Mommy's advice:
Remember,it is more important to connect with students at first that to teach them.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
The Meaning of life
There is a moment just before
a dog vomits when its stomach
heaves dry, pumping what's deep
inside the belly to the mouth.
If you are fast you can grab
her by the collar and shove her
out the door, avoid the slimy bile,
hunks of half chewed food
from landing on the floor.
You must be quick, decisive,
controlled, and if you miss
the cue and the dog erupts
en route, you must forgive
her quickly and give yourself
to scrubbing up the mess.
Most of what I have learned
in life leads back to this.
By Nancy Fitzgerald from Poems I Never Wrote.
a dog vomits when its stomach
heaves dry, pumping what's deep
inside the belly to the mouth.
If you are fast you can grab
her by the collar and shove her
out the door, avoid the slimy bile,
hunks of half chewed food
from landing on the floor.
You must be quick, decisive,
controlled, and if you miss
the cue and the dog erupts
en route, you must forgive
her quickly and give yourself
to scrubbing up the mess.
Most of what I have learned
in life leads back to this.
By Nancy Fitzgerald from Poems I Never Wrote.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
“I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”
― Haim G. Ginott, Teacher and Child: A Book for Parents and Teachers
― Haim G. Ginott, Teacher and Child: A Book for Parents and Teachers
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
First Institute Post! 6/25/13
5:15 AM Alarm
Morning Routine
Breakfast
Hop on Bus
7:00 AM today - Power is out at the school so we will not be going there today.
"Duck-like behavior" ... "Gumby-like behavior" (being flexible) ... Committing to excellence! It's what it's all about!
Morning Routine
Breakfast
Hop on Bus
7:00 AM today - Power is out at the school so we will not be going there today.
"Duck-like behavior" ... "Gumby-like behavior" (being flexible) ... Committing to excellence! It's what it's all about!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Post-graduation reflection (day I moved out)
Note to my loved ones -
Today's the big day. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and been part of my journey. You have done more than words can say, but I can say you have motivated me, inspired me, loved me, and influenced me to become the person I am today. The past four years of college have been tumultous - full of sorrow and full of joy. The coupling of success with failure had made for a great adventure! I am grateful for all the amazingly real people and real friends in my life. Keep doing you and being free and keep shining because you have so much light to share. You make other people better. I love you all so much and will cherish our times together in my heart. I wish you all the best in this life as we keep striving for balance in all the wobbles. Here's to a brighter future! Love always, Jess
Today's the big day. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and been part of my journey. You have done more than words can say, but I can say you have motivated me, inspired me, loved me, and influenced me to become the person I am today. The past four years of college have been tumultous - full of sorrow and full of joy. The coupling of success with failure had made for a great adventure! I am grateful for all the amazingly real people and real friends in my life. Keep doing you and being free and keep shining because you have so much light to share. You make other people better. I love you all so much and will cherish our times together in my heart. I wish you all the best in this life as we keep striving for balance in all the wobbles. Here's to a brighter future! Love always, Jess
You — vulnerable, honest, and present —are a gift to those around you. And it takes courage to offer that gift; it takes true authenticity.
the greatest risk
the greatest risk
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
I am an unstoppable warrior who is strong and fearless. I live with courage and compassion in my heart. I wear my confidence like a shield to deflect all negativity. I am powerful and proud of who I am and what I do. I wake up each day positive and ready to take on the day ahead because I am on a mission to achieve my goals and nothing and no one can stop me.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Social awareness + emotional skills = successful kids
New funding and congressional support are poised to bring the best social and emotional learning research into more classrooms nationwide.
By Tori DeAngelis
April 2010, Vol 41, No. 4
Print version: page 46
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/04/classrooms.aspx
By Tori DeAngelis
April 2010, Vol 41, No. 4
Print version: page 46
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2010/04/classrooms.aspx
One Week from Today - I move!
Dear friends,
Hello! I will be moving to Detroit this summer to begin a journey of a lifetime - learning how to teach, getting inspired and empowered, and being the best teacher I can be to amazing children I will be able to call my students. What is this incredible journey and opportunity I speak of? It's Teach for America in Detroit!! Here's a little background on the start of this journey . . .
Starting in the summer of 2012, I began a PhD application process which was intense and demanding and led me to lose my social life, haha. It began on July 17, 2012, when I met with a Professor whose class changed my life. He believed in me and encouraged me to pursue doctoral studies. This began the deep 6-month process of applying, and in the third month of this journey, I received an email from a Teach for America recruiter. To it, I honestly responded:
Thank you for reaching out to me. I am currently applying to graduate schools to attend in Fall of 2013 after I graduate from UCSD. I would be happy to consider Teach For America as another option for my life if I am not satisfied with my acceptances. However, I don't know if the acceptance process for Teach for America would fall in line with when I hear back from schools (around February). Have you talked to students in similar situations before?
My honest response shared how focused I was on my goal, and though it was an open step to consider something else, it was a step out of my comfort zone to meet with the person who would change my life.
