The more things change ...

I took a little time off -- my apologies for taking a couple of weeks to post again. I spoiled everyone by posting religiously for four weeks in a row. Well, I've just been waiting to start the new job because a lot of people have been asking me how I thought it would be different. In the spirit of learning by doing, I decided to wait until I got in the building before I made any judgements. So, I have categorized a few things as "Same" and "Different" to give you the full picture.

This will probably mean more to the folks who either work, attend or have attended the Ridge over the years. But, for those 41 people following me in Malaysia, family and friends in Mayberry and a spattering of non-CRHS friends I have made over the years, I will still try to make it entertaining.

The New Digs

MORE OF THE SAME

MY CLASSROOM
Okay, you can't make this up -- I swear the following is true. My class is not with the rest of the social studies teachers. Yep, not only is it on the other side of the building, but it's also four floors lower. So, as we've been having curriculum meetings, department meetings and the like, I've been toning the ol' calf muscles along the stairways. Watch out Andy Simmons!

And, yes, I have a kitchen in my room! I did not plan any of this. I just walked in and there was the stove top, the full sized fridge and sink. I guess I did something right in my previous life.

We don't have an "EC Department" per se, but I do share the hallway (smaller in terms of number of classrooms than the rest of the building) with our learning support teachers. I'm just a Jay Rich away from being in the Twilight Zone on the classroom front.

THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
My department chair is a laid back, sandal wearing fellow with a penchant for button up, short sleeved dress shirts and slacks. Did I mention he is 6'-5"? Yes, my new department chair is the New Zealand doppelgänger of Roger Orstad. I called him "Staddy Daddy" today; he immediately said, "Colin, sit down and open up your IB textbook." Okay, I made that last part up.

There is only one female teacher on the social studies team. She is short. She is good at what she does. She teaches Geography. I am still waiting to find out if she has a pig-dog named after a branch of the military. I'm sure if she does, it will be her "boo".

COACHING
I have re-entered the realm of JV volleyball coaching. With that comes the opportunity to coach girls again. I went to my first coaching meeting today. We talked about concussions, good sportsmanship and showing good character. We were also told to have a checklist to justify player selections in case a parent challenged the choices. We only have one gym, so the schedule is crazy to accommodate all teams. I have to conduct a 7 a.m. practice once a week before school. Yes, I really do.

MOODLIN'
Yeah, I led the Moodle training this morning. No pressure there -- only been on campus for four days and I'm telling people from all over the globe that the way they are using Moodle as a resource repository isn't the best use of the Learning Management System. But, I started it off with a joke about "Ya'll" being the best thing we did to the Queen's English, turned on that famous JLowe charm, and I think it went well.

JLOWE
Yep. I already have some kids calling me this. I would have it no other way. I wonder who the first student was who was brave enough to do it and allow it to stick?

THE SUBTLE CHANGES

THE CAMPUS

I guess the first thing that makes it different is the double gate, security and the need to show a credential to get in every morning at the guard gate. People like to have their kids protected when they are dropped off in a Mercedes by "Driver" and they are dropping about $35,000USD to have them attend the school. Well, that and the monkeys that run across the security gate every morning. 

Malaysian Squirrel

It's also a K-12 campus, so professional development in some instances has been with the entire campus teaching team. I've been sitting with the elementary counselor. She's pretty fine. I'm thinking she's been flirting with me during the meetings. If I play my cards right, I think I may end up getting lucky with her. I hear she's married and has two kids though -- I'll just keep playing it close to the vest and see what happens. 

We have an outdoor cafeteria. I guess that's a smidgen different from the Ridge. Not a courtyard ... we have one of those, too. I mean the whole cafeteria is open air. There are big fans that run during lunch. And, the lunch food is AWESOME and CHEAP! I know this shocks no one if you've been reading the previous blogs. It must be some SE Asian gene or something that just allows everyone here to cook food so well. Ms. Connie and her staff are very friendly and give big ol' helpings of the main entrees. I got two today (baked chicken and chicken fried rice), and it didn't disappoint. 

