Go here: http://www.teachforamerica.org/
and click on the second sqaure to watch a video
about TFA in GNO. It is very neat!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
What really is going on?
I know I am supposed to be the adult, the responsible one, the role model, but sometimes I seriously cannot help but laugh at the ridiculous things that happen EVERYDAY at school.
A snapshot of today or I should say a snapshot of the things that happened in about 15 minutes during today.
Student one: Copying down his spelling words writing bitch instead of batch.
Student Two: Hiding under my umbrella that is opened in the back of the classroom.
Student Three: Jumps up on the desk and does a round-off off the side.
Student Four: Pulls out a large ceramic cross out of his book sack (that’s backpack for all you NW folks)
Student Five: Is crying like a baby because she got detention for hitting someone.
Student Six: Is actually doing her work.
Student Seven: Is following me around like a lost puppy.
Student Eight: Writing on the white board in the back of the classroom because I told her not to write on the front board. (really what I meant was you should not be writing on the board at all)
Student Nine’s Grandma: Says I remind her of Mariah Carey.
Student Ten: Laying on the floor.
Student Eleven: Saying “no” to every phrase that comes out of my mouth.
Student Twelve: My encouragement - "Come on buddy, get your work done" and the response, "I want a big Mac"
And I had a few absent students today. Luckily, even when everyone is present, I do have a small class of only 15. I am so thankful that. I cannot imagine adding more to this Sullivan Circus.
Even though we obviously have a long way to go, I see glimpses of greatness from my students. For a few moments today the classroom was so quiet, it was incredible. Every student was busy doing what I asked them to do. Working hard, moving forward, being successful. What a crazy job this is, what crazy kids these are! I have found that the day runs a lot smoother if I allow time for my kids to simply be kids. They unfortunately do not have recess and somehow my class got jipped out of PE and Art, so each day I give them a little free time. Today they started to teach me the Soulja Boy dance. If you have not heard of it – check it out on www.YouTube.com then imagine Miss Sullivan doing this dance surrounded by all her little babies, who are by the way much more coordinated then I will ever be.
Yesterday we had some more crazy weather around here. Another tornado watch and flooding all around the area. Our school site was okay, but the parking lot flooded. I had to move my car mid-day because they thought our cars might get stuck. I was nervous driving through such deep water with my little car. I actually didn’t know how deep it really was until I was walking back through the parking lot and the water was almost up to my knees.
Well I need to go prepare plans for my sub tomorrow. I am going to an inservice DynaVox training. One of my students does not speak and he uses a computer to communicate. The problem is I am his teacher and I do not know how to use it. Hopefully after tomorrow I will be able to teach him more effectively. I hope my kids do not tear up the sub – who knows maybe they will respect him more than they respect me. It may sound bad, but I am a little bit excited about being away from school for a day and I will get to sleep a little too! These 5 o’clock mornings are pulling me down.
Goodnight friends.
A snapshot of today or I should say a snapshot of the things that happened in about 15 minutes during today.
Student one: Copying down his spelling words writing bitch instead of batch.
Student Two: Hiding under my umbrella that is opened in the back of the classroom.
Student Three: Jumps up on the desk and does a round-off off the side.
Student Four: Pulls out a large ceramic cross out of his book sack (that’s backpack for all you NW folks)
Student Five: Is crying like a baby because she got detention for hitting someone.
Student Six: Is actually doing her work.
Student Seven: Is following me around like a lost puppy.
Student Eight: Writing on the white board in the back of the classroom because I told her not to write on the front board. (really what I meant was you should not be writing on the board at all)
Student Nine’s Grandma: Says I remind her of Mariah Carey.
Student Ten: Laying on the floor.
Student Eleven: Saying “no” to every phrase that comes out of my mouth.
Student Twelve: My encouragement - "Come on buddy, get your work done" and the response, "I want a big Mac"
And I had a few absent students today. Luckily, even when everyone is present, I do have a small class of only 15. I am so thankful that. I cannot imagine adding more to this Sullivan Circus.
