I Feel Accepted!

                                                 

Yesterday morning, I opened up this email.  And, even though I knew it was going to come sooner or later, I couldn't have been more excited when I read those words.  I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED!!  To what?  Well, Grad School.  If everything goes OK, in August I'll be starting the journey to getting my Masters Degree in Elementary Admin.  

The school where I teach was extremely lucky to be offered a cohort for Williams Woods University.  What that means is, as long as at least 8 other teachers get that same email I did, we'll actually have professors come to the school to do our program right there where I work.  No traveling, no missing work or leaving early for classes, no sitting in front of a computer every night of the week for online classes, everything will be done right there and I'll be working with people I know rather than complete strangers.  

A few months ago, I had no real intentions of going back to school any time soon.  I mean, it's something I wanted to do eventually, but I thought I'd be teaching a few more years (and carving away at some of my already overwhelming amount of student loans) before I decided to go back.  But, it's an opportunity that isn't guaranteed will be available to me again.   

The program will consist of having class one night a week for 3 hours.  We'll take one class at a time, about 6 weeks at a time.  After the first year, I'll have 15 hours of credit so that I can claim the Bachelors +15 pay raise in my salary scale.  Then, six months later, I'll graduate with my Masters and earn myself the big bucks that comes with having a Masters Degree.  (When I say "big bucks" that's speaking in teacher salary terms... so compared to what I was making, not compared to what people think of when they think of high salary terms.)

Even though it's only one class at a time and 3 hours of classwork a week, I know it will be A LOT more than that.  I know I'll have tons of work to do outside of class.  But, one class at a time will be manageable.  OK, so I won't be able to volunteer for all the extracurricular activities I often volunteer for, but I also know that it won't be the "lock myself away and never see the light of day" schooling I did while getting my Bachelors.  Back then, I was taking 15+ hours at a time.  This time around, I'll only be doing 1-3 hours college credit hours at a time.  MUCH more doable.  

When presented with the opportunity, I had the option of doing Elementary Admin or Curriculum & Instruction.  The C&I Masters is a little less demanding, but when I thought about my future, I wanted to get a degree that would have some kind of license to go with it.  A C&I Masters would make me somewhat of a top candidate for jobs that require a specialization in Curriculum & Instruction, but that's about it.  

Even though at this point in time I have no desire to ever become a principal, it doesn't mean that 15 years from now I won't want to give it a try.  A C&I Masters wouldn't give me that option.  And, I don't want to be a person that gets a masters degree and then 15 years from now has to go BACK to college to get ANOTHER degree just to pursue the opportunity for working as a principal.  Might as well get it done now, and then I'm set if the time ever comes that I decide to move out of a classroom.  

For the life of me, I don't ever see that happening, but I've spoken to enough people in administration positions that tell me they ALL felt the same way when they first started teaching.  And, I'm not going to lie, I honestly think there will be a time a LONG way down the road when I think that I might be ready to tackle the challenge of running an entire school.  I've always been a person that wants to keep moving up and challenging myself.  Being a principal is a mighty endeavor, and one that I will probably want to consider when I've spent years and years in the classroom doing what I do and gaining the knowledge needed to even consider being a principal.

It's not only about the money or the opportunities that await years down the road, getting my Masters Degree is also about showing my kids that I continue to follow my dreams, no matter what obstacles stand in my way.  In a perfect world, I would have had my Bachelors when I was 22 and my Masters by the time I was 25.. but it's not a perfect world.  That doesn't mean I can't or couldn't achieve the goals I set for myself all those years ago, when I was young and the world was mine for the taking.

Finishing school, going to college, becoming a teacher, and even getting a Masters Degree was always on my "to-do" list.  From way back when college starting becoming a thing I was focusing on (my freshman year of high school) those were my plans.  Of course, back then, the plan was to go straight for getting my Masters in one swoop.  Staying in college until it was done. Having a M.A.T. (Masters of Arts in Teaching) was the way to go in order to get a teaching degree.  But, just because I took a few detours on the way doesn't mean that any of those plans had to be crossed off my list.  

I may be 10 years older than I would have been had my life followed the course I mapped out, but I now know that situations don't always play out the way I want them to.  In fact, 99.9% of the time, situations don't play out the way I planned.  There's always a curveball being thrown my way.  But, my successes and achievements I've made in my life have been that much more important because I've seen the curveball coming, and swung with all my might until that ball makes it out of the park.  (Like that baseball analogy?  Nice, right?)  

Anywho, I have ten more days of teaching summer school, then it's a nice, long, relaxing summer break to get myself physically and mentally prepared for the 18 months that will follow.  I'm sure I'll complain.  I'm sure I'll whine.  But, I'm sure I'll keep my eyes set on the prize and be cheering with excitement once it's all over.  

Eighteen months is nothing.  I can do it.  I know I can.

A Pr-Emotional Week

This past week has been a blogging DREAM, giving me so much to write about.  The problem was, though, I didn't have 5 minutes to sit down and even attempt to write something because I've been so darned busy.  So, instead, I'm going to write about it now and moving forward being that I'm almost done with school for the year.

Last week was the kids' last week of school. With the last week of school comes promotions.  Specifically kindergarten promotion and 8th grade promotion.  And, I was lucky enough to have two children that were participating in one or the other.

Jelly officially graduated from kindergarten.  My baby girl is now going to be a 1st grader.  The event was very cute.  Hubby, P-Momma, and I met at her school to watch the short assembly.  Jelly was so excited to have her Mommy, Daddy, and Grammy at the event.

Waiting for the ceremony to begin

Happy girl with Daddy and Grammy

So proud of my little graduate

Best friends for life

Our sweet girl with Mommy & Daddy

Once that was over, it was back to work for me.  Until the end of the day, when it was time to prepare for the "BIG" event.  The events of events.  The biggest ceremony of the year:  8th grade promotion.

It is the prom of ceremonies for the 8th graders.  Girls spend tons of money on hair, nails, and dresses.  Guys get dressed up in tuxes and spit shined shoes.  Hours are put in, practicing, to make sure the event goes without a hitch.  It's been a year in the making for the day to finally arrive, and when it did, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing.  My baby girl was moving up in to high school, and the school made sure that the kids got the biggest of send-offs.

