Today, I slept in late--I got up at 6:30-- and had a leisurely breakfast.
I have a few tasks on my agenda--many of which are things I've needed to do for a while--barber at 11:00, call the car dealer for maintainance, and take the boxes out of the car (my estimate of two turned out to be five!)
I'm going to take a break from blogging for a while--I'm sure no one will be interested in my post-retirement activities (slept late, had coffee, napped, ran errands, napped, etc.)
However, maybe some day I'll pick it up again. What shall do and write about? Political commentary? Celebrity stalking? What I decide to do when I grow up?
Until then . . .
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Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Done!
Today was the last day. I had no finals scheduled, but had two makeup tests plus a few slow pokes were finishing up a project.
I got my keys turned in, and my boxes moved to the car. There was, of course our recognition luncheon. (My speech got high marks for its brevity.)
My friends all came by to wish me well. There were many hugs and a few tears. Even people I didn't know came by and said nice things. (I didn't realize that I had made such an impression.)
So, after the goodbyes and hugs (and the moving of boxes) I went back to my room for one last time. I opened all the curtains and adjusted the Venetian blinds. Then there was only one more thing to do--I straightened the rows and made sure that desks and chairs were placed properly.
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I got my keys turned in, and my boxes moved to the car. There was, of course our recognition luncheon. (My speech got high marks for its brevity.)
My friends all came by to wish me well. There were many hugs and a few tears. Even people I didn't know came by and said nice things. (I didn't realize that I had made such an impression.)
So, after the goodbyes and hugs (and the moving of boxes) I went back to my room for one last time. I opened all the curtains and adjusted the Venetian blinds. Then there was only one more thing to do--I straightened the rows and made sure that desks and chairs were placed properly.
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Here we go!
Well, it is the last day. I got up before the alarm clock, excited about going in. I don't have any finals today, but do have a few makeup exams. Then all I need to do is upload grades (which won't take long), packup my last boxes (I think I will have two more), turn in my computer and keys, then go to lunch.
The toughest part will be lunch. Each year, on the last day of school, the administration hosts a luncheon for the faculty. Teachers reaching milestone years (5, 10, 15, etc.) are recognized. Retiring teachers are recognized as well--but are expected to make a speech. Mine will be short and to the point.
And I don't expect to get misty , , ,
The toughest part will be lunch. Each year, on the last day of school, the administration hosts a luncheon for the faculty. Teachers reaching milestone years (5, 10, 15, etc.) are recognized. Retiring teachers are recognized as well--but are expected to make a speech. Mine will be short and to the point.
And I don't expect to get misty , , ,
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sharp Stick
Today, I was met at my classroom by a small group of regulars. Regular students who just don't get their work done. Regular students who are a little behind.
I was helping them finish a project and get ready for a test.
One of my finer youngsters, said. "Mr. Miller, you really don't have to do this. You are leaving, and none of this matters."
Of course I replied, "No, it does matter. I care about you. I care enough to 'poke you with the sharp stick of reality' to make sure you get the most out of my class."
Of course, his response was, "Oh, Mr. Miller!"
.
I was helping them finish a project and get ready for a test.
One of my finer youngsters, said. "Mr. Miller, you really don't have to do this. You are leaving, and none of this matters."
Of course I replied, "No, it does matter. I care about you. I care enough to 'poke you with the sharp stick of reality' to make sure you get the most out of my class."
Of course, his response was, "Oh, Mr. Miller!"
.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sleep
Last night I had the worst night's sleep I've had in years. Too much caffeine? Perhaps. The darn cold I can't shake. Possibly. This coming Wednesday. Probably.
It is hard to believe that there are only two work days left. I spent part of Friday working on grades, and part of the day packing up. I have emptied two four drawer files, a two drawer file, and two desks. I filled a waste basket with junk. I have saved a few things--including a copy of a dean's referral form that I wrote up for a really weird infraction. Perhaps I'll write about it before I'm done.
I should be able to be done by noon on Wednesday. There is much still to do. Grades to finish, there are still two more classes of exams to grade. I've received the reminders that I need to turn in my keys and my computer.
Of course, if I am late, what are they going to do, fire me?!
