Life at my desk is A.P.-musing

I'm reminded tonight that Michael Scott can sure relate to the flow in and out of my office recently. I think that's why I still love going to work everyday, it reminds me that although the job we do is stressful, difficult and tiresome, it has a lot of hilarity and randomness. Just look at all the random things that Michael Scott-isms can explain: " Sometimes I'll start a sentence and I just don't know where it is going,  I just hope I find it along the way ." This happens to me on a daily basis. Whether it's trying to convince a student that grades are important, or completely reprimanding them for drama...I get tongue tied pretty frequently. Just the other day I was talking with some girls and I started a sentence, and ended it with... "I don't even know what I'm trying to say..." hehe, luckily the girls were already terrified to be in the office in the first place... "I don't want any special treatment, Pam.

Halloween is a fun time for kids, and I love hearing all about what they are going to dress up as. Just today, a student jumped out of his car and yelled across the parking lot to me "Mrs. Johnson, my sister and I are going to be the Incredibles for Halloween!" Super awesome buddy!  As adults, sometimes we get Tricked more than we get Treats, so let me tell you all: there is a trick on the horizon that I think you should know about.  It's called "State Question 801".  Our wonderfully capable Governor (blah) added a bill to the ballot in Nov. back when nobody was looking. However, it's really important for us to be educated voters, and I can assure you, Oklahoma educators were watching. We have not forgotten the walkout and so, let me tell you about State Question 801. State Question 801, as written will give the local school districts the ability to freely spend certain money from property taxes. Our current system, is very specific and direct, so to the u

"I am tired"   One of the most common phrase I hear during the day (second only to "I didn't do it!"). I hear it whether I am talking to students or adults. And tonight, while I'm hoping to sleep soon, I'm curious as to what is keeping us up at night. There are common answers: I can't shut off my brain, cell phones, tvs, worry, etc. All of us can't necessarily pin point why we are so tired. But I do know one thing: if we're not sleeping, we sure ain't learnin' nuthin. In every undergraduate education program across the nation, you learn about many different education theories. One in particular is the idea that when a student learns a new concept, their brain changes to make room for that information, giving them a solid "schematic" for future learning. In a nutshell: It makes your brain a file cabinet and all like experiences stay together and grow together.  But, what happens to our brain when we don't sleep? We

Welcome to year two! School is off and running!!!  I just am so excited to learn and grow more this year, and am honored that many of you keep reading about my great adventure into this side of the school building. I feel better prepared, and organized for sure this new year. I basically can only describe the beginning of this school year in one word: NUMBERS. 1: how many copy machines weren't working when teachers showed up to set up their classrooms. 2: how many job openings we had at the beginning of the year. 3: how many official days staff has to get ready for students. 8: the number of hours of staff activities we had to plan for the first reporting days. Our scavenger hunt around the building was absolutely hysterical. 9: the number of "would you rather" questions we asked our teachers during a get to know you game. 10: the number of interviews we set up to try to fill those 2 spots by the beginning of school. 12: the number of hours it takes to catch up on sl

The summer is now in full swing. Students across the country are enjoying water parks, swimming and sprinkler systems. They are watching movies, playing sports and sent off to camps to be "entertained" for the summer. Millions of  parents by this time are probably thinking: "Is it time for the school year to start again?!" On the other hand: Educators during the dog days of summer are thinking: "Take a nap?! absolutely I will!" Summer also comes with one particular question on my mind: what do we do with students over the summer to combat the "Summer Slide"?? The "slide" is considered the academic learning that is lost as students are not in school for a considerable length of time. After spending some time with my sweet nieces and nephews this past couple weeks, I think I have a legitimate answer in one word: EXPLORE!!! Kids are naturally curious. I watched as all of them, including the 1 year old explored these last weeks and

The day began like all the others: rushing because I woke up late, barely grabbing my coffee as I rushed out the door. Speeding through the yellow light, only to hit the next red one. It really was a typical morning for me. Little did I know this year the last day of school would bring tears. All. The. Tears. When I was in the classroom, the end of the school year with middle schoolers was always like "Bye Felicia" and we would try desperately to keep them from trashing the hallways with the loads of papers from their lockers. When I became an instructional coach, the end of the school year was just a locked office door and off I went on "travel" season (my nickname for summertime!). But this year, the end of the school year was all about the tears. Once I got to school, I began my normal routine: check my email, drink some coffee, and then grab the radio so I can head out to the parking lot to greet everyone as they arrive. That's where the tears star