Dwight E. Wright
6/30/29 - 10/3/08
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Update
I know it's been a while since I posted anything school related, and I promise I'll get back to the main reason I started this blog way back when, but right now I want to take a personal turn. My grandpa died last Friday and it has thrown me for a loop more than I thought anything ever could. I have never had to grieve for someone I have loved as much as him. His funeral was today and it just cemented the fact that he was probably one of the most amazing people I have ever met in my entire life. At one point, my step-aunt was up on the stage talking about her memories and funny stories and I was so impressed as to how she was holding it all together... until she mentioned his hugs. My grandpa was the greatest hugger in the world, but I thought I was the only one who thought this. Right after he died, I walked out of his ICU room and one of the first things I thought about what how I was never going to get another bear hug from him. Even when he was his sickest, he still crushed me with his hugs. I remember the last hug I got from him... I can still feel his strength. The service was beautiful, full of songs, verses and stories I will remember forever. My cousin made this video for the memorial and I know it doesn't mean much to anyone else, but I am sharing it with the world. The song in the video will forever remind me of him.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Many happy returns!
So I am officially back from Europe! :) I have tons of pictures but due to the desired anonymity of this blog... I won't be posting them. Sorry! I leave again this Friday for 2 weeks on the West Coast. Can't wait!
In the meantime, I'm actually going to blog! This is somewhat school related, but not really.
OK. now before you go thinking that I am a complete lunatic, don't bother. I already know I am. So I am practically counting the days til the Breaking Dawn premiere... I will be at Barnes and Noble to get my book at midnight, don't you worry! I re-read Twilight and New Moon while overseas, and have now re-started Eclipse so that I am ready to go on August 2nd. I successfully converted one of my friends while on the trip, too. I let her borrow Twilight and she texted me yesterday that she was going out to buy the next one and had already watched the trailer for Twilight, which comes out December 12th. I too will be there.. probably at midnight if I have nothing better to do that evening!
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, it's not surprising. It has run like wildfire through my school, mainly because the books are geared towards teen readers (like Harry Potter) but is definitely not just for teenagers! It started off as a recommendation in the 7th grade by our Language Arts/Reading teachers, and turned into an all out elbow-throwing, eye-gouging fight at the school library to check out any copy, or pouncing on the one set N.L. had to go around. I finished the first book in like 10 hours (TAKS field testing that day, LOL) and pounced on the other two as quickly as I could! Up until then, I hadn't even heard of Stephenie Meyer or the entire Twilight series, and the first was published in 2005 with each sequel coming a year later. That being said, everyone has a certain picture of what characters look like based on the writing... and the casting of the movie and my views of the characters are way off in some places... and it's kind of annoying!
The only person I think they got spot on is Bella, played by Kristen Stewart. I'm starting to get on board with who they cast as Edward, but only because of what I've seen in the trailers.
As for the rest of the Cullens, the only person I really agree with on casting is Alice. Esme is pretty close, but in my opinion the casting of all the males is awful. Granted this is just by looking at photos, and their chemistry in the movie could be completely different, but it kind of ticks me off! I ran across a casting list that would have been amazing (sans the choice for Bella) if it had been implemented, but alas, much more goes into casting than just wishing for it to be! Oh well!
If I've scared you off with my ranting, sorry. LOL. If not.. go buy the book! I don't really recommend it for guys, but it is definitely a book for any girl/woman ages 12 and up! OK, stepping off my soapbox and going to go take a shower!
In the meantime, I'm actually going to blog! This is somewhat school related, but not really.
OK. now before you go thinking that I am a complete lunatic, don't bother. I already know I am. So I am practically counting the days til the Breaking Dawn premiere... I will be at Barnes and Noble to get my book at midnight, don't you worry! I re-read Twilight and New Moon while overseas, and have now re-started Eclipse so that I am ready to go on August 2nd. I successfully converted one of my friends while on the trip, too. I let her borrow Twilight and she texted me yesterday that she was going out to buy the next one and had already watched the trailer for Twilight, which comes out December 12th. I too will be there.. probably at midnight if I have nothing better to do that evening!
