I have trained online today for:
1. Civil rights knowledge (Oregon)
2. Red Cross Basic First Aid (from Indiana)
3. Child Abuse (to how to, but how to notice- Virginia)
4. I have also set up my online course for Latin- to which no students have entered. I wrote a lovely letter, with pictures and information, to each student- and have no replies. I even recorded a message with my webcam and mic- and have gotten nothing in return. First day of an online school means you don't log it, I suppose.
I have also been given three assignments to teach SAT prep online next week- and now have to play around with the modules.
All of this is great- but I sat down at 9am this morning and am near finishing (well, some things, but didn't get to others!) now, at 6:30pm. And, strangely enough, I have gotten paid for none of this! In fact, the first three are things I have to pay for (Oregon- 120$, Virginia, 50$, Red Cross, 45$), and the last, I get paid 244$ for a whole semester of work, from January-June, since I only have three students.
However, all of this is resume building or it is a way to be licensed to apply for jobs. I'm dealing in hope lately, and hope is really anti-social and requires little movement on my part.
Off to do the laundry and move and unpack- because I have that part of my life to do as well.
I did find the public library yesterday- i got my card in the mail this weekend. I got a few books- Harold Bloom mostly, and bought a nice, red library bag to hold them. I don't think I've been so excited for weeks now! I read Fahrenheit 451 last night for fun- it was great.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Teaching the teachers...
So many people quote this at me, that I want to puke neon green ectoplasm in their general direction in mass quantities, but I am tempting fate and may soon, myself, look like a Nickelodeon contestant (You Can't Say That on Television! Bring back memories?):
Those who can't, teach. Those who really can't, teach teachers.
Well, I used to believe this. But I, hallelujah (is that the correct spelling? I know I have read it, but can I write it?), have been redeemed!
Trust me- even if you can, that doesn't mean you can teach. And if you can't, you won't be able to bullshit in front of a room of sarcastic, ready to rumble teenagers. Feeding time at the zoo if you haven't got a clue.
Now, as to teaching teachers- well, I hated professional development, until I realized how useful the skills taught in the seminars were. They were intelligent and helpful, if you could figure out how to transform theory mumbo-jumbo and Harvard studies and apply them to hormonal teens. But, the presentation style of professional developers is always a little dry and the presenters tended to teach other teachers as if they are children. (Side note- have you ever, when in little kid school, had the teacher raise their hand, and wait until all other students are quiet and are raising their hands to continue thing? The silence through solidarity thing? Yeah. Don't do that to adults, especially teachers. We want to put you in the nearest paper shredder. And not into strips- we want confetti shredders!) So, if I get a gig that I applied for, doing professional development, why not try to do what I wanted everyone else to do? I may not be able to at first, but isn't progress someone giving it a go and trying something new, for the betterment of all?
Idealism, I still love you some times.
Those who can't, teach. Those who really can't, teach teachers.
Well, I used to believe this. But I, hallelujah (is that the correct spelling? I know I have read it, but can I write it?), have been redeemed!
Trust me- even if you can, that doesn't mean you can teach. And if you can't, you won't be able to bullshit in front of a room of sarcastic, ready to rumble teenagers. Feeding time at the zoo if you haven't got a clue.
Now, as to teaching teachers- well, I hated professional development, until I realized how useful the skills taught in the seminars were. They were intelligent and helpful, if you could figure out how to transform theory mumbo-jumbo and Harvard studies and apply them to hormonal teens. But, the presentation style of professional developers is always a little dry and the presenters tended to teach other teachers as if they are children. (Side note- have you ever, when in little kid school, had the teacher raise their hand, and wait until all other students are quiet and are raising their hands to continue thing? The silence through solidarity thing? Yeah. Don't do that to adults, especially teachers. We want to put you in the nearest paper shredder. And not into strips- we want confetti shredders!) So, if I get a gig that I applied for, doing professional development, why not try to do what I wanted everyone else to do? I may not be able to at first, but isn't progress someone giving it a go and trying something new, for the betterment of all?
Idealism, I still love you some times.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
A brief introduction
I have a book on Isabella, wife of Edward II, to read now and I am frankly a little tired. I started this blog site simply to have a place to write some words out, on a lark, and I may only be here infrequently. Please feel free to write, but do use politeness- I have stayed away from blogging because of the rampant and frenzied attacks that people seem to enjoy posting. Otherwise, share and enjoy!
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