CUWP Tom Romano

Hey--don't know if this is still up and going, but I thought I'd post just the same. Last Saturday I had the opportunity to attend the Central Utah Writing Project's Saturday Workshop with Tom Romano. If the name sounds familiar it's because Loraine Wallace quoted him extensively in Methods 1 & 3. Think back to her ideas on multi-genre projects--it's Romano's brainchild.

It was a a hands on, or should I say, pencil to paper workshop. Not only did he teach us about student writing, we wrote ourselves! We moved through a possible writing unit's assignments ourselves to get s feel for what to teach. It was super!

So here is a plug for the Central Utah Writing Project. Go to their WEBSITE and check it out. I highly recommend the classes they offer. Plus it gets us together, writing and sharing.

Finally official

It is finally official--I printed off my level 1 licence today. I know it's sappy, but I'm going to go get a frame tomorrow. :)

Congrats to all who Graduated!

I was thinking about all of you on Saturday. Hope you had a great time--YOU DID IT!!!!!!!! Now the big question is--jobs? How's it going with you all? I think I have one--long story, lots of drama in Nebo, but I think I may be OK. What about you?

Need a Journal Prompt?

I've been trying to collect journal prompt resources and came across this site. Seems like a good mix of quotes, personal reflection and creative responses. Enjoy!

Journal Prompts

Job Prospects Look Bleak in Nebo

The hiring freeze is still in force in Nebo. What's it like elsewhere? Word has it even some first year teachers are going to get cut because there are about 30 HS teachers out of jobs because of the new HS opening. Lots of rumors floating around about what went on at Maple Mountain. Looks like they hired out of district before the freeze went into effect. Now the HS teachers that expected to go to the new school are out of luck and will be placed in the openings at junior highs. Such drama! I might have to consider a (shhhhhhh) Charter School. Yikes!

SO........ Will we have jobs next year?

I got a really lovely e-mail from the Nebo Superintendent telling all the teachers to think positive, that we are all in this economic crunch together.....

Attached were the proposed budget measures the board felt would help the district. Right near the top was "Hiring Freeze." No new positions, openings to be filled by district specialists if they come up.

So what's it like in your neck of the woods?

SIgns YOU Might Be a School Employee

I had to laugh when I got this from a colleague:

Jeff Foxworthy on School Employees

YOU might be a school employee if you believe the playground should be equipped with a Ritalin salt lick.

YOU might be a school employee if you want to slap the next person who says, 'Must be nice to work 8 to 3:30 and have summers off.

YOU might be a school employee if it is difficult to name your own child because there's no name you can come up with that doesn't bring high blood pressure as it is uttered.

YOU might be a school employee if you can tell it's a full moon or if it's going to rain, snow, hail....anything!!! Without ever looking outside.

YOU might be a school employee if you believe, 'shallow gene pool' should have its own box on a report card.

YOU might be a school employee if you believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, 'Boy, the kids sure are mellow today.'

YOU might be a school employee if when out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at children you do not know and correct their behavior.

YOU might be a school employee if you have no social life between August and June.

YOU might be a school employee if you think people should have a government permit before being allowed to reproduce.

YOU might be a school employee if you wonder how some parents MANAGED to reproduce.

YOU might be a school employee if you laugh uncontrollably when people refer to the staff room as the 'lounge.'

YOU might be a school employee if you encourage an obnoxious parent to check into charter schools or home schooling and are willing to donate the U-HAUL boxes should they decided to move out of district.

YOU might be a school employee if you think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.


YOU might be a school employee if you can't imagine how the ACLU could think that covering your students chair with Velcro and then requiring uniforms made out of the corresponding Velcro could ever be misunderstood by the public.

YOU might be a school employee if meeting a child's parent instantly answers this question, 'Why is this kid like this?'

YOU might be a school employee if you would choose a mammogram over a parent conference.

YOU might be a school employee if you think someone should invent antibacterial pencils and crayons...and desks and chairs for that matter!

YOU might be a school employee if the words 'I have college debt for this?' has ever come out of your mouth.

YOU might be a school employee if you know how many days, minutes, and seconds are left in the school year!