http://carolynrubenstein.com/book/about/
The author is also the founder of the organization that gave me a scholarship! I feel VERY lucky to be a part of it. Check it out. :)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Perseverance
Super cool book:
http://carolynrubenstein.com/book/about/
The author is also the founder of the organization that gave me a scholarship! I feel VERY lucky to be a part of it. Check it out. :)
http://carolynrubenstein.com/book/about/
The author is also the founder of the organization that gave me a scholarship! I feel VERY lucky to be a part of it. Check it out. :)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
"Back to school! Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool! I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight!"
This year is going to be challenging but so wonderful. Here's the news on my class after the first two days.
I have one student who on Day 1 at snack time put a glue stick in her mouth--I had to pry it out. I did not give my students gluesticks...
Today, my co-teacher had to hold back the same girl so she would not hurt herself--she was kicking and screaming on the floor, trying to pull a chair onto herself. We were able to calm her down, but then she got upset again, and my co-teacher took all the other students out to the playground while I took 15 minutes to calm her down. I think she's scared and doesn't trust us yet--it's only been two days so we are just going to work very hard to make her feel safe here. She told me that she is ugly and doesn't have friends. Another student told me she put a crayon in her mouth, and my co-teacher saw her put a manipulative in her mouth. I've already been told to start taking notes and documenting all this.
I know it's nothing out of the ordinary for a TFA Corps member to face these challenges, and yesterday I was upset, because even though my day didn't go that terribly, I just felt that overwhelming need of my students and all that I need to do. I want our class to be safe and filled with learning, and I feel that I definitely have a lot to do to get there. I feel so much better today though, because while it's going to be hard to get there, my co-teacher and I are going to plan together so that we can basically tag-team if need be if I have a student who needs to be removed or needs one-on-one attention. Plus, I have parents interested in volunteering, and so I am going to meet with them and try to get at least one parent in a day.
So that's the long and short of it. I have a lot on my plate for the next year, but I am feeling a lot better after talking with my principal and co-teacher. Though I may need to do a lot of the hard work all by myself, I feel very supported, which is quite a relief.
...and all of this is why I am convinced that pre-k is VITAL to a child's life and why whether in the near future or far future I plan to open my own preschools for children in low-income areas. However, those big goals will have to wait, and right now I am ready and prepared to work my butt off for my kids.
I have one student who on Day 1 at snack time put a glue stick in her mouth--I had to pry it out. I did not give my students gluesticks...
Today, my co-teacher had to hold back the same girl so she would not hurt herself--she was kicking and screaming on the floor, trying to pull a chair onto herself. We were able to calm her down, but then she got upset again, and my co-teacher took all the other students out to the playground while I took 15 minutes to calm her down. I think she's scared and doesn't trust us yet--it's only been two days so we are just going to work very hard to make her feel safe here. She told me that she is ugly and doesn't have friends. Another student told me she put a crayon in her mouth, and my co-teacher saw her put a manipulative in her mouth. I've already been told to start taking notes and documenting all this.
I know it's nothing out of the ordinary for a TFA Corps member to face these challenges, and yesterday I was upset, because even though my day didn't go that terribly, I just felt that overwhelming need of my students and all that I need to do. I want our class to be safe and filled with learning, and I feel that I definitely have a lot to do to get there. I feel so much better today though, because while it's going to be hard to get there, my co-teacher and I are going to plan together so that we can basically tag-team if need be if I have a student who needs to be removed or needs one-on-one attention. Plus, I have parents interested in volunteering, and so I am going to meet with them and try to get at least one parent in a day.
So that's the long and short of it. I have a lot on my plate for the next year, but I am feeling a lot better after talking with my principal and co-teacher. Though I may need to do a lot of the hard work all by myself, I feel very supported, which is quite a relief.
...and all of this is why I am convinced that pre-k is VITAL to a child's life and why whether in the near future or far future I plan to open my own preschools for children in low-income areas. However, those big goals will have to wait, and right now I am ready and prepared to work my butt off for my kids.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
It's official...
...I'm a teacher! I'm on the website: http://www.arusd.org/2038207718203837/site/default.asp
We FINALLY got internet today, and I slept on a real bed last night, and I have finally met all the kinder teachers at my school.
Time for bed. I'm exhausted. I think I will feel this way for the next couple months...
We FINALLY got internet today, and I slept on a real bed last night, and I have finally met all the kinder teachers at my school.
Time for bed. I'm exhausted. I think I will feel this way for the next couple months...
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Mi espanol no es perfecto...
