traveling teacher

Have you ever wondered what it'd be like to be a traveling teacher, going from room to room all day because you don't have one of your own? Well, I have because I found out yesterday that's what kind of teacher I might become in December.

I was originally told that because my room was going to be turned into a computer lab mid-year, I would be moving down the hall in the newest English teacher's current room. The current English teacher was told that, at this time, she'd be moving outside to a relocatable (portable room). That was the plan up until Tuesday when the principal came in and told me that they would not be getting the relo and thus, I might have to be a traveling teacher. He said it might work out differently and that they were looking into who would be the best teacher to travel, but because my room is turning into the computer lab, it may be me. Joy. I'm thrilled.

I became a little bitter after the news, so I tore down one of my bulletin boards in frustration and now I'm regretting it. Oh well. I also began going through my closet and tried to get rid of a bunch of stuff. I hate packing for a weekend getaway, let alone a classroom with loads of stuff that has been in the room since probably 1990.

I found out today after school that my 4th period would be getting a new student; the second "worst" 8th grade student of the year. I've heard about this kid from my pal VK who asked for him to be switched out of her English class. He's on a behavior contract and his dad comes to school with him a few days a week. He had to be transfered in my class because none of the other 8th grade English teachers could or would take him. He will be in my best behaved class, but one of my largest, and I've been instructed not to give him any leeway as far as behavior goes--one misstep and he's outta there. However, as I've been debating this issue in my mind all evening, I remember hearing that it's never good to pre-judged a student before he enters your room. I've got my "Welcome to my class" speech all prepared for tomorrow when he walks in and hope to start off with a positive note.

My 8th graders have been really started to enjoy the multi-cultural unit. We've read mostly literature from the Hispanic culture (a lot of Gary Soto) and because the majority of my students are Hispanic, I've had really good responses. I've found literature from each culture represented in all of my classes except Afghanistan...if you know any for 8th graders, let me know.

I have one more Wednesday night ESL class left for the semester. It's been pretty dang easy and very interesting. I will have an on-line course next semester and then I'll be finished. YAY. I'm looking into a master's program through University of Phoenix. It's cool because I can pretty much start any time as their courses start over every two weeks. I will probably get my masters in secondary education because there is NO way I want to be in administration.

Interestingly enough, I took the 8th graders to the library yesterday to check out books for their 2nd quarter reading log. As I was helping a group of boys find the "Captain Underpants" series, I ran across a book written by a familiar name: Paul Pitts. This is the name of my professor of my ESL class. I grabbed the book and lo and behold, it was my professor who authored this book about a Navajo boy and his friend. I checked it out and am almost finished. I showed it to him tonight and class and he laughed and said, "that thing is like the Engergizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going." I'm not exactly sure what he meant by that, but I expressed how neat it was that he was published and he thanked me for my politeness. It is a well written book and I think he should be proud.

Another interesting thing found in the library yesterday by a boy in 6th period was a book called "Hubert Invents the Wheel." They all thought it was about me, but I had to break their little hearts and say that this "Hubert" was probably a first name. I found it amusing, however, and had to run in the library this morning and check it out just to show people and give it a read.

Well, the big Primary Program is on Sunday. We've been practicing for the last two weeks and I'll admit that it's been, at times, disastrous. I feel it will go OK on Sunday, however. I'm sitting on a tiny chair right by the pulpit basically feeding the lines to the kids who didn't memorize their parts or can't read. The kids are sick of the songs we've been singing and I'm just ready to get it over with so I'll be a happy woman come Sunday at about 1:45.