So today was the first day with students at my new position. I also had a former student ask me to stop by as she had just had her first child. On the way home I was pondering these thoughts ( Read more... )

I was talking to another teacher today and she was commenting on how a class she is taking is very racially divided and that it makes her sad to see that. I agreed and we started talking about what teachers bring to the classroom and the biases we have that we don't even realize ( Read more... )

I had two students today steal candy while putting their instruments away.  I laid into the class pretty hard and the two decided to put the candy back (in front of other students).  The principal then came and took the two boys to speak to them about it.  I saw one of the boys afterwards and this is what I told him ( Read more... )

Of all the things I have experienced and seen, watching a former student who knows he's going to die is one of the worst.  He will be lucky to survive until high school due to a genetic disease.  Watching him deteriorate, try to keep his hopes up, it's absolutely heartbreaking.  While I have experienced things that were perhaps more painful, this ( Read more... )

I feel like I should update...so...

Yesterday I went to dinner and to a concert where my students on scholarship performed with DBR. I am so very proud of them! I also learned two of my former students earned I ratings at the Regional Solo Competition and will be going to State. Then I had a former student ask for my contact information to send me a ( Read more... )

So. Last week was just fucked up. I went off at a coworker because it had been a shitty week and I misunderstood what he was saying. Then I was observed for my evaluation--which went well, I just hadn't slept and wasn't myself so I think it sucked. Then this weekend everyone around me had either major things going on or medical emergencies. ( Read more... )

My kitty is doing a lot better and I hope it continues ( Read more... )

Well...this week had pretty conflicting events ( Read more... )

Many people know the story of the boy throwing starfish back into the ocean and the old man asking why as there was no possible way he could save all of them. The boy looks at the starfish and throws it back and tells the old man, "It mattered to that one ( Read more... )

My students never cease to impress me. Not that I am never moved by what they do, but this time I actually cried. Technically they are only "mine" until the 8th grade, but as far as I'm concerned they are always mine. I like to follow up and make sure things are going okay for them, even if I don't talk to them directly. I happen to be going to ( Read more... )