Sick of Being Poor

Sisterly Guilt

2013-02-10T18:01:00.001-05:00

Today I took my little brother J to truck driving school. I'm trying to be supportive. He's had a rough time financially, which has led to me having a rough time financially.

Let's just say that the lack of a functioning vehicle has led to a lack of work. No, public transportation isn't an option. It doesn't exist in rural Appalachia. It's drive yourself or walk 35 miles one way to work.

Part of me is incredibly disappointed. This isn't a post aimed at disparaging truck drivers. My own late father was a truck driver. It is an important, vital job. I feel it is just a waste of his potential.

Five years ago he started college at my alma matre as an engineering major. He's bright; incredibly gifted, even. He switched colleges to a private( incredibly expensive, not worth the $), Christian college to major in music ed. Did that for a few years, then switched back to my university for engineering. After five years of college, tens of thousands in student loan debt and no degree in sight, he decided to not finish. It's not that he's not capable, he's just..........unfocused, lost, at a crossroad in his life.

The only thing my mom asked of me before she died in 2009 was to make sure J finished college. He was only 21 when my mom died, leaving both of us parentless in our 20s. I feel like I failed her and him. I realize he is an adult and makes his own choices, but I feel responsible that he didn't turn out to be an engineer or get his college degree in a timely manner.

I bought him a ticket on the Greyhound headed to CDL training school in Indiana and gave him a $100 bucks to help with food costs. I try to be a good big sister. I feel guilty that I didn't take him to Indiana myself, but I can't make an 8-hour round trip on a Sunday. He just looked so sad as he boarded the bus.

Sigh.

2013 Resolutions

2012-12-30T20:05:00.001-05:00

Every year I set some New Year's Resolutions for myself. Usually my resolutions involve losing weight. Well, I weigh slightly less this year than last, so I guess that's something.

I've been running on financial autopilot for awhile and I've discovered I'm having some trouble making ends meet. I've racked up a little credit card debt again. It seems as if I have to decide to pay the electric bill or buy groceries. I put groceries on the credit card.

When I lost my 4th grade special ed job two years ago, I made a lot more money than I do now. I am grateful to have a job, no doubt, but the several thousand dollar salary cut has had its impact. Maybe I just didn't notice it as much last year as this year. Oh the irony in that I get beat up every day, but make almost $10,000 less than every other teacher with my education and experience in my school.

I watch my money like a hawk. I just don't think I can cut any expenses. Utilities have skyrocketed. My water bill has tripled. Yes, I've checked for leaks. Insurance has increased, yet my salary decreased by a whole lot. I shop for most of my groceries at the off-brand store. I don't have a mortgage. I don't have a car loan, yet I am struggling.

Even with the supplementals I receive for coaching the dance team and mentoring new teachers, I still don't equal my old salary. A second job is out of the question during the school year. I work from sun up to bed time as it is.

I can't remember on what financial blog I read it a few years ago, but to paraphrase: if you can't cut your expenses, increase your income.

So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to find alternate income streams. If I could just get another couple hundred dollars a month, I would feel more secure.

I'm sure you've heard of the teachers who sell their lesson plans online and made a million dollars. Teacherspayteachers.com is the primary place teachers do this. I have bought several items on TpT and have been happy with the quality and the price.

I started another blog Making Model Students. It will primarily be school-related. I have a niche in the market for behavior. I also started my own store on Teachers Pay Teachers. I have already sold one item. I have great plans for my store. I'm working on a lot of really cool behavior resources and lesson plans. To be competitive, I do need to invest in some decent graphic design software though. I don't have grandiose ideas that I will become a millionare, but an extra hundred dollars here or there can't hurt.

So increase income is my 2013 resolution. What is yours?

Unspeakable horrors in Connecticut

2012-12-14T21:42:00.000-05:00

Unspeakable horror happened today in the small New England town of Newtown, Conn. I, along with the entire nation, am experiencing a range of emotions from shock, sadness and anger at this horrific, senseless tragedy.

In April 1999, I was a senior in high school when the Columbine massacre occurred. Even though I was a thousand miles from Littleton, Colo., I felt the unease, the uncertainty of not being safe at school. Until that point, I never felt unsafe at school. School always was a happy, good place for me.

