Welcome back. Spring Semester has started. How are you doing adjusting to your new school and life schedule? How do these changes affect your tutoring obligations at your school and the children you tutor? Describe the life skills you are using to balance all of these changes?Post your comments below by clicking on the "COMMENTS" link. You can use your google/blogger username, you can manually enter your name/initials/nickname, or you can post anonymously. Whatever you're most comfortable with is fine...we just want you to respond and interact with each other.
Each new semester brings new stresses and blessings. This semester is no exception! I am so glad to be back at Whittier with the kids there. I have noticed a negative effect on the students because of my busyness: I am tired and sometimes don't get to tutor as much as I would like. The kids don't care about what's happening behind the scenes, they just want me to be there for them!! It is nice to feel needed. I am being patient with myself and all the changes, trying not to over-do it. I am trying to be organized so that I can give my best with what time I have. And I'm praying like crazy to keep up :)
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head! Organization is the key. Good luck to you.
DeleteLevi,
DeleteIt was great to meet you the other day at the Early Steps Training. I really like Whittier too. In fact, I like it so much, I may put my eight year old there next year. I applied for a district waiver last week.
So far I'm loving my new school. I like that it's more one on one and more focused than my previous experiences. I really feel like this format will allow me to make a difference.
ReplyDeleteLike Levi, I'm feeling the strain of not enough organization, so that's on my to-do list for the weekend. I'm sure that the heavier class load is also taking a toll on me and I'm trying hard to juggle it all.
This semester I organized my schedule so that I have two almost-full days set aside just for tutoring. I hope that this gives me, my own children and the students I tutor some structure and predictability this semester.
I've also made it a point to get more physical exercise in this semester. I'm finding that it tremendously helps me manage my stress levels. I hope that these things will help the students feel more at ease with me, especially since I'm brand new to them.
You can do it Brandy! I totally agree that physical activity can help de-stress and give you energy.
DeleteI just started forcing myself to make the time to exercise too. It helps with the stress sooooo much. It's sometimes hard to find time for it but it is worth it to make the time even if it's just a quick workout.
DeleteLike the other students, I am feeling a bit of a strain with a new schedule and family obligations.
ReplyDeleteI love my school and am dedicated to the students.
Brandy,
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely hard to start a new schedule, and to to have new students! Wow. I really do think that exercising will help give more energy. And that really is amazing that you are able to dedicate 2 full days to tutoring. That gives me the courage to set a goal for at least 1 day for tutoring (right now I have some halves and quarters I am trying to fit in :)) Thanks for your comment!
I just started at Whittier this week. I love it so far, I am starting to stress about my schedule with work, school and my daughter. However, I know that I can do it and I am trying to be practical and realistic with the amount of time I have for all of the different areas in my life. I am really trying to be organized and make sure I know a head of time what my upcoming schedule is.
ReplyDeleteKatey Kendall
Congrats, Katey. I loved meeting you last week at Whittier. You're right; you CAN do it! Keep up the good work with school and your daughter.
DeleteLevi,
ReplyDeleteI really love reading your post and it makes me happy to see that you have such a strong passion for the children that you work with. Just take it one day at a time and I promise everything will work out. Being organized and realistic is something that has always helped me :)
Katey Kendall
Brandy~
ReplyDeleteI really like what you said to Levi about trying to something physical. I am trying to do the same in my life. Right now I am only doing a couple hours a couple times each week. I would love to get to a point where I can dedicate two full days. Thank you for the inspiration!
Katey Kendall
Kirsten,
ReplyDeleteI am now in my last semester in the Nursing program and am feeling very overwhelmed. Even though we only had a few weeks of break between the semesters I am having a hard time getting back in the grove of studying. I am also so limited in the amount of time I am able to help Lynne in the Thayne Center. I am really having to work at setting my priorities and making myself study even if I don't want to.
Kirsten,
ReplyDeleteIn reply to Brandy and exercise, that is great that you are exercising. We moved this last summer & I chose an apartment complex that has an excercise room but have rarely used it. I know I need to just walk across the street and do it but I am usually so tired (physically and mentally) that I neglect to do it. I just need to take my study notes or books and at least read/study while riding a bike. Something is better than nothing and it may help reduce my stress level.
Thanks for all the good comments so far everyone. I am glad that we are able to bounce things off one another, good idea Lynne! I feel like we can really build on each other's ideas, which will translate into more quality tutoring. I love our themes about organization and balance, and taking time to build our own health. Good luck on the semester y'all.
