::::: CHEETAHS ::::: Think Positive Saturday

Jackie :: wow, you did Kenpo+, a hilly iTread, and all those household tasks. That tires me out just readin' about it. Enjoy your downtime w/ DBF.

Carole :: Not sure...I will look for Season 2. I am on episode 5, and it keeps getting wilder! *lol* about the duct tape. Glad I'm not the only one watchin' too much Dex. :7

Gloria :: The cert I'm pursuing is in English Language Arts/Early Adolescence. My questions were about universal themes in literature; analysis of literary device in poetry; language study as it relates to ELLs (for which I have zero training or experience); analysis of a student response to literature; analysis of audience, purpose, and tone in a written piece, and; analysis of student writing...Results are available in late November. Glad you are feeling refreshed and better.
 
Gloria :: I don't know what the situation is in your state, but in NJ there were subsidies available to offset the cost. I had to front $625 of the $2500 candidacy fee, but I will get that back if I achieve within 3 years. So in the end, I'll be out $160 (non-refundable NB application fee plus graduate credit application fee) and will earn 9 grad credits. I also opted to take a monthly NB support class, which was invaluable. Unfortunately, my district didn't provide any compensation for it nor do they offer any stipends or other incentives upon certification, but nonetheless, the whole experience has been well worth it, professionally and personally.

Here's the link if you want to check it out: www.nbpts.org

[font face="bradley hand itc" size=+2]~Cathy[/font]

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee296/runninteach/exercise/th_SnowBunny_tns.jpg
http://img16.glitterfy.com/53/glitterfy084824T933D37.gif

"Do you want to feel my spatula?" Run, Fat Boy, Run
 
Cathy (again): I have to read a Framework for Understanding Poverty again because we are having a speaker about it in the fall. Poverty is our biggest challenge in the district. I just feel like I haven't learned anything new and exciting in a while about teaching. I know about multiple intelligences, brain based learning, cooperative learning, etc. I just need something new and have been feeling that way this whole year.
 
Thanks for the link. I am sure my district will not give me a dime! It is something at least to think about. I am sick of pursuing my masters, as I haven't learned anything new, except for special ed rules and laws. I do only have a few more credits left though, so I will. It is frustrating. I do have to say that this year has taught me more than I ever could have imagined! I am a better teacher because of it.
 
Gloria :: This will transform your teaching. Truly. Absolutely. It is the hardest but best thing I have undertaken professionally. That is why it's OK if I don't achieve certification EVER -- because I feel I have already gained from it. And I'm going to continue to grow from it because the philosophy is a part of me now.

I have to say, one thing this process has done for me was to validate the things I do really well. Prior to this, I was much more aware of my flaws and the things that needed improvement than I was of my strengths. It forces you to examine your practice -- what you do and why you do it -- and through that, both your strengths and weaknesses are illuminated.

I have described it to others as the marathon of teaching. It is most definitely a test of endurance. But so, so worth it.

[font face="bradley hand itc" size=+2]~Cathy[/font]

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee296/runninteach/exercise/th_SnowBunny_tns.jpg
http://img16.glitterfy.com/53/glitterfy084824T933D37.gif

"Do you want to feel my spatula?" Run, Fat Boy, Run
 
You have made me really consider this. I am also very critical of my practice. It sounds like a really good thing for me. Maybe instead of my marathon I will do this. Thanks for your insight.
 
>Thanks for the link. I am sure my district will not give me
>a dime! It is something at least to think about. I am sick
>of pursuing my masters, as I haven't learned anything new,
>except for special ed rules and laws. I do only have a few
>more credits left though, so I will. It is frustrating. I do
>have to say that this year has taught me more than I ever
>could have imagined! I am a better teacher because of it.

This post slipped in there while I was busy trying to put into words what the NB process is like. :)

I understand about your Master's. For me, it was like undergrad. Some classes were extremely useful--others were utterly worthless. Necessary hoops. Funny, I was just thinking about that today--how teaching is the kind of job where no books can ever truly prepare you for the job. A lot of expertise is gained via trial by fire.

Reminds me how I had some real hellions my first year. I taught basic skills to 7th & 8th graders, some of whom were released from the juvenile detention center. On the first day, half of them declared they weren't going to bother working because they were in the "retarded" class; another boy shared that his mother had just died of liver failure. Every single one was damaged goods. Heartbreaking. But boy, was I in over my head. Did I mention I was on a cart, teaching in 4 different classrooms? *lol* I was also teaching six classes, one more than the contract allowed. Oh, and I got sacked with the yearbook, too, and had no clue what I was doing. (This is how I ultimately fell out of exercise and porked up.) I spent the whole year trying to stay sane! :) One veteran whose room I used often said he had no idea how I was coming back every day. But in retrospect, I always said I wouldn't trade that year for anything because I learned sooo much, and I knew after that, that I could teach any kids, anywhere. The point is, IA--those tough experiences are the ones that make us better teachers.

OMG, here I go rambling in shop talk mode again.

