Just haven't had any good things to say

I went to a training for three days this week and it was worth it. It was called "Capture Kids Hearts."  The first day was hard but by the end 50+ teachers were like old friends. It was camp like or in the word of one of my new friends, "therapy."

So, today with trepidation and excitement, I went back to my students. Apparently, they seem to finally get me and in turn their education. It was awesome today. Hugs and smiles and work they actually did! Plus notes and pictures they left me. I changed in the three days and they seemed to have changed/grown as well. 

In this mess of an education system it is good to know learning, academic and social, is going on in the classroom. I missed them so much. I still miss my students from last year as well. I can't help but wonder and hope their English teacher loves them as much as I do.

I was my Kindergarten Teacher's first class. She was amazing and I used to see her for years after. Even after I had graduated high school. She always remembered me and I was always so grateful for her. I know she knew that. I thought today about what we sang in the Holiday pageant, it was the Dreidel Song and I was a pink present with a blue bow. 

I am going to focus on that memory because it makes me realize what I do does matter no matter what is going on in buildings and offices and unions and the media.

Need to find my sense of humor.

Just kidding. I had so much fun dressed as a stereotypical nerd on Friday. My students thought it was hysterical and I am pretty sure I earned points in their books. We also learned about MIT and Nerd Pride during homeroom. All in all it was a fun day. I so love to dress up! However, I did have a moment when I forgot I was dressed up and could not figure out why people were smiling at me so intently. I now wish I had gotten up early enough to take the subway while in my nerd wear!

And today I have solved a problem for myself. I love reading to my students, but by 6th period I have little voice left. So, I downloaded the unabridged version of Hunger Games onto my iPod which also means they can listen and journal while I meet with them one-on-one to go over their grades and test scores. It seems like a perfect match and I really want to have time to talk to them, each and every one of them. Now we can get caught up on our book and they can write and I can spend the time.

This week begins the count down, 3 days until a 4 day weekend, then 3 weeks until a 3 week vacation. I am so tired and I need the break so much. However, I have so much work to do in the next 3 days. On the up side Thanksgiving is just 6 of my immediate family this year and we are doing it at my mom's which means so much less work and I get to enjoy the cooking part instead of being stressed out about silly stuff. 

Onward I go and I must get to sleep soon.

Clearing the Air

It has been a while since I posted here. I have felt conflicted. I wanted there to be more humor in my posts, but apparently, that is not to be. And yet I hold out hope. 

I have been losing my sense of humor and my focus and my knowledge everything will be okay. But, in spite of everything, things are looking up. On Tuesday my favorite professor from Pepperdine was at my school. I am never sure if people will remember me, but she did and greeted me with hugs and excitement. She proceeded to introduce me to the rest of the Pepperdine crew and then took me to MY Principals to let them know how lucky they are to have me. I am sure you can understand how it is different to have a person who you deeply respect and admire in your field say those kind of things. She then informed me I would be getting my doctorate as well. All in all she rejuvenated me. I felt much less lonely than I have the past few weeks.

Another positive is my students are starting to settle in and get their acts together. This is not to say they are easy, far from it, but the numbers of crazy are getting fewer and fewer. Plus our school has taken on a more strict program for those causing the most problems. They will now be attending 0 period each day to get them on the right track. Plus we will now have tardy sweeps. (Oh thank goodness)  Things are definitely improving. There is still so much to do. 

And, I have energy again and I am posting while taking a break from getting my grading updated and ready to submit. I feel positive. I feel I can make it to Winter Break! 

I know one thing for sure. I never want to be 12 years old again.

How is this possible

I swore I would say no to some things, but it has not turned out that way. I do love being a teacher. However, the amount of meetings and deadlines and observations and slcs and plcs and staff issues I can not keep it all straight. On top of all of this I am told on a daily basis how much better the school is this year. I am so, I don't have the words, I am so . . .

