I Rock...

and I'm the coolest teacher ever. Did you know that? You didn't? Well, let me share with you.

First, at the speech tournament my team placed 2nd in sweepstakes. My students placed in 17 events and broke to semi-finals in 31 events. (Keep in mind I only took 24 to the tournament and several entered more than one event.) I had some beginning students at their very first tournament that placed. Granted, it was a small tournament, but it is enough to get the new kids excited. I was excited because this was the first tournament that they were successful in some part due to me alone. Last year was a great year, but I was more of an assistant rather than their teacher. Now it's on my shoulders and I'm excited about it.

Unfortunately, it ran very late and we didn't leave until 11:40 at night. But this freshman boy on the bus told me "You rock. You rock out loud." I guess it was a great experience for him. So I get back to Hereford at 12:45 and have to wait for a few student's rides. I left Hereford shortly before 1:00 a.m. and got home around 1:30. I was surprised that Josh wasn't home then. He had gone to a competition in Lubbock with the percussion ensemble. (They won first place.) I called him when I got home and he said he was almost there and I asked if he could get a ride so I could go to bed. He said sure so I got in bed. Then I had to let the cat out. Then I had to let another cat in. Then Josh called back at 2:08 saying that he couldn't get a ride so I had to go up and get him. I didn't get to bed until 2:30 a.m. and I had to be up by 7:00 to get ready for Mass. (I was singing in the choir) So when 7:00 rolled around I was tired and had a headache. I should have taken my contacts out the night before, but I didn't so one of my eyes was red. I took them out and wore my glasses this morning instead. I got to church by 8:00 in order to warm up and practice a few songs. I was actually kind of nervous singing because there was only four of us. But I guess I did o.k. By the end of the service, my voice was giving out. But I am always glad I go to Mass. Even on mornings like this when I only want to sleep, I never regret going.

Oh.. I'm the coolest teacher... So my students have been talking about myspace quite a bit so I did a little surfing today to check their pages out. Several, I am happy to report, are set to private. I am kind of leery about myspace because of all the perverts etc. out there and I think students are better off setting their profiles private. But there were several that I was able to take a look at. There are some surprising things to learn about people on those pages. Well, one of my student's blog entry listed 33 weird, but cool people. I was on there as number 26 with (coolest teacher ever) in parentheses. Wow. I never thought of myself as one of those "cool" teachers. But I guess I am. Sometimes it's difficult for teachers to know that they're having an impact on their students and making a difference in their lives. I am now thinking that at least in some small way I am.