Back to normal

I was officially cleared on Wednesday, so I can accept any assignments when they call. And wouldn't you know it, they didn't call this morning. On the upside, I got my first paycheck today! What a great feeling, although, it would be nice to get a regular paycheck for actually teaching and making a difference. Now I just have to wait it out. I've been tracking my application and according to ED-JOIN, they've received a copy of my credential. The waiting part is what kills me. It would just be good to know that I have secured a position for the fall so I won't have to stress about it.

Background check

Apparently I didn't have a fingerprint scan done for the district. For some reason, I thought the one I did for San Diego State had transferred over. I can't work until I'm cleared, and there is also a hold on my paycheck. Hopefully, everything will go through in the next few days. So I have a few extra days on my spring break...sucks to be me! LOL!

Block Schedules

The school on Friday was a year around school that is on block scheduling, which means on Tuesdays and Thursdays they have periods 1,3,5, and for some 7, and on Wednesdays and Fridays they have 0,2,4, and 6. It was a fairly easy day because I only had to work periods 2 and 6. The teacher I subbed for had a 4th period prep which meant I had a 2 1/2 hour break. The main office told me that they might need me 4th and I prayed they wouldn't. The only thing I didn't like about the assignment was that each period was 2 hours long. I can see how that would be helpful when teaching, but as a sub, it's a little tiresome. The students were great though, although the last period were 12th graders, and though polite, they took advantage of the fact that I really didn't know much about the school. Some had come in after lunch and when they saw it was a sub, left. They're 12th graders, so I'd probably would've done the same thing if it was the day before spring break.

Now, Sweetwater High School is on my list of schools that I'd want to work at. Block scheduling would actually be pretty cool, especially since the time off is usually when it is non-peak traveling time and I could probably get some good deals. They way the schedule looks, it appears that they get at least a month off for each intersession. So I'm thinking, about 10 weeks on, 4 weeks off. The school gets 3 weeks for the Christmas. It doesn't look like a bad schedule. It seems that the summer months are scattered throughout the school year which actually might be better. So not only does this school meet my APLE Grant, but the scheduling isn't bad either.

I won't be working at all next week because of Spring break.

A nice place...

The second day wasn't as bad as the first. there were several students missing from that 4th period class, however, they were still loud and didn't want to do any work. Overall, it was an interesting experience. I even got to see an altercation between a couple of students during one of the breaks. I'm not sure if they were both involved, but each one was being dealt with separately. I think they were going to bounce this one guy, who I saw earlier kissing his girlfriend. He looked like he was going to cry. Perhaps this school was his last chance at an education. It was fun, but I don't think I'm a seasoned enough teacher to work somewhere like that. I'm taking today off for religious reasons...LOL! But I have an assignment on Friday at one of the schools I'm thinkin of working at.

Interesting day

Little did I know that the school I accepted an assignment from was all high-risk students. I had three classes that were relatively small, between 3 and 6 students. Everyone warned me about 3rd and 4th periods. I thought 3rd period was a great class. We even had an interesting discussion on gay marriage which was off topic, but with all English classes, any discussion is good because it causes the mind to analyze and respond. 4th period was horrible. There were several students who were a constant disruption, but there were also students who were great. I sat there and watched them and wondered what they would be later in life. I have to go back tomorrow, which is alright except for that 4th period class. I don't think I'll accept another assignment from there again. On a positive note, the social studies teacher I subbed for last week called me to work for her again because the students had "nothing but nice things to say about you." It is St. Patty's Day on Thursday, and I might be going out to celebrate for the first time in a while. I'm not sure what kind of shape I'll be in on the 18th. Next week I won't be working at all because it's spring break.

Oh, the reports I had gotten from the Mar Vista students was about another school, and not about the one I'm working at this week. I'm sure if I asked them about it, they'd have nothing but bad things to say about it.

2 day job

I have a two day assignment starting tomorrow at one of the high schools on my list. It should be interesting. I've gotten some mixed reviews about the school from students at Mar Vista. But, I'll make my own judgements when I get there. I mean, the classes at Mar Vista were great and showed me a good representation of the schools brightest students...until that 6th period class showed up. So I actually got some of the best and quite a few of the worst. But it didn't change my mind about the school. It's a nice school. It's not my fault that some people produce crappy students.

Substituting

The two day job wasn't bad. The only problem was the last period class; what a bunch of assholes. I took another job at my old school, and again, every class was pretty cool except for one.

Today, I accepted a social studies job which was fine. Each period was unique in their own way. 4th period was amazingly perfect. Worked quietly, was not disruptive, and was very courteous. They were 10th graders and the class was an advance placement class. That might have had something to do with it. The last class of the day was horrible. Rude and obnoxious little shitheads. I really felt bad for the teacher and what she has to put up with. But she warned me, as did 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th period. I gave them a chance to redeem themselves, but there was a group that ruined if for the rest. There were some students in there that do want to learn. It's just a shame that that one group has to spoil it for them.

So I've come to the assumption that out of all of the classes I am substituting, there will always be one that has a bunch of assholes in it. But it's almost like they're all bunched together in one class. Does the administration do that on purpose? I had that happen on one of my student teaching assignments, and as a student teacher, that wasn't the best idea. Discourage them now instead of letting them teach some many years, and then discourage them.

I've been to two schools that are on my list of places I want to teach. So far, I could see myself at either one. With my luck, they'll give me one really great class and four really crappy ones. No wonder most beginning teachers quit after three years.

New Job

Accepted a two day job this week. More later today.