And the best way to explain the wonderful night is through the pictures...

There was the breakfast that was put on for the 8th graders by the local Methodist church...

Peanut helping herself to the yummy food

Peanut and her BBF (boy best friend)

Then there was getting the hair and make up done for the big night...

Hair's done

It was absolutely beautiful

Side view

After make-up had been applied

Then came putting on her dress.  It was so hard not to cry seeing her so dressed up...

Isn't she absolutely STUNNING?

Before the actual ceremony, the kids were invited to a pre-promotion reception.  All the kids were treated to cupcakes and apple cider.  No parents or families were allowed in to the reception room, but being a teacher in the school helps get some rules bent.  I was allowed in for a couple of minutes to shoot a couple of pics...

After the reception, it was time to get the show on the road.  The kids filed in to the gym to the graduation processional music.  They all looked very spiffy and professional in their graduation gowns.  The ceremony kicked off with recognizing some of the accolades of some of the students.  With each recognition that was given, it made me tear up to see Peanut stand.  She had been one of twelve students to take the high school Algebra class, and then made an advanced score on the final test.  She also ranked in the top 10% of her 8th grade class, which was one out of seven from the seventy students in her class.  An honor that earned her honor cords to wear over her robe.

Another honor that Peanut was given was the chance to sing the dedicated graduation song with one of her best friends, while another friend accompanied them on the guitar.  

If ranking in the top 10 percent of her class, receiving advanced in a high school level class, and getting to sing the graduation song wasn't enough, Peanut also got to do one of the highest honors of 8th grade promotion:  Give the commencement speech.

Now, in years past, the recognition/commencement speech was given by the class' valedictorian.  But, last year, the county decided to no longer have a valedictorian.  So, this year, the opportunity to give the speech was opened up to all 8th graders who wanted to give the speech.  The interested students had to write a speech and then it was selected by a panel of judges.  Peanut's speech was selected, and she couldn't have been more happy.  It's something she'd talked about doing since the beginning of 7th grade.  

She did an absolutely AMAZING job with the speech...

After the speech, it was time for the reading of the names.  I couldn't have been more proud to watch my little girl walk across the stage to receive her diploma...

It was such an emotional night, and I couldn't have been more proud.  Her father and I, along with Grammy, Jelly and Butter all sat in the bleachers cheering her on.  I cried like a little baby as I thought about how in just 4 short years, we'll be doing this all over again.  Except, next time, she won't be moving on to another grade, she'll be graduating from high school.  

I cried thinking about how she won't pop in to my classroom at some point throughout the day to tell me something, ask me something, or just to say hi.  She won't be in the same school with me anymore.

After the ceremony, we took some time taking some pictures...

Peanut and her very special teacher.  Peanut absolutely adores her.

A quick pic with Momma

Peanut with one of her friends

The girls.. missing one 

The whole gang... LOVE all of these girls

The line seems to keep getting bigger

Such a cute pic of Peanut and one of her guy friends

After all of these pics, don't you know we didn't get a SINGLE pic of her and the family.  I managed to get a picture with her, but we missed out on pictures with Dad, Grammy, and little brother and sister.  It makes me so sad that we didn't get those pictures.

The night did end with one spectacular photo, and that was of Peanut receiving her graduation gift from Grammy.  It was quite the set-up situation.  Grammy gave her a card that contained a pass card to the aquatic center.  Peanut was given the choice to trade that gift in for another gift that was located in the trunk of Grammy's car.  Peanut, after some serious deliberation, decided to make the trade.  And then this happened....

A NEW LAPTOP!!!

What a priceless photo.  I was so happy for her, as it's something she's been wanting for a very long time.  It was the perfect way to end a perfect evening.

The following day, I spent almost all day in tears.  It was so hard to think about it being the last day my little girl would be in the same building with me.  She is now a freshman in high school.  She will be riding to school with me each day, jumping on a bus, and riding to the high school.

And next year, I'll be doing it all over again when Butter goes through 8th grade promotion.

Tomorrow is my last day of work before my summer starts.  I have a lot of work to do in my classroom, but I'm ready for the summer to begin.  I'll be teaching summer school in a couple of weeks, but between now and then I plan on getting some serious R&R.

I also plan on spending some time blogging more.  I'll have a lot more time, now, to write more and that's something I am very excited about.  I've missed blogging.  I've missed sharing what's going on in my life.  And now that the summer is starting, I'll have plenty to talk about.

What I Forgot to Say Yesterday

                                             

You know what?  I really crack myself up, sometimes.  I get an idea in my head for a blog post, I sit down to start typing it, and then I get totally side swiped by other stuff....and end up going on off a tirade in a completely opposite direction than where I was originally heading.

Do you know what my original intention was BEFORE I started writing yesterday's post?  

To tell everyone that I'm seriously thinking about getting my master's degree.  

The whole "teacher is a lifelong learner" thing was supposed to be the introduction of explaining that I am considering going ahead and checking off another accomplishment in my life by furthering my education with the next degree level.

But, if I had a dollar for every time I start out with one blog post idea and end up with something completely different, I'd be a very rich woman right now.

Anywho, I AM thinking about trying to get my master's degree.  And, the only reason I've decided to think about it now, is because there is a good possibility that I might be able to do it by just staying at work a couple extra hours a week.

I recently found out that Williams Wood University is considering setting up a Master's cohort right in the very school I teach.  Meaning not having to drive to the university for classes, no logging on to a computer to read my lessons, an actual cohort of learners working together to get the same degree... and they will be people I work with.

I won't have to take on a full college workload in order to do it, either.  From what I understand, I'll stay after work one night a week for about 3 hours, and work through each class one after another until they are all completed.  It'll take about 18 months.  

Not bad AT ALL.

As of right now, I have NO desire to ever leave the classroom.  I mean, I've only wanted a classroom for 25 years, I'm not about to want out of it any time soon.  I am perfectly content doing what I do for the rest of my life.  But, ten, fifteen, even twenty years from now, there may be a possibility that I decide I want to move in to an administrative position.  I may decide that, one day, I'm ready to step out of the classroom and in to an assistant principal or principal's office.  

