About two weeks ago, I got a new student. The day the guidance counselor dropped him off in my room, he warned me that this kid had just moved to Nashville because of Hurricane Gustav. In New Orleans, this boy was in the 4th grade at an alternative school. At the time, I was scared of him and what he might do in my classroom. We had no indication of why exactly he was at this special school, but you don't get sent to an alternative school for being a regular angel...
Over the past couple of weeks, I have really not experienced any major problems with this student. Other teachers have had numerous issues--the kid got written up on his second day at our school. Yesterday, they decided to move him to the other team on my hallway. The hope was that he would succeed in a new environment with some more support. About 20 minutes after he switched, the kid waltzed back into my room. Turns out that he told the principal he changed his mind and wanted to stay on our team. I was baffled because some of the other teachers will never give him a chance. He told the principal that he wanted to stay where he was because he had made some friends and because of me. Apparently "I listen to him" and he appreciates this!
Even though I was scared to death of him that first week (did I mention that he's bigger than me?), I know that he won't ever hurt me. Maybe this can just be the year that he gets everything back on track...
9.30.2008
9.24.2008
Shut. Up.
Y'all know I love my Mets. And Wednesday Night Baseball. And Sunday Night Baseball. And most of all, Fox Saturday Baseball. I know they play every day of the week, but somehow these telecasts are special. Tonight, my beloved Mets played an EXTREMELY important game on Wednesday Night Baseball. However, I had to watch the whole thing on mute because Rick Sutcliffe makes me so mad. Here is my letter to him:
Dear Mr. Sutcliffe,
I know that you won a Cy Young Award when you played for the Cubs. However, that does NOT make it okay to blatantly pull for them while you do the color analysis for ESPN. Shut up. People are interested in your ANALYSIS, not your OPINIONS. Don't break down my team while they're losing. It makes me even more unhappy than I was when they were only losing.
Respectfully,
AMC
This guy drives me crazy. Thanks for ruining my Wednesday Night Baseball experience. I could have stayed at school and graded papers....
Dear Mr. Sutcliffe,
I know that you won a Cy Young Award when you played for the Cubs. However, that does NOT make it okay to blatantly pull for them while you do the color analysis for ESPN. Shut up. People are interested in your ANALYSIS, not your OPINIONS. Don't break down my team while they're losing. It makes me even more unhappy than I was when they were only losing.
Respectfully,
AMC
This guy drives me crazy. Thanks for ruining my Wednesday Night Baseball experience. I could have stayed at school and graded papers....
9.21.2008
How to be as cool as Soulja Boy
I recently went on the Rock the Vote website to help me figure out how to change my voter registration so I can vote in Nashville. Imagine how excited I was when I ran across this video. We all know how much I love Soulja Boy...if he says to vote, you should do it!
That being said, I hope you are all more educated than him about what you're voting for. Didn't he have that song about "I just got my report card, throw some D's on that b*tch"?
Anyways, here's the link to register for any state. In Tennessee, you must be registered 30 days prior to the election (by October 4). This is a big one!
That being said, I hope you are all more educated than him about what you're voting for. Didn't he have that song about "I just got my report card, throw some D's on that b*tch"?
Anyways, here's the link to register for any state. In Tennessee, you must be registered 30 days prior to the election (by October 4). This is a big one!
9.09.2008
Changes!
Okay, not very many changes, but I did get a new computer. It wasn't exactly in the budgeting plan, but became necessary when my trusty-ole iBook died. Unfortunately, it died along with all of its data as well. I'll be working as much as I can to restore what I lost, but AAAALLLLLLL of my pictures are gone!
That's why I haven't posted in a while. The computer has been on the fritz. I'm loving being in Nashville. I was able to see Vandy upset USC at home, and that was amazing! My first game as a non-band-kid in almost 10 years! Loved it. It was more than a little tough to wake up for school the next morning, but so worth it.
For now, I'm off to bed. I know it's 9:30 at night, but that's feeling reeeeeeaaaal late right about now!
That's why I haven't posted in a while. The computer has been on the fritz. I'm loving being in Nashville. I was able to see Vandy upset USC at home, and that was amazing! My first game as a non-band-kid in almost 10 years! Loved it. It was more than a little tough to wake up for school the next morning, but so worth it.
For now, I'm off to bed. I know it's 9:30 at night, but that's feeling reeeeeeaaaal late right about now!
8.21.2008
Mama said there'll be days like this
Wanna hear about the craziest day of my young teaching career (or the most ridiculous of my life)? Here's how it went down:
1. No planning period--parent conferences and people trying to help consumed this precious time
2. Short lunch--people trying to help, again
3. Got the info. to FINALLY log on to my school computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. I tried the login info, only to find that my computer is inoperable. They "hope to have someone out next week" (it's a huge freakin deal to not have a computer).
5. Not logging on caused me to have a crying breakdown in the principal's office. He wasn't in there, but another teacher was. She was nice and helped me.
