Post #500
There is a part of me that thinks that a post as auspicious and milestone marking as #500 deserves to be a little more interesting than what you are about to read – but, I feel happy just to be posting anything at all. It has been one crazy week. I substitute taught the past 3 days in a row, and yesterday about did me in. If there ever was a time where I thought I wanted to be a full time teacher, I am now fully convinced that I am not up to the task. Kudos to teachers who are still smiling at the end of each and every day and who are willing to get up and do it again and again!
I subbed for the art teacher and while I had some really great classes, I also had some nerve wracking – drive me to drink ones too that are forever etched in my mind. 2nd grade girl yelling and dishing huge attitude at me (and I’m considered to be a “fun” sub) – group of girls painting on the bathroom walls, instead of washing their hands. Their homeroom teacher and the principal were not happy! But, I think the worst thing is that the poor art teacher only has 45 minutes to spend with each class once a week – so it’s a whirlwind of setting up/making/cleaning and I had a hard time catching my breath. There were other minor incidents – mostly ones involved trying to motivate kids to make the projects, follow directions etc. Maybe I’ll post some of their apology letters that their teachers had them write to me – they’re pretty funny.
Porcelain cups for my students
Despite wanting to envelope myself in a cocoon every night, I forced myself into the studio to finish making cups for the students enrolled in my after school clay class. You might remember that these are my little apologies for over-firing their work a couple of weeks ago. I procrastinated, so now I’m under pressure to finish them by Tuesday afternoon – our last class of the session. I decided to forgo trimming a foot in favor of using a “wiggle” wire in the interest of my time constraint sort of like the Lapella’s post describes here.
The cool thing about throwing this past week is that even though I had to force myself into the studio after work, just having my hands in clay and watching the wheel spin around in circles had a meditative effect and wiped the stress of the day away.
Ubuntu successfully installed on my daughter's laptop
Meanwhile, my daughter’s old Dell Inspiron 1100 laptop has Ubuntu running and I also have wireless internet access working on it too. I had to buy a new wireless adapter card (a D-Link WNA-2330 RangeBooster) that was more compatible with Linux based operating systems to make it work, but for $29.99 + tax, she now has a really fast computer. Considering we were thinking about buying a new one for her for middle school, I think my time, effort & $29.99 investment will be worth it in the long run. Instead of seeing the usual Windows logo at boot up, the photo above is what pops up first thing after turning on the computer.
And, being a kid who has literally grown up with a computer, she has already figured out how to customize her space, install programs etc. – she’s off and running – unlike myself. I have a stack of books on my coffee table for reference as I use the system. Kids seem to be able to use computers intuitively – not sure why I’m a little slower.
So, there you have it, post #500. More next week – no subbing in the near future and I’ve decided to take myself off of the availablitity list for my own sanity.
Have a great weekend,
Cynthia
Robert Lorenz
March 7, 2009 at 7:40 pm //
I can definetely sympathize with you on the teaching front. I taught grade school and junior high art for two years before finishing my BFA. Those kids can be a handful to say the least. Can you imagine what would have happened to a second grader twenty years ago if they sassed their teacher? Now it is almost like it is no big deal. What is this world coming to? And yes, we (or at least I) would love to hear some of those apology letters. I guess compared to what you had to deal with I got lucky. I subbed last week too, but I got away with teaching basic math and showing videoes.
Cynthia
March 7, 2009 at 10:19 pm //
I was just talking with another group of people about this, and there are still some schools in this country that use a paddle! I had no idea, but I really wonder what it takes for kids to want to learn, while maintaining an open attitude in a place that is still fun. Maybe I’m spoiled because my daughter has been relatively easy so far – she’s smart and while she has her faults (she’s a slob – puts Oscar to shame), she still does her best at almost every thing she tries. She’s not always good at things, but trying (meaning giving it her all) is good enough for me. I expect a lot from her, and all I have to do to make her realize that I’m not happy is to tell her “I’m disappointed,” and she gets upset. Believe me, I’m not a yeller, nor have I ever spanked her – time outs, sure. Some friends came over for dinner tonight (one of whom is a high school English teacher) and I asked him and his wife if high school is different ’cause it seems like the older the kid, the more control s/he has. But, alas, he gave me a negative answer – I just have to wonder how it is possible to fix education – it seems broken from the bottom on up for many kids.
