I “borrowed” this from a FB friend.
In my line of work, virtual schooling, there’s quite a bit of creativity – all born in cubicles. It helps that we can personalize our fabric cubes.
One way to proclaim my NFL allegiance
My paper clip holders give a nod to a classic Wisconsin book.
Confession: I haven’t been there. I bought the tin cups at a rummage sale.
The bookshelf displays remind me of what I do.
And the photocopied cartoon reminds me of who I am.
It’s happening again, dear readers. A coworker and close friend starts radiation today to treat breast cancer. She’s a very strong woman, and the entire office is throwing our moral support her way.
Remember the Lions of the Valley project? More than a few years have passed since The Lion King made its appearance in our fair city. Here is one example of creativity and caring. Another friend and coworker teamed up with another artist friend to decorate this fiberglass lion. The lion’s title is lengthy, but straight to the point: Breast Cancer Survivors: Not an Endangered Species.”
It’s now several years later, and the lion is still pink, I think. It’s been moved from its former sponsor to a hospital’s entrance, and the pictures have been painted over. I’m a little sad about that. It was the humanity of the design that made it work for me. But in any case, the lion still lives, and so do many multitudes of those who had breast cancer. Had. Past tense.
Did I mention that I know four of the women pictured on the lion? Eat your heart out, Jeff Probst — these women are the real survivors.
Even a virtual teacher knows when the weather changes, so does behavior.
Even a teacher of online classes knows that storms stimulate craziness.
And on this crazy Friday, not a 13th of anything, not adjoining a vacation or even close to a full moon, either, we had a Teacher Friday. It started with a surprise for a coworker who heads into radiation for breast cancer next week. We all wore custom pink tee-shirts in her honor. Even the manliest of men on the staff bought and wore the bright pink with pride. And yes, readers, she wiped away a tear when she realized what we’d done.
It ended with teachers getting punchy and sharing quotes by building email. People, we couldn’t make this stuff up if we tried.
From teacher of 2nd and 3rd grade:
I just had a parent email me whose child is being benchmarked by Ms. W right now. She referred to Ms. W. as “The Reading Assessor.”
I wonder if that’s like a tax assessor? As long as she’s not a tax collector, we should be okay.
From a middle school teacher trying to help a student navigate the resources of the virtual school system:
Teacher: You can’t find the rubrics?
KID: What are rubicks?
Teacher: Go into the section message board.
KID: Aaaahhh, ummmm
Teacher: Do you know which icon to click on?
KID: Yeah. The pushpin thumbtack like thing.
ME: Great! Click on that.
KID: Ok.
ME: Are you in the section message boards?
KID: No, I’m at home.
Honestly, people we can’t make this up. Happy Friday, have a great weekend, and may the rain help your garden grow for a little bit longer. Monday will be here all too soon.
I’ve talked about curb-picking. I’m not a full time full strength make-the-rounds dumpster diver, but once in a while something turns up on a curb and calls my name.
I don’t like to waste leftovers. If the leftovers are food in my own refrigerator, they’re likely to become part of a pantry raid. If the leftovers are food sitting somewhere else, it’s harder.
Last June I staked a claim for leftover tomatoes and onions after our big school picnic at the amusement park. Someone on staff has been pooped on by a gull the last two years running, and – but that’s not suitable for mealtime conversation. Sorry. The tomatoes and onions were clean.
I rescued the leftover tomatoes and onions that were originally destined to top sub sandwiches and brought them home. They slid nicely out of their trays and into my crock pot.
Soon to be Sauce!
I added fresh oregano and simmered the lovely mix overnight. The next morning we had tomato sauce, made from scratch from scavenged leftovers. Three containers of sauce, in fact. That’s quite a pantry raid for the last day of school.
And now, with the school year beginning, who knows what kind of scavenging might occur? Readers, you’ll find out here.
Oh, readers? What kind of luck have you had scavenging, food or otherwise?
The theme ingredient was “Wet”. All those who walked or biked to our school-year-opening assembly were wet with sweat. The temperature and humidity did not feel like a Wisconsin day. Not even close.
So we dragged our sweaty selves into the auditorium that usually has its A/C pumping. It didn’t. We kept dripping.
So as my mind wandered away from the, ahem, important speakers on the stage, I was thinking, I am craving a smoothie. A cold, refreshing, smoothie from the place downtown, a few blocks from our office. I need fluids.
The presentation picked up with a video from high school students in the arts – a video that featured students and adults talking about the impact of the arts in their lives. I didn’t get distracted this time; two former classmates from my college days were interviewed and featured! But I was still thirsty. I was envisioning a Pomegranate Plunge.
