Who Knew?

We got off school early today because there was a flood warning. Floods? I thought. There are floods? Well, aparantly Texas is one big swimming pool now. This makes sense because it has been raining ever since I got here, but I guess I never really connected the dots that this would lead to massive flooding. I kind of just figured it was the externalization of my inner moodiness, if that is a word. This just goes to show how completely out of the loop I am. Even if it were flooding in my own backyard, I wouldn't look up from my lesson plans.

I was supposed to be videotaped in class again today. I say 'supposed to be' because, although Anna did come in and turn on the video camera in the corner of my room, about 40 minutes into class I looked over there and realized that one of my incredibly bright students had grown tired of being on camera, so they had covered the lense with a piece of paper. Although I was outwardly angry and gave a lecture, I was secretly very grateful and kicking myself for not having thought of that plan earlier. Guess who is paying her students a dollar to cover up the video camera from now on?

My friend Jamie has also let me in on a little secret. You see, in Teach For America world you are supposed to be able to be observed at any time by anyone--fellow Corps members, Advisors, school directors, visiting teachers, local veteran teachers, etc. However, there are only 3 people allowed in the room at one time. In order to monitor this, we have three "visitor passes" that are in a pouch taped to the outside of the door. Before a visitor walks in the class, they have to grab a visitor pass. If there are no visitor passes available, that means three people are already in the room and no more are allowed in. What is so brilliant about Jamie is that he just grabs all three visitor passes and takes them inside with him when he starts teaching. Score 1 for Jamie.

Assuming that the highways are passable and my friend Shara is not sick tomorrow morning, she and I are taking off to spend a night in Austin. I have found an affordable (sketchy) hotel next to 6th street, and am really looking forward to spending some time in a place that doesn't make me want to claw my face off.

P.S. I passed my texes exam so I guess now I am legally certified to be "the instructional leader in my classroom."