Soapbox: My Vote

Listen friends: Voting is confidential, allegedly. I have received 4 calls in the past hour from volunteers that are asking if President Obama, Josh Mandel, Mitt Romney can expect my support tomorrow. If you volunteer at an office I'm sorry, but people do not want to answer these questions. You are aggravating them! Nobody should EXPECT my support at this time. Grassroots, and GPS, and whoever just called me now knows that asking me for support is, in my opinion, violating my privacy. I'm not posting my political opinion and if I wanted everyone to know my political opinion I would state it on here like I do every other thing that runs through my mind. With that said, here is my political opinion. It's none ya business. BTW, the billion dollars spent on presidential campaigning alone could have put American to work.

I would like a full-time job, I would be happy with 5/100ths % of your campaign budget as income and actually that is more than I'm looking for but keep cutting education funding and spend your money on the 232 unsolicited calls I've received in the past month. Forget the Federal "Do Not Call List" Volunteers have called to give me information, recordings of Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, Joe Biden, Josh Mandel...have littered my answering machine. And I mean littered it with trash talk in which I cannot get real messages because the machine is full. I will be voting tomorrow. I will not tell you who I support and why. I will say, vote yes on Issue 22 in Northeastern School District. This is a good thing for education and only affects working residents. I mean I gotta keep it interesting and list at least one issue that someone can challenge me on. In closing, I don't think the extra effort, ads, and definitely not the calls in Ohio really affect the outcomes of the election. People from all sides hate to be in Ohio right now, and if I wanted to hear what you have to say I can attend one of the 16 physical appearances in the past 2 weeks that either candidate has made within 35 miles of my home. I think that is valuable campaigning. Bothering me, asking for me by name, asking who can expect my support is nothing short of annoying.

Jack of all trades.

Today I finished Kayleigh & Caleb's homecoming corsages. They are going to both homecomings this year so I suggested to save money they should get artificial flowers. I didn't expect to be the one arranging them but it worked out fine. It ought to be interesting to see how it all comes together with the Batman motif. I'm no florist but this turned out to be pretty easy. I bought 2 stems. One larger flower and one stem with 3 smaller flowers. I guess they're roses. That was less than $4, then Kayleigh picked out silver leaves to go with the Batman suspenders...you'll have to wait until tomorrow. 2 sprigs of baby's breath...also silk, one wristlet and I still have florist tape from my wedding 12 years ago. You can see I do this all the time. Oh, yeah, don't forget the blue ribbon to match the dress. $11 later we have corsages for 2 by 2.

Later

Later...the answer to every question. Right?  I have done an excellent job at raising girls that don't argue...with me any way.  A answer to anything I say is always (almost always) a polite. OK.  This is a trained response that they don't argue with their mother, they say ok, and do it!  So I have learned what accompanies OK.  Presumed thought process of teen and pre-teenage girls, After I say OK mom will walk away feeling satisfied. I will continue doing whatever I want to do. 

So, what happens when mom comes back into the room?  No laundry folded, no dishes done, no shoes put away, and the response to my question "Why didn't you do what you said you will do?"  I will...Later. Ugh!  "No, you WILL now!" Now arguing will ensue right?  No, the response..."OK" Stares at each other for a minute.
"When?"
"After...."
"Oh, later."
smiles
"I'm turning off the TV."
still no argument...child picks up iPod/iPad, book, or goes to room

At least I have polite children, right?  They don't argue or often backtalk.  But...Later.

Aladdin's Genie on Teaching

In the movie Aladdin, Genie has some rules on wishes; 
"Rule number one: I can't kill anybody. ...
Rule number two: I can't make anybody fall in love with anybody else. ... 
Rule number three: I can't bring people back from the dead." 

hmmm! Limitations on wishes. Interesting thought. As I was preparing my speech last week, starting with a series of numbers the first thing that came to me was the phrase from Genie, "10,000 years, will give you such a crick in the neck." Genie comes out of lamp 

I considered opening my speech with a similar phrase. My husband joked that if I was going to do that I needed to incorporate the Genie's limitations on wishes in my speech too. "No way," I thought. On reflecting on my first interview however, I thought maybe incorporating my limitations (weaknesses) was an ok idea. Not for that speech, but as a philosophy. 

