story of my life:
http://www.kansascity.com/637/story/1614654.html
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
end of semester = no fun
i'm at the point where there's so much to do/ so uch stress, that i've just stopped getting stressed.. haven't decided if that's good or bad. For my health good.. haha for my students and grad grades, not the best. BUT i'm getting everything done, somehow.
I literally worked from the time i woke up to just now on stuff and i'm not even done, but i don't have the motivation/energy/strenght to do ne thing else right now.
The only thing keeping me going is the fact that this is the LAST week of grad school classes this semester! It's not even school that's stressing me now, it's GRAD School.. that's dumb.
i just got back from my 2nd professional development in Chicago which was awesome! We got a lot of good tips, learned how we shoudl re-vamp our program and what we need to become a strong dual langauge school, and got to see a couple dual language schools in the chicago area that are running very well! and it snowed... which is apparently nothing there but it made me excited :)
i've gone from highs to lows lows to highs, and right now i'm feeling pretty good about things, school is still stressful, and hard, but i just have to stop taking things peronsally.. i'm a little worried b/c of stupid paper work and "certification"" requirments that are just political and stupid and are probably going to get me fired in the end for forgetting to fill out some ambigious form that says the same thing that 500 other forms said, BUT my principal said that she wants to keep me and she doesn't care if i'm certified or not... so that makes me feel good, as long as she keeps her position.
i've had a few great things happen at school and some really sad things.
1st i found out one of my students is being VERY severely abused at home, and many people know about it and have done nothing.. my principal is going to take measures thank goodness, but it's super sad no one has before.
2nd a good thing, i had one of my english speaking students tell me yesterday that he is speaking/reading/understnading spanish! and granted not as much as he might think but he is doing loads better, as is a good majority of my class, AND the fact he's excited about it is a HUGE step!!!!!
3rd good thing-we raised our MAP predictor test scores by 15% (Map is the test we have to take to meet AYP because of no child left behind laws...) Granted we're still not close to meeting what we need yet, but a 15% jump in a semester is good! We're going to try to keep brining it up!
IT was great to go home for Thanksgiving but it felt like a whirlwind, and almost like it wasn't real because it was soo difffernt from what im doing here, so relaxing so doing nothing, and just nice o see family and some friends.
I look forward to having christmas though which is coming up soon, though i have a lot i aspire to achieve during break so we'll see how that goes!
this is long enough.. but it had been a while :) Until next time
I literally worked from the time i woke up to just now on stuff and i'm not even done, but i don't have the motivation/energy/strenght to do ne thing else right now.
The only thing keeping me going is the fact that this is the LAST week of grad school classes this semester! It's not even school that's stressing me now, it's GRAD School.. that's dumb.
i just got back from my 2nd professional development in Chicago which was awesome! We got a lot of good tips, learned how we shoudl re-vamp our program and what we need to become a strong dual langauge school, and got to see a couple dual language schools in the chicago area that are running very well! and it snowed... which is apparently nothing there but it made me excited :)
i've gone from highs to lows lows to highs, and right now i'm feeling pretty good about things, school is still stressful, and hard, but i just have to stop taking things peronsally.. i'm a little worried b/c of stupid paper work and "certification"" requirments that are just political and stupid and are probably going to get me fired in the end for forgetting to fill out some ambigious form that says the same thing that 500 other forms said, BUT my principal said that she wants to keep me and she doesn't care if i'm certified or not... so that makes me feel good, as long as she keeps her position.
i've had a few great things happen at school and some really sad things.
1st i found out one of my students is being VERY severely abused at home, and many people know about it and have done nothing.. my principal is going to take measures thank goodness, but it's super sad no one has before.
2nd a good thing, i had one of my english speaking students tell me yesterday that he is speaking/reading/understnading spanish! and granted not as much as he might think but he is doing loads better, as is a good majority of my class, AND the fact he's excited about it is a HUGE step!!!!!
3rd good thing-we raised our MAP predictor test scores by 15% (Map is the test we have to take to meet AYP because of no child left behind laws...) Granted we're still not close to meeting what we need yet, but a 15% jump in a semester is good! We're going to try to keep brining it up!
