Read-Alouds

My favorite read-aloud was Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, read by Kaylee. It made me realize that the problems I had in life can always be assessed and fixed, and there’s no need to wallow like Morrie mentioned. I also loved Jillian’s read-aloud of an excerpt of Perfect by Ellen Hopkins. I realize that I don’t really take the time to just focus on myself and what I think is good about myself, and this excerpt really helped me realize that I need to do that more often. Where the Wild Things Are and Stellaluna really brought back childhood memories, and both reminded me to remain carefree and use my imagination to positively influence others.

Learning Experiences

I’m starting to learn that being in Teacher Cadets is a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing to know all the right ways to teach and learn while I’m involved in education, but it’s a curse to see how other teachers are failing at meeting these expectations that I know they’re supposed to achieve. Some AP classes don’t have test corrections! And some students get ridiculed for asking questions. This connects to a current event I’ve read on “5 Steps for Bringing Mindfulness to Your Classroom,” and it seems as if teachers don’t want to engage in these 5 steps to engage their class more.

Quote of the Week

“You know it’s winter somewhere, but it’s springtime right here.”

“Gentleman” by Gallant

Observations

Outside of school, I learn how to teach people better through the way my dad instructs people at the airport. He’s one of the important employees (I don’t know the specific name for it) and it seems as if everyone he leads becomes more comfortable and confident in their work. That’s what I hope to do as I progress as an influence.

Reflections

This week was really slow, despite the one less day we had. I handled it very well, all things considered. However, it’s just the weight of everything that’s coming up in the future has me nervous and anxious. But I know everything will turn out well in the end.

Read-Aloud

The Very Sleepy Pig by John Malam was my favorite book this week because of the importance it holds with Mae and her life. I admire her so much because of the strength she has to have went through so many changes that she has throughout her life, and it really was nice to get almost a glimpse into her childhood when she read it to us. The book was very cute. The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper also hit home a lot. Even though it’s a well known tale, sometimes I need a reminder that I can keep going as long as I believe I can. Nya did a wonderful job conveying that through her reading.

Learning Experiences

Phillip Perry’s article about knowing about neurological development actually hit home a little while I was reading. It seems as if a lot of problems within our society could be changed and fixed if parents really took the time to examine the stages of neurological development. I know all students are different, but there is a way to keep track of knowing their general thought process throughout their childhood.

Quote of the Week

“If Reagan can eat steak, then so can we.”

John Fanning, My late grandfather.
I chose this quote because it was a mantra my father remembered as he grew up, letting him know that he can achieve greatness just like anyone else.

Observations

This week I saw another teaching mechanism I didn’t particularly like. I’ll call them “Mrs. Pickle” like Mrs. Jackson told us to when it’s about a teacher we had a bad experience with. They seem to always find a way to find something that a student is doing wrong in the library. Someone could look lost or looking for something as they enter, and Mrs. Pickle will automatically assert with a snarl-like tone: “Do you have a pass? Well you need to leave.” I know teachers need to oversee the area and make sure the school is running smoothly, but her attitude is never a pleasant one when doing this, and I hope I don’t acquire that when I become a leader.

Reflections

This week I’m realizing just how busy next year is going to be for me, and that’s disregarding the rest of the tasks I have to complete this year. The funny thing is I’m not scared, just overly tired. I’m tired of all the assignments, the questions of who I want to be, who I’m interested in, and the question of whether I’ll be successful. I wish I could just press a button and I’ll be in the place I want to be in life already.

Read-Alouds

In What Do You Do with an Idea by Kobi Yamada I loved it because it made me realize how badly I treat “my ideas.” When the book made it seem like an actual living organism, it made me want to give more credit to ideas and dreams that I have. In Jewel by Bret Lott the colors or phases of the individual’s life really reflected how coming of age will affect me, and I loved that it was reassuring that as long as I believe in myself I’ll find my path. In Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin Picking Plan by Catherina Hapka and Rob Scotton, it was indeed a pleasant introduction into the fall season. It was so light-hearted and just easy to enjoy, which really helped me forget all the serious stuff in my life for a minute. For Thunder Bunny by Barbara Helen Berger, it really reinforced the importance of individuality and knowing self-worth within my self and recognizing it within others. In What Do You Do with an Idea by Kobi Yamada I loved it because it made me realize how badly I treat “my ideas.” When the book made it seem like an actual living organism, it made me want to give more credit to ideas and dreams that I have. In Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Suess, it was especially uplifting since my senior year is solely my entrance into whatever place I choose to go next, and the vastness of the world gets to me sometimes, but this read-aloud was reassuring.

