Does Effort Count?

WARNING: MAJOR VENT SESSION!!!!
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Ok.... I knew when I signed up to go back to school that it would be hard. I am a TERRIBLE test taker. I always have been, always will be. As a kid, I would study super duper hard, and then go to school, freeze and forget everything I had learned. I have always used this example when conferencing with parents who work so hard with their little one, and then the kiddo doesn't perform well at school. I know that by having difficulty with tests has made me a better teacher because I can relate to the child who puts forth so much effort and then fails.
That is what has happened to me 2 weeks in a row. In my theories class we are expected to read about 5-6 chapters each week and then take an online quiz (open book). WELL THEY STINK!!!! Last week, I read every word on the page. I took my time. I re-read and created mental pictures after each sub-topic. It didn't work. I got a 50% on my first quiz. So much for that study method. We had to complete a second quiz last week, and I thought I would try and outsmart the system by logging in, printing the quiz, logging out, taking the quiz un-timed, as I read the chapter, and then logging back in to "officially" complete the quiz. THAT didn't work either. It won't let you log off, so I had to panic, grab my books and start the quiz without having read. I got a 60%. This was better, but still not acceptable.
This week, I read every word in both books. Went back to re-read and take notes in the margins. I then went back and skimmed the chapters and my notes a third time. I was actually excited to take the quiz so I could show that I was putting forth the effort and making progress. WRONG!!!!!!! I spent 3 nights and one full day (18+ hours) reading and putting effort into my learning. I thought I really understood Behavior Therapy, and all the components If you would have asked me to explain it, I would have been great. BUT NOOOOOOO. I had to take another stinkin' quiz and I received another 50% to add to my failing collection. I am so frustrated because several of the answers I feel I could validate with support from my texts. AHHH!!!!
I now that this frustration is going to soften my heart and attitudes with my future students. My heart aches for the little kiddos who put forth so much effort and their progress is not showing. I would like to invite my professor to come to BISD and learn about all of the WOW, Continuous Improvement and Marzano's 9 that we are doing with our students. How come, I can be taught in the manner that I am expected and should teach my students?!?!

Copper Loves Summer!

I love how he wags his little tail while he is swimming!

Copper falling asleep with the ball in his mouth.

Copper just looooooves summer time and visiting my mom! At home, Copper is obsessed with his ball. He takes it everywhere he goes! Some say my dog is obsessive compulsive about his ball. :) Anyways... when I visit my mom in the summer, I always bring Copper. He loves her pool too! In fact, he will spend all day jumping into the pool after the ball. It is so funny to watch!

Summer

This is week 2 of summer and I have already created some really bad habits! It didn't take long before I started staying up past 2 am, sleeping in past 12 pm, eating lunch at 2, and dinner at 8 or 9 and at least one nap, as well as a trip to the pool. OH - and studying... lots and lots of studying. OK- So the studying part is not a bad habit, but it feels like it is.
You see... I had a GREAT plan. Go to bed at a normal time (11 ish) wake up around 8 ish, gym, pool, lunch, shower, and then studying / class. I would love to somehow manage to make this my summer routine. However, it will take me going to bed earlier than 2 am!

I am taking 12 hours of classes for my masters in School Counseling this summer. So far, everything is going well. I am loving my Psychology class! I find all of that stuff super interesting. I have my first Theories class on Thursday and I must admit, that I am more than a little nervous about this class. I have to write a 15 - 18 page research paper on my own personal theory. YIKES!!!!!! Also, the email from the professor said "BE PREPARED". EEEEEEK

If you ever want to torture me....