On Thursday, October 4, 2012, I met with Jimmy and shared basically myself with him. He made me feel like I was perfect for teaching and TFA, and my brain set on tracks of new horizons. I walked away from that meeting feeling what I wasn't expecting to feel. I felt EMPOWERED. FULFILLED. RESONATING with what TFA had to offer me. I went straight to a computer and emailed two mentors, telling them of my interest in the program and asking for their advice. One told me to follow my gut! The other encouraged me to really think about it.
Well, the application process began and I didn't let it get to me. I actually enjoyed it! My final interview was on Saturday, December 8, 2012, and I'd hear back by January 7th. In that month, I finished up graduate school applications and told myself that no matter what happened with TFA, I wouldn't take the offer. I told myself I am going to graduate school or moving to New York. TFA did not become an option.
Then, January 7th, we would hear back from Teach for America. I was in my office on the computer and decided to casually check the TFA website in case they put up the news on my personal account before emailing me. Well, there it was right in front of!! "Congratulations on your offer!" Well. That was a quick and unexpected shock! I quickly filled out what was needed to take me to the next page and BOOM! Up came the news of where I would be placed and my grade level - - -
DETROIT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In that moment, I think my heart went wild. I felt within me so profoundly that this was the path I was meant to take...
I couldn't handle the tension of the news so I walked to a campus garden and aired out, thinking of the implications of the decision. I called my mom and talked to her about it. She encouraged me that if I felt it was right, to take it. I texted about 40 friends and told them I am going to move to Detroit. Then, I accepted the offer (within two hours) and put it on Facebook.
Then, on Friday, May 10, 2013, I flew to Detroit, rented a car, drove around the city, and met with a friend and had lunch and gardened. Saturday, May 11, I went to TFA Detroit's Interview and Hiring Day. It was an incredible day and at my second interview, I got an offer to teach first grade.
Now, it's June 10 and I am a week away from Induction in Detroit. Then, June 23, Institute in Chicago begins! I am excited :-)
Pictures along the journey so far . . .
-Jess
Hello! I will be moving to Detroit this summer to begin a journey of a lifetime - learning how to teach, getting inspired and empowered, and being the best teacher I can be to amazing children I will be able to call my students. What is this incredible journey and opportunity I speak of? It's Teach for America in Detroit!! Here's a little background on the start of this journey . . .
Starting in the summer of 2012, I began a PhD application process which was intense and demanding and led me to lose my social life, haha. It began on July 17, 2012, when I met with a Professor whose class changed my life. He believed in me and encouraged me to pursue doctoral studies. This began the deep 6-month process of applying, and in the third month of this journey, I received an email from a Teach for America recruiter. To it, I honestly responded:
Thank you for reaching out to me. I am currently applying to graduate schools to attend in Fall of 2013 after I graduate from UCSD. I would be happy to consider Teach For America as another option for my life if I am not satisfied with my acceptances. However, I don't know if the acceptance process for Teach for America would fall in line with when I hear back from schools (around February). Have you talked to students in similar situations before?
My honest response shared how focused I was on my goal, and though it was an open step to consider something else, it was a step out of my comfort zone to meet with the person who would change my life.
On Thursday, October 4, 2012, I met with Jimmy and shared basically myself with him. He made me feel like I was perfect for teaching and TFA, and my brain set on tracks of new horizons. I walked away from that meeting feeling what I wasn't expecting to feel. I felt EMPOWERED. FULFILLED. RESONATING with what TFA had to offer me. I went straight to a computer and emailed two mentors, telling them of my interest in the program and asking for their advice. One told me to follow my gut! The other encouraged me to really think about it.
Well, the application process began and I didn't let it get to me. I actually enjoyed it! My final interview was on Saturday, December 8, 2012, and I'd hear back by January 7th. In that month, I finished up graduate school applications and told myself that no matter what happened with TFA, I wouldn't take the offer. I told myself I am going to graduate school or moving to New York. TFA did not become an option.
Then, January 7th, we would hear back from Teach for America. I was in my office on the computer and decided to casually check the TFA website in case they put up the news on my personal account before emailing me. Well, there it was right in front of!! "Congratulations on your offer!" Well. That was a quick and unexpected shock! I quickly filled out what was needed to take me to the next page and BOOM! Up came the news of where I would be placed and my grade level - - -
DETROIT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In that moment, I think my heart went wild. I felt within me so profoundly that this was the path I was meant to take...
I couldn't handle the tension of the news so I walked to a campus garden and aired out, thinking of the implications of the decision. I called my mom and talked to her about it. She encouraged me that if I felt it was right, to take it. I texted about 40 friends and told them I am going to move to Detroit. Then, I accepted the offer (within two hours) and put it on Facebook.
Then, on Friday, May 10, 2013, I flew to Detroit, rented a car, drove around the city, and met with a friend and had lunch and gardened. Saturday, May 11, I went to TFA Detroit's Interview and Hiring Day. It was an incredible day and at my second interview, I got an offer to teach first grade.
Now, it's June 10 and I am a week away from Induction in Detroit. Then, June 23, Institute in Chicago begins! I am excited :-)
Pictures along the journey so far . . .
-Jess
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