ASU Website?

Is anyone having problems getting on the ASU website. The web page keep says there is a problem with the connection, but I am not having problems on any other websites.

So, it has been a some time since I have blogged. I have been pretty sick with bronchitis this past week.  One does not appreciate a "breathe" until you cannot take one-very scary.  Anyway, I am planning on going back to work tomorrow for a fun filled day at the rodeo with about 150 students. It is sure to be a crazy day.

My practicum is going well, spending so much time listening to faculty regarding the cuts, and working with students who are struggling academically.  I am going to get the chance to help out when they start working on the schedules for next, which should be fun.  I will fill you in more as I move through it.

Better get for now.

~Racquel

Is Anyone Out There-Isn't that a song?

Oh, yes.  To find the time for blogging.  I have come to learn that blogging is much harder than I initially thought it would be.  I just find myself running out of things to blog about.  Do we need to focus on home life, work or what we are learning in school?

I will do all:)  Work is going well-next week is a review as our seventh graders will be taking the writing TAKS and sixth grade prepares for the last practice test.  As of now, I am still employed.  A coworking and I have been talking about the various emotions that are rising up in us and how that must be affecting the kids.  Some of the teachers (sad to say) have become a little "catty" with their prediction of who will get cut and why.  I am trying to stay away from the lunch room gossip and stay focused. 

With that being said, I was asked yesterday  to pick out two or three novels that I would like to work with next year, and the first thing that came to mind was: does this mean I will still have a job?  I later found out that they had already informed two of the thirteen teachers that they would not be renewing their contract (and asked them to not tell anyone).

It made me sad-I am finding the secrets bothersome-it just does not seem like it would fosters the teamwork necessary to be a strong campus.  Would love to hear any other perspectives on the matter, as well as any suggestions on staying positive during the course of the lay offs.

Okedoky, I am going to get ready for bed.  Have a great weekend and week.

~Racquel

Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day it is outside.  As I type, the birds are singing me a song-it sounds as if the bird in the tree out front is communicating with the bird in the back yard:)  Today is sure to be a nice day.

So, this nice day needs to include some much needed cleaning, shopping, and yes, HOMEWORK.  Homework has been falling to the wayside a bit since the news of our budget cuts a couple weeks back- especially this week as district people have been meeting with our principle behind closed doors.  We all know the numbers are flying- from what I understand, the decisions were made yesterday and the letters will be going out soon.  It is really putting stress on every teacher and one could see it this Friday- the word now is that "we just want to know" so we can move forward and get back on track for the year.  I keep praying for those involved, because I know it is weighing heaving on them to make the decisions.  Anyway, enough of that talk-

My sons left for Livingston yesterday, leaving my daughter and I to a quiet house.  Of course, she will sleep until noon if I let her, but we shall see.  She is really tired from running hurdles yesterday and getting sun burnt.  Never did putting sun screen on her cross my mind, but it will be one of the items I purchase today in my shopping spree.

I better get for now- hoping you all have a great weekend!

~racquel

Time Sipped Away

Hello All,

The past few weeks have been interesting with dealing with the family issues and getting sick, but I am on the mend and feeling much better.  School is going well, and I am caught up on homework.  We are gearing up for another TAKS practice, as well as for the cuts that will be happening in March (very scary).

I have decided to learn Spanish and improve my communicating capabilities.  However, I cannot make the software work and am beginning to think I did not get the best deal in the world-like I thought.  It is the Rosetta Stone software and keeps asking me for an activation code.  The person I purchased it from says I can skip that part and use the software, but I am thinking it is not true.  Will keep you up-to-date as I become fluent in the Spanish language:)

As for now, I am going to sit in front of the fireplace and drink some hot tea-all while planning my daughter Sweet 16 that will take place on March 18th. Where did the time go? Oh yea, it must be hanging out with my sanity:)  Hope everyone is having a nice week.

~Racquel

Lights Out

Today started out with getting to school to find the electricity out and 150 kids sitting in the cafeteria.  The school day continued with hourly rolling electricity outings and some very excited kiddos.  While I was glad to see the day come to an end, it was okay- after 20 minutes of trying to quiet kids, I found about 100 glow in the dark bracelets that I had stored from last year.  I decided to give each of my students a bracelet when they walk in class and when the lights went out, we played glow in the dark vocabulary.  We all had fun!!!  No word yet about whether or not we will go to school tomorrow.

As for school work, I am falling behind, but hope to catch up this weekend.  It seems this sinus stuff just keeps hanging around and all I want to do in my free time is sleep.  I am sure it will be gone soon and all will be back to normal.

