so... this whole blog thing didn't turn out as planned. but I am wanting to get back to it. I think this blog might be better spent documenting some of my experiences as a new teacher. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
School starts two weeks from today and I will be completely honest, I have no idea what to do.
I know I'm in the right place, and I am so grateful for the people around me that I'll be teaching with. But I am still soooooooo nervous about how I will run my classroom. I haven't given much thought to it this summer because I didn't think I really had to. So, I guess good luck to me.

4/23/08

Today I had to give myself a pat on the back. I made some homemade syrup and decided to put it into a Mrs. Butterworth's syrup container. I poured the homemade syrup from a pot into the narrow neck of the plastic jar and didn't spill one ounce. How is that for talent?

4/22/08

Today I went to dinner with my cohort from school as a sort of "last hurrah" for our school careers... I can't believe that I am finally graduating. 3 years ago I would have never thought this possible. My small realization of today is that human beings are incredibly strong creatures. I sat and listened to one womans story of tragic abuse and betrayal and strength and was just amazed. All around me are people that have struggled and fought their way through multiple tragedies; I am just amazed.

4/18/08

Life really is fascinating... and far too often little things happen around me and I swear to remember them; but I never do. That is about to be changed...

Yesterday, while doing my final "Know Greater Heroes" assembly, it struck me for probably the billionth time just how impressionable young kids are. At one point in the assembly, Sammy, (who plays Tony, a man trying to get his friend off of drugs and out of a gang) recites the words that define the very mission statement of the program.

"Now I am the voice,
I will lead not follow,
I will believe not doubt,
I will create, not destroy,
I am a force for good,
I am a leader,
Defy the odds,
Set a new standard,
Step up, Step up, Step up!"

During the students first exposure to the words, they have their eyes closed and they are repeating the words Sam says. At the very end, Sam says, "Now open your eyes."

Sure enough, the kid behind me continues to repeat, "Now open your eyes." Of course, this is met with much embarrassment on the part of the kid. However, it gets me thinking. These kids were so mesmerized by what was being said, so enthralled with the message being shared, that this kid would have kept repeating.

Which brings me to another thing. A while back, Charles Barkley in an interview with the press stated that he is an athlete, not a role model. Absurd. If college level athletes can be role models, doesn't it make sense that a nationally known, professional athlete would be even more of a role model?

Its time for people everywhere to realize that eyes are always watching, and its a good thing. We get to impact the people around us for good!