Regardless, today was one of those special teaching days. The day before a holiday. Halloween. Oh my goodness. They had a dance for the kids at lunch. It was free if they had no Us and no Fs on their report cards, otherwise it was a dollar. Does anyone remember Middle School Dances?  I did not attend because I had spent my conference period with another teacher's periodic assessments and had to finish my work during lunch. So here it is:

Boys sit in the chairs on one side of the room. Girls want to dance -- with the boys. Girls line up in front of the boys who are still sitting in chairs and dance for the boys. Oh, no! is what you are thinking and to that I answer "Oh Yes." I really didn't know if I believed this description, but as my 5th period class filed in one student exclaims, "J got a lap dance!" 

Middle school is some kind of crazy social experiment. They smell bad, they talk bad, they behave like jack-a-ninnies and today they were hyped up on way too much sugar and hormones and walked into my room. 

Result of this day = I am exhausted and completely mentally and physically beat down. However, I fill my weekend coming on strong and will not be down for long. 

My mantra goes something like this: "they are only children, they will learn something, it will get better, some day they will be embarrassed about their time in middle school."

That is all I have.

Today was a Good Day

I dreaded today. Testing is so difficult. Having students sit for an entire period and work is just crazy. However, they did it. I am not sure if it was the incentive of the raffle we will be having for students who do not require a make up day and who take the test seriously and do not disturb the rest of class. The prize is an MP3 player. I like incentives. I am just grateful I had very few issues, even in my crazy 6th period.

Of course, it wasn't all roses without thorns. 3rd Period did not test today because we had an assembly. Assemblies are the only thing worse than testing. The entire 7th grade sitting in the auditorium together listening about bullying, sexual harassment, code of conduct and grades. OH JOY OF MY LIFE. And my class was one of the good ones. It was just ridiculous. The students did not care if the person speaking was a teacher, counselor, AP or security. They just can't sit quietly that long. Wow. The assembly went 10 minutes into the next period because they could not keep quiet. UGH and then hustling to class when we finally dismissed them. IT is late, the bell has rung and yet they just stand out on the grass talking. They have no sense of urgency or doing the right thing. 

It makes me look forward to testing part II tomorrow. Plus, with my well behaved classes I can get caught up on grading and have no work this weekend. YEA!

I can't believe tomorrow is Thursday and that October has just a bit more than a week left. Where does the time go?

BTSA UGH

Today was orientation for BTSA. BTSA is the way you clear your teaching credential in California and in Los Angeles LAUSD is in charge of the program. That's right, the program is annoying in every way. Maybe because it is a bit unorganized. Maybe because in my Masters Program I have already done all the things they ask. Maybe because it is tons of busy work. Maybe because they expect you to work with a support provider 2 hours per week. Maybe because it is so much busy work. I know I already said that.

Last year I was in Local District 1 and the supervisor had no real love for me or my other colleagues at my school for some reason. I know I can be annoying and a know-it-all, but seriously this program makes me mad just thinking about it. And last year I had a lovely support provider, but she was a science teacher and during one observation she told me it was hard to critique because the students were reading and writing in groups. I TEACH ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS. They should be reading and writing. She made me have a new observation where I was showing a film with a modified Cornell Notes worksheet. I stopped the film 12 times in the first 25 minutes to have them take down ideas. This she loved and it was a good lesson and all was fine, but you sort of get the point.

This year I am in Local District 7 and we met during the orientation today and it was completely different from how last year was approached. I am glad I had year one signed off because this District had culminating tasks and we had nothing like that. I don't actually have a support provider for this year yet. At my friend's new school she asked her colleagues about support providers and they told her they didn't have one last year and they all just worked together. I have no idea how this is going to go, but I know I have no love for this program. It is a mess. All of the facilitators are well meaning and the teachers try hard, but I just HATE it and I am glad this is the last year I will have to deal with it. UGH. 

I even came home and started filling out the class roster forms and the classroom layout forms. I attempted to start my K-W-L but I need to print one thing in order to even start it, so, I am done for the night, but on Monday I am going to seminar 1 of 3 for the year. OH DEAR!  Wish me luck for BTSA yr 2

Taking the Day Off

I have had a cold for nearly two weeks. At first it did not seem that bad. Then a turn for the worse over the weekend, however, there was just too much to do at work to take a day off. I had standards to cover, a PSAT to administer and grades to enter, plus meetings and the list goes on and on. My other problem is dealing with my classroom after they have a sub for even just one day. I can not just not show up without a plan in my room. Even if the sub doesn't follow the plan, even if the students don't do the assignment, I can't leave it completely up to chance. 