The offer being out there to obtain my master's the way it is being offered right now is something to strongly consider.  Get it done, now, and then I don't have to worry about it later. 

Who knows, maybe fifteen, twenty years from now I will have the title of "Dr." in front of my name.  HA!  

After graduating from college with my bachelor's, I was pretty content with just keeping it that way.  No real desire to keep going back to college, racking up more debt, just to have another diploma to hang on the wall.  But, that pesky "lifelong learner" thing keeps playing on my mind.  Am I really OK with not ever continuing my education?  Not really.  I mean, sure, I take TONS of professional development classes, I'm continuously learning new ideas and changes that are taking place, but how about learning about another aspect of the education world?  That of an administrator.

I have the choice of getting my Masters in Curriculum & Instruction or Administration.  Both have their perks.  But, knowing myself the way I do, if I ever do decide that I want a change I figure it'll be to try and become a principal.  

So, that's what I was originally going to announce in yesterday's post before I started going off in the direction I went.

I'm excited about learning new stuff.  I'm excited about notching another hole in my educational belt.  I mean, come on... a master's degree is pretty fancy stuff!  

Ten years ago, if you'd have told me that I would go to college and earn my bachelor's degree, I would have probably laughed at you and told you that was crazy talk.  I just didn't think it was in the cards for me, back then.

And, now, I do have that degree.  I do have the classroom I've always wanted.  But, why stop there? Why not move forward?  Why not throw another accolade on to the list of "stuff I never thought I'd be able to do"?

Nothing has been set in stone, as of yet.  Still a thinking out loud, strongly considering it, kinda thing.  I have to get more information, find out if the logistics will work out, if I'll be able to afford the extra burden of more student loans, and if I'll be able to handle the workload.  But, I've at least started the process of throwing out my interest.  

Now, it's waiting to see what happens next.

Right now?  What happens next is me going to get ready for work.

Have a great Thursday, everyone!!

Great Night to Drop It Like It's Hot!

                            

Last night was the much anticipated 7th & 8th grade Winter Formal.  A night of dancing, fun, and dressing up.

And wouldn't you know, Mother of the Year here didn't take a SINGLE picture of the whole night.  Which, I am now kicking myself over... but I didn't want to carry a phone around with me all night.  I was more focused on dancing and having a good time with the kids.

Thankfully, I had some people take some photos for me.. but I haven't gotten the pictures yet, so this picture of Butter and I is all I have for the time being.

Doesn't he look handsome?  He's growing up so fast. *sniff*

I'm sad that I don't have a picture of Peanut to share.  She looked BEAUTIFUL.  She had the most beautiful pink and black dress, her hair was curled, and she looked stunning.  But, I will definitely share the pictures when I get them.

The dance was supposed to be a Valentine's Dance, but because of all the nasty weather we had, we had to postpone the dance to a week later.  But, we still went ahead and decorated with a Valentine's theme.  There were heart decorations everywhere, and the cafeteria was set up with a chocolate fountain complete with strawberries and marshmallows for dipping.  There was also punch served.  

I spent the evening doing what I do... dancing.  I was given the pleasure of chaperoning the dance floor.. and that's EXACTLY where I want to be during a dance.  I shook my tail feathers all night long.

I went with a knee length dress, which probably wasn't the best idea being that I'm not very "girly" at all.  When I dance, I really do like to move it, move it.. and ended up spending a good amount of time pulling my dress down so not to reveal anything.  Thankfully, I was smart enough to wear a pair of bike shorts under the dress, so there wasn't anything to worry about in the "accidental reveal" department.

The kids all had an amazing time.  They danced, they laughed, and the night ended with everyone happy that they'd attended.  

When I got home at 11PM last night, I was absolutely EXHAUSTED!! I think I was asleep by 11:15PM.

This morning, I got up and felt the aches and pains that come from an evening of dancing.  I must be getting too old to do what I did last night, because my legs hurt, my back hurts, and my shoulders hurt.  Not sure why my shoulders hurt... didn't exactly raise my arms or lift anything heavy.. but whatevs.

Today, I'm going to get out of the house for a while and do some shopping with E.  We are both in desperate need of some alone time... away from the kids and the crazy that has been our week.  It'll be great to chat, laugh, and shop without being at work.

And because of that, I have to cut today's post short so that I can go and get ready.  

I'll share more tomorrow..

In a Perfect World

                         

I love the little debates I have with Hubby on Sunday mornings.  It's been an almost weekly occurrence that's happened since we first got together 8 years ago.  We've debated everything from religion to abortion to gay rights to the benefits of buying a home... and even all the way down to eating whole grain versus white bread.  

We don't get angry with each other, but 99.9% of the time, our debates are from opposing sides.  We offer up our opinions and argue our side.  We agree and disagree on those opinions and have a great discussion on ways that the problem could be solved.

I promise, you could vote for us for President, and all would be right with the country.  HA!

It's something I've always LOVED about our relationship.  We can have very "grown-up" conversations that don't result in arguments or anger or personal attacks.  We've always known that we are complete opposites, and that works for us.  One thing that NEVER happens is one side walking away like we've "won".  We just get out our opposing sides, enjoy our little debate, and then that's it.  We move on.  Most of the time, we understand each other's opposing views, but that doesn't mean we change our original opinions...it just means we are a little more understanding of the opposite view.  Which I think is very good and healthy!

Today's topic of discussion was the current issue of raising the minimum wage.  Several states have opted to raise the minimum wage, and it's caused an outpouring of support and controversy... depending on what side of the argument you sit.  Some say that a minimum wage increase is well overdue.  Others say a minimum wage increase hurts business owners and forces to them to cut expenses (often employees) in order to afford the mandated increase.  Just this morning, I read an article about a small business owner that will now have to cut some of his employees because in his state the minimum wage is being increased by $2 an hour which will require cutting back his staff of ten down to eight in order to afford it. And, he went on to explain that almost all of the people that work for him are high school dropouts with very few skills.  They were OK with what they made, because it was very hard to find a job with no high school diploma or trained skills.  Some money was better than no money... and now he's forced to decide what two members of his staff to sacrifice.

