Here it is Saturday and as I look back reflectivly upon the past 5 days, I realize that I cannot even begin to total up the hours spent working, thinking, and/or worrying about the future of my students. This week has become a roller coaster of emotions upon which I have had to ride out the storms that have come. For example, the School Improvement Meeting on Wednesday where I found out that the District doesn't think we are doing enough for our students, or when the State of Arizona (already 47th in per pupil spending) is talking about cutting 14 million dollars from our budget (including the soft capital-ya know money for books, pencils, furniture, etc).
But after all storms comes a rainbow and the warmth of the sun and this is when I reflect and see all of my students success: one of my boys increasing his score on the benchmarks, their excitment of writing and learning about their pen pals, my math class increasing their scores on the benchmark tests, when a girl whose been struggling finally figures out what she did wrong and how to fix it, and finally hearing students run their own debate in my class over questions that ponder our fore fathers.
These are the true reasons why we teach; the true reasons why I chose this career-for they are the true reasons that keep me coming back knowing that some how some way I can and will make a difference in their lives.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Starfish Idea
Tonight's blog will be very interesting, for the sole purpose of writing is to illustrate the amount of impact a teacher may have over families without even knowing it.
I held a parent night in my classsroom tonight hoping that I would be able to instruct a classroom of parents and students what responsibility looks like both at home and at school. I prepared my outline, sent home the reminders all with the hopes that I would have a full classroom and a productive parent night meeting.
Donna Shreve showed up and we were discussing various ideas prior to the start of the evening. The time was slipping away and Donna and I were the only ones in my room. We were the ones who had decided to show up, or so I thought. All of a sudden, 2 of my students show up (brother and sister) along with their dad. Finally success, I will have participants tonight.
The 5 of us sat down and worked through homework questions and my "responsibility" agenda. I instruced the students on what their jobs are in 5th grade, its their responsibility to complete them alone, and what my expectations were in my classroom. The family left about 7 and Donna and I were left with our own reflective thoughts.
I came to realize that, yes only 1 parent showed up, but tonight's 30-45 minutes that I talked to that family made all the difference in the world. They were the one starfish that I saved, the one I made a lasting (hopefully) difference with. In closing, just remember it is always possible to make a difference without ever knowing if you just take the time to do so.
I held a parent night in my classsroom tonight hoping that I would be able to instruct a classroom of parents and students what responsibility looks like both at home and at school. I prepared my outline, sent home the reminders all with the hopes that I would have a full classroom and a productive parent night meeting.
Donna Shreve showed up and we were discussing various ideas prior to the start of the evening. The time was slipping away and Donna and I were the only ones in my room. We were the ones who had decided to show up, or so I thought. All of a sudden, 2 of my students show up (brother and sister) along with their dad. Finally success, I will have participants tonight.
The 5 of us sat down and worked through homework questions and my "responsibility" agenda. I instruced the students on what their jobs are in 5th grade, its their responsibility to complete them alone, and what my expectations were in my classroom. The family left about 7 and Donna and I were left with our own reflective thoughts.
I came to realize that, yes only 1 parent showed up, but tonight's 30-45 minutes that I talked to that family made all the difference in the world. They were the one starfish that I saved, the one I made a lasting (hopefully) difference with. In closing, just remember it is always possible to make a difference without ever knowing if you just take the time to do so.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Suntran Bus Story #1
Yes, it is true. I am riding the public transit system in Tucson (is that an oxymoron?) commonly called Sun Tran. I ride this with the most interesting array of characters imaginable. The morning bus is usually quiet (also at 6:15am) and the riders usually keep to themselves.
The evening bus, however, is a very different story. This bus...is well...lets say varied with the happenings and those who take advantage of this transit system.
Take tonight for example. I walk to the bus stop to find a young man and an older women waiting for the bus. Not thinking much of them (and enjoying some good Social Distortion) I take my place at the stop and wait along with the others. The bus comes, we load, and take our seats. About 10 minutes into the ride, I hear the older lady in front of me, yes the same one as the stop, yelling at the driver. Now if you know anything about Social Distortion, you know that they are a punk band. So for me to hear this lady over my music, she had to be yelling pretty loud. Anyways, the driver stops and she exits the bus, while 2 teenage boys get on and I notice one of them has a...well...funny cigerette in their hand.
