Whew!

I finished my Geometry class and have now started on the next class. This is the first in a series of three classes in which I design (and implement, I believe) a professional development activity in my school or district. It's a bit overwhelming, but I know I'll get through it.

In my spare time, I've been appointed to a panel that compares the math standards in the state of Oregon to those of the Common Core Standards being proposed for adoption. Our findings will go to the state board of education and they will make the final decision about whether we will join with as many as 47 other states in adopting these standards.

And in the spare time I have left, I'm joining Weight Watchers! It's a new part of our health benefit package. Our premiums are rising since teachers are a high stress, overweight group. This seems like a great proactive thing to do to ameliorate the overweight part. We have over 20 staff members in our district who are signing up. This is my last week of unhealthy eating and I'm making sure I'm doing it right by eating all the junk I can! :)

It's been a while...

Busy times...Jon and Courtney moved to Kennewick, WA and then turned around and came right back so that Jon could (successfully) defend his master's thesis. They will be heading back today to get settled in and Jon starts his new job next Monday. Exciting times for them!

Teaching school and taking night classes has been hectic. Classes go from 6 - 9 and when I get home, I can't sleep right away. This week and next week will be especially tough, as there are three classes a week and very little time for homework in between. The good news is that the homework isn't too grueling; much less work than online classes. Speaking of online classes, another one will start the week after I finish this class. More good news (sorta) is that I'm officially halfway through my master's degree. Only "sorta" good news because it seems like it's taken me forever to get to this point. Only one forever left :)

Kevin's first (and final) game

This picture was taken right after Kevin (#11) got laid out by some big mean player on the other team. I was happy when he came home on the bus instead of going somewhere else in an ambulance. I think he can be done with football now, right Kevin? I don't think I can take watching that sort of thing again.

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Thursday night...I just finished my homework...and I have NO class until Tuesday! Assuming I spend one day this weekend on lesson planning, that means I have a full two-day weekend to do things I want to do! I sure hope the weather is going to be nice. The yard could use some attention.

I spent a good part of the summer learning to write lesson plans that centered around teaching math with spreadsheets. So I go to the computer lab with my 8th graders today to do a simple one. First off, the IT guy decided that we all needed to change our passwords, even the kids. It takes the first class a while to work through that. Then for some reason, the computers ran slower than usual (which is pretty slow to begin with). No kidding, the first couple periods, about half the kids weren't able to get in so they had to buddy up while I tried to figure out what was going on. By the 4th time we went in, I got all but three running the program I wanted. Geez...frustrating for both the kids and me. The IT guy is aware of the problem and is trying to fix it, but I won't be going back until we can all log in within a reasonable period of time.