Most of my evening has been spent in tears. I deeply feel the loss of those 20 young students and the six staff members. My elementary school is just like theirs. It could've been my class, my principal, my staff. It could've been me.

President Obama broke my heart when he had to take a few seconds to compose himself during his address.

Each day, parents entrust me to protect their child. I take my duty as in loco parentis, in place of the parents, seriously. I am fiercely mama-bear style protective of my nine precious little boys. I have to keep them safe from bullies, from each other, often from abusive parents, often from themselves.

I don't know what I would do if I couldn't protect my boys. No parent, no teacher, no school, no community should ever have to deal with what Sandy Hook Elementary is dealing with.

My deepest condolences and prayers are with the Sandy Hook Elementary students staff and the community of Newtown, Conn.

Head hung in personal finance shame

2012-09-01T11:30:00.002-04:00

I made the rookiest of the rookie personal finance mistakes. You are not even going to believe what I did. Wait for it.

I overdrew my checking account.

I can hear the audible gasps now. How on earth did I do that, you wonder?

It's called. Not. Paying. Attention. Teachers can attest the weeks leading up to the beginning of a new school year are busy. I just kept spending ( I love grading pens) and not entering my receipts into Quicken. I didn't check my online balance. When I finally got around to entering my receipts, and my bank balance was dwindling dangerously low, I started to panic. Also, I can't do math in my head. I don't think I've ever overdrawn my account in the 13 years I've had an account. My bank slapped me with a $25 insufficient funds fee. Humiliation for an experienced personal finance person.

I used to have a nice buffer of several hundred dollars in my account. However we had some issues getting my little brother financial aid at college, so he moved home to try and find a job. It took four months to find a crappy, part-time job at Wal-Mart 30 miles away. I helped him out with his bills for awhile, so goodbye buffer. And my electric bill tripled. Hello 45 90 degree days this summer in Ohio.

So I hang my head in personal finance shame and vow to keep a better eye on things. Some times auto pilot is not a good situation.

Survived the First Day of School

2012-08-25T12:39:00.000-04:00

I survived the first day of school. Barely.

I have a shared special education unit. The incidence of students with emotional disturbances is pretty low, so there are only a few in my whole county. Therefore, my class serves several school districts. There were a lot of changes in the emotionally disturbed program, so each school district was supposed to notify their own students as to the changes.

The school district I'm housed in has their stuff together. The school district to the north, however failed to communicate the changes to their students. One of my new little guys showed up at his old school. His family didn't know his teacher was teaching the autism unit at another school and my class was now all the elementary ED units. We no longer have a full-time school nurse, due to the exorbitant number of middle school diabetics, so I was trying to deal with my new guy's meds. I am not a big proponent of medicating children, but most of my students would not be able to function without the aid of psychotropic meds. Meds keep them out of residential and psychiatric facilities.

So at the same time I was dealing with that, I had a parent and child show up that I didn't know was coming. Apparently, this child also registered with the district up north, who failed to let me know I had another student coming. I was caught off guard and was trying to read this kid's IEP, which his mother brought to see his LRE (least restrictive environment) placement. Apparently he went for a week at the school up north and did really well. For whatever reason, they changed his LRE to self-contained, but then his mom said they had another IEP meeting last week and now he is doing full-inclusion with only self-contained if there is a problem. I have no idea. No one has sent me an official IEP or anything. I just don't want us to get dinged by the state, but I'm going to go with what the mother says is on the other IEP until the Northern district sends it to me.

On top of this, I receive a frantic phone call from my supervisor. There was apparently a child who registered with my school who has a diagnosis of PDD-NOS, which is an autism spectrum disorder. Apparently there are behaviors and we do not have an older kid autism unit yet, so she thought he was with me. I had never heard of this child, neither had our school secretary, so my supervisor made me go search every classroom for this possible child. He wasn't there. I don't think he showed up.

So, thank God for my wonderful paraprofessionals. They took care of my boys while I searched classrooms for a possible missing student with autism, dealt with confused parents and tried to place a new student. I didn't even get to meet my class for the first hour.

My new boys seem great. I think we'll have a wonderful year. It was just all the headaches I had to contend with. My supervisor was so upset about all this, she brought me chocolate and apologized up and down for all the confusion.

