Teaching

“ARtex, I think I'll have that aspect covered as well. I can manage over $1 million worth of projects, 3 different groups in-house, two sub-consultants, and 4 engineers all at once. Hopefully 30 kids won't be overwhelming for me. :)”

“I've got a full-load at UofM. And, three separate "field work" (aka "student teaching) assignments at three separate districts. It's hectic.

Smiley - When I was still working, I did what you did on a couple occasions. It stinks but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. That's the bottom line.

Quitting my job was the best thing I did. It's tough not having a paycheck. I'm not looking forward to all the debt once this is all done. But, I couldn't finish my classes w/out doing it. One more semester of classes. One full semester of student teaching. And, I'll be done. Can't wait!”

“You guys are lucky; I can't walk and chew gum.

I came back to work yesterday after only doing 4 days at the beginning - and taking codeine and falling down the stairs and breaking my cast, et c.

It is so weird walking into 'my' classroom and taking over a completely different system than my own. I'll adapt, of course.

I, too, got into teaching after living and working on the 'outside' and I truly believe that life experience (jargon) makes teaching easier. In fact, I think the major difficulty among teachers is the lack of that experience.

JMHO.”

“Tarabull, I imagine if "other things" don't work out in time, I'll end up quitting my job and taking the debt. I'll have to talk to you someday about how you're handling all of that. I'm not sure how I'd pay the mortgage! I've never hated this job more, and have been more anxious to move on in my life than I am right now.

I ended up running into a guy from my engineering undergrad days. Turns out he didn't like the engineering crap either. He married an engineer, though, and was able to quit his job and get school done quickly. Ba$tard! I really want to do the same thing!

I think I can do my pre-student teaching next semester with a program on Saturdays. It means less time with my boyfriend (who I only see on weekend) but he already told me to go for it, and that he'd come down here every Saturday. It might just work out.”

“I also worked in several different industry/
corporate positions before teaching.

I am now into the second nine weeks of my
36th year of teaching. I have taught eight
different subjects, to seven different grade
levels of students, in four different
buildings, for three different school
systems.

Out of all these years there have been
some days better than others but, I have
yet to get up in the morning and be filled
with dread at the prospect of having to
go to my job. Of course, there are some
beautiful mornings that I would like to
detour for a day on the trail.”

“I'm with Luke 3. In 28 years of teaching - mostly English as a second language, but also Phys. Ed. and Special Ed. (5 years) and senior high school since 1989, I had ONE morning when I didn't want to go to work - and I didn't go.”

“Welp, it's only been a month and a half for me, but I've yet to dread coming in either. :-)”

“Artex: I hope you have as many great
years as I have had. There is something
pretty neat about having a student in
class and finding out that you taught
their mother and their dad in the very
same classroom. When the first
grandchild of a former student shows
up as a student of mine, I\'m scooting
on down the trail. By the way I have 215
days of accumulated sick leave.

gremlin: You have earned your crown in
heaven for being able to help the
students in Special Ed. It takes a special
teacher (no pun intended) . My hat is off
to you.”

“I haven't done it (Spec. Ed.) since 1988, but still run into them and enjoy talking to them and they love telling me how they turned out and showing me their kids.

One of the fun things about teaching in the country is that you remain in touch with your former students and their families (and discovering that you're teaching their kids).

The down side is (perhaps) that when you get drunk and fall off a deck and break your ankle. When your buddy is Vice-Head and there are other teachers and some kids. You just can't get away with telling anyone it happened on a mountain.”

“lol”

“Smiley Girl

Good luck getting through all the crap on the way to the classroom. Hang in there. It'll be worth it. Ive been teaching for 17 years now and mostly love it.

Artex

Glad to hear you like teaching and Maine. I'm thinking of getting certified there in a couple of years. Where are you in Maine?

Gremlin

Ouch!”

“SG -

"Tarabull, I imagine if "other things" don't work out in time, I'll end up quitting my job and taking the debt. I'll have to talk to you someday about how you're handling all of that. I'm not sure how I'd pay the mortgage!"

The answer is in there. Yup. The debt pays for my cost-of-living, too. I may start working part-time at a local brewery for some spending cash. And, in Jan, I'll have a bit more time to work. But, for now, I'm borrowing everything I need.

I figure it's just a couple semesters... Most ppl graduate college w/ tons more debt than I'll have. And, I'm ahead of the game cause I already own a house. (Shhh. Nobody tell my mortgage company that I'm unemployed, lol)”

“(mum's the word, tara!)”

“Tuesday was in-service here, and our afternoon breakout sessions were used to gather "success stories" from faculty and staff -- our perceptions of where and when we have fulfilled our mission of "transforming lives and enriching communities." I found myself getting emotional when I talked about examples of students who have told me about the big changes that have resulted in their lives because of what they learned here, particularly in my classes. Don't talk about it much, so the feelings were a surprise. But that is the true payoff in teaching, not a plaque or a pension (I won't be turning the latter down, though!).”

“I'm looking into a program where I can do my pre-student teaching by working with a group of girls on Saturdays next semester. I haven't heard back from the lady who runs it yet, so I'm not sure what the commitment would be.

I also had a conversation with my boss today. She point blank asked me how much longer I'd be here, and I told her one to two more years, and that I'll be changing careers. She wants me to start looking for and training a replacement for my position. She was very cool about it, I wasn't sure what to expect. I also thought it would be a huge weight lifted off of me, but I still feel like I'm tied down by this job and my responsibilities. I suppose I'll get through it all somehow.”

“Jo - I'm in southern Maine, York County to be exact. I really like it here, because I'm very close to great hiking just to the north and over in the White Mountains. I'm also close to the ocean. Maine is hurting for teachers (especially in the northern regions), so I doubt you'd have any trouble finding work here.

Thanks Luke 3!”

“Hey, all you teachers, check out my "I was quoted in the newspaper" thread!!”

“One of the kids I have been taking backpacking thru the years has asked me to go on one of HIS trips to the Smokies later this month.

Kinda nice to see them growing up and using the things you taught them.

I told him, "I hope you don't expect me to do ANY of the planning. This is YOUR trip, leader."”

“Yep. Now take a look into your own memory and think of those that helped you along the way. Whether professionally or personally. I truely believe this is one of the main reasons we are on this earth. To teach others, and to be taught by others.

Kudo's to you for taking the time to mentor!”

“And here I thought it was all about sex and procreation.”

“well sex anyways”

“That's a cool feeling isn't it?

The trip planning thing that is.
We all know the sex thing is a cool feeling.
last edited: 7/15/05 10:33:00 AM”

“What, sex or teaching?”

“BOTH!

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

“Yuck!
(Married people flirting) ;-)”

“:P”

“Way cool, Stovie!

My nephew is on his 10th year of hiking/backpacking in BSP with me. I guess we should have some sort of celebration this time...

I can't wait until he starts making the reservations, then he'll see what I've gone through over the years each time he's changed his mind about where he wants to camp, LOL...”