I’m so proud, James is a former student of mine! I had him senior year and he was a nice, polite, funny kid. What makes his story even more awesome is that he had never played football prior to joining our squad his 12th grade year! Way to go! You may read the rest of his story here.
*Image via Google
Our school is hosting a fundraiser next week for Japan. Rarely do I venture into the lunch room (=no lunch duty yay!), but I will definitely stop by next week to give what I can for my Japanese sisters and brothers.
I was delighted yesterday to have lunch with a former student and her new husband (no kids yet)! She is currently pursuing a degree in respiratory therapy. Her husband is in the military and they are stationed in North Carolina.
She is such a sweet, candid young lady. I loved how she was never embarrassed when she needed help in class. We have kept in touch since she graduated in 2006.
I am so proud of Lori!
School was closed today due to the ice storm the midwest is currently experiencing. The last one I recall was well over 25 years ago. They really are a sight to behold–intricate and beautiful. However, these are not optimal conditions for those who have to venture out! I am thankful that we can remain inside.
I did take advantage of the day off and managed to:
Tuesday morning, right in front of my classroom, a student went into cardiac arrest. My room is in a pretty isolated part of the building. Luckily I was in the hall when he fell. I ran to get the nurse. The nurse and school police officer performed CPR on him until the paramedics arrived. I am trained in CPR and was next in line if either of them tired.
It was a very intense, scary scene for well over 30 minutes. He had to be shocked twice as well as receive other life-saving procedures. It was deja vu in a sense. I could not stop crying as I watched the paramedics work so hard to save his 19-year-old life. The school police officer was also equally shook up having lost his own 17-year-old son a few months prior.
He was finally rescuitated and transported to the hospital. Wednesday he had open heart surgery to repair faulty valves. If necessary, they may install a pacemaker.
I wondered why I had to bear witness to this trauma. It brought back so many painful memories. This was also the day I ran into my SIL’s husband. And of course, before I went to sleep that night, I saw a commerical on television and the man’s name was the same as my husband’s.
Yesterday on the way home for school Nicholas was telling me that their principal asked them to pray for one of the 8th grader’s brother who had a heart attack at school. I didn’t go into details but I told him that I was aware of what happened because it happened right in front of me. He seemed very surprised–and actually I was, too. What a small world we live in.
Neither one of us mentioned my husband, but I’m sure he was thinking about him as I was.
But it also made me appreciate first responders even more. They are so efficient, composed, and determined to save lives. I saw this firsthand with my husband as well as with the young man. I really have a lot of respect and admiration for what they do. They are as important, if not more so, than doctors.
Our principal announced that this story will be covered by the news. However, I don’t want to be in the limelight and will make sure I am unavailable when they do come.
Some say that there is a message in everything, but I have no idea of what it could be in this case.
Narcotic~any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, and alcohol, that in large quantities produce euphoria, stupor, or coma, that when used constantly can cause habituation or addiction, and that are used in medicine to relieve pain, cause sedation, and induce sleep.
Neurotic~Informal A person prone to excessive anxiety and emotional upset.
Today a student told me I was a “narcotic.” He wasn’t angry when he said it so I guess it wasn’t an insult. Maybe he meant I was a “neurotic.” Hmmm, I don’t know which one I’d rather be!
Love tastes like freshly whipped cream
Love smells like my husband’s cologne
Love feels like cotton candy
Loves sounds like a symphony
Love looks like a sleeping child
Today I will be introducing a poetry unit to my students. I always like to start with a simple poem to ensure success. And of course, since love is in the air with tomorrow being the day for lovers, I thought I’d use love as the topic for this 5 Senses poem to model for my classes.
What is love to you? In the comment section, try your hand at this simple poem following the specified 5 Senses format!
I don’t even care that we will have to make this day up at the end of the year! It was such a sweet and unexpected surprise to hear the news anchor report that our school district had no school today! You have to understand that our superintendent must be vying for the No Snow Day Under My Watch award because he rarely closes down—no matter what the weather conditions are. But today it happened to be -27 below.
Luckily Nicholas had a snow day as well!
I was able to sleep in for some much needed rest. I have no idea how I will “seize” the rest of the day. No worries, I will find a way!
I have received such an outpouring of love from students both past and present. Upon learning of my loss, I have had mounds of student visitors bearing cards, teddy bears, flowers, and plants. Not to mention the myraid of text messages and phone calls I have gotten.
There have been so many former students visiting me in the last couple of weeks that the staff has been forced to escort various groups to my class. Typically visitors are asked to come during a prep or teacher’s lunch, but I guess I must look like I need cheering up because they have definitely relaxed the policy for me.
I was a bit surprised how quickly word spread. However, when I learned that the majority found out through a current student’s message of condolence for me on her Facebook page, I smiled. The kids put everything important to them online. This act spurred text messages sent and forwarded to any student who has ever had me as a teacher.
I have barely had an appetite and have eaten little here recently. I was quite touched earlier in the week when Ashley, one of my students who comes to my room for our lunch period placed a bag of chips in front of me. She shyly explained that she had to make sure that I ate something becasue she has noticed that I no longer eat.
Really, I am filled with such gratitude and awe that they care so much about me. A teacher couldn’t ask for anything more. I know exactly how Sally Fields felt when she uttered those lines after winning the Oscar. Not only do they like me, they love me!
Imani and I had an interesting but funny conversation the other day.
I heard her singing extremely loud (I wonder where she got that from) in the bathroom while washing her hands. She was singing the ABC song really slow. I told her to hurry up and come out. Instead of turning the water off when I told her to come out she had to finish the song.
I asked her what she was doing. She told me that her teacher said that she had to sing the ABC song when she washes her hands. That’s fine except Imani likes to play in water. So of course she is taking full advantage of her teacher’s instructions.
I told her that it was ok to sing the song while washing her hands, maybe only at school. I did not want to tell her not to sing the song at all but I do not want her playing in water all day. She will use any excuse to play in water.
We discussed who is in charge at school and at home. She told me that her teacher was the boss at school. And that Mommy and Daddy are the bosses at home.
Then she says, “Mommy you’re the biggest boss!”
I couldn’t do anything but laugh. I’m the drill sergeant in my house. Maybe I need to lighten up a bit! LOL!
Morocco's Bazaar 