Mrs. Raffetto’s Ruminations

Oh my goodness, I’ve been a naughty blogger. I can’t believe so much time has passed since my last blog. So many things have happened . . .

Graduate school – After a semester of student teaching, my Master’s thesis on visual literacy, and a last minute class on Autism Spectrum Disorders just so I could keep my financial aid, I graduated from the University of Mary Washington’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies with a Master of Arts in Education with a 4.0 and my license to teach grades 6-8 in Virginia with concentrations in History and English. Not only that, but because I will be applying for a California teaching license, I completed Stanford University’s CLAD/CTEL certificate program for teaching English Language Learners. Huzzah!

Cheer – Despite losing 1 this season for grades (my only guy), I finished the season with 19 and a first place championship with Spirit Unlimited. Despite some major drama the last week with two of my veteran cheerleaders, they were a really great bunch of kids who worked hard for me. I will miss them.

Family – As mentioned, we will be moving to California once school is out. We put o the move as long as we could so my oldest could graduate high school, which he did on June 13. Yes, my first born has graduated. Now the real challenge begins for all of us. With the economy as bad as it is, we haven’t been able to sell our house in Virginia. Add to that we haven’t been able to buy a house in California because most are short sales who do not look keenly on VA loans. Now interest rates are on the rise and that brings down the amount we can spend on a house. Thanks to the delightful economy, Bryon was not accepted to any universities because o cutbacks. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that he’ll at least be able to get into a community college. The economy has has hurt me because there are zero teaching jobs open to me. The thought of moving into this environment has me nervous but our family has been separated for too long (remember, my husband left for his new duty station in January ‘08 and we stayed behind). Now he’s in Iraq, due back in the fall, and I need to move me and the boys and our 14 yr old dog across the country, find a house, set it up, and be a happy family by the time he gets back. Can I pull it of?