I Am Your Plan Break: My 37 years as a Public School "Specials" Teacher

 T HE ONE WHERE THE LONG COMMUTE MADE ME WEARY 1997-1998: *Wichita Public Schools: Earhart Environmental Magnet  K-5 Library 1997-1998 School Year Photo Our oldest son had just turned 5 years old in early August and could have started Kindergarten. We decided to hold him back a year. Our only option was a local daycare that had a Preschool program. I used a reading program called Animated Literacy to teach Logan how to read when I was home two days a week. Brad and I also coached Soccer for our sons' team. Our busy life as well as the early 8:00 AM start was getting to be too much for this busy Wife/Mom/Librarian. I started asking about other part time library jobs closer to home. Earhart Camping  Our school eventually got more computers in the Library as well as a modem and an internet connection. Our building had one email address. I will never forget my students' excitement as we tracked live (as best as we could in 1998) the Winter Olympics. In my students eyes our i...

THE ONE WHERE THE ONE WHERE WE WORKED TO THE CONTRACT 1996-1997: *Wichita Public Schools: Earhart Environmental Magnet K-5 Library 1996-1997 School Photo. Sweater sets were in fashion In the fall of 1996 the Teachers of USD 259 were weary and tired. It had been years since they had been given an adequate pay raise. Since no raises were on the horizon it was suggested by the Teachers Union that all Teachers work to the contract. Some buildings did this, including mine. We would sit in our cars and walk into the building when the bell rang. We left school immediately when the bell rang. On staff meeting nights our Administrator announced the time to the minute that the staff meetings were to end. Most people (myself included) would get up and leave the meeting.This was great IMO as she would keep us in staff meetings 90 minutes to two hours in the past. Keep in mind that I had young children at home and holding us in long after school meetings did violate our contract.  The staff was...