I survived!

Well, it was almost like 1st year teaching again except that I had a veteran teacher's resources to use and an awesome mentor/colleague. Even with the frustrations that are inevitable in a middle school/junior high classroom, I still want to do this. Am I crazy?? (don't answer that!) At the very least I will be back as a sub this next year.

What else did I survive?? My independent study economics 110 class. It literally took me the full year to finish (mainly because I was full-time in the classroom) but I have completed everything. I am now just waiting to see the grade for the final test and overall course grade. After that, I can get a more permanent teaching license in ND and it will increase the subjects the state says I am qualified to teach. :D

Pseudo Mrs. Cartmill's classroom

Well, this is as close as I've gotten since MVA in Murray, UT. I have been long term substituting in a US History 8th grade classroom. It's really Mr. Thompson's classroom but I'll take what I can get. I think I'm doing ok. The kids' lack of discipline and respect is where I've had some problems. This week I'm going to start using Citizenship grades to help them learn how to manage themselves. I hope it works for them. Perhaps seeing their grades can be positively affected by good behavior will be the key. Maybe their parents will also see.

So, the last 3 weeks I have finally been able to substitute in U.S. History @ the junior high school. The first 2 weeks were a combination of only afternoons and a full-day. I taught the Bill of Rights based on his materials. 3rd week was odd but has turned into 7 straight days of full days assignment. With the help of the other teacher that does 8th grade history/7th grade geography, I'm teaching a little ND government. She gave me materials but I am deciding what to do - all the fun of teaching without most of the preparation. Since our state legislature is currently in session, I'm going to come up with my own activity for Wednesday. I feel like this is going really well.

Other than a few behavioral problems, the students are a good group. That is normal. Their teacher had a surgery and they've had other subs in rotation before I arrived. The continuity should help and I hope they are actually learning something. Of course, it's not the same as their normal teacher who has been teaching since I was a newborn. He has so many more side stories and examples. I am keeping it simple and just trying to do a good job. I hope that this leads to something more permanent.

The only drawback to this whole thing is that I'm falling behind on the last class I am doing via Independent Study. It's a good thing I have until July. It's the last class I need to meet the requirements set by the ND Ed Standards and Practices Board for a regular (vs my current interim) license.