Well I guess it is about time that I update my blog.
Note: I read it myself the other day and see that any contractions I use get translated weirdly and make the blog hard to read. Not that I expect many people to read it, but I will now write using full words and no contractions. Might be tough
Anyhow, it is 3rd week of Sept and much has happened. First weeks of the new school year being the most significant I suppose, but I do not feel like saying too much about it since startup is generally the same year by year. This year is different in a minor way since I started with an empty teaching block in semester 2. When I saw this on about the third day before the first day of classes I was heartbroken. I was not surprised though was disappointed. This is because last June I had been struggling with admin to ensure that I was NOT teaching an ELL class this year. The vice principal hit upon an idea and was very clear and certain that I would be teaching some form of a DL block. (support for students taking online courses). I was delighted ... But not 100% believing that it would work out since that VP was transferring to a new school over the summer.
Anyhow, About that empty teaching block. I went to speak to the new VP about it and she was surprised and I told her that the prev VP had had a plan and would she please contact him for it. So long story short, there was a plan for me to work 1-on-1 with a BASES student in 2nd semester. The student had been in a class for mentally 'handicapped' students but her parents have just switched her to a Dogwood program. (Regular).
This seems like an unusual fit for a learning assistance teacher, but I will not complain. I am glad of the job.
It did turn out that admin wanted (insisted) that I work with the girl for the entire YEAR though so they took a learning assistance class away from me.
Argh!
Really??? !!
Well I fought that, but lost. Guess beggars can not be choosers. (Sigh). It beats teaching ELL. I like the girl and teaching her. It is not that. It is just that I hate to lose any of my little sheep and to give any of them up. (Damn!
)
So now, by fighting to NOT teach ELL and to stay full time academic support ... I am teaching even LESS learning Assistance. But it is still not ELL, so I'm happy enough.
So that has been my work startup this year. Seems a bit less organized for me this year. I'm having a tough time getting my feet under me.
We that has been my work startup. Stress and discombobulation. On the positive side, however, I like my students and do like what I am doing.
And it is sure great to get a paycheque!!