It's Holiday Time....

Please forgive me while I take a break....I'll be visiting friends and family for the holiday and then attending a conference. See you when I get back!

Winter Wonder Land?

So, due to Snow in Las Vegas! all public schools in the LV Valley are closed, so teachers and students were given a "Snow Day". We'll have to make it up later, but who cares....only ONE day until Winter Break.

This was funny to me because I am originally from Chicago and the snow is nothing like I am used to there. Hey, who am I to complain...if you are reading this you're probably in your classroom right now (unless you are off for break already)...LOL!

Have a great day and a wonderful Holiday!!

Finally...there is a light, barely but it is there.

I HAVE DONE IT....I have completed four classes this quarter, bringing to a close my coursework for my PhD. What's next? relaxation...HAHA, no I have to be in CA for a week long colloquium to meet my Mentor and get my ideas together for my COMPS - which is a cumulative exam showing that I know what I am talking about and know how to do research. This is great, but I'll be calling on my friends (OK, only ONE and she knows who she is) to read them and be sure they are written well. Anyway, that is from JAN to MARCH. Then 2 weeks off before I go into dissertation mode and completely ignore my family, friends and other responsibilities.

I'm sure it will go quicker than i think...LOL, yeah right.

Crushing the Dark Side

OK, well I promised to keep you informed of the outcome between myself, Principal Palpatine and Sally Slacker.

After emailing the Emperors office about the situation, I received a call from Palpatine stating that Sally would be put into a class at another school to complete the credit and then attempted to deflect the blame by stating that I mis-interpreted the communication from her office.

The grade was changed, the parent was on board and Palpatine was thrown under the starship. I feel for the other instructor who had a similar problem and was summoned by Palpatine to meet with all involved.

All-in-All I am glad that this was put on the radar; hopefully Palpatine will not be allowed to made decisions without teacher consent.

Where has the time gone...

Wow, I have been a true slacker. Its been almost a month since my last blog, and that is not keeping the promise I made to a friend of mine. Sorry!!

So, what has been happening in the time that has passed? Well, working 3 jobs starts it; full time at the high school, and two evening and online jobs at the local colleges. I was made the Student Activities Director at the high school I teach at, as well as a PBL trainer. Yeah, I never know when to say No!

We had a successful Halloween Dance; first event of the school year for the kids - it was great. In addition to all of this, finishing classes for my doctorate. I only have THREE weeks before the classes are done and I make my final trek to Anaheim for my last required Colloquium (and hopefully see some friends in the time I am there).

I have also interviewed for two Asst. Professor jobs; one was in Ohio. Now, the though of moving again stinks, but it is a Community College and I would be the Psychology Department Chairperson. I was pretty excited just to get the interview, so if it doesn't happen I won't be too crushed. The other is at the local university that I teach. They want an Asst. Professor and being that they just increased my class load from 1 to 3; I think they like my performance.

So, I'll keep you posted on the outcome. I would like to say hello to those that DO read my blog. Sorry it's been so long!

Episode II: The Dark Side

OK, well I promised to keep you informed of the happenings of Principal Palpatine and Sally Slacker. Well, Sally Slacker's daddy, a lawyer, called the district and started to quote Ed Code...which to me is funny, since the notification of poor grades would have had no effect on this. An hour conversation and collaboration with others involved has revealed the following:

1. Palpatine planned on changing the grade without my approval.
2. The parents have been promised things that Palpatine can not produce.
3. The agreement between Mr. Slacker and myself is not going to happen because Palpatine said the "schedule can not accommodate it" Meaning the schedule is WRONG for the third year in a row - making it the teachers fault.
4. Palpatine seems to think that I am going to "give in" with her directions.

I am no longer working for the district, so this would be an great time for me to bring to the Emperor the issues above.

I think that the district is trying to make sure that this is not brought to the Emperor; but I am not going to give the student an A; when she earned an F. I am known as a very flexible teacher and to be put in this situation by Palpatine is crazy.

...TO BE CONTINUED

Return of the Sith...

OK...it has been over two months since I resigned from my last position; however, a few days ago, I received an email from Principal Palpatine about a student that is questioning the F they received in a course I taught over the summer. Sally Slacker waits until August 22 - to email me and tell me that she noticed her grade was an F, that she completed and turned in all the work and if I can look at the work and give her a P so that she can get into the colleges she is applying for she would appreciate it...to which I reply:

Sally, I appreciate your contacting me about your grade, however, I have not received any of the assignments in which you mention. I will however, go back into the online course and research the times you logged in and submitted anything, since the system keeps track of everything. At this point your grade stands and I am sorry you didn't notice this earlier in the course.

