IT'S BEEN A GOOD, IF VERY LONG, WEEK

I was in a meeting with the principal today, and he said something very sweet - "We are going to have to find some way to keep you here with us".

I've been working as a long-term sub for the computer teacher (who had a baby at the end of the summer). The assignment ends next week on Friday. So, I've been working hard to make sure the grading is up to date, the room is returned to the way it was, and I start packing up my stuff to schlep it back home. I'm really going to miss that place.

But, wait! There's more!

I've found another sub possibility, this time at Gilmour Academy. It won't start until January, though. But, this job is in SCIENCE! Wouldn't that be great?

It's been hard keeping my spirits up, since the shutdown of teacher hiring is nearly total in the Greater Cleveland area. It doesn't look good even now, since the Cleveland schools levy failed. I fear there's more cutbacks to come.

Still, I have to say, I'm cautiously hopeful. I may not be working on a permanent position, but I've been very lucky with the work I've been getting. And I plan to beat the bushes to drum up some training opportunities. I've been talking to teachers at local conferences (such as the T3 conference at John Carroll last month), and it's clear that they would like to find a way to get professional development in technology, particularly if the focus is on ways to use the technology in a classroom by an experienced teacher.