To Begin Again....

That title is misleading. But, it sounds kinda cool.

I'm trying to start this blogging thing again.

Why? I have no idea. I guess I have this need to write -- which is weird -- because I don't really like to write. Don't tell my students that though....

Let me put that a different way....I am okay with writing.....as long as nobody assigns me to write something. I'd rather have a root canal.

 I want to write how I think and talk.....which might just be ramblings.

I don't want to have to think when I write. I want it to f-l-o-o-o-w-w-w....flow right out of my brain down my neck through my arms to my fingers that are typing my thoughts onto that computer screen in front of me.....

Yep, that's how I like to write.....for my entertainment. Who knows, maybe somebody else will read this and be entertained too!

I'm going to try to start writing for my entertainment again..... after all, 2008 -- the last time I wrote an entry --- was four years ago....I think it's time....

I found out in May that my job is going to change. That excites me. No, really, it does....

For the past five years, I have been a Title 1 teacher and technology teacher. I loved my job. I was the only teacher in the building who got the opportunity to see every kid in school everyday. Now, I only spent 40 minutes per day with them.....but I was privileged to see them all everyday.

This past year my title went from "Title 1 teacher" to "interventionist". Sounds kinda cool, doesn't it?

Next year I will be the interventionist for the entire district.....which means I will be in both buildings everyday. I'm really excited! I start in the K-4 building in the morning and the 5-8 building in the afternoon. (I'm tech for the entire district too but in a slightly different role.)

This could get a bit hectic......I can't wait! I like hectic....I like the bustle.....

Oh, did I mention I am also moving to a new space....we're calling it my office.

My dear husband painted my office on his day off.....man, I love that guy! We also moved all of my paraphernalia out of my old space into my new office.....after having been a teacher and administrator for the past 25 years, I've accumulated a lot of stuff. It's mostly books, binders, and files.....but there's quite a bit of it.

I went back this afternoon and put everything in its place -- for now anyway.  It looks pretty good. I'm going to have my friend Elizabeth decide how to decorate the walls.....she's great at that....

I like the old time one room schoolhouse look. So, my walls are "latte". I have schoolhouse pictures.....six of them in different sizes.....I have no idea how to arrange them to look pleasant. I wasn't blessed with that talent.....my sister was.....I however, was not. That's okay....I decorate cakes.... :)

I love the intervention stuff.....love love love it.....this is when we do really cool stuff for and with kids to help them succeed. Its rewarding.....and frustrating.....

We teachers work on this stuff all year around. I never stop thinking about what we can do for kids.....I've already met with one of the special education teachers to work out our schedule for next year and what we need to buy. I'm going to meet with the language arts teacher soon to work on curriculum......see...never stop thinking.....it's all about doing what's best for kids.....

We have the schedule finished....we'll see what happens though.....you know -- best laid plans......

We have several students with organization issues so we brainstormed ways to help them. Some kids have problems getting all their necessary materials to their classes....I'm hoping we have alleviated that problem with our plan. We are going to purchase a stocked pencil box with the child's name on it to remain in his classroom at all times. Now, how easy is that? Do you realize how much time it takes away from instruction when a student is being sent back for materials.....here's a hint.....it's a lot.....

Hey, I've got a million of these easy little fixes! Now, let's hope that little accommodation works!

Last year we, through the generous support of our PTO, we purchased three iPods and three sets of good headphones. We loaded the players with ocean sounds (basically white noise). Those students who had difficulty focusing were able to use the devices to minimize distractions while they were working. Did it work? Yes and no.....that's like all interventions....sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Now that doesn't mean we need to give up trying......sometimes it's just the day......