At my first teaching interview I was asked 2 very similar questions: how will I motivate students to do a project, and how will I motivate students to do daily work? Seems simple enough so I talked about how I share stories, build connections, have students build the guidelines for projects around their interests, tell students why I'm there and ask them why they are here. All of this amounted to building relationships to motivate students. I wasn't asked to give examples but I gave examples from my class for projects, I also said I share my enthusiasm about the subject and when I'm interested, it builds student interest. These responses from me was followed by, "How are you going to motivate them?" What?! I just told you. What are you looking for? 

 Here are the facts...just like the Genie, I have limitations. 

• Rule number one: I cannot put information in your head and make you remember it; you have to put forth effort yourself. 
• Rule number two: I cannot make anybody fall in love with math, I can only share my enthusiasm and hope it's contagious. 
• Rule number three: I cannot make students act a certain way in class, I can only set expectations and be consistent seeking administrative support IF necessary.

You tell me, am I unrealistic?  What do I say in an interview?  Listen, other than grades, what motivates students if it isn't a relationship and connection to real-life?  Can teachers, that have to do it all, love everyone, share everything, still expect that there are some limitations?  Don't get me wrong, every day, every year, I can change my courses to be better for my students and myself. With that said, I know I have limitations as a parent, as a teacher, as a wife there are some things I don't have control over and pretending I do is a bigger deficit  than realizing what I DO have control over, I think.

Sixteen

When I was sixteen I got my driver's license, I broke up with one boyfriend, and found the 'one' I have now.  When I was sixteen I got tapped for National Honors Society, took the ACT and SAT, and went to a White Zombie concert.  When I was 16 I went to more movies that year than I ever had.  When I was 16 I couldn't have imagined having a sixteen year old daughter, but I do now.  Now my daughter born 16 years ago today is going to more movies than she ever has before, has a great group of friends, and who knows what else is to come.

To think on Mother's Day, back to the day she was born.  Sixteen years ago, on Mother's Day, May 12, 1996, I was in line at Ponderosa in Bellefontaine with my mother and grandmothers. The next morning May 13, I woke up not feeling well and I went to the doctor who said I MIGHT have a baby but not likely.  I went shopping for a dresser at every used furniture store on Main Street, went to the Upper Valley Mall for lord knows what, came home and cleaned the dresser and finally my dad said at 8 PM I think it's time.

At 9:59 PM, yes less than 2 hours after being at the hospital, screaming, in pain, no medication, Kayleigh was born.

Nobody can ever prepare you for how much your first child will change, and transform your life.  Happy Birthday Kayleigh.  You're sixteen.

Stick a fork in me -- when is a mother's work ever done?

If you read the title and said NEVER.  I say EXACTLY! But really?  What is important to teach our children?  There was an ad on the radio for a website today, and when I hear the ad again, I"ll add to this blog but it went something like. Yes!  That is blue.  Now how many flowers are there? says a mother and a small child responds then voice over, it's your job to teach your children about the world.  Huh?!

We (my husband and I) just had a conversation less than a week ago on this same topic.  His statement, "Everything isn't a lesson."  My statement, "Yes it is!"  spiraling argument ensues.  So, what do we teach our children, when does it stop, what do we say - when, when do we listen? Ugh!  Decisions, Decisions. Those of you that think it's difficult choosing which stroller to buy, listen up!  It only gets worse.

