i think she really means it…

A Red Ribbon Week Random Thought

Sunday, October 28th, 2007 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

My homeroom students are convinced many of their friends sign Red Ribbon Pledges this week for the irony of it. They’re eighth graders! What a different world we live in today!

How Many Hours Does a Teacher *Really* Work? (2)

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

Keeping track of my hours this year is making my head spin! Not to mention a little depressed. I was doing a little “math” this morning as I was getting ready for school.

• I am paid a salary 10 months of the year.
• My contract time is “officially” 8:00 am to 2:30 pm.
• There is NO WAY a teacher can do what she must do each day in 6.5 hours (and that includes a working lunch).
• I put in 43 hours of work alone the week before school started (and no students were even on campus!).
• Last week, I put in 54 hours. According to my contract, I was “paid” for working 5-6.5 days. That’s 32.5 hours.

It’s unfair–plain and simple. Good teachers are not paid for the work they do. In any other business a good worker would earn yearly raises, promotions, etc. “Good” workers don’t get paid the same as “bad” workers. And most “bad” workers don’t stick around very long. Unfortunately, all teachers get paid the same (according to their years of experience) despite the amount of time and energy they put into their classroom.

So, I don’t know if I really want to continue this little experiment of mine. I’m more aware than ever the extra hours that I’m spending on my classroom, but it’s not motivating me to cut back (should I really just do my “job” in the given time society thinks I can do it, or do I think my calling goes beyond 6.5 hours a day?).

My students are way to precious for the bare minimum a teacher can give. God has given me a heart for these kids that stretches beyond my job. I don’t want to loose sight of my real purpose.

Two Weeks Down…

Friday, September 14th, 2007 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

Well, I’m just finishing my second week of school. I forgot just how much energy teaching takes. I’ve fallen asleep on the couch every night this week at about 9:00. I’m exhausted! I feel great, though.

It’s good to be back with 8th graders (did I just say that “outloud?”). I’m really enjoying my job right now. I’ve taught these lessons before and now I can have some fun with them. I made up a game last year to reinforce writing numbers in “expanded form.” There was very little “prep” for the game this year, as I made all of the pieces and the rules poster last year. Every one of my classes *loved* the game. I couldn’t believe I was walking around a classroom with every student engaged (a true dream-come-true!).

I feel more confident in my teaching style and ability. That gives me time to enjoy my students and really be aware of their learning needs. I think I still get a little too emotionally connected to my lessons and my students, but I tend to be a passionate person in most aspects of life.

So…there’s the update on my classroom. I find myself as busy as ever, but truly able to enjoy the calling God has given me.

A New Beginning, A.K.A “A New School Year”

Sunday, September 2nd, 2007 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

One of my favorite reasons for teaching is new beginnings. In just a couple of days, I will be starting my third year as an 8th grade Algebra Readiness teacher. The excitement is building (and I’m not being sarcastic!). My classroom is ready, my lessons are planned, and my class rosters are set. I have enjoyed my summer, and truly found time to rest. My enthusiasm for teaching has returned and I am ready to take on the adventures the year holds!

Our worship leader, Tommy, shared a new song with us this weekend at church. I copied the words down so that I could share its message with some of my friends at work. It’s a fast-paced song that fills my heart with joy as I am reminded that I’ve been created to serve our God in a tiny classroom in Culver City, California. Here are the words… May you be blessed in knowing that God has a history to make through your calling as well:

I’m so glad I’ve been chosen

I’m so glad I’ve been set apart

I’m overwhelmed You’ve allowed me to come

And be part of Your army of love

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How I cherish Your calling

Your gracious gifts and anointing

The history You will make through me

So Your glory, it may be seen

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I don’t know why You would let me in

But for Your kingdom here I am

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Thank You, Lord I praise You

That I get to be a part

Of showing the world Your heart

Thank You, Lord I praise You

That I get to be sent out

And proclaim Your salvation aloud

Thank You!

How Many Hours Does a Teacher *Really* Work?

Friday, August 17th, 2007 | Sara the Teacher | No Comments

As the end of summer quickly approaches, I find myself anticipating my fourth year of teaching! This will be my third year teaching 8th grade. I can’t believe it! Time sure has gone fast. This past year, especially! I had a wonderful group of students this last year, and I find myself missing them (many of them, anyway!).

While most of my audience knows that it takes a lot of hard work to be a teacher, a good teacher anyway, the mathematician in me really wants to know just how many hours a teacher puts into her classes each year. Since I’m getting the hang of this “teaching” thing, I thought I would try logging the actual hours I work. The “new” teacher works many, many extra hours and experiences a huge learning curve during her first couple of years of teaching. This year, however, I will be teaching the same subject (Algebra Readiness) to the same type of students for the third year in a row. Therefore, most of my lessons have been taught before (at least 10 times, seeing as I teach 5 sections of the same class) and most of my manipulatives, worksheets, and materials have already been created. So, the actual hours I spend working this year should be a little more aligned with teaching, and less with learning how to do my job. › Continue reading

The End of Summer Blues

Monday, August 6th, 2007 | Sara the Teacher | 2 Comments

I am definitely singing the “End of Summer Blues!” Why is it that when August hits, I am no longer enjoying the days I have left, but rather getting nervous for the months to come? I *love* teaching, I really do. But, I also enjoy staying home, watching “junk” daytime TV, staying up late, sleeping in, baking bread, taking lunch to friends, sending notes in the mail, reading a book while sipping tea at Starbucks, and taking care of my husband and home. I’ve had an extremely relaxing summer! I am so blessed to truly enjoy a “sabbath” and re-energize for the long months to come.

However, the official “back-to-school” nightmares have started; the ones where I can’t control my classes and my lesson isn’t planned (or fails miserably!). I just need to keep reminding myself that I actually do know what I’m doing each September, and just as He was the last 3 years, God is with me. While it doesn’t necessarily make me countdown the days to school like the tired parents of my soon-to-be students do, it does make me grateful that I don’t have to start the school year alone.