Before reading the article, I sat on the side of the argument that thought minimum wage should reflect the cost of living.  A "minimum" wage, should be the bare minimum a person can make to survive.  That includes paying rent, paying utility bills, buying food, and having the means to travel to work (and that can mean using public transportation if it's available).  It should not mean how much a person SHOULD make in order to afford the luxuries such as 500 channel satellite TV service, high-speed internet, brand new cars, top of the line smart phones, and eating out at restaurants 3-5 days a week.

And, of course, a minimum wage is going to have a big impact on each individual.  A single person making minimum wage could live a pretty happy life.  They could probably afford a few more luxuries than that of a person trying to raise a child or even a couple of children.  That's when the argument starts getting murky.  A single mother, for example, may have a lot harder time affording the bare essentials on minimum wage because instead of needing a studio apartment, they may need a two bedroom apartment.  They need more food, more clothes, higher utility bills.  And that's when things like public assistance comes in to the mix... which is a whole other topic of debate.

I know that when I had Peanut and Butter, I was making minimum wage for a short time.  My pay paid for my rent of our two bedroom apartment, put gas in my car to drive them to daycare and me to work each day, paid the utility bills, my car payment, bought a few packages of diapers, and that was about it.  There was no money left over for food.  There was no money to pay for daycare.  So, I received food stamps, and daycare assistance (the state paid for my kids to attend daycare).  With the food stamps and daycare assistance, we were OK.  We had everything we needed.  I was perfectly content shopping in thrift stores for clothes, accepting hand-me-down toys and clothes from friends and family, and going without a cell phone or a computer and even TV service.  Thankfully, my apartment came with basic cable included in the rent, so we at least had something to watch in the evenings...and the TV was given to me by my parents.  All of the furniture that furnished my apartment were bought from second-hand stores, or given to me by family.  And that was perfectly fine with me.

When our debate started, that was my taking on the situation.  I also stated, however, that just raising the minimum wage wasn't a quick fix.  In relation to the cost of living in most areas, the minimum wage could not and would not ever sit side by side.  There would be no way of raising the minimum wage to match the cost of living because the gap was far too wide.  

Hubby agreed with all of that...until...

I made a statement that most people that made minimum wage had minimum education or experience.  Minimum wage jobs were usually given to the jobs that didn't require many skills or any form of special schooling... AND if people weren't happy with making minimum wage, they should stay in school and seek receiving the set of skills they needed in order to put them in to better paying jobs.

Hubby's side of the argument was that many of those "minimum" jobs were the backbone of our society.  Those people work in the industries that many of the higher paying workers use on a daily basis, rely on, and are the people sitting at the foundation of multi-billion dollar companies.  A forced minimum wage across the board wasn't right, because depending on the company, the job, the area, etc, all the variables would produce different outcomes.  The guy in the article I read was a small business owner.  Imposing the mandated raise hurt his business and his employees.  Imposing the same rule on a HUGE corporation may mean taking some money out of that multi-million dollar salary of the CEO that sits behind a desk reaping the profits, while his "minimum wage minions" are doing the hard work that makes those profits.  They fight to survive on their measly wage, while the big-wigs get all the benefits.  And, now with the forced healthcare, those minimum wage workers are facing even more hardships because now they are forced to buy healthcare when they can't even afford their basic means of survival.

He makes very valid points.  Points I can't argue with.

He argued my side of seeking out education by reminding me of how much student loan debt I currently have.  It's a lot.  We'll be paying it off for many years to come.  And, my salary (after receiving a bachelor's degree) still puts me in the bracket of being 100% below the poverty line.  Just my salary alone.  If I was still single, trying to raise my two children, I'd still qualify for public assistance because my salary does not meet the guidelines of being above poverty level.  I was only able to make it through college by accepting assistance through federal aid, and still had to take out $25,000 in loans. Had I not received any federal aid, that amount would be closer to the $50,000 mark.  

How many people making minimum wage can afford that?

For the first time EVER, he's absolutely, 100% right.  I can't sit here and complain that people making minimum wage and not liking it should get out and get a college education if they want more money.  Because most of them just can't afford to go to college.  And student loans are great, but will their outcome career make them enough to pay off all those loans and put them any better off than they were before?  They may make a few extra bucks an hour, but they'd be spending that money paying off all their loans, so it would be several years before they really started noticing a difference in their lives.

I say, in a perfect world, community college would be a public school program.  Just like our public schools for K-12.  After high school, if a person wants to earn specialized career training (an equivalent to an associate's degree), they could do it for free.  For anyone that wants to go on and receive a bachelor's degree or higher, would be able to take all their prerequisites at the community college level, and would then only need to pay for university for two years instead of four.  Decreasing their student loan amount by half (which is similar to what I did, my first two years were paid for and then I had to pay for the last two).  But, instead of paying for tuition and room and board, you paid one or the other. If you wanted to live on campus, you paid the expenses to do so... but your tuition would be free.  As long as you were attending classes, and keeping your GPA above a certain level, you just paid the fees associated with living on campus and you were good.  If you chose to live off campus, then you paid the equivalent in tuition costs.  One or the other, but not both.  Making the college experience a LOT more affordable.

But what about the fact that colleges wouldn't be able to operate with all that money now disappearing?  

Well, let me point out that I'm a teacher.  I have a bachelor's degree, yet my salary still sits below the poverty line.  College professors have received much more schooling, so they should be paid more.  But, is it reasonable that a football coach make MILLIONS of dollars a year?  Take a second to research the average salary for a college football coach...or basketball coach too for that matter.  Just scroll through some of these that I found for you...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/salaries/

Is it reasonable for colleges to spend upwards of $50,000,000 on sporting complexes?  

And I'm not just picking on sports.  I'm just making a point on where some of the money goes from college tuition.  But, many of the sporting students are attending school on a full-ride scholarship.  Meaning, it's not costing them a penny to attend college, as long as they agree to keep playing sports.  Which means, those people not playing sports and are just in college to get their degrees are having to pay full price for their future.  And, yes, there are academic scholarships available.  But, shouldn't it be a little more easier for those people that don't get accepted in to college with a scholarship?

