What i'm going to miss about San Diego...

As the move back home steadily approaches I find myself soaking up the beauty of SD and trying to remind myself why I am leaving this place...

I am going to miss:

1) GORGEOUS views of the ocean from all over the place

2) Living 6 blocks from the beach

3) Cars, trucks and SUV's with surfboards hanging out the window or racked on top

4) Walking down to a street lined with bars full of young party goers feet from the water, any day of the week (heavy drinkers in PB)

5) Beach cruisers cruisin down the street all day everyday

6) Morning bike rides down the boardwalk

7) Going to beach just because there's nothing else to do during the day

8) Hearing my neighbors gearing up for a another night out

9) Big freeways with at least 5 lanes

10) Driving an average of 80mph on the freeway, right along with everyone else

11) The fog rolling in over the coast in the evening

12) Wet suits...on surfer boys or hanging off balconies

13) Naturally sun-bleached blondes

14) The downtown city scape, especially at night

15) Real, good mexican food!

I'm A Teacher!

I got the job! The interview I had last week for a summer school position at Rocklin High...the principal called today to tell me the I got the job!! I was SHOCKED! 

The interview went alright but I didn't feel that great about it. Plus two of the other interviewees were teachers at Whitney High School. So I left the interview thinking, naturally they would hire the experienced teachers over me! Apparently not!?!?!? I couldn't believe it.

I will be teaching both sessions of U.S. History at RHS summer school! Ahhh! I am so excited! 

Slowwww Down

I am sitting here subbing for my first Math class. The class is called Algebra 3-4, so these kids have taken Geometry, Algebra 1 and are now in Algebra II. This school is a very good school, lots of high achieving kids. Looking at the class I am assuming their advanced sophomores.
I ask one of the girls sitting by my desk if they are sophomores and she says "We're freshman"! What!?! "In 3-4?"
"Yeaa, we have a lot of over achievers here. We like to take calculus when we're sophomores!"
I'm like geeze..."So what do you do for the rest of high school?"
"AP Trig or Stats. There are some 8th graders in Calculus too!"

Hold the phone! This is getting ridiculous! I'm all for advanced placement and getting ahead but at some point it has to stop. I mean kids are going to be taking AP (college courses) in Junior High and upper elementary?! What is the good in that? I guess this might just be the way of the future but its seems a little crazy! From what I've seen at this high school, the problem I have with AP is that kids are so concerned with getting as many AP credits they can, the highest grades, to get into the most prestigious schools, they are bypassing some of the fundamental benefits of their education because they are inundated with AP classes. Enjoying their high school experience, socializing, and most importantly taking time to enjoy the learning process. I was that kid that wanted the grade, not gonna lie. I worked hard for my grades but I didn't mind. Being on the other end of it now, I want to see kids getting something out of it more that just the grade. Even if it is just a little curiosity for a topic or a skill that will help them become a better communicator or thoughtful person. So maybe that's what we should be emphasizing...
Deep...I know. ;)

My First Job Interview!!!!

Ahhh! I'm a big kid now! I have my first teaching job interview on Thursday! When I was home for Spring break I got all of my sub paperwork done for Rocklin Unified...just so happens that same week an opening was posted for a Social Science Summer School teacher at Rocklin High! It was only open to "In-House" applicants, meaning you have to be an employee of RUSD to apply. Well, being a sub, I am now "in-house" so I applied, what the heck! Turns out I was selected for an INTERVIEW!!! Who'da thunk? 

Needless to say I am pretty excited! I might finally get to be an actual teacher!!! I am excited/anxious for my interview and excited/anxious/nervous/scared/overwhelmed/insecure/determined/worried.... about maybe getting the job! Mind you this isn't your average high school class. It's a semester taught in 4 weeks...everyday...6 hours a day in one class! eeEEkkK!  (with the kinds of kids that fail classes, by the way) So it will be a challenge(to say the least)! Even so, I am ready! If nothing else it will be a good learning experience! Ahh! Wish me luck!