THE SAYING GOES: WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS
In the last 24 hours, I kid you not, I was offered two different teaching positions! One is at Dos Pueblos and I can't talk about it because the teacher hasn't told his/her students that he/she will be leaving soon. The other job would be as a History teacher at Santa Barbara Junior High.
Now I will list the pros and cons of both jobs:
Santa Barbara Junior High:
PROS-I would be teaching only three classes and be done by noon everyday. Not only that, but two of the classes are GATE (Gifted and Talented Education), which means the students would be wonderful to work. The best. I would receive full pay to teach only three classes. Also, the curriculum follows a book that the teacher said the students really enjoy. Finally, the teacher who I would be teaching for would be my old Government teacher, who taught as a student teacher for the first time in my class, and I had a crush on her.
CONS- I would not be at Dos Pueblos, my most favorite school in the world. I am extremely loyal to DP, as they have been very good to me for the past year. I love the students there and know a lot of the faculty very well. If I worked at the Junior High I could never sub at Dos Pueblos and that would make me very sad. Also, it is Junior High, which is not my ideal age.
Now, Dos Pueblos:
PROS- Dos Pueblos! Need I say more? I would no longer have my foot in the door, in terms of getting a dream job at the school of my choice--I would have my entire body in the door. I would be sitting down, enjoying the milk and honey of my alma mater.
CONS- I would be committing to full-time teaching! How scary is that? I don't have my teaching credentials, and I am already very busy in my life. I'm afraid I might melt down. The same goes for the Junior High, of course.
What do you think?
Showing posts with label Dos Pueblos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dos Pueblos. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
THE BROWNIES WERE GREAT
I finished my week of teaching the math class. It was an awesome experience! By the end of the week:
• I had about 15 students joining me for lunch.
•Six separate students were bringing their Rubik's Cubes to class.
•I brought candy and I baked cookies, cake, and brownies for my beloved students. I got up at 7am on Friday to bake the brownies.
•I got a cd of music from one of my favorites, John Collector.
•Multiple students told me I should stay and their teacher should not come back.
•One student was amazed because he said he never does work and he did homework every day while I was there.
•I taught how to solve a power function, Y=ax^b that passes through the points (1,6) and (12,5) and how to graph a Logistic Growth Function.
I finished my week of teaching the math class. It was an awesome experience! By the end of the week:
• I had about 15 students joining me for lunch.
•Six separate students were bringing their Rubik's Cubes to class.
•I brought candy and I baked cookies, cake, and brownies for my beloved students. I got up at 7am on Friday to bake the brownies.
•I got a cd of music from one of my favorites, John Collector.
•Multiple students told me I should stay and their teacher should not come back.
•One student was amazed because he said he never does work and he did homework every day while I was there.
•I taught how to solve a power function, Y=ax^b that passes through the points (1,6) and (12,5) and how to graph a Logistic Growth Function.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
THE FIRST TIME'S THE HARDEST
Whoo! What a day! I had an interesting time subbing for my math class. Interesting, but good. Basically, I feel really bad for the first class that I teach, because I make all of my big mistakes with them, and then get better as the day goes on.
Like this morning, when I became totally flustered because I wasn't sure what the book was trying to say, and so I started to teach the math wrong. Fortunately the class was a very forgiving one, not to mention quite bright.
I was smooth and cool by sixth period, though!
Haha, tomorrow will be phenomenal. I promise.
Whoo! What a day! I had an interesting time subbing for my math class. Interesting, but good. Basically, I feel really bad for the first class that I teach, because I make all of my big mistakes with them, and then get better as the day goes on.
Like this morning, when I became totally flustered because I wasn't sure what the book was trying to say, and so I started to teach the math wrong. Fortunately the class was a very forgiving one, not to mention quite bright.
I was smooth and cool by sixth period, though!
Haha, tomorrow will be phenomenal. I promise.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
THE MOVIE STAR
Today when I arrived at Dos Pueblos some students said I looked like a movie star. They couldn't figure out who, but I think they were saying that I looked like a movie star in general. Which is a very nice compliment and it made me smile. They also said maybe I look like Mat Kearney, the musician. I think they said it because of my hat (and perhaps my sweater a little). This is what I looked like today:
Haha, ok, but here is why I dressed down today: I only had to sub for one class, and I woke up with some crazy hair and I didn't have time for a shower, so I just threw on a hat and a comfortable sweater.
