News

Wow, it really has been that long since I've written on here, I thought Linds was just kidding. Well, I guess that means I really have been as busy as I felt like I was for the past couple weeks. Let's try to remember what's been happening lately...

The interview in Annapolis went pretty good. The school is really nice, not at all the middle-of-the-city setting I was expecting. I guess the whole area is like that though, you never really feel like your in a capital city while you're there, so that was kinda cool. The job would be teaching either 6th or 7th Science, with one additional elective, most likely a Bible class. So...from a 1st-year teacher's POV, only prepping for two classes, having a team meeting period, and having another open period looks really good. They also have a little different view of education, at least it seemed that way to me. They seemed focused on an "excellent" education more than setting the foundations of basic principles at the middle school level. I tend to think that the foundations are what sets a person up for where "excellent" learning should occur...in the high school. But don't get me wrong, if they're able to do that in the middle school, then I can't imagine the discussions they have in the high school. I think its just a different mentality than what I grew up in, and even different that what I've taught in here in Denver.

Well...I did survive the plane ride, and as much as I might be getting to be a "pro" at this plane riding thing...I don't ever need to fly again. Unless its to Rome...or New Zealand...then I'll suck it up for a flight. Somehow I got stuck in the middle on all three flights (I had one connection on the way back). I just don't fit there, its not right. WHERE DO I PUT MY ELBOWS?!?!?! Anyways, the flight from Chicago was delayed into Denver, so my prep time for the classes that I had to teach on Monday was cut from what I had hoped to be around 3 hours down to about 30 min. It's a good thing I'm so naturally gifted at teaching I can wing it, huh? Yeah right... I will admit, softball and golf went alright, but my freshman Science class was a little shaky.

Oh, I almost forgot...along with planning for class, I had a phone interview with DeMotte Christian on Monday night too...talk about adding pressure to an already stressful situation. Its a good thing I don't perform like Michael Cuddyer in the clutch, because I guess the interview went good enough to warrant a face-to-face interview in a couple weeks. They're actually flying both me and Linds out there, so they already get bonus points on our part for that move. And if anyone has any thoughts on how to teach from a Reformed perspective, and might possibly have some real-life Science examples as to how and do that...shoot me an email with a few ideas.

Oh and yes...of course its March Madness, and how fitting is that this year with everything going on. So fitting, in fact that I only had time to fill out ONE bracket and enter it in only two pools. I think I normally have around 10 different brackets, hoping that at least one will save me. Now I guess I see the touch or not with the mighty pen. I filled it out while supervising Freshman study hall, so...no internet, no ESPN analysts, no CollegeRPI by my side, etc... the list goes on.

I met up with Tim on Wednesday night to catch up. He had been skiing with some friends for Spring Break at Breckenridge and Copper Mtn. We sat and chatted at IHOP for a little over an hour or so, it was a good time.

Speaking of Dordt Spring Break, I finally get to see some familiar faces from NW Iowa around. Kelsie, Kristin, and Kate are around for a little over a week, so I went out to eat with the DeNooy's a couple times.

Well, that might be it as far as what's been happening. Looking ahead now...

I leave for Manhattan Christian on Monday morning for a short 24-hour visit there. I'm hoping I can catch up with Robin & Jon while I'm there, but I'm not betting on it.

I have a interview date set up in DeMotte April 7-9. I'm really looking forward to that one, it seems like a great place.

As of right now, heading into Spring Break, I have 10 actual in-school student teaching days left. I'll be wrapping up two classes I'm teaching the week after break, and then continuing with the Science class for the remainder of my time here. I really hope the weather gets nice by the time I come home, because its been in the 60's pretty much all the time here, and that's the forecast for next week too. Linds just said I'm getting soft...I didn't have an answer right away, but then again, who needs an answer when its 60 degrees outside and someone has a tan already from coaching track...

So long everybody...