There is also the issue of hiding things like the stapler, the tissue, the good pens, the tape dispenser and in some cases the hall pass. Somehow an unruly class will behave well for the sub and the best behaved classes take it as an opportunity to run around like chickens with their heads cut off. (I've been teaching idioms recently) 

So, I cleaned the room, put the assignment on the board, printed new copies of the seating charts, acquired more referral forms, typed up a detailed note to the sub, made copies of word searches and put them into packets for each period, called subfinder, gave our office administrator my confirmation number and made my way home on Thursday.

And then I was in my car leaving the parking lot and I look up and see the blimp! Oh yes the blimp. And for a moment I am confused. And then I remember. I was going to take the Metro Rail to work on Thursday because the Dodger game starts at 5pm. But, I have been sick and so extra tired when the alarm goes off at 5:15. In order to take the metro rail and get to work by 7:15 I need to leave my house by 6:00 a.m. No way I was going to make that and I think it will be fine. UGH, nearly two hours to get home on a Thursday. 

Here I am on a Friday. I don't really feel too sick, but I did sleep until 7:30 this morning and my voice is pretty week and the idea of leaving the house is not too appealing. I know this day off will work in my favor going forward. I will get the rest I need and my voice will reappear by Monday no problem.

This is the life of an English Teacher. She needs her voice. She needs her rest and on a few occasions she needs a day to regain her health. 

I need to blog more

I find if I actually take the time to blog (aka reflect in teacher speak) I feel a bit better about what is going on. So here goes.

Yesterday. Tuesday. Shortened day = 40 minute periods. Should be a good thing, but I find it harder than a regular day which may have to do with having Professional Development after school for 1 1/2 hours. We actually accomplish things in PD, so I can't complain. Anyway, I digress.

My 6th period is a huge challenge. So, I plan with them in mind. What can I come up with where they do not have to sit still in their seats and be quiet for the whole period and still teach them?  This is the goal each and every day. How can I make it work for all of us.  So, I planned a Narrative Gallery Walk. They had sheets with the different terms on them. On the walls around the room there were examples of all the different terms. They had to getup, walk around and put the correct number next to the term. It was not easy, but I promised prizes to any one who got all 12 correct. I didn't even tell them they couldn't help one another. Period 1, 2, 3 & 5 were into it and had a great time and learned something. 6th period comes in and I get them started after the normal amount of pain in the butt behavior. While I am clarifying for a student I suddenly look up and they have torn half the examples off the wall. SERIOUSLY!  I lose it as much as I can with a voice that is barely a whisper because of my cold. I tell them again about respect and rudeness. I am just so angry. I get over it, but I think I stayed up late planning for them, and they just don't care a bit.

So, today we are giving the PSAT to our students for periods 1 -4. 5th period will be doing word searches, mad libs and cloze activities that are basically fun. 6th period will be copying commonly misspelled words from their textbooks.

Tomorrow will be a new day and a new lesson, but seriously . . .

It's Friday

So, I was observed today. It happens a lot at our school. I am used to it, but something amazing happened. My students were on fire. They were engaged and on task and new direct and indirect comparisons. They analyzed similes and metaphors. It was awesome. And seriously, they did not know this stuff three weeks ago. SO, I continued through the day and honestly, my students were on fire all periods. Even the oh so challenging 6th period has apparently learned. I am so proud of them and so fortified to keep going.

This was such a tiring week. I had a cold and meetings at school and deadlines and back to school night and I just wanted to get through it all. And I did and the exhaustion feels worth it. All of it was worth it. Today it feels worth it.

