Celebrating What's Right : Walk Throughs

Why focus on waking up late and not getting enough sleep when I can celebrate surviving my first district walk through?! Today, a district level administrator sat in on one of my classes to evaluate my teaching. I was a little nervous. The kids come in, they stay on task, and they show the infinite amount of knowledge they have gained in class. Wink! Anyway...we did great! In fact, We Exceed Expectations!

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Celebrating What's Right : Coffee

The day started a bit hectic...
Of course, I was running a bit late to school, and when I arrived...No Coffee! We were out of filters. I was devastated and nervous. I become quite unpleasant without my daily intake of caffeine.The day looked grim.

But in the middle of 1st period, I received an email stating that someone stole a coffee filter from another building and there was a fresh-brewed pot.

Joy! I was so happy! Thanks to my wonderful co-teacher, I rushed to the lounge and filled my cup to the brim. All was well in the world.

So today, I am celebrating what's right in the world...Coffee!

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So, what was worth celebrating in your life today?

Celebrating What's Right in the World!

So I guess you have noticed that I have been MIA for quite some time. I started my new teaching job and I love it! This may have been the smartest professional decision I have ever made. While I am still trying to finish my Masters (countdown to Oct. 20th!), I am so busy with school and life; sadly, blogging was forced to the backburner while the craziness consumed my days.

But enough about stress let's celebrate....

During a staff development session for school, I saw a video called Celebrating What's Right with the World. Not only was it created by a National Geographic Photographer, but it's message was applicable to anyone: instead of focusing on the negative things you cannot change, celebrate what's right. It doesn't need to be a big thing, just an element in your life which brings you a bit of joy. Easy, right?

So I have decided to make October Celebrating What's right in the World! I think you should join me...
So today, I have to finish my portfolio for my Masters presentation, and I am on academic overload, but I choose to celebrate the fact that the weather is gorgeous; I am enjoying a yummy pumpkin spice latte, and that after today, my portfolio will be completed!

So tell me, what's worth celebrating in your life?

I'm being replaced...

As excited as I am about my new teaching job, I am a little sad to be leaving my current position. The main reason being, the lunch crew. The production staff here at the station goes out to lunch at least 3 times a week, and we always go at least once a week to El Paisanos...yummy Mexican food. It took a while to get approval from this great group of guys, but I was accepted by the lunch committee. Because I will be unable to go out to lunch with them during the school year and with my departure just around the corner, the lunch committee has released an ad to fill my position and posted it up at work.

Check out a video from Don of Diabolical Super Science documenting a lunch.

Members of the lunch crew were included in the Paranormal post. 

Not pictured: Chris Harris and Photographer: Don Plachno
Fellas, it's been an honor!

Anonymous Friendships

I am currently taking a class called Teaching the Graphic Novel. It's amazing, and a lot of work, but totally worth it. I have just completed a book called One Hundred Demons by Lynda Barry.

Barry reflects on her childhood and reveals moments that help create the person she is today. Each chapter in this beautiful book is a demon which is actually a word and the history attached to that word. In a chapter called "Magic Lanterns," Barry discusses the magic power contained in childhood objects like a blankets or stuffed animals and the devastation of losing said object.

Barry's writing is like a friend, someone you have never met who can speak to the truth of who you are. She is caring and endearing, and encourages others to pick up a pen and exorcise their demons. Spend some time in this book and you will leave with a new friend.

Barry didn't have books at home so she began reading the Classifieds of the newspaper and making up her own stories. I love seeing her 9-year-old imagination at work.

I have also ordered her book What It Is. This book helps to unleash the writer inside and I hope to use some of the exercises in my classroom.

Have you ever read a book and instantly believed that you and the author or one of the characters would be best friends?

I'm a teacher!!!

I have been offered a job at one of our local high schools teaching 11th grade English! I am so excited. I feel so lucky to have been hired at the school I student taught at, and across the hall from my cooperating teacher. I start in a couple of weeks and I am finishing up my last classes of grad school. I'm hoping I'll get to take a short breather before the chaos ensues.

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer Songs

http://weheartit.com/entry/7384688

Top Ten Tuesday, just for giggles. Since we are in the full swing of summer, the temperature keeps rising, the snow cone stands are hopping, and the constant running of air conditioning causes rolling brown outs across the city; I am reminded of simpler summer days. Remember...no school, trips to the public pool, chasing down the ice cream man, and evenings catching lightening bugs. And my favorite... relaxing outside, playing in the sprinklers, and my boombox blaring the top 40 tunes of summer freedom. In tribute to simpler summer days, I complied the top 10 summer songs of my youth (and maybe a few from my present).

1. The Boys of Summer by Don Henley
2. Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince
3. Summer of 69 by Bryan Adams
4. Saturday in the Park by Chicago
5. Cruel Summer by Bananarama
6. Kokomo by Beach Boys
7. Shame on You  by Indigo Girls
8. The Middle by Jimmy Eat World
9. Accidently in Love by The Counting Crows
10. Little Secrets by Passion Pit (my current summer song)





What songs personify summer for you? I couldn't have listed all of them, educate me!