Read Between The Lyme
#LivingwithLyme
The Countdown Started Already…
I guess it isn’t too early to start the end of the school year countdown? Our seniors will graduate on May 25th, I’m pretty sure. It still seems a bit early to start counting days, but then again, it’s been a few years since I’ve taught seniors.
Most of my high school teaching years have been spent with juniors. They are just as ready to wrap up the year, but not as excited (yet!) as the seniors.
Today was a teacher work day for us. Students had a 4 day weekend, and I’m glad for them and for us. Last year (2020-2021), our district started working in these teacher work days. We’d never had them before (we have a daily team planning period, unless you have to do other duties -like sub). It was so crazy last year though because our district offered both face to face and online learning -yes, at the same time- that teachers were losing it left and right. It truly was a nightmare, and one I, a seasoned, and level headed (I think) teacher, barely made it through. The teacher work days they gave us last year were needed very much indeed.
Luckily, and probably due to the positive feedback, the district kept some of those days for this school year and also for next school year. We do appreciate these! We have no campus meeting nor training commitments, unless our department meets, or teams meet to plan, or we individually schedule something. So this means that much of the day, we can use grading, calling parents, creating lessons, building in the learning management system, completing paperwork, etc. Oh, and you know, actually see and talk with other teachers on our campus about stuff! 🙂
Research essays were due this past Thursday for my English dual credit students. While I opened those up in Turnitin.com today, and I was proud I was only missing one (out of 114!), I had a tough time getting in the groove of grading them. I’m not sure why though because every student was able to select his/her own subject, and we’ve been working on this since the beginning of February – not the essay itself but the research process. Maybe I’m having “senioritis” too?
I’m sure I will kick into gear tomorrow on the grading front (hopefully). While I was productive today, it wasn’t exactly as I had planned. But, that’s ok.
One awesome thing that I was able to do today (not the only thing btw) was to meet with one of the Math dual credit teachers and one of the History DC teachers along with my teaching buddy for English. We all were able to sit down together, talk, plan, and visit. I haven’t seen the History DC teacher since September. We’ve all been at our campus over a decade, and it was great to collaborate with them about the college and high school finals coming up.
I know, I know. This post is full of teacher talk LOL I try not to do much of it here because I’m sure it isn’t exciting to most people. I hope all of you had a great weekend.
And I hope nice weather is around the corner for many of my visitors! Down here in SE Texas, we’re just trying to savor these days of 85 and low humidity; the heat is coming and way too fast! Take care!
P.S. JIC you were wondering…only 30 more class days until graduation 🙂
Thanks for Spreading the LOVE!!!
21 Comments on “The Countdown Started Already…”
Leave a Reply
Chronic Illness Bloggers Network
Blogger Recognition Award
Happy Talking
Check these posts out!!
Your Kindness is APPRECIATED!
OR
Read Between The Lyme 
Hi, Teacher! I graduated HS in 1979, those were great years! 😂🔥
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
You can still love teaching and have senioritis. I loved teaching, but I relished those breaks too. Sadly, like many other educators, I limped to the finish line only to get sick once the “break” started.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Pete, I know you get it! I’m not sure how to beat that pattern, either. I usually end up with something Thanksgiving or winter break. Many teachers came back from our spring break only to say they spent some of it sick with a cold or sinus infection. The pollen has been historically high here this past month so that’s definitely not helping anyone!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brings back memories…
Now, if I could just remember what 85° feels like as I look at snow falling outside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope your winter is over soon!
LikeLike
I really enjoyed this bit of ‘teacher talk.’ Of course, I enjoyed school and remember all but one of my teachers fondly. (I was sure my 10th grade biology teacher was 10 feet tall, with eyes like bunsen burners. She terrified me. Today, I have no earthly idea why!)
I hope therest of the year goes well. At least the pollen count is going down — it’s about time. I think nearly everyone will feel better when that happens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi! Thanks for reading my mundane blog. That’s so funny about your teacher! It’s funny what we remember about school. Oh I really hope the pollen is on the downside. Today was the day I wasn’t going to do any allergy meds, and all was great until about 4 pm….then, ugh. The wind kicked up and I was trying to itch my face off! Please, dear trees, get those buds out and move on! Hope you had a good day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you are being given a bit of a break. It has been a rough couple of years for a lot of professionals trying to work around Covid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well I am not a teacher but I do know how hard you try and succeed 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi there! You are too sweet. I appreciate your very kind words. I hope you are doing well 😘
LikeLike
Hi we are surviving 🤣😊🤣🤣, I hope you can rest up and recharge your batteries 💜💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing a part of your world!!.. there is nothing boring about the wonderful work you do, helping youngsters to realize their dreams!!.. change is in the winds in many forms and hopefully we will have time to adjust.. “When one suddenly finds oneself in a swamp up to one’s armpits in alligators, it is difficult to remember the objective was to drain the swamp”.. 🙂
As for senioritis “Remember, growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional”.. 🙂
Until we meet again..
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
(Irish Saying)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I laughed out loud at the “please let this be a readable essay” meme.
It sounds like you are starting to really gear up for graduation, and I hope the rest of the school year goes well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I teach seniors, too, on a block schedule. With AP testing, a senior picnic, and early release for prom, that means I’ll see students at most in class only eight more days. The countdown is on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow! Good for you! Right, we have AP testing during state exams….good thinking on someone’s part LOL I don’t teach seniors, but I think they actually starts HS finals in about 10 class days? And underclassmen in about 15. I’m really not sure why we still give hs finals, especially to AP and dual credit students, but our district won’t budge on it. I hope you have a wonderful close to your school year!
LikeLike
Testing madness! Good luck with your year end and bring on summer!
LikeLike
Do you also teach English? What grade are you returning to teach this year?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep! I teach dual credit composition to juniors (usually, but sometimes seniors as well). Many of my students are working towards an Associate’s degree in high school. We started offering that to students about 3 years ago I think? My first 5 years of teaching, I taught middle school language arts. Then, all kinds of levels in high school until about 5 years ago when the dual credit program exploded. What will you teach in your new position? Do you work at different campuses daily?
LikeLiked by 1 person
One Campus. ESOL 2 classes and VE push in with Language arts (middle school).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! What is VE?
LikeLike