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, it's not surprising. It has run like wildfire through my school, mainly because the books are geared towards teen readers (like Harry Potter) but is definitely not just for teenagers! It started off as a recommendation in the 7th grade by our Language Arts/Reading teachers, and turned into an all out elbow-throwing, eye-gouging fight at the school library to check out any copy, or pouncing on the one set N.L. had to go around. I finished the first book in like 10 hours (TAKS field testing that day, LOL) and pounced on the other two as quickly as I could! Up until then, I hadn't even heard of Stephenie Meyer or the entire Twilight series, and the first was published in 2005 with each sequel coming a year later. That being said, everyone has a certain picture of what characters look like based on the writing... and the casting of the movie and my views of the characters are way off in some places... and it's kind of annoying!
The only person I think they got spot on is Bella, played by Kristen Stewart. I'm starting to get on board with who they cast as Edward, but only because of what I've seen in the trailers.
As for the rest of the Cullens, the only person I really agree with on casting is Alice. Esme is pretty close, but in my opinion the casting of all the males is awful. Granted this is just by looking at photos, and their chemistry in the movie could be completely different, but it kind of ticks me off! I ran across a casting list that would have been amazing (sans the choice for Bella) if it had been implemented, but alas, much more goes into casting than just wishing for it to be! Oh well!
If I've scared you off with my ranting, sorry. LOL. If not.. go buy the book! I don't really recommend it for guys, but it is definitely a book for any girl/woman ages 12 and up! OK, stepping off my soapbox and going to go take a shower!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Arrivederci!
I'm leaving tomorrow for 3 weeks in the Mediterranean! Malta, Sicily, Italy, Monaco and France!!
Until then, this blog is on vacation too!
Until then, this blog is on vacation too!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Give me your opinion!
I hate to return on such a foul note, but I'm angry and bitter and need some outside perspective to my situation.
TAKS scores came in on Monday and they were AWESOME! 94% of my students passed the 7th grade Math TAKS (97% if you don't include my inclusion students)... overall 7th grade had a 93% passing rate and a 36% commended rate. We raised our scores 5% from last year.. and that is with having 100 more students on our teams. So we are all on cloud 9 til yesterday. My principal calls in me and one of my other two teaching partners, T, and tells us she is moving us to 6th grade. Why? Because their commended scores were the lowest in the district and she wants us to move down and work with the other 6th grade teacher to raise them because our scores were so good as 7th grade teachers, we will know how to challenge the 6th graders to meet the commended standard. On paper it sounds reasonable right?
The problem is that the schedule was already ironed out (for the most part) and we were told that 7th grade math was not going to be changed... so we weren't worrying about it. In our school, there are a lot of strong personalities within departments and within grade levels, but me, T and K have NEVER had that problem. Not once. We all have similar teaching styles and personalities, we have this unspoken balance of who does what work and when, and we just get along. We just have this flow that is very unusual for a group of 3 people. Everyone pulls their weight, helps each other out, and we honestly like each other a lot. So now this cohesive group is being pulled apart for the sole reason of raising test scores.. forget the fact that we are being thrown with another teacher, a new adjustment for all 3 grade levels, and having to hire a new 8th grade teacher to fill in a hole. I'm sorry.. all of this to fix one thing? Where is the logic in that? I am angry because I was told one thing, and now am getting another. I am angry because I am having to move to a grade level where I do not like the curriculum, and really most of the people who work there. I am angry because she made this decision on a whim (2 days after TAKS scores were sent) without consulting our math coordinator or us. I'm angry because I am having to leave people that I absolutely LOVE to work with,.
Not only that, but we were basically told (by our AP who is leaving for a different school) that we are the ones getting the shaft because we all have very flexible personalities and don't wreak havoc on our other co-workers. So they chose to move us instead of having to deal with moving someone else who would put up a fuss. So basically if I'm a B at work, I get my way, but because I do my job and do it without whining that I get shafted. His response? "It's not fair but it's that way at any school." I'm sorry.. but I really find that hard to believe. If you have a principal that is good at his/her job, then that type of crap won't fly. None of this "I'm too afraid to shake things up because (insert reason here), so we'll pick on the ones who won't cause the problems."
I realize that I can only see one side to this situation, and I have no clue what goes into all the decisions that are made as an administrator, but this really seems low.
