I'm typing from my dad's car...technology: gotta love it. The wireless access was a little thin in San Mateo but now that we are in Burlingame, it's quite brisk.
Anyway.
We are heading up the El Camino to Millbrae Bart, since my panic disorder about freeways prevents me commuting by way of the 880 and San Mateo Bridge. My parents are big enough as human beings to indulge me in my nonsense and take me back and forth to Bart during different points in the week, so I can teach on the Peninsula.
Somedays I can park my truck at Millbrae Bart and drive myself down.
Sorry this post is kind of boring and pointless. I think my next post will be about Hawaii, before I totally forget about my trip. I was delayed by a fun little bout of cellulitis in my left foot. I was going to take a picture of it and post it for you all, but spared you at the last minute. So, you're welcome.
We're almost at the turn for Millbrae Bart and I will say adieu.
MPK
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
OK Not Tomorrow
Hi all,
More from the front lines of public edu-macation.
Today was our first "block day". It's an extended pair of days for longer class times for students. Wednesday is for odd periods and Thursday is for even days. I teach even days so I had Weds. off and taught all day today.
I was stressed out about the new schedule. My 2nd period starts at 8:35 on block day, so getting across the Bay is kind of scary. I had a bad experience in the spring last year, where Bart was REALLY late and I was five minutes late to class despite giving myself an hour cushion. Usually I am in my classroom a 1/2 before class starts. My paranoia about being where I'm supposed to be on time extends to my professional life.
It's funny. When I was a student, I used to have dreams about coming into a class and finding that I was supposed to be there all year to graduate and the final was in session and I knew nothing about it. Now that I'm a teacher, I'm having teacher anxiety dreams. I dream that I open my door and find that there is a group of students there that I've never seen before. They clamor around me and say "We've been coming here all year and you are never here to teach us! We need to pass this final to graduate!! Where have you been?"
MPK
More from the front lines of public edu-macation.
Today was our first "block day". It's an extended pair of days for longer class times for students. Wednesday is for odd periods and Thursday is for even days. I teach even days so I had Weds. off and taught all day today.
I was stressed out about the new schedule. My 2nd period starts at 8:35 on block day, so getting across the Bay is kind of scary. I had a bad experience in the spring last year, where Bart was REALLY late and I was five minutes late to class despite giving myself an hour cushion. Usually I am in my classroom a 1/2 before class starts. My paranoia about being where I'm supposed to be on time extends to my professional life.
It's funny. When I was a student, I used to have dreams about coming into a class and finding that I was supposed to be there all year to graduate and the final was in session and I knew nothing about it. Now that I'm a teacher, I'm having teacher anxiety dreams. I dream that I open my door and find that there is a group of students there that I've never seen before. They clamor around me and say "We've been coming here all year and you are never here to teach us! We need to pass this final to graduate!! Where have you been?"
MPK
Friday, August 17, 2007
First Friday
Today was the finish of the first week. Boy, the learning curve of last year is really paying off. I feel so much more on top of things. There are some changes. This year our program (CSM credit for the class) is accepting freshman. At first I had misgivings, as it has been awhile since I taught the younglings that young. But it's turning out to be great so far. Today was our first rally (that should read RAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYY!!!!! they are loud!) and I remembered how terrified I was in my first week as a high school nOOb. Like barf-feelings. I remembered to ask if my 9th graders knew where the rally was and led them successfully to the big gym and to where they were going to be sitting.
It's a small thing, and they probably won't remember it, but I feel good knowing I did it. After the rally, a student called to me across the great court who couldn't get his locker open. I opened it and he was on time to class.
I was so neurotic as a kid, I HAD to know where all my rooms were located before school. I HAD to be on time. Any little hitch sent me into a meltdown. I think that's the best part of my job: locating possible meltdown situations for my students and easing them past the danger.
Of course, you can't foresee everything, and that's hard. It's scary knowing that you are trusted and that you can fail.
More tomorrow.
MPK (aka Ms. Kern)
It's a small thing, and they probably won't remember it, but I feel good knowing I did it. After the rally, a student called to me across the great court who couldn't get his locker open. I opened it and he was on time to class.
I was so neurotic as a kid, I HAD to know where all my rooms were located before school. I HAD to be on time. Any little hitch sent me into a meltdown. I think that's the best part of my job: locating possible meltdown situations for my students and easing them past the danger.
Of course, you can't foresee everything, and that's hard. It's scary knowing that you are trusted and that you can fail.
More tomorrow.
MPK (aka Ms. Kern)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Teacher Girl
Yes, it's my first week back at school. Today is day two. First, I salute the students. I remember when 2 1/2 months seemed like a long break. And the 9 months in school seemed like FOREVER. Trust me, it goes by really fast, all of it.
Anyway.
As usual, I'm finding my way in slowly. My role at "adult leader". I see my new students flinch when I walk by and feel bad. I want to tell them my philosophy of life has evolved to this: there are children and there are adults. It does not matter how old you are. I've taught 8 year olds who had a lot on the ball. Very wise and a pleasure to know. I've also taught folk in their 60's who never got it. Who make a room full of 8 year olds look like a walk in the park. Just doesn't matter.
I'm tired today. More later.
Michelle Kern
Anyway.
As usual, I'm finding my way in slowly. My role at "adult leader". I see my new students flinch when I walk by and feel bad. I want to tell them my philosophy of life has evolved to this: there are children and there are adults. It does not matter how old you are. I've taught 8 year olds who had a lot on the ball. Very wise and a pleasure to know. I've also taught folk in their 60's who never got it. Who make a room full of 8 year olds look like a walk in the park. Just doesn't matter.
I'm tired today. More later.
Michelle Kern
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