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Week 36. One more week and the baby is "done." Ha ha!
Today, at my OB appointment, I asked my doctor if it is okay that I no longer have any desire to exercise. Basically, I was asking for permission to be a couch potato. I have been getting contractions more frequently, and painful ones at that, so he thinks birth will be sooner rather than later. I surely hope so, although my to-do list is only half done and the house is strewn with partially-completed projects.
Target and Ross have become my new best friends. | | |
| 1.5 weeks to gountil I'm full term (37 weeks). Due date is Aug. 15, which means nothing except that it gives a four week window that the baby could be born.
I think we've picked a name! Finally. | | |
| Teachers' schools flunk math prepWhenever I tell people that I teach elementary school, I inevitably get branded.
You know what I'm talking about.
In terms of teaching, elementary school ranks low on the totem pole, perhaps above only preschool. It seems the younger the children, the "easier" your job. Or, to be blunt, the less intelligent the teacher.
I deal with it because, to be fair, stereotypes always have some basis in truth.
Case in point:
Teachers' schools flunk math prep
WASHINGTON (AP) — For kids to do better in math, their teachers might have to go back to school.
WASHINGTON (AP) — For kids to do better in math, their teachers might have to go back to school.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-06-26-teachers-math_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip">read the article here
My opinion: the problem lies not only in the programs, but in the people going into elementary education* (ouch). I always enjoyed the math classes in my master's program - my professors were great at teaching us how to teach math. They were, in fact, some of my favorite education courses. However, the level of mathematical understanding and reasoning among my fellow classmates...quite dismal. You think I exaggerate - but attend one of those mandatory district math trainings...and you'll see what I mean.
One might argue that because elementary school teachers are expected to cover a much greater scope than secondary teachers, depth of instruction is less important and thus, the instructor's depth of knowledge can be accordingly so. However, I think that in order to teach something well, one must know it well. I realize that I'm simply planting seeds for future teachers and professors to build on. However, the best foundations are made with the finished structure in mind. In other words, having a degree in neuroscience does not make me overqualified for teaching elementary school science, it simply makes me better qualified. Nor is Shel Silverstein irrelevant to John Donne. In more words, while understanding calculus need not be a prerequisite for teaching 5th grade math, it should not be an anomaly.
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*sidenote: in order to attract more qualified professionals, the profession needs to be more selective. However, in order to be more selective, it needs to offer higher pay. The majority of talented, intelligent elementary teachers I know are doing it out of heart. Obviously, no one goes into teaching for the money. However, higher teacher salaries = higher taxes. Frankly, the level of pay is here to stay, unless school districts get more creative. For example, the district now pays FULL BENEFITS. I don't pay a dime. While this is certainly nice, it's not the most efficient use of money. Health benefits are costly; I am young, healthy, eat right and exercise. My health care costs are low. Much of the money they are spending on me is not being used. I would rather they provide a minimal coverage (with option for me to purchase more) and put the rest towards increasing my salary so that I can put money into a health savings account (which also decreases my taxes). I recognize that this approach puts those who are older and more prone to disease at a disadvantage. Well - you take more, you pay for more. Maybe this will teach people to focus more on prevention rather than expensive band-aids.
Another way to increase pay: tenure and salary should not only take into account your training as well as professional development, but also consider performance using a peer-review system. Yes, I agree with Obama and the conservatives on this one: merit pay. Those same smart and gifted teacher I mentioned earlier are paid the same (if not less because they have taught fewer years) than teachers who are apathetic, negative, and...a bit slow. How can we ask outsiders to respect our profession if we engender mediocrity? | | |
| Happy 4thWe need more national holidays. It may not be good for our GDP, but it certainly makes people happier.
Btw.
I am not surprised that Obama is turning out to be just another politician - albeit, a very savvy one.
Yes, I'm cynical. And you should be too.
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| baby empireI spent FIVE hours yesterday working on my registry and succeeded in putting a grand total of FIVE things on it - mostly bedding. | | |
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