Bad Day on Monday turned into a Good Day on Tuesday

I had one of those horrendous days on Monday. Yes, I had a cold and was not feeling well. Yes, it was Monday and I was tired and Yes, I made the mistake of putting my students in one giant oval. So, for that I take responsibility. The fact that all students seemed to forget over the weekend all of our classroom procedures set us up for a day of raised voices and frustration. (Me and my students)

So, I left school exhausted and mad and sad. All on a Monday. I went home and decided to take the night off from teaching. I was ready to enjoy Monday Night Football Favre Extravaganza. I was relaxed. I had tea too soothe my nerves and cold. All was well. And of course, this is when it happens. In the quiet relaxed moment I take to my computer, update my rosters on my grading program and create a seating chart that makes sense. Groups of 3 and 4. And not what you think. Not separating everyone, but placing them where I can manage them and they won't disrupt everyone else.

I have no idea how today (Wednesday) will go, but Tuesday was lovely. They managed themselves. They worked hard and they were able to talk a bit and we were all happier. And amazingly, I felt better when the day was over. My cold seemed to take a turn for the better and I was ready to tackle planning and grading. 

Today, 5:30 still seemed early, but I am pretty happy to be at work.

The Small Moments

The 7th grade team I am a part of is pretty amazing for a bunch of new teachers. That's right, two second years (both coming from high school) and two first years make up our team. Granted we probably don't have the hardest kids on campus, but it is no picnic. Especially during 6th period. All of our 6th period classes seem to be having major trouble with their behavior. We have a plan and we have help from our Magnet Coordinator, so all will be well. This brings me to the small moment that felt like a turning point. 

I don't even remember exactly what was said, but 6th period was going better than usual. They were loud, but they were on task and they seemed to be enjoying the assignment and even came to me to show me their work and ask for help. I allowed them some free range of movement and talking. They were creating visual representations of idioms on a time limit. A few students had to go to the book room (most of them are my bigger behavior issues) and one had gone to the nurse. I took advantage of a few less students and less distraction to get them started. When the others returned they could see everyone was having fun. I assigned one of their classmates to help them get on task and gave the whole class a few extra minutes. Again, it was a bit noisy, but they were being productive. My biggest behavior issue (though he is really smart) did act up a bit, but I had someone observing my class and he took him aside. (Help is a good thing) So, all was well.  Then we had to clean up and move on. 

Transitions are especially difficult for this class, but I was not giving up. I was correcting them as needed and then I told them they could have one last chance to earn back the after-school time they have earned the past two weeks. I counted down. almost, but not quite quiet. I tried again, almost, but not quite. However, not the usual suspects causing the problem, which I pointed out. I tried again and got the giggles. Yep, me. They all giggled back. We all tried again. Nope, giggling. So, I took my lemons and made lemonade, though actually we made rain, or tried to. You know, rubbing hands, snapping, clapping on thighs kind of rain. I had them repeat rhythms of claps and stomps. They did it, together and they were quiet and at times giggling. They left class on a happy note and sound and so did I.

Aahh, the small moments of victory in a classroom. So, I guess there is hope for 6th period.

This entry has nothing to do with my students

My students are coming along and doing well overall. 6th period is the most difficult, but I am not worried. 

Moving on. It is difficult being a teacher. And by that I mean teachers have meetings and deadlines and busy work and important work to do for their schools and their classrooms. Today was that day.  

Regular Tuesday complete with Professional Development from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Meeting with the English Department was great. So much work to do, but getting through it and learning so much. I was already tired, but when you feel productive, it's worth it. Then the meeting I didn't know about. Last Tuesday of every month we have a meeting from 3:00 to 4:00. I am one of those people who can make it through an extra long day if I have mentally prepared. I wasn't, but I persevered and went to the SLC meeting. I was actually glad to finally meet everyone. We had far too much to do with not near enough time. We were all there until 4:30 p.m. UGH

You see, I get to school between 6:45 and 7:00 a.m. each day. School starts at 8:00. I spend my conference period and lunch time grading and prepping and to day I helped a student with his speech (he is running for 7th grade President). I'm busy all day long and I was tired. After school I needed to run and get toner (I ran out last night) so I can print the assessment I need to give to my students in order to do my RIAP project for Saturday. And this is a short week. Plus, tomorrow night I have a Y event and am planning to stay at my parents to get a bit more sleep after a night out. So, today was not the day to leave work at 4:45 p.m. and drive through lousy traffic and get home (with the stop at Office Depot) at 6:30 p.m.  I still have work to do, but have no brain cells to accomplish anything. So, here I am blogging in the hopes it relieves my stress and gives me energy to move on to typing the minutes of my Department Meeting. 