A football coach might have to bring his salary down to the hundred thousands instead of the millions if students could get a 50% decrease in their tuition.  Isn't it more important that we are training and providing better opportunities for ALL of our students, instead of the ones that could go on and become famous sport players?  

Then there comes the argument that the economy would suffer because more people would be educated and expecting more money due to their college experience.  And, yes, I've actually heard this argument.  The argument stated that if college was made more accessible to ALL members of society, it would lower the credit of said experience and thus lower the worth.  

Really?

We sure don't want too many lawyers, doctors, teachers, business owners, entrepreneurs, architects, etc...right?  That would be anarchy!!  

What a load of bologna!  More education means more opportunity.  New businesses, more jobs, more educated people having a say in our country and helping fix some of the problems.  

Got too many people becoming doctors?  Oh no!! We might have to reevaluate our medical system and put some of them to work in a public sector, meaning opening clinics and hospitals that are focused on treating the poor who don't have the means to pay for private doctors and hospitals.. that would be available to those people who can afford those things.  Heaven forbid we end up with a medical field that figures out a way to eliminate the need for medical insurance, and provides a way of offering medical services without using medical insurance coverage as a guide.  That actually could decrease the pay of doctors, but might actually inspire people in to the field who's desire is to heal people rather than how much money they could make.  (You know, like teachers.. HA!) 

Too many lawyers?  That means more politicians.  Yikes!! A more fierce competition for a political seat, meaning proving that change will come instead of just promising it.  We want proof!! Cause there will be plenty more people to take your place if you don't follow through.  Or maybe more law experts that can tackle our broken justice system and actually find ways to fix it.

Too many teachers?  Well, that would require more schools and forcing teachers that are teaching 25-30 kids a class into lowering their student-teacher ratio and completely eliminate the overcrowding situation.  That's just disaster waiting to happen.  Or worse yet, we open up more free community colleges and train those extra teachers to teach there.

More business owners and entrepreneurs?  Do we really need any more businesses?  That would mean a higher chance of keeping our production and workforce right here in our country.  New technology and innovation?  Oh goodness, no!!  The last thing we need is more competition in the business world, which means lowering prices on goods and services to people.  Small business is just trouble waiting to happen...we all know that big box is the way to go.  Big corporations run the show and the country.. why on earth would we want to increase the small business industry until there's at least some kind of fight to those giant companies.

And, I could go on.

At the end of the day, there will still be those people who have no interest whatsoever about going to school.  There will still be people who are perfectly content working in a "minimum" wage job.  But maybe, just maybe, they would have a choice in the matter.  The people that work in those jobs that have dreams to go to school and become something they've always wanted to be might just have a chance.  

Just think about how much money would be saved if more people were making more money putting them out of the public assistance bracket?  What could we do with all that tax money?  

And, if a person is perfectly content working minimum wage and getting public assistance..then they should get it.  But, no more of this sitting around not even trying to get a job and just living off the state's money.  No effort?  No assistance!

Like the guy said in that article this morning, some money is better than no money.  If you can get a job that pays for rent and utilities, but you still need food assistance...you should have it.  But, you don't get your housing and utilities paid for just because you're "above" flipping burgers.  And I know that's a loaded statement.  I know there are MANY people out there living on assistance that are trying to do what they can for their families...I am in no way directing that last statement to any of them.

At the end of the day, I truly believe that education... MORE education could really fix many of the problems this country is dealing with.  But, it has to be easier to get the education.  

I have met so many people that have always wanted to go to college, better their lives, but it's just not possible for them.  They don't qualify for aid, or the thought of borrowing $20,000+ a year to pay for it is far too overwhelming for them to wrap their heads around.  

Is my opinion the fix all to the system?  Of course not.  I'm sure there are many holes I'm missing.  Just as I'm typing I'm already thinking about the people that are raising kids, who want to go to school, but have to work full time and couldn't possibly figure out a way to take classes, pay for them, and hold down a job that supports their family in the process.  

But, my original point is raising the minimum wage isn't the only answer to a very broken system.  There's so much that could be done to better our society, better our country... and I truly believe that any chance of fixing them all boils down to EDUCATION. More of it.  

That's why, I can only hope that the small impact I'm making on my students each day really influences them to keep going with their education, reaching for the sky, holding on to their dreams.  Because the people that hold the keys to all of our problems are out there...maybe their currently in 4th grade, or 10th grade, or haven't even been born yet.  But, if those people aren't given the chance to fulfill their potential, we'll never get them to do what they've been put on this earth to do.  We have to open up the roads to let their potential shine.  

And, I sleep better at night knowing that I'm one of those people that are trying with all my might to mold our future generation.

Gotta Love a Tear Free Day!!

Yesterday was a very momentous day.  One that I just had to write about, even though I told myself that I was going to cut back on the Jelly Goes to School Drama.

For the first time in 9 days, Jelly did NOT cry when it was time to go to school!!!  The first week, she did just fine.  But, that changed once she realized that kindergarten wasn't all coloring and playing games.

Since Monday of last week, I have had tears from her EVERY single day because she didn't want to go to school... but yesterday?  NONE.. NADA.. ZILCH.

And you know what it was that made the difference or should I say, who it was?  Yep.  My principal.  

It wasn't Momma, or Peanut, or just deciding to wake up and make the decision that she wasn't going to cry anymore.  It was the intervention my principal had done the day before.  Just like that.  All this time I've been struggling and starting my day on the verge of tears because I had to put my heartbroken Jelly on a school bus while she cried...and all it took was one morning of my principal stepping in and taking over for me.

I told you all yesterday how upset I'd been when the principal had sent Peanut away when I'd asked her to stand with Jelly while I did car duty.  I told you all that my principal had told me why she did it.  I told you all that the first thing Jelly told me when she got off the school bus that same day was all about the the fact that the principal had hugged her and talked to her and had made her feel very special.  

I've just decided I don't like calling her "principal" anymore... from now on, I'm going to refer to her as Mrs. P (for principal, duh!).