Today I made 20 phone calls to all my students' families. Oh yes, I have a class list already. And keys to my classroom. And I met my co-teacher. And I made a behavior chart. And I'm exhibiting TERRIBLE grammar and punctuation here by starting all my sentences with "And."
Long story short, I survived. There was a fair amount of awkwardness when I had to attempt speaking Spanish on the phone...fortunately the parents I talked to seemed to appreciate the effort! I am hoping my Spanish will improve rapidly, as the rest of my year will be mixed between the two languages.
In other news, I received a scholarship for grad school! You can find out more about the organization I received it from here: www.cccscholarships.org. Too cool. I feel very lucky to be a part of it!
The best is yet to come however! Tuesday, my storage space finally arrives, AND we will have internet in our apartment which means life will be just wonderful then.
I cannot wait to update you from the comfort of my own apartment!! I hope everyone is having a great start to their weeks! Lots of love.
Long story short, I survived. There was a fair amount of awkwardness when I had to attempt speaking Spanish on the phone...fortunately the parents I talked to seemed to appreciate the effort! I am hoping my Spanish will improve rapidly, as the rest of my year will be mixed between the two languages.
In other news, I received a scholarship for grad school! You can find out more about the organization I received it from here: www.cccscholarships.org. Too cool. I feel very lucky to be a part of it!
The best is yet to come however! Tuesday, my storage space finally arrives, AND we will have internet in our apartment which means life will be just wonderful then.
I cannot wait to update you from the comfort of my own apartment!! I hope everyone is having a great start to their weeks! Lots of love.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
WOOHOO!
...After sleeping on my bathroom floor last night literally curled in the fetal position (quite an image I know, but I had a terrible migraine, and I am happy no one had to see me in that state!), I had a MUCH better Wednesday.
I am in math training right now, and it has been nice to see my curriculum...but it was even more exciting to pick up my own copies today, and my plan tonight is to enjoy reading it and looking at all the fun pictures. I anticipate a panic attack here or there when I realize how soon school is starting, but it's all good. :P
School starts in officially 2 weeks, and I'm excited but nervous and everything in-between.
All is well though! I'm just too tired to update, so I think I'm going to go home and eat dinner and go to bed.
More to come when I am not achy from sleeping my bathroom floor (what can I say? It's the darkest place in my apartment).
I am in math training right now, and it has been nice to see my curriculum...but it was even more exciting to pick up my own copies today, and my plan tonight is to enjoy reading it and looking at all the fun pictures. I anticipate a panic attack here or there when I realize how soon school is starting, but it's all good. :P
School starts in officially 2 weeks, and I'm excited but nervous and everything in-between.
All is well though! I'm just too tired to update, so I think I'm going to go home and eat dinner and go to bed.
More to come when I am not achy from sleeping my bathroom floor (what can I say? It's the darkest place in my apartment).
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Internet+Bread Bowls=good stuff
Oh the joys of Panera offering internet! I am currently about 1/3 moved into my new apartment...but we have yet to set up internet so I have not replied to MANY of your emails. (Ahem, Kristina, Kati, and Darlene...I owe you all).
Today, after much IKEA browsing and debating, I purchased a bed. No, really I did. I also called my dad about 30 times in the past four days about this purchase, but I finally made a decision...
...are you wondering what I got??
I got this bed:
and this nightstand:
and whensoever I chose to have my storage space delivered (I'm thinking Saturday...) I will officially have a set up apartment.
As many of you may know, this is not my first time moving awesome furniture without the help of people stronger than me (a.k.a. boys), but today was even more intense than usual. My 100 lb. box-spring was a BEAST to get up to our fabulous 4th floor apartment...but we did it. So, I am now enjoying an iced caramel at Panera, and even though I know it has about 500 calories in it, believe me, this is a regret-free drink if ever there were one since I just busted my butt to get stuff to our apartment.
...Plus, I'm buying groceries from Trader Joe's later. So I will have fruits and veggies to eat.
More to come. Hopefully from my apartment--cause maybe I'll have internet soon?
Today, after much IKEA browsing and debating, I purchased a bed. No, really I did. I also called my dad about 30 times in the past four days about this purchase, but I finally made a decision...
...are you wondering what I got??
I got this bed:
and this nightstand:
and whensoever I chose to have my storage space delivered (I'm thinking Saturday...) I will officially have a set up apartment.
As many of you may know, this is not my first time moving awesome furniture without the help of people stronger than me (a.k.a. boys), but today was even more intense than usual. My 100 lb. box-spring was a BEAST to get up to our fabulous 4th floor apartment...but we did it. So, I am now enjoying an iced caramel at Panera, and even though I know it has about 500 calories in it, believe me, this is a regret-free drink if ever there were one since I just busted my butt to get stuff to our apartment.