Other students said I "blended in" as I was walking through the halls. They thought I looked like a kid.
Today when I arrived at Dos Pueblos some students said I looked like a movie star. They couldn't figure out who, but I think they were saying that I looked like a movie star in general. Which is a very nice compliment and it made me smile. They also said maybe I look like Mat Kearney, the musician. I think they said it because of my hat (and perhaps my sweater a little). This is what I looked like today:
Haha, ok, but here is why I dressed down today: I only had to sub for one class, and I woke up with some crazy hair and I didn't have time for a shower, so I just threw on a hat and a comfortable sweater.
Other students said I "blended in" as I was walking through the halls. They thought I looked like a kid.
Monday, January 14, 2008
THE ESCAPEES
I am subbing for the ceramics class at Dos Pueblos High School right now. According to my attendance sheet there should be about thirty people in the class, but as I look out among the tables I see only 15 students! Where are the other 15? I swear to you, I am not incompetent, but so many students just walked out and there was nothing I could do about it. First off, I didn't see them walk out--they did it very sneakily. Secondly, some students are allowed to sit outside on the benches and I think they take advantage of that liberty and just leave.
Either way, my only worry is that they go off and get in trouble by a security guard who in turn comes to my class to see the lazy sub who let 15 students somehow escape his watch.
I am subbing for the ceramics class at Dos Pueblos High School right now. According to my attendance sheet there should be about thirty people in the class, but as I look out among the tables I see only 15 students! Where are the other 15? I swear to you, I am not incompetent, but so many students just walked out and there was nothing I could do about it. First off, I didn't see them walk out--they did it very sneakily. Secondly, some students are allowed to sit outside on the benches and I think they take advantage of that liberty and just leave.
Either way, my only worry is that they go off and get in trouble by a security guard who in turn comes to my class to see the lazy sub who let 15 students somehow escape his watch.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
THE SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK VIDEO
Today I had the fantastic privilege of partaking in the goodness of Schoolhouse Rock. I substituted for an English teacher at Dos Pueblos who teaches an ELD class (English Language Development). These are students who are learning English for the first time, who cannot function in a mainstream class yet. So we learned about Pronouns.
I don't know why, but I never had the opportunity to watch a Schoolhouse Rock video. Ever. I knew what the program was, had even heard people sing parts of songs from the show, but I had never witnessed firsthand the joy of 70s style music crafted to promote the finer aspects of English grammar.
This was my favorite episode that we watched. View it twice--it's catchy.
Today I had the fantastic privilege of partaking in the goodness of Schoolhouse Rock. I substituted for an English teacher at Dos Pueblos who teaches an ELD class (English Language Development). These are students who are learning English for the first time, who cannot function in a mainstream class yet. So we learned about Pronouns.
I don't know why, but I never had the opportunity to watch a Schoolhouse Rock video. Ever. I knew what the program was, had even heard people sing parts of songs from the show, but I had never witnessed firsthand the joy of 70s style music crafted to promote the finer aspects of English grammar.
This was my favorite episode that we watched. View it twice--it's catchy.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
THE DAYS FLY BY
Last week I subbed for two elementary schools and two different high schools (Dos Pueblos and San Marcos). In one of the elementary schools I got to hold a leopard gecko and we learned about fish. Also, during PE a fifth grade girl screamed every single time someone made a basket, whether or not they were on her team. She would hold both arms straight down at her sides, fists clenched, eyes closed, little ears sticking out through her hair, and scream like a little girl. Which she was.
At the other elementary school the students asked me to be their teacher for FOREVER after I did some magic tricks for them. I made a ring disappear and pulled it out of the air. I also took my thumb clean off of my hand! Boy, did that hurt. And I solved the rubik's cube in about 50 seconds for them.
At San Marcos I subbed for a teacher that I play poker with every other Friday. I asked the kids if they knew their teacher played poker. They did not know it, and I hoped it was ok to share that personal information. Got two or three kids solving the rubik's cube.
At Dos Pueblos we had four people solving the rubik's cube in my class at lunch. It was beautiful.
Last week I subbed for two elementary schools and two different high schools (Dos Pueblos and San Marcos). In one of the elementary schools I got to hold a leopard gecko and we learned about fish. Also, during PE a fifth grade girl screamed every single time someone made a basket, whether or not they were on her team. She would hold both arms straight down at her sides, fists clenched, eyes closed, little ears sticking out through her hair, and scream like a little girl. Which she was.