They sit down and our journey continues. We stop again and 2 large women get on the bus and proceed to sit right next to each other in front of me. Well my view out the windshield is completely blocked by this point so I just have to look out the other windows to find my way.
I reach my stop and exit the bus headed home through the shopping center at Flowing Wells and Prince. My journey takes me up near the shops where I glance in every now and then. Well I reached the corner shop (a Cashing Check Place) and glance into the windows. That is when I notice all 3 trash cans are tossed onto the ground and the trash was strewn all about the establishment. It appeared to me that someone threw a fit and took it out on the trash cans. VERY MATURE!!!!!!!!!!!!.
As I stated earlier Sun Tran is never just a boring ride home.
The evening bus, however, is a very different story. This bus...is well...lets say varied with the happenings and those who take advantage of this transit system.
Take tonight for example. I walk to the bus stop to find a young man and an older women waiting for the bus. Not thinking much of them (and enjoying some good Social Distortion) I take my place at the stop and wait along with the others. The bus comes, we load, and take our seats. About 10 minutes into the ride, I hear the older lady in front of me, yes the same one as the stop, yelling at the driver. Now if you know anything about Social Distortion, you know that they are a punk band. So for me to hear this lady over my music, she had to be yelling pretty loud. Anyways, the driver stops and she exits the bus, while 2 teenage boys get on and I notice one of them has a...well...funny cigerette in their hand.
They sit down and our journey continues. We stop again and 2 large women get on the bus and proceed to sit right next to each other in front of me. Well my view out the windshield is completely blocked by this point so I just have to look out the other windows to find my way.
I reach my stop and exit the bus headed home through the shopping center at Flowing Wells and Prince. My journey takes me up near the shops where I glance in every now and then. Well I reached the corner shop (a Cashing Check Place) and glance into the windows. That is when I notice all 3 trash cans are tossed onto the ground and the trash was strewn all about the establishment. It appeared to me that someone threw a fit and took it out on the trash cans. VERY MATURE!!!!!!!!!!!!.
As I stated earlier Sun Tran is never just a boring ride home.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
HoolePalloza
What a weekend and what party would not be complete without 5 stiches from a Phoenix Hospital. I knew a keg of Coors original, beer pong, and jello shots would be trouble, but I never thought it would end like this.
It all started with the reinunification of the Kreamer wedding party a couple of weeks back. That also was innoceant fun, but no trips to the emergency room. It ended with an invitation to HoolePalloza in Phoenix this weekend. Rona and I accepted with overflowing amounts of excitement and started dreaming about the possible antics that we would encounter during our celebratory weekend with the Katealist.
Rona and I packed our bag and pilled into her loyal Civic to start our weekend excrusion. Saturday night we found ourselves at a cute little bungalow called Cibo starting with pizza, wine, and the joyous sounds of good friends uniting in celebratory anticipation of the possible upcoming events. Dinner ended and off we went to La Casa de Flaherty to continue the wonderful celebration.
Upon entering the beautiful house, we were greeted by Kate Flaherty and her 2 dogs. Two of the three greeters were happy, the third tried to make sure that we understood her displeasure with us. It wasn't too long before we made our way outside and found the ice cold container of goodness and the famous red cups to fully enjoy the contents of the container of love.
I poured myself the first of toooooo many and started talking to the other members. The talk eventually turned to the classic of all drinking games...Beerpong. As the talk turned to beerpong so did the interests of all members present. We moved ourselves into the ManCave and was overjoyed at the size and the wonderfulness of the beerpong playing surface. After adequately covering the surface with trashbags, the games began. The Hoole Women vs. Scotty D and the KrimeDawg. Thank goodness for Scotty D for it was him that carried our team. The boys had the women down to one cup and Kate the birthday girl called the game. This was pretty much how the evening went at La Casa De Flaherty, though the KrimeDawg only played one game of beerpong. I did more then my share to empty the container of goodness.
Now for the ride home. Ummm how do I begin. It was realized that there was no room at the Flaherty Inn, so sober Rona gathered Ms. Hoole and myself back into the Civic and headed to Hoole's apartment. It was this time that the contents from the container of love started fighting back. By the time we got to Hoole's apartment complex parking lot, I had a full scale war on my insides and I was losing. Realizing that the liquid enemies were on the move, I instructed the capable driver to pull over and let the enemies march on. Now anyone who knows me knows I'm not that small of a guy so you can imagine me trying to climb out of a Civic backseat. I was fine till my boot caught the seatbelt and my chin met the concrete curb (the curb won).