I'm pretty sure, those will have to wait until tomorrow morning.  So long Tuesday, bring on Wednesday!

Weighing in on Small Schools/Small Learning Communities

I was reading articles about the "focus schools" being put up for auction. As if education should go to the highest bidder. I don't really get it. The data is intense and so hard to analyze because each school is unique. I worked at PI (program improvement) school last year. In fact it is/was a PI5+++ school. This year I am again at a PI school. The data is not good. BUT, that is not to say nothing good is going on in those schools. Imagine if not all your students showed up to take tests year after year and you battle that obstacle. Chances are your scores might go down once more students actually take the test. Then you have the obstacle of getting students to take the tests seriously. We test them so much can you blame them for just bubbling a pattern on their answer sheets. Okay, so say you have tackled the first two, now you are ready to get some better scores. And hopefully that is what happens. However, nothing really happens overnight. It takes time to put a plan into action and reap the benefits. So now to my topic.

I love Small Learning Communities (SLCs). They take a big school and make it manageable in a way that allows for students to be taken care of. By having students grouped together into these communities and having the same core teachers, behaviors can be managed and the child can be individually known. Unit plans can be made for that specific group of students, a counselor can focus on a set group of students and go to 4 core teachers and create a plan that best suits the students in the community. The students know their teachers and the teacher KNOW THEIR STUDENTS. Consistency lives in this place of SLCs. They work, but they take time. Hard work by teachers, administrators, staff and community is being done every day where I work. We strive to create a college going philosophy. We strive for our students to be purposeful and successful in school and beyond. It may not happen overnight, but we look for ways for the students to learn and hopefully the test scores will follow.

Wow, this week went fast and was such a busy one

I need more sleep. That is the bottom line. To be at my best I need to be asleep by 9:30, which is difficult, but 11:30 is beyond ridiculous. I am working on this issue.

My students have been fascinating, frustrating, freakish and funny. Each period of the day has a different personality and a different work ethic. Some need gentle probing and nudging. Some are completely insane. I spend half my time with those classes working on self management of their behavior. Our school uses a program called "Capture Kids Hearts."  It comes with non verbal cues, social contracts and class buy-in. However, it is difficult to work with in the beginning and some students just don't care if they disrupt the entire class. I am determined I will deal with discipline first and then content and I have stuck to it. I have also created a daily class routine and it works well and keeps me on task as well.

It will be fine. I now know that after the insane first ten weeks last year. It just takes consistency and showing no fear and being tireless. 

I also find myself immersed in the work. Pacing plans, team teaching, cohorts, culminating tasks, and the list goes on and on. We have so many programs going on at the same time it feels like a whirlwind at best and a tornado in the hardest moments. (I love it) Today a group of teachers told me they were referred to me by a couple of administrators to join their group. This group works on cultural significance in the classroom. Of course I said yes. What else could I say. It is me to a tee. They were so nice and what a lovely compliment to be asked. 

My school has so many hurdles to tackle and this is why I wanted to be a teacher. I cried today thinking about it. (In a good way) Creating a culturally relevant curriculum in a college going environment with SLCs and interdisciplinary units and a grade level English cohort! What could possibly be better than this?!

I also want to send a shout out to "Gossip Girl."  When I asked my HR/College Prep class for colleges they are interested in, the list included NYU, Brown, Yale and Harvard!  One of my students just wants to go to a college as far away from Watts as possible. They break my heart and bring me joy in all their little moments. They even looked like they believed me when I told them to dream high and reach high. To not settle. I also got to teach them a vocabulary word -- ENDOWMENT. Anything is possible.

And just like that.

So nearly six months have passed since I realized I would be losing my job at the end of the school year and that has meant nearly six months of looking for a job. So many resumes sent, so much time spent on edjoin.org and so many bouts of depression. Less than a week before school started I was invited to a job fair through Partnership for L.A. Schools and in less than 30 minutes I was hired to teach at Markham Middle School as a Long Term Sub. I was pretty happy. Then a phone call about two weeks ago telling me my name was coming up soon to be rehired as a permanent teacher. Then nothing.