I hope the second day is better.

It's been a sh$# day.

2012-08-21T00:38:00.001-04:00

In the words of Pink "It's been a sh&# day." My bestie found out her pregnancy was not viable. The baby did not have a heartbeat. The OBGYN said given the size of the baby, it died three weeks ago. This was her second miscarriage-ish situation. My bestie and her hubby are devastated. I'm devastated. She has to have a DNC done later this week. I'm taking this news a lot harder than I would've thought. I was hoping for a girl. Auntie S. wanted to put little ribbons in her hair, dress her in frilly, girly dresses to annoy her sporty mother and teach her ballet.

Sometimes I just don't understand life. I work with kids every day who are horrifically abused, physically, mentally and sexually by their parents. I deal with the single mom who keeps having children (by multiple no-good loser men) for the welfare check. I deal with teenage parents. I deal with people who have no business having kids, who treat their kids like crap and have no problem getting and/or staying pregnant.

But my bestie and several other friends, lose pregnancies and struggle with fertility. People who are GOOD parents or who would be amazing parents if given the chance. Yes, I, whose class is made up half of foster kids, recognize that adoption is a great thing. However, this post isn't about that. I'm sad. I'm angry.

Most importantly, I just want my bestie and her hubby to be okay.

Disappointed-Didn't get the job

2012-08-04T14:48:00.000-04:00

I have friends in very high places with my school district. I found out that I am not even being considered for the middle school special ed job due to my experience. Yeah, re-read that sentence for clarity. Due to my experience in education, I am not being considered for a job.

Teaching is the only job where experience is not preferred due to cost.

It is much cheaper to higher a teacher fresh out of college than someone with experience. They would have to pay me at least $10,000 more than a brand-new teacher whose ink has yet to dry on his or her license because of my six years of teaching and I have my Master's.

I'm disappointed, but it wasn't unexpected. Six years into my teaching career, I am stuck where I am unless I go back to school for administration.

$17,500 lighter

2012-07-31T00:57:00.000-04:00

Guess who owes $17,500 less in student loans??? If you guessed me, you would be correct. My teacher loan forgiveness came through today, effectively slashing my student loan debt in half. Whoo-Hoo!!

Last few weeks of freedom

2012-07-30T01:26:00.002-04:00

I'm enjoying my last couple weeks of summer. August starts tomorrow. As of now, I am still teaching the emotionally disturbed class. I did however, apply for a middle school intervention specialist position within the district I am contracted through. (Ugh. Such bad grammar to end a sentence with a preposition. You'd never know I have a journalism degree from one of the top J-schools in the country. )

As for the middle school job, it would mean a lot more money. $8,000 more to be exact. I work in the same schools as other sped teachers. I work harder than most with my unique, troubled class and get paid significantly less. How fair is that? I would miss my awesome paraprofessional though and my boys I worked so hard with. (Ugh. Another preposition.) I love the job. I would keep the ED position if it just paid what the other intervention specialists got paid.

On the plus side, I am a coach! I never thought I'd say that as I am as un-athletic . as they come. I am going to be coaching the high school dance team this year through the district I work with. I am super excited. I have no idea what the supplemental pays. I attended my first training today about sports medicine. I learned quite a bit.

Still Alive, Minor Mishap with Laptop

2012-07-22T23:42:00.000-04:00

I am alive. I promise. My poor laptop has just been in the shop. I had a minor mishap with zucchini. I frequently haul my laptop into the kitchen to read recipes and cook at the same time. I was making zucchini bread when I accidently knocked a cup of grated zucchini on the keyboard. Grated zucchini has a very high water count and some slipped under the keys despite my best emergency cleaning efforts. Some of the keys stopped working.

On the bright side, I only had to replace the keyboard this round. Two years ago I fried my motherboard with hot tea and an important piece of my brother's macbook pro with hot chocolate. I am improving at spills.

Charleston/Hilton Head Vaca 2012

2012-07-05T10:51:00.002-04:00

I returned from a very nice six days in South Carolina. I took my 14-year-old niece with me and we had a good ol' time.

