Hello and Happy March!!
March 1st. Week 7. and approaching halfway through the class!
If you're a student, and you've come this far; good Job & keep up the good work!
If you're here for some rambling on... you came to the right place!
This has been another interesting week, to say the least.
My grandma once told me "Everything seems to happen to you and Dick Tracy!"
I never knew what that meant when I was younger, but I found myself today thinking about that phrase as I finished up one of the most stressful weeks in a while. I'm assuming she meant, I always had an excuse, or tragedy & travesties always seem to follow me...
The week started off on Monday like most weeks do. :) and on Monday morning, one of my students decided to damage another student's project. They deliberately struck the students Adirondack bench with a hammer. I was stressed out for a couple days because I was disappointed in the student, and I was anxious about how I would approach the consequences and the conversations with both parties involved, and also the rest of my students.
I ended up doing some investigation and I figured out who had done it, and why. The student was going through some difficult situations at home... and they felt retaliation was the best medicine.
It turned out to be a good conversation (that I had with all my classes), and ultimately by the end of the week, I was pleased with the outcome.
This week we also had our "extended [virtual] parent-teacher conferences". NSHS had a regular parent- teacher day on 2/22, then the next week 2/26-3/1 We have virtual parent-teacher conferences.
I set my schedule extremely available for 2 reasons. First, I wanted parents to have many opportunities to see, call, email, or meet with me regardless of their schedules. I set my schedule on an LMS called PTC Fast from 3:00 to 7:00 every day. I made myself available for various parent-teacher conferences in many modalities; drop in, email, phone calls, Google meets, zooms, whatever. I had plenty of parents take advantage of the multiple modalities, and looking back, all my conversations were awesome.
The second reason why I blocked my schedule for 4 hours a day was.... TO Finally CATCH UP. I needed to catch up with grading, lesson plans, projects, communication, and also ordering lumber and materteral for our multiple projects. I was also hoping to catch up on my reading and assignments for this class.
Well, guess how that turned out? Unfortunately, I never even had time to open my book.
This week, my wife was out of town for two days for PTK, I had 2 dr. appointments with x-rays, a tax appointment scheduled (that I forgot about), one of my kids was put in a cast, the other has hives and strep throat, the dog had a vet appointment that I also "forgot" until the day of.... and I wasn't feeling 100%.
After my second dr. appointment on Tuesday... I was scheduled to get an MRI on Friday. Now remember, I am 6 foot 7 and 375 lbs. How comfortable and claustrophobic do you think an MRI is for me?
So yes, I guess everything does happen to me and Dick Tracy.
Oh, the travesties don't end there. Remember I said I had a tax appointment? Wednesday night I went and had my taxes done. Usually, I get like $500 or $1,200 back. This year, after we got done filing the taxes, I owe like $7,000 dollars!
When I originally completed my W4 in August of 2022 (when I started at NSHS) I filled out the form incorrect. There were some state and federal code changes and updates I wasn't aware I should update. Ultimately, it was an error on my part that really deflated my day, and week. So, my advice to my blog readers, and everyone else, is: "double check your W4 (federal & state) and not only claim 0, but also withhold extra monies to avoid being in my unfortunate situation.
The good news is, next week is spring break! Maybe I can get my break!
We had some plans to do some light travelling, but because of the tax situation we can't afford to go anywhere. I'm probably going to end up working my side jobs. I have my CDL and I have a couple companies that always need drivers. I also Uber drive, so if you live in the area, maybe I'll see ya around!
My goal for spring break this year is to make some money back and get caught up!
I don't want to be broke, and behind, heading into the last 8 weeks of the semester.
I apologize. I feel like this blog is turning into my personal journal or my personal complaint section. I actually feel a little better chatting about my stressors... and typing is not my strong suit. I guess it's giving me practice in multiple areas!
I'm still actually really excited for spring break because I WILL have an opportunity to finally catch up with this technology class. I need the "break" part... But Spring Catch -Up sounds appealing too! Spring break means we're 8 weeks in, and 8 weeks to go!
I understand that for every hour you're in a college class you should be spending 3 hours a week with that class. So, instead of spending 9 hours a week for this class, I feel like I'm spending about 20 or 30 hours a week, and still not grasping or getting the full benefit of what I need to do. (this blog alone took me about 3 hours so far) Maybe I need some better time management? or typing lessons?
I'm also having difficulty with how I could extend my learnings into my classroom. I feel like I'm really, really behind in the class and I'm not quite grasping all the things that are expected of me (mostly the portfolio).
I don't mind the Quizes, but I don't think my portfolio is strong, and I'm really struggling with understanding what my portfolio is, or what I need it to look like?
I was really appreciative of my instructor's advice about Minecraft and my new ideas are rushing in.
I am also excited to chat this week, maybe my instructor can ground my anxieties. I'm going to sign up for a meeting with my instructor this week, and hopefully next week, I can knock it out of the park, and not be in the same company as Dick Tracy!
Thanks again for your time and I appreciate the opportunity to vent. Hopefully it qualifies for the blog expectations.
Anthony
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