Time for a life update!

So, I thought I would be able to come home after work and type up all the things that had happened during the day. However, almost 4 weeks later, this is only my second blog. Don't be so disappointed, sunshine...I've been busy!

My 4th day on the job, my teacher assistant quit. I hadn't really learned all of the paperwork yet and I was left to fend for myself. SWEET. I have been working really hard to learn everything while still trying to balance keeping my kiddos motivated and entertained. I thought I was doing pretty good, until Rule Change came about. I have a new list of rules that the "powers that may be" have decided needed to be put into place in my classroom. Long story short, I'm very frustrated. So, my kiddos see this as more things they are taking away and I can't say anything, but I almost agree with them. I've lost all chance of motivating these kids to do their work. We had a great system set up -- 4 days of work, 1 fun day, but apparently we can't do that anymore. So what's the point? They have taken away all motivation the kids did have to actually work. I am so FRUSTRATED.

I haven't updated this on here yet, but my position at this facility is a full-year position. If I can just make it through the next 3 weeks....I'm halfway there!

I had an interview on Tuesday with Athens-Meigs ESC. They called me on Friday as I was on my way to sign my job contract with North Point. I signed anyway. The interview went really well and I think they may be interested, but I don't think I am. The starting salary is significantly lower. I would be working with more kids and less aids. The ONLY really appealing thing about this job is that it is down here close to Joel. But, when Joel and I talked, he agreed I needed to keep my job at North Point and he would look for a job up there. We're talking about going up sometime to look at houses and such. Hopefully, we can find him a job too.

I think we are telling his parents tonight that we will be moving. I asked him last night what he thinks they might say. All he said was that they will tell him he needs to have a job before he moves.

I told him about the insurance thing the other night and it brought up a brief discussion about marriage. Previously, he had told me that he wants to get married, just doesn't want to go through the whole elaborate process, but that he knew that wasn't fair to me. I have, however, come to terms with the idea of just going to the courthouse. So, in our conversation the other night I said something to him about just going to the courthouse and he told me that he didn't think his parents would like that very much. It seems like the poor guy is trying to balance what he wants, with what I want, with what everybody else wants. No wonder he isn't jumping the gun to get hitched.

well, time to get back to work. Pray that I don't break anyone's neck today and actually do make it through the next 3 weeks...........

3..2..1....GO!!!

Well, here it is. My very first blog on blogger. I had been using Myspace to blog for a while, but I haven't logged onto Myspace in a very VERY long time.

Anyway, this is the start of my life as an "adult." I'm not a college student anymore -- I officially got my diploma in the mail 2 days ago. Perfect time to start a new page....even if its an electronic one. ;)

Funny to think that I got my Michigan Teaching Certification before I could get my Diploma. Way to go Eastern. You never cease to amaze me. Hope you spelled my name right, but I doubt it.

So, back to my life as an "adult." Seems kinda crazy that I won't be a student anymore. It's the only thing I have known for the past 17 years of my life. BUT, alas...I will learn to get paid rather than having to pay. :)

I started a summer job on Friday. I am working as an Educational Assistant at a Residential Treatment Facility. The clients there all have drug and/or alcohol addictions, so I certainly am learning a lot already! I am thinking that I will be using this blog a lot to document situations and use it to reflect.



So, let's talk about Friday. Let me give you a basic overview of our schedule--

8-9: Get ready for Morning Report
9-10: Morning Report and Lesson planning
10-11:30: Teach morning class (Boys)
11:30-12:30: Lesson Planning and Lunch
12:30-1:30: Teach Group (Life Skills)
1:30-3: Teach afternoon class (Girls)
3-4: Wrap up for the day, Lesson Planning, etc.

So, Morning Report is interesting, especially getting it ready. It really has nothing to do with the classroom, which is why I find it interesting why the teacher ends up preparing it, but whatever. On Friday, for the morning class, the teacher didn't have anything prepared. So, I offered a few suggestions and so to "break me in" he handed me the papers we printed and told me I would teach...my first day. sweet. So, I did and the lesson went fairly well. :) He led Group and the kids seemed very uninterested. The afternoon class had been reading a play so we continued with that and then the day was almost over. He showed me some more paperwork stuff (all stuff which has probably gone way over my head -- despite the fact that I carried my notebook and pen with me the whole day). All in all it was a good day, but I certainly have a lot to learn!! There is a whole LOT of paperwork to learn -- and a whole lot of people. They keep talking about trainings I will have to do and such -- seems like a lot for a person who will only be there at MOST 6 weeks. Maybe I should have a talk with Patsy on Tuesday to see if it is just a summer position or not.


I'm pretty set that I am going to be teaching at Woodmore in the Fall. I haven't heard anything back from Athens-Meigs ESC and I am not going to sign my North Point contract and then turn around and interview for another job. Joel and I need to have a talk about all of this. He seemed pretty ready to go when I first got the job offer, but every time I bring it up lately, he just seems so wishy-washy (for lack of a better word). I say something like "we won't be living here much longer..." and he says "welllll, you don't know how long we will be here." Doesn't sound to good does it? Leave your comments and let me know what you think.....or any advice you have for me.