With a short night, an early morning, and a long flight... well, not that long...
I'm home safely and happily and I've already unpacked some! So glad to be back. My glasses don't fog up, the temperature drops when the sun sets, and my parents cook for me! The smallest tidbits are joyous occasions now, including my carpet and a firm bed.
Twas a great, challenging, enriching and transformative summer. Thanks for sharing it with me!
-Holly
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
Check in my pocket, I'm done!
The posting hiatus has been rather boring. We've cleaned our site, typed our detailed evaluations for every student, had them edited and revised 4 times and stuffed envelopes to send off materials. That's a run-on sentence.
We also had a catered lunch, various closing exercises and each Teacher and Admin did a Presentation of Learning where we spoke or presented for 10 minutes about what we learned.
I completed all my work on Thursday; today was just helping other people, stuffing envelopes with the evaluations and checking facebook. Oh yah, lots of facebooking.
So, I left today with my paycheck and not too much regret. I was surprised to care SO little; I'm never going to see any of these people again (high probability), but I didn't leave on a sad note. There are a couple of people who I would love to keep in touch with but I doubt I'll actually see them again... and for the most part, that doesn't bother me at all.
Now, I'm back in the room... starting to pack. I know it'll all fit. Yes, Dad, it WILL all fit. I have a ride to the airport at 7:45am... and my flight leaves at 10:45. I'm riding with someone else who has a flight earlier than mine. Whoow. Gotta pack and get dinner tonight and I'm set to be home. So ready to go home. So ready! Mom, can we have lasagna or turkey curry or gazpacho this weekend?!
Thanks to all of you who've been following along... I really appreciate it.
We also had a catered lunch, various closing exercises and each Teacher and Admin did a Presentation of Learning where we spoke or presented for 10 minutes about what we learned.
I completed all my work on Thursday; today was just helping other people, stuffing envelopes with the evaluations and checking facebook. Oh yah, lots of facebooking.
So, I left today with my paycheck and not too much regret. I was surprised to care SO little; I'm never going to see any of these people again (high probability), but I didn't leave on a sad note. There are a couple of people who I would love to keep in touch with but I doubt I'll actually see them again... and for the most part, that doesn't bother me at all.
Now, I'm back in the room... starting to pack. I know it'll all fit. Yes, Dad, it WILL all fit. I have a ride to the airport at 7:45am... and my flight leaves at 10:45. I'm riding with someone else who has a flight earlier than mine. Whoow. Gotta pack and get dinner tonight and I'm set to be home. So ready to go home. So ready! Mom, can we have lasagna or turkey curry or gazpacho this weekend?!
Thanks to all of you who've been following along... I really appreciate it.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sick Day
When I came to teach here, I was confident I would catch something from the germy kids or the new Teachers. That whole new germ pool thing. Well, I made it 7.5 weeks...
Today, was spent working on the student evaluations, and when I turned my in before lunch, I was ready to go home. I had a fever, upset stomach and sore throat (Dr. Dad, I know you'll be trying to diagnose me...!). The weather reflected how I felt inside. I got a ride home and after getting a delicious bowl of chicken noodle soup from Panera, I went home (dorms) to sleep and medicate. It was nice to just zonk out for a few more hours and when I re-awoke, I still felt sick, but much improved.
Tonight, I've corrected all 13 of my evaluations for my kids. I've cleaned my - and other - classrooms, I've eloquently praised my students, I've taken surveys and been interviewed by my Director. The last major thing to do is my "Presentation of Learning"... about which I have NO PLANS yet.
We're having a good-bye dinner out tomorrow night -- just those of us who survived Breakthrough Real World: Eaton Residence Hall.
I'm feeling better now: don't worry Mom and Dad! I'll be at work tomorrow.
Today, was spent working on the student evaluations, and when I turned my in before lunch, I was ready to go home. I had a fever, upset stomach and sore throat (Dr. Dad, I know you'll be trying to diagnose me...!). The weather reflected how I felt inside. I got a ride home and after getting a delicious bowl of chicken noodle soup from Panera, I went home (dorms) to sleep and medicate. It was nice to just zonk out for a few more hours and when I re-awoke, I still felt sick, but much improved.
