Time for Vacation

It's the first day of my two-week vacation from school. Yea! I'm glad for the time off from daily classes and lesson planning and meetings. I do have about 10 junior AP research papers here at home that I need to grade & record online for uploading on the 30th, but that shouldn't be a problem to get finished. I finished the semester feeling certain that I need to let go of the AP junior class next year. I have worked hard to create the syllabus that the College Board required & approved, and I've applied to be a reader for AP essays in the summer - an "honor" that is difficult to acquire since there's a long list of teachers who want to do this stint in Florida for one week out of the summer for a nice stipend of about $4000. I've waited for an invitation (their word for the nod of approval from the College Board when they pick you to come do the reading/scoring) for two years. One can only be a Reader if currently teaching an AP class. So...if I quit teaching the AP class, I'll no longer be eligible. Well...maybe I'll get invited to go read this summer; invitations go out January 5th via emails. God only knows...

Anyway, I finished the semester feeling so good about once again teaching the PreAP 9th graders - having such a great time with them, their young, eager minds and pliable demeanors -- I told my administrator I want to go back to this level of teaching again next year. I have come to realize that PreAP 9th and then 10th grade are my "forte" classes. I'm a really, really good foundational teacher - giving kids the foundation they need to succeed in future classes.

I am tired of the upper level kids, their know-it-all attitudes, and the endless paper grading that comes with Advanced Placement rigor. I am just tired.

I guess I need a vacation. LOL Thank you, Lord, I have one starting today. I can sleep in a bit, enjoy time with my man, do a little baking, and go visit family in KS. I'm looking forward to the next two weeks. It's good to be a teacher with the privilege of the time off. Yea!

Welcome!

Welcome to the new & improved "Notes from the Heart." I used to publish a monthly edition of my little "Notes" newsletter when I had a WebTV. That was about 7 years ago & eons ago with technological advances. If you used to enjoy my writings, I hope that you will access this new blog spot for further musings of mine. Bear with me as I experiment and learn about blogging. Feel free to offer suggestions. Meanwhile, blessings to you who are reading!