Blue Funk

[JJ]

Oh me, but I am in a real blue funk tonight! A parent called and told me his daughter was extremely stressed out about my Art History Final Exam tomorrow, and basically said I should be teaching my class as an Art Appreciation class and not Art History. Well, that isn't consistent with the other areas in the Arts Dept. sigh....I explained that the class was a graduation requirement and not an elective...and it is a college prep course. I give up....

Then my students came home and told me that they are both moving out later this month...one told me she was too cold in my house....I gave her another blanket, but she still wears flip flops and doesn't own a robe...I explained that many people wear bath robes and socks and slippers during the winter...I give up. If I turn the gas furnace higher, it will cost me an arm and a leg. Sigh...so sure hope they find 2 more kids for me. The girl form Japan who left before Christmas is supposed to come back...I have her stuff in my basement....but...no one has heard from her...thanks for letting me rant....I am also worried about my job situation.....Never rains but what it pours....nite nite...JJ

[tex]

Aw, Jill,

Don't let it get you down. If parents had their way, their kids would be exempt from exams.

As far as the foreign students are concerned, kids will be kids, and they don't always show the best judgment. As I'm sure you know, they sometimes say and do things for petty reasons, (of course, so do some adults, for that matter). Also, different backgrounds and cultures, are bound to cause differences of opinions, and attitudes.

It's natural to be anxious about your work, and your future. but dwelling on it just leads to more worry and anxiety. Eat some chocolate - it'll help your mood.



Tex

[JJ]

Thanks Tex.....I bought some dark chocolate at Trader Joe's the other day and I was eating too much of it...I threw the rest out today!!!!! I am very proud of myself....I am a chocolate junky.

You are right about kids....I am the 3rd homestay since Sept for the one girl...something is always wrong...she thinks Tacoma CC is too hard and is convinced that schools are easier in CA...hahahaha...doubt it! Sigh...you are right about the job thing...something will turn-up...But...I have always been plagued by anxiety about the unknown and this is sure putting me to the test. Thanks for the support! TTFN...JJ

[Polly]

Hi JJ,

When it rains it pours. Look at the bright side - at least those parents are not YOUR parents - LOL! And, you will soon have some delightful PRIVACY. How ARE things going with the job search?

Love and a

Polly

[JJ]

Hi...the prolem is that I NEED the students here to help pay the rent....

I am a candidate for the job in Vail...the head of the Drama program wrote a wonderful letter ....am waiting for admin to do so too...don't know if they have written yet. I sent off a letter to a school in CA...they might be receiving it today. Other jobs have not come my way, but it is still early. I am trying to get the word out. I have most of next week off, so can really start networking. Thanks for asking...JJ

[Beth]

Hi Jill,

I don't know if this will help, but when I get very anxious because things are blowing up around me, and especially when I'm worried about finances, I try to put myself in a frame of mind where I give out pure, positive energy to the universe. There's something about saying to yourself, "I will get more students. I can pay the rent," that somehow - at least for me - kicks away the anxiety and makes me feel empowered. Last fall, I was particularly anxious about finances and needed more students, too. So, I made up flyers and drove around town, tacking them up where I thought appropriate. And even as I did that, I said to myself, "Well, even if this particular effort doesn't result in students, I know that I'm putting the energy out there and that I'll get some new students very quickly." And guess what - it happened! I actually didn't get one call from my flyers, but I did get a number of referrals from students I already had, and then I didn't have to worry any more. One book that I've found incredibly helpful in empowering myself around my issues of anxiety is Wayne Dyer's, "The Power of Intention." That book has really given me a new way to look at the world.

Okay, sorry for the manifesto! Sometimes I get a little eager in my responses because I can so relate to what you're talking about.

In the meantime, sending you good energy and trusting that you'll have some new students in no time at all.

Best,
Beth

[barbaranoela]

Jill------U surely are having a tough time--

Take care of *U* and lets trust that issues will settle in the right way and SOON!!

luve Barbara

[Polly]

Oooooh, Jill,

I didn't realize that the students brought in extra $$$$. Will you be able to replace them?

The Vail job sounds very promising so far. I am keeping everything crossed.

Love,

Polly

[Mars]

From ME to YOU! I hope it made you feel all loved and warm inside! teehee

I do hope you are able to not worry too much though. Take care of yourself, something will work out for you!

Love,
Mars

[jenilake]

Hi Jill,

I hope you get some girls to help with the rent aslo. What I really hope is you get the job in Vail!!!

and prayers, Kathyp

[JJ]

Hi...I heard from the woman in charge of the Home stay Program and she was very surprised that both girls were moving. They both told her they were very happy in my home. The coordinator is going out of town next week, but will work on placements when she gets back...I know she is eager to help me...she is also an artist and understands..hahaha. The kids won't be leaving until the 17th or so, so there is time to find new kids...it is stressful having new people here though.

If I want, I can work in our school kitchen next year! The head of Food Services said she would hire me in a heart beat and I talked to her again today...she will find a place for me if I need a job! Yea...maybe I could do that coupled with my decreased teaching and actually keep my benefits etc...I love to cook and chop, and I would love to work for her. I'm feeling better that I at least have an option! JJ

[artteacher]

YAY!!!!!

What a wonderful offer! It would allow you to stay in your house, and with friends at work, and you can still research other art jobs. It buys you time to find just the right art job!

I've been following your posts. Please write often . . love, Marsha

P.S. I had parents call me a couple times about my tests being too hard for an "Art" class. Like you shouldn't have to learn anything in art. One time in particular, it really made me doubt myself - a girl who was outwardly very capable (popular, high GPA, etc) was doing very badly on tests, and 'turning projects in' but claiming I lost them. Her parents were high acheivers and pretty prominent in town, too, so they carried some weight in the school. (I'm sure you see that, at a private school) Anyway, she flunked out of U of W after 3 months. It made me glad I had stuck to my guns and not given her the A that her parents thought she should get. Maybe I was the only teacher who gave any kind of warning that she wasn't the student they thought she was . .

[JJ]

Hi...thanks for that story. The girl who was soooo stressed about the final earned an A on the test.....uffda! In fact all scores were A's and B's on the final and also in the course. It can't be that hard! I need to work on report cards tomorrow, but I have calmed down...hahahaha....thanks again...JJ

[kate_ce1995]

My sister had that problem when she was teaching AP biology...parents, students, and the high school principal saying she was making it too hard. Well, they were the ones who signed up for an AP class. What did they think, it'd be a walk in the park! Kids expect too much handed to them these days.

I'm glad the job front is looking like it has options. And good luck with the new placements.

Katy