I went to a work meeting today and left feeling pretty bummed out. It was a big meeting with multiple school sites and I was going to see my old coworkers for the first time since I left. Getting ready this morning, I felt as if I was going to see an ex boyfriend for [...]
I am a pretty big fan of girl power pop songs that demand a good car dance. This especially includes anything Katy Perry. The other day, I was driving home from work and her current hit, “Last Friday Night” came on the radio. Immediately my mood perked up and I smiled as I thought about [...]
Most of my teacher posts these days have been as angst filled as my teenage students. Working at my new school site has been such a big adjustment. Its so different in fact, that I feel like I need to carry a passport to work there. I almost feel like I have transported back to my missionary [...]
As a teacher, I have daily opportunities to build character. A few weeks ago, I experienced one of my most difficult student situations yet. I didn’t want to write about it until now, because it was hurtful and I needed to heal and forgive before I could move on. Now, I thought that re-telling the [...]
In June, there was a line of 300 credit deficient students and unruly parents outside our school trying to enroll for summer school. We only had about 200 spots, and it was apparent that all the teachers would need to pitch in and take on some extra students. I volunteered to teach night school two nights [...]
Guess what? We’re moving! Again! The hot husband and I are getting ready to move into a great new place filled with glorious amenities like a fireplace, two bedrooms, a two car attached garage, a dishwasher and our very own laundry! By now we are experts at moving because as my dear friend reminded me, this will be my [...]
“I didn’t sleep very well” “I have to take my (insert name of random family member) to the hospital (read: doctor’s office)” “I’m on my period and I have cramps” “I don’t like reading”. Over the course of a single day, I hear dozens of excuses from teenagers about why they aren’t at school or [...]
Yesterday, when I walked up to a parent who had just come in the center and asked what I could do to help her, she gave me a long look over and accusingly said, “You are perky aren’t you?” I think I have reinvented myself as the perkiest teacher in all of south L.A. My [...]
When I was in second grade I was a girl scout. I only did girl scouts for one year, probably because it was only made possible by the unusual circumstance of extra money in the Moyal family coffers. I was so proud to be a brownie. I remember strutting into the classroom wearing my uniform [...]
I used to love making mix tapes. I would spend a whole Saturday afternoon listening to the radio, waiting for a good song to come on and when it did, I would run over to my Sony boombox to push record. My famous “Super Sarah Mix Tapes” would constantly be played in our mini van [...]
