Jenni's Surprise Birthday Party!

Sheena was in town for a wedding, and Jenni's birthday just happened to be about a week away, so we decided to surprise Jenni with Sheena's presence and a party for her! So here are some of the pictures. The best part of the evening was not the initial shock Jenni had when she saw everyone there, but the second scream when she realized Sheena was in the crowd! I love surprising people! Happy Birthday Jenni!

Weekend Leisure

Since Friday was the end of the quarter, things at school seemed to wrap themselves up and I did not have to bring much to do this week! Yeehaw!

This weekend was like none other I have experienced in a long time. When I got to school on Friday morning, one of my colleagues said, "Happy hour after school?" And I thought sure why not...we put in a full week and a full quarter of the school year! So three of us went out to O'Dowd's an Irish pub in Zona Rosa (Parkville). Then the excitement of the weekend began...One of the teachers owns a horse named Glory. So she took us out to the farm for an evening of horseback riding...It was a low key affair since there was only one horse and the horse had to take her time getting used to us strangers. But regardless, it was a great evening with the nice breeze, watching the sunset, and riding a horse out on the farm! Following that I headed to an adoration chapel for some time to pray, rest and just be.

Saturday was another unique day. I got up and went to Mass. There were thunderstorms all morning, so what better to do, then to go back home and crawl up and read a book....So I read for awhile, took a nap, watched a movie with my roommate (mom can you believe it? I watched a movie!), then I got ready for the evening. I think it was the first day in a long time that I didn't do anything truly productive! That night I went to a Catholic young adult event titled the Hee-Haw Hoedown. We had some country fixin's, a caller for square dancing, bobbing for apples, and a bonfire...We had a good time.

Sunday, I slept in, went to Mass, worked on a meditation I am going to be giving at the Collaborator meeting, spent a few hours at Loose Park, went running, and now I am home for the evening cleaning, doing laundry, and to do a bit of school work!

I guess I am sharing this to encourage all of you to have a weekend of four "R"s.....resting, recuperating, and retreating! It is certainly rejuvenating!

I hope you all have a great week!
Love, Lauren

A glimpse of October...

Weekend with Missy and Tim...

On the Plaza with Jenni (and Aunt Missy and Uncle Tim)...note the unintended matching outfits with the coincidental pink fountain water...

Fall Festivities....After work I went to Jenni's house to join Sasha and Jenni for homemade pumpkin pie, peach cobbler, and applesauce they made that afternoon from supplies they picked up at the farmer's market. It was the perfect way to welcome the fall season!

Michelle and I at the Divine Wine Fest...

Waxing by Missy

Last weekend, Aunt Missy and Uncle Tim came to visit! I felt quite honored since they took the weekend away from the kiddos and wanted to come see me! Needless to say, we had a great 24 hours together filled with laughter. The laughter began as I shared some stories about my students...especially the stories related to flatulence...then I realized that I had at my place a container of Flarp...a putty that makes farting noises...so we had lots of fun playing tricks with that....this comes into play later...

My time with Missy and Tim included a tour of the city including Downtown, the Plaza area, Brookside, Parkville, my school, and my condo...then we attended Mass together, followed by a trip to the Plaza for dinner at P.F. Chang's.

On our way back from dinner, we reminisced some memories from family vacations in Michigan. We then recalled the evening of facials with all the girls in the family. Missy was once again inspired to wax my eyebrows. I was up for the fun...there is really not much more to say other than she did a great job and I have not laughed as hard as I did in a long time...the video should explain more....

I believe the laughter stems from Aunt Missy thinking she may have accidentally waxed my entire eyebrow and from her need to go quickly go to the bathroom.

So please, watch the video for a good laugh.

Thanks Aunt Missy and Uncle Tim for a great weekend. It was my pleasure to have you!

One-fourth of the way...

As of 2:38 Friday afternoon, I will have survived my first quarter of the school year. It is truly amazing how quickly time is flying. Please stay tuned to the blog, for tomorrow I intend to share with you some entertaining stories from school and life. Love ya all

Glamorous...A Red Carpet Affair

The weekend of September 20, I went to the homecoming football game Friday night, then participated in the homecoming parade with the freshman executive council Saturday morning, and then chaparoned the homecoming dance Saturday evening. So needless to say it was a full weekend. I enjoyed my time getting to see students outside of the classroom. Here are a few pics from the weekend...

Who needs a convertible when you have a dump truck and trailer?

The crew of students....

oh yeah, we won the game!

Confiscation...

So today, my day off, I have had the opportunity to diminish a lengthy list of things to do...including laundry! But what I anticipated to be a $4 load of laundry became $54!

Yesterday, I confiscated a student's cell phone because he was receiving text messages. Since he was not texting when I caught him, I offered to give it back. However we both forgot to return it...so after school I thought, I need to turn this into the office. But with conferences on my mind and needing to change my clothes after dancing, I forgot. So today, when I pulled my laundry out of the dryer I found a very clean cell phone, that was not my own...