It is hard to believe that there are only two work days left. I spent part of Friday working on grades, and part of the day packing up. I have emptied two four drawer files, a two drawer file, and two desks. I filled a waste basket with junk. I have saved a few things--including a copy of a dean's referral form that I wrote up for a really weird infraction. Perhaps I'll write about it before I'm done.
I should be able to be done by noon on Wednesday. There is much still to do. Grades to finish, there are still two more classes of exams to grade. I've received the reminders that I need to turn in my keys and my computer.
Of course, if I am late, what are they going to do, fire me?!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Ferd
Today was the first day of underclass finals. Yesterday was the last day of senior finals. Tonight was commencement.
One of my seniors, who I have called Ferdinand, because he liked to stop and smell the flowers, just squeeked by in my class. In his class, he had a project final, rather than an objective test. He came to class, but not completely prepared, but he did give his presentation.
One problem, he did not have the written report that went along with the speech. He promised, promised, promised, to get the report to me. It did come in yesterday, via email.
This afternoon, I had just a little bit of work left to do, and went downstairs for a can of pop. As I am walking back to my office, who do I meet, but my young, troubled friend.
He explained that he came in to see if I had, indeed, received the email, and if I did not, he had his project on a flash drive, and would print it out.
I explained that the email was satisfactory, but that I was glad that he had come in to see me. I wished him well, congratulated him on following through and completing all of his classes. He thanked me for helping him. Of course, in my usual way, I asked him if he had learned anything from all we had been through. He looked at me strangely for a minute, and said, "to get my work done?"
I responded, "to believe in yourself, and to get your work done!"
.
One of my seniors, who I have called Ferdinand, because he liked to stop and smell the flowers, just squeeked by in my class. In his class, he had a project final, rather than an objective test. He came to class, but not completely prepared, but he did give his presentation.
One problem, he did not have the written report that went along with the speech. He promised, promised, promised, to get the report to me. It did come in yesterday, via email.
This afternoon, I had just a little bit of work left to do, and went downstairs for a can of pop. As I am walking back to my office, who do I meet, but my young, troubled friend.
He explained that he came in to see if I had, indeed, received the email, and if I did not, he had his project on a flash drive, and would print it out.
I explained that the email was satisfactory, but that I was glad that he had come in to see me. I wished him well, congratulated him on following through and completing all of his classes. He thanked me for helping him. Of course, in my usual way, I asked him if he had learned anything from all we had been through. He looked at me strangely for a minute, and said, "to get my work done?"
I responded, "to believe in yourself, and to get your work done!"
.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
ADHD
I learned something about Attention Deficit, Hyperativity Disorder today. Both my own, and that of my students.
This morning, I was cleaning out my electronic files, and I came across a screen-saver 'gif' that someone sent me some years ago. It is a small sheep that moves around your screen, jumps, drops, walks, pees, goes up in space ships, dies, etc.
So, the adhd person in me thought, "I will use this during my class today. I have a powerpoint slide show to share during part of my class, and maybe it will help my students focus."
Well, in my period 7 class, which is my most active class, yet most active, the students noticed it immediately. They became agitated. They called out, "What's that?" "Why is there a sheep in our PowerPoint?" "Hey, he's peeing!"
In my period 10 class, which is not necessarily the brightest, but is the most focused, they barely noticed. I tried calling attention to it, but the students just said, "Just tell is about life insurance, what's with the sheep."
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This morning, I was cleaning out my electronic files, and I came across a screen-saver 'gif' that someone sent me some years ago. It is a small sheep that moves around your screen, jumps, drops, walks, pees, goes up in space ships, dies, etc.
So, the adhd person in me thought, "I will use this during my class today. I have a powerpoint slide show to share during part of my class, and maybe it will help my students focus."
Well, in my period 7 class, which is my most active class, yet most active, the students noticed it immediately. They became agitated. They called out, "What's that?" "Why is there a sheep in our PowerPoint?" "Hey, he's peeing!"
In my period 10 class, which is not necessarily the brightest, but is the most focused, they barely noticed. I tried calling attention to it, but the students just said, "Just tell is about life insurance, what's with the sheep."
.
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