i think she really means it…

The Fun Time of the School Year

Friday, February 5th, 2010 | Random Thoughts, Sara the Teacher | No Comments

Second semester started this week. This is when teaching middle school really gets fun. I’ve set up my routines and procedure and we’ve created a positive classroom climate. The students know what to expect (for the most part) each day and they seem to come to class eager for daily adventures. Don’t get me wrong, I still work with adolescents who like to break out the attitude, but overall, life is good!

Protected: A Letter From a Student

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 | Random Thoughts | Enter your password to view comments

We were just wondering if, um,….

Thursday, January 14th, 2010 | Sara the Mommy, Sara the Teacher | No Comments

So, I haven’t told very many of my co-workers that we’re expecting.  I’ve been wearing “chunky” clothes for the past two weeks to cover up my growing (but small) belly because I just haven’t been ready to tell my students.  Well, Tuesday, a couple of girls in my 5th period class were snickering and whispering to themselves.  They even asked my co-teacher if I was expecting.  She told them to ask me, but of course, they didn’t.

Today is Thursday.  I was informed by another teacher (and friend) that this small group of girls was growing and now several of my students from different classes (!) were wondering if I’m pregnant.  They were discussing it in her homeroom this morning.  She told them they should talk to me.

It’s not that I don’t want the students to know, it’s just that I was trying to hold off for 1 more week.  Well, I can see that’s not going to happen! So, today during SSR, I pulled out the 3 girls responsible for this little “rumor” and asked them if they wanted to ask me a question.  It was quite cute the way they all giggled and looked at each other.  Italy was the only brave one among them.  “Well,” she started, “We were just wondering if” *giggle, gigle*  “I mean, um, are you…” and this she literally whispered “pregnant?”

I smiled and told them I am, and they all sighed and gave me a hug.  I figured I’d make it a learning point and let them know they were always welcome to ask me instead of asking around.  After all, I heard from someone who heard from someone else, and boy, if I wasn’t pregnant, I sure would feel pretty lousy to think that all of these people now think I’ve gained weight that I could be pregnant!  I told them it was better just to ask me up front.  Afterall, I can be a really nice person. (-:

So, the word is out.  And the best part is, I don’t have to wear “chunky” clothes anymore!!

Thirty Years

Sunday, January 10th, 2010 | Random Thoughts | No Comments

It’s official.  I’m thirty years old today.  The funny thing is, I don’t feel any different or paranoid about getting older.  It’s supposed to be a major milestone, but it just feels like any other birthday…really.

The truth is, I’m so grateful for where I am (we are) in life.  God is truly amazing!  His blessings never cease to amaze me.  I stand so humbled to have been given such a wonderful life thus far.  As I look back over this past decade, I am so proud of and thankful for the experiences I’ve had.  There is nothing more I could possibly wish for!

• At 21, I ran my first marathon (I’ve run 5 more since and 4 half marathons).
• At 22, I graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts.
• At 22 and 1/2, I married the man of my dreams.
• At 24, I earned my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and enjoyed an incredibly challenging year as a 1st grade teacher at Mayflower Elementary School.
• At 25, we moved to West L.A., where I began a whole new adventure as a Middle School Math teacher (and I’ve loved almost every minute of it!).
• At 26, we went on a mission trip to Kenya, where we met Hilary, the boy we’ve been supporting for 5 years now.  My perspective on the world, and my understanding of our great God, has never been the same!
• At 26 and 1/2, we bought our first home (and it’s absolutely perfect!).
• At 29, we visited Germany, Amsterdam, and Salzburg.  A trip of a lifetime.
• At 29 and 1/2, I became pregnant with our first child.

I’m overwhelmed by God’s goodness.  I look forward to another decade of trusting Him and growing as a woman, wife and mommy.  I can’t even imagine the adventures He has in store!

Anne Lamott

Friday, October 23rd, 2009 | Random Thoughts | No Comments

I discovered Anne Lamott a few months ago. I can’t seem to get enough of her writing lately. It started with “Traveling Mercies,” and then I was on to “Grace Eventually.” I picked up a copy of “Operating Instructions” (signed by Lamott herself!) at out local thrift shop and soaked up every word. I tried one of her novels, “Blue Shoe,” and now I’m on to “Bird by Bird.” I’ve never considered myself a writer or thought I’d be interested in writing, but her writings have really been inspiring me. A couple of my co-workers and I have started a book club. Today was our first meeting (we’re reading/discussing “Bird by Bird”). It’s fun to be a part of a group– 2 Language Arts teachers, a Social Studies teacher, and me. I wonder if anything will become of this…

Just a Thought

Friday, October 23rd, 2009 | Random Thoughts | No Comments

One of my best friends just had her first baby. I have decided that I’m in desperate need of one of those myself.

The Business of Being Born

Thursday, August 27th, 2009 | Random Thoughts | 3 Comments

I did it.  I caved.  I’ve heard about the documentary “The Business of Being Born” but wrote it off as propaganda and sensationalization.  However, as we consider starting a family, my curiosity was piqued.  I’ve been learning more about natural birth and midwifery.  Our current insurance doesn’t cover it, and it all kinda sounded a little “hippie” to me.  Yet, as I think about becoming a mommy in the future, I realize that I definitely have some hopes and expectations about childbirth.