Even though we obviously have a long way to go, I see glimpses of greatness from my students. For a few moments today the classroom was so quiet, it was incredible. Every student was busy doing what I asked them to do. Working hard, moving forward, being successful. What a crazy job this is, what crazy kids these are! I have found that the day runs a lot smoother if I allow time for my kids to simply be kids. They unfortunately do not have recess and somehow my class got jipped out of PE and Art, so each day I give them a little free time. Today they started to teach me the Soulja Boy dance. If you have not heard of it – check it out on www.YouTube.com then imagine Miss Sullivan doing this dance surrounded by all her little babies, who are by the way much more coordinated then I will ever be.
Yesterday we had some more crazy weather around here. Another tornado watch and flooding all around the area. Our school site was okay, but the parking lot flooded. I had to move my car mid-day because they thought our cars might get stuck. I was nervous driving through such deep water with my little car. I actually didn’t know how deep it really was until I was walking back through the parking lot and the water was almost up to my knees.
Well I need to go prepare plans for my sub tomorrow. I am going to an inservice DynaVox training. One of my students does not speak and he uses a computer to communicate. The problem is I am his teacher and I do not know how to use it. Hopefully after tomorrow I will be able to teach him more effectively. I hope my kids do not tear up the sub – who knows maybe they will respect him more than they respect me. It may sound bad, but I am a little bit excited about being away from school for a day and I will get to sleep a little too! These 5 o’clock mornings are pulling me down.
Goodnight friends.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
one dark morning
Even though I was using an umbrella for my short walk from the car to the office the rain soaked me. The sky was dark, the clouds were thick and our walkways began to flood. My shoes got wet and stayed wet for the entire day. I was the first teacher to arrive, walking in with the secretary. She said someone had just called and said something about a tornado. We got inside and check out weather.com:
Tornado Warning for 70128 (our exact zip code!)
Will be overhead at 7:05, moving across the area until 7:30 (it was currently 6:55)
And the best part of it all this is the advice that came next inthe report...
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
Now first of all a basement? Really? So we can drown in the flood waters? Nobody has basements here. So we are standing in the "office" with windows all around and certainly wihtout any sturdy furniture. We are on the lowest floor, but our entire school just happens to be a trailer park...was "lie flat in the nearest ditch or other low spot and cover your head with your hands" really our best option? It was funny at first read, but then I started getting a little freaked out.
Once the rain gave up I headed back to my classroom feeling a bit better since the rain stopped I thought we were good to go. Just as soon as I got into my room by myself the wind roared and the rain began to pound down again. I informed the other teacher in my building that I wasn't going to die in building 6 and started to head out of there. Apparently everyone thought it was funny how nervous I was with tears in my eyes, but then again these are the same people who have told me they have never visited the west coast before because of earthquakes...
In the end, we were just left with one breathtaking rainbow to remind me that no matter how rough the storm may be, I will make it through.
Tornado Warning for 70128 (our exact zip code!)
Will be overhead at 7:05, moving across the area until 7:30 (it was currently 6:55)
And the best part of it all this is the advice that came next inthe report...
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
Now first of all a basement? Really? So we can drown in the flood waters? Nobody has basements here. So we are standing in the "office" with windows all around and certainly wihtout any sturdy furniture. We are on the lowest floor, but our entire school just happens to be a trailer park...was "lie flat in the nearest ditch or other low spot and cover your head with your hands" really our best option? It was funny at first read, but then I started getting a little freaked out.
Once the rain gave up I headed back to my classroom feeling a bit better since the rain stopped I thought we were good to go. Just as soon as I got into my room by myself the wind roared and the rain began to pound down again. I informed the other teacher in my building that I wasn't going to die in building 6 and started to head out of there. Apparently everyone thought it was funny how nervous I was with tears in my eyes, but then again these are the same people who have told me they have never visited the west coast before because of earthquakes...
In the end, we were just left with one breathtaking rainbow to remind me that no matter how rough the storm may be, I will make it through.
