:)

Hi everyone! It was a busy cccooooolllllllddddddd day here in Winsted. I think it was around 9 degrees this morning with a wind chill factor of -15. My car felt it--it coughed and sputtered trying to start.

Today I was teaching PE/health. It was fun for me, seeing that subject puts me much more into my "element" than algebra. I taught sleep deprivation, mental illnesses, badminton (ok, so that one was a stretch) and food labels to freshmen, juniors and seniors.

A lot of the kids I have had already, and they greeted me enthusiastically. As I walked down the hall many of them called out to see who I was in for today. There were shouts for kids that would be in my class, and groans for those who wouldn't be. A few of them helped me find my room, and went to get someone to unlock it for me. The kids that haven't had me were quickly informed that Miss Hall is a cool sub..... (help me out here, is that "good"? or.....?) Hahahahaha! I teased them back--were they happy they had a sub, or were they happy that I was their sub? There were a few guilty looks and giggles, but they all assured me that it was ME. (wink!)

Later that morning the teacher I subbed for on Friday tracked me down all the way across the school to thank me (profusely!) for doing such a great job for him. Not only that, he passed along the compliment (glowing!) to the sub-lady in the main office, the principal and the superintendent and all three made a point to mention the compliment to me throughout the day.

I love compliments, don't we all? But I know all too well that there will be at least one day that things won't go so well and I'll get a bad report--good thing the good ones came first this time!!!!! :) So much better to glide (safely) along in anonymous mediocrity? It felt really good, though. I don't think grown ups get enough compliments.

Everyone seems amazed that I do so well with what they consider the "bad" kids. First of all, no kids are "bad". Second of all, no kids could possibly be as "bad" as the ones I had in the alternative high school in Binghamton...... and they weren't THAT bad-even the ones who had parole officers! Besides, what is more important? Behavior, or learning? Do you have to be perfectly behaved, as in silent and still, to learn well? I believe that I am more effective when I let kids be kids, with certain expectations about general respect and behavior. Teenagers need some space, and some air. If I can be realistic, give them a little, they will soon give me 1000%.

In other news, we got the Christmas decorations out today and began decorating a bit. Alannah starts Art Club tomorrow. The high school winter concert is tomorrow night, and we will try to go. We are all excited to have Susie and Dan this weekend!

btw.... gas is down to $1.65....... the Steelers won..... life is good! :)

p.s. give a grown up a compliment tomorrow!!!!!!!