Starting Over

I have to start over in a new state, with a new job, new house, new teacher certification, and new everything. It seems that I have to jump over and through so many hurdles just to get a job. Then there aren't many jobs, even for special education, to look for. I sure hope that I will be able to get a job. Subbing won't be an option because they don't get paid very much down there. Prayers would be appreciated.

Thanks!

You're not my friend!

Sometimes it seems that students want me to be their friend. Sure, I'm the cool sub. I wear vans, and have a pink peekaboo stripe in my hair. Plus I don't yell, too much anyway, and I try to reward students when they behave for me. Even though, I really need them to know that if they cross a line, joking too much, talking to their friends, etc, I'm not their friend. I'm the person there to make sure that they don't lose a day of learning because they're teacher is our sick or learning better ways of teaching them.

Sometimes it is hard for teachers to not feel a connection with students. Especially when you are a wandering teacher, like I am right now. Students who are friendly are a welcome from students who just try to push your buttons and see "how miserable we can make the sub."

Don't take it personally

Being a substitute teacher is one of the hardest jobs I've ever had. It is so hard for me not to take things personally, even though what is going on is not meant for me to take it as personal, know what I mean? Students really want to give their stubstitutes a hard time. It isn't me, it is the idea that I'm not their teacher, they probably won't see me again, at least for a while, and they can get away with what they normally wouldn't get away with.

Normally this it is easy to deal with, but there are those days when I'm tired and the students are particularly annoying. The more I sub though, the fewer days I have where they annoy me. I'm really going to love my classroom when I get my own. I think that is the purpose of all of this. Having to go through this, means I will enjoy my future classroom even more! God works in mysterious ways!

Passed the PRAXIS and Special Ed assessment

When I get my next certificate later this month, I will be highly qualified in special education! Wahoo! I passed my PRAXIS I and The PRAXIS II Special Education assessment. I have one more assessment to take, but that one should be pretty easy. It is for child abuse awareness and anti-discrimination. Unfortunately this test won't be made computerized until March, so I have to take it now on paper. Probably the good old fill in the bubble type test. JOY! NOT!

Then I move on to whatever assessments Arizona wants me to take to qualify for their certification. There is a SIOP method class that I know of and I want to be highly qualified as a Reading Specialist before I get my AZ cert. Whew! These assessments are expensive too. OI!

Happy testing!

Special Ed Exam

I took my special ed exam this week to get my certificaiton in Oregon. I passed! Wahoo! Next week I take the PRAXIS I, for the same reason. OI! The one good thing about taking these exams is that they work for when we move to Arizona this summer. Whew! I won't have to take similar assessments again. :)

Wow! Who would have thought?

When I first started subbing, I was miserable! I had a hard time getting control of the classrooms, talking to teachers I didn't know, and I just plain longed for my own classroom! Whenever something happened that was uncomfortable, I would break down. Last year at this time I wasn't enjoying subbing at all!

After a year and a half, I have learned so much! I am getting a lot of good ideas on that I can use in my own classroom. I've become better at communicating with new people. And one of the most important things I've learned it how to deal with students in a more positive way. I've learned that you treat them with respect and expect good behavior. This usually works. Sometimes it doesn't and it makes for a long day. I don't fret over these days though. It doesn't have much to do with me, those students don't really want to be there, and there isn't much I can do to change their minds in one day. What a load off of my mind!

I still look forward to the day when I have my own classroom again. Which will hopefully have next fall when we move to Phoenix. But now I have a bunch of ideas of what I can do in my classroom, and a renewed confidence in myself. :)

Enjoying Subbing

Last year at this time I was miserable subbing. I longed for my own classroom, and hated being at different schools everyday. I still don't really like being at different schools everyday, but I have grown to like subbing. I think knowing that kids are going to be thrown off by having a sub, and not letting them get away with things has helped. I have also learned that I like high school kids. I used to be scared of them. They are as big, or bigger than me after all! But I have learned that I really like teaching them. :)