Monday, October 8, 2007
my vision
As a teacher in this community I will be humble. I will come with a spirit motivated by positive change and growth. I will be prepared to be a leader and ensure that these students are moving forward. I will not be overbearing, but humbled by my limited amount of experience. I will strive for increased achievement in myself as I serve my students. I will not only expect great success from my students, but also from myself. At all times I will focus myself on what I can do to be better as a teacher so that my students truly do achieve all that they can. I will encourage my students daily and instill in them the value of hard work so that they will develop an independent desire to be successful. I will be a model of hard work for my students and in the community by continuously striving for excellence in all that I do.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
there's no place like home
I cannot believe that I have already been teaching for over a month. I have doubled my teaching experience since institute. I am so overwhelmed by all the work I have to do for TFA, my certification program, my class, and my school. My life is consumed by my work. But I guess that is what I came down here to do. I had such great teachers and went to wonderful schools. I feel confident in my public school education. It is not fair that so many kids do not have that opportunity. It is the least I can do to give two years to show my appreciation and help as I am able.
I am learning some new words and phrases down here:
arer = “r”
arnge = orange
making groceries = going grocery shopping
saving groceries = putting them away
cutting up = goofing off
making 23 = turning 23
what ta do? = what am I supposed to be doing
I gotta use it = I need to go to the bathroom
pernt = point
One of my students told me that I should go back to Oregon. I could be really sad about it, but I really think that deep down this student really likes me – he just hasn’t figured it out yet. How’s that for optimism? I am not quite that optimistic about much else. We have been in school for over a month and my classroom management is still struggling. The students are very disrespectful of each other – calling other students names and kicking and shoving them. One of my students has in-school suspension all day on Monday because he is constantly getting in trouble. He finally pushed it too far in the cafeteria and got sent right to the principal’s office. This student is such a struggle for me. He is very smart and FUNNY! He is definitely the class clown and sometimes it is really hard for me not to laugh at him, but he needs to learn that during school is not his time to be putting on a show for everyone. He is so disrespectful and distracting! It is quite ironic that his little sister, a little kindergartener, has taken to me. She always seems to find me on my most frustrating days. She always gives me huge hugs around the legs, she kisses my hand and tells me that she loves me.
According to the district's set schedule I am behind already on what I should be teaching my students. This week was so hard because they had to take their district benchmark and also this tracking diagnostic required by Teach for America. They were dying from all the tests!!! I need to be more efficient with my planning so I can really utilize all the time I have with them and make it meaningful.
Having both my sisters and mom in the education world I always knew that teaching was a hard job, but I never knew it was going to be this hard. There is always more to be done and it is hard to prioritize. I don’t think you can understand really what all goes into teaching until you are in the middle of it. I asked my students what they thought I did when I went home after school. Their responses were: plan for tomorrow, make stuff for us, grade our papers…I would have liked to be offended and tell them about all the great things I am doing after work, but I guess even my students know I have no life.
I have this fear of one of someone throwing up in my class. It seems silly, it shouldn’t really be that big of a deal. I just know my students would probably go berserk and not be very nice about it, plus its just eeehhhhh. Anyway the point is I was sitting at my desk enjoying some yogurt when one of the other 3rd grade teachers comes in to talk to me. She was asking me some questions and then suddenly she just puked all over the floor next to and under my desk. She was literally no more that 3 feet away from me. All I could do was stand up and leave my classroom as fast as possible. Such a nurturing person I am, huh? Poor lady.
On a brighter note I got to go to the LSU vs. Tulane game last weekend. It was so fun to be in the Superdome and ahhh I love FOOTBALL! I wish they would let me play it. The Teach for America Corps members who are graduates of LSU and Tulane got to go down on the field and be recognized – you may have seen it on ESPN.
I am really missing “home”. I miss my family and I miss my friends. And I miss the beautiful NORTHWEST! I miss being comfortable. Even though I have met some great people I have also realized that it just takes time to get really close to someone. I need some good hugs and cuddle time.
