At tutoring...

In addition to my work as an on-call substitute, I also tutor at a tutoring agency for approximately ten hours a week.  I have one first grader, two fourth graders, two seventh graders, and one fifth grader.  I tutor mostly math and writing, though science and history are also part of my repertoire.  I like my kids, though I definitely prefer teaching in the high school environment.  One of my fourth graders was my tutee last year, and this year I started tutoring his first grade brother, too.  These little guys are so cute and funny.  It is hilarious to watch them be goofy elementary kids who aren't afraid of what other think yet.  I feel like laughing every time I tutor them; sometimes I do laugh, but they don't mind. :)

On Monday I had an interview for a job at one of the high schools in the district, and I will find out on Friday if I actually got the job (please pray!).  If I get this job, I think I am going to drop most if not all of my tutoring so that I can really focus on my teaching and hopefully be hired back next year.  But that all depends on the decision that will be announced on Friday.  I am comforted by the fact that GOD has made the decision, not the people who interviewed me (especially since the interview could have been better; oh well!).

Anyway, here's a little peek at what goes on at my job.

At tutoring today...
Me: "Think of another animal. It begins with M. It lives in Canada."
Student: "Monkey!"

Frequently repeated phrases:
"Stop."
"Please stop."
"Your parents are paying right now for you to [insert misbehavior here]."
"Stop."
"I really don't want to be poked in the eye with your pencil."
"Come over here."
"One of these days I'm going to go crazy, and you'll have to get a new tutor."
"Stop messing around."
"I really don't want to be stabbed in the eye with my own pencil."
"Does that make sense?"
"Please stop."
"I'm going to trip over your chair and break something, and you're going to have to take me to the hospital, which is a problem since you can't drive."
"You are crazy!"
"I don't mind you being silly, but we have to be serious right now."
"Please stop."
"Is that how you spell that word?"
"Please sit down."
"Sit down."
"Don't sit in your chair that way."

And on and on it goes... ;)