Now I'm afraid of next year. I am good at what I do. So if/when I do well this next year and raise the commended scores, she is going to want to keep me there but I do not want to teach 6th grade. Granted I may like certain parts of next year, and make friends with my new team members, but I am bitter now about being moved down and am probably going to resist any sort of pleasure from this change. The point is, I like the 7th grade curriculum better, I like the 7th grade students better and I like the 7th grade teachers better. Will she listen to me if I go in there and say that I'm glad to go down for a year and help raise commended scores, but when our numbers balloon back up to 1200 kids again in 2009 that I want to be put back into 7th grade? Probably not..
I am mad... and I'm going to be mad for a while. I've heard many different things from many different people, but they are involved in the same type of BS I am day to day working there... so if you can offer a fresh perspective that I can't see, please do. Just don't tell me it's a compliment that she is moving me. I've heard that too much and I don't view it as a compliment. She didn't do it because she thinks highly of my teaching abilities or cares about my feelings, she did it because she wants the TAKS scores to be higher.
TAKS scores came in on Monday and they were AWESOME! 94% of my students passed the 7th grade Math TAKS (97% if you don't include my inclusion students)... overall 7th grade had a 93% passing rate and a 36% commended rate. We raised our scores 5% from last year.. and that is with having 100 more students on our teams. So we are all on cloud 9 til yesterday. My principal calls in me and one of my other two teaching partners, T, and tells us she is moving us to 6th grade. Why? Because their commended scores were the lowest in the district and she wants us to move down and work with the other 6th grade teacher to raise them because our scores were so good as 7th grade teachers, we will know how to challenge the 6th graders to meet the commended standard. On paper it sounds reasonable right?
The problem is that the schedule was already ironed out (for the most part) and we were told that 7th grade math was not going to be changed... so we weren't worrying about it. In our school, there are a lot of strong personalities within departments and within grade levels, but me, T and K have NEVER had that problem. Not once. We all have similar teaching styles and personalities, we have this unspoken balance of who does what work and when, and we just get along. We just have this flow that is very unusual for a group of 3 people. Everyone pulls their weight, helps each other out, and we honestly like each other a lot. So now this cohesive group is being pulled apart for the sole reason of raising test scores.. forget the fact that we are being thrown with another teacher, a new adjustment for all 3 grade levels, and having to hire a new 8th grade teacher to fill in a hole. I'm sorry.. all of this to fix one thing? Where is the logic in that? I am angry because I was told one thing, and now am getting another. I am angry because I am having to move to a grade level where I do not like the curriculum, and really most of the people who work there. I am angry because she made this decision on a whim (2 days after TAKS scores were sent) without consulting our math coordinator or us. I'm angry because I am having to leave people that I absolutely LOVE to work with,.
Not only that, but we were basically told (by our AP who is leaving for a different school) that we are the ones getting the shaft because we all have very flexible personalities and don't wreak havoc on our other co-workers. So they chose to move us instead of having to deal with moving someone else who would put up a fuss. So basically if I'm a B at work, I get my way, but because I do my job and do it without whining that I get shafted. His response? "It's not fair but it's that way at any school." I'm sorry.. but I really find that hard to believe. If you have a principal that is good at his/her job, then that type of crap won't fly. None of this "I'm too afraid to shake things up because (insert reason here), so we'll pick on the ones who won't cause the problems."
I realize that I can only see one side to this situation, and I have no clue what goes into all the decisions that are made as an administrator, but this really seems low.
Now I'm afraid of next year. I am good at what I do. So if/when I do well this next year and raise the commended scores, she is going to want to keep me there but I do not want to teach 6th grade. Granted I may like certain parts of next year, and make friends with my new team members, but I am bitter now about being moved down and am probably going to resist any sort of pleasure from this change. The point is, I like the 7th grade curriculum better, I like the 7th grade students better and I like the 7th grade teachers better. Will she listen to me if I go in there and say that I'm glad to go down for a year and help raise commended scores, but when our numbers balloon back up to 1200 kids again in 2009 that I want to be put back into 7th grade? Probably not..
I am mad... and I'm going to be mad for a while. I've heard many different things from many different people, but they are involved in the same type of BS I am day to day working there... so if you can offer a fresh perspective that I can't see, please do. Just don't tell me it's a compliment that she is moving me. I've heard that too much and I don't view it as a compliment. She didn't do it because she thinks highly of my teaching abilities or cares about my feelings, she did it because she wants the TAKS scores to be higher.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Getting to know me!
