It's Official...

I am moving back to Seattle! I will begin graduate school in June at the University of Washington. I will be working towards a Masters in Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership. I am so pumped:) So many adventures ahead...


I took this picture from Alki Beach...I couldn't resist moving back to a place like this!


I took this photo off the internet. This is the UW football stadium. Maybe the football players are too amazed by the beautiful view to concentrate on their game. Don't worry, I'll get them into shape for next year!

Too funny.

Malik: Miss Sullivan, all the girls keep touching me.

Sullivan: Thats beacuse they all love you Malik.

Malik: But Miss Sullivan [puts his arm around me] I don't like them like that - I only like YOU like that.

Mardi Gras is so amazing because it can be whatever you make of it. Its probably not quite like you imagine - definitely not all drunken chaos. Although, if that's what you want, I know where you can find it;) We tried to mix it up and check out all the sights this year. Here are some of the best moments:

The first parade of the season, Krewe de Vieux, and our incredibly large beads!


Sporting our handmade Tu Tus on the roof of Willy's school. A great view of the Endymion Parade!


Willy and I took the little neighbor girls to Bacchus. This darling girl spends so much time hanging out with me that she calls me mama.


Courtney's friend from UVA and I right in front of my favorite, Trombone Shorty!


After Jazz Sunday at church we made our way to Magazine Street to catch Thoth


The need for beads is hard to explain, but we got our fill and afterwards we really just needed a nap!


With Courtney, my beautiful little sprite, at the Zulu parade, nice and early on Fat Tuesday.

It's a record..

We set a record at school this week, and not in a good way. I think all can agree that this past week was officially the worst week ever. Let me just name 5 incidents that happened out in New Orleans East this week...
1. I got punched in the face.
(You may think that is enough to make it the worst, but there is so much more)
2. A student was talking about this teacher's mama so in turn the teacher yelled some comments about the sexual favors that she has been performing on another student in the class.
3. A student started a garbage can on fire.
4. A teacher had a minor heart attack.
5. A paraprofessional was arrested for fraud, drugs, and a couple other things...

In the midst of all of the chaos I tried hard to focus on all the little successes and funny things that happened each day. This conversation really made me laugh at the end of a long day:

Student: Oh, White Jesus!
Teacher: What?!?! What and why are you saying that?
Student: Oh, Miss Sullivan you never seen First Sunday?
Teacher: Nope
Student: Oh, White Jesus! They say that in that movie, its so funny.
Teacher: {insert confused look}
Student: Have you seen Lil' Man?
Teacher: No
Student: Miss Sullivan you been in Oregon too long.
Student 2: Oregon don't got nothin' on us.

P.S. We went to the first Mardi Gras parade of the season last night and I got some beads as big Christmas ornaments:)

Every once and awhile...

Every once and awhile something happens that reminds me that I am doing something in my classroom. I gave my students an assignment to write a letter to someone who is a role model to them. They had to thank that person and let them know why they admire them. Here are a couple letters that some of my little girls wrote to me:

Dear Miss Sullivan,
I really want to thank-you for makeing me a better read and learner. You are my role model. Miss Sullivan. I admire you because you are a great teacher. I want to be a teacher now. I admire how you help everyone and you try to be good and you try to get everyone to work. Yes again thank-you and that is why you are my role model. That is why I admire you!! Good-bye.

Dear Miss Sullivan,
Thank you for being my teacher. You give me homework. You give me a lot of homework. I admire you how you teach me. Thank you for helping me.

Dear Miss Sullivan,
Thank you Miss Sullivan for teaching me. Miss Sullivan you are a really good at teaching me. Miss Sullivan you are a nice woman and a gentle woman. Again, thank-you so much Miss Sullivan for teaching me. I love you Miss Sullivan.

My Life Lately

A quick list of the best things that have happened in my life in the past couple of months...

