First, I would like to begin with an open letter to the University of Houston Drumline:
PLEASE STOP PRACTICING OUTSIDE OF MY DORM AT 9:00 AT NIGHT. NO, SERIOUSLY. I WANT TO DIE. THANK YOU.
They’re so loud my window is vibrating. I’m blasting some Damien Rice to try to calm my nerves, but I have a feeling that if this continues for the next 5 weeks they’re going to have to put me on suicide watch.
Besides this unpleasant interruption, today was really quite miraculous. It started at 5:00am. I woke up before my alarm, too excited to sleep. Alaina and I hit the cafeteria for some delicious breakfast, but I couldn’t find a whole grain to save my life. How do they expect us to become successful teachers if we start our days with glazed danishes and sugared cereal?! I think it’s time for me to make a run to Randall’s for some wheat bread. This girl can’t eat hard boiled eggs for breakfast every day.
I won’t even get into the lunch and dinner situation here. This isn’t about food, after all, it’s about becoming a teacher. Which I’m one day closer to doing! We loaded up the HISD buses and drove the 3 miles to Jackson Middle School. Much to my surprise, it was a beautiful facility. Old? Yes. But really lovely. That said, I had the opportunity to observe a veteran teacher and realized why we’re there. The students are completely unmotivated. I had to remind myself that it’s their summer vacation and they’re stuck in a classroom at 8am, but I swear half of them were sleeping sitting up. When asked to read a prompt aloud, some of them read very well. Others struggled with words like “paw” and “Appalachian” like they had never seen them before. I wanted so badly to jump up there, but I’ll just have to wait my turn.
After my observation, my day was filled with informative sessions with our Curriculum Adviser and Literacy Specialist. I’m beginning to feel more ready to be in front of the classroom. I found out today that I will be teaching 6th grade, which is SO exciting! If I get the job at Pilgrim for the Fall, I’ll be teaching 6th graders. This will give me some invaluable insight into what these kids are like.
I can’t wait to get back to Jackson tomorrow. We’re finally going to talk about Lesson Planning so we can make one on our own for next week. I believe we’ll be meeting our Collaborative, as well. Each class of kids travels to the different subjects together, so my students will have all of the same classes. Their other teachers will be my Collaborative for the next 5 weeks. I can’t wait!
I joined the campus gym today. Secret: I only joined it so I can take advantage of their glorious clean showers. I’m pretty sure if I keep showering at Moody I’m going to catch something. Like ringworm. It’s a great gym, though, and I have a feeling I’ll need that outlet in the next few weeks. Right now my biggest problem is my dwindling Diet Cream Soda supply. Only two left. I really need to learn how to ration.
Nice website!!