Learning Experiences

The most prominent thing I’ve learned were the basic needs that someone needs to be successful in learning through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It seems like common sense, but I never thought to prioritize each of the needs and recognize that everyone needs them to become successful learners. A current event I looked into was the mental health of students and how it affects school shootings. An article I found emphasizes the role of the school counselor and also analyzes the environment and how it affects the mental state of the students.

Quote of the Week

“When you try your best, but you don’t succeed… when you get what you want, but not what you need… when feel so tired but you can’t sleep… stuck in reverse.”

Coldplay, “Fix You”

Observations

I hope that I can be as understanding and open minded as my mother when I’m older when it comes to understanding my children and their path. My sister is in a relationship with a male that wants to transition into a female one day, and it’s almost heartbreaking that we knew to tell my mother before my father. I never want my children to be afraid to express their happiness with someone, no matter what gender or sexuality the choose to be.

Refelctions

The last couple of weeks were pretty rough for me. Mostly regarding dance. Whenever I’m not doing well in one of the classes I participate in for my future career, my mood drops for around the rest of the week. It’s time to start choreographing a dance together, and I feel so discouraged because everyone has these beautiful and complex moves, and they learn them with just as much experience and precision. I always work hard to catch up, but… the fact that I even have to makes me want to curl up in a ball. But I’m not giving up. It’s definitely not something I don’t think I’ll be able to conquer, but I wish I weren’t such a burden when it came to picking up steps faster and providing more colorful movement like the others. I just have to focus on me more, I guess.

Read-Alouds

This week was a very enjoyable read-aloud. Lucas read Enemy Pie by Derek Munson. He was so expressive with it and the book taught me that one of the best ways to get rid of my enemies is to try to understand them more. This could be used definitely in culinary classes where they could make their own pies, or math class to see what fractions the pie was cut into. I would most likely use this in elementary school for simple math and less complex ideas.

Learning Experiences

I learned the importance of fully engaging with the class I’m in. Watching my classmates do their puppet shows over the course of the week reminded me that when I’m teaching any topic, I should aim for that much excitement and interest. A current event I’m interested in this week involves the link between wealthy communities forming their own school districts and racial segregation, and I thought it was a very interesting topic given that it has been nearly 60 years after desegregation and links still surface around the world. Here’s the article: https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2019-09-04/school-district-secessions-accelerate-school-segregation

Quote of the Week

“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should live their lives, but none about his or her own.”

Santiago, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Observations

I’ve realized that I need to be as patient as my mother when working with younger people. I’ve had a very trying week, and it really shows. My mother is constantly teaching me things, so when I come up short or don’t respond as well, she still has a special way of encouraging me while still urging me to continue.

Reflections

I’ve realized I’ll probably never be good at history–I’ve accepted it. I studied SO hard, and got a D on the test and now I have a 68. Any other class where I put that much effort, I’d have an A. But noooo, not AP Government. I’m going to keep trying though. I have to. Because what good would giving up do?

Read-alouds

Mrs. Jackson read Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell (I don’t have the ISBN available) to us this week, and it really hit home. I’m the only girl in my Dance VHN class who hasn’t had any dance training outside of school, and it really shows. It makes me feel like an outsider to the other girls sometimes, but this book really reminded me that if I just keep being myself and putting in the work, I’ll feel more comfortable. I would use this book for very early grades, and very late grades. I feel like this book is one you need to read in early ages, and then be reminded of its meaning when you’re older.

Learning Experiences

I loved the quilt square activity so far! I really got to know everyone on a personal level, and I feel like even if the person who was presenting wasn’t vulnerable as often in life, they really shared more than usual. I felt very humbled by that. A current event I’ve been looking into is the increasing vape/e-cigarette related deaths that are occuring across the nation. These are very prominent in schools, so it interested me to see how dangerous the habits of my peers are, and they don’t even know it–or choose not to care. Here’s the article:http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2019/09/stop_vaping_cdc_warns.html

Quote of the Week

“Everybody say, nothing come to easy. When you got it baby, nothing come to hard.”

Prince, “Baby I’m a Star”

Observations

I saw administrators yelling at freshmen to put on their IDs on the first day of school. Literally yelling. On the first day. It made me just want to yell back, “You really think they’re worried about that right now?!” I understand that IDs are important and need to be worn at all times, but can it maybe wait until they find their class? And then the first block teacher can check for them and go from there? It taught me to just focus on welcoming students, and the rest should come later.

Reflections

This week I really tapped into the thoughts and beliefs of those around me. It brought out so many emotions–all of which propelled me into a more positive and aware outlook on life and the lives of those around me. I thought I’d cry on the last few days of school, not the first few! Haha. I loved every minute so far, though.

Beyonce is my spirit animal.

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

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