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Union Strike *EDIT*
heading text emphasized textThe NYC United Federations of Teachers is getting ready to go on strike. The last strike was in 1975 after massive layoffs due to budget cuts and it lasted for 5 days....
Breakfast with the Orchestra Concert
I had an entry written in here, got busy with the baby, and forgot about it. it was written completely in anger and hurt, so i discarded it. i needed to get those feelings out at the time, but th...
falling behind
i am really falling behind in my work. there is a point in september/early october where i feel like ive got it all under control. then, mid october/november hits and i realize how behind i am. i...
update to disciplinary action
i had my meeting yesterday with my principal. my union rep was there to sit in on the meeting. basically, she told me beforehand not to say anything. just agree, answer questions quickly and move...
first day of school
today was day 1 of year 3 of teaching in the bronx. it went MUCH smoother than i thought it would! the kiddos seemed ready to be back in school. they were compliant, respectful and excited. i onl...
the first day of school
its very different when youre a teacher. you are stuck in a meeting most of the day, going over rules and regulations for the year, and wishing you were able to prep more in your classroom. that ...
getting ready for the school year
today i went to the teacher store to pick up some items for my classroom. i am finally hired by the DOE (department of education), so i had a stipend to spend on decorations and supplies for my r...
another interview!
i was called for another interview and went this morning. the school is about an hour north, just outside of the city. the trek up there from my house was not fun. i cant imagine going there in t...
More interviews!
today i was called for another interview. this school is outside of the NYCDOE (im certified in NY state, so i can technically work anywhere within the state) and would actually be a further comm...
Interview
I had an interview today at a new elementary school in my neighborhood! I could walk to work if I wanted to. the school has been opened one year and only has pre-k, kindergarten and first graders...
waiting, waiting, waiting
im trying not to brood about the whole FB incident/bs from last week, but its starting to creep back up on my mind as monday approaches. supposed to get a call from my principal either tomorrow o...
no news is...?
im assuming bad news. honestly…i am just so frustrated right now about this whole fucking situation. yesterday, i tried to call my principal. she gave me her phone number, which she told me was h...
al.most.there.
i have 2 days left of instruction for the end of the year! im not done with school, but at least i dont have to teach :) school here in NYC ends on 6/26. the organization i work for is a not-for-...
Trashed Room
On Tuesday, one of my bass players trashed my room. It was nothing terrible. Nothing was broken, but a bunch of my things were scattered on the floor and my desk was a total wreck. i watched the ...
Lesson plans, room set up and schedules oh my!
Labor day is here! that means back to work this thursday. cant believe my summer is over already! it barely felt like i had a summer because of camp, but it was nice to have the time off. i just ...
Music Teacher Summer Camp
sorry I have been MIA. its been a busy summer for me! camp was busy and ended with a bang. Then I had a week off and it was time for music teacher summer camp! if you dont know, I work for this a...
camp
ive been working at music summer camp this july. today started week 3. so far, things have been alright. we've had 1 kiddo get kicked out for crazy behavior and i think one of my kiddos is going ...
the concert is over!
the concert went very well! i am actually very happy with the result. my orchestra sorta pulled it together. we are getting ready for the spring music festival in harlem the first week of june, s...
the concert is coming...the concert is coming...
thursday. my concert is thursday. grades 1, 2 and 3 are going in the morning...9:30-10:30. the orchestra and grades 4 and 5 are going in the afternoon...1:00-2:00. im nervous. mainly for the o...
crazy parent
a crazy parent made me cry today. i didnt want to cry. i didnt mean to cry. i tried really hard not to cry. but she just got under my skin! this lady is notorious for being a big pain in the ass...
making concert miracles happen...
i have 15 school days until my concert...just about 3 weeks. i am cutting it close! i think all of my choral classes, except for my 5th graders, will be singing 3 songs. basically, every class n...
ELA
this week, my 3rd, 4th and 5th graders are taking the NY state ELA assessment test. there are a large portion of students in my school that have testing accommodations, so naturally administratio...
inspirational
thats what i was called by the physical therapist today. inspirational. she said that she loves how engaging i am with the special needs students, that i am giving them a well rounded music educa...
Breakfast with the Orchestra Concert
Thursday morning my junior orchestra had their Breakfast with the Orchestra concert. Basically, it's a mini concert to show the parents what all the terribly dying cat noises and leading up to an...
snow day?
please, department of education NYC, please give us a snow day tomorrow! i am a very confident driver in the snow, but i do not trust NYC drivers on a clear, sunny day, let alone a shitty, snowy ...
Book Description
This book is all about my triumphs and struggles as a teacher. This year (fall2013-spring2014) is my first year teaching and its been one hell of a year so far! i am a music teacher in the Bronx. i teach pre-k through 5th grade general music, as well as 4th and 5th grade beginner strings. i have an orchestra of 72 string players (violin, viola, cello, and bass) and about 440 students i see each week for their general music class.
