Make Home Affordable?

Going Back & Forth on What to Teach Next Year

No word on that other job... so this is something I've been thinking about since even before I got that interview...

After eight years I'm considering not teaching 9th grade next year.  I have always loved these students, like the curriculum, the stories, everything about it.  The collaboration on our 9th grade team used to be really great too!  I've had the highest test scores in my level for 6 out of the 8 years... that's not "proof" but not only am I good at what I do, I actually really like it.  But this year has really taken a toll.  In two SPED cohort classes the fail rate is about 80%.  In one of the special academy classes there is one A, one C, and the rest are all Fs.  And the sad thing is those Fs are not close to passing.  On average they are 20s and 30s.  The apathy rate is the highest I've ever seen.  Every teacher on our campus is saying this is the worst 9th grade class they've seen in years.  The middle school teachers tell us it doesn't get better next year.

So I'm considering moving to 11th grade next year.  At our site, if students are far behind credits, they are moved to a continuation site at the end of their 10th grade.  Therefore the 11th grade students left are those who can hack regular classes.  I'm looking forward to that "type" of student.  I'm also really stoked about trying a new curriculum.  New stories, new lessons, new assignments, new stuff.

But then again, for the past few weeks, since I've had nothing work-related to do at home, no papers to grade and no lessons to create, I've been enjoying MYSELF.  I've watched a few movies, am halfway through a book, and relaxed more with my family.  If I were to take on a different grade, I would have less free time as I'd be concentrating more on my teaching.  With 9th grade I've practiced it so much that I know what books I want to do (or what books to switch to when I get bored) and I only have to do tweaking here and there on lesson plans and assignments.

And then there's ASB and Masters.  Running ASB for the school with the kids keeps me engaged and busy.  I look forward to coaching the kids through the pep rallies, academic awards, spirit weeks, fundraisers, field trips, etc.  And I had to take this semester off from pursuing my Master's degree due to financial reasons, but next semester I'm going right back.  So I'll have that to work my brain too.

I'm so torn, but now I really think I'm leaning back toward the 9th...

Why do I have to explain?

One of the people I subscribe to recommended this post.  What I don't get is that it's by a person I just unsubbed from because they had recommended a few bigotted posts... I don't get it.  Anyway, it reminded me of something my husband heard on the radio.  Somebody on AM640 was talking about how they don't like that they have to answer their daughter's recent question.  "Why does that family have two dads?"  He (the radio guy, not my husband), doesn't think two dads (or two moms) should exist.  He expressed anger that gay marraige has become illegal in here California but people are still trying to fight for something he views as completely wrong.  But here's what my husband brought up and I SO agreed!  Why must I explain to my children why certain families have a mom and a stepdad, a dad and a stepmom?  And I know this question will eventually come up.  My daycare provider said that one day her youngest son came home and asked "when am I going to get my second dad?"  She had to explain that her and his dad loved each other VERY much and that he was NOT going to get a second dad but that other familes sometimes get second dads.  Why must the people who are anti-gay always contend that the problems are always on their side?

I'm not religious, but have religious "leanings" I guess you would call them.  If I were to label myself as Christian I would aspire to be Christ-like and love everybody.  In fact, I'm thinking of even getting a bumper sticker that says something to that effect.  Something like "Christian?  Be Christ-like.  Love everybody.  Even gay marraige."  I'd be afraid of having my car attacked or getting accosted when I get out at a public place.  In the end, NOBODY knows what God thinks or knows or feels.  NOBODY.

No News in the Job Area...

No news in the job area.  I did find out today that the principal has not decided yet (somebody else asked him, not my friend thank goodness).  He told everybody they would know by next week (that would be this week).  My guess at this point is we won't know till the end of next week.  I realize I'm on pins & needles though, even though I'm hopelessly trying to stay grounded.  Everytime my phone rings and it's a 661 number I don't recognize, I get really excited thinking THIS IS IT!  This has only happened twice... both times it was a guy on the other end of both times it was for ASB related activities.  GRRR.

I haven't done anything about the friendship, I appreciate all those who have posted advice and comforts.  I figure at this point, I'm going to see how she reacts *IF* I get the job.  If I don't get the job then of course it'll be a moot point, and we can all go on being happy, which would be fine by me.  But if she freaks out if I get the job, that'll have to be something I deal with once that comes up.  I'm hoping for positiveness though.

I have had to unsubscribe to some xangans.  One person I just didn't remember subscribing to, and they posted like 3-5 times a day, all about things I didn't have an interest in.  So it made it hard on my xanga homepage to see the current posts from the people I TRUELY liked reading.  Two people I just couldn't handle anymore, even though I had only been subscribed for a very short amount of time.  They kept recommending racist and bigoted (sp?) blogs that horrified and angered me.  Something I don't want to spend xanga time feeling. 

Can I non-recommend?

I realize some readers will head over when I post the link, but I went over there because it was recommended by somebody I subscribe to.  Unfortunately all I found over there is bigotry, sad, scary, un-Christian bigotry.  Being in a church with this person or people like this one scares me.  Instead of recommending this blog post, I'm "non-recommending" it.