Sunday, December 20, 2009
A new development..............
At work on Wednesday, my boss said she wanted to go over how next semester is going to go. When I met with her that morning, she let me know that I would be teaching 2 sheltered classes next semester. I will be teaching a sheltered World History class and a U.S. History I class. Can I just say.............. YIKES!!! Sheltered classes mean that I will have only ESOL students in my classes. Since I am teaching these in the second semester this means that I get all of the ESOL students who flunked these classes in the first semester. OH GOODY! The good news is that these will be very small classes (about 8 students, we think). The bad news is that not only do I have 2 weeks to learn World History, but now I have to learn U.S. history also. So instead of relaxing on my holiday break, I'll be reading and working on lesson plans. I have been team teaching in World History this semester so I at least have a foundation in that class. U.S. history however is new territory for me and some of this stuff I haven't heard since I was in school (a long long time ago), lol. I'm very excited to finally be teaching my own classes, even if I don't have my own room yet. It's definately going to be interesting to see how many of these students I can get to pass these classes this semester. I guess it's good I like a challenge :)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
I Passed!!!
Ok, Ok, I am not doing very well at keeping up on the blog. I was truly overwhelmed there for a little while. I have turned in all of the homework for my Master's classes. Now I am just waiting on my grades. I'm not sure what kind of grades I will get this time, but I'm sure I passed the classes.
On November 14th I took 2 Praxis tests. Praxis tests are the tests that you have to take to be endorsed as a teacher. I took my ESOL test and passed with flying colors :) I also took the Social Studies content test in order to be able to teach high school social studies. I passed this one also!!!!!!!! Barely...... by 1 point, but I did pass it!!! Considering the fact that being a high school social studies teacher was NEVER on my agenda and considering I haven't taken a History class or a Government class is 20+ years and have never had an economics class, I am proud of myself for passing it. Trust me, I was sure that I would fail it and I would have to take it again so it was a great surprise to learn that I had passed it. Now I can teach my own social studies class. Next semester I will have a sheltered freshmen World History class. Which basically means that I will have the freshmen ESOL students that flunked World History this semester and the hope is that I can teach them in a way that they can pass the class.
At least some of the issues that have been overwhelming me are now over or coming to an end. The semester for classes is over, taking those tests are over, and I have almost survived my first semester as a new teacher. After the first of the year things should calm down quite a bit. I only have 6 hours left in order to finish my master's degree. They are not offering the classes in a way that I can take them in the Spring so I will take next semester off and finish the classes in the summer. This should give me more time to concentrate on teaching World History, substitute, and be a homebound teacher.
I'm still going to Pittsburg every other weekend to see the boys. I still miss them terribly, but I do enjoy my clean, quiet apartment too. Usually when I go back, mom and I go to watch Tyrell and Bryce bowl on Saturday mornings. Wow, those kids can really bowl!!!
Christmas is almost here and I will probably stay in Pittsburg during the break. Let's be honest, it will more than likely be after the first of the year before I blog again :) So let me tell all of you now, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday. I love you all, take care!
On November 14th I took 2 Praxis tests. Praxis tests are the tests that you have to take to be endorsed as a teacher. I took my ESOL test and passed with flying colors :) I also took the Social Studies content test in order to be able to teach high school social studies. I passed this one also!!!!!!!! Barely...... by 1 point, but I did pass it!!! Considering the fact that being a high school social studies teacher was NEVER on my agenda and considering I haven't taken a History class or a Government class is 20+ years and have never had an economics class, I am proud of myself for passing it. Trust me, I was sure that I would fail it and I would have to take it again so it was a great surprise to learn that I had passed it. Now I can teach my own social studies class. Next semester I will have a sheltered freshmen World History class. Which basically means that I will have the freshmen ESOL students that flunked World History this semester and the hope is that I can teach them in a way that they can pass the class.
At least some of the issues that have been overwhelming me are now over or coming to an end. The semester for classes is over, taking those tests are over, and I have almost survived my first semester as a new teacher. After the first of the year things should calm down quite a bit. I only have 6 hours left in order to finish my master's degree. They are not offering the classes in a way that I can take them in the Spring so I will take next semester off and finish the classes in the summer. This should give me more time to concentrate on teaching World History, substitute, and be a homebound teacher.
I'm still going to Pittsburg every other weekend to see the boys. I still miss them terribly, but I do enjoy my clean, quiet apartment too. Usually when I go back, mom and I go to watch Tyrell and Bryce bowl on Saturday mornings. Wow, those kids can really bowl!!!
Christmas is almost here and I will probably stay in Pittsburg during the break. Let's be honest, it will more than likely be after the first of the year before I blog again :) So let me tell all of you now, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday. I love you all, take care!
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