At the other elementary school the students asked me to be their teacher for FOREVER after I did some magic tricks for them. I made a ring disappear and pulled it out of the air. I also took my thumb clean off of my hand! Boy, did that hurt. And I solved the rubik's cube in about 50 seconds for them.
At San Marcos I subbed for a teacher that I play poker with every other Friday. I asked the kids if they knew their teacher played poker. They did not know it, and I hoped it was ok to share that personal information. Got two or three kids solving the rubik's cube.
At Dos Pueblos we had four people solving the rubik's cube in my class at lunch. It was beautiful.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
THE ABSENT MINDED TEACHERS
Yesterday was an interesting day of subbing. I was scheduled to substitute for a Spanish class at Dos Pueblos High School. I showed up on time, opened the class, and didn't see a lesson plan. That has never happened to me before and I was a little worried about simply babysitting for six classes throughout the day. It's much better when there is busy work to do.
Anyways, it didn't matter, because the teacher came to school! He had canceled his request for a sub but the secretary didn't take note of the cancellation. So I was free to go!
As I was leaving the office the secretary said, "Wait! Phil, there is another sub who isn't here yet. Can you open their class and get them started?"
Why, certainly. The bell had already rung and all the students were just standing outside of the class, waiting for the substitute to show up. So I opened the door and started taking attendance. Moments later the substitute showed up, so I headed back to the office to say goodbye for a second time.
This time there were two security guards in the secretary's office. There was another teacher who didn't show up. This other teacher is actually my friend, Matt. I do Young Life with him. So I was sent over to his classroom where the students had been standing outside for about 10 minutes now. In fact, as I started heading their way, I could see some just beginning to leave.
It turns out Matt had emailed last night for a substitute, but the email servers were down in the office this morning, so the secretary never got the message. Matt's mother flew into town yesterday, but her plane was delayed and came in pretty late. He spent the day with her.
Good thing I was there.
I ended up subbing after all!
Yesterday was an interesting day of subbing. I was scheduled to substitute for a Spanish class at Dos Pueblos High School. I showed up on time, opened the class, and didn't see a lesson plan. That has never happened to me before and I was a little worried about simply babysitting for six classes throughout the day. It's much better when there is busy work to do.
Anyways, it didn't matter, because the teacher came to school! He had canceled his request for a sub but the secretary didn't take note of the cancellation. So I was free to go!
As I was leaving the office the secretary said, "Wait! Phil, there is another sub who isn't here yet. Can you open their class and get them started?"
Why, certainly. The bell had already rung and all the students were just standing outside of the class, waiting for the substitute to show up. So I opened the door and started taking attendance. Moments later the substitute showed up, so I headed back to the office to say goodbye for a second time.
This time there were two security guards in the secretary's office. There was another teacher who didn't show up. This other teacher is actually my friend, Matt. I do Young Life with him. So I was sent over to his classroom where the students had been standing outside for about 10 minutes now. In fact, as I started heading their way, I could see some just beginning to leave.
It turns out Matt had emailed last night for a substitute, but the email servers were down in the office this morning, so the secretary never got the message. Matt's mother flew into town yesterday, but her plane was delayed and came in pretty late. He spent the day with her.
Good thing I was there.
I ended up subbing after all!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
THE RAIN DANCE
On Friday, much to my chagrin, I allowed a girl to do a dance to make rain happen. She said she really wanted to show people this dance she had made up, and so I thought it would be something cute that people would get a good laugh out of. Unfortunately for everyone in the classroom, the dance was dumb and a little bit mocking of Native American dances. It was ridiculous!
This was in math class, mind you.
On Friday, much to my chagrin, I allowed a girl to do a dance to make rain happen. She said she really wanted to show people this dance she had made up, and so I thought it would be something cute that people would get a good laugh out of. Unfortunately for everyone in the classroom, the dance was dumb and a little bit mocking of Native American dances. It was ridiculous!
This was in math class, mind you.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
THE RUBIK'S CUBE
Being unsure of what to write, but sure I must write something...
On Friday I will have substituted at Dos Pueblos for four days this week. Four days! The secretary, Terry Tripp, is wonderful to me--she gives me work all the time.
At DP I am sometimes referred to as the "Cube Guy" or, "Mr. Cube" or, "Rubik's Cube man" because I am obsessed with the Rubik's Cube and I practice it all the time. At school.
