AIDA

Last month I put up my first production at the high school. I am happy to say it was a beautiful show with incredible talent sitting on top of a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Despite a few bumps along the way, I couldn't have been happier with the way things turned out. And I couldn't be more grateful for my family and friends who were more than willing to help me...especially my fabulous husband. I got really good feedback from my administrators, district, parents, and most of my students. (A few of you may know what I am referring too. haha.) Anyway, my cousin Lauren Evans was gracious enough to help take production photos and here are a few I stole from her blog. They turned out so great! Thank you Lauren!

What is Wrong with this Picture?

So, it's been almost 4 months since I've been teaching and let me tell you... what I have learned is so shockingly disgusting - it's shocking. (Yes, I know that was repetitive.) I am truly speechless. I teach a Study Skills class. You know, Study Skills is the class for all the ... well... "underachieving" students. I've heard the class be called a myriad of things: "Stupid Skills Class", "Special Ed" and "Mexican Collection Class". (Although I would say that only 50% of my class is Hispanic.) I am sure you can imagine the type of the students in this class.

Alright so on one hand there is a group of students who are failing all of their classes and have no desire, whatsoever, to try. Then on the other hand, there is me. The over achiever-takes-on-more-than-is-good-for-her-own-sanity type of person. So, naturally I think I am going to be the the "Freedom Writer" kind of teacher. The teacher who will change their lives by creating a deeper understanding through relating and comparing their lives to social injustices, racial oppression, historical triumphs, etc. So, my sweet mother suggested I start with the book, A Long Way Gone. This is an incredible book based off the true story of Ishmael Beah, a former child soldier and survivor of the civil war conflicts in Sierra Leone. His story talks about him growing up in war conditions and how he escaped to America despite his unsought addiction to drugs, his unsolicited training to kill and the overall unfortunate and unimaginable situation of living in a war-torn country.

He is around the same age of my students, 15-17. Its about drugs, blood, rap music, guns, kids, and survival. Topics you would think my students would find interesting, right? Well, the are interested for sure. But, THEY ARE COMPLETELY MISSING THE POINT! After each chapter we discuss what happened. I try to help paint the picture of what it would be like to be in his shoes - how horrible it would be to grow up the way he did. Etc. These are some of the responses I get from my students ...

Student: "Cool! I want someone to dope me up on drugs every day."

Student: "That would be awesome to be able to carry around AK-47 all day long!"

Student: "I wouldn't take any side. Man, I would shoot everyone right in the head!"

Teacher: "Uhhh...hmmm....uh....well...."

WHAT THE HECK?! What do you say to something like that? What is wrong with these people? I am speechless. We keep reading the book. We keep discussing. I showed them a few interviews of Ishmael as he tells his story and what it was like writing the book; just to bring it to life for them. I ask them what their thoughts are after each clip. Silence. Alex? Shakes his head. Ok, I ask them another question. What would it be like to grow up in a country at war like Sierra Leon? Blink, Blink. Crystal? Puts her head down. Sharelle? Shakes her head. Alright, well. Do you know that our country is at war right now? Oh yea! My dad said something about Obama sending all the soldiers to kill the East. Ok. Well. At least its something, right?

I don't know. It's exhausting. My mom suggested showing a movie like "The Grinch" and teaching them how to have a heart. I still think that lesson is a little too far over their heads. The only thing they'd get out of that movie is don't let furry green creatures down your chimney on Christmas.

Sigh.

AIDA at WJHS!

 

So, which would you rather?

It's so crazy how my life can go from one extreme to another. I spent the summer DYING for something, anything to do. Now, I am looking back on those days and I can't quite figure out what is worse; boredom or being so unbelievably, exhaustively busy? I just can't seem to find that balance. So, which would you rather?

'Tis the Season!!

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years! Man, how I love this time of year! I am definitely looking forward to this holiday season. I don't care if you start listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving (which I was formally opposed to). I don't care if you start selling Thanksgiving decorations before Halloween. Who cares if you gain a few pounds between October through December... New Years resolutions will be right around the corner anyway. It doesn't matter if you aren't the first person on the block to put up your Christmas lights. BRING ON THE HOLIDAYS! This is truly the greatest time of the year! It's time to celebrate with family, buy some killer gifts, eat delicious food, make some personal goals, and renew your faith in God.

time for vacation!

alright... it is definitely time for a vacation! vegas over holloween anyone?

some exciting news!

This past week and a half has been more than a whirl wind of activities. I got offered a job to teach Theater at a High School! It is so great to be able to get a job in the first place, but to get a job I love doing is truly a blessing. I feel very lucky.

All summer I had been interviewing for jobs (which, by the way, Theater teaching jobs don't come around very often). I think I went through my fourth interview until I realized that another position is probably not going to open up and my chances of getting hired where pretty slim. I heard a statistic that something around only 49 teaching jobs came up in my home state maybe less then a fourth of those jobs were for Theater and there were over 300 applicants. (I don't know how accurate that is but it would make sense to me.) Anyway, I started looking at other options.

Andrew and I decided that I was going to go back home early to find us a place to live. So, we planned for me to leave on Wednesday the 12th. Well, here is the time line of how it all went down.

Monday, August 10 - I get an email from a college professor explaining that there will possibly be a job opening really soon at the High School and to keep our eyes open.

Tuesday, August 11 - I get a call from the Principal asking me to come in for an interview on Thursday.

Wednesday, August 12 - I drive 15 hours from Texas back home with my padre (who was so kind to fly out to take the drive with me). Get home at 1:00am ish.

Thursday, August 13 - I interview for the job at 9:00am. I begin looking for an apartment.

Friday, August 14 - I get hired for the job!! I am still looking for an apartment.

Monday, August 17 - I am in New Teacher Orientation. I find us an apartment.

etc. etc. meetings. meetings. meetings.

Wednesday, August 26 - School Starts!!!

Everything happened so fast and worked out so perfectly with the timing of everything, I can't help but feel like there is a reason why I need to be at this school. I am so excited! I have so much to do and I can't wait!