So it's nose back to the grindstone today - where did the summer go...? I planned a great bucket list - revise my Welsh course so that I'm on top of it for September, sort out the spare room (the only room left to do, and frankly, it makes me scream every time I open the door...), exercise every day, work on some new resources for my store, and of course get my planning done for the new term. What did I achieve? Well, I actually did a lot of exercise, which I will miss when school starts back. Apart from that, a big fat nothing!
Today I am faced with a huge problem. You see, I really don't like my job any more. Teaching is definitely my thing - it's a privilege to spend a whole year getting to know the kids, understanding how they tick and using all my skills to get the best out of them, offer challenge and move them on. "So what's the problem?" I hear you ask. Well, simply that I'm not doing that right now. I'm about to enter my 3rd year in my current role: I work for the Education Authority and travel around all of the primary schools in the County Borough teaching our EAL (ESL) children how to read, write and speak English to a level where they can access the curriculum at the same level as their peers. It's hard but rewarding work, and I love seeing the children make progress. But I don't have a base, I have no roots, I don't get to know the kids as well as I would if I were in my own class. I have no prospect of career progression - there is nowhere to go from here. In addition I have been landed with extra responsibilities ( writing and delivering the CPD programme for all teachers and support staff in schools throughout the County Borough) that I didn't ask for and go way beyond the expectations of a teacher.
"So, get another job" you say...? well, yes, I am trying. However, as I am on the top of the main payscale I have become too expensive - why take an experienced teacher when schools can have a newly qualified, easily moulded teacher at a third of the price... Yes, they have to start somewhere, but it seems that experience counts for nothing these days. It really is a case of being consigned to the scrap heap at the age of 48!
So it is with some dread that I'll get through today. I read all those wonderful blog posts out there with photos of shiny, colourful classrooms waiting for kids to arrive, news of "Meet the Teacher" and orientation evenings, plans, lessons, schemes of work.... It's fantastic. But I know it's unlikely to happen for me.
To cheer myself up, I'm taking part in a Book Blast for a hilarious book that your 8-12 year olds will be sure to love. This is the third and final book in the middle grade series
"The Diary of a Real Payne" by Annie Tipton, "Oh Baby!" Do make sure you check it out if you can (the links to purchase are below) - it's a great little read that will have your kids (and you!) in stitches.
Title: Oh Baby! (Diary of a Real Payne, Book 3)
Author: Annie Tipton
Publication Date: September 1, 2014
Publisher: Barbour Books
Pages: 195
Recommended Ages: 8 to 12
Summary: In this final fabulous release in the Diary of a Real Payne series you’ll find yourself ROTFL with EJ’s hilarious adventures with a new little Payne. The Payne family has just adopted a roly-poly package of pudge with bright eyes and a sparkling smile. In true sisterly fashion, EJ can’t wait to teach baby Faith how to be amazing at everything (just like her big sis!). But when EJ learns that she’s losing her role as flower girl to the adorable newcomer in an upcoming wedding, it’s almost more than she can handle. In classic EJ form, she dreams up even more fantastic adventures for herself—promising colossal fun as you become part of her daydreams in Oh Baby!
Purchase
Amazon | CBD | The Book Depository | Barbour Books | Barnes & Noble
You can purchase the first two books in the series through Amazon by clicking the book covers below.
What People Are Saying About Books 1 & 2
Book 1: "I am 7 years old, and I loved this book because of EJ's imagination and how it focused on the real meaning of Christmas. The book made me laugh, and I especially liked the part when EJ used the shopping cart to pretend to be a race car driver. She thought her mom's scarf was a yellow flag, and she stopped just before she crashed into the display of glue bottles. I liked EJ's character, and I read the book in about 5 days. When we had "Dress Like Your Favourite Book Character Day" at school, I dressed up like EJ Payne. I can't wait for the second book in this series!" ~ Emily E., Amazon
Book 1: "My 9-year-old foster daughter loved the book! She related well to EJ and her spunky personality and humorous outlook on life and what it hands you. Great lessons for her to learn, as well as entertaining. She read it in a matter of days and even chose reading it over playing Nintendo, which is a huge endorsement! I also enjoyed it and found it a fun and comforting read for this 40-something adult. Great job. We're really looking forward to Book 2 of EJ's adventures at camp! Thanks, Annie!" ~ Lfierbaugh, Amazon
Book 2: "Church Camp Chaos is a delightfully funny look into the highly imaginative workings of a tween girl, EJ Payne. The book cleverly uses a combination of diary entries, narration, and hilarious passages peeking into EJ's daydreams. The story is originally clever and, at times, very poignant. I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic book and I highly recommend this series to young girls in particular between the ages of 8 and 12 who also love Clementine, Judy Moody, and Ramona Quimby." ~ Renee @ Mother Daughter Book Reviews
Book 2: "Curly, my 8-year-old bookworm, loved this book. The day it arrived in the mail I let her look through it. By that evening she brought the book to me to thank me and tell me she was finished. She read the entire book in one day and I don't think she ever put it down! She enjoyed EJ's adventures and the fun times she had at church camp. She told me the book was "funny." I appreciated the way the book treated family relationships and showed a loving family who works together and endures different situations together. EJ and her brother don't always get along but their parents encourage them to be kind and EJ grows to appreciate her brother and even his slightly obnoxious attempts at humour. I enjoyed the life lessons that EJ learned about trust, faith, and friendship and am glad that I can find books for my daughter to read that are humorous and fun while still promoting good values." ~ 5 Star Review, Lextin Academy, Amazon
About the Author
Award-winning author Annie Tipton made up her first story at the ripe old age of two when she asked her mom to write it down for her. (Hey, she was just two—she didn’t know how to make letters yet!) Since then she has read and written many words as a student, newspaper reporter, author, and editor. A native of Wooster, Ohio, Tipton received a bachelor’s degree in Communications at Milligan College in Northeast Tennessee. She currently resides in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
Facebook Fan Page | Goodreads
* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or PayPal cash prize (winner's choice) Contest Ends: September 30, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. The winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If a winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by Barbour Books and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee@MotherDaughterBookReviews.com.
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