Teaching awards, community awards, and the 30 Year Pin awards flew by. So few educators stay in the field for thirty years. Since the current state government began treating us like Thugs…. well, that’s another post. No smoothie for you, gov’nuh.
One of the few 30 year people was another college classmate. Thirty years? I was distracted by doing the math in my head because he’s my age, but has taught longer. He dove in immediately after graduation and never stopped. Maybe he knew of a smoothie place closer to the high school.
But my wandering thoughts got me through what is normally an okay, but not great, presentation. Watching the Teacher of the Year awardees — we should nominate one of our virtual people. There are some awesome teachers on our staff. Watching the younger of two doctors handing the awards to the winners – hey, I knew that guy! We went to high school together! Right here! I wonder if he’s still married to the one who shared a locker with me our sophomore year? I bet she’d go for a smoothie with me.
Back to the theme ingredient: Wet. We left the auditorium and found rain pouring down! I caught a ride with another teacher so I didn’t get too wet. At that point, I welcomed the shower. Ha. Ha.
It might sound like I was a little ADD during the whole event. In reality, I heard and remembered enough to start the school year with a positive attitude.
And if you’re wondering, I did get that smoothie for lunch.
This is an encore post appropriate for the back to school season. I might print the flyer sent out through school email and try for the discount again this year.
I noticed a Walgreens store across town with a sign advertising teacher discounts on Wednesdays in August. I had a shopping list ready, so I decided to try out the store closest to my home, conveniently located on my route to and from school. First, I looked at their sign to see if they were advertising the discount deal.
Hmmm. Maybe not. Is this the advertising equivalent of the blank stare? So I waited a moment, and the sign changed – to this.
‘Nuff said.
It’s looking a lot better. In fact, I’m blogging from my New Office even as we speak. Desk, file drawer (one might be enough), desk chair — and more.
Summer School, here I come!
Back to inventory. Desk, file drawer (to the left of desk), pencils (found in file drawer) and pens (also found you-know-where), clipboard, document camera, desk chair, and pillow.
Pillow!
You can’t see the last line. Here’s the verse.
Rain or shine, fail or pass
With crayons or computer, lad or lass,
Teachers never lose their class.
It was a sweatshirt. La Petite made it into a pillow, and it’s perfect for a desk chair.
The room isn’t fully converted, but in my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can do whatever I want to do! (with apologies to Oscar Hammerstein, of course)
Last weekend we delivered Amigo to his annual week at camp. Just being there felt good. I enjoyed the calmness as we drove along the country roads, past the sparsely populated areas and the small river.
Meanwhile, we threaded our way through a nearby small town and took a break for a photo op. I redid a photo I’d taken before in a better quality look.
O.K. by me!
So on we drove, back to our homestead, the sort-of cityscape of the O.K. Chorale.
Meanwhile, readers, if you happen upon a photo opportunity with a large O.K. label, please send me a copy! I’m sure there are more of these places outside of Tombstone. Right? O.K.
School’s out for summer, and in my family at the O.K. Chorale, we sing that in a major key. I don’t expect a lot of travel this time because I’m hoping to teach summer school (I’m on deck, next to be called if I’m needed). A jaunt along Rte. 66 is still on my bucket list, though. I enjoy my history and my pop culture.
I hope you enjoy my latest contribution to my national link and their social media branch. It started out being all about historical markers, and it took on a life of its own with the pop culture theme.
Readers, is there pop culture, Americana, or history in your town? Leave a comment. Maybe we’ll visit!
Sing it, baby.
A water main break and a subsequent gas leak had us evacuating the house in a big, big hurry.
I closed out my grant project at work with success, at least anecdotally. Boss woman loved the results. Other teachers shared positive outcomes, too.
We’re still cleaning up, both literally and emotionally, for the disaster and near disaster from the leaks and evacuation.
I’m still debating whether it’s worthwhile to submit the grant applications I have in my to-do list. There are requirements that just don’t jive with the realities of a public school.
Chuck and I are overtired, and that’s leading to silliness and getting really punchy. Big Bang Theory has never been so hilarious.
I’m more than caught up at work, thank goodness. If I need a day for dealing with our basement mess…. well, no. We don’t have a contract any more, so taking an emergency day isn’t on the list of possibilities. Chuck and I will debate the merits of hiring a clean-up service or attacking the mess a few hours each evening.
Things could have been much worse. How?
So, readers, I’ll update you on all the details, good or bad or ugly, after I catch up on sleep. Ha. Yeah.