The Demo Lesson

It is really exhausting to go into a class of 8th grade students to teach a demo lesson. I did one today. It went well, but the interview that followed was odd. The principal made me feel as though the lesson was not too good. I thought it went well considering my expectations for the class were higher than the skills of the class. (The school's website sings a song far different than the reality.)

Anyway, as I was waiting to do the demo lesson, the literacy person came into the office. She chatted with one of the secretaries and they were obviously talking about me and my lack of backbone to work in the school. Talk about feeling weird. I waited and waited. My demo lesson was to be at noon. No one came to get me until maybe 5 or 10 minutes later than that (yet the lesson had to be in a certain time slot). Still, I did well. I think I even saw the literacy specialist give a nod of approval when I was finished.

Now I wait. I need a job and am fully capable of working in any school (pretty much), but I also feel as though my opportunities are shrinking.

Think I'll go take a nap.

Teacher Certification

I have been interested in getting additional certification to teach in the state of New York. There is an express certification for already certified teachers to extend their certification in Special Education. I looked into it, and after spending 100 dollars have learned that it is almost valueless. Well, not fully, but it is if you do not currently hold a position in a public school. What you need for this additional certification is to take three classes in special education, take the Special Education content area test (another 88 dollars), and -- this is the kicker -- have a letter or document signed by the superintendent of your district that you will be teaching special education.

The problem: what school will hire a teacher if they don't have the certification? New York State is so backed up, even with the proper paperwork, it takes a long time to get the certification necessary.

Additional problems in the area of certification are as follows:

no one is available within the certification office to give help.

you have to take a designated number of courses in a particular area of study (ie English) and pass the content area test. However, even if you could pass the content area test without the courses, you do not get credit for them. This seems off to me. Theoretically, the purpose of taking those courses is to enable one to to pass the content test. Why not allow someone to teach an area where they obviously know the material?

it's really all about money. There seems to be little interest in making better teachers with these restrictions, just making it more difficult to get the ducks lined up.

When I first took my teacher tests (then called NTE - national teaching exam), I took them with a girl (at least one) who did not pass the tests the first two times she took them. I was horrified to learn that I would be in competition with this girl once she did in fact pass the NTE. So, while I still must present my transcripts when getting interviewed, I don't have to worry about the scores on the teaching tests. This just seems unfair. I was a different person 25 years ago. Further, the college where I received my undergraduate diploma was not a good fit for me. I had difficulty at BU; the same type courses I took at Fairfield University and the University of Connecticut earned me better grades.

I got through school and through my various experiences have become a better teacher. The difficulties I faced as a student have helped me to understand my students better. I am a very bright person now; it was not necessarily the case when I was 22. We learn with each passing day. Still, I lose job opportunities to young girls who just graduated from college.

Having certification in various areas seems just to be filler for a resume. The states have created a nightmare and need to further review and identify what makes a person eligible to teach a course. It's more than just a test. It's about character.

The Holiday Concert

Tonight is Tyler's big night. It's the holiday concert and he participates in both band and chorus. While he is not so happy about the music chosen for chorus, I am very pleased that he loves band. It should be nice to hear the music that surrounds the trombone rather than just the trombone. I wonder if Tyler is better than his classmates in band. He sounds quite good at home. I suspect that since he likes it and is doing well with it he enjoys playing the trombone. (Next year we have to come up with the chips to purchase one.)

They are calling for rough weather this evening. I enjoy the cold and how it brings the holiday to mind. The prospect of snow, cold air, and a holiday concert just make me embrace the holiday. (Only 16 shopping days left.)

Lack of Intelligence

I often wonder why people my age have such apathy toward the future of the country. Many I know don't give a hoot about recycling. Many don't care about what's ahead for the young people of the country. Some, because of their closed-mindedness, just don't know the difference between boring and dislike.

Case in point: when the President spoke at West Point last week, several of the cadets in the audience were sleeping. Rod and I spoke about this and how it made West Point look bad. Let's face it, the President was speaking about the war in Afghanistan. A war, by the way, that these same cadets would be fighting in. Still, because of their schedules and the rigorous life they lead at West Point, sleep was too strong a pull. When we watched the news, Rod and I knew something would be said at West Point the next day. It was. The powers that be were not pleased that their students were sleeping.

My friends' reaction? "I'd have slept through the speech too." Or, "the speech was boring." Boring? What about the continuation of an already long war is boring? What about the steps that are next in asking Americans to give life and money for an already costly war is boring?

I have never heard a President speak in person. Rod did (GW). Although he did not like Bush's politics, Rod still found the opportunity to be a highlight.

