The Great Reset

I have kept mum on several big developments in the Hahn-Ganser household for fear that talking would ruin them. The big news....

...We have officially sold our house in Austin. It closed today. We are relieved and thankful to be moving forward, and hope that the new owners love it as much as we did. Adios, 5509.

...Robin took a job at Coen+Partners in Minneapolis. His official title is "Senior Associate," and I'll have to have him write a blog post explaining what he does at some point. They are a landscape architecture firm that does exciting work, including the Central Minneapolis Public Library and a house on Lake Calhoun that Robin once described as "My Favorite House in Minneapolis--You'll Know It When You See It.") About a month and a half ago, Robin decided to actively pursue full-time positions at various firms and organizations in the Metro area on top of his ongoing networking and pursuit of contract work. He laid low over Christmas break, and hit the pavement shortly after I returned to work. Long story short, a serendipitous stop into a firm (Coen) and a conversation with the owner resulted in a very fast-moving interview process that ended in a job offer. I'm so proud of him and so thankful that the firm recognized all that he has to contribute.

...I am knitting a potholder. No really. I'm knitting a potholder.

For me, life is trucking along. I was reflecting today and realizing just how much I've learned this year and how much I've grown in certain elements of teaching. I feel fortunate to have landed in a school that is pushing me in my development as an educator. I think the best part about the house sale and Robin's work is the opportunity to reset. Reset financially, emotionally, and in terms of our priorities. In many ways, Robin and I have been in survival mode for awhile; the stressors have been numerous and great. We're both looking forward to the opportunity to regroup, prioritize the things that we need to be our best selves, and move toward thriving rather than surviving.

(Im)Modesty

Today I got my haircut at a new salon. I haven't liked my haircuts for awhile, and at the recommendation of a friend, I went to Modesty Hair Studio to get my hair cut by Naomi.

First, let me say that Modesty is super cute, as environmentally responsible as any hair studio in Austin, and they got me an appointment two days after I called. I was late, and Naomi was super understanding. She asked me what I wanted, we chatted, and she got down to business. Her observations about my hair texture, weight, etc. were spot on.

I haven't felt this good about my hair in years.

Being a mom AND a teacher, the frump factor is a huge fear of mine. I feel fairly confident that I have managed to dodge the frump when it comes to clothes, but time is super scarce, and opportunities to look nice and feel "put together" are few and far between, so my ongoing dislike for my hair has been frustrating. (Who wants to get dressed up, struggle with their hairstyle and end up pulling it up anyway?) At this moment, though, I'm unabashedly in love with my hair.

When I walked in after getting my hair cut tonight, Robin said I looked like a shadow of my former self--he was super complimentary, and I think it was much about the actual haircut as it was my clear excitement. As a teacher, spring generally brings lack of make-up, hair up, and exhaustion, and the need to get Lydia out the door with me exacerbates this problem. Only as I saw my reflection as I was leaving Modesty did I realize how much better I felt. I didn't know that I still had it in me to feel this good.

In sum, the Austin shout-out: Modesty Hair Salon. Opened by two women, local, green, pleasant, super cute decor. Do it. This project deserves support.

The mommy lesson: now that I've identified something that 1.) was really dragging down the way I felt about my appearance and by extension, myself and 2.) is easily remedied, I need to make it a priority. I think I'm worth it.

Public Plea: Austinites, Please Read

The Austin ISD public schools are projecting a $35 million shortfall during this coming year. In less than a month, School Board members will be meeting to vote on ways in which to accommodate this deficit.

One of the proposals on the table would be, in my opinion, hugely detrimental to the Austin public schools. The members will be voting on whether or not to take away one planning period from middle and high school teachers. Logistically, this would mean that our planning time would be cut in half. For those that don't know, that time is when we meet with colleagues to create and refine curriculum, collaborate to better serve students that are struggling, and occasionally have time to actually prep for class and grade papers. In order to be effective in the classroom, teachers need some time to prepare and meet with our coworkers, just as in any other profession.

Cutting this time in half will insure a substantial decline in the education Austin students receive. It WILL be detrimental and damaging to our youth, let alone the quality of life and work conditions for teachers.

In terms of staffing, this move will also mean 1 in 8 teachers at the middle and high school levels will be laid off. 1 in 8. In a district with nearly 40 middle and high schools, this transfers to 600 people. Roughly 600 teachers will lose their jobs.

Let me say that again: 600 PEOPLE in the CITY OF AUSTIN ALONE will lose their jobs. AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO. AND IT WILL HURT AUSTIN'S KIDS.

In order to compensate for the $35 million shortfall, teachers have presented several options to that would allow us to both keep our planning periods and allow those 600 teachers to keep their jobs and maintain the level of quality of our schools. Furthermore, the district has a "rainy day fund" that holds $120 million dollars. I'd say this counts as a rainy day. The board has options and cutting teachers is only one of them.

These cuts are not necessary. We can save our schools.

So what can you do? On Monday evening at 6:30, there will be a school board meeting at 1111 West 6th Street, Room B-100, Austin, Texas. Please be present if possible. If anything, show up in solidarity with teachers. Please. Our school board members, who gain their position by votes, need to see that their voters are not okay with a move that will, without question, hurt Austin children's education. If you can't be at the meeting, contact your school board representative. Flood their voicemail. Flood their inbox. Send them letters. If you don't know who your representative is, a list can be found here:

http://austinisd.org/inside/board/members.phtml

Many of you have have supported me in my efforts as a teacher. I know that you value education and the role it plays in children's futures. Please, if you live in Austin, take this seriously and speak out. We teachers need you.