So this is my first year teaching in a private school. It's always interesting when I tell people where I teach to see their reaction. Generally, people either look really impressed or like I just told them I recently found out I have a terminal illness. It bothers me that some people's minds automatically go to "private school = no retirement/terrible pay/awful place to work/you must be miserable". Actually I'm not that miserable. Other than the fact that I feel like a new teacher while teaching the younger kids since I haven't done it since 2005, I'm actually pretty happy there. It's been interesting comparing it to public school teaching. Honestly, other than the $ aspect and a couple other minor things, private schools definitely come out on top. It's nice to not worry about budgets or state standards or curriculum mapping and to actually focus on teaching. Plus class sizes are way more manageable and make it possible to really focus on individual kid's needs. (I sound like a commercial) Plus we get a lot more days off than public schools and we're finished about 3 weeks earlier. I'll gladly take enjoying my job and making less money than the other way around. Any day!
The whole world of private schools is new to me in general. I always went to public school and so did all of my friends. I think we all turned out okay, but it makes me wonder if I would be more of a leader, more confident, etc. had I gone to a private school and had more opportunities. Who knows? Anywho, just wanted to put that out there. Did any of you go to private schools? What's your take on them?
Mk's Journal
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12/05/2011 17:43 #55657
Private schools08/22/2011 16:22 #54997
"I just can't wait till my ten year reunion..."...sings John Mayer. (e:mike) and I used to talk about our ten year reunion all the time, and now it's actually happening this weekend! How crazy. I hope they play all music from high school, because frankly, that's the last time I really followed popular music. I dabbled a bit in college, but if there's one thing I'm confident of, it's my knowledge of late 90's/early 2000's mainstream music.
I also can't believe we will be helping (e:mike) move out of Kenmore soon! I always liked that he was nearby if I was going to visit my parents for some reason, or that we could meet there if we were going to lunch, the mall, etc. Now he will be in the cool part of town, where I secretly wish I lived, and will be my last friend to leave Kenmore!
I am the worst updater ever. What's new with me? Oh yeah, I got married. It was super fun and great and worth every penny and one of my other high school friends has told me she's afraid I've ruined weddings for her forever, muhahahaha!!! And then we went to San Fran and I loved that, too. This year I'm starting a new job, since my old job was cut. Public schools are wonderful places. My new job is only part time and a lot less $$$$$$ but I'm lucky to at least have a job, and I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot.
Ok, see y'all in ilke 6 months or so. :)
I also can't believe we will be helping (e:mike) move out of Kenmore soon! I always liked that he was nearby if I was going to visit my parents for some reason, or that we could meet there if we were going to lunch, the mall, etc. Now he will be in the cool part of town, where I secretly wish I lived, and will be my last friend to leave Kenmore!
I am the worst updater ever. What's new with me? Oh yeah, I got married. It was super fun and great and worth every penny and one of my other high school friends has told me she's afraid I've ruined weddings for her forever, muhahahaha!!! And then we went to San Fran and I loved that, too. This year I'm starting a new job, since my old job was cut. Public schools are wonderful places. My new job is only part time and a lot less $$$$$$ but I'm lucky to at least have a job, and I think I'm going to enjoy it a lot.
Ok, see y'all in ilke 6 months or so. :)
tinypliny - 08/23/11 04:59
I just clicked through to your wedding site. And I think I have seen you somewhere in the city in my first year here... :)
congrats, you make an awesome couple! Good luck with the job situation. Hope it improves and people come to their senses about the importance of teachers!
I just clicked through to your wedding site. And I think I have seen you somewhere in the city in my first year here... :)
congrats, you make an awesome couple! Good luck with the job situation. Hope it improves and people come to their senses about the importance of teachers!
paul - 08/22/11 23:17
Oh and congrats on the wedding.
Oh and congrats on the wedding.
paul - 08/22/11 23:17
He was so excited to be moved out for that. Maybe I will see you on moving day.
