Hey K-k-k-Katie

"Doing all of the little tricky things it takes to grow up, step by step, into an anxious and unsettling world" --Sylvia Plath

[fitzgeraldquotes]

I’ve formed the habit of liking you.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Head and Shoulders (via fitzgeraldquotes)

[heykkkkatie]

OH my gosh. OH MY GOSH. YOU GUYS!

I don't even really know where to begin; I know I've been away for so, so long. I don't think I've even posted since the first month of school!

I was pretty certain I was just going to fade out into Tumblr oblivion kind of just... unnoticed. But that's clearly not the case and my heart is absolutely bursting at the seams reading all of your messages in my inbox (I honestly haven't even logged in since, like, September)--each and every one of you are truly the best; I can't even stand it. Thank you for all of the kind words, the encouragements, the birthday messages, the tags--pretty much for everything since pretty much September.

Here are  a few specific thank yous:

To angimoto who is, hands down through the floor to pretty much the center of the earth the most thoughtful, wonderful, and caring Tumblr buddy. Girl, you could have EASILY noticed I was totally MIA and gave up on me, but you totally didn't. For that, I absolutely cannot thank you enough. Your gifts and messages are the epitome of thoughtful and beyond generous--you didn't have to do any of it, and yet you did. You are amazing, amazing, amazing and I am just so grateful <3

To bizzyinindy and hithertokt my orig Tumblr faves, thank you so much for the endless supply of Snapchats, messages, and love even when I fail to snap or message because I'm the worst. Your friendships mean so much to me even if I like, never show it--I love you both to the ittiest pieces and you both just HAVE to know that.

To ohsnix for the always present inspiration and encouragement when when I myself am rarely present. You are the most genuine example of a true friend and I am so blessed to have you in my life. You are beyond wonderful and I just admire you so, so much XO XO XO

Here are a few things that have been going on with me:

I'm still at my school, and it's still nuts. I'm juuuuust keeping afloat with three preps (English IV, English I, and Yearbook). So like, CRAZY busy.

We're still down a few teachers; the Latin teacher just quit, too, and we have no external subs so, again, CRAZY.

I'm also advising our FIRST chapter of the National Honor Society! I love it, it's a fun experience, but, also, CRAZY. 

My seniors challenge me everyday, but I couldn't be prouder of how far they've come this year, on individual personal and/or academic levels for sure, but also as a class. I love them to bits.

I've expanded my unit planning a lot this year, creating curriculum on Brave New World, propaganda tactics and media bias methods, a research paper (an actual GOOD one--all of mine prior to this one were the WORST until tomes-away totally saved me!), along with a few more short stories AND a yearbook curriculum.

Justin is great; he is almost done with his Master's program while working full time so his life is crazy, too.

Our apartment was broken into while we were in Michigan for Christmas break. It was completely ransacked. Like, completely. So many things were taken (including my school laptop with like, EVERYTHING on it) and it took awhile to move past it. But things are just things and at least no one was hurt.

Haha nothing else much is new (not that any of that stuff is new, either). I think the worst part of being so MIA these past few months, though, is that I've missed out on so much in YOUR lives--I'm like completely behind.

So I kind of have a proposition: If you're stuck on something to post about in the next few days, might I suggest a little life update on, like, EVERYTHING that's happened since the beginning of the school year? I would love to catch up! Tag me for sure :) Call it like 'Update for heykkkkatie or something like that! No but seriously I mean it. Like for real for real.

I love you all so so much. I hope lives are well, happy, and healthy! XO

[heykkkkatie]

I am simultaneously creating a Homecoming dance budget GoogleDoc, updating meeting minutes, and working on candidate pre-screening forms for NHS

Sometimes I think my life hasn't changed much from high school.

In other news:

Chemistry teacher got fired!

We still have the following positions that haven't been filled since the start of the school year: Theology II, College Writing, Heritage (i.e. language credit for native Spanish speakers), and librarian!

That means we are functioning sans four teachers and one support/resource position! That also means that there are many students in my school that have not had a permanent teacher the entirety of the school year!

That means my life is insane and basically all-over-the-place because, you know, subbing!

So, per usual, my school is a hot mess. I love the seniors, though. Somehow, on top of 3 preps and yearbook production, I am now advising our (inaugural!) National Honor Society AND the Homecoming dance committee. And, somehow, even though I am doing school stuff like seriously 24/7, I'm still functioning (mostly) anddddd positive. I hope this keeps up (or I can keep swimming until Thanksgiving break).

Sorry so absent. I love you all dearly. XO

[heykkkkatie]

Things I always do on a three day weekend:

Tell myself I will NOT wait until the last day to grade all of these essays

Wait until the last day to grade all of these essays

Cry

[heykkkkatie]

My teacher buddy is BEYOND perfect. I couldn't be more thankful! What a gorgeous and thoughtful gift! Thank you thank you thank you! Ps you're still a secret--there is absolutely no contact info on the packaging slip! But whoever you are, ily XO

[heykkkkatie]

Two things to do that I PROMISE will make you feel happy about school:

1. Make positive phone calls home

2. Attend away student athletic events

[heykkkkatie]

My life in time snaps, or, why I’m perma off the grid.

[zombbeans]

Okay, so here it is. I started out with a drill on what a metaphor, simile, and imagery is for a drill. Then, I had my students find examples of each in Huckleberry Finn to get some practice. We went over both, and discussed what the differences were between each. This can be...