Now, this is not to say that I let the kids do whatever they want while I sit in the corner working the cube. I take my job very seriously and make sure that I follow the teacher's instructions to the best of my ability. And THEN I practice my Rubik's Cube. I've gone from about 1min 45 sec to about 1:07 now. My best time is :46 seconds.
Being unsure of what to write, but sure I must write something...
On Friday I will have substituted at Dos Pueblos for four days this week. Four days! The secretary, Terry Tripp, is wonderful to me--she gives me work all the time.
At DP I am sometimes referred to as the "Cube Guy" or, "Mr. Cube" or, "Rubik's Cube man" because I am obsessed with the Rubik's Cube and I practice it all the time. At school.
Now, this is not to say that I let the kids do whatever they want while I sit in the corner working the cube. I take my job very seriously and make sure that I follow the teacher's instructions to the best of my ability. And THEN I practice my Rubik's Cube. I've gone from about 1min 45 sec to about 1:07 now. My best time is :46 seconds.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
THE WEDDINGS
Today I was informed that there are two girls that want to marry me at Dos Pueblos. A student from a church group I work with told me in class today, "Phil, I know two girls who want to marry you.. I got a text message from one of them Saturday night, saying 'I'm going to marry Mr. V! Do you want to be a bridesmaid in my wedding??'"
Well, I thought it would be a good idea NOT to know who those girls are, so I didn't ask.
Today I was informed that there are two girls that want to marry me at Dos Pueblos. A student from a church group I work with told me in class today, "Phil, I know two girls who want to marry you.. I got a text message from one of them Saturday night, saying 'I'm going to marry Mr. V! Do you want to be a bridesmaid in my wedding??'"
Well, I thought it would be a good idea NOT to know who those girls are, so I didn't ask.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
THE BAND
Today I substituted for band at Dos Pueblos. The band teacher actually only teaches three classes: Entrepreneurship, Advanced Jazz Band, and Beginning Jazz Band. There are other instructors for his marching band. The kids are all pretty much self taught; they get into their sections and practice their pieces. Easy as that.
Period 1: Open doors so students can drop off instruments. No class.
Period 2: Entrepreneurship. Students read.
Period 3: No class.
Period 4: Advanced jazz. Students just jam on whatever they want. I'm talking musical genius status in this class. Some ninth grader I spoke to is in two bands already.
Period 5: Beginning jazz. Students just jam on whatever they want. Not so much musical genius.
Period 6+7: Marching band. Other instructors take over. I leave.
Basically I finished a crossword puzzle today and worked on my Rubik's cube.
Today I substituted for band at Dos Pueblos. The band teacher actually only teaches three classes: Entrepreneurship, Advanced Jazz Band, and Beginning Jazz Band. There are other instructors for his marching band. The kids are all pretty much self taught; they get into their sections and practice their pieces. Easy as that.
Period 1: Open doors so students can drop off instruments. No class.
Period 2: Entrepreneurship. Students read.
Period 3: No class.
Period 4: Advanced jazz. Students just jam on whatever they want. I'm talking musical genius status in this class. Some ninth grader I spoke to is in two bands already.
Period 5: Beginning jazz. Students just jam on whatever they want. Not so much musical genius.
Period 6+7: Marching band. Other instructors take over. I leave.
Basically I finished a crossword puzzle today and worked on my Rubik's cube.
Friday, September 07, 2007
THE HOOK UP
Today I substituted at Dos Pueblos again. For math. Again. This time I subbed for my friend Matt Long, who is "so hot" and "not too old" according to some girls in his fourth period class. Those kind of conversations always make me smile. I don't know why. I think high school romance is just so funny, and hearing students talk about crushes and whatnot always makes me laugh and shake my head.
But who am I to judge? I still haven't figured out LOVE enough to find that special someone.
Yet.
Speaking of which, those same girls tried to set me up with my longtime friend Courtney Medel, who also teaches at Dos Pueblos, in the English department. They said, "Do you know Ms. Medel?"
"Yeah, I do," I replied with a smile.
"She's cute..."
"I know," I replied with another smile. This time I smile because those kids are so silly for trying to play cupid when they hardly know me.
"Ooooohh you think she's cute! Hook it up! You want me to talk to her? I'll be your match maker. For just 20 bucks I can get you a date with her. For 40 bucks I'll get her to pay."
Ha ha, who comes up with that stuff, seriously?
