First Year's Survival

The very first thought that comes to my head is that I did indeed survive my first year of teaching. I never understood what that statement really meant until the end of fourth quarter. As I sat grading 75 research papers and entering in final grades, a slight smile came across my face as I realized that my first year of teaching was nearly complete, that I had “lived” to see the end of the year, as the saying goes.

Most people also say that the first year of teaching is always the most difficult, and the job will get easier with future years, but I disagree with this statement. Although I do agree that certain areas of the job will lessen and become easier on me, I know that there are always new challenges to face, both in out of the classroom for teachers across the United States. I think that if the job becomes too easy for a teacher as the years go on, then they are not doing their job correctly. I know that it is important for us to establish and maintain areas of routine within the classroom, but our lesson plans and teaching styles should never become a routine.

Teens nowadays are given multitudes of information through many different mediums, sometimes all at the same time. Therefore, why should teachers’ modes of teaching follow the same “boring” pattern? I only use the word “boring” in this case because that is the way the students would see their teacher’s lessons, especially if that teacher only used one specific teaching style and little variety to assess students and their understanding of the content. It is my goal to not become that “teacher,” counting down the minutes near the end of the day, not caring about the students outside of classwork and homework assignments, and giving minimal effort at my job.

Fragments of the Past

Fragments of the Past

Haunted by the past
Negative emotions appearing so fast
Wondering if those feelings would last
Hoping they could be downcast

A change manifested one day
Allowing pieces of the past to be shed
Pieces resembling hurt and dismay
Inner beauty now being fed

Let the beauty feed on happiness
Getting rid of past emptiness
Chipping away at the walls of abrasiveness
Fighting off past and present darkness

Forcing that darkness to emit radiance
Causing the shadows to crumble
No more existing impedance
Suddenly becoming humble

Now it’s time to take in what is bright
Presenting the opportunity to excite
All goodness will be alighted
The fire of life soon ignited.

Summer Listening

Here's a list of some of my favorite songs and their videos that have been really great to listen to this summer thus far. Enjoy!

1.) Fun: "Some Nights"


2.)Walk off the Earth: "Summer Vibe"


3.) Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo: "Let's Go"


4.) Chris Brown: "Turn up the Music"

Chicken Gyro AKA Greek Chicken in Crock Pot

I tried this recipe from a recipe I found online, but I tweaked the ingredients a little bit to my own liking. I was very happy with the results, and it tasted like a homemade chicken gyro.

What you will need for this delicious lunch/dinner:

--1 medium onion (chopped)
--1 medium tomato (chopped)
--1 cucumber (chopped)
--1 red bell pepper (chopped)
--1 clove garlic
--1 lb. boneless/skinless chicken breasts or thighs
--1 1/2 tsp lemon pepper
--1/2 tsp of oregano
--1/2 tsp ground allspice
--1/2 cup plain yogurt
--1 package pita pocket breads
--small crockpot

1.) Mix together chicken, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, lemon pepper, oregano, and allspice in crockpot.
2.) Let cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
3.) When chicken is finished, pull out and shred with a fork, then place back into pot, re-mixing it with other ingredients in the pot.
4.) Cook the pita pocket bread by following the directions on the package. If there are no directions, I usually leave it in the oven until it is slightly toasted, which only takes a few minutes.
5.) Stir in yogurt and let sit for about 10 minutes.
6.) While chicken is soaking up yogurt's flavor, cut the tomato and cucumber.
7.) Fill pita pocket with crock pot's ingredients.
8.) Top with cucumber and tomato.
9.) ENJOY!

La Republica Dominicana

During the month of June I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to take a week-long vacation in the Dominican Republic. In short, it was an absolute blast and I met the friendliest and funniest locals out of any other country I've been to. It was such a good time, as well as a rewarding experience. The above picture is of the beach in the area that I visited around Punta Cana, and it was gorgeous. Not only that, but I got to spend the week with some of my favorite people. We definitely made an impression, as well as some of the most memorable moments!

Little Sacrifices

The above picture is the sun rising just outside of the school that I teach at on April 23, 2012. I normally get there at roughly the same time every day, a little after 6:30 in the morning. I like that it's quiet, and that I won't be disturbed by any other person, both student and staff wise. I found out that I have been hired back for next year, but I'm a little weary because I was also told that I will be teaching both junior high and high school English next year. While that may not seem like a lot to the average person, that is grading and planning for six different grade levels in total. Right now, I have three different grade levels, and 75 students, and I feel like I am always behind in grading. The up side is that I am noticing some significant improvements in these students' reading and writing skills, something that some of the staff members didn't think was possible.

I am very fortunate to have gotten a teaching job directly out of college, and I know part of that reason is my experience with working at a children's home for five years previous. A lot of my teaching friends weren't so lucky, and still do not have a teaching job. A couple of my friends think I'm crazy for not asking for a raise, but let's face it, there really isn't such a thing in the teaching profession. It just doesn't exist, especially due to what the No Child Left Behind Act and other so-called education reform laws have in place; they are taking money from schools that need them, and giving them to ones that don't. Well, that's a different argument that I will save for another day.

Anyways, I am going to try my best to stop and take in the little things. Much like the sunrise in the picture above, I know that each one of my students has a beautiful mind, but it may take me looking at it from a different angle. Rather than complaining about being up and at the school as early as I have been, I stopped to watch the sun rise for a couple of minutes, to sort of take in its beauty. I will have to search for the potential in each and every one of my students.

I was hired for this position because they hoped that I would make the changes needed to help these students reach the necessary reading and writing skills for college and beyond. I am determined to try and fail, try and fail, as many times as it takes, to help every student excel, even if it is only a little bit at a time.

That being said, I know that I have a tough road ahead of me, and many obstacles to overcome within the next school year. Furthermore, I realize that I will have to make little sacrifices here and there to ensure the students are getting the most out of myself, and my lessons. I have high expectations for them all. They had better be ready!

Culturally Diverse

~Now Larimar, Punta Cana; professional photo taken from website~

One of the things that I love to do is to travel. I try to branch out and go to new places each year. Last summer a group of friends and myself spent a little less than a week camping and roughing it in the Smoky Mountains. I loved every bit of this trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that it was just a group of girls, and we were able to talk about everything with each other. Even though there are still many places in the US that I have yet to go to, such as the Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls, New York, etc, my favorite thing to do is to visit new countries and cultures. The last time I left the country was when I went to Morocco, Africa in the summer of 2010. It was an absolute amazing and unforgettable time, not to mention the friends that I made while visiting there. This summer, in the middle of June, I am planning on going on a trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican with some friends. I look forward to any new and exciting things that I will get to experience while there!