Sorry, everyone! It's dangerous to put two teachers together. :7

edited to fix ANOTHER typo


[font face="bradley hand itc" size=+2]~Cathy[/font]

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee296/runninteach/exercise/th_SnowBunny_tns.jpg
http://img16.glitterfy.com/53/glitterfy084824T933D37.gif

"Do you want to feel my spatula?" Run, Fat Boy, Run
 
OMG that is a year that would kill a normal human being! Holy sh87! You are an endurance athlete, I can tell. :) Thank goodness we have people like you. By the way, we are only resopnding to each other so we can have as much shop talk as we want! The other Cheethas are quite accepting as well. Thanks for being here Cathy!
 
At the time, I was just so happy to have a contract, but that WAS a helluva year. :7 I did say to myself at the time that if I wasn't moved out of basic skills within 3 years, I would move on. It was draining. I couldn't have done that for the long haul. But you know that is how it is--the rookies get the spots nobody else wants.

[font face="bradley hand itc" size=+2]~Cathy[/font]

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee296/runninteach/exercise/th_SnowBunny_tns.jpg
http://img16.glitterfy.com/53/glitterfy084824T933D37.gif

"Do you want to feel my spatula?" Run, Fat Boy, Run
 
I am not a rookie and got one of the hardest classes. I asked if I was going to get a class like I had this year. The answer was yes, so at least I am prepraed. We have so many kids who are not grade level, it is sick. One of the 3rd grade teachers had 19 kids who were not grade level. It was her hardest year as well. These kids need something more than I can give. I am only one person.
 
Just wanted to pop in to say goodnight and to apologize for never getting to personals today. I feel bad when I am around and don't do them. I admit it was just sheer laziness today. :p

I promise I will get back on track tomorrow. DH has to be in work at 5:30 am and I don't know how long he'll be there so I could have lots of time on my hands!

Good Night Cheetah-Babes!:)
 
Hi Cheetahs!

I just finished the run. :+ Seriously, where does the day go!!?!? I did get groceries and some other stuff. We were asked last minute to go to the Sox game. Had to quickly find a babysitter this time. Anyway, we ran 6 miles again. It was so hot and humid at 7A! :eek: I definitely ran much slower. Again, was having trouble w/the Garmin and the trees, however, I know I was slower because the group I usually run w/left me in their dust. :( ha ha

Gloria ~ I'm so glad all you Cheetah gals agree w/me re:Abercrombie! lol I hope the little girl enjoys her socks. :+ Geez, it not only smells badly, but the music is too loud and the clothes are way too expensive. j/k about the socks...the clearance rack had some good stuff! :) It sounded like you needed that rest. Hope you feel better.

Carole ~ lol'd about the duct tape. I needed that last night. :+ Sorry about your hip. :( Yes, there was a tornado warning issued while we were in transit. :eek: Of course, driving into the city was clear. I called home and they were all fine, but went into the basement anyway. I guess a tornado touched down south of us. :eek: I haven't seen the news yet.

Wendy ~ You don't think you'll use Strike Zone? I can't wait to get it! I've tried to be more selective on DVDs that I order....it's hard isn't it?!!?

Jackie ~ Glad you finished the unpacking! How did you celebrate? Oh, I remember those days watering the new landscaping....it was a pain. I'll have to give KenpoX+ another try. ;-) I have to figure something out for a lot of the P90X+ exercises. He doesn't show substitutions for no pull up bar. :( Tonight my friend was asking if I saw my old neighbor at the picnic. She said she was ripped. She said that she did some P....something-something....I said P90X!!! She followed the program to a T (nutrition and all). I can't wait to call her and get full details. }( Good job on that Ab/core+!! That was the workout I was talking about. :eek:

Cathy ~ Whew! HUH?!?! It's over! Now is the whole process complete and you have to wait for the results now? You deserved that down time. No, Dh will be on the same sideline as me. :D Yippee!!!

Judy ~ Starting early didn't make a difference for me either. :( Hope you had fun at the party. :)

Shelly ~ Are you starting a BBC rotation? I was thinking about it - to kick off the summer and shorter workouts (since the kids will be home). Not sure I want to tackle all those push ups again. :p How was the steamy run?!? We had one too. :eek: Well, if you mean one of those crazy soccer parents...then no. :p lol Seriously, some soccer (well, insert any sport really) parents are just nuts!!! I'm just glad my kids stay active.

Christine ~ You would have liked to do more...after 90 minutes!??!?! Girl, did you fall off the spin bike?!?! :+ :p Glad you agreed about Abercrombie...I thought maybe I was getting too old to shop in those type of stores. Well, maybe I am!! :7 Cute puppy photo! Way to go enabling your office workers!!!}(

Kath ~ Things will slow down now! Thank goodness! Don't you love PUB/PLB? CM is another favorite of mine too. Thanks for the heads up re: the new Tony workouts. I must have missed that in my inbox.

Kristi ~ Good **seeing** you. I was wondering what had happened with you. Sorry you're still having meniscus issues. :( I don't know how you do it w/your dh out of town! (((HUGS)))

Oh, you have to try that PUB/PLB premix. It's just under an hour. It hits everything well!}( I finished it when I returned from the run today. I felt a pulling on the lower lateral side of my leg, but not until after I showered and was walking down the stairs. Does anyone know what that could be? UGH! This is the same leg that I had ankle issues on a couple of years ago. I wonder if this is related?

Off to bed...
 
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