This and That

We built a fence in our front yard. It was a lot of work, but so much fun. We got to spend some time in the sun, have some roommate bonding, use power tools, and we met a lot of our neighbors. Think our neighbors thought we were crazy, they all came out to see what these new white girls in the ‘hood’ were doing out in the 113 degree weather!






……………………………………………………………

Its crazy how our neighborhood community has built. We have met so many nice people and they all say they’ve got our backs. For all the violence I hear about it the new everyday, I feel pretty safe here. Just in the past week we have had some surprising occurrences. Two young boys came separately seeking tutoring and this other man came to ask for advice because his buddy cut himself (this cut was so sick and deep, by the way). He said he heard we were teachers and he thought we might know what to do or where he should go to get medical help. I thought to myself, why is this man who is old enough to be my father coming to me for advice. I am just a 22 year old college graduate. Suddenly it hit me…I am a college graduate and for the first time in my life that is not the norm for the people around me.

……………………………………………………………

Only in New Orleans will you go to a school district convocation where,
-there is a brass band playing
-1,000 teachers are dancing
-old, young, fat, skinny, white, and black ladies are pulling out their umbrellas to dance with and breaking it down in the aisles
-the mayor stops mid speech when a lady yells something out and says, “oh, I’m sorry baby I didn’t hear you”
-the ice breaker for your school is making up a dance to a Beyonce song and performing it as a group

……………………………………………………………

Sail away….sail away…sail away

Last Saturday afternoon was my dream summer day. Wilhelmina’s Grandpa affectionately known as Pere Pere took us out sailing on Lake Ponchartrain. It was great weather – a beautiful blue sky and bright sunshine. We had snacks, talked, napped out on the deck and went swimming in the lake. I was blown away that the water was actually warm – I have never experienced a warm lake before. I convinced Lizzy to jump in just as we got caught in some strong wind. Luckily I was holding onto a rope on the back of the boat so I just got dragged along, I did have my camera in the water with me, but I managed to keep it dry. But the thing was, Lizzy jumped in and couldn’t catch up to the boat and before we knew it she was left behind, just a dot in the massive lake. Not so good. Everything ended up fine, Pere Pere is quite the captain and brought the lady over board back on board quickly. Speaking of Pere Pere, he is such an amazing man – he makes me not get sad about getting old. He is living it up taking piano lessons, sailing, choir, among other things.












……………………………………………………………

I found out that I will be teaching 3rd grade self-contained at Fannie C. Williams Elementary School. When I got the news I suddenly felt that this was all real. I am going to be responsible for these students. It is my job to ensure that these kids make ‘significant gains’ and keep them safe. There are still so many uncertainties. Only four days until the students will pour into our school. A school that as of today, is not complete. The modular campus is being constructed just next door to the old building. It is so crazy to see the effects of Katrina still so visible in New Orleans East where I will be teaching. The school is near Lake Ponchartrain where the floodgates broke. This area got up to 20+ feet of water. Many houses, grocery stores, and businesses are still abandoned and closed. The six flags has no prospect of opening anytime soon – the sign out front still says ‘ closed for storm’ with a few letters missing. Our original school building was brand new pre-Katrina, now it just sits gutted. They say it would cost 180% more to fix it up then just demolish it and start from scratch. Our ‘trailer park’ next door doesn’t look too glamorous from the outside, but we have been told we have one of the nicest set-ups in the district. It was supposed to be a high school, so we have some extra space for the little ones. It will be nice that we will start the year with clean and brand new classrooms. No matter how frustrated I get with how poorly the Recovery School District is run I still remind myself that this is a new district in a broken school system with new leadership and quite a vision for growth. I am lucky enough to be working under a very enthusiastic, fun, young, organized and hard working principal, Mrs. Batiste. One of the greatest values that she brings is the importance of “whole child” instruction. We have art, music, PE, and library/media time allotted for out students each day. These are the things that help students love school, find what they are good at, learn about heath, get some energy out, express themselves, and hopefully gain some confidence, and work ethic.