School Update

Life's speed has definitely increased fro us this week. First, this was Grant's first week at his CPE internship. CPE stands for "clinical pastoral experience" and Grant's CPE is taking place at St. Francis hospital in SF for the next 53 weeks. This week was all orientation-- getting to know his crew and learning about hospital procedures. I'm sure he'll be writing about his experiences... when he has the time! (ha, ha, welcome to the working world my beloved husband!)

In my world, I'm am just loving my job right now. Right before spring break each year, the school district asks us to fill out a form with our tentative plans for the next school year (are we returning?). Last year, one of my math colleagues was unsure of his situation. He is older and has some health concerns. He loves teaching the students but didn't know if he could survive another year at the castle. (we have a tough school in a very impoverished part of Oakland... lots of teachers burn out here real quick). So I approached him and asked him what he thought about us splitting one math position for the next year. We each thought about it over spring break and then asked our principal about it, explaining our situation. She was very willing to work with us (one of the perks of my job... a great principal).

So a normal school day is teaching 5 periods and having 1 period as a conference/planning time. This will get you 100% pay (which is dependent on your education and working experience). This year, according to the deal that I worked out, I am teaching 4 periods and have 1 conference/planning period, so I only receive 80% of my salary. The other teacher is at 40%, teaching 2 classes. We know this adds up to more than one position, but again, we are very lucky to have a principal willing to work with us. And both of us are very, very happy with the situation.

Because of my new deal, here is a typical day...
5:45 alarm, Grant wakes and takes shower, Robin snoozes until 6:20.
7:10-7:20 we leave the house and Robin drives Grant to "casual carpool" pick-up on her way to school, Grant goes to the city and you'll have to read his blog from here...
7:30 Robin arrives at school, students may or may not come in to say hi or get some help
8:10 official starting time of school... no students for Ms. Kinney, because she doesn't actually exist until 9-ish. Instead she just sits at her desk and works. Did you hear that? NO one can ask me to sub for a class 1st period because I don't exist.
9:14 2nd Period = 19 eager and well mannered advanced algebra students
10:18 3rd Period = 13 hopeful CAHSEE Prep (students who still need to pass the CA high school exit exam)
11:22 4th Period = 23 more high energy but still enjoyable advanced algebra students
12:22 = LUNCH
1:06 5th Period = 9 tired after lunch CAHSEE Prep students
2:06 6th Period = Conference time and collaboration with the math department
3:10 official end of the school day, but I work as I need and then go home, leaving school at school where it belongs.
4:00 and after = various evening activities depending on the night, then we try to get to bed by 10pm. Yes, various evening activities that don't include school work. None. I only bring home my computer. No books! No papers to grade!

Can it get any better than this? I only have 64 students, compared to 120 for some of my colleagues. Sometimes I'm sad that I won't be getting my full paycheck since I'm at school the same amount of time as usual. Then I remember that I now have my Sundays and evenings back. I am happy in the classroom. I can give my students the attention that they need. I have energy. I have a life after school (which you'll hear about in the next post). It is worth the trade and I highly recommend this alternative schedule for teachers in high-risk, stressful, urban schools.