ReplyDeleteBeing a single mom of four kids is challenging in and of itself. I feel I fit well within the Early Steps Program at Whittier, partially because I have two Special Education Children myself. When I feel myself becoming overly fatigued, I try to take a nap or get the kids to bed early. I also pray a lot!
ReplyDeleteAdjusting to the new schedule and classes was a frustrating at first, but now I have my schedule laid out. These changes affect some of the students i was tutoring before who i will not be able to see anymore but more time for an earlier class to tutor. Well i really felt exhauseted from last semester, but now im going to sleep earlier so i can get my full of hours of sleep in order top stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is so wise. I need to do that. Go to bed earlier so that I can feel more rested , my day starts at 6am and I have an evening class, by the time I go to that class I am so tired, but it will all pay off in the end.
DeleteRuth Elmore
This semester has been tough just because I'm trying to juggle school, work and personal issues. BUT, I'm heartbroken when I can't tutor as much as I'd like to. I am watching these kids improve and progress as compared to the beginning of the year. I love when I show them a word and the "light" comes on and they remember what we've done in the past and they say "OH YEAH" and then proceed to repeat what they remember. These are bright children, they just need help seeing their potential.
ReplyDeleteOne boy was pouting in one of the classes when the teacher wanted him to do "crazy letters". He hates crazy letters only because he has no ideas. We sat down and after seeing some examples he got so excited and now it's his passion. Such a simple idea, but nobody had the time to show him. He had to show me how he made the word "FOOD" into two pizzas in the middle with slices taken out. These teachers are amazing. I honestly do not know how they teach all of these kids and all of the other things they must juggle. They are the unsung heroes of this country. If teachers had to just teach, things would be so much different but they are drowning. The patience it takes to attend to everyone and then have special, individual needs takes it's toll.
America Reads is a great program.
Rebecca Stuart
Yes Erick! I know what you mean. It's hard to find the balance. Rebecca
ReplyDeleteMy schedule has been very hectic so far. I have more classes so I will only have a small amount of time to devote to tutoring. I also had to change tutoring schools since the majority of my classes are now at South City which would make staying at David Gourley a little more difficult with the distance, I would only be able to fit in 4 hours a week and spend way too much time driving.
ReplyDeleteAmy , I know how that goes. Just do the best job you can, and i know you will.
DeleteRuth Elmore
My schedule was crazy at 1st with my classes and working at the book store , but now that the book store job is over , I have time to tutor, I have missed that. It will be good to be back in the schools to help kids. It looks like I will be going to Nibley Park, does anyone else tutor there ?? Can you tell me how that is for you?? For me balance is important, prioritizing to as well. Anyway, I am super excited for tutoring.
ReplyDeleteRuth Elmore
I am tutoring now at Nibley Park ,it is going good. I love the kids that I work with. sherrie , in charge over there , is great. I love working with her , she is very helpful and always willing to answer questions.
DeleteRuth Elmore
When I read all of your comments it made me so proud to be the coordinator of this program. As tutors you are on the very front line of literacy issues in Salt Lake City. Many people around us probably do not understand that there are so many children in our schools that need this literacy help, and if there are some that it is a very few children, "those other children" that need help. But every day you see how overwhelmed the children, teachers and classrooms really are, how few supplies they have and how they need five times the amount of tutors that they have. Each school is lucky to have each and every one of you. Lynne
ReplyDeleteU R not Anomymous anymore! :)
DeleteJanuary was crazy for me; my fault, my choices :(
ReplyDeleteI accepted a temporary, supposed to be part time job for 3 weeks. It was really full time or more. I was often up till past midnight preparing lessons and up before 6 :(
My studies got behind :(
Nibley and Thayne Center were very patient, Thanks! :)
This 1st week of Feb was great to back on schedule. My students said they missed me. I missed them for sure.
Occasionally I get to meet a parent like I did this week in the drop off parking. I often wish I could meet the parents more. But then, maybe the parents wouldn't be so thrilled. Aren't you curious about the parents? The mother I met this week looks sooo much like the student. It was cute. She was glad to meet me and agreed when I told her how sweet her daughter is.
I am curious to meet the parents. That would be nice so that I could get to know the kids better and their home life.
DeleteI have had moments where I have fallen behind, the Thayne center is great in working with the tutors.
Ruth Elmore