it's like a dream

Maybe I should not have gotten out of bed this morning...

I was enjoying my first day of getting up without the alarm. I finally got out of bed and began checking my e-mail on my i-phone and immediately I saw an e-mail from the National Board for Professional teaching standards. The first thought that went through my head is, "oh, maybe they are confirming my appointment tomorrow for my test." Nope. They are contacting me to inform me about HB3029 in our state that is putting the scholarship on the chopping block. This means that between 2011-2013 they are proposing to drop the funds for the scholarship for future applicants. For years our state has made money available to help teachers pay the $2000 dollar fee for applying for national certification. This is the same scholarship that I received, this only impacts future applicants.

So, the next priority on my day off: check facebook. Usually facebook is mindless and entertaining. However, I ran across a post from a teacher friend from my school. She has posted a newslink about our school district's budget woes. Here is the headline: More than 300 teachers in their first year with the district are getting letters that their continued employment prospects are uncertain in the face of proposed cuts of $16.8 million.

Now I wonder if I should have just stayed in bed. What does this mean for me?

Thankfully I do not fall in the category where my position is directly impacted by these budget cuts. This does mean we may have to deal with larger class sizes and I am sure there are other factors I haven't even thought about yet.

My husband and I are always discussing how God has put us in the right places at the right times. With my job right now, I am definitely feeling that God has taken care of us. Now is probably one of the worst times to get your foot in the door into education in our state. Amazingly enough, I got in right before things hit the fan.I recieved the scholarship for national board already and I am a year two teacher in my district (I have previously worked in two other districts). It looks like I have barely squeaked by...but I know it is my heavenly Father who is placing me in the right places at the right times. In the midst of these hard times in my profession I am feeling blessed.

a happy working song

Today I didn't mind having to clean things up. As soon as my classroom was clean and "in order" I was able to leave work for the summer! I celebrated the beginning of summer vacation by going home and taking a well deserved nap.

Of course, if you know me...I'm still going to be busy. I have no intentions of sitting around much. Tomorrow I will be doing some last minute cramming for my National Board test. I go Wednesday to take the test. Then on Thursday I will be attending a technology workshop. So hopefully by Friday things will calm down and I can get a hair cut or something.