He was so excited to be moved out for that. Maybe I will see you on moving day.
02/05/2011 18:32 #53551
wheeeeCategory: maximus
The fact that (e:mike) just commented on one of MY comments from 2008 inspired me to update my journal. It's been a good, oh...5 months since my last one? Tonight I'm going to hang out with (e:mike) and (e:jill) for the second time in less than a week! What is going on?!!? We never all hang out anymore! I love it! We're on a mission to see the Oscar nominees. Truthfully, I'll probably only get to 4 out of 10, but that's probably better than usual.
What else is going on? I'm getting married in less than 6 months. Craaaaazy. Wanna see my website?
Mmmmk that's about it. See ya in 4 months. Maybe sooner, so long as (e:mike) comments on some more random journal entries.
What else is going on? I'm getting married in less than 6 months. Craaaaazy. Wanna see my website?
Mmmmk that's about it. See ya in 4 months. Maybe sooner, so long as (e:mike) comments on some more random journal entries.
09/01/2010 22:36 #52632
anxietyCategory: thoughts
As usual it has been a zillion years since I updated. Tomorrow is the first day of this school year (though without students) and it's always an interesting feeling. Kinda scary, nervous, excited. I had these plans like 2 hours ago to work on some "to-do" lists, maybe write in my journal, sit in bed and fall asleep early, etc. But now it's getting later and here I am wide awake on the computer.
I am much more relaxed than I have been for a long time. Since around the fall of 2008, I had all this anxiety where I would go through periods of feeling stressed, anxious, worried and short of breath. It happened on and off for about two years. I had a zillion theories as to why this was happening, but I think I finally realized what was causing it. I was talking to a therapist (who I won't even need anymore, probably...) and she said that some nose sprays can cause anxiety and to call my pharmacist. Well I didn't even bother calling, I just stopped using it because I had a feeling that it was connected, and voila. I haven't felt short of breath at all the past week, maybe a bit here and there when I was working on something, but in general, I feel so much better than I have for so long. I am officially finished with nose sprays, allergy shots, and as far as I am concerned, I am never setting foot in an allergist's office again. Yes, I have terrible allergies, but I would much rather live with a stuffy nose and itchy eyes and feel calm than be allergy free and constantly on the edge of panic.
So, at least I can go into the school year knowing that I tackled one of my biggest problems this summer. Maybe that means this school year will be even better. At this time next year, I'll be a married woman. And heck, at this time in a couple months, I might be a homeowner! I guess life is okay for now :-D
I am much more relaxed than I have been for a long time. Since around the fall of 2008, I had all this anxiety where I would go through periods of feeling stressed, anxious, worried and short of breath. It happened on and off for about two years. I had a zillion theories as to why this was happening, but I think I finally realized what was causing it. I was talking to a therapist (who I won't even need anymore, probably...) and she said that some nose sprays can cause anxiety and to call my pharmacist. Well I didn't even bother calling, I just stopped using it because I had a feeling that it was connected, and voila. I haven't felt short of breath at all the past week, maybe a bit here and there when I was working on something, but in general, I feel so much better than I have for so long. I am officially finished with nose sprays, allergy shots, and as far as I am concerned, I am never setting foot in an allergist's office again. Yes, I have terrible allergies, but I would much rather live with a stuffy nose and itchy eyes and feel calm than be allergy free and constantly on the edge of panic.
So, at least I can go into the school year knowing that I tackled one of my biggest problems this summer. Maybe that means this school year will be even better. At this time next year, I'll be a married woman. And heck, at this time in a couple months, I might be a homeowner! I guess life is okay for now :-D
jenks - 09/03/10 08:59
You also have to watch out for rebound symptoms when you stop using nose spray- but my god, Afrin can be a miracle drug.
But more than that- you're engaged?! congrats!!!
You also have to watch out for rebound symptoms when you stop using nose spray- but my god, Afrin can be a miracle drug.
