Had a great meeting with the principal today!

He came to see me before school to tell me what an awesome job I am doing. He asked about coming to observe the class, but since I am preparing for end of course tests in 3 of the classes, we agreed that after the holidays would be better.

The entire exchange lifted my spirit and made the day fly. Wow!

Next year

The state has said that the local districts are allowed until a month later than usual to issue contracts, because of the uncertainty and the economy.

Our district has started calling people in who will not be offered contracts so they can start looking.

It seems evil but, really, it is so humane! I see some of my colleagues with the weight off their shoulder. They thought it was coming - now they can start looking.

Funsucker

April 1 is the deadline for special ed paperwork (somehow that seems inappropriate). Some of the teachers are scrambling to finish, exempting themselves from the classes they are supposed to co-teach in order to finish. One even exempted himself from 4 classes for 4 days. (There is a state law that the special ed teacher has to be in the classroom for at least half the class for it to count or something. What do I know?)

But Funsucker has it all together and has been a vital part of the classroom, ensuring that the students are learning the material and doing the work.

Teacher of the year

They announced Teacher of the year to the entire school last week.

I didn't get it, lol. But I did have several parents write wonderful letters which were given to me. That means so much and makes such a difference in teaching, to know that someone recognizes what you do.

Mr. Hulk had a meeting after school to recognize the teacher selected and to acknowledge all of the teachers who were nominated by students and parents. Wow.

It must be the weather!

Funsucker just called. She made the copies for the next unit and says I can take some time Monday during class to catch up on grading, that she has it under control!

She said she had an idea for a different type of assessment for this unit and had most of it done. I wish we had discussed it beforehand, but this really takes a load of my plate.

I won't look a gift horse in the mouth, though.

Back to school

Well, Mr. Hulk activated the automatic call last night to remind us there would probably be school. It;s a good thing, because our district isn't mentioned at all with the no school/delayed opening list this morning.

He also let the student drivers leave when he knew we were releasing early, allowing them to leave before the buses and cutting down on congestion as well as getting the kids off the roads earlier.

You have to admire him for that.