First Week

Nice to get back into the groove.

Actually an uneventful week.
Kids are kids where ever you go- some are polite, outgoing and engaging, whereas others are rude, self-absorbed and quiet.
Enjoy Spanish.  Art is something to get used to.

Getting used to working in a very small school district.
A lot of changes over the past few years, most of which I am unaware, other than I know things happened leaving staff and students in their current conditions.
Funding is low, with the current system very inequitable- $200 per teacher.  Classes like art, with so many consumables, such a budget is unrealistic.
Technology is extremely lacking.
Library resources are somewhat sad.

Using Avancemos for Spanish.
Copying online text.
Purchasing materials through Amazon, out-of-pocket.
Spanish 2 students are way below standard, so going to do two years in one.
The few Spanish 1 students in that class (schedule issues) are doing the same.  I explained to parents- it is a very unique opportunity that will probably never happen again.

Using The Experience for Art.
I had the teacher text (from student teaching at Guilford) and I found a student edition in the closet.
Again, way below HS standards, as there is no formal MS art program.  Not even a "wheel" of electives.

Staff is nice.
Principal has visited a couple of times and has been accommodating (as much as he can be).
Do not have a good read on the Superintendent yet.

Drive does not bother me, although returning home around 5PM makes for a very long day- 12 hours +/-.
Need to get into a better system, so I can leave earlier.  My last hour is planning, but there has been so much to do (printing units).
Concordia classes start next week, so need to get out ASAP on Thursdays.

Slept a good 8 hours last night.
Feel pretty good.
Have a long list of things to do- need to get moving!

Sunday

Mood wains a bit.
Began yesterday.
Probably just nerves.
This morning though, directed towards things at home:
Lonely.
Tired.
If "this" is the way it is going to be, I really don't think I can/want to.

Once change begins in one area, it moves to others.

Final weekend of summer.

Wishing it could be a lazy weekend, but have things to attend to.
Not much, although having a difficult time getting focused today.
Probably anticipation.

Finished up Spanish room yesterday (Friday) with Mom.  Just a couple of things to do during institute days (Monday & Tuesday), and then the school year begins.

Going to Freeport for my "exit interview" after school on Tuesday.  Not looking forward to that.

Otherwise, OK.

Just about that time.

Getting back into my "school schedule": alarm going off at 5:30, progressing to earlier as the week goes on.
I'm thinking that I have to leave around 6:30, 6:45 at the latest.
Gym time is an hour, so I'm thinking that my previous schedule will remain the same for the school year: Gym by 5, shower around 6, back home and then off to school.

Finished art room yesterday.
Stopped by FMS to drop off a key and spoke to a few people.
Intro letter done.
Plan to write the syllabi and a couple of other work things today.
Back to Orangeville on Thursday to finish things up (w/ Mom).

Some jitters.
Excited to start something new.

Some guilt.
No Spanish teacher at the middle school level at Freeport.  What are they going to do?
Still, I drew the line in the sand and now it just has to be the way it is.

I think the reasons for my resignation are going to be discussed at the Board meeting Wednesday.  It is during the "closed session", or otherwise I thought I might attend.
No confirmation on this, and not invited.

Otherwise.....
No foster placement yet.
Second month of second phase of workout- seeing progress.  Difficult to "work to failure"- just don't have the time.  Next phase is the "slim down", so maybe some things will pop.

Last week of summer break.
Where did it go?!

10 days

Back to school on the 20th (so 11 days) and spent another long day at Orangeville setting rooms up.

Art room yesterday with Sara.
She did a lot of organization of materials, while I worked on getting the room layout in order.
Probably about 70% done, with a big pile and a bunch of boxes to go through.
Did not touch the Spanish room, with things still to do there.
Going to be a lot of tossing of things- stuff I saved, but never used.  No real reason to have it around.

Mood is somewhat mediocre.
Not very excited this year.
Things to do for prep, and just not feeling it.

Second guessing- maybe I made the wrong decision(s).

Couple of weeks

Institute days on the 20th and 21st; students start that Wednesday, the 22nd.
Still so much to do:
Finish Spanish room.
Start art room.
Organizing a plan (for both areas).
Intro letters, syllabi, and first week.

Going in on the 8th, after last PLS class of the summer, for paperwork and set up.
All Spanish stuff out of the basement; art still to tackle.

Excited, nervous, but anxious to start.

Working on first bedroom- touch up ceiling and painting trim.
Possible (probable) placement next week.
Still need to get master finished.
Glad rest of house is finished (nearly- still some furnishings and artwork to figure out) and adjusting to layouts.

Rain expected today- storm warnings for later today/ night.
Still so far behind in rain, so anything is good.

Otherwise, OK.