Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
It's been a week of review/tests
A year ago I was student teaching at Aloha High School. Now I've made it through my first semester of full-time teaching. REALLY teaching. REALLY dealing with discipline and rewards and school politics and moody teenagers. Me a year ago would be proud of me today. Me when I was a freshmen would be proud of me today.
And it's strange to think that I won't be seeing my Houston family for two whole weeks. Sadness.
And it's surreal that I'll be spending two weeks with Wyeth. Thank God.
And it's sad that I won't be with my family this Christmas. First time in 23 years.
TIme for a New Years resolution? I think about my New Years resolution last year (and I think only Wyeth will laugh at that one), and it probably isn't practical to reinstate it for this year. Next in line... get organized. And walk more. And have MORE FUN (or just continue to have as much fun as I've had in the past few months!!!)
Ciao, loves. Happy Holidays and feliz navidad!
And it's strange to think that I won't be seeing my Houston family for two whole weeks. Sadness.
And it's surreal that I'll be spending two weeks with Wyeth. Thank God.
And it's sad that I won't be with my family this Christmas. First time in 23 years.
TIme for a New Years resolution? I think about my New Years resolution last year (and I think only Wyeth will laugh at that one), and it probably isn't practical to reinstate it for this year. Next in line... get organized. And walk more. And have MORE FUN (or just continue to have as much fun as I've had in the past few months!!!)
Ciao, loves. Happy Holidays and feliz navidad!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Why KIPP Works
Today at our grade level meeting, I witnessed and took part in one of the many traditions at KIPP: the Pinning Ceremony. The Pinning Ceremony takes place when the freshmen are nearly done with their first semester of high school as a symbol of their recommitment to college. The seniors apply a pin to their dress uniform and tell them that they commit to being role models. The freshmen commit to working their hardest to get to and through college; teachers commit to helping all of them do this. As much as I say that the kids at KIPP are brainwashed (and many are), it is amazing the impact these types of rituals have. When they happen often enough, it reminds students of why they are here: to get to and through college.
After the pinning ceremony, I witnessed another tradition: the esse quam vederi award. This award can be given to any student or faculty member, and is awarded by the last recipient. The newest recipient is a senior student who I do not teach, but who always greets me with a "Hey Ms. Redman. How you doin?" (Not in a Joey from Friends way, but in the most sincere way possible.) It turns out this student has wanted to be an astronaut since he was a little boy, and all of the faculty and his classmates believe he will someday get there due to his relentless pursuit of excellence. He is always studying and emailing teachers and trying his best. The teacher who nominated him started to choke up just talking about him, saying she believes someone will someday make a movie based on his inspirational life. Even I began to get teary-eyed!
This kid, to the chants from his classmates, made a short speech and thanked everyone at KIPP for believing in him and pushing him constantly. He said he did not know where he would be without KIPP and is so thankful for the opportunities he has been given.
And that's what KIPP does. It gives students opportunities and support that they might not receive elsewhere. And that's why I love it here. Despite the fact that my workdays are often 12 hours long, these kids need me to put in the hours, and they need me to care, and they need me to push them. It will all pay off in four years when I see the class of 2013 walk across the stage and receive their diploma.
After the pinning ceremony, I witnessed another tradition: the esse quam vederi award. This award can be given to any student or faculty member, and is awarded by the last recipient. The newest recipient is a senior student who I do not teach, but who always greets me with a "Hey Ms. Redman. How you doin?" (Not in a Joey from Friends way, but in the most sincere way possible.) It turns out this student has wanted to be an astronaut since he was a little boy, and all of the faculty and his classmates believe he will someday get there due to his relentless pursuit of excellence. He is always studying and emailing teachers and trying his best. The teacher who nominated him started to choke up just talking about him, saying she believes someone will someday make a movie based on his inspirational life. Even I began to get teary-eyed!
This kid, to the chants from his classmates, made a short speech and thanked everyone at KIPP for believing in him and pushing him constantly. He said he did not know where he would be without KIPP and is so thankful for the opportunities he has been given.
And that's what KIPP does. It gives students opportunities and support that they might not receive elsewhere. And that's why I love it here. Despite the fact that my workdays are often 12 hours long, these kids need me to put in the hours, and they need me to care, and they need me to push them. It will all pay off in four years when I see the class of 2013 walk across the stage and receive their diploma.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Music
I often play music for my students if they are working on a group or individual project and are working quietly. I've played LFO, Pink Martini, Billy Joel (Pronounced Billy Joe-Elle when requested by one of my students), Elton John, John Mayer, Bob Marley... A mix of music. Today, as I was choosing the music for my students, my Beatles-obsessed student pulled out a book of CDs. I told students earlier that I am always looking to expand my music selection ever since I lost my hard drive at the beginning of the school year (and have since learned what Time Machine is for, and why my dad bought me my external years ago...). A.R. jumped all over this and brought a few discs in. I flipped through them and pulled out his John Lennon CD, and the CD we didn't recognize: Bobby Darin. Lennon is wonderful, and Darin is the guy who recorded "Splish Splash". Surprise!
I was hoping for more Beatles, but I'm sure I'll stumble across that at some point. Now that 3rd period knows that I'm serious about this quest for new music, I'm sure I'll get some more! I really can't wait!
And looking at the music I've played, it looks like I need to integrate more female artists. Whoops.
I was hoping for more Beatles, but I'm sure I'll stumble across that at some point. Now that 3rd period knows that I'm serious about this quest for new music, I'm sure I'll get some more! I really can't wait!
And looking at the music I've played, it looks like I need to integrate more female artists. Whoops.
Friday, December 4, 2009
NOT teaching my class
There is another teacher in my classroom right now, teaching my kids. It is such an odd feeling, sitting back and letting someone else do the work.
I am pretty proud, though. My kids are answering questions and showing that I've taught them something in the past few weeks!!
On a completely different note, it's snowing right now. Umm.... I moved away from Portland to what I thought was a warmer climate. The temperature should be dropping today, and the snow should pick up around noon, and then freeze overnight. It's going to be on hell of a drive home.
I am pretty proud, though. My kids are answering questions and showing that I've taught them something in the past few weeks!!
On a completely different note, it's snowing right now. Umm.... I moved away from Portland to what I thought was a warmer climate. The temperature should be dropping today, and the snow should pick up around noon, and then freeze overnight. It's going to be on hell of a drive home.
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