And the bad

Sometimes it really sucks to work with At-Risk kids. This is especially true when you find out that they haven't overcome the risks.

Near the end of the last school year I found out that a former student of mine did something exceedingly stupid. He tried to steal a laptop from a little girl on the street. Sadly, she wouldn't let go of her laptop and was drug behind the car...killing her. The boy, and the his friend with him, were caught and thrown in prison.


A facebook message tonight alerted me to the fact that my student will probably never see the outside world again. He was charged with murder 1 and a couple of other charges including trafficing.

I don't know how to feel about this. He was (as far as I knew him) a good kid who just deserved a chance.  But, I'm also glad that he will be paying the consequences for this.

Surprise!

I've been slacking and not checking the email account associated with my school blogs. I need to keep up with this better. I was contacted by someone from the BBC interested in the Canterbury Challenge project, I do with the English 7 students. I've emailed them back. Depending on what they say, this may up the levels on that project / class.




And I really need to start paying attention to that email! Maybe use it as my main account for google things and student interactions next year

Something I'd fortten....

Volleyball is fun, yo.

I forget sometimes that there is a sport that I actually enjoy playing. I'm not a good enough athelete to enjoy most sports...and I find little to no point in watching them on tv.  But, every once in a while I'm given the opportunity to experience one for myself.  This time it was in the form of a students vs. teachers lunchtime volleyball game. I was reminded that I'm good at serving, decent at the rest of the positions, and can take a fall without problems. The teachers won. The second game was called early when one of the students decided the roof of the school was feeling left out. Hopefully, it likes its new friend volleyball.

Almost summer!

10. Ten is the number of teaching days left in this school year.  On the look back, even with the few bumps I've had this year, it has been infinitely smoother than last year. I feel more confident in my abilities (though I do still get the feeling ...occasionally...that I'm a sham and just pretending to teach) and I'm more confident that my students are actually learning and retaining the knowledge /skills I'm helping to equip them with.

That being said....Please God, let this next two weeks go by quickly! Right now the seniors are on my last nerve. I'm sure it's a case of senioritis, but most of them are currently not passing....and I don't have high hopes of their research papers will completed (well) by the due date.

But I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. Maybe they'll stop wasting their time whinning and start furiously working? This is the first block of classes, in 2.5 years, that has stressed themselves - and thereby me- this badly.

Something's in the air

I've been strangely productive today. Normally, productivity wouldn't be anything worthy of a blog post, but like I said this is strange. Lately, I've been anything but productive. I'm pretty sure I even blogged about how frustrating it was....or something vaguely related to my non-productivity. School started back up recently and that was enough to kick my daily routine into gear. I do have to prepped and ready for daily classes. Plus, being capable of getting things done means less time doing non-fun things on weekends. This is different though. From the time I woke up, throughout the school day, even this evening at home...I've been getting things done. I don't quite understand it, but I'm not going to toss this gift away. I was able to get up this morning and make a series comments on various blogs. I even made a couple friends on a new book forum. School went smoothly. I was able to finish all of my planned school tasks plus some - which is awesome in my opinion. I don't often get even my planned tasks done daily. At home there has been more blog comments, a book review, this post, t.v. shows enjoyed....and there is still time! I just needed to get this day down in mandyland history. *bouncy bouncy*

School Year Wrap-up

This year 90 of the graduating seniors were my students. I'm so proud of them! Throughout the year they had many challenges. Life got in their way so many times. Some sailed through. Some crawled through, clinging to every last point they could. They all deserve their diplomas.

Until graduation night I had lost site of this accomplishment. There was too much drama and strife. I couldn't see the good from the bad. Thanks to the students I understand what I'm doing again. After graduation the seniors are allowed to pass out cards. Just generic cards that are printed at the school, but they write notes on them and them give them to the teachers/staff they chose. I received five. Not a large number, but two stood out. The first said that he'd never worked so hard, in a class, in his life. And the second came from an ELL student saying thank you for helping him find ways to connect to the literature that he has nothing in common with (i.e dead, white males). These two are awesome! The students also give out an award. This year they nominated me as Teacher of the Year. I know it's mostly just a popularity contest and that for at least 90 of the 120 graduates I was their make it or break it teacher, but this still rocks! I'm flattered that they thought enough of me and my class to vote for me. Now, I have a nifty certificate (framed and everything) that needs to find a place to live.

The end result made the whole process much more bearable, in the long run. I hope the things those 90 learned from me stick with them and them out in the future. They are bright. They deserve it!

Adopt My Classroom!

We could use your help.

Go Bulldogs!

I forgot how much I love school spirit. The energy that came off the kids during the pep rally (The first one in the history of the school, btw.) today was crazy fun. It was hard to settle down enough to want to teach the class afterward. I have to go to the opening football game, for numerous reasons including some players who'd be heartbroken if I wasn't in the crowd, tomorrow night. I'm not really a big football fan. I only have a vague idea of what's supposed to be happening on the field, but if the team / crowd has as much energy as the kids did today....it's going to be a blast!