work (or lack thereof)

Today I finally finished my classes. I did my final presentation in Epidemiology and turned in my last paper. Now I just have to go to class tomorrow night and Wednesday night and then I am done for a glorious few weeks. I would be celebrating tonight, but alas, no one to celebrate with. Its actually really rainy out and it would be the perfect night to go see a movie. I thought about taking myself... but i am simply not that motivated. Oh well!


Today was actually a pretty decent day... thought I have to admit that I got 0 work done. I got into work around 7 and the internet was sort of down. I left around 8 to go to the supermarket and buy dry ice. I got back and the science dept started setting up for our mini demos in the kitchen. I promptly began to play with the dry ice. Who does not love that stuff? I am telling you - it brings people together.

Suffice it to say that we did not have many students at 9 in the morning, but the teachers hung out and played til 10 and then we cleaned up.

I cannot really tell you what I did between 10 and 11... The internet was still wonky. I briefly recall some wandering and some playing with the math dept boys. Definitely no work to be had.

THEN... sigh. Then we had a department meeting. And I got really really mad.


I am not sure if I would classify myself as a passionate person... but I am passionate about certain things, and I am very passionate about teaching.

Our department meeting was ridiculous. It was a result of a conversation I had with my supervisor last week when I tried to impress upon him that things need to change as far as Biology is concerned, and it needs to change now.

So we had an hour long dept meeting hashing over the concept of splitting our courses in half and offering A and B. Part of the reason I am so incredibly frustrated with this is that I wanted to do this last year. I drew up an entire proposal, and nothing ever happened. Why did nothing ever happen? I think because my supervisor tends to write me off as a newbie and a follower.

And that pisses me off.

I brought this to him at the end of last year, with the thought that it is critical that our students are understanding this information before they take the PSSA tests. I even had a whole idea of how to make it work. But he dismissed it. Actually, that is not true, he made it seem like he would pursue it and didn't, which is far worse.

So all of a sudden it has come down from on high that we should do half credit courses. And here we are, going back to the idea of Biology A and Biology B. Honestly, I could care less about what the other science classes are going to do. Biology needs to do it, and I feel VERY strongly about it.


So after our meeting, I asked my supervisor if we could talk. We went to his office. We sat down. And then I started talking.


The first thing I said to him was Honestly, I have to tell you how incredibly frustrated I am that we are sitting here discussing something that I suggested last year. This is something we should be doing NOW, not something we should be hashing over now.

He really had nothing to say about that.

So I ranted for a little while because he needs to know that he needs to step up and be our department head and that I am extraordinarily frustrated with how the science classes are being handled this year.

I also told him he needs to figure this stuff out asap. As in, within the next few weeks.


We will see what happens.

I then outlined my proposal for how things should be handled. I think its an extremely well thought out and viable plan... with relief for everyone (including the teachers) involved... though it will admittedly put more strain on me. I admitted as much to him, but backed it up by saying that I do not care, it is what needs to happen, and it is what I am convinced is best.

He said he would take it to the higher ups.

We will see.



I have a lot I am pursuing right now between this Biology stuff and the Costa Rica trip I am trying to get approved. We will see....



Anyway, that took until about 12:30. Around that time, I was finally able to get online to change my course announcements and unveil a new lesson for the students. I answered a few emails, but did pretty much nothing else...

I then convinced some of the science ladies to accompany me back out to get more dry ice and some Christmas lights.



In the past three weeks, I have had the pleasure of getting to know the women in my dept much better. It has been such a blessing. I am very fortunate to work with smart, kind, and witty women! Our science department has 12 people in it... 4 of which are men. The rest are women about my age, and until this point, I have not made a great effort to spend time with them or get to know them...

But recently, I have found myself with more time on my hands, and it has been an absolute pleasure. Between Lauren, KC, Emily, Yassara, and Kelly, we have a really nice camaraderie going. I genuinely enjoy them and respect them as both people and teachers. Its just so nice to work with people you like.

Each one of us has a particular personality... Lauren hates people... Yassara is suspicious and guarded... Kelly is anal retentive... KC is our stressed robocop... and Emily is our rich Southern Belle. I am not sure what I am.... But I should say that I say these things fondly! Every day something amusing happens and we get a chance to talk and hang out in the Chamber of Science... I am sure we annoy the boys, but whatever. Its just really fun.

I am really happy that I have gotten to know them better.

Around 1:30 we began setting up again. This time there were more kids and we made an absolute wreck of the kitchen. Ooops. But we had a blast, and so did the kids, so I think it went okay!!!

At 3 I left and went to class... to give my presentation... which brings us full-circle.



My mom's birthday is tomorrow, so I stopped by Regal and got her a gift certificate. I figure I will treat her to dinner and a movie! :) I also stopped by Wegs and got some of their phenomenal organic chicken potstickers. They are freakin AMAZING!!!!!


Now it is 8pm... I am spent.... tomorrow I need to get down to serious business at school and do some grading and lesson creation. I also have my teachers evaluation tomorrow. Should be interesting in light of my recent scathing remarks to my dept head. :) I always do have the best timing. :P




Tomorrow is class from 6 to 8..... then out to the bar with my class and my teacher for celebratory drinks. (Probably sprite, in my case)... Wednesday school again, then out to Buca with the science girls to celebrate Lauren's emancipation. :) Then class..... THEN I AM REALLY DONE!

Jon comes home Wednesday night... Thursday school, Friday school, then his work party... Sat SLEEP and then my family's pollyanna and annual $5 car race. Just like the Wolf crew... liven a party with gambling or booze. Never a dull moment. :)



Anyway, the summary is: things are good, I am in a GREAT mood today, and I wish I could share it with you instead of just sitting here typing!