In the Art Room

A Change is Gonna Come

A long, long time ago (nearly two years!) I created this lil’ ole blog. I just kind of threw it together as a place to vent and gather my thoughts, with no real concern to its appearance. At the time, I had another blog (now defunct) that was receiving more attention and therefore required more of my attention in regards to its design and upkeep. I’ve tweaked this blog from time to time, changing an element here and there, but I never really gave it the full attention it deserved. Over the past two years I’ve been amazed and flattered by the attention and following ATHG has acquired. I feel it is now time (and long, long over due) to give this bloggy blog a facelift. As with all cosmetic procedures, it’s still what’s on the inside that counts, so don’t expect my content to change. But hopefully, after the work is done, my outside will finally match my “snarky” insides. Stay tuned!

Are there any design features/elements you would like to see added or removed?

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Gripes

Will You Allow Me to Vent for A Minute?

Just because I like my job, does that mean it’s not a real job?
Just because I have fun at my job, does that mean it isn’t real work?
Just because I teach kids to paint and use clay, does that mean I don’t have real responsibilities?
Just because I “play” with kids all day, does that mean my job isn’t really important?
Just because I have conversations at work about striped ducks, does that mean my job isn’t serious?
Just because I’m happy with my job, does that mean it doesn’t matter?
Just because I don’t suffer at my job, does that mean I don’t contribute?
If you prick me, do I not bleed?

Er… never mind that last one, but…

Apparently, because I have chosen a career path that makes me happy and is satisfyingly fulfilling in all its fun, imaginative and creative ways, and because I do not make as much money, my job does not have the same value as real jobs in real, professional fields. And to this, I ask…

Just because you made bad decisions in your life and with your career choices, does that mean I have to be punished for mine?

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A Day In the Life

"It’ll Get Easier"

For two weeks now I’ve been hearing this phrase repeated to me over and over again, “It’ll get easier.” But you know what, it hasn’t. It hasn’t gotten any easier leaving my little girl with someone else to care for for the day while I go off to work. My heart breaks every morning. And every day we spend apart, I wonder if it’s worth it. I know it’s only for three days out of the week, but those three days are painful. Yes, I still enjoy teaching. Yes, there are moments when I’m glad to be back in the classroom. Yes, there are even times when I’m so preoccupied that I don’t think of my little love bug. But it doesn’t mean it’s any easier. Yes, I know it’s only been two weeks, but do I even want it to get easier? I don’t think that I want to get to the point where it becomes easy to leave my bug with another. My baby is my world. In my mind, there is nothing else I have to do that is more important than caring for my child. Except we need the paycheck.

My daycare provider says she greatly admires working mothers. She believes they’re stronger than she is herself. She tried returning to work after her little guy was born (he’s almost 2 years now) and only made it a week and a half before she quit. And she had left her boy with his daddy and grandmother! On the other hand, she claims there are days she would give anything to go to work now and have her husband stay home. Even if just for one day.

I don’t know, maybe it will get easier. Maybe I’ll start looking at my days at work as rewarding, fulfilling and welcomed again, instead of just seeing them as a chore taking me away from my real job. I count down the hours, the minutes, until I can leave my classroom. Never have I left my job on time before, but I can’t imagine spending any extra time away from my love bug. I rush out the door and can’t get to daycare quick enough, while in my mind I’m screaming, “Baby! Baby! Baby! Baby! I must have my baby!” And as I sweep her up in my arms, I imagine my Sweet A has been screaming something similar, “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! I must have my mommy!” Although, after a day of unsatisfying bottles, I’m sure it’s more like, “Boobs! Boobs! Boobs! Boobs! I must have my boobs!”

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A Day In the Life

Hey. Hey, you! Yeah, you…

    
What color are my pants?

Co-worker: A beautiful chocolate brown.

Hmmm…

6th grade student: Brown-ish, purple-ish.

Okay…

Other 6th grade student: Brown.

Uh-huh…

Mr. ATHG: What’re you asking me for? I’m color blind.

 Whoops! And here I thought they were dark grey when I bought them. I sure hope no one saw my socks.

 

 

 

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A Day In the Life, Gripes

Hooray! Word Problems!

When I was in school, the most dreaded questions in math, in my opinion, were the word problems. I hated them. I didn’t get them. They frustrated me and I often had a hard time comprehending them. I think it’s only fair that I get to make up my own word problems.

Ms. ATHG works at School X 3 days a week. She teaches 12 classes, each lasting 1 hour. On Tuesday, she teaches 3 classes and assists with 1 session of academic intervention. On Wednesday, she teaches 5 classes and assists with 1 session of academic intervention. On Thursday, she teaches 4 classes and has am and pm bus duty. On Tuesday, Ms. ATHG has 3 hours of “free time” spread throughout the day in which to pump. On Wednesday, Ms. ATHG has 30 minutes of “free time” smack dab in the middle of the day in which to pump. On Thursday, Ms. ATHG has 2 hours and 10 minutes of “free time” spread throughout the day in which to pump. Ms. ATHG needs to pump every 2-3 hours in order to prevent discomfort. Ms. ATHG is capable of pumping 4 oz. of milk during each 15 minute session. If Ms. ATHG wants to pump at least 12 oz. each day, what are the odds she’s going to develop mastitis or a blocked duct on a Wednesday?

Ready for another one?

Ms. ATHG has 6 tables in her classroom. Each table seats 4 students. Ms. ATHG’s average class has 26 students, with her largest classes having 29 students. Ms. ATHG’s art department requires students to create paintings on 18×24 paper. If Ms. ATHG wants each student to have enough work space to comfortably work, how many students’ paintings will be ruined this year?

I’ve got another one for you.

Ms. ATHG has 6 sinks in her art room. There are 6 paper towel dispensers in her room. Ms. ATHG has 1 trash can. The trash can has a 7-gallon capacity. Ms. ATHG plans on starting painting projects with 3 grade levels, the Kinders, 6th graders and 5th graders, for a total of 6 classes. If each student washes their hands an average of 1.13 times during class, how many rolls of paper towels will Ms. ATHG pick up off the floor on an average day? BONUS: What are the odds most students will try to use the 2 leaking sinks they have been instructed not to use?

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