Happy to be skiing at Vail on a powder day. 8 " of fresh powder! Ouch!

Lots going on right now. We are preparing the students for the CSAP which is the standardized test in Colorado. There is a lot at stake for our school to do well on these tests, so we have been having lots of meetings and plannings for how we will get them to do well. I am nervous for the kids, they have a lot of pressure on them, so I have been trying to go easier on them lately. They have enough test anxiety as it is, but I know they will try their best. This whole thing puts lots of stress on the school, teachers, admin, etc. so it will be a much more enjoyable place when the CSAP is done and over with. It lasts 2 weeks, the 1st and 2nd weeks in March, so send positive thoughts to Noel Middle School kids...

Otherwise, been busy with visitors, TILA and TFA work, etc. The usual, usually.

Last Thursday I found out that I had to re-interview for my job due to budget cuts for special ed teachers at my school. After a nervous 24 hours and flashback to last year when I interviewed, I found out that evening that I was safe, and have my job for next year. This is just another reminder and reflection on the condition of the schools we are in out here. While I get frustrated with situations like budget cuts and misunderstandings about the importance of special education, I am starting to just digest all of these experiences and remembering that this is a stepping stone. I am learning a ton out here, having good and bad days, but in the end I am going to take this and let it lead me some where else. I am always grateful for the good and bad experiences, but I know that my power is limited. I am starting to see what battles I should take on and which I shouldn't and how everything is going to improve me as a person in the end.

Sending love to home(s) where the people I love are. I miss my support system.

C

always the ying and the yang. . .

c.c. - Miss, I know how the swine got the flu! He ate too much garbage. We're all going to get the swine flu if we eat bacon!

m.j. - Miss, I think you gave me this grade on purpose to me because I am black.

some funny/interesting tidbits of the teaching life:

v.g - "Miss, what's masturbation??" (sincerely asking me this as the rest of the 6th graders snicker...)

k.j's journal entry about how it bothers her when the boys are mean to me and destroy things in my classroom.

d.e. wanting to hang out after school and help me in my classroom.

d.b. telling me that I need to do my hair differently and never wear boots because I need to meet men. Telling me also that I need a myspace in order to meet a man.

A bunch of the kids are now calling me Miss Llantas (sounds like yantas) which means Miss Tires. "Miss Llantas! Miss Llantas! It's funny but getting old already.

Tons of procrastination occurring over here, stuff I should have done but haven't because of vistors galore.

At least they are still making me laugh. At least I am being told I am doing a good job for the most part..? This job is very blind and frustrating but I am surviving!

- C

Whew..

The last 1o days have absolutely flown by!

Besides school being crazy busy with IEP meetings, preparation for the CSAP, tutoring, etc. Mike B. came last Thursday for interviews out here, and stayed with me for a week, and just left today.

We did all kinds of fun things while he was here including another Coors Brewery tour, a night out in LoDo, an Avalanche (pro hockey) game, a Nuggets game, and some nights out in Cap Hill. Lots of fun, very little sleep, but good to see him and show him around Denver.

This past Thursday my room mate from college, Jackie, came with her best friend out here from Wisconsin for a ski/snowboard trip to Keystone. I took a sick day Friday and we skiied a half day and then a full day Saturday. We had a blast, spent the night out there with another friend from college, enjoyed the slopes and some good drinks and eats.

It was hard/sad for me to say good bye to everyone today because I hate it when people leave me, but I have a very busy week ahead. I have a video lab for my licensure class, (where I have to record myself teaching and the other students in my class watch and critique me) I have parent/teacher conferences in the evening two days this week, and chaperoning the Valentine's dance on Friday. Then we have next Monday and Tuesday off. It will be crazy getting through this week but AMAZING to have a 4 day weekend.

I went to Daunte's basketball game at the Boys and Girls club last Thursday and watched him play. He's pretty good! I was happy to show my support for him and see what he is passionate about. Even though he is squirrely in class, he is quite good at basketball, and he loves to play. I have invested a lot in him and had some good conversations with him about school, life, etc. I enjoy him as a student and hope that going to his game made a little difference.

Okay, have to finish up one project for my class then off to bed for a busy week ahead.