So I had intended for this to be a daily blog documenting my time as a student-teacher. But things have been so hectic and I've been having a difficult time focusing long enough on my thoughts to write about them.
And now two weeks have passed.
So I'm at least going to try reflect for a bit right now, stream-of-thought style.
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I just walked into the house and it is empty. I am not sure if my hosts will be here for Shabbat. And I am pretty sure that I didn't confirm with them my intentions to spend Shabbat with them. So I'm not certain that I will have any food this weekend. And if they do come back in time for Shabbat (there is an hour and a half to go) it's going to be awkward that I didn't say anything earlier in the week about my plans. Lose, lose, eh?
Personally, I hope I have the house to myself. I need some time to decompress and relax without having anyone else in my immediate vicinity.
That's been one of the most draining parts of this experience - always being on.
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School was ok today, but my last class kinda sucked. It's the last period of the day on a Friday, which is a challenge with a group of Juniors. I don't know all of their names yet, as this was only the second time teaching this particular class. And I also haven't experienced the materials sufficiently to make them my own, nor am I certain that I am allowed to do so. I was also just off my game in general, as my of questions were met with blank stares, students were gossiping amongst themselves and the flow was absent.
That's probably because I was in Baltimore for Purim Wednesday/Thursday, which was a mixed experience. It started out swimmingly but almost ended disastrously. I had ordered a cab to take me to the airport for 6 pm but it did not show. And when I called the company, they were unsure that one could show up at all. So I STRESSED TO THE MAX and made a bunch of phone calls to a bunch of people in the middle of their Purim meals to fish for a ride to the airport. And one friend was able to call a different company for me and arranged for a car that would only take cash. So I ran to the ATM (still not sure why I didn't take the car) and when I came back there was a cab there. And I got in and got to the airport with enough time to make my flight.
But by the time I got to the airport I was SO STRESSED OUT that I was exhausted. I was nauseous and tired and my muscles ached. And when I woke up this morning I really didn't want to get out of bed. But I did and I taught three classes and the day was ok but the last class kinda sucked.
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Update: One hour until Shabbat and my hosts are still not here. But I did notice a freshly-baked chocolate cake on the counter, so maybe they are coming 'round again today.
----
My work is really cut out for me this weekend. I really, really, really want to plan my lessons through the end of my time here. I need to look at all of the material that I plan on getting through and UbDing my way through my remaining classes. And then I want to experiment with some active assessments and generally crazy ideas for the classroom so that I can have fun and be myself a bit more.
----
One of my mentors' most accurate critiques is that I take too much time to get through things that shouldn't take so much time. He's referring to my propensity for talkiness, and I cannot deny the validity of this critique. I admit this to him freely, so now he seems to watch for it and makes sure that he mentions it when we debrief the class.
----
I also have to check in on my Hebrew College course and complete some work there. It's hard to balance those obligations and I worry that next year it's going to get lost in the shuffle of work and family. I know that it will come at the expense of lazing around (I like to laze). I like to think that I will be disciplined enough to keep it up and complete the degree on time. Let's hope that holds true.
----
The job search has been on my mind as well. I have a whole list of wants for my next position but I haven't found a place that has them all. Part of the reason is because my wish-list is so extensive that such a place may not exist and, if it did, competition would be stiff. But a larger factor is my lack of a day school network to give me access to inside information about schools and positions (Seems that the Jewish Ed. world doesn't function at full capacity online; rather it is an insider culture - a rich get richer, if you would). I am going to dinner at KRM's next week and I hope that she can help to develop that network for me.
----
And did I mention how much I miss my family? Because I do - a lot. Especially on the weekends. Because due to the time difference, I can't speak to them after Thursday evening until Sunday morning. And there isn't much distraction over Shabbat aside from shul and my host family. And I need to be "on" for them.
It's been two weeks now, which is a new record for us being apart. And there are still two weeks to go. We're only half way but I'm ready to pay the penalty and jump on a plane back to Israel.
