What'cha Workin' on Wednesday ~Packing & Moving...Moving & Packing ~~Plus A Little Joy Sprinkled In

My teaching assignment has changed once again.

It seems like I just moved all of my curriculum and materials 

into the ATEC Academy.

Click here, in case you missed it.

And now, I am moving out again.

Hubby came with me to climb up to take my banners down 

and to carry out the rest of my boxes.

(Thank you, honey.)

On my front table...this reminder of why we all work so hard.

A lovely bouquet of flowers from two of my senior girls.

So, I brought closure to my short time in the ATEC Academy.

Remember the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony?

Seems like it was just last week!

This bouquet features a variety of colors and flowers...

the purple is just so rich.

Back to packing & moving...

We teachers all have an area in the TPC

(teacher planning center)

Last year, the carpet was replaced in the B-1 TPC.

Yep, you guessed it...this year it was our turn in the A-1 TPC.

Everything had to be moved out of the drawers, shelves,

file cabinets, and desktops.

Remember, I have 37 years of curriculum on hand...

and yes, it was a huge task.

Somehow, flowers make it all better...

Last but not least, this was my first classroom 

when we moved to Central High School.

This is where I taught Fashion,

Child Development/Parenting,

Child Development/Preschool,

Personal Development,

and Independent Living.

Now it will be converted to a Commercial Kitchen,

where we will teach Culinary Arts.

We moved everything out,

including the storage area in the back.

It was all a whirlwind,

and I have some boxes stacked in our garage.

(I can sort and discard on my own time this summer.)

Meanwhile, these cheerful yellow daisies 

just make me happy!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania~Where the Weekend Went~and Friends for Forty Years

We enjoyed another great weekend 

cheering on the Bison.

Here's another look at these sweet young ladies.

Of course, the teacher in me asked about their classes.

They assured me that things were going well.

They were excellent students in high school, so I expected nothing less.

Watching football in the Dome is an awesome experience...

After the game, we met Cathy for a quick bite to eat before heading home.

First thing she said to me,  "Can you believe we've been friends for 40 years?"

"No, kidding...we're only 40 years old, right?!"

I am so happy we've stayed in touch.  

Cathy is a special woman and I cherish our friendship.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, back to the reality of the work week.

It is the end of first term...today.

End of course exams, final projects, checking in books.

New term starts...tomorrow.

New courses, new students, checking out books.

I'm glad this craziness happens only twice during the school year!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania~A big Woo Hoo~and a Bella update

I am so lucky to have these two amazing young women in my life.

Both are in their final year of study...

Amy, her graduate program...

Emily, her undergraduate program...

Congratulations

to Emily who, this weekend,

passed the 4 year cumulative exam to become certified as a Health Fitness Specialist.

She has always had a passion for exercise, fitness, wellness, health, and nutrition.

And now, is qualified to help others reach these goals.

This is finals week...

...her last...

Best of Luck to you, honey!

And, you all know that Amy has been living with us...

working her surgical rotation here.

This, too, is a time of rigorous study.

Then, students return to campus to take exams.

Best of luck to you, too, honey.

For Me?

Eight days remain in the 2nd term/1st semester.

I am trying to stay ahead of correcting and recording grades.

Next...final projects and end-of-course exams.

So...I took two Etsy packages to the USPS after school today...

Look who came up to the kitchen to hang out.

We are still force feeding her...

Let's hope she decides she's ready to eat on her own soon!

Take care,

~Natalie

A Home Away from Home~Tuesday's Tip of the Day

Most of you know that during the month that my mom was in the hospital,

I stayed at a motel in Grand Forks.

I so appreciated a bed to sleep in...

A shower to freshen up...

Some Wireless to be in touch with family and friends...

A Continental Breakfast to nourish...

But what's up with a Motel

and their lack of electrical outlets?

Here you see

Our mini refrigerator...

Our Microwave...

Our Wall Light...

...And Emily's Phone Charger...

OK...

...We still have more stuff to plug in...

So I purchased an inexpensive power strip...One I can use when we stay out of town...and it will be stored in my suitcase.  That way, I cannot...will not... forget to pack it. 

In this day of technology...we need more outlets...

for multiple cell phones, camera battery chargers and computers.

We need to plug in alarm clocks, lamps, shavers, hair straighteners, and blow dryers.

If motels do not provide enough access to electrical outlets,

You need to be prepared!

Whatcha Workin on Wednesday?

Any teachers out there?
This...I was told 35 years ago...
"A teacher's work is never done."
Correcting papers...Preparing for the next day...Planning a new unit...Gathering supplies...Creating a bulletin board...Designing a new display...Evaluating results...Entering Grades...Filing materials...etc...etc...

Anyway...I'm somewhat caught up. A teacher needs to decide when to stop for the day! I have brought out my stitching and am trying to work on a few pieces. It remains to be seen...

Sweet Celebration

These cookies taste as good as they look. I picked up a package at the bakery to share with my friend, Mary. Each month they are decorated for the appropriate holiday...so of course, in March they are green.

I am having my own little celebration as we have officially finished Term 3...I was getting a little nervous, as the threat of possible snow days, brought the threat of lengthening the term into next week...and I just wanted to bring closure. I can just feel the stress leaving my body! Why was I stressed?

1. I had three preps while most teachers have only one or two.

2. Because Fitness for Life is team taught with the PE department, I had 140 students on my roster instead of the usual 110...and...

3. I had the least mature, least respectul students that I have had for years. It's sad how just a handful of students can spoil it for everyone. But they have moved on and I look forward to new groups of students in the fourth and final term.
Thank you for all the kind words in regards to our nasty weather...I want you to see that we had sunshine yesterday and by this afternoon the temperature may actually be above zero!

Whatcha workin' on Wednesday? End of Term Chaos

What would I rather be working on? My Pilgrims...
What am I actually working on? Well, 1st term ended today...2nd term starts tomorrow...
Imagine, this could make any teacher crazy!

So today, I brought closure to my current classes. I accepted makeup work from students who had been gone taking the psat, and playing volleyball, football, cross country and soccer; I checked in 120 textbooks; I had the final buffet with my fitness students and their final evaluations were written and handed in; the personal development final projects are due; and those students' journals were handed in. I took down posters from the walls and put away files and resources used to teach those two classes.

Also today, I prepared for new classes that start tomorrow.
I printed new class lists; ran off copies of course outlines/classroom expectations; organized introductory activites for new classes; checkout out the necessary video from the library; and made sure my classroom was tidy...well, as tidy as possible!

Tonight I am entering test and project grades from my old fashioned gradebook into my online gradebook.

And why do we end the term in the middle of the week? I guess every career job will have days that are more stressful than others...

The calendar is set up so that each of the four terms is equal in length...and I do appreciate that!