Old age has its benefits

When Mrs Reynolds was a kitten, she wasn't allowed in our bedroom. Now, at 14 years old, she not only sleeps in our bed AND between us, but she has also moved up to between our shoulders. 

Another Weird Day

Today was our first and only day back in the building this week and it was a half day for students (Fridays always are this year). Naturally, only half our kids showed up so we combined classes to get a little extra planning time. Those things combined to make the kids extra insane. Then, all 4 teachers on my team left a little earlier than the kids in order to attend the funeral if one of our student's parent. I hope it made her feel loved to have us all there. We technically could have gone back into the building after the funeral for tht rest our professional learning time, but since i don't have any meetings or anything I needed to be in the building to complete, I went home to grade my papers. 

Heat but then no heat again

Last night we got a message from the school that the heat was working. About 5 minutes before Korra and I were supposed to leave for school, we got another message that the heat was broken again. Virtual school today. While the changes throw off my groove, I love that I get to put my pajama pants back on, I don't have to handle any challenging student behavior, and I can have a long, relaxing lunch break.  Korra is bummed because she misses friends. 

No Heat

After approximately 5 minutes of school, they realized the heat wasn't working and cancelled school. Most kids hadn't even made it into their classrooms yet. While it was frustrating, it was also pretty awesome to get a free day. I cleaned, made soup, went on a walk, baked banana bread, got caught up on grading, and read my book. Now I'm just waiting for the highlight of my day... My parents should be here any minute!

My Happy Place

"Snowman"

It's been lightly snowing on and off since 1:00. Nothing's sticking to the ground but Korra did make the world's tiniest snowman. 

Cabin Weekend

We're at the cabin for the long weekend. 4 friends were supposed to join us. 2 cancelled out of concern for the weather. The other 2 left early for the same reason. We decided to stay. 1) because I think everything will clear up enough before we need to get home on Monday afternoon but also 2) because getting snowed in at the cabin and being unable to go to work doesn't sound that terrible. 

I'm enjoying reading my book by the fire with a cup of tea (that's a perfect and constant 137 degrees) though Korra sometimes gets bored. I think that boredom will vanish when it starts to snow after lunch today. 

Things that make school harder

Yesterday I had a student tear up her assigment, throw the pieces like confetti and then curl up under her desk because I didn't answer her question fast enough. I feel like that's a metaphor for pretty much everything.

During the same class I had another student refuse to pull his mask over his nose because he "wants to get COVID because I hate school!" and a third student who would not stop barking. When I texted his mom she replied, "tell him to stop" as if I hadn't possibly thought to try that yet. 

This is after my "culture reset" of games/community building and reviewing expectations and consequences. Clearly that worked well. 

Things that made school easier

1) only 3 in-person days this week

2) my planning got moved from the end of the day to the middle of the day so now I can go to the bathroom before 2:30

3) Nate's new job allows him to work from home in the afternoons and also cook dinner

4) there's a 3 day weekend that's just 2 days away

Today was the last virtual day for the students. Hopefully they'll all be back tomorrow and hopefully all our COVID tests are negative.  I say hopefully because going back in person is best for the kids, but I have to admit, virtual teaching is so much easier and less stressful for me. 

Korra hasn't gotten to be around other kids for 25 days. She's so excited to see her classmates tomorrow. 

Burnout

I read this definition today in an article and it feels like what I've been feeling.

Burnout is often a more temporary condition in which an educator has exhausted the personal and professional resources necessary to to the job.

I feel like I'm trying to pour out emotional energy I don't have. I want to have it. I love my job. I want to help these kids. I love these kids and I love teaching, but I feel... dried up. Empty. Drained.  I hope it's temporary. 

Pictures of my daughter

We walked to a brewery this afternoon. I took a lot of pictures of Korra. 

Work From Home Family

Nate has a new job where he works from home every afternoon and all day on Friday. Korra and I have been working from home all week. We've had to get creative. I moved the glider to the bedroom and then propped my laptop in a barstool. Nate took the living room desk and Korra has a desk in her room (although she often chooses to lay on the floor). 

Splurge

I bought myself a $99 coffee mug. I know it sounds insane but hear me out. I like my coffee and tea hot. I usually end up microwaving my drink twice. This mug is temperature controlled. Using an app on my phone I can set the mug to the perfect 137 degrees and it will keep it that way!  I'm so stinking excited. 

Change of Plans

The plan was for teachers to teach from the building from 7:15-3:30 every day for a week while the students joined in via computers. I wasn't too happy about this. Teaching at home has benefits like not having to wear a mask, having better internet connection, and having a separate room for Korra to go into during her classes. I was getting ready to push to be allowed to work from home but a mix up with our COVID tests this morning sent us all home for the rest of the week. The testing company brought PCR tests instead of rapid so we all have to go home until the results come back. Definitely something I'm thankful for!

Ugly Shoes

I went on a walk this afternoon.  Two of my students saw me and started yelling, "Ms B!" When they came over to say hi, one of them said, "I knew it was you because of your shoes."  He didn't say the word ugly, but it was definitely implied that my shoes are not cool.  

Snooze

Had a really hard time falling asleep last night. It was maybe 2am before I finally really slept, so naturally, I hit snooze when my alarm went off. Unfortunately, I didn't really hit snooze and turned my alarm off. I woke up 5 min before Korra and I were supposed to leave the house. We were only 10 minutes late. That's a win in my book. 

Back to School- Gradually

Today was my first teacher work day. Thankfully it was virtual and we only had meetings in the morning. Wednesday I have to go back in the building (both for COVID testing and for teaching) but the students will be virtual. While I would really prefer to teach from home (so I don't have to bring Korra into the building), I'm glad we're gradually easing back into school. 

Cookie Entrepreneur

 Korra set up her Girl Scout Cookie Website, made a QR code, and then created this flyer!

One Hundred

With one day to spare, I reached my goal of reading 100 books in 2021!  

Here's a little break down:

5 graphic novels

10 memoirs

81 novels

29 romance novels

26 young adult novels

45 written by people of color

Hunter

I made her a quiver out of some leggings that had holes in the knees. 

Gift cards and exchanges

Korra and I drove around in the rain this morning to do some post Christmas shopping. Returned a few of the 7 candles I got as teacher gifts for some lotion at Bath and Body Works, exchanged a secret Santa gift (a phone tripod) from Nate's coworker for a play bow and arrow set for Korra, and bought a puzzle with a Barnes and Noble gift card. It was nice to get out of the house for a bit. 

Nate tests positive

Nate's PCR came back positive so he needs to quarantine until January 2nd. With the new guidelines, he could go out masked once he's symptom free, but we'll probably play it safe. 

The fact that it's supposed to rain for the next 3 days isn't helping my outlook for the rest of this week. We were going to try outdoor playdates. Not sure what I can do to make it more bearable for Korra. 

Quarantine Update

Every day has been pretty much the same except opening presents on Christmas morning. Watching Taskmaster, building a puzzle, playing a board game, taking walks and naps.

I'm officially past my 10 days of quarantine. Korra is in the clear. Nate started having symptoms on Christmas Eve so we're back to square one. He had a PCR test yesterday so hopefully we'll know if we need to keep quarantining.  This week is going to be extra hard on Korra. She's bored and lonely. 

Christmas Eve

More Christmas crafts, watching Christmas movies, reading Christmas picture books, and driving around to see Christmas lights. I think we're doing an ok job of quarantine Christmas.