Almost 4 years later- my "retirement' from teaching

Wow...just went back and read my last post...well to be honest, you couldn't keep me away from the classroom for long. In addition to co-owning a gift store, I went back to teaching two mornings - computers at Yeshivat Rambam in September 2008. Midway through the year, the other computer teacher quit...and i took on all the computer classes, 2 days a week, morning and afternoon, 12 periods a week, grades K-5. I found it really exciting, I made my own curriculum and had the pleasure of teaching 5 of my 7 grandchildren. A year later, I continued with this job, perfecting my curriculum and really getting lots of satisfaction teaching. Unfortunately teaching at YR was very volatile and nerve wracking as there were rumors all year long of its imminent demise. Well...last june 15 Yeshivat Rambam did close its doors. Thus ended my 20th century teaching career.

Through some state funds that were still available to teachers from YR I was able to attend ISTE last June. ISTE stands for the International Society for Technology in Education. There I was introduced to 21st Century education, both teaching and learning...i'm still trying to take it all in. Thank G-d I was offered the position of Education Technology Coordinator at Ohr Chadash Academy, a new school in Baltimore (where 4 of my grandchildren transferred to). Grades 4-6 have iPads...I am a member of "jedchat" and online twitter chat group which meets every Wed nite 9-10 pm..to discuss issues in Jewish education. I am constantly learning new things and hope my Bubby Brain can process it all...it's exciting to be on the cutting edge of the new frontiers in education at an exciting new school which is trying to be on this forefront of this frontier. 2 days a week at OCA, 2-3 days at Presentations, my life at this stage is very full...wonderful hubby who supports my crazy schedule and a great family who also appreciates my involvement (especially since some of my busy life is directly related to the education of some of their children)...I can't forget to mention the fact that I drive carpool 3 times a week, thus increasing the time I spend with 4 of my grandchildren and 3 of my great nephews and niece. Thank G-d for this all.

I am planning to be at ISTE in June again, in San Diego...cannot wait to "take it all in" again. I guess I didn't "retire" from teaching almost 4 years ago in June of 2008. Just changed directions in my teaching career.

Retirement

It really is unreal for me. I am finally retiring from my teaching job of the last 29 years!! I have been teaching and in chinuch for 39 years, the past 29 at one job...one class...teaching 3rd grade. It is, at the same time, exciting, scary, It's hitting me, as I clean my desk, and do report cards, record cards etc for the last time.
Well...the excitement of my new career is there...our new venture is fun, lots of hard work, but different kind of self-satisfaction...no more seeing young minds open up when challenged...but also, no more of the chutzpa and downright lack of derech eretz I've seen recently (well, customers can be that way too, but it hurts more when it's from a 9 year old kid!!) Onwards!! hatzlacha to me!!

Puzzling behavior

On Shabbos Shuva our rav said to pick one mitzvah and try to stick with it. Since I have been really bad about going to shul on Shabbos I thought that should be a good one to start. I have been going to the hashkama minyan almost every week (minus about 2-3) since then and I'm proud of myself. (it was freezing this Shabbos early in the morning!!)

My hubby is gabbai and I love watching him "perform." Every week he gets up to say the Tefillah for the govt, the tefillah for Medinat Eretz Yisrael, and the Tefillah for tzahal.

People sit through all three!! I understand (but don't agree) sitting during the tefillah for the medina since many people don't agree that the state of Israel is "Reishit tzmichat geulateinu"...fine, don't stand for that. But...the tefillah for our government. Even if you don't agree with the policies of the administration and have trouble with them...we're still in the medina shel chessed. Think back in history - In what other countries were Jews allowed the freedom they have here? I always think of the gov't spies spying in shul somewhere in Europe when I say kedusha for mussaf, as that is the supposed reason they put the shma in kedusha.

And the tefillah for "tzva hagannah l'yisrael". Ok, you don't believe in the medina, but we do have a medina and it is tzahal who is defending this medina so that your sons and daughters can learn in relative peace in their yeshivos and seminaries.
Daven for their welfare. It directly impacts on the welfare of those whom you love.

Accents and Learning Chumash

Not the restaurant, even though I love it. I resent Dougies honing in on them and opening up on Willow Glen and Greenspring (isn't that called Hasagat gvul?).

I'm talking about regional accents. I've been married 3 days short of 37 years (our anniversary is Nov 8), and lived with a Baltimoron for that many years in Baltimore and on the accent quiz (I still have not figured out how to add links in the blog...help needed on that) I was told I have a North East accent, probably New York. Interesting...My grandkids sound more Bawlmawr than I do.

Last night I went to Rabbi Menachem Leibtag's chumash shiur sponsored by Shomrei. It was great...It was from Parshat Toldot, which I teach, so I especially loved it. This morning I went back for 3 more hours at the CJE...Wow!!

weight management

well, after Yom Tov I'm back at it again...rejoined weight watchers last Sunday...and I lost 2.4 lbs this week. It's just a matter of self control...I just cannot fathom why it's so easy to say no to treif without hesitation...and when the same food item gets the OU (entemmans for example, or all those "treif named, under hashgacha restaurants in Israel i.e. KFC, Pizza Hut) we cannot control ourselves?? well I feel good about my accomplishment...but had to pay $12+ for 1/10 of a pound since I was 1/10 over what I had to weigh to get in free (since I am lifetime)...hopefully next week will be just as good)...

Where is Ahavas Yisrael?

Why can't we get along? Yesterday seemed like the perfect day.
I was in Hershey Park, and I was amazed at the cross section of Jews there. There were all types...chassidim, misnagdim, MO, women in shaitels, baseball hats, no hair covering, pants, etc...all having a wonderful time...mostly with families...it didn't seem, as many would believe, to be a "hangout" ...it was just a nice day, with Jewish music playing in the background to spend with fellow Jews.

Tznius??

For some strange reason we subscribe to the Yated Neeman. I say strange...because it really is not our hashkafa, but my husband likes the biographies and Torah articles. I have gotten used to not seeing pictures of women (they published my friend's husband's picture when SHE was honored by a chashuv organization.)

There was a letter to the editor which really disturbed me this week. The letter was entitled: "a breach of tznius...in my mind." He/or she writes:
"...We must not overlook the importance of tznius. In last week's paper, you wished a chosson and kallah mazel tov on their engagement and went so far as to list all their siblings. I find it very deeply disturbing that such a choshavaeh and frum paper is listing girls by name. I think it is a huge breach in tznius, especially during aseres yemai teshuvah.".

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a big proponent of tznius, but I (naively??) thought tznius was a manner of dress, the way you act, the way you carry yourself...since when is listing a girl's name, a matter of tznius???? Please explain!