The bottom line is this. While I recognize that speeches can be boring, I suspect that if the speech is about your future, the ability to listen with attention should be there. When I attended a sports awards night at the local high school, I found the entire process to be long and boring. Right up until I realized a coach was talking about my daughter. Then the three hour evening seemed less difficult to get through. When I have attended faculty meetings that talk about finances, I find my mind wandering. The minute I know jobs may be on the line, however, I am focused and listening for any message that may be between the lines.

The cadets in attendance at Obama's speech last Tuesday night should have been able to muster an attention span that indicated they knew how important the speech was for their future. My friends who claim they'd have slept? I guess they just lack the intelligence to realize that our future is on the line too.

The Things I Need to Learn

Now that Christmas is in less than a month, my fingers are just hanging on my hands with all the knitting I've been doing. Projects, by the way, that have been just about finished but not quite. For example, I finally plan to finish the Wrap I'd been working on for over a year. I am in the final stretch. Thanks to Julia for urging me on. But there's so much more I want to do.

On Friday, I purchased a copy of Interweave Knits Holiday Projects. There are some nice ideas in there, but I am afraid to tackle them. I really need to learn how to use several colors in my work so I can do some Fair Isle knitting. A handsome pair of mittens in two colors would be so much fun to knit, but I am afraid (I don't know why) of using more than one color at a time. I know the local yarn shop could teach me, but right now I'm too busy to ask. Maybe it's something I could learn in the new year.

I also need to learn some new cast-ons. One sweater I found for Rod requires an "invisible provisional cast-on". I read the directions for the cast-on, but I don't get it. More help needed. since I cannot finish the sweater by Christmas, I will wait to learn the cast-on in January.

Knitting with beads that have been strung on the yarn prior to knitting is another skill I want to learn. Again, a pattern in the magazine has several ideas for knitting with beads but I'm having difficulty understanding exactly how to do the job. Another January project, I suppose.

For now I think I should just focus on what I have accomplished. Truly I have tackled some neat projects this year -- projects I will return to again and again. For example, socks. Julia has used hers quite a bit and has requested another pair from me. Tyler has outgrown his socks and wants a new pair too. I still need to do a pair for Rod as well. I also knitted a really great sweater for Tyler. Not only does it fit, but he wears it whenever he's cold.

I am pleased with what I've done but I have so much more to learn....

The Squeaky Wheel

In my years as teacher I've dealt with some tough parents. Mostly, they just want what's right for their child and the balance is finding a way to address their needs while sticking to my own practices. It is very difficult for me to be a parent in parent teacher conferences, however. I enter with guns blazing and can be downright mean. Sadly, though, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. In short, that behavior can reap rewards.

Case in point. Two years ago Tyler had a teacher for math who was quite disorganized. The following year she was no longer teaching her own class because there was, so the rumors went, some question as to her certification. Further, many parents had serious concerns about her as a teacher: she lacked organization, didn't communicate well, didn't hold the bar high enough for those who needed it. So, imagine my dismay when I learned that Tyler was assigned to her class for 5th grade. I wrote a letter to the principal and superintendent of schools. Basically, I put her on notice and said if my child was to be in her class, I would scrutinize every single thing she did.

I kept my promise. NOw, after a rough parent teacher conference, Tyler has been moved into the class with the strongest writing teacher.

But who was the squeaky wheel?

The assistant principal called last night to find out how my conference went. She must have been given a heads up as to my displeasure. With me out of her way, the teacher with the questionable track record may continue the year without further fear of the crazy mom with time to write letters looking too closely at what is happening inside the classroom.

My job is to look out for my child. I do that with a fierceness that's scary. But if I were more calm and easy going (which I truly wish I were) would I have gotten my child out of that writing class?

The Good Old Days

Yesterday I walked with my friend Joni. We discussed, among many other things, how simple things were back in the days when we didn't have computers (personal ones that had internet) and cell phones. Things seemed more genuine. And, in this economy, is sure was cheaper!! I find myself missing the old days.

On snowy days, kids would stop by to see if we needed our paths or driveway shoveled.

Young kids could get a job before the age of 14 by delivering newspapers.

Families had dinner together.

People still wrote letters.

HOuses sold for what they were worth.

It seemed that more people lived within their means.

These days, I see efforts to get back to grass roots. More people are hand-making gifts. It's cool to knit. The library seems more active than ever before. No one seems too willing to spend five bucks on a cup of joe.

I'd like to see small communities come back. I live in a place where there are no shops. Available retail is used by nail salons and laudromats. YOu know what that says about my community...poor, poor, poor. When I first moved here we had a bakery, two clothing shops, a shoe store, gifts shops, a florist that sold flats of flowers for outdoor planting, hardware stores owned and operated by its owner.

I cannot change the world, but I can slowly go back in my own life. I don't need much. I do, however, need to raise my son to realize that he doesn't need much either. Otherwise, he'll be wishing for the old days of today. Yikes!!