Today I substituted at Dos Pueblos again. For math. Again. This time I subbed for my friend Matt Long, who is "so hot" and "not too old" according to some girls in his fourth period class. Those kind of conversations always make me smile. I don't know why. I think high school romance is just so funny, and hearing students talk about crushes and whatnot always makes me laugh and shake my head.
But who am I to judge? I still haven't figured out LOVE enough to find that special someone.
Yet.
Speaking of which, those same girls tried to set me up with my longtime friend Courtney Medel, who also teaches at Dos Pueblos, in the English department. They said, "Do you know Ms. Medel?"
"Yeah, I do," I replied with a smile.
"She's cute..."
"I know," I replied with another smile. This time I smile because those kids are so silly for trying to play cupid when they hardly know me.
"Ooooohh you think she's cute! Hook it up! You want me to talk to her? I'll be your match maker. For just 20 bucks I can get you a date with her. For 40 bucks I'll get her to pay."
Ha ha, who comes up with that stuff, seriously?
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
THE APPLAUSE
So this kid just added me on Facebook Monday. This in itself is not news-- probably 50 percent of my friends on Facebook and Myspace are high school and junior high students that I have either substituted for or been a youth leader for in some organized church group.
[By the way, I have a strict policy that I do NOT ask students to be my friends on these social network sites. I accept requests from them to be friends, but I do not initiate such requests. I will only ask a student to be my friend on Facebook/Myspace if I have a previous relationship with them, like I tutored them for three years and I am a family friend, and they named their cat after me..]
But on Tuesday when I stood in front of the psychology class at Dos Pueblos High School with the aforementioned student, I was greeted with applause by the student and another student. Haha, they clapped for me! I should get a raise for this kind of feedback.
So this kid just added me on Facebook Monday. This in itself is not news-- probably 50 percent of my friends on Facebook and Myspace are high school and junior high students that I have either substituted for or been a youth leader for in some organized church group.
[By the way, I have a strict policy that I do NOT ask students to be my friends on these social network sites. I accept requests from them to be friends, but I do not initiate such requests. I will only ask a student to be my friend on Facebook/Myspace if I have a previous relationship with them, like I tutored them for three years and I am a family friend, and they named their cat after me..]
But on Tuesday when I stood in front of the psychology class at Dos Pueblos High School with the aforementioned student, I was greeted with applause by the student and another student. Haha, they clapped for me! I should get a raise for this kind of feedback.
Friday, August 31, 2007
THE RUBBER BANDS
Yesterday in the math class that I substituted for, three Seniors at Dos Pueblos found a very large bag of rubber bands. They were the teacher's rubber bands, but that wasn't stopping anybody. The guys were using them to shoot small pieces of paper at each other. I took the rubber bands away and said that I wouldn't write their names down unless I saw them messing around again.
I'm supposed to be the 'nice' sub!
About five minutes later, out of my periphery I see a rubber band held low and a paper flying towards someone's back.
Their names were recorded. In black ink.
And just in case you were wondering what kind of math it was that these sophomores, juniors, and seniors were doing, here is a sample question from their work:
-1 - (9)= ?
also:
Two lines are on a graph. Without using a calculator or drawing a graph, find out where the lines intersect:
y=1/3X+5
y=x-3
Yesterday in the math class that I substituted for, three Seniors at Dos Pueblos found a very large bag of rubber bands. They were the teacher's rubber bands, but that wasn't stopping anybody. The guys were using them to shoot small pieces of paper at each other. I took the rubber bands away and said that I wouldn't write their names down unless I saw them messing around again.
I'm supposed to be the 'nice' sub!
About five minutes later, out of my periphery I see a rubber band held low and a paper flying towards someone's back.
Their names were recorded. In black ink.
And just in case you were wondering what kind of math it was that these sophomores, juniors, and seniors were doing, here is a sample question from their work:
-1 - (9)= ?
also:
Two lines are on a graph. Without using a calculator or drawing a graph, find out where the lines intersect:
y=1/3X+5
y=x-3
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
THE FIRST WEEK
Hi folks!
School is back in session as of yesterday, and I have already received requests to substitute for seven different days!
My first class will be a math class at Dos Pueblos High school, and I'll be there Thursday and Friday this week. Stay tuned as I will certainly have stories to share.
Love, Phil
Hi folks!
School is back in session as of yesterday, and I have already received requests to substitute for seven different days!
My first class will be a math class at Dos Pueblos High school, and I'll be there Thursday and Friday this week. Stay tuned as I will certainly have stories to share.
Love, Phil
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