6. I jammed the laminating machine and must go confess first thing in the morning.
7. While I was jamming the laminator, the air conditioner in my room broke (we have no central air--only the loudest window units you've ever heard). It no longer blows ANY air---hot or cold. I'll bring that news to the office along with the laminator info. They're gonna love me.
8. To recover lost time from the numerous catastrophes of the day, I stayed until 8:00 at school. Boooooo.
9. I was PUMPED about cooking some ground beef I have to make nachos. However, I arrived at home to find a notes posted everywhere (in and out of my apartment) saying not to use my kitchen sink or dishwasher. Couldn't cook that meat (that expires tomorrow). Crap.
10. I went to Burger King to get dinner (at 9:00pm). They messed up my order. At least it didn't involve mustard or pickles. Not really that significant, but really a fitting end to my day.
After all of that ridiculousness, I am now sitting here in my dark, dishwasher-less apartment eating Oreos and watching the Dundee Office episode....my fave. I will go to bed ASAP, because I have simply given up on today. Not to mention I'm afraid that something else catastrophic might happen.
nite.
1. No planning period--parent conferences and people trying to help consumed this precious time
2. Short lunch--people trying to help, again
3. Got the info. to FINALLY log on to my school computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. I tried the login info, only to find that my computer is inoperable. They "hope to have someone out next week" (it's a huge freakin deal to not have a computer).
5. Not logging on caused me to have a crying breakdown in the principal's office. He wasn't in there, but another teacher was. She was nice and helped me.
6. I jammed the laminating machine and must go confess first thing in the morning.
7. While I was jamming the laminator, the air conditioner in my room broke (we have no central air--only the loudest window units you've ever heard). It no longer blows ANY air---hot or cold. I'll bring that news to the office along with the laminator info. They're gonna love me.
8. To recover lost time from the numerous catastrophes of the day, I stayed until 8:00 at school. Boooooo.
9. I was PUMPED about cooking some ground beef I have to make nachos. However, I arrived at home to find a notes posted everywhere (in and out of my apartment) saying not to use my kitchen sink or dishwasher. Couldn't cook that meat (that expires tomorrow). Crap.
10. I went to Burger King to get dinner (at 9:00pm). They messed up my order. At least it didn't involve mustard or pickles. Not really that significant, but really a fitting end to my day.
After all of that ridiculousness, I am now sitting here in my dark, dishwasher-less apartment eating Oreos and watching the Dundee Office episode....my fave. I will go to bed ASAP, because I have simply given up on today. Not to mention I'm afraid that something else catastrophic might happen.
nite.
8.18.2008
Welcome to Ms. Croft's Class
We all have to wear ID badges, and mine is on a Vanderbilt lanyard. Today, one of my students was also wearing a VU lanyard. I walked up to him and showed him my lanyard. He was unimpressed.
My return to 6th grade has resulted in no greater acceptance than I experienced my first time around. Bummer.
My return to 6th grade has resulted in no greater acceptance than I experienced my first time around. Bummer.
8.03.2008
Life Update
I've been absolutely TERRIBLE about updating lately, so I apologize for that. In the past week, I've been all over the place (literally and figuratively). Here are some highlights, in chronological order:
NEW YORK!!!
I left last Friday to go visit Audra in New York. It was amazing on so many levels. On Friday, we at smores inside, saw Hairspray on Broadway, and had a non-stressful walk through Time Square before passing out from tiredness. On Saturday, we ate a delicious breakfast (potatoes in an omlette?!) and then headed off to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The museum at Ellis Island was really, really cool. The Statue of Liberty is big from up close, but looks teensy from far away. Then, we made our way through Central Park. Having a huge park like that in the middle of the city is amazing. After that, we headed out to the METS GAME, which I, obviously, was pumped about. I sure am glad we were able to get tickets again after my mom threw them away. After a dramatic, bottom of the 9th, game-tying home run, the game ended up going 14 innings, so I think we got our money's worth...even though I did pay for tickets twice. We got home at like 1:30 and then had to get up early to try and get tickets to tour Yankee Stadium, which we did NOT get. Bummer? I didn't actually want to give them my money anyway. I got a great tour of the Bronx, which Audra accompanied by singing "Jenny from the Block". We headed to see Columbia Teachers College, which I am SO sold on. Then it was off to see some more of the tourist things in NYC.
That's when Delta called and told me my flight was canceled. Not just delayed. CANCELED. And...they had rescheduled me for the "earliest available flight", which was-you guessed it-the next day. So, forget the three interviews I was supposed to have in Nashville. I spent quite a long time on the phone with Delta trying to figure out what they were going to do for me, only to find out that ALL flights out of New York had been canceled because of some huge "storm". Too bad it never really rained where we were. So, I got to eat yummy pizza, delicious cupcakes, and hang out with Audra and Hilary for another night!