Tonight, I've corrected all 13 of my evaluations for my kids. I've cleaned my - and other - classrooms, I've eloquently praised my students, I've taken surveys and been interviewed by my Director. The last major thing to do is my "Presentation of Learning"... about which I have NO PLANS yet.
We're having a good-bye dinner out tomorrow night -- just those of us who survived Breakthrough Real World: Eaton Residence Hall.
I'm feeling better now: don't worry Mom and Dad! I'll be at work tomorrow.
Monday, July 30, 2007
E-val-u-a-tions has 5 syllables...
So I wrote my first evaluation (aka "comments" from CA teachers). I chose my easiest - which was my top overachiever kid. She's so eager and great.
I turned in my half-page narrative praise. I just met with my peer-editor and here's a sketch of what she said: "this is great, you have good examples, your paragraph flows well. Just... be careful of your wording. Remember that you're writing it to students and their parents."
(I look at the paper, and the following words are circled: sound, meticulous, astute, conscientious)
Me: So what are you saying? You want me to use small words?
Her, smiling: Yes.
Darn - I guess it's not the same at CA teachers... I have to continue to use small words. I miss intellectual stimulation. Don't get me wrong, I loved the teaching, but I miss the challenging, persepective-changing, long talks that people here (Teachers included) consider totally dorky.
I turned in my half-page narrative praise. I just met with my peer-editor and here's a sketch of what she said: "this is great, you have good examples, your paragraph flows well. Just... be careful of your wording. Remember that you're writing it to students and their parents."
(I look at the paper, and the following words are circled: sound, meticulous, astute, conscientious)
Me: So what are you saying? You want me to use small words?
Her, smiling: Yes.
Darn - I guess it's not the same at CA teachers... I have to continue to use small words. I miss intellectual stimulation. Don't get me wrong, I loved the teaching, but I miss the challenging, persepective-changing, long talks that people here (Teachers included) consider totally dorky.
Rain Rain Go Away
Sunday, we went to the beach. Only, we didn't make it.
Scorching, muggy air greeted us as we began our pilgrimage to the beach; yet, after our hour bus ride to South Beach, the green-black ominous clouds started to dampen our spirits. Then, they began to dampen then drench us. Closed beach equals time for a meal. Sunday equals half-price menus. Score!
We went to a cool Italian cafe on the sidewalk and my $12 lasagna was good -- Mom's is better -- but certainly not worth the typical $23.99. Too bad for the stomache -- it made a nice dinner in my dorm room.
Dripping, we caught the bus back, bumping into our other half (the dormers who left before us also went to SB).
New distance on my run Sunday, and I'm nearly done with Harry Potter 6 - rereading it.
Countdown: school cleaning (COMPLETE). 1 of 13 student evals complete; 12 more to do, plus a "creative presentation of learning" for Thursday. Home in 5 days. Heck yah! (Now that the kids are gone, I'm so ready to be gone too. I understand how the week after students leave is a boring time for CA teachers. Hey, I'm spending my time in meetings and writing comments too...!)
I'll post about Monday when I get home today... sorry for the two-day absense!
Scorching, muggy air greeted us as we began our pilgrimage to the beach; yet, after our hour bus ride to South Beach, the green-black ominous clouds started to dampen our spirits. Then, they began to dampen then drench us. Closed beach equals time for a meal. Sunday equals half-price menus. Score!
We went to a cool Italian cafe on the sidewalk and my $12 lasagna was good -- Mom's is better -- but certainly not worth the typical $23.99. Too bad for the stomache -- it made a nice dinner in my dorm room.
Dripping, we caught the bus back, bumping into our other half (the dormers who left before us also went to SB).
New distance on my run Sunday, and I'm nearly done with Harry Potter 6 - rereading it.
Countdown: school cleaning (COMPLETE). 1 of 13 student evals complete; 12 more to do, plus a "creative presentation of learning" for Thursday. Home in 5 days. Heck yah! (Now that the kids are gone, I'm so ready to be gone too. I understand how the week after students leave is a boring time for CA teachers. Hey, I'm spending my time in meetings and writing comments too...!)
