First non-class related post!

I realized that I haven't posted anthing here in some time, so I felt I probably should do a little updating.

Life went wild in December and the wildness has been changing and shifting in and out of different areas of my life since then. I finished directing The Laramie Project at MGSH last month, which was an incredible experience. The students were so committed and wonderful to work with that I was a sad to see it end, but relieved to have my after school time back. :)

In February I was finally forced to acknowledge that I'm not Superwoman nor am I invincible. My years of perfectionism and people-pleasing finally caught up to me. I discovered that I suffer from anxiety (that's where those panic attacks were coming from!) and am on the road to dealing with it. I'm happy to repotr that I'm doing 10 million times better than I was in February, and I am finally learning to say "no" and not take on quite so much. :)

Bad news quickly follows on the heels of good, though. The school district in which I work--District 279: Osseo Area Schools--failed to pass all of our levy referendum questions this past fall, so we are cutting $16 million from our budget. Elementary schools are closing and people are being let go left and right. My school is faced with the task of cutting 13 positions from our building and is anticipating average class sizes around 40 next year due to our "reduction in force." Needless to say, I'm very concerned about my job, but this situation also brings up questions of whether or not I want to continue teaching if class sizes are going to be that large. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time and not get too stressed out. I'm hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

Despite it all, life is going pretty well. My students are, for the most part, really wonderful. They have their days, some more often than others, but don't we all? We're currently gearing up for the MCA II Test in Reading, which is the test they have to pass to graduate. It's also the test the government uses to measure Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which I think is, though well-intentioned--a pile of (CRAP). :) My family is doing well and are excited to get up to the cabin this summer to do some painting and remodeling. I've already been to one Twins game this year and I'm ready for the warmer weather and the sun and more Joe Mauer. :)

That's enough for now. Until later...