Work Cuts Into My Blog Time

I really missed blogging for the last couple of days. I've been going every day to work with my Fairbanks teachers from 7-4 or so. Anyone who thinks that teachers only work a few hours a day need to have a reality check! What do I do? I gather data requested by the teacher (how many times did T interrupt me?) or linked to a teacher goal, I assist the teacher with material prep or with small groups, I model a strategy and we have interesting collaboration on all sorts of topics (what should my aide be doing, how do I get them to pay attention, am I teaching the standards, what about the kids who don't bring pencils, I have a scary parent conference next week, I wonder what to do with ADD kids, etc.......)

This week has been very cold, -44 in the mornings. What is the reality of this cold? Numb fingers from locking the car doors, stiff extension cords plugging in the car, car seats as stiff as a board, a sluggish clutch in the car, thick ice fog, clear starry nights, no one at the dump- and no good stuff either, inability to discern the gender of pedestrians due to thick clothes, "square" tires.

I was very productive today in the short time when I wasn't with teachers. I placed an ad for selling our pool table. Santa brought it about 11 or 12 years ago, almost herniating himself and a neighbor bringing it down to the basement. We wanted to know where our son was- right here at home with friends. That was true, too. He and his buddies invented lots of pool and gambling games and Saturday morning was a carpet of teenage boys sleeping in. When they woke up, I'd feed them French toast and send them home.

I also stopped in to question our property assessment at the Borough offices. It went up 109% this year. Pretty big leap considering there is still no road or electricity, or a building for that matter. It's being "looked into".

We started Taoist Tai Chi this week. There are 108 moves and I almost know 3 now. It was very calming and focused. I think it will be a good exercise in the mornings on our hikes.

The important news is that I notified my district that I would not be returning next year. I'm planning on retiring this summer. It doesn't mean I won't work- I haven't decided yet, but I'm not going back to a classroom. Quite a big step!

Also, it looks like my Active Learning in Middle School Math is going to go. It starts on Feb. 21 at 6 pm. Interested? Comment and I'll send you the info. It's internet delivered so it can be from anywhere.