another goal--check!

This week I did something I have been meaning to do for some time: I used my AmeriCorps voucher to sign up for a class!

A few years ago I realized that I should probably learn Spanish (I have an unofficial minor in French). I never got around to it, it wasn't a priority, etc. However, my education award expires in June, which is a good motivator to use at least a little. So I registered for a short Spanish course at a CUNY school's continuing education program!


It's kind of a test to start with. Both to see if I like the class and can learn, and also if I can handle working with a twice-weekly evening class.

It's not a huge commitment, only a month or so, and it's not like I have high expectations. But it's exciting to have the prospect of working on a new skill, especially one that will be so useful in the real world.

If it goes well, there are more sessions in the semester that I'll take, as well as some kind of accounting short course for a possible photo business future.

This was on my list of goals for 2011, and one that I wasn't sure I'd follow through on. So I am proud of myself and excited for a new challenge!

Woo--Got through the first day!

Not everything went perfectly with the schoolwide organization, but I suppose that's always the case, right? Especially with as many new folks as we have.

Though I was nervous and very anxious before each new class came in, I did well. We got through the first-day things I wanted to (professionalism and welcome letter, mostly), and there are plenty of things to cover for probably the next two days. I still haven't planned beyond that, but there are vague ideas floating around my head that I hope to pin down and record soon.

My classes this year have high test scores (mostly 3s), but are also resource classes. (Perhaps that tells you how realistic and valid those f%^&ing test scores are, GOVERNMENT.) There are at least two students that don't speak English. I'm not really sure how or when I find out what students need/have what services, but I hope it's soon. In the past, I'm ashamed to say that I've basically ignored the ELLS, because they were out of my room so often and had another teacher. It's hard for me to figure out how to reach those ones while still keeping the rest occupied and challenged (and I don't even do that that well all the time!), so it will certainly be another challenging goal for me this year.

At the end of the day, I was relieved to have the first day out of the way, hopped up on adrenaline, and also dismayed to realize that the days will only get tougher, as the kids (and their behavior issues) come out of their new-school shells.

But! I am really going to try to be positive and patient this year. Please feel free to kick me if I get into too much of a funk, because I want to change and get better in interacting with and planning for the students.

Hope everyone's first day back was a good one!

Dude, long time no posting.

Sigh. I'm not motivated lately, for much of anything, really. Except, as you guessed, pictures.

We have less than one month of school. This is terribly exciting and strange and quite a relief.

Our big trip, that I have been planning ALL.YEAR.LONG is at the end of this week. I am very proud to announce that EVERYTHING is all lined up and ready to go. Again, such a relief. I'm now looking forward to reaping the benefits of my labor and worry--FUN with students and colleagues in a different city.

Today was a half-day. ROCK. That means I only saw one class, and I let them watch Indiana Jones, because they've never even HEARD of it. Can you imagine? On the bright side, many students did vote for the Princess Bride, because they enjoyed it when the grade watched it earlier in the year. Hurrah for giving them 80s movie cultural knowledge! I realized that next on the list must be Goonies, which I don't think I own.

I have owned my new pretty camera for just over two weeks, and I have taken over seven hundred photos already. I showed it off today during a baby shower, and people were very impressed with it, and I got to gush about it. Man, do I love this camera. I bought a spare battery this weekend so I won't have to worry on the field trip. I really do miss the ease of AA batteries and stowability of the old camera, but the niftiness and skill of the new one are worth it.

It's JUNE, people! How did that happen?

This morning one of my students suddenly called out, "Miss! You put 2004!" I looked over at the "Today is" part of my board, and sure enough, I had written, June 4, 2004. I suppose because I have no subconscious and I'd already written a 4. Oops.

This date in 2004, I had not even quit my temp jobs to move to NYC. Weird. And now I've been here three years (officially next Saturday) and am a real teacher and, like, I'm an actual adult and stuff. How time does fly.

Erm. Is it summer yet?

God, I hope the next few weeks aren't too difficult to get through. Give me strength to deal with hyper and obnoxious children.