i think she really means it…

Teenagers.

Friday, March 12th, 2010 | Random Thoughts | 2 Comments

One of the challenges of working with teenagers is that it’s their job to push the boundaries.

We’re at the time of year where my students have started challenging me on some of my “rules.”  They just want to be sure the rules still apply (after all, it has been over 6 months since the start of the school year).  It’s a never ending job enforcing the rules and remaining “firm, fair, and consistent.”  But here’s the funny part…when I actually call the kids out on their behavior, they don’t really act surprised.  For example, I had a girl stay after school today to serve a 30 minute detention because she’s been tardy to Homeroom 4 times in the last few weeks.  She cleaned the desks, straightened chairs, and graded mad minutes.  At the end she smiled and said, “Have a nice weekend, Mrs. Jones.”  I just made her stay after school, on a Friday, no less.  Yet, she still wishes me a good weekend?

Another student, who I ran with today during the jogathon, commented to me that I’m going to make a good mom because I call him out on things when he knows he should act better.  I just had a very serious conversation with this kid yesterday outside of the classroom about how he needed to act more appropriately in class and get on task.  I was quite stern about it.  He said that was a good thing?  Apparently that’s the type of discipline that works for him.

I guess discipline really is about love, though.  I have expectations, I’ve given good reason for those expectations, and I hold every student accountable to them.  It’s not my job to be their friend.  It is my job, however to model respect and train them to be responsible, decent people in our little community of a classroom.  That’s the ultimate sign of love.

It’s just interesting that they really do, deep down, want that too.

The Reality Is…

Friday, March 5th, 2010 | Random Thoughts | 1 Comment

My last post was quite positive. This is a fun time of the school year. You should see my classroom. We’ve conducted class surveys, set semester long goals (and they’re hanging on a tree at the back of the room), learned how to buy a car, analyzed class data, and figured out what percentage of our day we spend doing various things. However, this is one of the darkest times of the school year. The newness of the beginning of 2nd semester has worn off. The teachers and their styles are totally “old news” (even the ones who play games most days!). Eighth grade promotion is still months away. This is perhaps the most discouraging quarter of the school year. I try and stay positive. I know God blesses me everyday with the strength and excitement I need to work with middle schoolers. The reality is, however, life at the middle school level is sometimes demoralizing. Here is a summary of the “tough” events from the week:

• I submitted 3rd quarter progress reports this afternoon.  30 of my 120 kids are failing.  25% of my students are failing!!  Where have I gone wrong?  “You can lead a horse to water…yada, yada, yada.”  It just makes me sad.
• 50 of my students (including the 30 above) will be getting a progress report because they are earning a C- or below.  )-:
• I had a girl in one period suspended today for buying marijuana.  She bought it from one of the top students in the school.
• I have a boy in one of my classes who was suspended all last week for selling weed.  He missed all of my classes again this week, simply because he did not come to school.  And, may I mention, he has a tattoo on his forearm that his mom approved of him getting.  *sigh*
• Another boy ditched my class twice this week.  He was here at school earlier and his friends came looking for him after school, but he just thinks he doesn’t need to attend my class.  (I’m pretty sure he’s high many days as well).
• I have a girl who stole $53 worth of books from the school book fair today.  She stole books!
• Another one of my students (a boy) went to a teacher friend today to tell him a girl in his social group is making fun of him calling him a “fag” and “gay.”  He was so distraught he literally sat in my friend’s classroom and cried!

My heart simply aches for these kids!  Dear Jesus, am I having any influence on these precious beings You’ve created?  I worked 52 hours this week FOR MY KIDS.  Not that I regret it.  I just am so sad that so many of them come from situations where life really is that bad.  Oh, God, send some mercy into my classroom.  May it be a safe place for these kids who long for so much more than this life on earth can give.  Amen.

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.