----
Update: 30 minute countdown just started and the jig is up as the man of the house just pulled into the driveway. Sigh. Back to the show.
And now two weeks have passed.
So I'm at least going to try reflect for a bit right now, stream-of-thought style.
----
I just walked into the house and it is empty. I am not sure if my hosts will be here for Shabbat. And I am pretty sure that I didn't confirm with them my intentions to spend Shabbat with them. So I'm not certain that I will have any food this weekend. And if they do come back in time for Shabbat (there is an hour and a half to go) it's going to be awkward that I didn't say anything earlier in the week about my plans. Lose, lose, eh?
Personally, I hope I have the house to myself. I need some time to decompress and relax without having anyone else in my immediate vicinity.
That's been one of the most draining parts of this experience - always being on.
---
School was ok today, but my last class kinda sucked. It's the last period of the day on a Friday, which is a challenge with a group of Juniors. I don't know all of their names yet, as this was only the second time teaching this particular class. And I also haven't experienced the materials sufficiently to make them my own, nor am I certain that I am allowed to do so. I was also just off my game in general, as my of questions were met with blank stares, students were gossiping amongst themselves and the flow was absent.
That's probably because I was in Baltimore for Purim Wednesday/Thursday, which was a mixed experience. It started out swimmingly but almost ended disastrously. I had ordered a cab to take me to the airport for 6 pm but it did not show. And when I called the company, they were unsure that one could show up at all. So I STRESSED TO THE MAX and made a bunch of phone calls to a bunch of people in the middle of their Purim meals to fish for a ride to the airport. And one friend was able to call a different company for me and arranged for a car that would only take cash. So I ran to the ATM (still not sure why I didn't take the car) and when I came back there was a cab there. And I got in and got to the airport with enough time to make my flight.
But by the time I got to the airport I was SO STRESSED OUT that I was exhausted. I was nauseous and tired and my muscles ached. And when I woke up this morning I really didn't want to get out of bed. But I did and I taught three classes and the day was ok but the last class kinda sucked.
----
Update: One hour until Shabbat and my hosts are still not here. But I did notice a freshly-baked chocolate cake on the counter, so maybe they are coming 'round again today.
----
My work is really cut out for me this weekend. I really, really, really want to plan my lessons through the end of my time here. I need to look at all of the material that I plan on getting through and UbDing my way through my remaining classes. And then I want to experiment with some active assessments and generally crazy ideas for the classroom so that I can have fun and be myself a bit more.
----
One of my mentors' most accurate critiques is that I take too much time to get through things that shouldn't take so much time. He's referring to my propensity for talkiness, and I cannot deny the validity of this critique. I admit this to him freely, so now he seems to watch for it and makes sure that he mentions it when we debrief the class.
----
I also have to check in on my Hebrew College course and complete some work there. It's hard to balance those obligations and I worry that next year it's going to get lost in the shuffle of work and family. I know that it will come at the expense of lazing around (I like to laze). I like to think that I will be disciplined enough to keep it up and complete the degree on time. Let's hope that holds true.
----
The job search has been on my mind as well. I have a whole list of wants for my next position but I haven't found a place that has them all. Part of the reason is because my wish-list is so extensive that such a place may not exist and, if it did, competition would be stiff. But a larger factor is my lack of a day school network to give me access to inside information about schools and positions (Seems that the Jewish Ed. world doesn't function at full capacity online; rather it is an insider culture - a rich get richer, if you would). I am going to dinner at KRM's next week and I hope that she can help to develop that network for me.
----
And did I mention how much I miss my family? Because I do - a lot. Especially on the weekends. Because due to the time difference, I can't speak to them after Thursday evening until Sunday morning. And there isn't much distraction over Shabbat aside from shul and my host family. And I need to be "on" for them.
It's been two weeks now, which is a new record for us being apart. And there are still two weeks to go. We're only half way but I'm ready to pay the penalty and jump on a plane back to Israel.
----
Update: 30 minute countdown just started and the jig is up as the man of the house just pulled into the driveway. Sigh. Back to the show.
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