Anywho, the first thing out of Jelly's mouth yesterday morning when I woke her up was "Momma, can I go to Mrs. P's office this morning and just wait there for the bus?"

With a few flicks of my fingers, I sent a text to Mrs. P asking her...and she responded that Jelly could go to her office that morning. 

I should point out here that Mrs. P has a son that rides the same bus with Jelly to school each morning.  They have become pretty good friends, and Jelly liked the idea of waiting with him and going outside when he went outside...as long as they were waiting in Mrs. P's office to do so.  

I got excited about the fact that Jelly was already showing signs of growth with her request, but I stayed cautious to the fact that once we did get to school she could very well change her mind...and the tears would quickly start to flow.

But luckily, that didn't happen.

The minute we arrived at school, Jelly wanted to know if Mrs. P was there.  She wasn't.  So we took all of my things down to my classroom, and then Jelly asked if we could go and wait for Mrs. P by her office.  I told her we'd wait a few minutes and then head down there.  I couldn't believe how excited Jelly was.  No signs of backing out, or getting nervous, or suddenly realizing that going to Mrs. P's office would mean I wouldn't be there with her.

When Mrs. P did arrive, I took her in to the office, she kissed me goodbye, and that was that.  I left.  No tears.  No hanging on for dear life refusing to let go.  A simple goodbye and she went straight in and sat down next to Mrs. P's son.

I was dumbfounded.  Shocked.  And ecstatic!

All this time, I've been trying to think of something that would make Jelly's transition easier.  I knew that once she got to school, she was fine... but it was that darned goodbye situation that got her every morning.  I was basically at my wit's end.  Besides just dumping her off at the door and running away before she had a chance to catch me - I just didn't know what I was going to do.

And Mrs. P was able to fix my problem in a matter of one day.

Jelly has always thought it was super cool when Mrs. P would talk to her.  In Jelly's mind, a principal is a very important and almost famous person.  I remember one of the first times Mrs. P did talk to her - last year, when Jelly would come back to the school after daycare.  When Peanut came back from practice that day, she recounted her super special encounter with Mrs. P like she'd just met the queen!  And, now it's so obvious that the one person who could make Jelly feel better about going off to school each morning is that same person who makes her feel super special with a simple "Hi Jelly! How was your day?"

Last night, I sat in Jelly's bed with her and read her three books.  When I kissed her goodnight, she asked me if she was going to go to Mrs. P's office again this morning.  I told her she would.  She smiled, told me she loved me, and just as I walked out the door she said "Momma, I think I like going to school now."

*Insert celebratory music and crying (from me)!*

I took the opportunity yesterday morning, once school had started, to thank Mrs. P.  She thinks it's no big deal.  I don't think she realizes how much she has done for me.  How much suffering she has taken away from me...or my baby.  What I'm sure she considers a minor gesture on her part has completely transformed my Jelly's outlook on school.  

She's basically handed me my happiness back.  And I honestly think she has no idea.

I hope that she, at some point, stumbles across this post.  I hope she's able to read this and really realize how amazing she is.  And the gratitude I have.  Because just saying "thank you" doesn't cut it.  I owe her so much.  Seeing my baby cry each and every morning was like daggers to my heart.  I had honestly started to think that Jelly would spend her entire school year sad, and scared, and stressed to the max.  OK, so maybe that's a little exaggeration...I know that, over time... Jelly would have probably gotten used it it.  But, having no idea when that time would come caused me the same sadness, fear, and stress. 

And it appears that I might not have to worry about that anymore.  And that's a gift that has no monetary value, it's just priceless.  

Jelly and my lives (each morning) are now different.  Better.  Happy.  All thanks to Mrs. P and taking just a few minutes to show how much she cares.  And while Mrs. P will probably go about her days being none the wiser, she is a rockstar in my household.

My Jelly is finally happy.  And that feels like the two ton weight that has been resting on my shoulder has finally been lifted.

Waiting nine days to say that has felt like an eternity.  And now, all is good in the world.

Thanks, Mrs. P.  Hopefully one day, you'll know the impact you had on my family this week...and that I will forever be in your debt for it.

I Am a Mother, Hear Me Roar!

Yesterday got off to a rough start.

Well, that's not exactly true.  We got off to a great start.  Everyone got up on time, got dressed, got their lunches made, didn't argue or fight or forget anything.  All was good in the world of Home.

The drive to work was a good one.  Hardly any whining or arguing.

Then, we arrived at school, and Jelly immediately started crying.

The day before, I had my first day of car duty.  Meaning, it's my job each morning this week to stand out by the parking lot and greet students as they arrive.  It happens once every four weeks, and this week just happens to be my turn.

Of course, Jelly didn't like it ONE BIT.  That meant that I had to leave her waiting for her bus.  I figured I'd remedy the situation on Tuesday by having Peanut stand with her.  Jelly still cried, and wasn't happy.. but Peanut said that once I walked away, Jelly did just fine.

Yesterday, I figured we'd just do the same thing.  Jelly had already started crying the minute we arrived, and asked if Peanut was still going to stand with her.  I assured her that Peanut would, and I managed to get her outside without having to peel her off of me.

Peanut had been standing with her for a couple of minutes when the principal came outside for her duty.  Every morning, the principal oversees the kids getting on and off of buses.  The kids that get off at the elementary, and those that getting on to go to the high school or to the primary school.  

I kept looking back every few minutes to check on Jelly, and I noticed that my principal was talking to Peanut.  A few seconds later, I saw Peanut walk away and heard Jelly start crying.  Loudly.  Peanut looked at me and shrugged...I had no idea what that meant.  I assumed that the principal had sent her on her way.  I couldn't see Jelly after that, the principal was blocking my view.  But, I heard her.  Oh goodness did I hear her.

I stood at my post on duty, tears welling up in my eyes.  I did everything in my power to put a smile on my face as each child arrived.  I heard the crying stop a few minutes later, and looked back...still couldn't see Jelly.  Then, I checked a few minutes later...and Jelly was gone.  On her bus.  And that was that.

