#becomingmiss

"Miss, he wants beef with porkchops and fries." - student response to another wanting to "start beef"

No rest as a new teacher! Had an extra long weekend and am back at it! The first student to walk into my class was a student I've supplied for countless times! It was wonderful to already know that I would have a rapport with at least one student. This group seems like fun and they are ready & eager to learn! I read them the mayonnaise jar to help them realize the important things in life (as some of them have failed the required standardized test & have previously failed the course as well) - just because one doesn't pass a course does not mean that they are unintelligent. Here's the poem for those of you who may need to hear something like this right now! The Mayonnaise Jar and Coffee When things in your life are almost too much to handle, when 24 hours is just not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar, and the coffee….. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the Jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once More if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “YES”. The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents you life. The golf balls are the important things – your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your House, and your car. The sand is everything else – the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children! Take time to get medical checkups. Take your wife/husband/lover/friend out to dinner. Maybe even play another 18. There is always time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.” One of the students raised her hand and enquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there is always room for a couple cups of coffee with a friend.”

Four years ago I graduated with my B. Ed and was dreaming of my own classroom. After 3.5 years it finally happened! My first LTO lasted 6 months and I loved every minute it. The affirmations I received from staff & students alike is just another sign that this is truly my calling and vocation. What am I dreaming of now? Permanent.

Well, the time has come & gone! Beautiful evening at my first prom experience as a teacher. The entire experience was not as awkward as I thought it would be. Photo booth fun, pictures with my students, dinner with staff & dancing (can't forget the glow sticks either). Hoping to be able to attend future proms! The life of a contract teacher. Up next - graduation!

One more exam to administer! Then to mark my grade 12 U exams (hopefully tomorrow as I’m administering this final exam) then only have to mark tomorrow’s! Plus, a lot of students have been handing in late work so that must get marked too…. The point of the post?? Marking palooza commences! Will see you educhums on the other side!

Countdown until Day School exams!

Working hard! Or hardly working…? Trying either way… #studyblr #planning #becomingMiss