So Mister tagged me to do a meme.. I'm very honored! It's my first one! :)
MEME:
1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
10 years ago I was starting my first year of high school in Richardson. I was a 14 year old sophomore who loved school (NERD!) and was also in marching band (GEEK!). I wasn't your mainstream idea of popular, but I had a lot of friends and enjoyed every minute of high school.
2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order):
1. Finish this blog post.
2. Grade some make-up work.
3. Watch Grey's Anatomy and Lost!
4. Repaint my toenails.
5. Call my love interest :)
3) Snacks I enjoy:
Cashews/Almonds/Nuts of any kind, chips and salsa, string cheese, apples and peanut butter, popcorn
4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Bribe the current president to do away with NCLB and allow education to be regulated by state mandates chosen by TEACHERS, not politicians.
2. Travel with my ENTIRE family around the world.
3. I have no idea.. I clip coupons and only buy things on sale, I can't even fathom having that much money!
5) Three of my bad habits:
1. My Carmex use, I use the stuff like it's heroin. I haven't gone a day without it since 2000.
2. Cracking my knuckles.
3. Not washing my hands as much as I should. I know, ew.
6) 5 places I have lived:
1. Richardson, TX
2. Waco, TX
3. Brisbane, Australia
4. Frisco, TX
5. --------
7) 5 jobs I have had:
1. Math Teacher! :)
2. Hollywood Video Customer Sales Rep
3. Daycare Teacher (my current diaper count is probably 20000+)
4. Cashier at CiCi's Pizza
5. Kennel Cleaner at a boarding facility (my mom wouldn't drive me home one day because she said I smelled so bad. Texas summer heat and dog shit don't mix)
So I know you all have been just as busy as I have lately. TAKS is over as of yesterday, but now it's on to our last units of the year in order to prepare them for next year! I swear every student practiced their whining today when they found out that we were actually working and that they had homework. As much as they deserve a day off, we just don't have time! Our field trip is next week, which should be fun as long as it doesn't rain. Which it is supposed to. Great. My social life turned on an upswing in the last 2 weeks, but lack of communication since then has me a bit worried. I'm hoping for the best, but have been burned in the past.
MEME:
1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
10 years ago I was starting my first year of high school in Richardson. I was a 14 year old sophomore who loved school (NERD!) and was also in marching band (GEEK!). I wasn't your mainstream idea of popular, but I had a lot of friends and enjoyed every minute of high school.
2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order):
1. Finish this blog post.
2. Grade some make-up work.
3. Watch Grey's Anatomy and Lost!
4. Repaint my toenails.
5. Call my love interest :)
3) Snacks I enjoy:
Cashews/Almonds/Nuts of any kind, chips and salsa, string cheese, apples and peanut butter, popcorn
4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Bribe the current president to do away with NCLB and allow education to be regulated by state mandates chosen by TEACHERS, not politicians.
2. Travel with my ENTIRE family around the world.
3. I have no idea.. I clip coupons and only buy things on sale, I can't even fathom having that much money!
5) Three of my bad habits:
1. My Carmex use, I use the stuff like it's heroin. I haven't gone a day without it since 2000.
2. Cracking my knuckles.
3. Not washing my hands as much as I should. I know, ew.
6) 5 places I have lived:
1. Richardson, TX
2. Waco, TX
3. Brisbane, Australia
4. Frisco, TX
5. --------
7) 5 jobs I have had:
1. Math Teacher! :)
2. Hollywood Video Customer Sales Rep
3. Daycare Teacher (my current diaper count is probably 20000+)
4. Cashier at CiCi's Pizza
5. Kennel Cleaner at a boarding facility (my mom wouldn't drive me home one day because she said I smelled so bad. Texas summer heat and dog shit don't mix)
So I know you all have been just as busy as I have lately. TAKS is over as of yesterday, but now it's on to our last units of the year in order to prepare them for next year! I swear every student practiced their whining today when they found out that we were actually working and that they had homework. As much as they deserve a day off, we just don't have time! Our field trip is next week, which should be fun as long as it doesn't rain. Which it is supposed to. Great. My social life turned on an upswing in the last 2 weeks, but lack of communication since then has me a bit worried. I'm hoping for the best, but have been burned in the past.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Severe Weather Testing Protocols
VIA the counselor and testing coordinator at my school. She's got a wonderful sense of humor!