Hope you are all staying safe and warm.

~Racquel

Silence In the Room

You could have heard a pin drop in the Library at school today as our principle informed us that 7-8 people would lose their job next year.  Sadly, this would occur across district lines as we begin the process of cutting 21 million for two years.  I cannot quite explain what I felt, but know it was shared as whole across the school.  I honestly thought our principal was going to start crying, but she held it together and ended the meeting very fast.

So, since most of you are teachers or counselors, I wanted to say- utilize your voice and write your state representative.  Let them know your views on education and that downsizing (cutting teachers) does not constitute valuing the future.  This is one action that we have a choice to do-be heard!

Texas State Senator

Senate District 11--Senator Mike Jackson

Capitol Office: CAP 3E.2

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0111

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station

...Austin, TX 78711

Texas State Representative

House District 128--Representative Wayne Smith

Capitol Office: EXT E2.708

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0733

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

~Racquel

Common Cold

It is here-the common cold and it is running through all the peeps at my house.  I only had a small cold, aches, stuffing head, with no fever.  Unfortunately, my daughter is not so lucky, she is feeling pretty yuk and running fever.  We are drinking a ton of juice, and using the hand sanitizer in an attempt to stop it from passing on to the boys.  I was greeted this evening with, "mommy, I need a hug."  How funny it is to watch them revert back to a little one when they feel bad- of course I am always glad to wrap my arm around my babies anytime.

As for school, everything seems to be going smooth- I am caught up on my work and enjoying my classes.  As I write, I am also checking out the Iris Center for our next assignment (I read the due date was bumped forward).  I have enjoyed the Iris Center over the course of my studies at ASU and used it in my classroom countless time.  On another note- I was ssssoooooo excited when I got on my blog and saw I had two new followers- WELCOME!!

Off to do some school work:)

Interviewing

Well, I just went on my first counseling interview.  I wish I had wonderful news to tell you, but I was so nervous, I think I came off a little stupid.  They asked me questions about the Safe and Civil Act, 504, Behavioral Intervention and Crisis Intervention.  At the time, my mind was blank.  I knew it was a no-go when they asked "if I have a problem speaking spanish."  The good news is that I know what I need to ask our counselors at school to allow me to take part in, and might even start taking Spanish lessons.  I am looking at the experience as an opportunity to become a better interviewer:)

Racquel

Friday Night Basketball Game

Wow, this proved to be a long week-especially with extended days.  Isn't it strange how just staying an hour past your regular time teaching seems like an eternity.  I am so tired on those days.  Anyway, this Friday, my daughter had to cheer at a basketball game and then back to work to clean up after our "Snowball" dance for the students.  Needless to say, the game ran late and when we got to the school, everything was done-I felt bad for saying I would help and then not showing up.  Here is a picture of Shelbie, she is so cute and I am totally partial:)

This morning (Sat.) Shelbie woke me up bright and early (10am) to inform me we need to go the Red Lobster- she does this by sending me a picture of the Red Lobster sign.  So, 11am and we are off to eat lunch and then to Walmart for some odds and ends.  Later in the evening I found some time to sit down and read up on homework and do some discussion board assignments.  I am really enjoying my Dysfunctional Behavior class, even though it feels like a lot of assignments- most of them are just giving my reflections after reading and discussing it with my group.  These are the times I wish we could all sit around face-to-face and chat, you know, the more personal aspects that come from a classroom.

Okedoky, I have just blogged about my whole day-oh, except us watching the movie "White Bones."  Very interesting movie- I could probably use the "crazy small town" mentality in one of my class discussion, but will not take away from you guys watching it:)  It was slow, but had some mystery to it.  Now I have blogged about my whole day-off to bed, hope you all have a great rest of the weekend:)

-Peace out

Quiet Evening

Got home around 6 o'clock today (have extended days on Tuesday and Thursday's) and the house was clean! Big sigh!!!  My kids cleaned the house and then seem to scatter, Garrett and Shelbie to a basketball game and Patrick to bible study-leaving me all alone in a clean, quiet house:)  Sounds like a perfect time to get some homework done and then take a hot bubble bath.

My work day went well, but there is a good bit of changing happening throughout the halls- I might have mentioned the alternative school that is housed on our campus in a previous blog or discussion board- anyhow, somehow the students are being placed into our classes and it is creating a great deal of behavioral problems.  One of our math teachers got nine new students this morning.  I am sure the bumps in the road will level out, but it just makes for those of us that struggle with change (like me) get a little anxious sometimes.  I learned many years ago that change was the one constant (second to the Lord) that was sure to happen and that I better learn to deal with it, soooo...I take deep breathes and press on toward the goal-to help student grow.

