Back in the Saddle

Wow, I made it through my first week as a long-term sub. It was an adjustment to start working for pay in September, because I had been a SAHM for seven years, but when I started subbing, I took a day or two off every week and caught up on housework and errands (and naps...but don't tell anyone). Then I stepped it up to working every day I possibly could (except the snow day and of course Presidents' Day) and that was another level of multitasking. Now I'm fulfilling all the responsibilities of a classroom teacher, all day every day, and it is a lot more work than regular subbing. I am busy every minute of the day except lunch, because I use any minute of down time to grade papers, plan the next lesson, record grades, provide make-up work, answer emails people who want me to do things I have no idea how to do, go to meetings, etc. The learning curve is steep, but the good thing is that I do enjoy doing this. You would think that would be a given, but I honestly wasn't sure I would like teaching again because I had a hard time when I taught eighth grade. Now I am having more fun with the students. I still don't like having to be the Mean Teacher (some students weren't too happy when they got bad grades on homework they had neglected to do and/or did a bad job on) but I am determined to get a thicker skin and make this my profession for life.

Today was Mr. Blue's birthday party. I can hardly believe my baby boy is four years old! I don't have the pictures on the computer yet--maybe I'll get to that before Monday.

Or then again, maybe I'll just fall asleep on the couch like I did three nights this week.

Friday Fill-Ins #164

 

1. Johnny Weir is someone I had to Google--and it turned out I'd heard of his costumes, I just didn't know his name.
2. Shamefully, I have not watched any of the 2010 Olympics (largely because my husband is not interested).
3. And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was overcome by the urgent need to earn a living.
4. Treat yourself to something nice if you get an urge.
5. Having sweet dreams is a lovely addition to a good night's sleep.
6. What does it take to keep going when you don't know where you're going to get enough energy to do everything that needs to be done?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to putting the kids to bed, tomorrow my plans include going to a baby shower and (later) a birthday dinner for my dad and Sunday, I want to get ready for my first day teaching 9th & 10th grade English!

More Friday Fill-ins here.

Still Numb

I don't know how to write this except to just write it. On Thursday night we had a record-breaking snowstorm for our area, and during the night the snow caused the roof of my husband's cabinet shop to collapse and somehow started an electrical fire. The fire department put it out before morning, but we didn't hear Justin's phone while we were asleep, and we didn't know about it until yesterday morning.

Some of the cabinets, the computer, the van and the covered trailer were, thankfully, salvageable. The main thing is to finish the couple of jobs that were in progress (one of them involves three complicated cabinets that the builder is withholding $45,000 until they are installed). It looks like Justin and his partner may be able to lease a shop from a man in our church to finish these jobs. We were down to almost no money in the company due to this builder refusing to release any money, so it's only thanks to family that we are able to even take this step. We could really use your prayers for strength and peace and hope that better things are coming.

I feel like I haven't had time to check in--and that's because I haven't. Last week I worked 4.5 days and then left on Friday for a women's retreat on a ranch in East Texas. It was a good experience and I even rode a horse for the first time, which I enjoyed. (I chickened out on the zip line.) But after I got back on Saturday night, we had church and a Super Bowl party to go to. All that sounds fun and it was but I didn't have time to do everything I usually do on the weekend. I then went back to work on Monday. I was supposed to sub the second half of the day for the teacher going on maternity leave, and spend the morning observing her classes and planning ahead for when I show up to take over. Instead, a lot of teachers called in and there weren't enough subs. I ended up subbing in other classes, then running back to Mrs. S's class when they did find a sub. I subbed in the afternoon for the Pre-AP English I classes. I had to go to the grocery store after school and I was exhausted last night. It doesn't help that I've been waking up an hour early the past few mornings.

I don't think I should go into all the details here, but things are still tough here with the business and adding nervousness about doing a good job in this position isn't helping. I would be thankful if you would pray for me.

In Case You Didn't See This on Twitter...

I got the long-term sub job!

The assistant principal called me back on Monday morning (the interview was on Friday after school) to offer me the position "if I was still interested." I've never said yes so fast, except maybe when Justin proposed.

I'll be teaching mostly 9th grade English, regular English and Pre-Advanced Placement, plus one Pre-AP English II (which another teacher will help me plan for). I get to teach Romeo & Juliet, which I'm excited about because at least it's about love and that keeps teenagers at least somewhat interested. One week is the statewide test. I'll start once the teacher has her baby (she said, "I plan to keep teaching until the school nurse makes me leave") which should be the middle to end of this month, and so I'll be done the first part of April. Next week I'm going to sub for her while she has her doctor's appointment.

I wasn't sure at all that I was going to get it. All weekend, I kept thinking of how I could have answered the questions more smoothly. And the teachers (the one I'm subbing for and the department head) were polite, and they nodded and smiled when I answered their two or three questions--but that happened at the last interview I had, too, and I didn't get that job. So...you never know.

This will really help--I'll be making more money and getting my name in front of the right people when they are hiring for the new high school or hiring replacements at the OLD high school. I am grateful for the chance to show what I can do.

Remind me not to complain when I'm tired from working every day, okay?