...Plus, I'm buying groceries from Trader Joe's later. So I will have fruits and veggies to eat.
More to come. Hopefully from my apartment--cause maybe I'll have internet soon?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Help! I need somebody...
I need help! So, I just signed a lease to a fabulous apartment (feel free to check out the complex: http://www.rental-living.com/Communities/The-Cypress/)...and now I have the task of decorating my bedroom.
Here are a couple bedrooms I like:
Thoughts? When you think of me, what do you think of? How should I decorate? I'll be hitting up IKEA sometime soon...most likely Saturday or Sunday. Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.
In recent news, since it has been quite a while since I updated with actual words (thought those pictures are priceless!) Institute is officially over, and I am up in Foster City, CA for two days of "Round Zero" which is supposed to help me plan for the upcoming year.
I also took my car in today to get an estimate on how much it will cost to fix the 6" cut in my convertible top. Thank goodness for car insurance, or I would somehow have to come up with over $2000...as they will be replacing the top in its entirety. Even the people at the auto repair place seemed confused: was there really a point in someone cutting the top of my car? Mm, pretty much no.
For this reason, I am trying to work our car insurance, renter's insurance, and of course, my favorite, health insurance, which I will find out more about at the new employee day for my school district in a week and a half. Apparently, I have a pre-existing condition...who knew? :P
(Interesting news for those of you who know the whole long story from D.C.: Apparently the Virginia hospital sent me a letter to check in and to see how their former patient is doing...I am tempted to reply...but not quite sure what to say. Would I have enough space to explain that despite the wonderful food, their post-surgical advice could not have been worse? However, as I constantly tell myself, at least my doctors at home were more attentive, and I am healthy and happy over two years later).
In just three short weeks, I'll have my very own classroom, my Kinder-Garden (oh yes, the theme is in full motion)! We are going to have our Busy Bee Helper Jobs, our Chicka Chicka Boom ABC trees, our apple behavior chart...and of course, we will be watering our garden with hard work so our flowers can grow up to the sky (in the clouds will be our hopes and dreams), and Mr. (or Mrs.) Sun will be college!
I'll update more soon!
Lots of love,
Alex
P.S. Jess, I know I have not put any pictures of Chloe up, but you'll be happy to know that she is doing well, and in the few short days my brother was home, she managed to get to sleep in his bed. One day I will write a book about Chloe's and my travels...but first we need to be in the same state!
Here are a couple bedrooms I like:
Thoughts? When you think of me, what do you think of? How should I decorate? I'll be hitting up IKEA sometime soon...most likely Saturday or Sunday. Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.
In recent news, since it has been quite a while since I updated with actual words (thought those pictures are priceless!) Institute is officially over, and I am up in Foster City, CA for two days of "Round Zero" which is supposed to help me plan for the upcoming year.
I also took my car in today to get an estimate on how much it will cost to fix the 6" cut in my convertible top. Thank goodness for car insurance, or I would somehow have to come up with over $2000...as they will be replacing the top in its entirety. Even the people at the auto repair place seemed confused: was there really a point in someone cutting the top of my car? Mm, pretty much no.
For this reason, I am trying to work our car insurance, renter's insurance, and of course, my favorite, health insurance, which I will find out more about at the new employee day for my school district in a week and a half. Apparently, I have a pre-existing condition...who knew? :P
(Interesting news for those of you who know the whole long story from D.C.: Apparently the Virginia hospital sent me a letter to check in and to see how their former patient is doing...I am tempted to reply...but not quite sure what to say. Would I have enough space to explain that despite the wonderful food, their post-surgical advice could not have been worse? However, as I constantly tell myself, at least my doctors at home were more attentive, and I am healthy and happy over two years later).
In just three short weeks, I'll have my very own classroom, my Kinder-Garden (oh yes, the theme is in full motion)! We are going to have our Busy Bee Helper Jobs, our Chicka Chicka Boom ABC trees, our apple behavior chart...and of course, we will be watering our garden with hard work so our flowers can grow up to the sky (in the clouds will be our hopes and dreams), and Mr. (or Mrs.) Sun will be college!
I'll update more soon!
Lots of love,
Alex
P.S. Jess, I know I have not put any pictures of Chloe up, but you'll be happy to know that she is doing well, and in the few short days my brother was home, she managed to get to sleep in his bed. One day I will write a book about Chloe's and my travels...but first we need to be in the same state!