Being an educator at heart, and yes this goes way before entering a college major in Education, I find it hard to stop.  First, I reflect on the fact that when Kayleigh was first born, and before I attended class after class. New Mom Support Group, Active Baby Class, Strengthening Families and well they all say what this ad says.  First, PBS mini lessons popup after Teletubbies, sorry that was the show of the times, and they said your baby learns the most their first 3 years.  Teach and nurture them all you can! So, I would sit hours on end, escaping my own homework making up songs, my daughter could spell her name, recite the alphabet, imitate every animal, tell you the planets in the solar system, give turn by turn directions to great grandma's house. All before she was 3.  Yep, I have this parenting stuff in the bag.

So what happened?  I got stupid?  She got a mind of her own?  She still knows all that stuff, super! and so much more.  So when do I stop?  I ask this because the last thing I want to do is talk to my mom and get a lecture or get unsolicited advice.  I am perfectly capable of ASKING when I want your opinion.  The rest of the time, no thanks.  And that's not just from my mother.  I'm sure these teens think the same thing.  Can't I clean the bathroom without you showing me what needs to be done better?  Can't I fail an exam without you telling me how to that isn't how I'll get into college?  I guess, drawing the line gets tricky.  My husband says, only answer questions when they are asked and only answer them yes or no.

So why when he said yes when our ten-year-old asked, "Can I take my iPod to school?"  I clinched my teeth. Then she came home with it lost. When do you say "ok, it's lost" and when do you give an explanation?  What I want to say is, You don't take your iPod to school because it's an expensive electronic and it is not only easy to break but tempting for others to want to take it home for their own.  Then you won't have an iPod and I don't want to see that happen. Hubby, says, "Just tell her No then."  She doesn't need a lesson as to why. Does she learn more if I explain, does she tune me out after no anyway, or did she learn the most from losing it and no REAL harm done?

In the interest of not boring you to death, I'll end it here and feel from to comment.  As these girls get older, 10, 16, 18 when do you listen, when do you answer, when do you explain?

Stick a fork in me...but I'm far from done.

Dirty dishes

So... I created this page a year ago anticipating that I could chronicle my educational journey toward my Master's degree.  Hence, Living busy, learning more.

Ask anyone,  I had the Fullest Plate.  I was spending every other week at the skatepark with Skate Chaos 4H Club, every Thursday at the fairgrounds advising the 4H county Glee Club, heading up a girl scout meeting every other week, working 3 different jobs for a total of 42 hours per week, 3 daughters at home and a husband.  I was busy and yet, to my satisfaction not TOO busy.  I mean, I like being busy.  Having a full plate means I don't have to clean it, right?  Cleaning is something I detest.  Let's organize all day!  Not cleaning!!  So if I keep busy enough, I have an excuse. Right?!

Here I am doing all these activities that frankly center around my kids.  At this point in the spring, when marching band and soccer are over, 4H is the focus.  So as we determine that not one child is interested in softball anymore, and we have other interests.  It's all good.

Here I make the leap to go for my Master's degree.  A step I've been looking at for 10 years. Finally, I have some money that gives me time to do it.  Yeah, time is money and so money gives me time.  What I mean is I quit my job(s) to take grant money and go to school with no financial impact on my family.  So who would have thought when I stepped away from so many activities I'd be so busy.  I mean, I'm barely meeting with skaters, Chris is, I'm not meeting with Glee Club at all :-( I don't have a "job."  So why is my head about to pop off my shoulders?

Once I cleared my plate, it just got fuller.  I am finishing this program soon but currently taking 3 classes, with 2 extensive group projects, assessment modules, and I teach (at least try) 60 7th graders day. All these activities and I'm struggling to keep my head above water.  Trying to tread water is more like it while I stare down the barrel of a Sweet Sixteen party, Mother's Day (yes, I have a mother too), and a high school graduate looming within 3 weeks. Job hunting, And the most difficult part is preparing for a standardized test.  A test to say I know what I should know to teach, a content test like our high school graduates are required to take.  Super!  I planned to chronicle my year's experience but have been too busy, but at this point I find it's easier to fill my plate with this activity than to sort out how to do the rest of it.