Author amykoehn

A Saturday in Autumn

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LM has a college ID.  It’s a perk for attending the gifted program on WMU’s campus.  It doesn’t earn him fitness center privileges, nor does it get him health insurance, and I can only wish it came with a meal plan, but it does earn him the right to free passes to all athletic events.  And this weekend we took advantage.

We didn’t realize at first it was Homecoming but we didn’t let that deter us.  It took quite a circuitous route to get tickets but we were eventually successful and found ourselves in the bleachers, choosing seats near the band.
Sitting in the student section was an experience in and of itself.  Not knowing the fight song or the alma mater song, or why they sing a song about the Chicago Fire, we felt a little left out at times, but we quickly caught on to the little diddies the band played in between plays.  We had a great time.
The weather was perfect.  Cool when we arrived but by the end of the first quarter we were both out of our sweatshirts and basking in the sun.  We’re both pink on the right sides of our faces today.
We left after the halftime band show.  After indulging in two hot dogs and a pretzel.  After witnessing more than our fair share of drunk college kids, but also participating in the mass celebration of a touchdown and a great catch.  We laughed with the band’s antics and we cheered for the team.  
It was, all told, a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Together.
At the game.

Where My Heart Is

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I didn’t know they would gasp.  I knew I was teaching the Kinders things they had never seen before on a computer, but when I showed them how to “blow up” their screen in KidPix to start a new drawing, I didn’t know they would gasp.  I’ll admit, I giggled a little.   I didn’t know they were unaware of screen savers and the simple joy they would get when I would tiptoe over to a “sleeping” computer to demonstrate how to jiggle the mouse to “wake it up”.  
I didn’t realize how impressed the First Graders would be that I could work on a computer right next to me and show it up on the big projection screen.  That alone might have won me Teacher of the Year.
I was surprised at how excited the Second Graders were to make an ABC book for the Kindergarten classes.  The enthusiasm of the teachers when I handed them their completed books was as overwhelming as the kids.  They were proud of what they created.  I was proud for them.
It’s not my ideal.  I miss teaching math, giving spelling tests and talking about butterflies and synonyms.  But for now, it’s a steady, albeit small paycheck and I have these little blessed moments of joy tucked into my days.  

Besides, one of the Kindergarten teachers told me that the kids are as excited about Technology Class as they are about gym.  Ranking right up there with gym?  Now that’s something to be proud of!

Shhhh…

amykoehn 2 Comments

…he’s cooking dinner.  It’s KICK’N and he’s so proud to be grilling burgers and making homemade fries and even heating up some baked beans.   He’s currently getting the lettuce, onion and tomato ready, too.

Shhh…..
I’m enjoying myself.
Ahhh….KICK’N….what a wonderful way to spend a Thursday night!!

Hallowed-Help

amykoehn 8 Comments

I need help.

I don’t celebrate Halloween.

But I work in an elementary school this year and Halloween is a mandatory celebration complete with costume parade.

My fall-back costume from when I was young just won’t do.

These kids don’t know who Pippi Longstocking is.

I thought maybe I could be Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus, but even that might be above the heads of Kindergarteners through second graders.

HELP!!!

All That I Can Do

amykoehn 4 Comments

I can stand in a room full of 26 computers and 24 Kindergarteners and not be afraid.

I can have the power blink 7 minutes before my computer class and still be up and ready before the kids come in.

I can have lessons to teach that require minor assistance from the classroom teacher and still pull it off when I have a day full of substitute teachers that know nothing about how to help.

I can have a lab full of a dozen students, ready to participate in a reading program that I have not been trained on nor instructed in nor debriefed about and still teach them something about the program (and myself) in the half hour we have together.

I can change my schedule for every new need of my principal, including a change to cover for a recess monitor; to eat my lunch at 10:30 on Tuesdays to accommodate the lab schedule; to become a hall monitor before and after school instead of a bus monitor; to move classes around to accommodate the needs of one particular student in one particular class….

I can reproduce an entire set of log-in cards when they go missing even though I am certain I didn’t lose them but unable to find them and the teacher insists she didn’t take them only to have the teacher confess days later that she did in fact find them in her room.

I can grade papers, staple art projects, file math papers, and any other assorted tasks for other teachers when I have nothing at all to do in my lab.

I can help a brand new sub on her very first day, even making sure to be in the classroom at the end of the day when it’s time to get kids ready for the bus (she apparently didn’t make this a priority for herself, I was there alone with the kids).

But today, I did the hardest thing yet. I stuck a needle into a precious little six year old Kindergarten girl. She’s diabetic and every day we have to test her blood and give her insulin and it’s been changed to my list of duties as there needed to be a shift with the woman who was helping. And I did it, and we both survived. She made it easy. She’s braver than I am.

