Facebook Games

I haven't written in the past few days, but tonight as I watch "The Masked Singer"--it is fun to get who might be behind the voice--I have only really guessed Donny Osmond--Sara is pretty good at it. 

I started this morning with a Google Meeting trying to figure out where we go from here.  Prom had to be postponed and we are trying to come up with creative ways to celebrate our seniors.  One of the things I sit around and think about the class of 2020--I haven't had them all in class, but the ones I have had made an impact in my life.

KTEN, the local TV station is doing senior nights and I have been trying to send them pictures and information about the seniors--tonight they are going to recognize two of my favorites--Jace and Ryne.  I had these guys first in a Pre-AP World History class--so much fun and seeing how very smart they both are and how lucky Georgetown and University of North Texas are to have them!

On another note--I have spent the evening putting funny FB lists--which job is a lie?  I have had so many different jobs, but then when you are a jack of all trades--you have had a few different jobs.  I have never, even though I love dogs--been a dog groomer! 

This social distancing is going okay--we had four showings on our house--not sure what we are going to do if we sell as Sara is still working from home!

Got to See some of My Kids Today--made the Sunshine Brighter

This day has been a lot of firsts.  My first time to conduct a google meeting with my Theatre Production class.  My first time to have a staff meeting in google meeting and a chance to see some of my teachers friends I have not seen in a while. 

As a theatre teacher, I find myself always needing to be in constant movement.  Reading plays, blocking plays, figuring out what we are going to do the next year and the next.  Hoping the students come back the next year and not losing them to another club or "boyfriend/girlfriend" or that theatre is just not cool.  We have some amazing talent at WHS, just wish some would join the party. 

Back to my google meeting.  Out of my 11 students all but three showed up to just chat.  This is a group that tells each other just about anything.  We saw Macy's new bangs, Lauren still has blonde hair, and why did Trevor not show up.  It was nice to see them and just chat for a while. 

Went to school to look for something and then cleaned up a bit--I never have everything cleaned and put away.  Back home to have my nieces show up just as we were going to Sonic for a drink.  The sun was shining--took a walk to the post office--then took a little drive through town with Lori, Sara, Hannah, and Emily.  We took a drive out to the cemetery--always a little sad, but someone had put some sweet flowers on mom's grave and then went to the south side to see the older graves and a little WW history.

Helped Hannah with a technical report she needs to write and watched Sara exercise with Julie via face time.  This has been a different normal--hoping Jeff will be home tomorrow.  SA is on shelter in place.  Grayson County hasn't gone there yet.

Teaching Remotely

Today was the day I chose to go to school for my one day of at school and I must say seeing empty hallways and not getting to really visit with the other faculty other than standing at their door and either saying hello and how are you doing or asking a question--thanks Mrs. Knabe.

I actually took some pictures yesterday while driving through the country--thinking it might be our next photo essay.  Saw some geese, ducks, cows, and some knotty trees.  Fun photo opportunity.

Needless to say, the biggest part of my day was working on yearbook projects.  Getting our online ordering activated, making a deposit, and getting senior ad parents emailed.  We are still wondering what we will do for the things we miss and some of the things that may not happen.

My washing machine is out, so out to my dad's I went to do three loads of laundry.  Sara and I worked on continuing to declutter this house for putting on the market--isn't that hilarious--putting on the market in the middle of a pandemic. 

Practiced Zoom meetings and Google Meetings with Lori and Julie--I at least connected with them.

Going to keep writing about this new normal.

COVID 19 Social Distancing

COVID 19

I have told my journalism students they are living through history right now and need to journal about this experience.  So like any good teacher, I'm going to be doing the same thing.  But rather than using my beautiful Flair pens and paper that are in my classroom--this blog is going to be my place--I probably should do paper too--just in case this blog disappears into cyber space.

WHS extended the Spring Break we had through March 20.  I did have to go to school on Wednesday and Thursday getting ready to go to remote/online teaching.  I had to call all my second period students's parents and make sure they had proper internet access and if not I would provide paper copies of my assignments.  It was nice to see my colleagues--we spend so much time together its always good to connect and see what is going on in their lives. 

I finished my calls on Thursday morning and my online assignments.  I did a video assignment for my Theatre Production class and it was great to see all their faces.  We have been challenged by Howe Theatre to do a lip sync battle--I'm hoping for Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" but it is student choice--hopefully we will get to it.

