Busy Boredom

So this year I decided not to go back to teaching preschool.  Not that I didn't love teaching my tiny kids, but I decided it would be better if I subbed in the local school districts.  Because, if nothing else, it will help me get better, more legit references for next year.  Plus then I can actually be teaching in grades I'm licensed for and last year, once school started and they needed a new teacher, they just hired a long-term sub.  So here's hoping.  Of course, the people that manage the substitute teachers have about three times as many subs for the year as they need and only about 20% of them don't have a teaching license.  Welcome to Logan.

The year I graduated, there were 433 people from Utah State University who also graduated with a degree in education and received a teaching license.  Including all elementary, middle and high schools, public, private, charter, etc, there are 35 schools in both the Logan and Cache districts.  (That's for this 2010-2011 school year, there were, I think, three or four less last year.)  Now take a look at the geography of Cache Valley...  We're stuck in here.  It's not easy to drive that canyon twice a day when winter lasts from October through April.  So while Box Elder school District is an option, it's not a great one for people who aren't even legally allowed to drive that canyon in the winter due to the size of their Honda Fit.  But anyway, there's not a whole lot of turnover for teachers in Cache Valley.  It's hard enough to find a job teaching here and everyone knows it, but then stick the economy in the mix.  When I did my general interviews this year with both Cache and Logan they both said they would be hiring maybe 10 to 15 teachers for the upcoming year.  Logan went on to say, "but really, probably only five".  Awesome.  Since that day last Spring, if I'm remembering correctly, Cache has only posted one or two job openings.  (Logan doesn't post)  Not sure how Cache is pulling that off as they will be opening two new elementary schools this Fall.  Box Elder, has posted two job openings.  So now you know what it's like to be stuck as a licensed teacher in Cache Valley.  

Anyway, I didn't start this post to complain about my non existent job outlook, rather I was merely going to let you all know that, as only Logan District has started school (two days ago) and there are about a million subs (and let's face it, most teachers aren't really looking for subs in the first few weeks of school) I have no jobs in sight.  So pretty much I have been sitting at home a lot.  I sub a bit at the preschool/day care where I worked last year when they need me but that's about all the getting out of the house I've done.

To pass the time, I have been failing at being crafty.  My new recipe of the week failed.  Though I have another to try tomorrow.  I've been finishing the baby boy blanket I bought material for oh, five months ago,  playing lots of Mario Kart, trying to convince my older sister Stefanie, to give me her three year old, Oaklee, as Stef just had a new baby, Jersi, last week, (Yay)  trying to convince my older brother, Jonathan that no, I am not with child, reading lots of books, going on fun walks with my Mr. around our new neighborhood, having lunch with my girlfriend, and going boating with my parents.  Tomorrow it is possible Dan and I will also being going cliff jumping/fishing.  So woot.

Now, a picture collection of all I have been talking about........Intro music of your choice..........

My most favorite school in Cache Valley

Apparently when my computer died a few months back I lost all my graduation pictures.  This one is compliments of Facebook.  But yes, I can teach!

I would go back to teaching preschool in a heartbeat (as they have now asked me to three times in the last week) if I could teach this kid again.  Don't worry, his mom said I could come babysit.

These are pieces for my boy blanket

This is the girl blanket I made.

This is Oaklee, why would I not want to steal her from Stefanie?

Cause now Stef has this one.

She doesn't really need them both.  Although when I asked for Oaklee, Stef offered Jersi.

Our relaxing new house

Girlfriend.

Though not from this past lunch, this is where we always go.

We decided to use my little brother's board as he wasn't using it.

Dan Bronson.

Me actually up.  I lasted maybe two minutes all together.

After my face plant.

My parents are awesome and both amazing skiers

My mom.

I somehow failed to take any of my dad this time but these are from last year.  (When my white balance was way off.)