But more than that- you're engaged?! congrats!!!
tinypliny - 09/03/10 08:22
Maybe you should try natural anti-allergy measures such as locally produced raw honey (with comb, bee-parts, beeswax and all?). I have heard it's pretty effective if taken over a span of many months.
Maybe you should try natural anti-allergy measures such as locally produced raw honey (with comb, bee-parts, beeswax and all?). I have heard it's pretty effective if taken over a span of many months.
tinypliny - 09/03/10 08:20
Some of them can cause tachycardia and palpitations as side-effects.
One of the mechanisms through which nasal sprays control allergies is by constricting the blood vessels in the nose and making it tough for immune cells from the blood to migrate to tissues where they might release substances that cause the symptoms of allergy. The chemicals in the sprays achieve this by binding to the receptors on the muscles of the walls of the blood vessels in the nose and sinuses.
But they can easily enter the bloodstream from a highly vascular region like nose and they can act on the similar receptors elsewhere in the body - where their actions could have a stimulatory effect on the heart. This is rare in the occasional user, but chronic use might create a risk of slow overdose. And it doesn't help if people using nasal sprays have some pre-existing/pre-disposing heart/nervous-system conditions.
Some of them can cause tachycardia and palpitations as side-effects.
One of the mechanisms through which nasal sprays control allergies is by constricting the blood vessels in the nose and making it tough for immune cells from the blood to migrate to tissues where they might release substances that cause the symptoms of allergy. The chemicals in the sprays achieve this by binding to the receptors on the muscles of the walls of the blood vessels in the nose and sinuses.
But they can easily enter the bloodstream from a highly vascular region like nose and they can act on the similar receptors elsewhere in the body - where their actions could have a stimulatory effect on the heart. This is rare in the occasional user, but chronic use might create a risk of slow overdose. And it doesn't help if people using nasal sprays have some pre-existing/pre-disposing heart/nervous-system conditions.
paul - 09/03/10 00:01
Seriously, nose spray can cause anxiety?
Seriously, nose spray can cause anxiety?
I didn't go to a Private School but I almost did it was one of my choices.... I think that there are advantages and disadvantages to both.....
Say you struggle a bit as a kid in the school well since people pay to go there that makes them only as strong as the weakest kid so see ya by been nice knowing you... This also ties into the name and the rep of the school....
Now the advantage is that since you pay everyone wants to be there.... Well or at least that is true of the parents... But see that also Raises the bar a bit... Since the parents Pay You have to do a great job....
But see there is more to that then just education.... Not saying everyone in private schools have great families and lots of money and are white... I'm sure that there are students who are different.... But I think kids learn more about the world when they have the melting pot of cultures, money and family types in a public school.....
I went to a private elementary and primary school for the first 5 years. They totally beat the crap out of me all the time. My knuckles were always bruised. I remember always been punished for something or the other because I always got into fights with boys my size. The teachers were all either brits or anglo-indian nuns with varying levels of crazy.
The result was I knew 20X20 tables by heart, my cursive and print handwriting were like.. well print, I had read some Shakespeare plays and started to read Agatha Christie on the sly by the time I was in 5th Standard (~grades here). Worst was my parents always supported all the knuckle/ruler raps. So I completely HATED it all. It was like the modern Oliver Twist torture school.
But it ALL went downhill (or uphill as I viewed it then) from then onwards.
I remember being extra relieved to get out after those 5 years and go to a semi-private (25% funds came from govt. aids, it's called a "govt. aided private" school back home. Let's just say my tables memory dropped to 10X10. Other things were equally mediocre as well. But my parents were more interested at that point in having me learn to read and write 3 more national languages, which I did. Also picked up some extraordinary company, got into heavy metal and rebellion. It was altogether a change from the crazy nuns. But I liked it.
I have never been in a completely public school so maybe my perceptions are not very balanced. To me the 25% public schooling system meant more freedom and diversity and the private schooling was rigid, structured according to very british concepts and altogether a somewhat crazy memory.