CLASSES

So, I'm not an IB teacher anymore. I know -- I was just as shocked as the rest of you. But, I have two general psych courses and they are wanting me to green light IB psych for next year. I also have two World Studies (yes, I will be teaching French history). I was slated to teach Asian students about Asian history in Asia, but a fortuitous scheduling blessing worked that out for me. My one Asian Studies class aligned in the schedule with the Marketing/Media class that my new colleague did not want to teach. As I'm very similar to Don Draper in so, so many ways -- and a chance to put that little Journalism degree I keep tucked away to good use -- I jumped at the chance to switch it up!

The new Marketing/Media Teacher at MKIS (more or less)

COACHING

Baseball is gone. I am now a softball coach -- of the slow pitch variety. I haven't coached girls in slow pitch softball since my sister Cindy was a junior in high school. But, I will give it a try. I'm also coaching the boys' slow pitch middle school softball team for about 40 days in the winter. Ethan is my target recruit right now, but I may lose him to swimming. He just can't wrap his head around playing softball. Of course, if he doesn't, I'll understand. And he'll have plenty of time to think about it while sleeping out by the swimming pool every night. 

And, then theres the matter ... of ... the ... (gulp) uniforms. They are orange. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#ifeelsokiehle

I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to overcome this major obstacle. The coaching shirts are modeled after the Cincinnati Bengals' gear, so I will do my best to wear it without getting too nauseous. Other than the horrific color that brings me nightmares, I like the design.

TIME

Uh, did I mention I can leave my condo at 7:55 a.m. and be on campus by 7:59? That has been a bit convenient. I stayed back yesterday and worked on getting my room set up, organized textbooks and such, and left at 6:55. Jill was finishing up dinner and we ate at 7 p.m. So, what will I do with this new block of 40-50 minutes of non-round-trip driving to work? Well, I'm cooking again. I actually wash the dishes from time to time. I've finished three books this summer and have started a fourth (thanks, Amy K!). I have been working diligently to get new lesson plans and syllabi ready, but then I realize the biggest difference this year ...

SCHEDULE

I teach two world studies classes on "odd day" and then have 3rd block open for planning before a psych course to end the day. Then, I start "even day" the next morning with psychology again before knocking out Draper 101 2nd block. After that, I have two planning periods. Yes. I really typed that. In a two-day period, I have three blocks devoted to planning and grading. I'm still searching for the words to describe how much better that is than receiving a fake 7% raise while watching longevity walk out the back door. 

CLASSROOM

Okay, I know this was a previous section, but those were the similarities. Here are the differences. There are only 23 desks in there. I'm not sure where they will put the other 10. I mean, I can't imagine a class with less than 32 people in it. That just wouldn't make any sense. Oh, and though I do share my room with an after school activity, it will not be driver's ed. It will be a once-a-week cooking club. And, if they have the magic SEAC gene, I'm sure everything they fix in there will be amazing! I'll miss Eddie Hall's smiling face, but Ms. Rowena has promised I can hang out and help cook and sample goodies from time to time as a way of thanking me for using the room. Like it's my room ... I'm the new guy. 

Also, I do NOT have my own bathroom in the classroom. I'm not sure if I can make it without Noah coming by, but I'll adjust.  I have to use the boys' swimming locker room just down the way from my non-social studies room. It has private shower stalls which will come in handy after a 7 a.m. volleyball practice. I'm going to have to monitor the filtered water intake. The days of, "Discuss this for just a second guys while I step away" are over. Any student who has ever had me as a teacher (and Tammy Havekost) gets this. :)

That's it for now. The next time you hear from me, I'll have met up with my new students and see how things go during the hustle and bustle of the school year. I'm as excited as I've ever been. To my Ridge colleagues, the biggest difference is not having you here with me. And, that's been tough. I've enjoyed meeting new colleagues, but you can't replace family. Best of luck to you as you start the new chapter!

JLowe out!