Yesterday I asked my principal if he knew who I should call about the situation to see when it might actually happen. He gave me a number to a specific person who is a "friend" of Markham. I called, she answered, she remembered my name, looked it up and told me my assignment letter had been mailed on Friday and that as of September 14, 2009 I was rehired as a permanent teacher. Just Like That. Craziness. They hired me back before they ever sent my cobra package!

I shared this with my students today as my "good thing." They clapped and then they asked me if I wanted to be a teacher when I was little. Which, by the way, I did. And now I am and I am so appreciative of all my friends, family and colleagues who have given me so much support and hung in there even when I was less than fun to be around.

Peace.

It is Friday

I feel so lucky to be a teacher. Each day is a gift to learn and teach. My students are 12 years old and they have their lives ahead of them. They see the world differently and they allow me glimpses. We were having a discussion about casual talk, professional talk and academic talk. They were not getting it. So, I copied their words and phrases and gave them directions in "cool kid speak." They all laughed . . . hard. I think they got the point. One of them wants me to say "are you finished" instead of "are you done" because done sounds too much like the word dumb. I told her I would never say "are you dumb."  But she was pretty emphatic about it. It made me think and I did use the word finish a couple of times for her benefit. But seriously, is this something they deal with?  Do people really say to them "are you dumb" often enough that the word done needs to be removed from my phrasing in class. That kind of makes me sad. 

Well I survived the first full week of school and all is well in my world. I look forward to tackling vocabulary, idioms and character next week.

Forgive me. It has been a few days

The life of a 7th grader is not unlike the life of a 2nd year teacher. Last year they were both the babies of the school and were tolerated and at times praised and often misunderstood. In the new year they are older, understand how things work and sometimes feel a bit too comfortable. Trouble may ensue.

Have I grabbed your attention? My students have certainly grabbed mine. It has been 6 days with students and it has been awesome, illuminating, aggravating and overall not a bad job to have. The students are doing well except for some blatant shoe uniform defiance. They are working hard and starting to understand the process of planners, classwork and homework. One student called my name and I replied "yes?" He replied, "you are nice Ms. Ancrile." I thanked him. It was a very lovely moment.

7th grade is also kind of odd. In most of my classes, the boys sit on one side and the girls on the other. Of course, that is about to change because they all talk far too much in that configuration. I had to keep the boy side of my 6th period after school today. They just couldn't keep it together all period. It really was a clear reminder of how boys and girls develop socially. Tomorrow they will have a new seating chart and it may or may not solve the problem for a while. 

This week has been full of Professional Development. 2 hours on Monday for a program called "Capturing Kids Hearts" where we were reminded/told to shake hands with each student and say hello as they enter the door. I have a hand thing, but I tried it. I think I might be converted as long as my hand sanitizer supply holds out. We also were given instructions on doing "Good Things" with them each day. Students and teachers share good things (small and large) and the class claps (one claps, we all clap is the motto). Sort of fun, and it is going okay. Next week I tackle social contracts and non verbal cues (timeout, fouls and shaking thumbs up). I am always willing to try anything for my students betterment and this is something they are trying to do school wide, which makes it less weird to do with students. Okay so that was the good PD

On Tuesday we met in PLC (professional learning communities) formerly know as Departments. The English dept. as usual is wacky. They always are, which is why I fit in pretty well. But seriously, why haven't the 7th grade English teachers looked at the standards yet? I mean come on people, get with the program. We have some work to do on pacing plans and curriculum and it is due in two weeks!! I know what my light reading will be this weekend!

All in all, I love it. I love teaching. I love the work. Sometimes I feel too tired, but then, I sleep and start all over again. I am even enjoying leaving the house at 6am. On Friday I will be taking the Red Line to the Blue Line to work. This is exciting because Friday afternoon traffic is hideous and I would rather sit on the train for an hour than sit in my car on the parking lots known as the 110, 101 and 170 freeways. 