I went back inside after duty pretty upset.  Peanut explained to me, once I got inside, that the principal had sent her on her way and offered to watch over Jelly.  Peanut said that the principal didn't want her out there each morning with Jelly....that Jelly needed to adjust to doing it on her own.

Momma Bear was Mad.  Momma Bear was Upset.  Momma Bear had to Cry.

To add some fuel to the fire, one of Butter's teachers came to see me.  Can you say wrong time, wrong place?  I was NOT in the mood to hear anyone say anything about any of my kids at that point.  I was in Momma Bear mode, and needed some time to cool off.

Unfortunately to the unbeknownst teacher who choose that time to inform me of some issues she was having with Butter.  I didn't go all crazy and start yelling or anything like that... but I did take what she said personal, and immediately acted upon it.  Again, wrong time and wrong place for the teacher.

I got the situation with Butter handled.  And during the process of working on it, I had to see the principal.  She's not a stupid woman, she knew I was upset.  And she laid it right out there why she'd done what she'd done.

Yes, Jelly is having a hard time.  Yes, Jelly is currently crying when she has to wait outside for the bus. But, after Peanut had walked away, the principal had talked to Jelly...asked her some questions, got her talking.  Jelly proceeded to tell my principal about the plans we'd (her and I) made to read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom when she got back that afternoon.  She told her about what she brought for lunch.  And by the time Jelly got on the bus, there were no more tears.  My principal then told me that each morning, she'd do the same thing with Jelly...reassure her, talk to her, distract her from her worries.  And with me or Peanut there, Jelly would just continue being stressed and sad.

My principal isn't just a principal.  She wasn't just a teacher for several years.  She's also a mother.  A mother who knows how hard it is to send a child off to school that's scared and sad.  She knows how hard it is to say goodbye, or to walk away when her child is crying.  But, she also knows...as do I, even though I didn't want to admit it...that Jelly and I both need the distraction.  We need to be able to separate in the morning on good terms.  No tears involved.  And she's promised to help make that transition easier for us.  

So, yeah.. my first reaction was to get all bent out of shape, all Momma Bear ready to defend her cub. But, listening to my principal made me realize how right she was.  It may have seemed harsh or like she was "torturing" my poor baby.  Yet, I know that's not what her intentions were.  She knew what she's doing.  She knows that this is just as hard for me as it is for Jelly.  And instead of turning her head the other way and ignoring the fact that I was using Peanut to fill the void that I felt like I was making...my principal took it upon herself to step in and provide some intervention.  

What was more surprising was Jelly's first tale she told to me when she got back from school that day.  Not about what had happened when she got to school, or what she'd learned, or what she got to play... but she told me about how the principal had hugged her, had offered soft words of encouragement, had asked her about her lunch, and had helped her stop crying before getting on the bus.  What I had thought would be a devastating moment of Jelly's day just happened to be the highlight of her day.  It made her feel special.  She couldn't wait to tell me about it.

I asked Jelly if she would be OK with the principal doing that for her each morning.  Even though she was a little apprehensive, and shaken by the realization that I wasn't going to be there again today or tomorrow...she agreed that it would be nice to have the principal there for her.  She was OK with it.  She thought it was pretty awesome that the principal was going to do that for her again each day... until Jelly is ready to stand on her own and wait with the rest of the kids.  

Today we will see how ready she really is.  

I'm sure there'll be more tears.  The problem won't go away over night.  But, knowing that I have someone out there keeping an eye on things, comforting Jelly, and watching out for my child..even though she doesn't have to and there are a couple hundred other kids that the principal also has to watch out for...makes me feel so much better.  Jelly needs someone with her, and someone will be.  Despite how crazy busy her mornings are, my principal is willing to stand in and take on that role.

And even though there's really not any more room to add anything to my list...here's another reason to add on why I love where I work.  Because I know that my principal has my back.  And the backs of my own, biological children.  

Gotta feel good about that!

OK, time to get to gettin' for another awesome day!

Getting Good Use Out of My Sam's Membership

                     

 Hubby and I have had a Sam's membership for as long as we've been together.  Mostly because Hubby was working for Walmart when we met, and I started working for Walmart soon after.  Once I left Walmart, I gave up my membership and we both just used his.

In the 8 years we've been together, Sam's has been a place we go on the hunt for one particular item. Or a few things here and there.  We've NEVER gone to Sam's and bought a whole bunch of stuff at one time.

The closest we got was going there before July 4th to get stuff for the family barbecue... but even then we just bought buns and hamburgers.  All the other fixings we bought from Walmart.

It just hit me... using these store names, I'm going to end up getting bombarded with Spam.  Hopefully my Spam filter is really working.  

Anywho...last school year, the kids weren't very happy about the school lunches.  They taste OK, it's just that they don't get enough food.  When the kids were playing sports last year (Peanut for volleyball and track, and Butter when he tried out for basketball even though he didn't make the team), they both complained of headaches and not feeling well after practice.  And I put it down to the fact that they hadn't eaten enough.  

So, this year, I decided with now three children in school, it might be better if they started taking their own lunch.  With lunch prices being $1.65 per kid and breakfasts being $1.30 per kid...the money can really start to add up.  For the kids just to eat lunch, I'd be spending $100 a month.. and for the kids to have both breakfast and lunch, it would cost around $175.  I was positive that I could use that money, less actually, for the kids to take their own lunches....and have more food to eat.

Which is where our Sam's membership finally came in very useful for the first time in eight years.

I decided that if the kids were going to be taking lunch every day and eating breakfast before they left AND wanted a snack of some kind before their sport practices...it was time to buy in bulk.

We took the trek to Sam's yesterday afternoon and for the first time EVER, left with a full cart.  I was able to get chips, crackers, peanut butter, breakfast bars, granola bars, Pop Tarts (kids must have variety..LOL), and stuff for them to drink that should last almost the entire month...and spent about $100.  All I have left to buy, now, is bread each week.  We also picked up a 4lbs ham at Walmart for $8..so there is meat for sandwiches if they want that instead of PB&J.

So, I spent quite a bit less money... but now get to choose the food my kids eat each day...AND there's much more of it, so they are fed appropriately for their vigorous activity that takes place after school each day.

