Teaching is Tough

If you've ever read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton then you may recall Johnny Cade's  reference to things being 'tough' and 'tuff'.  He would describe living on the wrong side of the tracks with abusive or absent parents tough, and Cherry Valance's red convertible stingray as tuff.  If I had to pick one of the two homophones to describe my job, it would have to be the former.  I think in some circles, teaching is tuff or cool, but I'm not sure who would claim to be in those circles.  A teaching job certainly isn't trendy, nor is it highly valued or highly compensated.  So on the tough-tuff spectrum, I would say teaching is tough.  Sure the schedule is great with holidays, weekends, and summers off.  Unfortunately these days, that is the only remaining perk.  Teachers are being asked to do way more with much less. It's hard to motivate kids when you lack the motivation yourself.  One of my strategies to overcome the downsides of teaching (large class sizes, mouthy/spoiled kids, students with ADD/ADHD, negative attitudes, poor effort, increased teacher responsibilities) is to continue to encourage, and to surround myself with things that motivate me and make me happy.  So while in the trenches (my classroom) I immerse myself in things that both encourage my students and make me smile.  Here are some of those things:

I made the Twilight diorama this summer with my figurine collection and created the collaged background from my many magazines devoted to the saga.  This is on a filing cabinet near my desk.  Here's a closer view of the hero and heroine.

Here is a view of my back wall, with cut out standups of Jacob Black and Bella Swan.  The name plates behind are of all my students.  They make cool wallpaper.

Of course I can't forget Edward Cullen, the most famous vampire of all time (in my opinion).

Just so you know, it's not all about Twilight - if you look closer in the tree, you will find Harry Potter characters.  The halls and hallows of Hogwarts must be explored and experienced.  Harry is the headmaster in my classroom, along with his nemesis/protector Severus Snape.

So when the going gets tough, I let characters from books cheer me up.  In the words of Johnny Cade, "I think that's tuff enough."

 

 

Thank You St. Valentine

Who knows the real story behind 'said holiday' Valentine's Day?  I don't, and sadly am not that interested in researching the origin of the day either.  It's not that I don't enjoy the holiday, I just would rather leave it a mystery.  What I know about Valentine's Day is that many of my students carry around heart shaped balloons, teddy bears, and bags of candy that they think that they can eat in class.  Of course, cranky teacher that I can be, the rules don't change on Valentine's Day - even if you share with the teacher. 

The tradition in our family is that Rob buys me roses, a card, candy and treats me to dinner.  So what's not to like about Valentine's Day?  I love chocolate, even though I am not eating much of it these days while being good on weight watchers.  The kids get chocolate too, and I even splurged and bought them a video game.  I know, just what they need, a new video game.  But this is The Michael Jackson Experience!  You can live out your dreams as back up dancer extraordinaire, or even The King of Pop himself.  It is so much fun and gets the whole family up and movin'.  I also baked and decorated muffins instead of purchasing candy. 

Rob made his customary secretive trip to Basha's for the roses and candy for Valentine's Day morning. 

Here's an up close picture of the roses.

Aren't they blindingly beautiful?

You know what else is blindingly beautiful?  MJ's awesomeness!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

D - E - F - E - N - S - E ! !

Since Spenser's first flag football season started our Saturdays have been filled juggling football games and music lessons.  Spenser's team, the Black Hawks, started strong with three wins but then lost the next two.  Spenser is always bummed when the team loses, even if he did something personally contributive, which he normally does.  Whether on offense or defense, he seems to make some big plays that include receptions, interceptions, and touchdowns.  Today the Black Hawks were victorious thanks to Spenser's game winning interception and run back for a touchdown.  Check it out.....

Too bad he was out of the camera shot when he caught the ball, but you can see him zooming toward the end zone and I'm the one screaming "Go Buddy! Go!" in the background.  I will confess I'm no 'tiger mother' and I would rather be doing something else than watching his football games.  It's not because I don't support his athletic endeavors but I find myself highly anxious at athletic events that I have a personal stake in.  I want him to have fun, do well, compete, and learn something from both winning and losing.  What I don't enjoy is the people - the loud, opinionated parents and spectators who coach from the sidelines and think every game is the championship.  Obviously you heard me in the video rooting on my son, but that was the only peep you heard from me.  I was so anonymous that after Spenser made the touchdown one lady said, "Who is number 19, the one that just scored?"  Another gentleman replied, "Oh, that's Spenser, he just got a haircut and he looks three years older."  They didn't even know that his mom was standing right next to them.  Tee hee!  If I was a pushy parent I probably would have spoke up right then and there, bragged a bit that he was my son, and gushed that they noticed his haircut that he had gotten only two days before.  But not me.  I let those comments ride, my anonymity intact.  Shortly thereafter, Spenser ran across the field toward me, wearing the 'MVP' medal that the coach awarded him for the game.  So I guess the jig is up, the mystery solved.  Oh well, that was fun while it lasted.  At least I'm the mom of the MVP.  And speaking of player of the game......here he is!