"I've got plenty to be thankful for . . ."

Eliza blogged about the concept of blogging daily in November about what we are thankful for. At different times over the years, I have kept a gratitude journal, and it is a very useful, rewarding kind of exercise.  I tend to focus on negatives more often than positives, so it's an especially helpful exercise for me to engage in!

My "gratitude posts" are not going in any particular order.  That is, the first post might not be the thing I am most grateful for, but it is something I thought about when I thought about gratitude as I sat here at the computer.

This is a photo of me with my aide of 16 years, one Verna Beth Roth - known fondly as "Mrs. Roth" to many of my students.  In fact, when she was not in my classroom this year, I heard "But where is Mrs. Roth?" more times than I care to remember!

Beth had the opportunity this year to finally have full-time status as an instructional aide - something she has wanted the whole time she's worked for the district!  But it meant she had to move to the self-contained classroom, since the Resource classroom does not qualify for full-time aides.  

I used to say, "When Beth goes, I go!"  But I'm not ready to retire yet, so I have had to adjust!  Beth has had to adjust too, but she has simply endeared herself to a new group of aides, teachers, and students!  And I have been given two new aides, and they are working out well and do an excellent job.  Mrs. Roth does drop by often.  I also get to have lunch with her in the staff lounge each day, so we may actually have more "social" time together than we had before.

But I often look for her - and have to remind myself that she's not in my room anymore.  I miss her ready smile, her very upbeat, positive attitude, her daily injunction to just look for "baby steps" and then we won't be disappointed.

And I am reminded that we need to treasure the now, the today, the present.  We need to be thankful for what we have - not what we might not have in the future.

I am truly thankful for the wonderful 16 years Beth and I worked together. And thankful that we are always going to be friends!

Out of the mouths of 8th grade babes!

As many of you know, I teach middle school students with identified learning disabilities.  My students by and large are bright and interesting.  They just learn "differently" and always have.  As a consequence, they have developed certain habits and coping skills over time.  Sometimes they can be really hilarious though.  And I hope it doesn't look like I am poking fun, but this incident makes me smile every time I tell it!

The students in my 8th grade collaborative Language Arts class are supposed to write a persuasive essay that is for or against animal testing.  It is a detailed process that is supposed to start with research.  One young lady gave me her essay to check and she had said, since she was in favor of animal testing, that "The animals think it is okay."

I asked her where she had gotten that info - and she said, "online."

Like I said, they do see things differently sometimes!!

It took some persuading on my part to get her to change that line.  When she couldn't produce the proof, I insisted it go!!

I think she thinks I'm goofy.

But she's still one of my favorite students!

What's been going on around here!!

Lots has been going on around here - school ended with the announcement that Anna May is retiring!! We were pretty much taken by surprise - and we will certainly miss her. I'm actually not sure how I'm going to get along without her!!

Jan has been reassigned also - but is going to apply for Anna May's job - we hope she gets it - might make it possible to get along without Anna May.

Eleanor Esqueda is retiring also.

And Arabelle Aguirre is going to a school in San Jose. Traci and I are staying though!!

I bought this cunning little "alstromeria vase" as a going away gift for Jan - then loved it so much I bought two for myself!! I think I will get lots of use out of them - they seem perfect for a school teacher's desk, don't you think?

I am off to Virginia tomorrow to tend to Eliza and brood - especially little Lars - can't wait to meet him. Alice was here this weekend, school ended, we had Ward Conference, I'm getting ready to leave - I don't think it could get more hectic - so I'm going to go in and finish an apron - this one is for me, so I can granny in style!!

I may or may not get some posting done while I'm gone - we will wait and see. If I don't get any done, you will know that I am gainfully employed!!

Aother day in the life . . .

I am in a collaborative teaching assignment with the general education 8th grade science teacher - and in California anyway, 8th grade science is chemistry and physics. (I know some of you are wondering how I can do chemistry and physics - remember it is tough, but it is only 8th grade. And I have the answer book!)

So I thought this was pretty funny.

Maybe you had to be there!!