Apostrophe Tirade

Oh apostrophes...D is killing me with these things. I really don't understand how he does not know how to use them; he’s in grad school!! There are two reasons to use apostrophes: to show possession or a contraction where letters are omitted. The kid is putting apostrophes when there is a plural noun!!! For example: The cats' are hungry. Now why in god's name he does this is beyond me.

I really don't know where our education system has gone to. It's ridiculous. Kids are misusing your/you're, I/me, is/are, their/there/they're, etc. I don't know what teachers are teaching anymore. They keep screaming we have no time; we have to teach to the test; the SOLs are impossible! You know what? Shut it. If you're a creative enough teacher, you can combine lessons...you know, that whole integrated curriculum thing? You can make learning fun. It's a bit more work but I think the real teachers out there are the ones who will do just that. None of this "there's no time" or "it's not on the test" crap. The standards aren't the hard part; it's the assessment that is hard. So, what do we do? We teach the material that is on the test in a way that the students will enjoy and learn. We make it creative; we make it interactive; we make it fun. The part that annoys me the most about teachers is the fact that they have been there. They were students; they know what it's like to sit there and be bored out of their skulls; they have doodled and stared out the window; they have passed notes, etc. So why would teachers make their students do something that they wouldn't do when they were students? I hated worksheets; that's why I only give them as homework, even then they only have 3 or 4 questions/problems on them. I just think some teachers are lazy and won't spend the time and effort to make learning fun and exciting; those are the teachers that hide behind "we have to teach to the test because there is no time for anything else" excuse.

So I did not get the position, surprise there. I am so sick of this crap. I am a qualified teacher; I have the grades; I have the knowledge, and yes, I do have the experience. Yet, others, whom I do not think are as qualified as me, are getting more interivews than I am. THAT is very frustrating. It's such a catch-22; they want teachers with experience, but they won't hire anyone without ir. If you don't hire me, how am I going to get that experience? ARGH! BOX OF HAIR, I say!

PS - I think I have finally learned when to use who and whom! (maybe)

Job Interview!!

So I am on my tenth job interview of the year...my hopes aren't too high right now, but you can't say I didn't try. Bit nervous but I'll give it my all.

Virginia History...what?

Yeah, I'm beginning to teach Social Studies today...This ought to be interesting seeing I honestly have no real clue about it. Now British history, Ancient Egypt, Rome, or Greek history, bring it on. Virginia history, I'm a little shaky but I think I can manage.
Yesterday was a mighty interesting day. Miss Wyoming was so disrespectful, Ms. Jersey and I were floored. I was actually speechless, but now I am ready for her. I refuse to have disrespectful students in my class. Having a learning/social disability is one thing, you might not be able to control that. Miss Wyoming is just disrespectful and that will not happen again; I guarantee it.

Upgraded to 2.8

So another year goes by and I'm a year older. *Sigh* What they say is true; once you hit a certain age, time does fly by faster.

I never knew writing lesson plans took so long either. Oh well, back to writing; hopefully, I will get to sleep soon. I got a new glider rocker (yes, I am old) for my birthday today, maybe it'll help with the insomnia.