When Scheduling is Your Job

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I had a call from the Assistant Principal yesterday. It turns out there was an altercation with LM in Computer Applications class yesterday. We talked about the incident – minor, really – and I happened to mention that it’s hard for LM because the material they are covering in C.A. is so easy for him. She suggested we move him to another computer class. I replied that I was unaware there was another computer class. “There’s the 8th grade C.A. class,” she responded.

“What will he take in 8th grade then?” I asked.

She didn’t have an answer. She finally said he’d probably have to repeat the class. I politely suggested that wasn’t much of a solution to the problem then.

So today LM goes to school and is approached by his counselor after 5th hour. “After lunch, go to your new computer class.”

LM replied, “I didn’t know I had a new computer class.”

“Yes, you’re in the 8th grade class now.”

LM, aware of my conversation with the Assistant Principal, and the fact that I didn’t think moving him was a good option to begin with, shrugged and headed to lunch.

After lunch, for 6th hour, he headed to his new computer class. It was already in session. The teacher told him to just “take a seat in the back and do the typing progam” which he did. And 20 minutes later, the bell rang. Because it was time for 8th grade lunch. And the teacher announced to LM that this wouldn’t work at all because this was also her lunch hour. LM shrugged. And went back to his counselor and explained the problem.

And the counselor said, “oh, yeah, that won’t work, will it?”

I think the best solution is to just let LM run the school at this point. He’s clearly got the smarts for it.

Blessed

amykoehn 1 Comment

It happened last weekend, too, but I had forgotten.  I could hear it outside my window but it took me a moment or two to realize what the sound was.  Breaking glass.  Just a little.  There it was.  Now there again.  Right outside the window.  I laid in bed and listened more carefully.  It’s when I hear the slider that I realized the whole picture.  I looked out my window, into the reflection of the patio doors across the way and verified the scene.  He was throwing glass off his balcony into the street outside my patio.

I got up and got the dog and went out the back way.  I wanted to see it in person.  I’m not sure why that would make a difference, I just didn’t want to believe that’s what he was doing.  His mom would be home from the night shift soon.  He must just be up and bored.
When I got around to the front I could see the shards of glass shimmering all over the pavement.  I realized his mom’s car might be the first tire casualty.  I took the dog back in, got a bag and came back out.  I very carefully picked up all the large pieces of glass that I could see.  It was light enough now that it wasn’t too difficult.  I wondered what he had broken originally to get this much glass to throw.  
His mom pulled into the lot while I was still out there.  I signaled her to go around the glass and she rolled down her window to talk to me.  “Someone had too much fun last night and broke their bottles out here?”  I looked at her with that understanding that passes from mom to mom – I knew I’d hate to look so stupid, but I knew I had to say something.  “Actually, it would seem E was throwing glass off the balcony this morning.  I could hear it and then I saw him from my window in the reflection over there.  I’m so sorry to have to tell you that.”
She went on to say how much trouble she’s been having with E.  He’s bigger than she is now and he thinks he can push her around and that he doesn’t have to listen to her anymore.  I’ve only known E to be a quiet, polite boy who causes mischief now and then more out of boredom (because she works nights) than anything else.  He’s done some things in the past that he will then leave a very remorseful apology note at our door for.  She said her friend just sent her son to the Juvenile Home and she’s thinking about the same for E.  
I didn’t know what to say.  I said things like, “This is a tough age” (E is LM’s age) and “it’s hard to be a single mom, isn’t it?”  
But when I went back inside, and I stood at the sink doing dishes, it just swept over me.  I am so very blessed.  My son is such a caring, loving, son.  His troubles are so minor, so innocent, so typical for his age.  He loves his parents, he loves God.  I have never feared he would raise a hand to me or that he would do something that would cause injury or harm to someone else.  
I stood there at the sink and prayed.  
But for the grace of God, go I.

Too Personal

amykoehn 5 Comments

Because I am a sucker and because I took so much grief the last time for “not giving it a fair shot”, when I joined the personals this summer, I took the discounted plan that extends my plan for a couple extra months.  I’m not sure what I was thinking, but alas, we all make mistakes.

