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Well, today was my last day at work. It still feels a bit surreal, as if I'm just getting ready for summer vacation. The fact that I'm actually done teaching (indefinitely) hasn't sunk in yet (but neither has the fact that tomorrow Scott and I both will be able to hold Leah).
Several of my students stopped by today to give me a hug, wish me well, and say good-bye. Others asked about when I might be bringing Leah by for a visit. Still others gave me a hard time about leaving in general.
What makes me laugh is that I don't think many of these same students would make the same effort to say good-bye if I had stayed until the end of the school year. Often, especially with my juniors, my students leave the last class without saying a word of parting. Yet now they're saying good-bye or telling me that they wish I would be returning to school. Why is that?
I will certainly miss certain aspects of teaching, but you know, it's rather liberating knowing that I'm done grading papers, writing lesson plans, dealing with apathetic students, or talking to parents. I'm done. Finished. What freedom!
One last pregnant picture: 40 weeks and 4 days...
Can I just tell you how much I hate Comcast? I don't know if it's really possible to despise a company, but honestly, I can't think of anything positive to say about it. Sad, huh? (For those of you not familiar with it, Comcast is the local cable company.)
Why do I hate them so? Well, let's see.
First, the cost. They nickle and dime you. We pay for basic cable in the basement and our bedroom, but have to pay separately for the HD hook-up in the family room. If we wanted HD in the other rooms, then it would be an additional $12 each (well, it might be more now). Oh, and the number of HD channels available? Not that impressive, especially compared to what we had with satellite (which was considerably cheaper than cable). And let's not mention the cost of the Internet. For high-speed Internet that's supposedly "so fast", I'm not impressed.
The cost wouldn't be such an issue if we actually got what we paid for. Which leads me to the second reason, inconsistencies with the technicians. If someone comes to our house to set-up HD for us, wouldn't it make sense for that person to know what he was doing? We've had two techs hook-up the HD two different ways. When we signed up for HD, the tech came out and set it up for us using the box. Well, recently, we'd been having problems with the reception (sound but no actual show, just a blue screen or an orange screen; then nothing on another occasion), even though we hadn't done anything to interfere with it. Scott called and talked to the customer support, but of course, they couldn't do anything, though the one agreed (with Scott) that it was probably a problem with the box itself. So enter tech number two. He came out just last week, but determined that the problem wasn't with the box, but with our setup. So, he changed a cord or two instead of replacing the box. Well, now when we turn on the (HD) TV, it doesn't immediately come in in HD. And some channels that were HD before now aren't! Sometimes, I can get a channel to come in as HD (1080 pix) if I switch channels several times first, but seriously, I shouldn't have to do that, especially since we have an HD TV and are paying for HD cable service. Argh!
And then there's reason number three, a dead phone. Yup, today Scott picked up the home phone to make a call and discovered that we don't have any service. None. Nada. Zilch. When he called customer service, he was told that the phone and cable (he also wanted to talk to somebody about the HD issue above) are handled by two separate areas, so he had to call two separate numbers. Anyway, today was too soon to get a phone service rep out here to look at the line, so we now have to wait until Friday. (I'm sure they could have sent someone out here sooner, but seeing as how I'm being induced tomorrow and will be at the hospital until Thursday, well, you get the idea.) So now we don't have phone service (translation: call us on our cell phones if you need to get in touch with us between now and Friday).
Scott and I had satellite at our other home, and we really, REALLY tried setting it up here. We had two satellite companies out here looking for signals, but due to our home's position and the trees in our backyard, neither company could establish a signal. Never once did we have the problems with satellite that we do with Comcast. Never.
Fios come quickly; we're suffering under Comcast's tyranny.
Obviously since I'm posting right now, you can deduce that Leah is still snug. There basically wasn't any change between last week and this week, so she's taking her time. Since the practice I attend doesn't like waiting a week beyond the due date to induce due to greater risks to the baby and mother, the doctor gave me some options for next week.
I could have waited one more week (so until 3/12) to see if I progressed any more before scheduling an induction, or I could go ahead and schedule one. So... I chose the latter. After all, it appears that this little lady doesn't want to move if she doesn't have to, so now she has an official eviction date: T, 3/10, at 6:30 AM (well, so the time will be up to her, but the process will begin then).
I'm not too thrilled about being induced, but I've been preparing myself lately for that possibility. Besides, my other expectations (her arriving early) were foiled, so why should I be surprised if this one isn't, too? At least I know that this time next week I'll be holding her in my arms.
And I know that there's still a chance she might arrive before then, but, again, I'm not placing any bets.
On the brighter side, I can say good-bye to all my students. I'll see half of them tomorrow, and the other half on Monday, which is nice, especially since I haven't seen the other half (the Monday crew) since last Wednesday due to doctor's appointments and snow days. Though saying good-bye to my students might not mean much to them, I'm one who prefers closure, so at least I'll feel better having a final day with them.
In the meantime, keep praying that all will go smoothly for delivery. And, I wouldn't even mind if you prayed that Leah might come before her scheduled arrival. Looks like this might be my last post for awhile, but as soon as I'm coherent and functioning again, I'll be sure to update you on Miss Leah Jordan.
Well, I'm now 39 weeks and one day, and Leah is still not budging. Though not in a hurry to join the world, she's definitely learned to listen to her daddy.
Scott highlighted a few dates on the calendar that would be acceptable as birth-days (2/28, 3/1, 3/2, or 3/7, 3/8). His reasoning? He plays hockey on Fridays, so if Leah arrives sometime between Friday and Monday, then we'll be home from the hospital in time for him to play in the next Friday game. Silly boy. He has yet to admit that he won't be playing hockey the Friday after Leah's arrival.