Today was my ever-dreaded Eye Dr. appointment. YUCK! I HATE going to the eye Dr. because they subject you to painful air in the eye, bright, irritating lights and sudden terrible pictures of your eyeball. Then the nurse sticks you in a room where the only interesting thing to look at is the computer monitor with a gross picture of your eye is. The whole experience is just excruciating. I don't recommend it to anyone. In fact, if you are thinking about going to the eye doctor.... you should reconsider. Don't get me wrong. I have a perfectly nice eye doctor. We have a nice little chit chat before he subjects me to the misery. I just would rather meet at Starbucks or another more non-confrontational place.
OF COURSE my eyes have changed ever so slightly (which would explain some of my headaches) and I need a new prescription which means more money. I decided I would try to be more economical and go to a chain glasses store. I ended up at the mall which I was dreading, (almost as much as the eye appointment) but needed to go there anyway for more makeup. SO.... I parked at one of their major stores, and was pleased to see that they had an optical department. I ended up making my new glasses purchase along with some new sunglasses. My next stop was Nordstrom's for my makeup. As I walked from one end of the mall to the other, I was literally attacked by kiosk vendors. This is the part of the mall that makes me dislike the mall experience. In my opinion if I need a product, I will select the store that will best meet my needs. I don't want random people approaching me for products I don't want or need. Tonight I was approached by the AT&T store, the nail place, the flat iron store, the sunglasses kiosk, the mineral makeup kiosk and some weird perfume stick kiosk. I am beginning to get a complex!!!! In fact, I hate the walking through the mall so much so, that on my return trip, I walked half way around the mall to my car via the parking lot!

So basically, if you ever want to torture me make me go to the eye doctor followed by a trip to the mall.

My one day of summer

Yesterday was my first day of summer and I did nothing important, and everything I wanted to do! I slept in, ate a yummy lunch and then met a great friend at the pool. We had a fun afternoon of people watching and chatting in the sun. That evening, I came home and cleaned out my office. I know, I know.... sad but I find cleaning really fun, and enjoyable! :)
Today is the day that I start back to school. I think I am really going to enjoy the class topic. It is Developmental Psychology. I have always been interested in this, so I hope I learn a lot. I am not a huge fan of this professor though.....BUT... she did say, "IF you show up and participate you will get an A." WAHOO! Easy A!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

I have the best mom ever! She is the most amazing person I know, and I am so thankful for everything she has taught me, and done for me! She is my best friend!
Happy Mother's Day Mommy!
I love you!

I love you so much mom! Thank you for being so patient with me! I hope that one day, I will be a mom that was as great as you. I love you and am proud that you are MY mommy!

Just some thoughts.....

This is a new book that I am reading. I am going to try and post my thoughts as I read through it in hopes that maybe someone who needs to hear the message will read this silly little blog and find encouragement through the book as well. Not all of what the book covers do I identify with, but the big concepts hit home.
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I can finally see the light at the end of this semester at DBU. My last class is this week, and my final has been written and submitted to the University Writing Center for review. WHEW! I can't believe I am already 12 hours into my program! I feel like I have learned so much, but still have so far to go. I am scheduled to take 12 hours this summer. I am having 2nd thoughts about that though! If I did that , my summer would be consumed with school, and would allow little time for any relaxing.
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School is also wrapping up. We have 17 days remaining. AAAAA! That is a very scary number! This is going to be the most difficult year to let my kids go of all my classes. Since I looped with my kids, I have become so attached to the 21 little faces and families. I can just picture them as tiny little 5 year olds walking in the door their first day of Kindergarten, and now they are leaving great, big almost 2nd graders! EESH! I am getting teary just thinking about that! So.... onto a new subject....
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My puppy FINALLY knows how to play tug-o-war!!!! He is 4 and I guess it finally just clicked! When I purchased my little puppy, I was told, that it was not in a Pomeranian's nature to fetch or play games. BOY Was that lady wrong! It took Copper 2 years, but once he discovered how the ball works, he is rarely seen without it! He even sleeps with it outside of his little kennel. If you ask him where his ball is, he will run around panicked until he finds it! FUNNY!
Last night, I was putting on my socks and shoes to go to the gym, and Copper decided to try and pull the sock out of my hand, thus beginning the game I had been trying to teach him! He would still rather play with his ball, but at least I know he can do it now!