The Battery, Charleston, South Carolina

On our first night we drove from Ohio to Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever visited. Knowing what I know now, I would've cut the beach short and spend a couple extra days in Charleston. It is voted the friendliest city in the USA and I totally agree with that. I didn't have a hotel room booked and figured we would just find one in town somewhere. We ended up staying at a really nice Days Inn in historic Charleston that was just lovely. It was only $129 a night and had free parking. The location alone was worth the price.

We ate at a delicious BBQ joint called Sticky Fingers the first night. We walked around and explored. We went to the Waterfront Park. The next morning we ate at an awesome restaurant called Toast, which I highly recommend. We explored The Battery and King Street, where all the high end shops are. We caught the remnants of Tropical Storm Debbie during our visit and didn't get to do all the things I'd planned.

Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort villas

The next day we headed to Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head is beautiful, but almost remote. I usually vacation at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Wrightsville is a beach town. Everything is within walking distance. It is very upscale and more "local." It is filled with people with money who summer there. I missed that beach town aspect on Hilton Head. We stayed at Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort, which is a very affordable, family-friendly place. We had a villa, which is essentially a condo that had an ocean-view. The ocean-view was kind of pitiful. I could see a sliver of ocean above the trees. I'm not even sure the people who paid for ocean-front view could see the ocean for the trees. The villa itself was very nice. The resort was very nice.

The only two problems I had with it include the lack of cell phone reception at the beach. I have AT&T. It doesn't work there. I had to drive to the main highway to make a call or check voicemail. Also, the resort advertise free wi-fi. I was not able to connect with my ipad, cell phone or my niece's ipod. I called the help line and they essentially told me they can only support laptops. That would've been nice to know so I could've brought my laptop. The ipad is much easier to travel with .

To save money and stick with my budget, we made breakfast and lunch at the villa, then went out for dinner. Most restaurants included their menus in a menu guide available everywhere, so we checked prices and availability of non-seafood items before we went. Neither of us will eat seafood, and that severely limits one's food choices on the coast.

The beach is very nice with pretty white sand. Hilton Head has some very high tides. Within a couple hours of high tide, there is no beach left. The waves were crashing into the lifeguard's chair. The waves are pretty gentle. We rented bikes and biked all over HHI and on the beach during low-tide. That was pretty fun. I think I might buy myself a bike to run errands in town.

All in all, it was a great trip. I think I went over budget by a couple hundred dollars, but a nice, beach vacation can be had on a budget with a little planning.

Vacations and Power Outages

2012-07-02T15:29:00.003-04:00

Hi Friends,

I am alive and well. I came back from Hilton Head Island this weekend to no power in much of Ohio. I am trying to be a trouper about it, but we are now four days and looking at at least another 4 or 5. I am at a restaurant in a larger town paying bills on their wi-fi and doing seven loads of laundry at a laundromat. I will update hopefully when things get back to normal.

Random Things

2012-06-15T19:32:00.001-04:00

Random things:

-A rif-ed teacher higher on the seniority list than me took the recall job at my old district. This means I am still on the RIF list for one more year. Just keeping my options open.

-I turned my mom's old bedroom/niece's old bedroom into an office/school storage. I didn't want to repaint, so it is still Justin Bieber purple. I need some wall decorations to tone down the color. Wow.

-I had to get new tires. I teach drama camp next week and every penny I earn is already earmarked for the new tires. I wanted new, smaller-sized clothes. Sigh. I guess at least I didn't have to take it from my savings account.

Weight Watchers Week 9

2012-06-15T19:25:00.002-04:00

I only lost .4 of a pound this week. I was expecting it. I haven't been staying within my points. Also, I realize my appetite increases drastically during various points of my monthly cycle. I tend to lose only a little that week and will hopefully have a bigger drop next week.

I want the damn 10% keychain. I have to lose one stinkin' pound to get it.

Determination! And desire for a trinket.

Teachers get the whole summer off? Seriously.

2012-06-10T23:21:00.000-04:00

I haven't even been out of school a week yet and I've already starting planning for the next school year. This past year, I was hired two days before school started and I was overwhelmed and illprepared. I kept what the previous teacher did, which thankfully worked, but I like to do things my own style.

Now that I've completed a year in an emotionally disturbed classroom, I have a good grasp of what to expect-curriculum, scheduling and behavior-wise.

