot harder dropping him off as it had been my other two children when they began their formal education.  Perhaps it’s because he’s my youngest. . .  He got a bit shy and chewed on his shirt looking down at the floor, unusual for Wesley.  I wanted to snatch him up and run out of the building. All in all, he had a great day and can’t wait to go back Wednesday.  Now I face the challenge of getting the other two off to school tomorrow!

Open House

As a parent, I have attended several Open Houses for schools over the years.  The one I attended tonight was very different.  I stood in the gymnasium with a line of teachers on one side, staring at the line of parents on the other.  It looked like a game of “Red Rover” or war.  The principal began to speak and took turns with the Vietnamese and Spanish interpretors.  After the introduction, the students went to find their teachers and their classrooms where, once again, interpretors were available.  Multiculturalism at its finest.  The lure for good attendance?  Free hotdogs, popcorn, cookies, and lemonade. 

Woe is Taylor

As some of you may know, Taylor has been on the waiting list to attend Bostic Traditional Magnet Elementary School with Jocelyn for over a year now.  He loves it at his current school but we feel that the curriculum at Bostic would be more challenging for him.  I had told him that if he didn’t get accepted by the time he started 4th grade, then he can finish out his elementary school years at Seltzer.

 This morning I got the phone call from the Magnet office.  They had a 4th grade opening, did we still want it?  After calls back and forth between Ken, Bostic, and the Magnet office, we accepted.  Taylor is crushed, primarily because he doesn’t want to wear the uniforms that Jocelyn so enjoys wearing.  I’m thrilled, not only because he’ll be challenged to where he needs to be, but it makes it easier for me having 2 children going to the same school when I’m trying to student teach.  And next year Wesley will be there too!  3 kids in one school–yippee!!!!

Teacher Report Day

Today was the first day that the teachers reported to work.  Many teachers had already been in during the summer to ready their rooms for the upcoming year whereas others had only just begun.  I was truly in my element!  I did fun things like laminating, cutting, putting stickers on folders, and attended a planning meeting before spending the afternoon in a staff meeting (no, I’m not being sarcastic.  I actually love to do these kind of things!).  It’s amazing that when you finally figure out what you want to do for a career and with the rest of your life, all is so much more enjoyable. 

Unfortunately, due to lack of childcare, I don’t go back again until Monday night when they have a Meet the Teacher night.  Tuesday, August 15th is the first day of school for the students.  I am sooooo looking forward to that (yes, not only for my student teaching but for my own children to go back too!)! 

Hello World!

Ken thought it might be a good idea to start posting on a blog since tomorrow is my first day of school and I’ll be in a whole new area — student teaching!  I encourage you to visit frequently for posts in what’s happening in my student teaching arena as well as what’s going on in the Davis Family household.  Look out world!  Here I come!!