Thank you

I got a little blog love today. Thank you!

Teacher Salary Info

Things at school are improving. The successes are minute, but they are becoming more and more consistent. I might survive this year after all.

Taking a break

I'll be back. I just need some time to regroup. This year has not gotten any better despite the efforts from my team and I. We keep plugging along trying to swim upstream. My health is suffering. It is serious, scary stuff. But, I will be back.

Chess Club

My club is huge this year! I have 45 signed up and for the first three weeks I had anywhere from 35-38 show up. I don't have enough boards!

I had to split the club into two groups; one meets during lunch and the other after school. I think the numbers will drop eventually and I will move all the students to after school. 

I think this year is the last year I will do this as a volunteer. I will request a stipend and a budget next year.

Trees and forests...

They say you must see the forest, and not focus on the trees. My trees, those 7-8 kids I cannot control, cannot reach, have defined my forest. This week I decided not to focus on them; I will nurture the forest. I have done all I can, right now, for the trees. I let them go...

Wild Child remains a challenge, but has responded to some intervention. Shortstuff, Blues Eyes, and Freckles, well, any given day is a crapshoot. Then there is motormouth. He. Never. Stops. Talking. Ever! Yesterday he interrupted our moment of silence. He made it impossible for me to teach our English lesson. This morning he interrupted the daily announcements I was making. During a  morning assembly he called another teacher a b*tch. I'm planting that tree in the hall so my forest can grow.

(Are you sick of this metaphor yet?) 

One more thing...

My older daughter's science teacher donated a cute little guy to our classroom that looks just like this one.

His name is Forest.