A BREAK IS A BREAK

To train or to be trained.  THAT is the question?

Today, I had a much needed break from the boys, football, teaching and everything else that comes with the school.  No, I am not hating my work, so stop thinking that.  It is just, when working with special needs when that is not your field, you may get burnt out.  For special education teachers, who choose this as their field and are properly trained, the burnout rate is three to five years.  So, for a new, rookie art teacher dropout, they burnout rate is day 1.  I tried to Wikipedia it, but no one posted on that, therefore, I made the stat up.  However, it seems quite accurate.  I have made it about 4 weeks longer than the average.  This is even when making a whopping thirty-seven and one-half cents an hour, or 3 dollars a day (That is for eight hours days.  I, however, work 10 hours a day, or close to it.)  I'd say I deserve a break.

While it wasn't the typical sleep in and go out to eat sort of day, I was up an hour earlier than normal.  I had to be on the complete opposite side of Miami for a training on software that we use with these boys.  While everyone at the school has been to it, and suffered through the three-hour tutorial that even the most computer-illiterate person would understand, I still had to go sit through it.  I am not complaining.  I was not sitting at the table next to the office with one set of legs balancing to hold the table up.  (Otherwise known as Mr. Isaac's room.) It was at the airport Hampton Inn in their conference room.  FUlly equipped with cinnamon rolls, donuts, bagels and every other gluten infested goodie known to man.  I settled for 2 big cups of coffee, loaded with sugar and creamer.  The perfect start to a day.  

After about 3 minutes of the presentation, I knew I didn't want to be there.  However, being the responsible and mature adult that God miraculously turned me into, I thought back to when my three act up in class or don't pay attention while I'm teaching.  Quickly, I kept paying attention though I could have completed the training alone within thirty minutes.  As I looked around this room full of other teachers, they all had their phones out texting, surfing the web, checking facebook, and everything else other than what they were supposed to be doing.  I was by far the youngest person in the room, but I was the only responsible one.  I really felt quite good about myself.  As the speaker walked around checking every computer to see if everyone was following along, I was the only one the knew that was doing it and didn't have to check.  My first A+ ever!  I left with a huge gold sticker on my heart.  Well, I thought, or wished.  No such luck.

During my two and a half hour break between reading and math sessions, I went back to the school to get the power chord to the laptop that my school had forgot to put in the bag.  It was a chance however to collect homework, see how my boys were treating the sub and grab a nice, free creole lunch.  I did say free.  No money.  No cost.  Given to me.  A gift.  Like Christmas.  I didn't pay.  I am saving every penny of that 37 I made today.  Need it all to get back home for Christmas.  Or a tattoo, whatever I feel is more important!

I then returned to the second training, finding it to be quite informative.  (once again, this is sarcasm)  As I sat doing kindergarten math for an hour, my brain started falling asleep.  I had to leave.  About that time, my computer died, I didn't feel like plugging in the chord and besides, I knew what I was doing.  I asked permission to leave, it was granted and I headed for home.  One great way to end a day away from work is by enjoying a three hour nap!  And I took advantage of every second of it.  That is why I am still awake even though I need to be to work in a few hours.

Overall, while I make fun of it, today really was informative and should help in getting these boys to learn to read better.  It is good to understand the equipment our school has and get on with using it properly.  

Tomorrow is our first football game.  I am excited to see what happens.  In the slim chance we win, I look forward to all the calls from Hollywood, asking for movie rights.  Get ready America....Coach Shue will soon be coming to a theater near you!