~Racquel

New Second Semester

Today has been a productive day- went to work at school for about four hours and spent time with my department going over TAKS scores.  Our students scored the lowest in vocabulary, so we are trying to find new ways to strengthen that area (am always open for suggestions).

To start the new semester, I laminated all of our academic vocabulary words and am planning on doing the same with a about thirty prefix/suffix/base.  Hoping that will start us on the road to closing the very large vocabulary gap and make reading easier or more meaningful.  Not sure if I mentioned that I am blessed to work with an amazing teacher (both of us on our second year)-we started at the same time last year and both found out that we were on our own.  It turned out to be a perfect match-her with superb organization skills and me being a little on the creative side.  God is good~

~Racquel

The Early Hours

Hmmm, is anyone else having trouble logging in to ramport?  I cannot get on, so that means I cannot get to blackboard and work on my assignment. I knew I should have downloaded those articles-will do so first chance I get.  

Today has been a nice day filled with shopping, cleaning, visiting family (to buy fundraising candles-fun), going to the gym, and a late night snack at IHOP with my daughter, Shelbie and her friend, Kasey.

Tomorrow is Sunday and we are planning on going to church and then finishing up some household chores.  My sons have been camping this past week in Livingston and will be home tomorrow to start school on Monday. 

Both boys are carrying a fulltime load at the Community College and will be super busy.  This will be my oldest sons, Patrick, last semester before going back to Liberty University in Virginia, so we will have to make sure to have a ton of quality time.

Well, it is 12:25 and I am still able to get to Black board-I am just going to call it a night and try again in the morning.  Goodnight all.

-Racquel

Taking A Deep Breathe

So....Taking a deep breathe.  I have spent the latter part of this day trying to figure out issues with my blog.  Somehow when I first signed up, I used the email that is linked to my facebook-which created problems when I tried to follow someones blog.  After trying to unlink the two accounts for no less than three hours, I decided to delete my blog and start with a fresh gmail account.


Now that I am calm and everything is as it should be, I find myself thinking about how upset I felt for that short period of time, and over a blog nonetheless.  Even knowing I could email Dr. McGlamery and Monica (and I did-thanks ladies), I was so frustrated.  I simply felt helpless-that is until I called my aunt who works with websites and she helped me figure the problem out.  This reminded me how important it is be in relationship with others, not just because she helped me fix my blog, but because it was really nice to hear her say, "Racquel, I am here if you need."  We are definitely relational beings:)

Organizing My Days

When I got home today, my much needed "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,"  for my Dysfunctional Behavior class was on my front doorstep and I am pleased. 

I just love early release days- especially when I find myself laying on the couch relaxing in front of the fireplace reading up on who Emil Kraepelino and Wihelm Wundt were to psychology .  Unfortunately, the flames put me to sleep before I could finish reading.  It must have been a much needed nap.

Well, it is 4:30 p.m. and I need to get busy on my reading and then finish up my lesson plans that are due tomorrow morning.  I forsee a very productive next couple of hours, followed by some quality time with my daughter. 

Have a great evening~

Living Life Out Loud

A New Year

The year ended for me on an exciting note.  In December, I traveled to San Angelo to participate in the December commencement ceremonies.  It was so amazing and worth every one of the 890 miles we drove. 

I live in Pasadena, Texas-about 35 miles south of Galveston, with my three children (Patrick-21, Garrett-19, and Shelbie-15, oh and our dog, Jude-9 months).  We have lived in the area for 10 years.

  

  My relationship with Angelo State University began in the summer of June 2009 as I entered the C & I guidance and counseling program.  My first two classes were a blended format and required me to be in class once a week-can anyone say ROADTRIP!!!  Off I drove every Monday to Fredericksburg for an 8 o’clock morning and 1pm class and back to Pasadena that night.  I was so tired, but enjoyed every single moment.  The remaining classes were completely online and made it possible for me to work, raise children and continue my education. As for now, I am working on the last three classes needed for my LPC.

Hmmm- the futureJ

I am hoping to get a job as a school counselor for the next school year and am planning (at this moment) to continue on for my PhD/ PsyD in Psychology-not sure which one yet, but figure it will become clear as I continue the down the path.

That’s all for now

-rs