The way I see it:

Clean Laundry: $4

Replacing a cell phone: $50

The ability to realize you made a mistake and not be upset: PRICELESS!

Moral of the story: Confiscate technology, but turn it into the office!

Soulja Boy...Teacher Rendition

Well being one of the new teachers has its benefits....no one really knows you! So you can do crazy things that are either outside of your comfort zone or just be who you have become and be somewhat outgoing! With that said, I volunteered to be in the pep assembly with four other teachers...

PHS is not known for its spirit, however I think things may be changing this year. There is a new stu-co teacher who has great visions and really made the assembly great this year. Of course the students deserve the credit for organizing, planning, and designing the assembly, however they were influenced with some new ideas....so this year it was encouraged that the teachers did a skit or something...

I don't know about you, but I have been out of the loop. Have you ever heard of the artist Soulja Boy and his song Crank That? Well once I volunteered, I realized this is a new craze in high schools at least. This song has its own dance...so for the assembly there was a staged dance off between the teachers and the football players to this song. We, the teachers, had the privilege of starting the dance off. The football players put us to shame, but I think the students really enjoyed it!

I hope you do too...check out the video below! I am in the back row, it may be a bit hard to see me, but you get the point!

If you want to see how it's really done...

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1034149&fr=yfp-t-101

I hope you had a good laugh out of my craziness...

Phew...

Hello Family...it's been quite a full week and there is still more to come. This week was filled but it went quickly! As I mentioned before this was Parent Teacher Conferences and Homecoming week. So there was/is lots to do. On Monday, the freshman exec members, the other sponsor, and I assembled the pieces for our homecoming float. The theme is...Glamorous, A Red Carpet Affair. Tuesday night I went to Mass and to the Boulevard with the KCMO Young Adult Group. This event happens once a month and is enjoyable as we take in the city skyline at night, listen to live music outside, and enjoy conversation. Wednesday and Thursday consisted of getting to school at 6:30am and leaving at 8:30pm after Parent Teacher Conferences. Those went really well in my opinion. The parents seemed supportive of what I have been doing, and for those students who were not doing well, the parents put the responsibility on their child, not me. So needless to say, I felt supported by the parents. Last night, after the second round of conferences, about 60 teachers went out for a few drinks...it was a nice way to end the school week, though after teaching all day, being in a loud cafeteria for 3 hours, and then to go to a loud bar, I was tired and overstimulated and ready for bed.

Today is Friday, and I have the day OFF! Whoohoo! It is nice to have a week day to accomplish all the errands that never get done...so today will also be full, but in an enjoyable, productive day.

Tonight I will be heading back to Parkville for the Homecoming Football Game. Tomorrow morning I will be in Parkville bright and early to assemble our float for the homecoming parade, participate in the parade, and then attend a homecoming luncheon. Saturday evening I have a meeting with the Collaborators, and then later that evening I will be chaparoning the Homecoming Dance. Why I volunteered I don't know, but it should be entertaining, an eyeopening experience, and a good opportunity to see my students outside of the classroom.

Sunday will consist of attending Mass, celebrating my friend's birthday, and school work!

Well that's all I got for now...be looking forward to updates from Homecoming weekend!

Love, Lauren

An 8th of the Way...

Hello Family and Friends,

As you can guess by the lack of postings, things have been extremely busy. This past week, we just finished the first half of the quarter, or if you will, the first 8th of the school year! Time is flying. I am really enjoying my place at Park Hill South. I have a great community of colleagues and support.

Typically, my schedule consists of getting to school by 6:45 and leaving close to 5:00, however with the exception of weekends, I do not bring work home.

I have plenty of funny stories to share about the students, but I will save those for another entry.

Other than school, I have been trying to find balance again in my life. I have been trying to run a few days of week, attend Mass almost daily, and try to make time for prayer. In terms of social events, the Kansas City Young Adult Group is thriving and they have at least one event every other week, so that has been enjoyable. Along with all of this activity, I have dinner gatherings with my friends and try to find down time...yeah right!

This next week will be the busiest yet. It will consist of homecoming events and parent teacher conferences. So this week will not only include preparing lessons for the week, but preparing information for the parents, creating a float for the homecoming parade, (oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, I am now one of the sponsors of the Freshman Class Executive Council), preparing a little shindig for the school pep assembly (please check out my blog next week...I promise you won't want to miss it), attending a young adult event, attending parent-teacher conferences, going to the homecoming football game and parade, chaperoning the homecoming dance, and attending a Collaborator meeting.

Well if I survive this next week, which I will, I will have plenty more to write!

Until then, I hope you all have a great week! Soak in this beautiful fall weather! I miss you all that I do not get to see!

Love, Lauren

Teacher Applicant

Disclaimer: Though what is written below is very true...I would not trade my job! But if you want an honest picture of what is expected of public school teachers these days...here's a glimpse...

After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teacher prospect said, "Let me see if I've got this right. You want to to go into that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning, and I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their t-shirt messages and dress habits. You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem. You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job. I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of anti-social behavior, make sure all students pass the state exams, even those who don't come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments. Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap. I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.