In all this chaos, Jeff and I are putting our house on the market.  Sara received a job offer in Dallas and hopefully will be finding her place there and I have plans to go out and live with my dad--he has a giant house--we may never see each other.  So Sara and I have gone to see several houses in Dallas--yes we were practicing social distancing as all the houses were empty--most were flips--some were much better than others and well some were in placing her Daddy said you could not live. 

So I have been very productive--de-cluttering, deep cleaning, and getting ready for this place to have some pictures. 

I am trying to post positive things on social media--mostly Bible verses and songs.  Sara and I are doing well.  We will see how things go in this uncertainty.

New School Year!

Well, tomorrow starts my 21st year of teaching!  I started way back in 1985-86 at Windom High School in Windom, Texas.  It was an amazing place to be at the time.  Lori was a toddler and all but one of the high school teachers was a first year teacher.  My classes were small (the largest was about 7) and my math counterpart and I played some high scoring scrabble games during our conferences.

I was also the only non-coach teacher besides the Ag teacher, so it fell to me to be the cheerleader sponsor, take gate money at all the home ballgames, and be the junior prom sponsor.  It was two of the most wonderful yet chaotic years of my life.  I was very sad when the school board decided to consolidate and I had to look for another job.  Jeff and I headed to Oklahoma and it was nearly 3 years before I got an opportunity to teach high school again.

Now I'm back for my fourth year at Wolfe City High.  I started my tenure there teaching English I and this year I will be teaching those same students English IV.  Wow--the time has gone by quickly and I hope I find some maturity in those English IV students.  To all my other teacher friends and moms and dads sending their kiddoes out tomorrow--have a great one!

Back to Blog--Two Years Later

Today in my school's inservice we once again began to talk about teaching in the 21st century.  I've had these same discussions since 2001 and to be honest, I'm pretty much bored with it.  We need to change and adjust all the time.  When it was just Jeff and I in the house it was quieter, we watched whatever we wanted on television, and ate when and where ever we wanted.  Fast forward about five years, and we have a toddler and a baby.  We had to adjust.  Television was monitored much closer.  There was a schedule to follow.  We adjusted.  Its what you do.  I say this because I'm tired of listening to the same thing, year after year.  I love technology--I love my Kindle Fire, my computer, my digital camera.  I want to use it in my classroom--but I still believe reading and writing are skills that technology enhances--not dictates.

We talked about blogging with our students and having them blog because if there friends are reading it--they will take their time and make sure its written correctly.  I'm not so sure about that--there is a spell checker on this blog site--guess I will use it, but I'm not really concerned that any of my friends will read this--I don't really care if my administrators read this--I want someone to give me concrete ideas about teaching students who are tied to the phones.  Do I really want to lose the art of conversation or reading cursive handwriting?  I'm not an everyday ranter--just a today.  I'm through--maybe I'll blog--wonder if my students want to read what I like?  Guess we will wait and see.

Back to School

Well, today is the last day of summer vacation.  I am spending it by first, going to church and then lunch, and now watching various movies on NetFlixs.  So far I have watched 10 episodes of the Syfy Channels, Alphas, then a Christmas movie, and now a more modern movie about a morning show.
This should get me in the mood for school right??

I did get a few things accomplished this summer.  Spent time with the girls.  We traveled to Florida, Canada, and several trips to College Station/Bryan.  I tiled Lori's bathroom floor and repaired the hole in the sheetrock--that was hard.  Went to the wedding of one of my best friends--its was AMAZING.

I have looked at several new ideas about teaching...hope they work.  Bought some new clothes.  Didn't lose any weight--sure need to before Tanya's wedding and a few other things coming up this year.

 Jeff and I will be married 30 years this year.  I've been noticing that a lot of people say they married their best friends.  I don't know--I really like my best girlfriends.  Lori and Robin and I had some amazing good times in college and continue to have them, just farther apart in time.  Jeff, well he drives me crazy sometimes.  He works too hard and spends too little time doing fun stuff with me.  Is that what best friends do.  Don't worry about us, I love him today just like I did 30 years ago.  Its more fun now,  we have gotten past the first year of marriage--that was a doozy and enjoy what time we do get to spend together.

 I think this blog went beyond Back to School.  Oh well, now its my turn to be too busy to do the rest of the things I wanted to do this summer.  I have trips planned for Julie's 21st birthday and Tanya & Mark's wedding in Spokane.

Off I go, back to WCHS!  Hope its a great one!