Teach This

I just had to comment about Christmas shopping. We went on Friday, of course, were out in the wee hours of the morning–it was fine. The lines were actually pretty short for us, and I had a great time. I was beat after more than nine hours of shopping, but I am mostly done with my Christmas shopping. Anybody out there get some good deals they couldn’t have lived without?

Any ideas for men’s Christmas? I know lots of things that my husband wants, but how to choose and then how to make sure I get what he actually wants–such fun!

I took the girls to see the new Harry Potter movie. It was great! I have read all the books, except the latest, because I am too cheap to buy it in hardback. I think they do a superb job making the movies like the books. Of course, they leave out quite a bit of details, but unless we want to sit and watch an eight hour movie, I don’t think we have a choice. I wish there was a way to include all the little story plots, but I have to admit, they do pick and choose wisely.

Of course, Courtney brought a friend, and they wouldn’t sit by me, so Brianna and I went together–how sad is it when you take your child to the movies and they won’t sit by you, not even for my popcorn, can you believe that?

Well, Courtney read it and said it sounded just like me, I wonder why–maybe because I am writing it? I sometimes wonder how young people think. I am glad to see how many of you have already posted. I hope that I have some things to say that interest you from time to time, although if you ever talk to me, you probably hear it anyway.

I recieved my official Masters of Science degree in the mail today–just an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper with the school seal and signatures on it. It seems like that is quite anticlimactic after everything I have done to finish. I didn’t complete it until after summer term, so if I want to walk, which I actually don’t, I would have to do it next June–which seems like a long time to wait. I told Brianna today that I think I need to get my PhD in education–wouldn’t that be great, I would be Dr. Luth. We would be Mr. and Dr. Luth. Unfortunately, it would be tens of thousands of dollars, and my pay increase–get this–would be a one time stipend of $1000. Woohoo! That doesn’t even cover a class, believe it or not. So, maybe I will wait on that, like forever. I sure would like to be Dr. Luth, though!

Well, this is my first post. If what I say is totally boring, oh well, it lets me vent a bit. When you work all day with children and cannot always express yourself as an adult, it is nice to have adult conversations, even if it is via a website.

The thing that has been on my mind the most has been the difference between the schools I have worked at. Last year I was at a very low income school and this year I am in a more upper-middle class neighborhood. The differences are amazing to me. When I need a supply, I actually get it, I don’t have to buy it for myself–either a parent will donate it, or–and this is really weird, the school actually had what I need! I absolutely love it. I even had a grandparent of a student donate $100 to my classroom to do whatever I wish with. I asked my office manager what the heck I was supposed to do with money, since I have never had any besides my own before!

I also have parent volunteers who come into my classroom and help! I have never had help before, but I am quickly finding that I am able to find many things for them to do. Kindergarten involves a lot of prep, so I am asking them to do that, so that I can do the teaching, and they enjoy doing it, which is great.

So, if you have any thoughts on the issue of education, feel free to post a message, I love to gab about the issues!