A. I HAVE to be more organized and structured. My classroom is multi-age and will now be serving students in first through fifth grade. That is five grades in one classroom folks. It is so cluttered that I just want to throw it all away and start over.

B. I will now have four adults and up to 10 rambunctious, volatile boys in my teeny, tiny classroom that has zero storage space, windows and quite frankly sucks. I don't have room for centers, a reading space or anything. Trust me, having ED kids on top of each other is not a good thing. It is difficult to do one-on-one or small group lessons without distracting all the other students. I would love to change rooms, but I don't see that happening. There are no empty classrooms and the only person who could feasibly change with me is besties with the principal. Not happening.

C. ED kids require A LOT more paperwork than my former dyslexics did. I need to develop a better system for tracking IEP progress, behavior and dealing with the mountain of paperwork. I need a better system so when the district lawyer comes a-callin' I can deal with the issue quickly.

D. I am switching methods. I observed at a school dedicated to ED kids and they used whole-brain teaching. I fell in love with it and have decided it that WBT will help us form a cohesive, responsive classroom unit. I assigned all my parapros to familiarize themselves with it over the summer.

E. Structure. I'm pretty laid back, which serves me well in special ed. The former ED teacher who now teaches something else in my building makes snide comments about my lack of structure. I have structure. I run a classroom for kids with behavior problems, not a military unit. I compare my unit to hers. I've never had to restrain anyone. The cops have never been called to emergency remove one of my students. I have not been attacked. I have no lawsuits pending against me. My parents like me. Most importantly, my kids learn and I have the data to back it up. One of my kiddos improved his reading by an astonishing 700% this year. So lady, don't tell me I need more structure. Again, I'm a teacher of kids with major problems, not a military drill sargent. I run my classroom based on love and family, both of which the majority of my kiddos have never experienced. I got a kiddo with Reactive Attatchment Disorder to bond with me. I'm doing just fine.

Weight Watchers Week 8

2012-06-09T23:19:00.000-04:00

Down 3 pounds this week, which is great. I was hoping to lose all of the 3.6 pounds I gained the previous week. I haven't been as diligent at tracking as previously. In my classroom, students earn stickers on a sticker chart for a reward. I decided to use my own methodology to change my habits. Every day that I track accurately-no matter how many cupcakes I devour-I get a sticker. Five stickers entitles me to a reward. I'm thinking nail polish of some kind.

Next week, I might have to track staying within my daily points target and not using my weeklies for everyday stuff. I like to save the weeklies for a special treat or a meal out.

I own a Garmin

2012-06-05T12:49:00.000-04:00

I finally made a decision regarding a GPS. I bought a Garmin Nuvi. When everything comes through, I will not have paid a red cent for it. I cashed in an Amazon gift card from completing surveys and accumulated points through another survey site for cash.

It still tells me my house is not where it is. All GPS systems seem to take people a mile down the road to a pond. Not sure why. Also, the speed limits are off. It was telling me I was speeding through town, when in fact the speed limit is 25, not 20. But it got me to my doctor's appointment in another city without problem.

I am looking forward to using it on vacation in a couple weeks.

Teacher Loan Forgiveness-applying for

2012-06-04T12:39:00.000-04:00

In the few days since the school year ended, I have been working on a major project-Student Loan Forgiveness. I have officially taught special education for five years, which entitles me to teacher loan forgiveness of $17,500. Getting that amount taken care of will essentially cut my student loan debt in half, making it easier for me to pay down the current amount and live a completely debt-free life.

The paperwork is a hassle. I have to acquire verification from every school district I've worked in, which is now up to three. I have the signatures of 2/3 of the superintendents I need. For whatever reason, I am missing the current district's signature, which you bet I will hunt down.

So keep your fingers crossed it all goes through. I should hopefully know by the end of the summer.

Dermatologist visit

2012-06-02T10:06:00.000-04:00

I visited the dermatologist for the first time yesterday. I had a little spot on my chest that was worrisome. It had changed in size in the last few months so if it was something not good, I wanted it taken care of. I am death pale. I could give Snow White a run for her money in the paleness department, so I have to be extra cautious when it comes to my skin.

