"Teachers are apathetic . . . "

"Teachers are apathetic, if they don't care then why would the students."  This is the statement that I was greeted with this afternoon while helping the Sophomore class decorate their sign for homecoming.  I don't think the person stating it realized that I am a teacher or maybe she didn't care.  She also didn't understand why the seniors couldn't put "Save the HOOTERS" on their sign supporting breast cancer.  I listened to her rant and rave for 45 minutes about the lack of involvement by the staff in the Homecoming festivities this week.  I tried briefly to explain to her that I thought that it was actually a miscommunication between the athletic department and the class sponsors, but I realized that it was a losing battle so I stopped.

I have heard this from other parents as well, and the statement always blows me away.  I know that there are teachers who are apathetic, but most that I know spend hours of their own time planning lessons, tutoring, etc. to help students succeed.   I really wanted to ask her how much time she had spent in her child's education.  I didn't, however.  Instead I kept working away, spending a lot more time on this project than I had intended - all the while knowing that I had two classrooms of students counting on me to be ready for our Tide vs. OxiClean experiment tomorrow and to buy supplies for their sewing projects this week.  I also hadn't seen my own children either since early in the morning.

When I told Doug about all of the negativity, he said, "empty barrels make loud noises."  He is right and I will think of that every time I have to deal with someone who is anti-teacher.  No matter what is said I will still put every ounce of effort I can into helping students learn, making up challenging yet engaging lessons plans and fostering a love oof learning in my classroom.  That's what most teachers do.  I wish more people could see that.

A College Visit

Doug and I were on the road to Bloomington at 6:20 a.m. to visit Brett.  Sunday morning is definitely the day to travel as there were very few cars on the road.  It rained a lot and by the time we got there at 10 a.m. the weather was down right dreary.  It didn't dampen our spirits, however.  Brett was right outside his dorm waiting on us with a big grin on his face and his new "mustache."  I gave him a hard time about it, but he was expecting that.  Once he jumped in the van we off on our adventure.

The first stop was Target for a few essentials and then to Barnes and Noble.  Brett found three books that he was interested in.  We tried our luck at costume shopping.  The one costume store that we knew of is closed on Sundays.  We tried a few other places with no luck, so we decided to head to Oliver Winery for lunch.  We were not the only ones with that idea.  I was surprised with all of the rain at how many groups were visiting.  It is one our favorite stops, so we definitely weren't going to pass it up.  Instead Doug brought in a table from out of the rain, we dried it off, and squeezed into a spot on the patio.  The food was good, but it was the conversation that made the lunch great.  My favorite was when Brett asked who we thought sang "Goober Peas" better, Burl Ives or Tennessee Ernie Ford.

After we wrapped up lunched we headed for the Union and the IU bookstore.  We found an IU sweatshirt and stocking cap for Brett plus a t-shirt for Cal and an IU golf ball with tee for Cameron.  We had already scored big for Meg when we found pink Nike breast cancer soccer at Dick's.  Once our shopping was done, we took a walking tour of Kirkwood and then up to Showwalter Fountain.  Brett showed us the new IU cinema that is hosting unique horror movies for the Halloween season.  He plans to check out a couple of those after midterms.  The theater is only a block from his dorm.

I then talked Doug and Brett into taking one last trip out to the college mall to search for a Michael Myers mask.  We stopped at a couple of places.  Doug was sure we were on a wild goose chase, but low and behold there it was at Hot Topics - one Michael Myers mask!!  Brett put it on and talked of all of the places he was going to wear it!!  After this success we decided to celebrate with dinner at Buff-a-Louie's.  We then headed back to Brett's dorm to say goodbye until we see him again in two and a half weeks.  This time the Heinisch children will be joining us on the trip.

It was wonderful to catch up with Brett in person.  I have really missed him and his conversations.  I am proud of how well he seems to have adjusted to college life.  

Soccer Saturday

Doug had a JV girls soccer tournament this morning, so I had to coach Cam's U-9 soccer team.  I have filled in for Doug several other times, but this was the first this season.  I was a little nervous.  We were facing a team that Cam really wanted to beat or at least do well against.  One of the players on the opposing squad has cousins that are outstanding players on the high school team.  Thus the name Camargo is soccer royalty around here.

The other reason that I was apprehensive had to do with a teammate of Cam's.  He has been a behavior challenge from the very first practice.  He doesn't listen or follow directions, so I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle him.  

All in all I thought it went pretty well.  Cade's Mom sat near me for moral support.  I loved her comment, "Just yell some names out with directions.  No one knows what your talking about, and it makes you look good!"  I used my teacher voice a couple of times , so there wasn't any behavior problems.  Cameron had an awesome game in goal with double digit saves.  Cade stuck to Rueben like glue and at the end of the first half we were actually up 1-0.  In the end, however, I was handed my first defeat as fill in coach.

Cam and I were not disappointed.  We knew that everyone had played well.  The coach from the opposing team came over to tell me that I did a nice job.  The ref on the field beside us, who is a family friend a little older than Brett, stopped by to see how it went.  I said that it was a 2-1 loss, but they had a Camargo.  He congratulated me for holding them to only 2 goals.