We've managed to get ourselves in to a nice routine each morning preparing lunches.  I worried a little that it would mess with us getting out the door on time, but each child takes on getting stuff ready for their own lunch...even Jelly has a hand at fixing her own lunch...they grab something to eat for breakfast, and we're out the door.  No fuss.  No hassle.  On time.

I kinda like the feeling of having those few minutes together in the kitchen each morning.  All the kids are helping each other, and making sure everyone has everything they need.  It doesn't happen very often..my kids all working together and helping each other, that is.  So, if that's how we get our day started each day, I can kick my day off in a great mood.

Alright, that's enough rambling from me for one day.  

Time to do laundry and clean my house!!

The Importance of Crazy Hair Day

Dear Diary...

Today is going to be one of those days at work that I love.  More than usual.  And probably as much, if not more, than the kids I work with.  It's Crazy Hair Day.  A day I try and get my now short hair to do something crazy looking - on purpose - for the only reason to make the kiddos laugh.

I absolutely LOVE the funny theme days that take place at school.  I mark them on my calendar and plan ahead as to what I can do.  I mean, come on, what other jobs not only allow you to dress up in all kinds of funny outfits or crazy hairstyles but promotes it?  I love them all.  Crazy hair day, crazy sock day, nerd day, fancy dress day, mismatch day, pajama day, twin day, spirit day... you name it, I'm doing it. 

Believe it or not, but there are actually some parents who despise theme days like this.  If you're one of them, then please keep reading - cause maybe I can help to change your mind a little.  They think that encouraging the kids and teachers to dress up in crazy attire is a distraction from the education process - and well, just pointless.  I couldn't disagree more.  If I were to really go out on a limb, I'd say that these days are what boost the kids to do better.  Why?  So glad you asked...

Let's take me and only me for an example.  I have earned the reputation with my kiddos as being pretty strict.  No, make that very strict.  I'm a no excuse, no funny business kinda teacher when it comes to getting the work done and making those kids do their best.  It's not uncommon for me to walk in to a classroom and actually hear "uh oh, Ms. Hill's here" or "ssshhh, stop talking, Ms. Hill's here".  Those kids know when I walk in the room I mean business.  Certain kids try to avoid eye contact because a) they've either been in trouble that day and don't want me to find out about it by the guilty looks on their faces, b) they're doing something they're not supposed to and know that I'm going to catch them or c) they're worried I'll focus my attention on them when they're not giving 100% to do whatever it is they've been asked to do. 

But, before I paint the expression of myself as being the Wicked Witch of the West - keep reading.  Despite my no funny business reputation, I will go out on a limb of egotism and say that all the kids I work and interact with love me.  OK, not ALL of them... but most of them.  I am constantly greeted with hugs in the hallways.  I receive pictures and handmade cards almost on a daily basis with "I LOVE MS.HILL" written 100 times.  Sure, they could just be bribing me - or trying to soften me up - but that's not the reason.

So, what is it that makes the kids love me even though I'm tough, strict, and sometimes a little mean?  The fact that I celebrate and reward their hard work by getting a little crazy when I can.  It's not uncommon at all for me to spend my recess duty playing soccer with the kids.  It doesn't bother me a bit to run around the playground with those kids and show them that I do have a fun side.  It's probably not the most professional way for me to carry myself - but I figure that recess duty is a great opportunity for me to interact with the kids on a different level than when we're in the classroom.  When they give me their best, I want to reward them for it.  On the theme days, they've grown to expect me to participate.  They often ask me days in advance what I'm going to do or how I'm going to dress.  On special party days (the kids earn quarterly parties for reaching their reading goals), I get invited to all of the class parties - by the kids - who want me to come and share in their successes and have some fun with them...cause they know I will. 

My thoughts on life have always been and will probably always be that hard work pays off.  It's what I try to instill in the kids I work with.  I don't expect them to be right all the time, I expect them to try as hard as they can.  Not because I'm making them, because they want to.  It's not just a lesson I push on those kids, it's a lesson I push on myself.  When you work hard, good things happen.

Take my weight loss for example.  When I was working hard, exercising 4 or 5 times a week, eating right, and avoiding my urges to be lazy and sit on the couch - great things were happening.  My body was transforming, my weight was going down, I was able to wear cuter clothes and feel better about myself.  When I'm constantly making excuses, skipping the gym, opting for fast food instead of healthy food - my body is getting lazy, it's gaining weight, and I feel uncomfortable in just about anything I wear. 

And, even though I'm trying hard to get back to that hard work woman - I try every day to instill that mentality on those kids.  If they try hard, study, get extra help, do something over again - even though they don't want to - good things happen.  They get special parties.  They get to participate in fun events.  And they get to see one of their sometimes mean teachers dress up in crazy ways or play outside with them at recess.  It may sound like a small pay off, but it's not to them.  They soak it up - and they'll do the work to get the smallest of rewards. 

This week, I've pushed kids to the limit.  It's a week away from Spring Break and they're tired and frustrated and ready for that break.  Does that mean they get to slack off? Absolutely not!  I have to keep my demeanor and express how important it is for them to keep working, keep pushing through - it's not spring break yet.  And even though it doesn't sound like much - today they'll get rewarded for that.  Today, I magically transform in to Crazy Ms. Hill - with her crazy hair and all.  I get to have some fun.  Reward those kids for continuing to push through.  They deserve it.

So, if you happen to be one of those people that think it's absolutely crazy and pointless to have these types of theme days - I'll hope you'll reconsider your views.  They are not a distraction to the education process, they are a reward for those kids following the education process.  Small, minor rewards as getting to dress up are what motivate kids to give what they can. 

Now, I have to give that advice back to myself.  I don't want to be a hypocrite.  I don't want to be one of those people that give the "do as I say, not what I do" speeches.  I have to do the hard work for good things to happen.  If I can buckle down, exercise, eat right, and find healthier alternatives to my emotional eating - I'll be rewarded.  I'll be lighter, fitter, and more comfortable in my clothes.  If I'm going to teach those kids - I better be doing it by example.

Till next time. ;)