[heykkkkatie]

perfffff because I'm covering propaganda and fallacies with my seniors this week after our study of Brave New World! XO XO XO

[heykkkkatie]

Siiiick

School started what? Three weeks ago? And I've already gone through 3 boxes of tissues, 1/2 of a huge thing of hand sanitizer, and a full container of Costco-size Clorox wipes.

And it got me anyway.

[heykkkkatie]

Lesson Learned:

Things are not better on TeachersPayTeachers just because they're $$$, and they are definitely not any better than the free things I can find on Google.

But neither are what I would ever use in my own classroom anyway so I just end up manipulating them beyond recognition and saving absolutely NO time (which was my intent when Googling/Teacherspayteachersing in the first place).

Oh well!

[heykkkkatie]

I was successful in writing the test then :)

[heykkkkatie]

Something is working, even if it feels like everything is not

Ok y'all. These seniors are rough. Rooooooough. I'm pulling even longer days than I did last year just to make sure my plans are on point, my content is relevant (with like no holes), and my grading feedback is beyond personalized and detailed, but some days I'm standing in front of a classroom of blank stares and apathetic expressions and wayyyy too many side discussions and I'm just like, "Is anything working?"

Today was 'one of those days' and I was SO ready to roll out as soon as the bell rang. But I couldn't. It started with one student coming in to ask a question about an essay. Then a handful of boys came in to work on quiz corrections. Then another group came in to finish up their study guides. Still more came to look at the projects I hung up. Pretty soon my room was abuzz with laughing, teasing, talking, and (most importantly? least importantly?) Brave New World. 

No but actually, I know most importantly is this: when I had to kick the last few out after 7:00, one of the young men turned to me and thanked me for letting them stay and for helping out. "Not many teachers do that, Miss," he said, "And like, this is the first book I've read since freshman year because you made it sound so good. And I liked it. And I think I'm going to read for your class this year." His friends nodded.

When they walked out, I legit started crying. These kids are something else, yes, but they are so much more than just a 'trouble' class. They are complex, intelligent, thoughtful, and  unique. They are creative, persevering, strong-willed, and opinionated. They are assertive, fiery, passionate, and witty. And they are kids. They just need to know someone is there. That someone sees them, cares for them, and is there for them (whether they did the reading or not). And so even when it feels like everything you're doing is for nothing and nothing is actually working, something is. To someone. And that in itself is the most important thing. 

[heykkkkatie]

Student work because you know I loveeeeee it :)

[voodoopunx]

Do you ever ‘wtf white people’ even though you are a white people.

[markct-deactivated20151225]

Every damn day

[heykkkkatie]

Typically once every other minute.

[heykkkkatie]

"Ugh, Miss! Now every time I see AF I automatically think After Ford."

An exasperated senior attempting to demonstrate that I'm "doing too much."

[heykkkkatie]

I know I've posted so few things since, like, ever, but here's a quick list of what's up:

Three+ preps is insane. But you already know ;)

I think--I think--I'm winning over the seniors. They're a tough crowd with attitude for dayyyyyys, but after school on Friday I had a classroom full of them working on their English assignments/hanging out. It is a tremendous privilege when 17 year olds opt to dedicate their Friday afternoons to hanging with a teacher and completing her assignments--one that I will never take for granted.

Back to School night was last Thursday and, although it was a longgggg day (i.e at school from 6am-9pm EW), I got so many hugs from sophomores and their PARENTS thanking me for last year. Aweee.

I haven't been able to leave school in under 11 hours a single day this year so far. And that's just keeping up with everything current! I am NOT getting ahead AT ALL! How some of you balance planning/grading/teaching at this level is awe inspiring to me.

I have to keep reminding myself to not ignore my freshies this year--I am placing A LOT of emphasis on my seniors and, as a result, I tend to overlook planning and grading well for my sole English I class. I totally have to not do that.

Justin and I bought a juicer a month ago and, seriously, I have no idea if this is mental but I totally don't care: I haven't felt this good in like, ever. Although school is stressful and long and I'm sleeping just as little, everything seems a bit more managable when I start it with a weirdly green juice of kale, spinach, apple, and lime. (+coffee, which completely might cancel out the juice but WHATEVER no me importa).

I decided against my natural inclination to hermit myself up every weekend and stress out about school and have committed to driving to Michigan in October to celebrate my sorority sister's wedding! Another sister lives here in DC and we'll be driving together. I'm wayyyyyyy excited :D

We have a late start on Tuesday for "Professional Development" but in classic my school style this will not be helpful to my development as a teacher at all. The topic is dedicated to a particular saint that my school is named after and his educational approach. For two hours. All of which I learned about last year at extra new teacher PD meetings. Ughhhhhh.

We are still without a librarian, a College Writing teacher, two Theology teachers, and a Heritage (Spanish-speaking) teacher. And--as many of you know--my school doesn't have any outside substitutes, so SURPRISE! I have become a College Writing teacher sooooooooooo I'm down a planning period indefinitely. Sigh. 

Although everything is just as stressful (if not more) than last year, I'm trying my best to stay positive. I do love these students. I absolutely do. These ones are going to test my patience a bit more than any other year I've taught, I think, but I adore them nonetheless. There is a lot of individuality, creativity, personality, and thoughtfulness in this class--I can't wait to help them realize it :)

[heykkkkatie]

Teaching Brave New World is so weird.