Monday, June 26, 2006

It's Over . . . . .

Today was my last day at Newburyport High School.

What can I say? It was sad.

I cleaned and packed the majority of my classroom last week -the only items I had to take home with me today were my plants. All I had to do was to finish entering my grades into the system and have administrators sign me out verifying that I completed all my work, cleaned my classroom, and turned in my keys.

I said my good-byes to my students all last week. It was this emotional rollarcoaster ride that I really can't explain. Students from the past three years stopped by my room to give me flowers, cards, letters, hugs, etc. Of course, I cried. They cried. These kids have so much instability in their lives and here is another adult in their life that won't be there for them. It's so screwed up!

The English/History Departments did a party today for myself and two other colleagues that are leaving. Again, very emotional for me. Peter, my dept chair, gave me a book (It's a tradition in the department that anyone leaves receives a book about history). The book is called Death in the Haymarket by James Green - it's about Chicago and the first labor movement.

I did send out the following email at school to the faculty and staff:

"I just wanted to thank everyone for their support during this very difficult time. A special thanks goes out to the English/History Depts - especially Susie and Peter. This group has been my strength for the past two months and I will forever be grateful for your kindness and support. Hugs, cards, emails, or just asking how I was doing meant so much to me - thank you. You are an amazing group of people and I will miss you. I wish you all much luck next school year - Keep in touch - Hugs- Lori"

I received a ton of responses from the faculty - mostly well-wishes and wanting to keep in touch stuff. I've also received a ton of positive comments about how well I handled this situation and how professional I was until the end. Let me tell ya folks, it was hard! It took every ounce of my being to not tell my Principal to go to hell! I'm the first one to admit that I wasn't the best teacher that I could be the past few months with my students. This is something that I will always have to live with for the rest of my life -that for the first time in my career, I didn't give my all in my job.

Oh, I'm sure you are all wondering if my Principal said anything to me today. The answer is NO! Not that I would expect him to talk to me all of a sudden. The man of no emotion wouldn't even look at me let alone talk to me.

So, life moves on . . . .

What will the next chapter hold for M-Dawg?

Saturday, June 24, 2006

How Blessed Am I?

Last night, I hung out with Janet and Lauren. We ate some pizza and had Janet's yummy pumpkin pie for dessert! Let me tell ya folks, Janet's pumpkin pie is the bestest!!!!!
Thank you ladies for a wonderful evening! I desperately needed a gal's night out! I am so blessed to have such great friends in my life!
Hugs and love! :-)

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Correcting final exams!

Can't really say too much in this post -

Just want to let everyone know that I'm alive and kicking -

And, I'm in correcting hell!

What the %&#$ was I thinking of making up a 25 page final exam in World History? Plus, an essay!

Duh!

Sunday, June 11, 2006

The Waiting Game

I wish that I could report good news to everyone.

First can I just say how wonderful and supportive all of my "peeps" (aka friends) have been with the comments and emails! You guys absolutely rock!

I found out on Friday that I didn't get the Medfield and Bromfield positions. Double whammy! These were my first and second choices. This process has been so emotionally draining. I know my folks are worried about me (my peeps too). I'm trying to keep a positive attitude but it's getting harder the longer the process continues.

Still haven't heard from Hull yet. There is a little bit of drama behind this one that I really don't want to share yet.

On a happier note, I have an interview on Monday at Rye Junior High School in Rye, NH. It's a grade 7 history position. This school is only 20 minutes north from me. And, I have an interview at Salem High School in MA on June 23rd. This is a World History position. Salem is about 45 minutes south from me. PS This is the same Salem of the infamous 1692 Witch Trials - historically, this could be a great place to work!


And, to top if off, I'm trying to finish up the school year and my curriculum. I'm finishing up with World War I - unfortunately, I'm not doing it the justice it deserves! It's my favorite topic to teach in World History. Plus, I'm packing everything up in my classroom. I'm such a pack rat - I think as a History teacher, I'm so afraid of throwing anything away. I figure now is a good time to get rid of some stuff so I'm donating some materials to the History/English depts, school library, and other colleagues that might have a use for some of my stuff.

So, this is my life. Nuts! Crazy! Busy! Upsetting!

Monday, June 05, 2006

Off to another interview . . . . . . .

This afternoon, I have a second interview at Medfield High School in Medfield, MA. They have a team teaching interdisciplinary class that they would like me to observe before meeting with the Principal. I have three years experience with team teaching at Timberlane. I really miss it because it's great to make those connections in history and literature. The student population is around 850 - small.

Tomorrow morning, I have a second interview at Hull High School in Hull, MA. I have to teach a 45 minute lesson. If all goes well, they will offer me the position. I'm teaching a lesson in US History on the Cold War. The location of this school is absolutely amazing! Hull is located on a peninsula that stinks right out into Boston Harbor. The high school is literally right at the tip of the peninsula. So, one side of the building, your view is the Atlantic Ocean and the other side is the Boston skyline and Boston harbor. Absolutely gorgeous! I'm going to try and remember to bring my camera this time to take photos! The student population is 400 students.

I'm still waiting to hear from Londonderry HS, Ayer HS, and the Bromfield School. Dartmouth called me on Friday and said they offered the position to another candidate.

That's the scoop -

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Selective hearing?

Today I proctored SAT's at my school. It's an easy money maker to be honest. I sit there and make sure the little stinkers don't cheat or take pictures of the test with their cell phones (the latest security risk with the cell phones that have camera's) - all for the magic price of $95! I'm at school for about four hours so it's easy money. I usually bring my papers to correct while I'm proctoring. I've gotten behind in my correcting since I've been out interviewing for the past three weeks. I was extremely productive today!

So, I read from this script that the SAT folks give the proctors. It's basically directions and the what you are not supposed to do things during the test. At three points in the directions, I stated that ALL cell phones were to be turned off - not on vibe or volume turned down - OFF!!! And, they need to be kept away -either in a purse or bookbag or pants pocket. Out of sight, out of mind! Does this sound like brain surgery? Is this a complicated thing to hear or follow? Apparently not! Not less than twenty minutes into the test - guess what happens? You guessed it! A cell phone starts to ring! Everyone in the classroom turns around to look at the criminal - he states, "I didn't know we had to turn them off!" Before I could even say anything (code for rip the kids head off!), another student in the classroom says, "Dude, she like said it a million times to turn off all cell phones! Didn't you hear her? Are you an idiot?" At that point, all I could do was smile. The rest of the kids agreed by nodding their heads. He turns off his cell phone and I swipe it from him and I tell him that he can have it back after the test. Huh! I showed him! The little shit!

You've just read probably the best example of selective hearing that I could give you as a teacher. Gotta love teenagers! :-)

Friday, June 02, 2006

List of happies


I really need to do this list. It's been such a rough few weeks for me emotionally and spiritually. It would seem that I can't be/get positive or happy. So, here it goes - a list of happies!

1) It's Friday! And, a pay day! Gotta love direct deposit!

2) Support and love of family and friends during a very tough time in my life.

3) Ellie the Cat - she's my baby girl!

4) That I've been interviewing like crazy the past three weeks. As long as I keep interviewing, there's hope for getting a job!