Thankfully, it turned out to be nothing but a cosmetic blemish and my doctor shaved it off. He injected the blemish (which has a medical name that I can't pronounce) with a numbing agent and then used a small razor blade the separate it from my skin. The injection into my chest hurt, but I couldn't feel the razor. I know have a small cut-looking-scar on my chest. I hope it heals and goes away.

On the plus side, my blood pressure is NORMAL!!!! My regular doctor wanted to put me on medication a few months ago, which I've declined. My school nurse tried to send me to the doctor on several occasions because it was so high and now it is normal. Another good reason for healthy living and losing weight.

Weight Watchers Week 7

2012-06-01T10:01:00.000-04:00

This was a bad week. I gained 3.6 pounds, which puts me back up to 16 pounds lost instead of the 19-20ish of last week. I fell off the wagon and didn't track my food. There was one day I just wrote BAD on the top of my tracker. I ate too much and very unhealthfully. There were a lot of end-of-the-school-year social events where I decided to indulge. I also consumed too much alcohol and had a chili cheese dog and a slice of pizza in the middle of the night at a bar in my old college town. I also inexplicably made cupcakes and ate four of them. I took the rest to the teacher's lounge to get them out of my house.

I think I probably had too much sodium, which resulted in water retention as I went to the bathroom about 30 times in one day and the scale appears lower now.

I made the commitment to get back on track this week. It's going to be difficult because I don't have a schedule since it is summer. I really want to be at 25-pounds lost before I leave for Hilton Head in a few weeks. I should do it as long as I don't gain anymore.

On the plus side, I'm starting to go down in sizes. I started as a very tight 16 (honestly probably an 18) and now my 14s are starting to be baggy. I can't yet zip up my size 12 jeans, but I'm getting there. I can tell I've lost inches, but I only measure monthly. I really wish I could fit back into my belts to hold up my baggy pants

School's out for the summer

2012-05-31T09:48:00.001-04:00

It's summer time! Yesterday was my last day. I am looking forward to a nice, relaxing summer unlike last year when I was unemployed and having to job hunt.

Looking forward to Hilton Head in a couple weeks.

Keeping my job!

2012-05-22T17:34:00.000-04:00

I've made a decision! Well, the stars and planets aligned so that my decision was easy.

I get to keep my job as an elementary special education teacher for students with emotional disturbances. I am thrilled. This was what I've been praying for for a long time. I didn't want to move to a different school district and teach high school ED students. I am opting to not take the recall at my former school district as I've been riffed there twice. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times and just lock me up in the loony bin. I like my little dudes.

Also, I am attatched to the little buggers. Usually, ED teachers keep their students for three years or longer. I wasn't ready to give them up after a year. My most intensive kid is moving on to middle school and I think the board of developmental disabilities is getting funding to pay me and his attendant to provide a little bit of respite to his family this summer. He has a lot of medical and behavioral problems and no one will watch him. I don't want to baby-sit the whole summer, but I have no qualms about going to daycamp with him a week or so and providing behavioral/medical support so he can access all activities.

They are downsizing and the K-2 class at another school will be combining with mine. The aide from that class will be joining mine, so I will have two aides, plus a student attendant for about 10 students.

A few weeks ago, my boss stopped in and asked me about my new aide, who is male and works as a student attendant for my medically fragile/behavioral child. I sang his praises, which he deserved because he is GREAT. He is a licensed p.e. teacher, but can't find a job in that field. I mentioned that I think he should go back for his special ed license because he has a gift for troubled kids. Well lo and behold, my boss offered him a job to teach middle/high school ED students. He is flabbergasted. He has to go back and get his sped license, but I promised I'd help him out with it.

So it's a pretty great day and I'm grateful for answered prayer!

Whoa. Recall notice from former employer

2012-05-20T00:10:00.000-04:00

Have you ever received unexpected news that just threw you for a loop?

I sure did today. I received a certified letter stating that I was being recalled to my old school district that RIF'd (laid off) me at the end of last school year. I am number 5 out of 6 RIF'd special ed teachers on the seniority list, so this is quite shocking to me. Did the four ahead of me decline the position?

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED working at my old school. It was such a family atmosphere. The teachers were a team and really wanted the best for the kids. My principal was supportive and great and you knew what was expected of you. Losing my job was one of the hardest things I've ever been through, aside from losing my parents. This position isn't at my old school, which was an elementary. This is for a high school position. I don't really like high school. I only have until Friday to decide if I want to take it.

