What is on my mind!!!!!!!

What is on my mind you ask? Alot you could say. It seems that when every time it rains it pours. On January 26, 2007, I lost my job at the law firm I was working at. At first the thought of not working was appealing to me. Sleeping in. Going to sleep late. An excuse to be on a semi-permanent vacation. Reality set in when I came back from my daydream. I had a husband, a 1 1/2 year old son and I was almost 3 months pregnant with our second child, and I had no job. After discussing it with my husband we decided that I would stay home until our second child was born. During the rest of my pregnancy I decided to go to school to obtain my Legal Secretary Degree in hopes that when I returned it would help me find a better job. Times were hard and with only one income things were tight beyond belief. Before we knew it our second child was born, another son. We were greatful cause at least we already had baby clothes from our first son, so that wasn't so bad. But we still had diapers, wipes, and milk to buy. We managed to survive with the help of family and friends. Overtime it seemed like no money was comming in eventhough my husband was still bringing home the same paycheck. We were happy when we we had just $5 so we could rent a movie. The days of going out to dinner, movies or just doing what we wanted were over, not because we had two small children but because there was no money. Anytime a paycheck came in, it was always spent. Eventually I decided to try and get back into the job market but by that time I had already been out or work for almost a year. I put in application after application and sent in resume after resume. No call backs no interviews, nothing. I began to wonder what was wrong. Was I expecting too much, was I overqualified. Still I kept on being persistant. It finally paid off in April of 2008. I finally got a job that didn't REQUIRE me to be bilingual, or so I was told. It was a part time job but hey at least I would be bringing in some money. After only working one day I received a call stating that things were not going to work out because they wanted someone who was bilingual. As you can guess, I was extremely hurt and upset because I was very qualified for the position and I explicitly asked if I needed to be bilingual and I was told that would not be a problem. Obviously Not!!! So since that time I have continued to submit in applications and wait for interviews but nothing. That is why I am back in school, hoping that my degree will get me a job when I graduate. But with the way the economy is going I do not see that happening. I try to keep an open mind and a positive attitude but for some reason it does not end up that way. I end up feeling sorry for myself and feeling depressed because I can't help support my family. I realize that taking care of two children is a hard and laborious job and it doesn't pay well. LOL!!! But I know the rewards are great. I know that I should be enjoying this time I have with my two kids because I won't get this time back. But again a part of me says that contributing financially to our family is just as important as taking care of the precious gifts GOD gave us. I know in due time I will find a job, maybe its like this so I can find the job I love. Maybe this is a test from GOD to see what me and my husband are made of and to see how we deal with it. For now I thank GOD that I have my health, my loving husband, my family, and my two beautiful boys.

Computers!!!!!

Computers....they are everywhere....
I remember when I was in about 4th grade (the early 80's), what computers use to look like. They were big and bulky and the color of the words came out in white while the screen was green. Now a days computers are almost the size of a 1" binder. Thats crazy! Its amazing what computers can do, what you find, and who you can find. Imagine if we still had to type papers on a typewriter? How uncivilized. No matter how much I think I know computers there is always something else for me to learn. This is going to be a great class cause not only do you learn about education and technology but it it also good because what we learn can also be great for a resume. I have learned through experience that the more computer exerience one has the better chance they have at getting a great job. Not only are the programs fun to learn but there are also so many good sites on the web for games, travel, music ect. My 3yr old son just recently discovered the computer and he loves it. Everytime he sees someone on it all he wants to do is play with it. So of course I give in and we begin playing games, watching video clips of his favorite cartoons, and learning his letters, numbers and colors. I guarantee you in a few short years he will be telling me how to use the computer. I enjoy using the computer for emailing, looking up stuff, and finding friends I haven't spoken to in a while. I also use it to keep in touch with my family. I also enjoy sending pictures to friends and family since you don't waste a stamp but I guess on the flip side you waste power. Never a win win situation.

Superindendent!!!

I was waching the MDCPS's board meeting today around 3pm on WLRN. The problems with our funding not only lie with Rudy Crew but also with the board members as well. All are responsible!!! I don't feel that what has happened lately is right. For those teachers who put forth maximum effort, work hard, and sacrifice; they get the short end of stick. Teachers were promised pay raises and what they actually received were pay cuts and no raises. Ironically Rudy Crew still got his raise. What kind of example does this set? I believe that the teachers for this county work much harder than Rudy Crew and deserve their pay raise moire than Mr. Crew. He already makes more than enough money and receives many perks than any average Joe would appreciate. A pay raise is absolutly ridiculous. That money could have been better spent on our schools, children and teachers. We need a superintendent that can lead by example. If teachers aren't able to receive their raises then neither should the superindendent. Money should go first to the schools and children, then to the teachers and then to the superindendent. I was glad to hear from Mrs Perla Taberas that Rudy Crew had given his resignation, he was not fired. I feel that we can find a better candidate to run our schools more effienctly and effectively. The board members need to make a proper decision on who would be the next superindendent. These candidates should be interviewed properly untill the right candidate is found. If an interim needs to be appointed in order to fulfill this space then so be it. I rather these board members take their time in hiring than make a rash decision that all of us are going to not benifit from. This is a matter that affects us but for the most part our children and their futures.

My Interest in Teaching!!!

Hi,
My name is Patricia Perez and I received my AA in Pre Bachelors of Arts in 2002 from Miami Dade College. I took a few years off after that to start working at what I would call dead end jobs. I got married in 2005 to a wonderful man and have two wonderful kids. I am currently trying to finish up my lower level courses in order to gain acceptance into the Bachelors Program for ESE Teaching K-12. I have always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was little. What really set my decision in stone was two things really. The first was a great teacher I had at Miami Dade College; his name was Professor Eliason. I am unsure if he still teaches and the second was the reality of having two kids and wondering how am I going to support these children with a dead end job. After loosing my job early in 2007, I decided it was time to go back to school. I went to FIU to get My Legal Secretary Degree which I obtained in hopes that I would be able to get a good paying job in the Legal Field while I was going to school. No luck!!! I have now been unemployed for longer than I ever have, and it made me realize how important education really is.