Something I haven’t actually said in awhile was that tonight’s Apprentice was fun to watch.  This season’s cast of characters is diverse and much more interesting than those of the last couple seasons.  The best thing is that they all seem business savvy. There isn’t a nutjob (despite the fact that everyone thinks Brent is nuts).  I actually think Brent has something several of the others lack: fire.  He’s willing to fight for his right to be there, and Trump has shown numerous times that he admires this quality.  If Brent can use his crazy energy come up with some really good idea that wins, I think he’ll be around for awhile.

I really like it that there are three foreign competitors so far.  The Brittish guy has a huge advantage over the rest of the competitors because he is so freakin’ smooth and eloquent.  Sometimes, I really wish I was Brittish.

   

I love you so much!!!

It seems quite odd to say, but February has felt very long, despite being the shortest month in the year.  I finished my second KTIP observation on the 16^th.  It went very well and I’m that much closer to being a bonafide teacher who doesn’t have to answer to the newbie watchers anymore.  It’s odd that I’m doing all this rookie stuff, since I was actually a newbie last year.  The powers that be, though, will see me as a newbie until this internship is over. 

Looking at the straight up theory, teaching is not a hard thing to do.  The basic sequence goes something like this:

1. Set objectives, i.e. what do you want the kids to learn?
2. Design the tests that will let you know if you achieved those objectives.
3. Create unit plans, which are broad in nature and structure how the objectives will relate and segway together.
4. Create daily lesson plans full of activities that can be measured and tested.
5. Teach the lessons using the daily plans.
6. Evaluate the results from the students’ work.
7. Re-teach and remediate any problems.
8. Later, rinse, repeat as needed.

The only part that is really hard is step number 5.  Why? Because it involves 1 billion² factors that are entirely beyond my control. Some days, all students want to work and, for whatever reason, put forth more effort. Other days, though, nobody wants to work and I have to get really nasty to make people do anything.  I hate those days.  I come home feeling bad about the whole process and the kids usually end up having harsh feelings toward the material.  On the average day, 60-80% of the students will work, while the remainder refuse to do anything.  The suckiest thing is that despite what I would like to believe, the quality of your lesson plans are in no way related to what type of day the kids are going to have.  A good lesson plan can minimize a sour day, but it in no way prevents any of it. But alas, teaching is very rewarding. When you see a light-bulb go off and a kid walks away with a skill they didn’t have before they saw you that day, it’s all worth it.

One thing is for sure, the moon does play a big factor in how the kids act and perform.  During a full moon, they are more restless and more easily distracted.  I know, I know.  That’s voodoo and you have no proof.  One of these days, I’m going to chart overall student behavior for about six months and correlate that with the phases of the moon. I almost guarantee there will be some correlation.

I am no longer a Hardee’s taco salad addict.  I have been able to succesfully eat a couple other foods…yay!

I love you, Becca.  You make me happier than I thought possible. I can finally be myself. God answers prayers after all.  If we had forever, I would still wish for forever and a day.

This Just In:
Local Office Technology Teacher is presumed to be dead.  News is unconfirmed but close sources say there are clues suggesting he may be deceased as he hasn’t posted on his website since February 7, 2006.  If anyone has proof of his ongoing existence please contact your local police department or Unsolved Mystery’s-Keely Shae Smith. 

Baby, I am so proud of you for your awesome job on your observation today!  I love you so much!

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and I’m so excited!!  It will be me and Trav’s first Valentine’s Day together, and I can’t wait to spend the day with him.  Valentine’s day is a holiday I have always looked forward to and I know this one will be especially fun as I spend the day with my one true love.  I remember how cool I thought I was in elementary school when my parents sent me roses, and how sorry for myself I felt as I got older and roses from my parents was sometimes the only thing I got.  Somehow though, deep inside, those roses have always meant a lot to me.  Valentine’s day is for people who love each other and even though it wasn’t the right type of love for V-day, the flowers I got always represented my parents love for me and their dedication to show they cared.   This year as flowers are exchanged and teddy bears are bought, I can’t help but feel a little sorry for the rest of the world.  Because, flowers or not tomorrow, Travis is the best gift I could have ever received no matter what the day, and I wish everyone could find a love like ours.

This is the message that the Pacific Palisades High School (California) Staff voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine. This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children’s absences and missing homework.

The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their children’s failing grades changed to passing grades even though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough school work to pass their classes.

This is the actual answering machine message for the school:

"Hello! You have reached the automated answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting the right staff member, please listen to all your options before making a selection:

"To lie about why your child is absent – Press 1

"To make excuses for why your child did not do his work- Press 2

"To complain about what we do – Press 3

"To swear at staff members – Press 4

"To ask why you didn’t get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you – Press 5

"If you want us to raise your child – Press 6

"If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone – Press 7

"To request another teacher for the third time this year- Press 8

"To complain about bus transportation – Press 9

"To complain about school lunches – Press 0

"If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework, and that it’s not the teachers’ fault for your child’s lack of effort: Hang up and have a nice day!"