Rona decided that I needed stiches; Kate decided that I needed a puke bucket. The bucket was first and was used on the way to get stiches. Rona and I walked into an empty emergency room (Ok Rona walked; I stumbled). I got checked in, moved to the appropriate room and promptly fell asleep on the hospital bed. I proceed to sleep throughout the entire process (even the shot to numb my chin). I was wheeled out of the hospital at 4 am and went back to Hoole's place. Once inside I passed out on her bed, boots, jeans and all. Rona assisted me in changing into proper sleep attire.
Later that day...I awoke in the bed and sleepily stumbled out to the common living area to find Ms. Hoole enjoying her birthday cake again. After coffee and a google search of Jungle Jims, we left to find breakfast. Einstein's baggles were the breakfast choice...and they were very tasty and easy on all of our stomaches (carbs and alochol a great combination). Once breakfast ended, goodbyes were said and the journey back to the Old Pueblo started. This was without incident and Rona and I are back home again...recovering slowly and quietly.
It all started with the reinunification of the Kreamer wedding party a couple of weeks back. That also was innoceant fun, but no trips to the emergency room. It ended with an invitation to HoolePalloza in Phoenix this weekend. Rona and I accepted with overflowing amounts of excitement and started dreaming about the possible antics that we would encounter during our celebratory weekend with the Katealist.
Rona and I packed our bag and pilled into her loyal Civic to start our weekend excrusion. Saturday night we found ourselves at a cute little bungalow called Cibo starting with pizza, wine, and the joyous sounds of good friends uniting in celebratory anticipation of the possible upcoming events. Dinner ended and off we went to La Casa de Flaherty to continue the wonderful celebration.
Upon entering the beautiful house, we were greeted by Kate Flaherty and her 2 dogs. Two of the three greeters were happy, the third tried to make sure that we understood her displeasure with us. It wasn't too long before we made our way outside and found the ice cold container of goodness and the famous red cups to fully enjoy the contents of the container of love.
I poured myself the first of toooooo many and started talking to the other members. The talk eventually turned to the classic of all drinking games...Beerpong. As the talk turned to beerpong so did the interests of all members present. We moved ourselves into the ManCave and was overjoyed at the size and the wonderfulness of the beerpong playing surface. After adequately covering the surface with trashbags, the games began. The Hoole Women vs. Scotty D and the KrimeDawg. Thank goodness for Scotty D for it was him that carried our team. The boys had the women down to one cup and Kate the birthday girl called the game. This was pretty much how the evening went at La Casa De Flaherty, though the KrimeDawg only played one game of beerpong. I did more then my share to empty the container of goodness.
Now for the ride home. Ummm how do I begin. It was realized that there was no room at the Flaherty Inn, so sober Rona gathered Ms. Hoole and myself back into the Civic and headed to Hoole's apartment. It was this time that the contents from the container of love started fighting back. By the time we got to Hoole's apartment complex parking lot, I had a full scale war on my insides and I was losing. Realizing that the liquid enemies were on the move, I instructed the capable driver to pull over and let the enemies march on. Now anyone who knows me knows I'm not that small of a guy so you can imagine me trying to climb out of a Civic backseat. I was fine till my boot caught the seatbelt and my chin met the concrete curb (the curb won).
Rona decided that I needed stiches; Kate decided that I needed a puke bucket. The bucket was first and was used on the way to get stiches. Rona and I walked into an empty emergency room (Ok Rona walked; I stumbled). I got checked in, moved to the appropriate room and promptly fell asleep on the hospital bed. I proceed to sleep throughout the entire process (even the shot to numb my chin). I was wheeled out of the hospital at 4 am and went back to Hoole's place. Once inside I passed out on her bed, boots, jeans and all. Rona assisted me in changing into proper sleep attire.
Later that day...I awoke in the bed and sleepily stumbled out to the common living area to find Ms. Hoole enjoying her birthday cake again. After coffee and a google search of Jungle Jims, we left to find breakfast. Einstein's baggles were the breakfast choice...and they were very tasty and easy on all of our stomaches (carbs and alochol a great combination). Once breakfast ended, goodbyes were said and the journey back to the Old Pueblo started. This was without incident and Rona and I are back home again...recovering slowly and quietly.
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