Here's the thing that has really begun to frustrate me. Why don't our licenses transfer. I mean the tests are the same to get our license from state to state, the education that we receive is the same, the benchmarks and standards that we use are the same thanks to NCLB, however our licenses don't transfer.
How do I know this, I know this because I have a teaching license in NM and am moving to NV and my license doesn't transfer. I am having to be a sub, while I go through all of their hoops to get my NV license.
The most frustrating thing is that they are short teachers in my field.
Yesterday was the last day of school for us here in APS. I can hardly believe it. As I turned in my keys yesterday and said good-bye to all the teachers in my department it was reather bitter sweet as I am moving to a new state this summer and a new school district. I have learned a lot from these teachers.
It has been a while since I posted and a lot has happened. I am no longer teaching as I had to step down due to licensing issues and also the health of my youngest son.
However I am still looking for a position for next year. In doing so I found a natioanl database for teaching positions, and found a position for a spanish teacher in a virtual high school. I never thought that I would see the day when there was such a thing. I of course immediately applied for the position, I really hope that I get it as it is the perfect set-up for me.
Why is it that when a student is failing it is our fault and not theirs? I had to call 15 parents in the last week to let them know that their child is failing my class because they (the student) has chosen to not turn in their homework. These are high school kids, they should know the drill right.
I also have one student that hates being in my class and has decided that she has the right to distrupt my class whenever she feels like it. She doen't care that they other students want to learn, she has no desire to be there so why should they. I have talked to several of the parents of the students in that class and they can't stand her and have forbidden their children from having anything to do with her outside of school.
Oh well such is the life of a high school teacher, and it is only my first year teaching.
So todaywas my first day on thejob as a teacher not as a sub, even though this is a long term sub position. I have to say that I felt pretty good about to day. A little nervous going in but okay for the most part.
I have three classes of Italian and even though this is my weakest language I have a feeling that by the time I am done it will be one of my strongest languages.
Off to study tomorrows lesson plan.
So today I went and looked up the vacanies that are still there for full-time teachers in my district and wouldn't you know it but a position that I interviewed for is still open. So I emailed the principal and she emailed me back saying that she is going to put me in, starting on tuesday. So I now have the week-end to stress out and will get all my books on mon and have to put together lesson plans for the week on mon night. Can we say that I am a little stressed. Especially as I have no clue howlong the job will last.
So I looked at the calendar today and realized that summer is almost over, at least here in our district. I can hardly believe it. By the time we get from vacation the kids will only have 2 weeks left of summer vacation. It has flown by. That also means that it is back to wrok for me. I can honestly say that I am looking forward to it. I miss being in the classroom everyday. I miss the students. I say all this now but by October I will be looking forward to fall break, because the students are driving me nuts.
Okay enough of that. Off to enjoy my vacation.
As I have been pondering about the things that I want in my classroom, and how I can better serve my future students, one thing keeps coming to mind. The use of technology. As I teach spanish and french this presents some amazing opportunities. One that comes to mind corresponding with classrooms in the countries that speak those languages. This will present the students with the amazing opportunity to correspond with kids their age living in countries speaking the language that they are learning. I firmly believe that this can help the my students to gain a better understanding of the language and the culture, but also more importantly I think they will see that the kids are the same as them.
Technology in the classroom can be one of the best things we are educators use.
Why is it so hard to find a job? I know that I am just starting out as a teacher, but come on. I'm not some fresh faced college kid with no real life experiences. Then there is the whole liscnesure crap, I know I know it's important to be highly qualified teachers, but come on because I am 6 credits short of the required 30 to teach spanish I have to go back and take more spanish classes, and I want to teach french heaven forbid, I have to take 7 more classes. It doesnt' matter that I am fluent, no I have to have the credits. Stupid no child left behind. I think I am going to stick to my job as a sub for a couple of years while I finish my masters, unless a really good job offer comes up.