Adiossss, Part Time

.....almost :-)

I didn't think I would actually live to see this day, but the hardest term of my life is (almost) over!! All that stands between freedom and I is a little ESOL work sample revision and a technology petition....and Monday I'll be done!!!

Ahh, I don't know what to say. As I mentioned previously, I can't even imagine what it will feel like to get to sleep (in!), clean, cook, exercise, just not do anything. So ready.

Today was my last day in the class. I left a little early because I had to take my ESOL test (my last test...which I passed!) and I wasn't going to really say goodbye for spring break, because they were in their end-of-the-day chaotic state. However, I waved goodbye, which some saw, and all of a sudden I was caught off guard by a throng of 1st graders, throwing their arms around me like it was the last time they were going to see me, even boys that I thought hated me. "Don't leeeavvve Mrs. Omundson!!" "I'm going to miss you Ms. Omundson!!" As I would try to step away, they were still clinging on, and I almost fell several times. Eventually they scrambled away, except for one little girl who, as she does on a daily basis, squeezes me so hard I can't breathe. Who is always so needy and ornery and has had a really hard upbringing, living with her brother and sister-in-law for most of her life. Monday is her first day back with her biological mom. It's like she drinks it in, like she doesn't know when or where she'll get it next. All this to say, I leave many days thinking I'm just messing kids up or they hate me....and then this happens, or I get a picture, etc. All this to say, I see my role so narrow mindedly sometimes and forget that the small things I say and do count, that I have so much power and influence over the shaping of their lives.

This week we gained a student and lost a student. We lost (to a different school) one of our dear ELL boys who, although I could rarely get him to focus in reading group, I loved nonetheless. We got a sweet, quiet girl from English-only 1st grade room who had a bad experience there, and today she was already giving me a big hug. I hate losing students, they always mention it's their last day on the day they leave, and barely anyone knows, or they leave and just don't come back and don't say goodbye. It's such a transient population here. Anyways, I'm glad we got a new student, I've kinda been hoping for one.

I am excited for next term, as always for a blank slate, but to get to devote all of my time and energy to that. I've already started thinking about my unit for my work sample, which I think I'm gonna do on animals/environments, etc. In June we're going to zoo so it'll be perf.

OHH and have I mentioned how my laptop(s) has oficially crashed not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES this term...twice in this past week...naturally, right before each respective work sample was/is due. I had JUST (like 3 days earlier) had the hard drive replaced for $130 before I found out the motherboard/basically everything was screwed. So I'm not really sure what's going to happen next; I'm borrowing computers from OSU/roomies for now, but I'm dreading it.....not only financial wise, but having all my files (word docs, music, pics) in a million different places. Anyways, let's not talk about that right now.

I will update soon about spring break and preparing for full-time!

Ms. O

4 DAYS LEFT OF PART-TIME?!

You read that right...I only have 4 days left in the classroom, and I will have exceeded my required hours by 80 hours!
As you might have already picked up on, the classroom is the easiest part. This weekend will probably be the craziest one to date, as I need to finish most of my ESOL work sample AND finish/revise my final [part-time] work sample as well as finish about 3 assignments for classes. Ahh!!
Whether I'm ready or not, this term will be over for me in 10 DAYS!! I am SO ready to be done. And can't think of anything but spring break...which MAY include Mexico or California, so of course I can't really focus on anything else.
Which means...full-time student teaching is in 3 WEEKS!
Here are some other bullets of the past week:
-I stayed up all night (slept 45 minutes) last Thursday to work on work sample....that most definitely was a sample of my work! ;)
-If I had a dollar for every time someone tattled this week, I would be a VERY, very rich girl!
-If I had a dollar for every time a kid (usually girls) came up to me and said "I need a Band Aid" and showed me a faint, faint scratch, I would also be a VERY, very rich girl.
-I'm so excited for the "clean slate" of a new term. I definitely know what I need to improve on! (ahemorganizationahem)
-Getting excited thinking about my unit for next term...we might actually start learning some science, which could be a potential unit!
-This next week is also my last week of classes which mainly consists of (potluck) parties...my fave! :) I will definitely miss my Spanish class, I partly wish I could keep teaching at OSU!
-Next term I will only have to go to campus once every other week for the student teaching seminar with my cohort and our awesome teacher
-During "freebie Friday" today where kids that are done do whatever they want and kids that owe work work, I got to have more extended one-on-one/small group time with some of the "struggling" students...so nice because that is rare. I was working with them on learning to tell time. I had two main girls with me who were both very confused. I had out my big clock and was going over it with them...pretty soon, one girl understood it, and she got so excited, she sat around for the next 20 minutes helping teach the other kids who didn't get it! Was so proud of her and all the other ones!
-Thursdays are one of my favorite days as we (teachers) have an hour and 35 minute break, so sometimes we go out to eat (the three of us) and this week we went to Panda, and of course my teacher pays ;) and it was nice to get a break in the sun!
-On Tuesday inbetween our classes we had a presentation about the Edzapp...basically the biggest online website (for Oregon) to apply and look for teaching jobs. I didn't know so much of it was online these days...but it's crazy to think that people are already looking to hire starting about now! I'm curious to see what will happen for next year...
-97 days till graduation! ;)

Ok well better get back to the work sample! I'll touch back in after some craziness has subsided!
S