Janet
March 7, 2009 at 7:44 pm //
Got to give you credit for giving teaching a good try.
Cynthia
March 7, 2009 at 10:10 pm //
Janet – I seriously really thought about becoming a teacher this past year. But, the truth is that I would be so frustrated and I know all too well how that kind of job feels. I think there are some terrific teachers in Denver Public Schools – I’ve been in their classrooms, but there are also some terrible ones. I’m not sure what the right approach to teaching is, but it surely is a calling.
Shawn McCann
March 7, 2009 at 9:46 pm //
Congrats on the monumental 500 Cynthia! Kudos to you and your cups for the kids. What a treat for them to have such wonderful pieces so early in their lives!
Cynthia
March 7, 2009 at 10:08 pm //
Thanks Shawn – I have some hard core clay student fans and I think they’re worth the effort. They have all been asking me whether or not I’m going to be teaching clay next year, I finally told some of them that I’ll be going back to school myself and that it honestly doesn’t look like teaching after school clay class will be in my future. They’re heart broken, but also understand.
Linda Starr
March 8, 2009 at 12:01 am //
So you were subbing second graders? And they owe you an apology letter – they must have been pretty bad, perhaps it’s Spring fever or something and it was contagious. I’ll bet dealing with that many students all day is exhausting, my brain would be on overload for sure. How will you glaze the cups for your clay students, they’ll be so happy to get them. Will another clay teacher be able to teach after school?
That’s amazing the laptop is that much faster, so nice for your daughter and you too.
Cynthia
March 8, 2009 at 6:22 pm //
Actually I had kids in grades K-5, but the challenging kids were the 1st & 2nd graders – they’re normally really easy…. CSAPs (annual no child left behind tests) just started last week and while the younger kids don’t take the tests, they weren’t allowed to have recess due to testing which is just crazy.
I asked my daughter what she thought, I was going to do one color for the girls, another for the boys, but she (being smarter than me) said, “Keep it all the same, you know that there are going to be kids who want what they don’t have.” – So they’re all celadon – tomorrow, I’m going to add decals based on what they told me where their favorite animals.
ang
March 8, 2009 at 2:24 am //
far out what a week….feet up this wkd perhaps…
Cynthia
March 8, 2009 at 6:24 pm //
Mary T.
March 8, 2009 at 7:17 am //
I’ve always known I wasn’t a teacher in my heart or anywhere else. I’ll be around children when I have to, but, little people scare me spit less. It is true. I had a hard time being a Mom. I knew if they ever figured out how to really talk to each other and listen, two year olds were taking over the world. Gosh, It sort of seems that way now with the economy and other world troubles.
Cynthia
March 8, 2009 at 6:25 pm //
Hey Mary – hehehehe, I enjoy teaching my after school clay class, but it’s only for 2 hours a pop and they all want to be there. I guess that’s the difference – I can tell that many of these kids don’t like school for whatever reason.
Judi Tavill
March 8, 2009 at 5:49 pm //
I have to agree with Mary… I have to go in to do projects once in a while for/with my kids’ classes and It FREAKS me out… I love my boys and usually love their friends but in droves… I think not… and 6th grade is really scary… I did career day for the 8th graders last year… FASHION DESIGN… they were bigger than me and it COMPLETELY FREAKED ME OUT!!!! So… I am thinking pulling yourself from the list is WISE! But… clearly, YOU are better at this than I!
Cynthia
March 8, 2009 at 6:30 pm //
I’m only pulling myself off the list for the next 2 weeks – although I already have a sub job the 17th (prearranged months ago). I keep having to remind myself… “Vacation fund, vacation fund, vacation fund”
Michele Davis
March 9, 2009 at 11:59 am //
Cynthia, what a great thing you did for those kids. In case they don’t say it, thank you. It’s a gift.
Congrats on 500. It’s dizzying to even think about, for me. I’ve truly enjoyed your thoughts and all the wonderful information you impart.
michele d.
andrea
March 12, 2009 at 9:46 am //
Reading your reflections of subbing took me back! I remember those days before I got a permanent position. One year much later I job shared in a Grade 2 class and every Wednesday afternoon was art afternoon. The afternoons were short at that school (1 3/4 hours) and there was a 15-minute silent reading start to the afternoon, but mostly I found 1.5 hours the perfect length of time to work on an art project and the kids were rabid for them. Wed. afternoon was their favourite part of the week.