So here are my options for now, some of which are not decided yet:

A. My current position 3-5th grade Emotionally Disturbed (ED) Unit is being changed to a 1-5 ED Unit. The K-2 unit at the other Elementary school is being abolished and combined with mine. The powers that be haven't decided yet if the other teacher is getting the 1-5 class or I'm keeping it.

B. A new ED unit for 6th-12th grade is being started at another school district. I really don't want this position as I despise the superintendent with a passion. He was the Assistant Superintendent at a previous district I worked at and he is part of the reason I left. He is a young, cocky ahole. Also, I don't want to learn how yet another school does things. If I get this position, this would be my fifth school in as many years. I'm happy where I am. But a job is a job. I am in contention for this position as well.

Also, this unit will be full of juvenile s@xual offenders and violent teenagers and I am concerned for my safety as nobody is willing to train me or the other ED teacher in CPI (deescalation and restraint training). That's just going to be their problem and their lawsuit when they don't provide me with proper training and I have to defend myself and protect other students in whatever manner I can. I've been lucky this year that most of my kids aren't violent. I did have one plot my murder, but he is in a special school for kids with serious psychological problems now. The other ED teacher has been attacked several times this year. I really enjoy my class.

C. Return to my old district in a high school special education position. I'm a little leary because this is the second time I've been RIF'd from this district. I really have zero desire to teach high school, but I know some of the elementary staff is within a couple years of retirement. Also they want someone who is highly qualified in not only special ed, but all five content areas and has a reading endoresement. I am HQT special ed, language arts and need to finish the practicum for my reading endoresement. This might require me to go back to school.

I only have until Friday to decide if I want to take option C. My preference is Option A, but I would consider Option C if I am forced into Option B. If I have to teach high school, I would rather teach dyslexic high schoolers than psychotic high schoolers. I'm just not sure I'm going to hear if I've been selected for A or B until after school is out. I don't know what to do.

Weight Watchers Week 6

2012-05-18T22:27:00.000-04:00

I looked it up this time. I am down 17 pounds. It is really bizarre how the body changes are noticeable to me now. It seems like 15 is the magic number for me to start seeing changes.

The first five pounds I lost all came off my stomach. It almost instantly deflated. It still has a long way to go as I carry most of my weight there, but it is a start.

Yesterday, I discovered I have cheekbones. The night before, not really noticeable. Yesterday, I wake up and look in the mirror. Whoa-cheekbones. I haven't seen those in a couple of years.

A couple days ago, I started getting indentations in the top of my abdomen, right under the ribcage. My brother tells me that is where the top of my oblique muscles are-or will be rather. I keep running my hands over them. It is cool.

My pants are starting to get baggy. Last time I lost the weight (and then gained it all back-plus 12 when my mom died), it took me 18 pounds to drop a pant size. Since I was 12 pounds heavier and to be honest, probably a size heavier as well, it is going to take me a while to go down a size. My watch is also really loose, which distracts me during the school day.

I did purchase my $15 worth of itunes for losing 15 pounds. It was great motivation to have new music to listen to during my workout tonight.

GPS

2012-05-17T19:26:00.001-04:00

I am my father's daughter. I can navigate anywhere in the world with a map and if I've ever been there, I can get you there again. I am that good. I've always considered GPS a frivolous item until I rented one with my car in March in South Carolina.

If I hadn't had a GPS, a Garmin in particular, I don't think I could've made it from the Savannah airport to my friend's house in Beaufort without one. For whatever reason, South Carolina seemed to have a lack of road signs. The Garmin, Geneiveive we call her as a joke, told me to turn on many nameless roads that according to my map were correct. The only bad thing she did is encourage me to turn left in the middle of a bridge over the Intercoastal Waterway.

As I am heading back down that way in a month, I thought I might go ahead and purchase a GPS of some kind using survey points. I use three different survey companies and have accumulated nearly enough points to cash in for some serious dough. I usually get Amazon cash, but that option seems to no longer be an option. So I will go with cold, hard cash instead.

So GPS users of the world, should I get a Garmin, Magellan or TomTom?