Needless to say, the students and parents at the school I left are not very keen on grades lower than an A; since they are all college bound. So, now the parents have started questioning the practices of the course and "blaming" the instructor for not notifying them she was failing. Lawyers are eminent. The parents also think that the instructor is prejudice and questions the students honesty. Funny thing is...I don't know the student personally...its an online course...so who knows what they want from me....

However, the district has assured me that they are NOT going to do a grade change or allow her to complete the work, since she was able to complete her work in another online course and earn a passing grade. Funny how that works...we're all on the same system so how can one course work and the other not? I did say that I would reconsider the grade....but even late work is only 1/2 credit and that would only get her a D - still not good for those colleges...

Will keep you updated on the events...

Ahhh....a light at the end of the tunnel

It has been a crazy two weeks, but overall things are good!

School is good, kids are still good (honeymoon isn't over yet) and I am completing my final paper for my graduate class today, which then gives me 3 weeks before starting the last of my courses for my PhD. Hey, I think that moves me into ABD status...I'll have to check!

Life has been uneventful, except for my college class...I teach at a local college once a week for 3 hours, and as much as I thought I was going to dread it...I am actually having a good time. There are 32 students...yes in a college class (its a requirement for psychology students) and the age range is from 18-52; I am mid-range and I'm the instructor. Let me tell you the more seasoned folks asked if I had even finished going through puberty yet...I'm teaching an adolescent and emerging adulthood course...which made me laugh.

Anyway, its been fun second week and only two dropped...while others email me and tell me how they enjoy the class. So, that being said it will not surprise you that when a post of an Assistant Professor was posted, I applied. Review of applications begin in October...position begins in Aug 2009, by then I should have gone from "Dr" to Dr. (meaning I completed dissertation and was conferred a degree).

I'll keep you posted on that. Other than that...nothing too spectacular.

in the words of Willy Wonka...

We have to move on we have so much time and so little to see....(strike that, reverse it)...OK, on we go!

So the first week at a new school has come and gone. WHEW! I have to tell you that I LOVE MY KIDS, the STAFF and PARENTS! Although I left a great school with great people...this school is no comparison - it has been great. There are only 9th and 10th graders - 70% are Hispanic and I am being called "Mr." every class period, but they are so appreciative that I am there it isn't even funny; yes it is....and kinda endearing.

We have had out "new school" problems but nothing like in the past...Oh Darn, the new I-Macs that are in our rooms wont get the software to be dual platform until next week....the LCD projectors that are being installed IN THE CEILING just came in this week and wont get put up until Monday....oh well...its rough.

The week went smooth...

I spent it getting to know the kids and letting them know who I am and what i expect...that is always fun. I am already hearing my name called out when I walk through the Quad area.

Since we are an Academy (I am in the medical and education house) I thought it would be funny to get into it - so I wore my Lab Coat (given to me by a previous student),

and my Master's gown from when I graduated. Now, the staff looked at me like I was nuts...heck I am! :-) But the kids knew why i did it...and they thought it was great. I had kids today ask me where my "robe" was...they all thought of "Harry Potter" when I walked around school.

Now...I am Student Council Advisor for my "house" ...which we are in the process of naming; NHS advisor and in my spare time I am doing Staff Development for the school. This is no surprise to those that know me...I always jump in with both feet....sometimes without looking.

I also started teaching at the colleges I was hired at...three of them. Two online and one on campus. The on campus one was AWESOME! Age range was 18-50; I had the best class, the three hours went by so quick and they said it was painless. i can't wait til next week...more to come!

All in all, it was a great week and now, I have to play catch up with my life. Can't wait to see how my old friends are on the Death Star....

And we're off....

Well, it has been a while, but I am going to make it a habit of blogging atleast once a week. Summer for me is officially over - meetings, trainings and new hire paperwork are in my future for the next week, but I am excited.

I am starting at the new high school next week - bad new is the school isn't ready to move into. They said by Aug 20th we should be able to get into our classrooms; which will give us 5 days to get things ready for the first day. I am not worried, beacuse the school is beautiful - brand new, technology included and a great staff.

So, although it might not be finished, I know we're going to have a great first year. :-)

On top of that, new hire training and paperwork for the three other part-time teaching gigs I secured over the summer. All of them are with Universities in the area and most of them are teaching online classes in education and my favorite, psychology.

So, think I will be keeping myself busy for the next several months, but as I stated before, will make every effort to blog weekly.

I would like to wish my 5 readers my best going into a new school year. I look forward to keeping up with the goings ons of Palpatine and the rest of the fleet.