I won’t go into detail about the film as it surely isn’t for everyone.  However, it has made me certain that I want a natural birth (except in the case of emergency, of course).  I want to experience the birthing process and reach the lowest and darkest moment in my life thus far (labor) to experience the ultimate, highest point in life (having a baby).  I know my body can do it.  It’s scares me to death (and I am not exaggerating…some of the labor scenes did have me considering forgetting childbirth altogether!!), but it’s an experience I want.

Someday…

What I Did Over My Summer Vacation…

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 | Random Thoughts | No Comments

It has been a relaxing summer indeed!  What a joy!

I spent a weekend at my Grandma’s house with my cousin in June.  And enjoyed the entire month of July with my love, Nate.  He was on sabbatical.  It was quite wonderful to spend the days together.  We spent the first 2 weeks of the month in Germany.  What a trip!  We got to see our friends, Dan and Sandra, visit Amsterdam, Salzburg, Nuremberg, Dachau, the Rhine Valley, Rothenburg, and a lot more!  We blogged daily about our many adventures. It was truly a trip of a lifetime.

We spent a nice long weekend in San Jose with Nate’s family where we enjoyed good food and the Marin Headlands.  Its always relaxing to spend time with Mom and Dad Jones.  At the end of July, my sister-in-law and two nieces took the Metrolink to the city for the day.  We ate at Clifton’s Cafeteria, spent a good two hours in the children’s room of the Los Angeles Public Library, visited Olvera Street, and had dinner in North Hollywood with cousin Emily.

At the beginning of August, Nate headed back to work and I went to my classroom.  I’ve been asked to move classrooms this year to accomodate for the larger class sizes I’ll be teaching (twice as many students!).  I will also be teaching 3 different classes; I’ve always taught 5 sections of the same class, Introduction to Algebra.  Needless to say, this is going to be a challenging year for Mrs. Jones.  Surprisingly, I’m not too anxious about it.  After reading my previous post, I think I may be ready for a different challenge in the classroom.  I’ll have 3 classes of Introduction to Algebra, 1 class of ELD Math with 6th and 7th graders, and 1 class of regular 8th grade math.  Is it weird to actually be excited about the new challenge?  Last time I did something crazy (go from teaching 1st grade to 8th grade), I fell in love with it.  I don’t want to get my hopes up, but I think this will be a good year.

As I was saying, at the beginning of August, I moved my classroom from Room 303 to Room 225.  A new room for a new year!  Last week I sat on an interview panel for a new vice principal for our school.  I was the only teacher in the group (2 principals, 3 vice principals, 2 administrative assitants, and 1 teacher).  It was quite an honor.  The experience was a good one and I’m grateful for our new VP.

This past weekend we spent some time with the Wallace family.  It’s always fun to go shopping with my mom while Nate hangs out at home on the computer with my dad.  I’m glad they enjoy each others’ company.

In addition to all of this, I’ve also spent a lot of time on Facebook, playing my DS, going for runs, and taking care of our home.

It’s been a good summer.

A Tough Year

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

It’s finally over, the 2008-2009 school year.  For some reason this was one of the toughest years of my teaching career. The students last year (2007-2008) were a sweet bunch.  Perhaps I expected the same from this year’s class.  The 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 groups were challenging due to behavior issues.  This group, however, was quite different. 

I noticed right away how immature they all seemed in September.  They were also quite naive, which was a surprise for an 8th grade teacher.  But the characteristic that set them a part from all other students I have taught is that they were LAZY!  It was really discouraging.  I have never had so many students simply not do anything.  I would have preferred a little 8th grade attitude, but these kids gave me nothing.  I am used to students who hate math and don’t understand basic concepts.  That’s one of the reasons I enjoy my job so much.  When you start to unlock the mystery of mathematics, most students begin to find success.  Success is addicting and many students begin to enjoy the subject and put forth more effort.  Not so with this year’s class.  Too many of them worked far below their potential.  They weren’t motivated to do anything.  I care so deeply for my kids and put my best foot forward everyday I enter my classroom.  I pray God will use me in the lives of my students and depend on Him to renew my strength everyday. God is faithful and I know He gave me the motivation everyday to go back into a classroom full of unmotivated students.  For that I am grateful.

Yet, as the school year drew to a close, I found myself checked out.  I just didn’t really care anymore.  I was so burned out I began feeling quite cynical (of course the talk of “pay reductions” next year didn’t help matters!).

That’s not me!

I am a “glass is half full” kind of girl.  I love making “lemonade”…I took on 8th graders for goodness sake!  But my heart is sad.  My passion has fizzled a bit and I’m discouraged when I look at today’s youth.  It breaks my heart to think of what the future holds for this year’s students.  Even if most of them do graduate from high school, no one is going to want to hire a young adult who doesn’t care about working hard and thinks they deserve good things. 

I hope and pray that this summer will be relaxing.  I pray that God will renew my passion for middle schoolers and help me see the good in them.  I refuse to become the kind of person who “can’t believe what this world is coming to.”  I will not shake my head and say, “Kids these days…”  I will look at our community of 8th graders through God’s eyes, with a heart of compassion.

Just a Thought

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 | Random Thoughts | No Comments

If I stayed at work every night until 6:00, would I get more done, or would I simply find more to do? I thought I was through my first couple years of teaching!