Severe Weather Testing Protocols
1. Should a severe weather situation occur during testing, please remain calm. To display any kind of anxiety would be a testing irregularity and must be reported.
2. Please do not look out the window to watch for approaching tornadoes. You must monitor the students at all times. To do otherwise would be a testing irregularity and must be reported.
3. Should students notice an approaching tornado and begin to cry, please make every effort to protect their testing materials from the flow of tears and sinus drainage.
4. Should a flying object come through your window during testing, please make every effort to ensure that it does not land on a testing booklet or an answer sheet. Please make sure to soften the landing of the flying object so that it will not disturb the students while testing.
5. Should shards of glass from a broken window come flying into the room, have the students use their bodies to shield their testing materials so that they will not be damaged. Have plenty of gauze on hand to ensure that no one accidentally bleeds on the answer documents. Damaged answer sheets will not scan properly.
6. Should gale force winds ensue, please have everyone stuff their test booklets and answer sheets into their shirts…being very careful not to bend them because bent answer documents will not scan properly.
7. If any student gets sucked into the vortex of the funnel cloud, please make sure they mark at least one answer before departing…and of course make sure they leave their answer sheets and test booklets behind. You will have to account for those.
8. Should a funnel cloud pick you, the test administrator, up and take you flying over the rainbow, you will still be required to account for all of your testing materials when you land so please take extra precautions. Remember, once you have checked them out, they should never leave your hands.
9. When rescue workers arrive to dig you out of the rubble, please make sure that they do not, at any time, look at or handle the testing materials. Once you have been treated for your injuries, you will still be responsible for checking your materials back in. Search dogs will not be allowed to sift through the rubble for lost tests…unless of course they have been through standardized test training.
10. Please do not pray should a severe weather situation arise. Your priority is to actively monitor the test and a student might mark in the wrong section if you are praying instead of monitoring. I'm sure God will put war, world hunger, crime, and the presidential primaries on hold until after testing is over. He knows how important this test is.
My good luck wishes go out to all 8th graders and their teachers on the math TAKS on Tuesday! Remember.. protect the tests at all costs!!!!!!
Severe Weather Testing Protocols
1. Should a severe weather situation occur during testing, please remain calm. To display any kind of anxiety would be a testing irregularity and must be reported.
2. Please do not look out the window to watch for approaching tornadoes. You must monitor the students at all times. To do otherwise would be a testing irregularity and must be reported.
3. Should students notice an approaching tornado and begin to cry, please make every effort to protect their testing materials from the flow of tears and sinus drainage.
4. Should a flying object come through your window during testing, please make every effort to ensure that it does not land on a testing booklet or an answer sheet. Please make sure to soften the landing of the flying object so that it will not disturb the students while testing.
5. Should shards of glass from a broken window come flying into the room, have the students use their bodies to shield their testing materials so that they will not be damaged. Have plenty of gauze on hand to ensure that no one accidentally bleeds on the answer documents. Damaged answer sheets will not scan properly.
6. Should gale force winds ensue, please have everyone stuff their test booklets and answer sheets into their shirts…being very careful not to bend them because bent answer documents will not scan properly.
7. If any student gets sucked into the vortex of the funnel cloud, please make sure they mark at least one answer before departing…and of course make sure they leave their answer sheets and test booklets behind. You will have to account for those.
8. Should a funnel cloud pick you, the test administrator, up and take you flying over the rainbow, you will still be required to account for all of your testing materials when you land so please take extra precautions. Remember, once you have checked them out, they should never leave your hands.
9. When rescue workers arrive to dig you out of the rubble, please make sure that they do not, at any time, look at or handle the testing materials. Once you have been treated for your injuries, you will still be responsible for checking your materials back in. Search dogs will not be allowed to sift through the rubble for lost tests…unless of course they have been through standardized test training.
10. Please do not pray should a severe weather situation arise. Your priority is to actively monitor the test and a student might mark in the wrong section if you are praying instead of monitoring. I'm sure God will put war, world hunger, crime, and the presidential primaries on hold until after testing is over. He knows how important this test is.
My good luck wishes go out to all 8th graders and their teachers on the math TAKS on Tuesday! Remember.. protect the tests at all costs!!!!!!
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