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Another couple of weeks has past in the life of PMHS students.  Homecoming happened...I was shocked at the lack of participation among the students.  No one did the dress up stuff and the general attitude around the school was that they could not win so why bother.  I was disappointed to say the least.  They did lose the game pretty badly.  I wish I could figure out how to instill some confidence in the athletes at the school.  One win would do them wonders. I feel like I broke into the 1st period club a little.  Two of the three students in 1st period are in FFA. They take a class with the long time agricultural education teacher here at the school in woodworking.  Last week, I was presented with my very own decorated hall pass.  They do the passes for each teacher based on what the teacher has an interest in.  First period students are quiet and do not interact with me as much as the other classes do.  So for them to present me ...
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It has been a challenging few weeks to say the least.  I have enjoyed my time at PMHS immensely.  I really like the students and the staff and the fresh, clean appearance of the school.  This is the type of place I want to teach in one day.  Keeping everything straight in my brain has been the challenge.  From deadlines for school to deadlines for my kids, to learning how another teacher runs his classroom to running my own, entirely different classroom. I had the opportunity to be a part of a collaboration on professional learning day where teams of teachers reviewed every single high school students performance for the first 5 weeks of school and came up with an individualized strategy for success.  It was a wonderful experience.  Too often in large schools it is easy for a student to get overlooked, but this approach was refreshing and gave  me great insight in to the way PMHS works. I have become particularly attached to Mr. Williams 2nd p...
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My Three Schools

One day I will look back at these days and smile.  I will appreciate the struggle.  I will be stronger, faster, smarter.  But today, it is tough.  I work three jobs, go to school at night, spend 4 hours a day in another's classroom, work 45 minutes from where I live (with my parents no less,) and spend my days wrapped in guilt that I am not doing enough for my kids.  But this is for them.  I am pursuing my Master of Teaching to become certified to give us more opportunities for jobs and higher pay scales.  I am doing this because I love to see the spark of understanding when a kid "gets it." So my first assignment in my Practicum I class is in Mr. Harvey William's business education classroom at Portal Middle High School.  The first four periods of the day are high schoolers in 10th-12th grade in Intro to Business and Technology, Bustiness and Technology, and Business Communication and Presentation classes.  He also teaches two sections of ...
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