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A commenter asked what I was getting my degree in.

It’s CECS — Computer Education and Cognitive Studies. It’s an interesting program. I started it two summers ago, kinda of accidently. I decided to add an additional certification, technology applications, although I was grandfathered to teach webmastering.
Upon completing the certification, I learned I was eligible to join a district program that would give me this master’s degree. The district has been paying my tuition and we usually take one class a semester as a group, with the same professor.

For those of you who are still scratching your heads, here’s what the degree is all about: It’s an education degree and the focus is on teaching using technology. We’ve had a lot of interesting courses, last summer was all about researching the effectiveness of teaching with technology.

I’m taking two classes, one is telecommunications and the other is “readings in CECS”.

For those who are new to the blog, I teach high school in an urban school district. For the past 13 years, I’ve taught some form of computer science each year. I’m certified in mathematics, computer science, and technology applications. For the past 5 years, I’ve taught computer science and webmastering exclusively. Before that, I always taught a couple of sections of math and did math test tutoring.

Here’s what all the stress was about this year … our school is on the AYP list under No Child Left Behind. That means we aren’t making Adequate Yearly Progress. We’ve been in that state for two years so parents can transfer their students out of the school. One of the ways the district has decided to solve the problem is to take the experienced teachers in the building and have them teach the basics.

Next year I will be teaching Algebra I to students who have been specially selected. These students are not expected to pass the state math tests, most have not passed them in the past. I’ll see them for two class periods. I like that idea. When it was first presented to me, it was an additional math class, and someone else would have been teaching them Algebra I. That bothered me a bit, this way, if they don’t do well, it’s all on me.

While I enjoy doing webmastering, I’ve never really enjoyed teaching it. The kids really need someone who is into graphics, and as you can see by my websites, I really am not into that.

I do enjoy teaching computer science, but I would rather focus on an introductory type of computer science rather than teaching AP. I have found teach AP extremely frustrating. Unfortunately we’re all about the AP thing and it is very stressful.

Unfortunately it did mean moving out of my classroom for 13 years. The good news, is that I had to clean it out and take everything home for the summer because it is being remodeled, so I had started right after spring break.

I do think in the short AND long run, I’m going to be happier, but it’s been a hard process to go through. Change is always difficult and it’s REAL hard for me. Remember, I’ve been in the same classroom for 13 years!

The good news, is that I’ve always done very well with the type of students I will be teaching next year. I just haven’t done it all day.

I’m getting a bit worried about tomorrow’s medical procedure. I don’t think it’s a big deal at all, I’m having a chemical stress test.

Of course, anytime you do something different you get a bit stressed.

Anyway, I’ve given into a few cravings today, and hit the carbs a little hard, but still insulin usage is under 50 units so far today. I’ve been REAL good, in fact, I’ve really reduced the number of calories I’ve been eating. Have also gotten a bit constipated, so taking a break and treating myself has helped.

I did another good thing today — I found I was eating because I was so sleepy, so I stopped eating and went to bed. I woke up real early this morning, couldn’t get back to sleep, so was working on a bit of a deficit. I don’t want to screw up my sleeping too much, so I’m working hard on not doing that, but I really needed to this time.

Since I have been on Zetia — now Vytoran, I’ve had some leg pain when I’ve been doing my cardio, so I’ve broken up my cardio.

Today I managed to do 40 minutes without a break!

That’s a big deal for me.

We don’t think the leg pain is from statins, because it isn’t a major deal, I think the two are a coincidence.

My “break” is over. I have responsibility now … I’m taking the final two courses towards my master’s degree.

CECS — Computer Education and Cognitive Studies

One class is telecommunications and the other is “readings …”. Both involve a lot of writing and lots of reading. The good news, is that there is no test in the telecommuncations class, and a written essay test in the readings class. Now more multiple choice, on-line tests!

The telecommunications class has three face to face meetings, one is tomorrow. The readings is 100% online.

A commenter remarked on my problems going low lately …. and yes, I do use my temporary basal, and reduce by 50%. When I am on a regular schedule, I actually have a basal schedule set up that will allow me to exercise in the morning, but right now, I’ll be honest, I’m not on a regular schedule.

This morning I slept in until about 7:30, turned on my temporary basal, piddled around on the internet and started on my first assignment for one of my master’s classes, etc. Ate breakfast and then did an mile of my cardio workout. So far, it’s working well, and I’ve got another 20 minutes to go. I’ve been having problem with leg pain, so I do tend to break up my cardio workouts. I can do 20 minutes okay, but not 40.

The reason I disconnected on Saturday was because I suspected that I had gone low in the night and because my site had come off. I wanted to get a “GOOD” shower in without a set on, since I haven’t had one in over a week. I’m funny, I’m sure, but I really don’t feel 100% clean when I shower with a set on.

Increasing my exercise level is definately affecting my insulin usage — I’m constantly titrating down, but I don’t think the answer is a sudden drop. Right now I’m pretty stable throughout the day, just a bit lower than I like, and I have had to treat a few minor lows. Nothing alarming though. Honestly being forced to eat a couple of minature Snickers or Lifesavers is NOT a bad thing.

Since I’ve been going low AND because the pump DOES allow it, but I was ignoring this feature …

I fixed the IOB feature so that it calculates how much insulin I need in the evenings based on a blood sugar of 150 instead of 100.

It’s kinda of dumb I had it that way anyway…

I’m still seeing lower numbers than I like after meals, so I’m dropping my carb ratios again. The good news, is that my insulin total daily dosage is about what it was before spring break and before all the stress hit. I’m am hoping to have all the stress weight lost by the end of the month (okay, I’ll be honest, I want it gone BEFORE then).

I am FINALLY losing weight! Nice to see that the workouts — which are getting easier, though I did just ask iShape to make them harder — are working and so is getting control of my food intake.

Busy week …

School (the two master’s classes I’m taking) starts tomorrow. I’ve seen one schedule already and will get the second tomorrow, and it moves fast.

I’ve got a chemical stress test scheduled on Thursday and the next phase of dental repair scheduled on Friday. All fun.

I am FINALLY losing weight! Nice to see that the workouts — which are getting easier, though I did just ask iShape to make them harder — are working and so is getting control of my food intake.

Busy week …

School (the two master’s classes I’m taking) starts tomorrow. I’ve seen one schedule already and will get the second tomorrow, and it moves fast.

I’ve got a chemical stress test scheduled on Thursday and the next phase of dental repair scheduled on Friday. All fun.