Barack Obama is officially the 44th president

Kelsey, Tom, and Zach all came to visit me in New Orleans

Aubrie and Carl came to ring in the New Year

I spent Christmas in the "40 year storm" in the Northwest

I turned in my applications to grad school in Athletic Leadership to UT Austin, UW, Northwestern, and Temple

I had an amazing trip to Fort Collins to spend Thanksgiving with KJ

This list could go on....

Life is good, I am loving New Orleans and my friends here. My job is just as stressful as ever, but I am doing a better job of separating it from my life. On top of all of the amazing visitors and trips I have already had, I still have so much to look forward to. I am happy:)

Dear Mr. President

These are the letters my students wrote to Barack Obama to encourage him, make a request of him, and even give him some advice:

Dear Barack Obama,
When you become president I hope that you work hard. When you change the world I hope that you change Iraq so that no one will get hurt. I think you are a good parent and that you will be a helpful president.
From,
K.H


Dear President Obama,
My advice to you is to do good and stop the war. When you are the president could you please take care of my city, New Orleans? You are good and I am so happy that you are the president.
Sincerely,
R.W.


Dear Barack Obama,
You are lucky to be our president and we are lucky you are our president. Please, please remember to help poor people. I want to encourage you by saying you are really great and a good leader.
Respectfully,
F.B.

Dear Mr. President,
My advice to you is you should give the poor people food. I hope you will be good to people. I am happy that you are the first black president!
From,
A.A.

Dear Barack,
My advice to you is to let the toys be cheap. When you are the president could you please not mess this up? I want to encourage you by being a good boy. I am so glad that you are our president.
Sincerely,
T.R.

Dear Barack Obama,
When you become president you should wish that the 3rd grade will pass the iLEAP. Wish us good luck, please. And please can you help me get all the people that smoke to quit? You make me want to be a president when I grow up!
Sincerely,
J.W.

Dear President Obama,
First of all I want to start with a congratulations for being the president of the United States. When you become president will you please take good care of the white house and take care of your wife and kids. Listen Mr. Obama, I want you to take care of the country as a good president. Barack Obama, please break up all the wars and bring them together as a big family. One more thing, I think you will make a perfect president for the country.
Sincerely,
G.P.

Dear Obama,
My advice to you is to put computers for all the student in each classroom. When you are the president could you please give poor people stuff on the holidays? I think that you are a role model to people. I know you are a role model to me!
Your Friend,
M.G.

Dear Barack Obama,
When you become president I wish you will do the right thing. When you are president could you remember my name, please? My name is M.B. I am proud that you are the first black president.
Love,
M.B


Dear Mr. President,
My advice to you is to please take care of the poor. Maybe you can invite me to the white house and we can go feed the poor and we can also give the children toys. When you are the president could you please come to my house. I really want to meet you and your family. I think you are the man. I read your book and it was great. I love seeing your face. Your face has hopes and dreams. Make those dreams come true.
Best Wishes,
J.C

Dear President,
Hello, my advice to you is to be safe and watch out for cars. Please remember to take care of your family. I think you are a great father.
Love,
L.F.

Dear Barack,
My advice to you is to help the poor people. Barack you are a man who has a lot of money. Please remember to bring some money for the poor people. I am happy because we got a black president.
Love,
P.J.

Dear Pres,
How are you doing in the White House? I am glad that you are the president. I hope you are not like the old president. I hope you are ten times better than him.
Respectfully,
T.C.

Dear Mr. President,
When you become president can you make Louisiana a good place to live in, please? Please remember the homeless people. I think you are going to be a good president. I am so proud that you are going to be the next president.
Love,
J.J.

Dear Mr. President,
Words cannot express the feelings of pride and optimism that are exploding inside of me. This is a new day and our country is ready for change. You symbolize the possibility for change for me and so many Americans.
I am so excited that my students have you as an incredible role model. You have worked through adversity to ensure that the right thing is done. You are proof to us that nothing can stop us from having big dreams.
I urge you to stay strong, continue to root yourself in morality and work hard to accomplish the things you have promised to us. We are counting on the change you speak as we strive to encourage, support and cheer for you along the way.

God bless you Barack Obama.

With Great Respect,
Miss Sullivan