Feels like Break Time
I'm procrastinating (big surprise). I'm down to my final paper.. and I'm feeling rather un-motivated at the moment. It's actually funny, if in the proper mood, I can get a lot written in a short time.. unmotivated (which is probably 98% of the time) - it could take hours, if not days!!Anyways, this past weekend was not as bad as I anticipated. Perhaps all the preparation for this week paid off.. I wasn't AS stressed as my classmates (which I discovered did not do as many assignments as I did as some of them don't have to be passed in until the end of the month!!). Another thing I noticed about my classmates is that they absolutely ADORE complaining and b**ching! They went so far to doing this via email which I felt was extremely irritating and childish. Come'on.. suck it up and just do your work - how on earth did you survive your undergrad!? (perhaps it's not as intense as other universities!??!!? Actually, I think it's more about the subjects they chose to take......... I'll leave it at that).
I'm really enjoying my practicum so far. I can't remember what I said in my last few postings but it's been extremely interesting. My class is low.. I'm discovering just how low some of the students are (and this is in term of academics). They had a volume/surface area test on Thursday and I don't think one student was able to come close to getting a perfect mark. It ended up that my mentor teacher or I sat with them to help them out.. and even with individual help, some of them still didn't get it (or come close to understanding - I swear, there are a couple of them that don't even have grade 1 math). It's actually rather sad and disturbing to find out that they've come this far in the program and not even been recognized as special education students.
I was talking to the Special Ed/ESL teacher (who happens to be a part time prof for ESL at the university- cool, I'm getting some contacts!!) and she said that the spec ed/esl program at the school has been pushed to the backburner because of administrative beliefs. That's terrible since SO many of the students NEED these programs!! This school is known to have lots of students with learning difficulties (apparantly).
I would think that this would make things seem rather grim for me, but actually, I see it as a great learning experience. Perhaps I'm just so delighted to be in an Elementary school with such a small class. I'm not sure. Anyways, there's a position opening up for the Kindergarten class which I would LOVE to have.. but it's doubtful. Lots of supply teachers probably eyeing the job as well. It really all depends on how chummy I can become with the principal of the school... but she seems sort of distant and unapproachable?? It could be just me being intimidated by her :P
Anyhow, I still think the school is great and am really enjoying it there. They have some really interesting programs set up and I love how all the teachers know all of the students!
Besides school and school (hehe).. not too much has been happening. I'm dying to have a small break, but sort of feel like I shouldn't take one since I still have lots of work awaiting me after I finish with all these assignments. I shall have to see. Besides, lesson planning and unit planning is more enjoyable than writing papers :P
I'm dreaming of summer break already. In all reality, there shouldn't be a summer break for me this year. Without a source of income without any idea of what I'm going to do to survive.. ahhh *block thoughts from mind*. Travis: I hope I'm still here too! I'll definitely meet up with you when you come (assuming I'm here of course!)
Oh yes, Happy belated birthday to SJ and Happy Wedding to Shawn & Lisa who are getting married on March 16th!
Alright, that's it for now. Better get back to writing my essay if I want to finish it by tomorrow (HA! In your dreams JY!)
Stay Germ Free Everyone - Nasty flu bug going around *shiver*.. I've had enough already PLEASE!!
posted by jaryee @ 3:22 p.m.
2 Comments:
It's great to hear that you're really enjoying teaching. It's also sad to hear that so many students are having such a hard time though :-(
I wouldn't worry about your workload either, you've always been one to be on top of things. (Have you ever done a last minute job on anything even mildly important???)
Oh, and people love complaining. hehe, I complain all the time. What I hate is when people think that it's unfair the work they have though. Sometimes people like to complain about how much work they have to get done and keep trying to 1-up by saying they have more to do. Generally though, these are the people who haven't kept up with their work, (or as a better way to say it, are really, really behind in their work instead of just behind) and it's a good chunk their own fault.
Hey, I'm gonna take a break this summer! (Like I haven't taken enough breaks already!) Me and my sister are gonna go hiking for, like, a month after I graduate until convocation. And I'm really gonna be pushing my finances in order to do so, (sad how living in a tent is gonna push my finances) but it's probably the only chance we'll get to do something like this because she'll be moving to TO and so quitting the job she has in Hamilton, so she's available then too.
The way I see it, (well, maybe not for you who's gonna get a big chunk of time off during summers when you're not teaching :-p), it's hard to get chunks of time off once you've committed yourself to something huge like a career or a family, so take the opportunities when you get 'em.
Sorry about not coming down for my break btw, I didn't prepare it early enough and just thinking about making plans and spending money stressed me out that week!
(Hehe, I probably shoulda just put all this in an email!)
Hey Vern!
Great to hear from you! When are you and Sabina going for your trip? Where are you guys going? If you have time, come down for the tulip festival in May. It's suppose to be gorgeous! Hopefully I'll get my business in order and not procrastinate with my online courses. Write to you more later (email format!! :P)
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