I thought I would share the latest responses I’ve been getting to my profile.  While I am ever increasingly skeptical that this medium will warrant an options I wish to pursue, I do, at the very least find the whole thing extremely entertaining.  I give you these emails verbatim (grammar, spelling and all!)
Response #1:
“Amy, I seen in your profile you said that if I’m not yet divorced I’m not your type but I’m almost divorced.  Does that count?  P.S.  When you fell from heaven did it hurt and did you cry?  Let’s meet for lunch at Logan’s!! – B”
Response #2:
“i think we have a lot in common.  i love to water ski, camp, hike, ride qads, fish and hunt.  (note:  NONE of these things are listed on my profile as things I enjoy, except maybe hiking.)  i like to drink. i like to play cards with the boys.  i lost $400 last week but i usually win.  i think were a great match.  right soon.  – M.”
Response #3:
“Amy, I saw your profile and really liked what you said.  I used to work with kids, too.  I worked at a child care center until I taught the kids to do shots with dixie cups.  They were only drinking water, of course, but apparently that’s against the rules so I got fired.  Now I’m looking for work but I’m hanging out with my son.  I think it’s important to be the best dad I can be.  We go to McDonald’s a lot and play and the playplace.  I haven’t met any women there, yet.  LOL  I like that you said you go to church every week.  I have never gone but sometimes wonder what it’s all about.  Maybe you can show me.  Hope to hear from you soon.  I won’t be home tonight, though, I’m going out to watch the game.  I take my son with me and he falls asleep in the booth.  It’s so cute!  – D.”
Response #4:
“Amy, I apologize for not writing back sooner but I was traveling for work.  I don’t always have to travel but since I’m a college recruiter, this time of year is busier than most.  It’s usually only regional day trips, but I’m occasionally gone over night.  I’m so bad at these first emails.  I wish I could just skip the small talk and jump into the casual part of a relationship.  But I’ll try.  I would rather vacation in Maine than Florida.  I loved my trip to England but wish I had someone there with me.  When I go the next time I plan to visit Ireland and Scotland as well.  I’m a huge baseball fan – Go Cubs!!  I doubt being a Cubs fan impresses anyone, but I could never cheer for a team like the Yankees.  I’m all about the underdog.  Speaking of which, I love dogs but don’t have one (because of my travel).  I love kids but don’t have any.  I was married for nine years and have been divorced for six.  I still run into my ex wife occasionally as she lives one town away but we’re very amicable.  We just weren’t the right spouses for each other.  I just bought a house a couple years ago.  It needs some work which I do on the weekends and over the summer.  Someday it will be really beautiful.  Well, I have rambled on long enough and not said anything all that impressive.  I’m not a world traveler, I enjoy being close to home.  I’m not overly wealthy but I pay the bills and have a plan for retirement.  I’m a pretty regular, down-to-earth, easy going guy just looking for the woman God has in mind for me.  If I haven’t bored you half to death, feel free to email me back.  I’m usually online on Sundays while the football games are on.  Hope to hear from you soon.  If I’m not what you’re looking for, I wish you all the best in your search.  – S.”
Okay, so #4 has potential.  I don’t hold my breath, though.  I try to keep an open mind and a cautious heart.  I’ll keep you posted.

Rosie and Gabby

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I was guilted and backed into a corner and persuaded and did I mention guilted?  But mostly I was backed into a corner.  In front of Pam’s brothers.  And so I agreed.  Temporarily.  But the “temporary” part wasn’t heard, I don’t think.

And so now, I am reluctantly fostering two of Pam’s cats.  They are wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but with a cat and a dog of my own, and a paycheck (and an apartment) the size of a postage stamp, taking on two additional pets isn’t what I had in mind right now.  
They are living in my bedroom right now, behind closed doors.  Gabby will come out when I go to bed and talk to me and snuggle right up with me.  His motor will run and he will just enjoy all the love I can give him.
He is a real sweetheart, but the woman who had them before me had trouble with Gabby.  He was aggressive with her male cat and I’m afraid he’ll do much the same with mine.  We haven’t tried yet. 
Rosie is a sweetie.  She wants to come to you on her terms but she’s a doll.  She’s quiet and calm.  She didn’t get worked up when she met Jonah (our cat) or Eli (our dog) until Eli got a little excited and then she was ready to hide somewhere.  She sleeps on my bed but hasn’t said a word since she arrived. 
It was Pam’s wish that they would be kept together as they have been for 8 years.  But at this point, we’re having so much difficulty placing them that we may have to separate them.  I think they will do just fine.  
It’s hard to have her cats and yet not feel as though I can keep them.  I would, if we lived in a house and had the room and the funding for more pets.  And if they got along with the pets we already consider part of the family.  But for now, I will love them like Pam would and I will pray that someone somewhere will realize they need a wonderful cat in their home.  I know the perfect ones.

Friends

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I missed three of their birthdays.  I knew I was late on two but the third one, I didn’t even know the right date and he only just now turned a year old.  

I’m a dreadful friend.  I never call.  I rarely email.  And when we get together I feel as if all we talk about is me.  And they are the ones with a family of five.
  
But they are some of my beautiful friends that I am ever so grateful for.  I treasure the moments we get to spend together and wonder every time as I drive away why I don’t keep in better touch.  
They make me laugh.  
They make me smile.  
They make me happy to spend time together with them.  They are beautiful parents.  They are a beautiful couple (Happy Anniversary!) and God has blessed me with their friendship.