The Trek to Nashville
So, on Monday morning, I got up at 4am NYC time to try to make my 6:50am flight to Memphis. I managed to make it there, only to find LaGuardia absolutely PACKED with businessmen and Asian tourists. Because everyone's flight had been canceled, it was crazy there. When I checked in, I discovered that they had booked me on an overbooked flight from Atlanta to Memphis, and couldn't actually assign me a seat. Let's think about how furious I would have been if they didn't give me a seat on that flight. For my first flight, I managed to find a lesser-known security line and made it through (otherwise I would have missed my flight by a couple of hours).
I made it to Memphis at 11:00 on Monday. Thankfully, the principals I was meeting were great and rescheduled two of the interviews with me. My dad was great because he took my lesson plans into work that I was missing, and arranged for my car to be at the airport for me to leave straight for Nashville. That's what I did...and I even made it to my interview 15 minutes early! I finished interviewing on Tuesday.
Ashley Gets a Job
After my last interview on Tuesday, I headed to Burger King for some lunch. Then, the asst. principal from that school called me and offered me the job! I was WAY excited and overwhelmed. So, I stayed longer in Nashville than I had planned to look at apartments and figure out what to do next. I didn't really find any apartments then, but had a better idea of where I wanted to live.
I had to go back to work and finish out the week, which was tough. I was a work all day, and then apartment searching all night. Yesterday, we went up to Nashville and looked at some apartments. I really liked the first one I saw, but ended up finding something a little bit nicer for not much more. It was the last one we looked at, but I loved it!
What's next
I am moving to Nashville and my new apartment tomorrow. Teacher In-Service starts on Wednesday and the first day of school is a week from tomorrow. I'll be teaching 6th grade science, math, and reading. Not really my loves, but I think it will be good for me!
I guess that's it for now!
NEW YORK!!!
I left last Friday to go visit Audra in New York. It was amazing on so many levels. On Friday, we at smores inside, saw Hairspray on Broadway, and had a non-stressful walk through Time Square before passing out from tiredness. On Saturday, we ate a delicious breakfast (potatoes in an omlette?!) and then headed off to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The museum at Ellis Island was really, really cool. The Statue of Liberty is big from up close, but looks teensy from far away. Then, we made our way through Central Park. Having a huge park like that in the middle of the city is amazing. After that, we headed out to the METS GAME, which I, obviously, was pumped about. I sure am glad we were able to get tickets again after my mom threw them away. After a dramatic, bottom of the 9th, game-tying home run, the game ended up going 14 innings, so I think we got our money's worth...even though I did pay for tickets twice. We got home at like 1:30 and then had to get up early to try and get tickets to tour Yankee Stadium, which we did NOT get. Bummer? I didn't actually want to give them my money anyway. I got a great tour of the Bronx, which Audra accompanied by singing "Jenny from the Block". We headed to see Columbia Teachers College, which I am SO sold on. Then it was off to see some more of the tourist things in NYC.
That's when Delta called and told me my flight was canceled. Not just delayed. CANCELED. And...they had rescheduled me for the "earliest available flight", which was-you guessed it-the next day. So, forget the three interviews I was supposed to have in Nashville. I spent quite a long time on the phone with Delta trying to figure out what they were going to do for me, only to find out that ALL flights out of New York had been canceled because of some huge "storm". Too bad it never really rained where we were. So, I got to eat yummy pizza, delicious cupcakes, and hang out with Audra and Hilary for another night!
The Trek to Nashville
So, on Monday morning, I got up at 4am NYC time to try to make my 6:50am flight to Memphis. I managed to make it there, only to find LaGuardia absolutely PACKED with businessmen and Asian tourists. Because everyone's flight had been canceled, it was crazy there. When I checked in, I discovered that they had booked me on an overbooked flight from Atlanta to Memphis, and couldn't actually assign me a seat. Let's think about how furious I would have been if they didn't give me a seat on that flight. For my first flight, I managed to find a lesser-known security line and made it through (otherwise I would have missed my flight by a couple of hours).
I made it to Memphis at 11:00 on Monday. Thankfully, the principals I was meeting were great and rescheduled two of the interviews with me. My dad was great because he took my lesson plans into work that I was missing, and arranged for my car to be at the airport for me to leave straight for Nashville. That's what I did...and I even made it to my interview 15 minutes early! I finished interviewing on Tuesday.
Ashley Gets a Job
After my last interview on Tuesday, I headed to Burger King for some lunch. Then, the asst. principal from that school called me and offered me the job! I was WAY excited and overwhelmed. So, I stayed longer in Nashville than I had planned to look at apartments and figure out what to do next. I didn't really find any apartments then, but had a better idea of where I wanted to live.
I had to go back to work and finish out the week, which was tough. I was a work all day, and then apartment searching all night. Yesterday, we went up to Nashville and looked at some apartments. I really liked the first one I saw, but ended up finding something a little bit nicer for not much more. It was the last one we looked at, but I loved it!
What's next
I am moving to Nashville and my new apartment tomorrow. Teacher In-Service starts on Wednesday and the first day of school is a week from tomorrow. I'll be teaching 6th grade science, math, and reading. Not really my loves, but I think it will be good for me!
I guess that's it for now!
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