I'd like to put this up in my room. At least we might contain some of the germs. :)

What doesn't fit with the others?

"• A love and understanding of children and early childhood. • Knowledge, understanding, and successful exhibition of learning strategies to support all students in learning to use their minds well. • Knowledge, understanding, and successful demonstration of integrating curriculum and providing connectedness for learners. • Knowledge, understanding, and successful demonstration of providing a challenging learning experience in a heterogeneous setting. • Clear communication skills, both verbally and in written form. • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a grade level team. • Ability to create a positive, nurturing environment for the student. • Minimum three years of teaching experience. • Ability to lift 50 lbs and walk across campus on uneven terrain. EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE • Master's degree preferred. • Minimum 3 years classroom teaching experience and record of effective performance."

Ah, job applications (and descriptions). Here I thought I was just going to be teaching the kids. Am I going to be picking them up and carrying them across the campus? *Red flag!*

Are Our Children Learning Enough About Whales?

In honor of the latest TFA/Education conference. I think this sums up the debate quite well.

latest at BWI...

I know most of you have seen this, but I made a BWI run last week and was reminded of it. Who would take the granite counter and sink out of the airport bathroom? And where would you put it? On the airplane? It won't fit under the seat or in the very small bin above your head. Or take it back out through security? I can't imagine someone lugging a counter and sink out of the airport wouldn't attract attention. But it's a relief to know that the counter and sink will be there - at the airport - the next time I need them.

the good, the bad, the ugly

I thought of this again the other day. Just the thought of it makes me laugh. Enjoy!

begin the countdown!

So The Hunger Games is all the rage, and I decided it would be fun to read it. My first resort, like any other middle-class American citizen, was to check the library. Since all the books were checked out, I put it on hold. I was informed that I was number 203 in line. At the minimum check-out time, that means that I have an 11 year, 9 month, and 1 week wait. That'll be just in time for my first-born to read it. I'll start counting - 609 weeks left.

nicknames

One of my students is insisting on being called KK. This is slightly ridiculous, because his first name starts with a C and his last name with a Q. He doesn't have a single K in his name, much less two. For the record, I enjoy nicknames. I think they're great. But there are nicknames appropriate for school, and there are nicknames that aren't. "KK" is pushing the limit. It's a bit of a term of endearment. I'm not against terms of endearment, either, but I prefer to use them when I'm finding the kids endearing. I don't find them endearing all the time. And terms of endearment don't always fit with the tone of voice I use. (Should I feel guilty about this?) Today I was taking some student information down to the office and saw that a parent had requested that we call her daughter "Bubbles." Honestly? Bubbles? There will be no "Bubbles" in my classroom. I refuse to call anyone "Bubbles" who is old enough to walk.