New recipes!

Check out the new cashew chicken recipe on the Main Dishes page!  Mmmmm!

What is my job?!

As I look at my students, I often try to figure out what my job truly is.  Each student is so uniquely different with such different needs that our job descriptions are constantly changing.  We are editors, counselors, motivators, secretaries, advisors, advice-givers...(not only for the students, but co-workers as well)....the list goes on and on.  And people say our job is easy!

A teacher-candidate recently asked me about teachers and the amount of money they get paid, as he was looking for my opinion on the matter.  Trying to give him a realistic, yet optimistic answers, I truly discovered what makes me most upset about the teacher pay.  I am not, in any way, complaining about what I get paid.  I do, however, get upset by ignorant people who say that teachers should not get paid for what they do, after all we are only on the clock for 9 months out of the year.  Agghh.....that may be true, but I'd like to meet one teachers who really only works 9 months and only works the contract hours.  I, like most teachers, work 10 hr. a day - - at the school building.  This doesn't account for the other 2 hr every night, nor the weekend hours.  Lunch - sure we get lunch, but often  always, lunch includes sitting between two students, assisting them with homework.  Oh, and let's not forget the games, activities, and award ceremonies that we are expected (and enjoy) going to in order to support our students.  Again, I'm not complaining, in fact, I love my job.  There are too many people commenting on teacher pay, that don't truly understand the dynamics of our jobs.  Just recently I read a scholarship essay from a student that is pursuing a career in education.  That student credited me with the success he experienced in high school.  That alone, was worth more than any pay-check can offer.  So to anyone out there pursuing a career in teaching.  The rewards, however you may view them, are truly worth it.