I am off on an impromptu trip accompanying the family. Can you say road trip? That is right we will be driving to Jalisco, Mexico. I will be sure to take plenty of pictures! Wish me luck raza!
Monthly Archive for April, 2005
A second year teacher tells it how it is:
“Ma’am,” I started (the Ma’am is because I am in the South). “Children take cues from their parents, as they should. As much as they pretend not to, they believe in you and respect your opinion, for the most part. It must be as obvious to J that you don’t respect me as it is to the rest of the room. If you don’t respect me and if it seems to J that you don’t think what I have to say is worth listening to, he isn’t going to either. And kids aren’t going to work for a teacher they believe isn’t worth listening to.”
Now that’s what I am talking about! Parents must do their part. They cannot leave everything up to the teacher.
I substituted for my 6th grade cooperating teacher on Friday and today. The kids have music class on Mondays and it is held in the classroom. I usually sit in the back and listen to my iPod to pass the time. There is nothing better then a prep period when there is nothing to prep. Before I was able to insert the ear bud into my orejota, the music teacher inquired about the absence of a certain student. That student was in class just a while ago and should be in music but where the hell was she? I immediately started looking for her. This student has had the bad habit of ditching music class by 1) hiding in the restrooms 2) walking home and hiding in the closet. After having a student check the girls restroom with no luck I was forced to call for backup. I headed to the office and told them my situation. The principal immediately ordered one of the secretaries to double check the restrooms, while she called other locations on campus including the library and the computer lab. After about ten minutes of frantic searching for my student someone informed the principal that she was in the cafeteria. I realized that I had assigned four students, including her, to be cafeteria workers. Ah man! My face lit up…colorado, colorado. I just wanted to crawl inside a hole. What a dummy! Y mi memoria que? These damn sixth graders mess you up in the head. I am glad to be back with the second graders tomorrow.
Today I finished up my first week of my second student-teaching placement. I have about seven weeks or about 40 school days to go. The countdown is on! I have to say that there is a huge difference between 6th and 2nd graders. Although at first I was a bit anxious about working with 6th graders because they are just one year removed from middle school and I have not had my best experiences with middle school students, but this class was fun to work with and I actually grew attached to many of the students. I know at times they can be rebellious and act up but I had plenty of fun. As a teacher you just have to adapt and make learning fun even when the kids try to resist. Anyhow, second graders are just so nice! In what other grade do students say goodbye to you with a hug? The class I am currently working with is awesome. There isn’t any demon child or anything of the sort. My cooperating teacher is very cool I must say. She is very patient with the kids and has yet to raise her voice to reprimand any of them (impressive!). So far I have sat in the back and jotted down notes on different techniques that she uses (At times it can be a bit overwhelming).
Yesterday we read a story titled Jalapeno Bagels which is about a boy whose parents own a bakery. The main character has International Day coming up in school and he has to decide what he is going to take to the class celebration. Finally he settles on Jalapeno Bagels because it is influenced by both of his parents’ cultures (the mother is Mexican while the father is Jewish). Anyhow, jalapeno bagels are my favorite. When I was in college I would always go to Uncle Harry’s to get bagels. So I decided to pick some up for the class and well I have to say that it was a success. The kids loved them (most of them didn’t even know what a bagel was if you can believe that). I hope the last seven weeks go as smoothly as this week.
In Michael Moore’s film Fahrenheit 9-11 there is a scene where Moore discusses the infiltration of Peace Fresno by the local sheriff department. Once again Fresno police has managed to stick its nose where it doesn’t belong. A Fresno State peace group (Campus Peace and Civil Liberties) sponsored a lecture where for some reason undercover police officers were also in attendance “gathering intelligence.” Only in FresNO!
Another Tulare teacher has been arrested for getting it on with one of their students. This time a 26 year old female (first year) teacher was caught “hooking up” with several of her students. Damn, I don’t get it. What can a 26 year old possibly see in a 17 year old?
The Detroit Tigers started the season with a bang, beating the Kansas City Royals 11-2. The D-Train (Dmitri Young) hit 3 homeruns and led the Tigers to their first win of the season. Maggs (Magglio Ordonez) was silent today but we Tiger fans expect a lot from our new right fielder and of course he will provide some much needed power in our lineup. It stinks that I live a thousand miles from Detroit and I can’t make it to Opening Day but hopefully I will make the trip for the Midsummer Classic (All-Star Game) which will be held in Detroit this year. I really have high hopes for the team this year and I really think that we have a chance to compete for the AL Central. I am also looking forward to the Tigers playing the White Sox, so that I can bash on their arrogant announcers. I hate those bastards and their obnoxious homerun call…”You can put it on the board…Yes!” We’ll see who is putting it on the board when ChiSox and Tigers meet.
Other Highlights of the game: Brandon Inge proving that he is an
everyday player, making some great plays at third and also hitting a
homerun.
Jeremy Bonderman pitched 7 strong innings and was impressive especially when one takes into consideration that he is only 22 years young and has the extra pressure of being the team’s opening day pitcher.
Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez: proving that he is still a perennial All-Star, spraying the ball across the field.
I have had my battles with my Catholic church but no matter what I continue to be a believer. I couldn’t help but feel sad when the Pope passed away. Although I disagreed with his distaste for liberation theology, I still believe that he was a great leader. Being Catholic and Mexican is almost one and the same. It’s not the proper place to have a discussion on the Pope so ay lo dejo.