Granted, I know this doesn't guarantee Leah's arrival on one of those dates, but seeing as how she didn't show up this week, there's a stronger chance she'll show up on Scott's schedule. Why couldn't she wait until AFTER her birth to start listening to her dad?
As Scott and I anxiously await Leah's arrival, we can't help but acknowledge God's blessings through our friends and family... and even my students.
Through various baby showers, friends, family, and co-workers have showered us with items for Leah. I think both of us (me and Scott) have been floored by everyone's generosity. We can't thank everyone enough for all that they've done to help us prepare for Leah's entrance.
But most surprising has been my students' response. In an earlier post, I mentioned how every teacher enjoys being validated and appreciated, whether through a kind word or a thoughtful email. Recently, my validation has come in the form of my students welcoming Leah. Just reflecting on their thoughtfulness makes me smile.
I've had three former students stop by with gifts for Leah. Whenever Leah plays with the purple teddy bear or the pink penguin, or uses the handmade blanket, I'll think of Andrea, Marco, and Meghan.
And when Leah plays with her Ocean Wonders Kick & Play Gym, I'll think of my fifth period class. But there's more to it than just the play gym. Let me explain...
It seemed as if everyone was trying to keep me from heading back to my classroom too soon after lunch yesterday (I usually make it back just before the bell rings to dismiss the students from lunch). I supposedly had a phone call from my husband (who NEVER calls me at work), but when I picked up the phone, no one answered. Then, one of my co-workers engrossed me in a conversation. Finally, I made it to my classroom just before the bell. However, before even entering the room, I knew something was up. After all, my co-workers were standing outside their classrooms (and a few of my former students were, too) ---they're rarely outside their classrooms-- my door was closed (I leave it open when we go to lunch), and the lights were off. As I opened the door (just before the tardy bell, mind you), the class flicked on the lights, jumped out of hiding, and yelled, "Surprise!". Pink balloons and a "Baby Shower" banner decorated the front whiteboard. Sitting on a table covered with a pink tablecloth were a cake (homemade by Flavia), brownies, cookies, and baby shower favors. In addition, the students had stacked cards and a few gifts under the table for me to open.
I was so touched by their thoughtfulness. Even now, I get all teary-eyed re-living the moment. They were so excited about the shower and about surprising me. They couldn't wait for me to open the cards and gifts, and of course they were eager to break into the goodies. So, for a few moments during class, we could relax, eat, and just visit without worrying about SOLs or Romanticism.
My friend Jeanne and I have talked about God kisses, and this was definitely one of those. Through my students, God has reminded me that what I've given and done in the classroom has not been for naught; and even though I won't return to the classroom after Leah arrives, I know that I've left an impression on my students... and they on me.
Upon finishing our unit on Colonial Period literature, I ask my students to evaluate the educational system in an informal writing. They have to discuss the major problem with the system today, and then offer a solution. This is an interesting exercise in reasoning, especially when students try to justify a shorter school day (i.e. 9-12).
I found two responses particularly saddening (though on the bright side, very few students cited these issues as problems).
The Declaration of I-Deserve-Credit-for-Trying
One young lady argued that students should automatically receive credit just for turning in an assignment, regardless of whether or not it was done correctly. She proceeded to argue that students who simply complete their work should pass the class, even if they haven't mastered the material (she didn't state the latter, but implied it). Now I do agree that students should receive credit for certain homework or classwork assignments. This particular assignment, for instance, counted as a completion grade. However, simply awarding students credit for submitting a paper is wrong. After all, we teachers are supposed to TEACH so that the students can LEARN the material. If I awarded credit simply because a student submitted a paper, well, then I wouldn't be doing my job, and the student wouldn't be doing his. After all, he could write, "I'm great" for every answer on a quiz, and still receive credit. How does THAT make sense?!
Now if we broaden this mentality to the "real world", then the issues are magnified. After all, what happens if a doctor simply "received credit" in medical school instead of actually demonstrating knowledge of medicine? How many deaths would he have on his hands? Or if a lawyer never learned the ins and outs of law? We'd have a breakdown in our judicial system. These are the types of questions that give me pause when a student thinks she deserves recognition simply for being.
The Declaration of Lower-Expectations
Ah yes, this was enjoyable paper to read. This young man argued that school officials (administrators, teachers, etc.) and parents should not expect more out of a student as he progresses through the grades. Instead, we should consider lowering our expectations. That's right. Why expect a person who is chronologically more mature to accept more responsibility or act more mature? Shouldn't we simply pamper and coddle our students throughout high school? After all, that would prepare them for life on their own.
Think about how productive and innovative our society would be if everyone had this attitude. You go to the doctor expecting a diagnosis, but instead would receive a "well, maybe it's this, but I'm not sure. What do you expect me to do?" Or you take your car to the mechanic to get the brakes fixed, and are told, "Well, I fixed 'em as best I could, but there's still this problem with 'em. I just didn't feel like getting the extra parts from the other side of the shop." Can we say "accident"?
Thankfully, though, papers such as those were few.
The Declaration of GPA-Grouped-Classrooms
One young lady wished we could group students based on their GPAs. Thus all students with a 3.0 would be in one English class, and those with a 2.0 would be in another. She reasoned that homogeneously grouping students would allow the teacher to tailor the curriculum (materials, activities, assignments) to the class. Plus, those students who typically do better in school would not be held back by those who don't. Hmmmm... what a concept!