All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile and on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!

You want me to do all this and then you tell me...
I CAN'T PRAY?

(How much do I make? I make a difference!)

A glimpse of summer....part 2

a picture here, a picture there....

I finally hung up a few pieces of art around the condo...here's a few pics for those who were interested....

Here's a hand-made cross my friend Sasha gave to me on the night of her Confirmation.

In the kitchen are some small paintings of the Willow Tree Angels....

a little decor for the living room walls...

...and the bedroom and bathroom...

First Days of School

Mom, this one's for you. My picture on the first day of school!


Hello family and friends! I had intended on writing to you in more detail about my first days of school, however, as a first year teacher, school becomes your life. I have been putting in ten to twelve hour days, but fortunately they have not phased me. However, I do intend on maintaining a more regular schedule and not being at school so long...you know...live out a little virtue of balance!

I have to say that the start of the year started out without a hitch. I was not nervous until about 10 minutes before class started last Wednesday. Though the nervousness passed once the bell rang and the school day began. It is now Wednesday, August 22nd, and a week from the first day of school. I cannot believe how fast it has flown by. Just think...it's nearly Friday!

Anyways, as I have said before, I am right where I am supposed to be. I am supported by the greatest colleagues in the math department. The student body, overall, is great...I have even had students help me carry my things from the first floor to the second as I travel from class to class.

Being part of a 14 member math department has been great as well. We have every personality in the spectrum, yet we all work well together and collaboration has been a life saver. My colleague (who serves as my mentor) and other colleagues have been amazing. They grant advice when asked and provide ample resources to create lesson plans.

The kids are great. I am sure we are nearly finishing the honeymoon period of the start of school year, so I am sure the true personalities and behaviors will emerge shortly, but thus far my 100+ students are great!

Technology has been a key factor in the Park Hill School District this year. I have been issued an individual laptop that I take with me class to class. My teaching then can include PowerPoints, access to resources online, and even short video clips applicable to math of course! I have really enjoyed implementing activities with the technology because it can change the pace of the class and the expectations of the students. It's also amazing how communication takes place within a school building just through email and other programs. The best part of the technology is that the other new teacher and I, who are called the kiddos by the members in our department, help them with their technology questions in repayment for all they have done for us to have a great start to the year.

Well, just when I think I am starting to get a swing of things, there is always something new or small to take care of. On Friday I am headed to my IEP meetings to find out how to help my students who have special needs. Though this may mean more work for me, I am anxious to see how I can help those who are struggling.

I am tired, so I can't think of all I had hoped to share, but I am sure there will be more to come, stories to share, and hardships and laughter! Until next time, I hope you are all doing well and are in good health. I think of you all often and miss those of you I do not get to see regularly!

Signing off,
Love, Lauren
a.k.a. Ms. Dirnberger, Ms. D, or the best....D-Money!

Up and coming...

I promise to have an update to you by the end of the weekend...it's currently a piece in progress...but you are all on my mind as you have all been praying, calling, and supporting me! Thank you, you have made my first days a success...more to come...till then, God Bless!

Miss Dirnberger (officially)

Park Hill High School (Riverside, MO)

Hello Friends and Family, now that I have changed my residency from Missouri to Kansas and changed my teaching certification from Kansas to Missouri (all backwards I know), it's official! I am now a teacher!

I have now put in 4 of 9 days of orientation, training, classroom policy/procedure preparing, and lesson planning. I truly believe that I am blessed to be part of an awesome district. The Park Hill administration shows sincere care for its staff and students. I could not have asked for more generous and considerate colleagues. Simply, I believe I have been blessed with the best placement for my first year of teaching. I am confident I will still be able to say the same once the students arrive and I am teaching in the classroom.

The front view of the school.

Due to the increasing enrollment, there are not enough classrooms for all of the teachers, so I will be traveling from room to room each block, however no complaints on my end...I mean, that's money and time I do not have spend right now to decorate a room!

Here is a view of Kansas City from the front of school just on the other side of the river.

I will be teaching three 1 1/2 hour blocks each day. I am also fortunate to have a block of plan. I will be teaching the same course all three blocks, primarily to freshman. Park Hill South has semester math courses, therefore I will be teaching Algebra first semester and then switch to Geometry second semester.

Go Panthers!

Though the days have been a bit long and draining, I am getting more and more excited for the first day of school. I can't wait to meet my students and have funny anecdotes to share with you! Until then....I love ya and good luck to all those entering the beginning of another academic year, no matter which end of the system you are on!

Blogging for You!

Hello Friends and Family!

I hope to keep you posted on what is taking place in my life. So please check in and see what is going on with me! I imagine that I will be sparse in posting these next few weeks, however as soon as the school year starts I hope to update regularly! I love you all!

p.s. previously I had used this site to send pics to a few of my friends, so if you want, feel free to look into the earlier posts...some could qualify as blackmail...I should just erase them, but for you I won't!

Love ya,
Lauren