So, I'm getting used to the school system here in Dickinson, ND. I'm subbing quite often. I like the junior high school. The teachers are friendly. The students are good considering they are 12-14 yr olds who mostly would rather be doing anything other than sitting in school.

Once again, I think I will have a hard time finding a full-time gig but I was telling someone that I think part-time would be even better. If I could do about 4 classes a day, that would be awesome. It wouldn't be an overload and I'd have time to get my feet wet. Unfortunately, I was chatting with some of the junior high faculty and they are concerned about the upcoming enrollment drop (which will be followed by an increase since there has been a swelling of the lower elementary grades). So, the 2 position they anticipate the district could cut include a social studies position. Great. Here we go again. But the kids told me one history teacher is leaving (and she's young) and there is another one that has been teaching as long as I've been alive. To make it even worse, they are like, wonder what will happen when these smaller classes get to the H.S. So, lest I feel confident, let's makes sure I'm discouraged about employment prospects around here.

I will continue to sub and hopefully that makes a positive impression. In the meantime, the State of North Dakota has me working on an economics minor, taking 2 required tests, North Dakota history, and a Diversity class. By the end of spring, I will have completed 12 of 18 credits all online. WooHoo! Keepin' the dream alive.

Back in the Classroom... sorta

A new location has brought be right back to where I started when we left Salt Lake. I'm substituting again. We are in Dickinson, ND. I hear that one of the social studies teachers might retire. I don't want to be too anxious, but, if I got exactly that teacher's course load, I'd be happy. She teaches mostly 8th grade U.S. History and 1 period of Geography. Perfect! Those are both things I like; especially the U.S. History. She also does the Student Council. Sounds like fun. :D Until then, I'll keep on the good side of the principal and the staff member that handles the substitutes. I'm also taking classes to make up my deficiencies for the North Dakota license. Too much fun... :( So, there is always hope.

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

I just finished The Red Badge of Courage this week. I honestly had to force my way through it. It's 150 pages that covers about 48 hours of the Civil War experience for the main character. As I was reading it I started noticing that he used adjectives excessively. The interal conflict and actual physical conflict were drawn out and frankly BORING. Do I just not know what I am missing or is this supposed classic not as good as it was believed to be when it was written? Although I enjoy historical novels, I had a really hard time with this one. I wouldn't tell someone who wants to read it not to exactly but I wouldn't recommend it.

Interviews

2 interviews coming up this week.
1 @ Syracuse Arts Academy and 1 @ a new charter school to be in W. Jordan, UT. Maybe this will be something but maybe it will just be good experience.

Literature Connections to real life

So, this week I have been substituting in a classroom where the teacher has the students reading "Where the Red Fern Grows". In all my schooling, I was never required to read (or remember reading) this story even though it was written before I was born.

To summarize the meat of the story, it is about a boy who is desperate to own some hunting hounds and it consumes his life. When he finally gets the dogs and they begin to hunt, it's like a dream come true.

That's as far as I really got before the assignment ended and now I will have to check it out from the library. My point is this: I can understand his consuming desire to obtain his dream. This is exactly how I feel about teaching. Yeah, it's hard. The first night the character went to hunt, they did get a raccoon up in a tree and it took the kid 2 days or more to chop it down and kill the coon. All the while, every muscle in his body ached and both hands were covered with blisters. Sounds like the first year of teaching to me. :D

Anyway, I know the story ends tragically for the animals and I don't want that to happen to me or my students, but I have confidence that I can do it. In fact, I am in the process of applying to a school that has 2 openings for the remainder of this school year. Both in social studies. One part-time and one full-time. I can just taste it. I want one of these jobs. I HAVE to be in the classroom. It's where I belong. Just like the main character in "Where the Red Fern Grows" needs those hounds and to be out hunting I NEED to be teaching. Sometimes it's just who you are.