Happy Friday to Me

Honestly, this week has really been one to forget. I've been grumpy for no reason, gotten a less than desired score on a mid term, and slept very little. Until today.

I had an interview scheduled for 3:30pm today for a potential student teaching spot. The teacher wanted to make sure that I would fit into the school. This is not a bad thing, but I was beginning to wonder if anyone wanted me to be in the classroom next semester. Both of the other English student teachers have had their assignments for over a month, but I hadn't.

Now, I do. I finally have it. I'll be working in a school smaller than where I went to school, but it is a growing school with what seems to be a great outlook for students. One plus is that the teachers and students are all getting laptops next year. That will make student teaching very interesting.

I also recieved a letter today stating that I'd passed the Praxis. You know, that one that I had to pay $130 for... I passed with almost 30 points over the required amount to pass for the state standard. I felt good about the test, but it's still a relief to know that I passed and don't have to take it again in order to get my certification.

As I See It

A Response to "What Schools Need to Succeed" by Stan Archie, Kansas City Star, April 4, 2008

Urban schools, including (and perhaps especially) the Kansas City school district, are in serious need of re-vamping. It's time for parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members to be concerned about the students in the district. What are they learning, and from whom they are learning? In all of this I agree with Stan Archie.

Also, parents do need to take responsibility for their children and how they act. In this too, I agree with Archie. Parents do need to be involved with their children and their learning. As a parent, I am responsible for how my daughter acts with me and at school. I am responsible for what she sees when she is at home. In that way, I am her teacher. Or at least a teacher, to her.

Archie asserts, "Teachers are not parents, and parents are not teachers. Both jobs are unique and not interchangeable" (Archie B8, KC Star). I agree that as a teacher, I am not responsible in the same way that parents are for the students, but as a parent, I am a teacher to my daughter. I was her first teacher and will (hopefully) always be around to teach and help her along her way in life.

I think if parents thought of themselves as teachers, they would have a new outlook on parenting. Being a parents is made up of being a teacher, a doctor (at least a nurse), fan, behavior specialist, counselor, tour guide, disciplinarian, and many other things all in one.

Let's encourage all parents to take responsibility for their children's learning--don't just say that it's the teacher's job. Parents need to be involved with helping their children with their homework and making sure that they are being involved in school. Teachers are not parents to all students, but parents are teachers. Sorry, Mr. Archie.

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On a totally unrelated, but happier, note--here are some new pictures.

Maddie and Me

Maddie in a cute hat!

Playing at the park... she is really good at her "cross-eyed" look! Swinging, in MY sunglasses!
Easter Eggs!!
Easter Sunday. She totally posed for this picture... She's just a little goofy!
My adorable nephew!
Yawning... at church
I don't know who's winning... but it's a fun picture!
Anthony and his Da-da! Matching shirts... too cute!
And that's all for now. I will have more loaded on Facebook soon.