But I got the greatest news….KJ is coming!!! My roommate of three, basically four years in Seattle is taking a trip down here from Colorado over Thanksgiving. I am so pumped. It will be amazing to have a little bit of “family” around for the holiday. Only 39 days…
I am so thankful for all the nice e-mails, phone calls, and letters that I have been receiving. They are what keep me going each day. It is such an amazing feeling to know that so many of you are thinking and praying for me. I am starting a wall of notes and always share them with my roommates. I am so lucky to have such tremendous support.
I am learning some new words and phrases down here:
arer = “r”
arnge = orange
making groceries = going grocery shopping
saving groceries = putting them away
cutting up = goofing off
making 23 = turning 23
what ta do? = what am I supposed to be doing
I gotta use it = I need to go to the bathroom
pernt = point
One of my students told me that I should go back to Oregon. I could be really sad about it, but I really think that deep down this student really likes me – he just hasn’t figured it out yet. How’s that for optimism? I am not quite that optimistic about much else. We have been in school for over a month and my classroom management is still struggling. The students are very disrespectful of each other – calling other students names and kicking and shoving them. One of my students has in-school suspension all day on Monday because he is constantly getting in trouble. He finally pushed it too far in the cafeteria and got sent right to the principal’s office. This student is such a struggle for me. He is very smart and FUNNY! He is definitely the class clown and sometimes it is really hard for me not to laugh at him, but he needs to learn that during school is not his time to be putting on a show for everyone. He is so disrespectful and distracting! It is quite ironic that his little sister, a little kindergartener, has taken to me. She always seems to find me on my most frustrating days. She always gives me huge hugs around the legs, she kisses my hand and tells me that she loves me.
According to the district's set schedule I am behind already on what I should be teaching my students. This week was so hard because they had to take their district benchmark and also this tracking diagnostic required by Teach for America. They were dying from all the tests!!! I need to be more efficient with my planning so I can really utilize all the time I have with them and make it meaningful.
Having both my sisters and mom in the education world I always knew that teaching was a hard job, but I never knew it was going to be this hard. There is always more to be done and it is hard to prioritize. I don’t think you can understand really what all goes into teaching until you are in the middle of it. I asked my students what they thought I did when I went home after school. Their responses were: plan for tomorrow, make stuff for us, grade our papers…I would have liked to be offended and tell them about all the great things I am doing after work, but I guess even my students know I have no life.
I have this fear of one of someone throwing up in my class. It seems silly, it shouldn’t really be that big of a deal. I just know my students would probably go berserk and not be very nice about it, plus its just eeehhhhh. Anyway the point is I was sitting at my desk enjoying some yogurt when one of the other 3rd grade teachers comes in to talk to me. She was asking me some questions and then suddenly she just puked all over the floor next to and under my desk. She was literally no more that 3 feet away from me. All I could do was stand up and leave my classroom as fast as possible. Such a nurturing person I am, huh? Poor lady.
On a brighter note I got to go to the LSU vs. Tulane game last weekend. It was so fun to be in the Superdome and ahhh I love FOOTBALL! I wish they would let me play it. The Teach for America Corps members who are graduates of LSU and Tulane got to go down on the field and be recognized – you may have seen it on ESPN.
I am really missing “home”. I miss my family and I miss my friends. And I miss the beautiful NORTHWEST! I miss being comfortable. Even though I have met some great people I have also realized that it just takes time to get really close to someone. I need some good hugs and cuddle time.
But I got the greatest news….KJ is coming!!! My roommate of three, basically four years in Seattle is taking a trip down here from Colorado over Thanksgiving. I am so pumped. It will be amazing to have a little bit of “family” around for the holiday. Only 39 days…
I am so thankful for all the nice e-mails, phone calls, and letters that I have been receiving. They are what keep me going each day. It is such an amazing feeling to know that so many of you are thinking and praying for me. I am starting a wall of notes and always share them with my roommates. I am so lucky to have such tremendous support.
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