Peace to you all. What are your Good Things this week?

Thursday So Soon

Today was a good day. I seem to be over-planning each day. This means there is little down time and thus few behavior problems. I should also say I have some incredibly bright students. They are well spoken, witty and have no problem stating their opinions. I gave them homework last night to ready anything for ten minutes. Almost all of them read BOOKS, actual BOOKS. I was amazed. Some of them had such insight. It was truly awesome. 

I should tell you I have some funny kids. One told me the book he chose is Bad and by bad he meant inappropriate. He even brought it with him to show me, but in a very innocent way. I told him maybe he should keep the book at home. So funny. 

I have not forgotten about the honeymoon period that exists with students, but they are polite, don't call me Miss, ask to get out of their seats, line up out side the classroom until I open the door, throw their trash in the receptacle and bring something to write with and on to class. I think I could get used to this. 

Tomorrow is Friday and I am glad. I am tired from the early mornings, but I am also excited for the weekend to bring me time to set lesson plans for the next few weeks. 

In closing: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Day 2 - The students came

Awesome Parts of the Day: The students all cute and shiny in their uniforms who had pencils and paper and smiles. Being overly prepared with too much to do every period. Reading to my students and having them sit quietly and irritated when I stopped. 

Not so good parts of the Day: Crazy Bell Schedule but no bells actually ringing on time all day. having to go to an unplanned meeting after school. Being very tired and getting blisters because I lived all summer in flip flops. 

Overall this was an excellent first day. My advisory class listened to the Obama Speech and had much to say about it with little prodding from me. They all still believe in a better future at their young age. 

closing:  All kids need is a little help, a little hope and somebody who believes in them.

Magic Johnson

Day 1 - Pupil Free Day

I feel I need to keep track of my teaching experience this year. Some entries will be long and some short. Some days the words will be of joy and love and success and some days the words will be of exhaustion, failure and frustration. 

Today:  Sept. 8, 2009

I arrived at school before 7:00a.m. It took me just 35 minutes to travel from Van Nuys to Watts. Woo Hoo! My classroom was in tact and I was overwhelmed again by Ariella's artistry. The room is full of bright colors. (pictures to come) I have a colorful rug under my desk, a fluffy green dorm chair, bright orange and blue bulletin boards, posters of verbs, adjective, descriptive words and more adorn the peeling beige walls. I have this awesome bookshelf looking border above my white board as well. I also have one board that has quotes written on word strips as the border. All is well.

7:50 a.m. I am off to the library for 4 hours of meetings. It turns out the school is just transitioning to Small Learning Communities (SLCs) and so much is in flux. I do receive a list of the SLCs and teams. I am the English teacher for the 7th Grade Team in the Magnet SLC. Apparently the Magnet does have fewer discipline problems. (wait and see) My team consists of a Math Teacher (my next door neighbor), a science teacher (located in the brand new actually equipped science labs) and a Social Studies teacher who has not been hired yet. We are told our students are bright and can achieve if we just work hard and believe. 

My school is a Partnership for L.A. Schools school. You know, one of the mayor's schools. We are the 2nd lowest performing school in the district. Last year was a stabilizing year where they dealt mainly with behavior, attendance and general mass roaming on the campus. It is always a good first step to get the students into the classroom. Now we will be working on consistency and interdisciplinary teaching. Can we say, "preaching to the choir."  

And yet, I have no class rosters until tomorrow. I have no idea which period is my conference period. We don't have nutrition. Our students do wear uniforms. I have planned for the first week. Today I went to the bookstore to buy books I will be reading to my students. I did fall asleep last night before 10 and slept nearly 8 hours last night. I am ready, or I will be once I download President Obama's speech, find one more quote, type up my lesson plan, complete the self inventory (so I can make copies tomorrow) for Thursday's lesson, pack my lunch and check off the rest of my to do list. 

Please know, I am so happy to have this job. When I went into teaching I wanted to be where I could do the most good. It seems I was right all along. When I went on interviews all this summer and didn't get job after job, I told myself that was because somewhere there were students who needed me more. 

I close with a quote: "I used to walk to school with my nose buried in a book." --Coolio