Saturday, April 29, 2006

Winding down

Wednesday evening, we headed for yet another State Resort Park. It was the 2 day follow-up for my New Teacher Institute class. The first part was 5 days of intense broad scattered information. It was very much to be absorbed in 5 days. It created a basis of being able to say, "Yes, I have heard of that," when the numerous things that happen during your first year of teaching happens. It is the beginning of learning. It is the collection of all the things you didn't know that you didn't know about teaching. One can never learn until they admit to not knowing, and can never admit to not knowing when one does not know what it is that one does not know. OR ... You cant ask if you don't know.

This 2 day follow-up was more of us, the new teachers, releasing and sharing with instructors, professors, and each others, the lessons we have learned in our first year. By doing so, we weave together our collective strengths and thereby eliminate our individual weaknesses.

We were in the middle of nowhere. One turn and cell phones were useless. Inside any building, there was no signal. I think the state picks these places just for that reason. I tried to blog through my phone and it was useless.

The trip was great. I was able to take Tammy and the kids. They enjoyed the trip. It was at Rough River Dam State Park. The room was roomier than the last place. The beds were just as uncomfortable and there is apparently a limit on the number of pillows that state will buy for it's resorts. Tammy and I love an extra pillow. We have yet to be able to get more than one. It seems that, at any given time, at any state park, there may be only one extra pillow.

The trip put us together for 4 days. That's a great weekend.

The year is winding down. Only 15 days left. School will be out. Then I work for one more month. Then 11 scattered days until August 1st. And the whole thing starts again.


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