Meg and I continued on our soccer Saturday tour by catching Doug's second tournament game.  I thanked her for being my assistant at Cam's game.  OK, she didn't even make it to kick off before she was watching her friends in a U-14 game.  That was alright as she enjoyed that game a lot more.  Luckily, Jay called and said he'd move Cam's tournament game on Thursday to Saturday, so Doug could be there.  Girls sectional is that day and he didn't want Doug to miss another of Cam's games.  We all really appreciated his gesture!  Cam didn't mind having me as coach, but is sure happy that his Dad will be there!

Conferences

Last night was conference night at our elementary and middle school.  I had a great turn out from my student population.  I used the time to go over with the parents our upcoming sewing projects and I think everyone felt pretty good as they left the room.  Since neither Doug nor I could go with Meg, my Mom made the trek.  Meg had to take her from room to room showing her what she has accomplished this year.  That went well.

Meg stayed with me for the rest of the evening.  She and Gabby ran around hanging out with a lot of their seventh and eighth grade friends.  For awhile Gabby played her violin in my room while Meg did homework.  Her mom decided that she should start on her homework as well, so the serenade stopped.
Cameron used the time to go golfing with my Dad.  They played an alternate shot, which Cam just loved.  They shot an 83 and Cam had plenty of stories to share.  Doug's soccer game was cut short because of lightning.  The tennis team had a delay at sectionals as well, but they were able to finish tonight.  They all lost, but overall it was a positive season and we look forward to next year.

Tonight was busy, but fun.  Cal went to the football game with Kevin and Jayce.  It was against our rival school - close, but not quite for Wawasee.  Meg and Cam had piano after school.  By the time we got home Doug had painted the majority of the kitchen yellow.  I like it a lot more than I thought I would.  We took them to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings afterward.  It was a great way to cap off a very busy week.

Good News

Cal, Doug and my Mom met with the orthopedic doctor this morning.  It is the same one who was a consultant when Cal broke his hip in 5th grade.  He scared Doug for a little while as he pulled out the x-ray of the hip from years ago.  Doug thought that somehow Cal had re-injured it.  The doctor, however, was only using it as a teaching tool for one of the nurses.

The doctor felt that Cal is progressing well in the ankle healing process.  It is a high ankle sprain and those take about 4 weeks to heal.  The bone chips are not a problem and he even felt that one of those was from an old injury.  Cal is to stay in the boot until he is ready to try and put more weight on it.  The big emphasis of the day is to make sure that he does not limp.  The doctor would rather Cal use crutches for a little while longer than to develop a limp.  Thus, he should be back for basketball conditioning (maybe on a more limited basis.)  He will need to continue meeting with the trainer at school, but overall this will not be a lifelong problem and he will return to basketball. I emailed the coach as soon as Doug told me.  He had nothing but wonderful comments about Cal, so overall I feel a lot better.

Too funny!

Meg came home last night with great news from the soccer party.  She was given the offensive player of the season award.  It came complete with a medal and a lot of praise and congratulations.  While she was at the party I emailed her friend Graham's mom to see if she could give Meg a ride home from school today, so she didn't have to wait on Cameron for chess club.  Jenny said that they were going grocery shopping, but Meg was welcome to ride along.

I proposed this to Meg, and told her that it probably made more sense for her to just wait in my room for a little while or Mrs. Brower's.  Meg looked at me and said, "You mean I can't go shopping with Graham.  That would be so much fun."  I don't remember her ever telling me how fun grocery shopping was, but I agreed to ask Jenny if she was serious.  She was, so today when I told Meg and Graham that Meg could go, they started high fiving.  Sounds like they had a great time and Culver's for dinner yet to boot!  Too funny!!

So, when I picked up Cameron from chess club, we talked about school, golf and all of the great happenings in the life of a third grader.  As we drove by the high school my mouth dropped.  There was Cal standing in his boot hitting tennis balls to the JV players.  Cam and I couldn't believe it, so we drove by the fence and it was him!  Scared me at first, but happy to see him out and about.  Last night he went to the volleyball game and dressed in a poncho for "random" night.  Thus, he seems to almost be back to himself.  That is a great feeling for this Mom.  

A Long Day

Being a part time teacher is a lot more work than I anticipated when I took the position.  I love the students and we have a lot of fun in my class.  Days like today, though, make me rethink my decision.  I do not have a prep period during the morning.  If we do not have meetings first thing, then I use the 30 minutes before class starts to get some work done.  This time, however, is mostly taken up with logging in grades or our plans for the week.  Thus, most of my lesson plans and grading are done at home on my own time.

Today, I had to stay at school to get my writing lab students papers posted to their blogs.  They weren't able to do it as there was a glitch in the process.  It took me almost an hour, but I did get it done.  I then had to laminate several pieces for a matching activity for 6th grade.  I graded their vitamin posters and changed the bulletin board outside my room to display their hard work.  I ran to the store to buy supplies for the upcoming sewing projects and spent quite a bit of time getting the instruction sheet and supply lists ready to hand out to students.  I wrapped up at school preparing student led conference scripts about the time I was to pick up Cameron.  Thus, I handed off Meg's pop and cookies for her soccer party to her and headed for home.

I would like to say the work ended there, but today was not one of those days.  Since Meg was at her party, Cal was at tennis and Cam went golfing, I used the time to plan a laundry unit for my seventh and eighth graders.  Doug was busy with soccer as they had away game.  By the time he called close to 9 p.m. I had finally finished for the evening.  I was exhausted and definitely questioning my decision to take on this new roll.  Thus, I cannot say that I always love working, but I do love the students and being a part of Meg's and Cam's school.  Tomorrow is always another day!