I finally moved and settled down in the suburbs of Illinois (Anyone from the Naperville, Warrenville, Wheaton area?). I just wanted to say that moving can be exhausting!! However, I am excited to start fresh in my life in a new city, meet up with old and new friends in Chicago, and finding a new teaching career here. I do admit it is frustrating that the state of Illinois doesn't recognize my 4th/5th grade endorsement. I've always wondered why only 47 states do and Illinois unfortunately had to be the remaining 3 that didn't.
Since the new school year has just began, I wish I was able to talk about the first days of school...and then I realized I've never really experienced "my first day of school" as an educator! As a sub, I really don't get my feet wet in the classrooms until a few days or weeks later. Now I'm trying to substitute in the Illinois school districts as I'm looking for a full-time job.
So, this post is for all the people who are still looking for teaching jobs (like me), newly graduated students, and substitutes! If you are like me and are registered as a substitute in multiple school districts, it may become a little hectic of making sure you are getting paid for every job.
Quick Sub Tip: If you're a sub and want to try and work everyday, I found the best way to get jobs was to apply for multiple school districts. You are on more phone call lists and websites to look for jobs because there are a lot of substitutes out there! In school districts in Columbus, Ohio, we had over 23,000 substitute teachers! On the days, I didn't have a sub job scheduled, I was fighting against so many people.
Here is a freebie I created and used for the past school year when I received sub jobs. It's easy to fill out and I like to add the teacher's name under the "Grade" column especially if I am in the school's building a lot. I always keep my district's pay dates sheet in my sub binder as a reference so I can quickly look for the next pay date and jot it down on my sub compensation sheet. Then once I have received the money from the respecting school district, I simply put a checkmark on the last column "Received". If you have any questions about my substitute teaching compensation sheet, let me know! I hope this is helpful for all of the substitute teachers out there and keep you more organized on your sub jobs and planning.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
The Summer London Olympics are finally here!
Watching the London Olympics opening ceremony last night was amazing! I think it's exciting to see Great Britain and all of the other countries join together to celebrate the great talents of all of the athletes. My favorite part was watching the Olympics Parade of Nations. I love watching all of the cultural and patriotic outfits each country dressed their athletes.
I really liked the Ralph Lauren outfits for both men and women. It gave a very classic "All-American" look for the athletes. But, I'm not sure if I liked the berets on their heads...
What was your favorite part of the opening ceremony?
Please comment and share your thoughts! The first person to comment and leave their email address will get a FREE copy of my Olympics unit. For people who didn't click fast enough... I'm having an Olympic sale for this unit! 20% off until tomorrow night at midnight!! Check it out on TpT and TN!
Enjoy your weekend watching all of the fun olympic sports! I'm going to watch some more swimming and volleyball as I try to complete my TESOL endorsement before school starts up again.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Back in the saddle!
Hello blogging friends (old and new)!! Sorry I've been MIA for awhile this summer because I've been busy traveling and working at an all day summer camp! And I thought I would be blogging MORE this summer (total fail).
Last week I just came back from vacation in Italy with my boyfriend and I loved every minute of it!
Since it is summer and if you are looking for something fun, easy, and cheap to do...try making watercolor salt art!!! This is my example I used to show my little campers 2 days ago.
PS: Come back and visit my blog again this weekend for an Olympic post and a chance to win my free Olympics mini packet!!!
Who's excited for the opening ceremoniestomorrow Friday?! I AM!!!
**Thanks Sara for letting me know tomorrow isn't Friday...hahaha (Wish it was though!)
Last week I just came back from vacation in Italy with my boyfriend and I loved every minute of it!
This is me at the Rialto Bridge in Venice.
The boyfriend and I at the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
Since it is summer and if you are looking for something fun, easy, and cheap to do...try making watercolor salt art!!! This is my example I used to show my little campers 2 days ago.
Here's a quick guide on how to make this awesome craft.
Materials:
-construction paper (I find dark paper look the best for the end result)
-pencils
-elmer's glue
-salt (lots of it)
-watercolors and paintbrush
-cup of water
Directions:
- First use a pencil and draw any design you wish on the construction paper.
- Then use elmer's glue and trace over your pencil drawing with glue. For the little ones, you can do this for them.
- Add salt! Lots of it and shake the excess off. Wait and let the salt dry on the glue.
- After the glue dries, use watercolor paint to color the salt. I found that using a lot of water makes this process easier. be careful of not brushing the salt off the paper. Use the paintbrush more as a water dropper (let the watercolors drip off your brush).
- Let it dry again and it's finished!
Here are some of my camper's masterpieces:
This is one of the dragon ball Z characters. I did the glue for him and it was tough but worth it!
PS: Come back and visit my blog again this weekend for an Olympic post and a chance to win my free Olympics mini packet!!!
Who's excited for the opening ceremonies
**Thanks Sara for letting me know tomorrow isn't Friday...hahaha (Wish it was though!)
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