I'll post about Monday when I get home today... sorry for the two-day absense!
Celebrate, Celebrate, Dance to the Music
Saturday was Celebration, the huge showcase of student work that we've been planning for at least 10 days. There are two parts: the performance and the academic expo. You've heard about the expo - that is what my poster board was for. Every class had a visual presentation of student work to demonstrate all the learning. After parents perused the expo, we corralled them into the auditorium -- this school's theater easily seats 1000 people, and with all the kids (180), Teachers (60), parents and families, we had at least 700 people in attendance. It lasted about 2.5 hours, and included poetry reading, dancing, skits from each department, and a cool set of "hosts".
After all that -- we had a parent-provided feast. Of course, all the families ate first, so by the time teachers got food, much was gone. But it was a nice gesture. And we did not expect to feed 700 people...!
I treasured the chance to meet kids' families. I hugged students, shook hands with many parents and grandparents, posed for photos with families. It was heartwarming to see the kids in the hybrid of "school" and "home". It was an ironic role reversal of all those award ceremony nights at CA when my teachers met my parents. I was teacher though. Many parents had beautifully kind things to say to me. One of my favorite students showed up sans family -- he took a city bus across town by himself to attend this 8th grade Celebration, but could not bring family with him. He'll go far in life.
We worked 15 hour days last week. We were snappy to each other. We were glitter-covered. We were sick of Breakthrough. And we were stressed.
The Celebration -- expo, performances, and meeting families -- made it more than worthwhile. With all my criticisms of the program and the people here, I found this one moment, a caccoon of pride, love, respect and confidence nearly enough to decide, on the spot, so return next summer. Yah, it was that intense.
Of course, now as I write this, the euphoria and joy are wearing off now, replaced by melancholy and angst that accompany evaluations, editing, cleaning, and close-out activities.
After all that -- we had a parent-provided feast. Of course, all the families ate first, so by the time teachers got food, much was gone. But it was a nice gesture. And we did not expect to feed 700 people...!
I treasured the chance to meet kids' families. I hugged students, shook hands with many parents and grandparents, posed for photos with families. It was heartwarming to see the kids in the hybrid of "school" and "home". It was an ironic role reversal of all those award ceremony nights at CA when my teachers met my parents. I was teacher though. Many parents had beautifully kind things to say to me. One of my favorite students showed up sans family -- he took a city bus across town by himself to attend this 8th grade Celebration, but could not bring family with him. He'll go far in life.
We worked 15 hour days last week. We were snappy to each other. We were glitter-covered. We were sick of Breakthrough. And we were stressed.
The Celebration -- expo, performances, and meeting families -- made it more than worthwhile. With all my criticisms of the program and the people here, I found this one moment, a caccoon of pride, love, respect and confidence nearly enough to decide, on the spot, so return next summer. Yah, it was that intense.
Of course, now as I write this, the euphoria and joy are wearing off now, replaced by melancholy and angst that accompany evaluations, editing, cleaning, and close-out activities.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Say "cheese!"
This is my second period - I love these kids! Roy - navy tshirt on the left - wrote me the most heart-warming note today in class.
Here is 4th period - more rowdy and sometimes, it was a challenge to not shout at them. They are all good kids -- my one problem child quit coming on the penultimate day of the program.
Here's what I spent the last several hours working on. It's my poster showcasing student work to present at the "Academic Expo" which is an exhibit of student work before families watch the performances on Saturday at Celebration. It takes a lot of time to set this all up - there are 60+ teachers from both sites all with these exhibits in one room. Like a college fair, only not.
Here is 4th period - more rowdy and sometimes, it was a challenge to not shout at them. They are all good kids -- my one problem child quit coming on the penultimate day of the program.
Here's what I spent the last several hours working on. It's my poster showcasing student work to present at the "Academic Expo" which is an exhibit of student work before families watch the performances on Saturday at Celebration. It takes a lot of time to set this all up - there are 60+ teachers from both sites all with these exhibits in one room. Like a college fair, only not.
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