IT was great to go home for Thanksgiving but it felt like a whirlwind, and almost like it wasn't real because it was soo difffernt from what im doing here, so relaxing so doing nothing, and just nice o see family and some friends.
I look forward to having christmas though which is coming up soon, though i have a lot i aspire to achieve during break so we'll see how that goes!
this is long enough.. but it had been a while :) Until next time
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
soo cold
can i just say... that it's my lunch break and i'm freezing..
A. it's snowed today.. SNOWED and we had school.. that blows my mind. big snow, def not, but in NC, this would have been no school, AT LEAST a 2 hr delay.. i had to shovel snow off my car! :) haha
b. the heat in our building has been broken the last two days. today i was asked by a student if i have a cold b/c my nose is so red.. no it's just freezing, literally.
think that would happen in a suburban schooL? i think not.
A. it's snowed today.. SNOWED and we had school.. that blows my mind. big snow, def not, but in NC, this would have been no school, AT LEAST a 2 hr delay.. i had to shovel snow off my car! :) haha
b. the heat in our building has been broken the last two days. today i was asked by a student if i have a cold b/c my nose is so red.. no it's just freezing, literally.
think that would happen in a suburban schooL? i think not.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thanksgiving
Can i just add how surprised i am to have learned this past week that
a. my kids have no idea what thanksgiving is
b. they barely know what a pilgrim and indian are
c. never heard of the mayflower (aka. my joke about it... would have flopped)
d. they have no idea why thanks should be given... even though it is a day called THANKSgiving.... hmmmm
a. my kids have no idea what thanksgiving is
b. they barely know what a pilgrim and indian are
c. never heard of the mayflower (aka. my joke about it... would have flopped)
d. they have no idea why thanks should be given... even though it is a day called THANKSgiving.... hmmmm
starting over
today i took a step back.. cause i'd been getting really annoyed w/ my kids lately and feeling like they were just doing stuff to drive me crazy. HOWEVER today i didn't take it personally.... and today was a mUCH bettter day... can blame it on the fact that i was missing 4 kids... but i think it was my attitude change :)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Parent Teacher Conferences
So last night/day was parent teacher conferences.
What a long, tiring, overwhelming day.
I had 38 conferences between 9 am and 7:30pm yesterday, which was awesome. We got all paretns to come excpet for 10. out of 50, not bad.
Unfortunately there were a few parents i really wanted to see, that didn't come, but then again some parents i dind't expect to see, who came
I didn't get yelled at by any parents which was nice..
The hardest part was seeing HOW MUCH some of the parents care, and having them be dissapointed at their kids low grades. Unforutaely me and my ohter third grade teacher are VERY strict , nad expect a lot from our kids, and i think the parents see htat now.
The other hard part was telling 4 parents that their children were making d's in every subject and tat we think they need to be referred for special ed Every parent excpet for 2 were VERY surprised.
we also had a HUGE breakthrough with my BIGGEST behavior probem child's mother.
She is a mother that HATES our school/principal/teachers in general, and ALWAYS takes her daughters side, she said she was SOOO glad that she had teachers who finally could read her daughtere weren't going to give up on her, and were going to push her. She even cried!!! What an amazing breakthrough!!!
overall a very scucessful day!
i can't believe first quarter is done.. and that i still have 3 more.. haha
What a long, tiring, overwhelming day.
I had 38 conferences between 9 am and 7:30pm yesterday, which was awesome. We got all paretns to come excpet for 10. out of 50, not bad.
Unfortunately there were a few parents i really wanted to see, that didn't come, but then again some parents i dind't expect to see, who came
I didn't get yelled at by any parents which was nice..
The hardest part was seeing HOW MUCH some of the parents care, and having them be dissapointed at their kids low grades. Unforutaely me and my ohter third grade teacher are VERY strict , nad expect a lot from our kids, and i think the parents see htat now.
The other hard part was telling 4 parents that their children were making d's in every subject and tat we think they need to be referred for special ed Every parent excpet for 2 were VERY surprised.
we also had a HUGE breakthrough with my BIGGEST behavior probem child's mother.
She is a mother that HATES our school/principal/teachers in general, and ALWAYS takes her daughters side, she said she was SOOO glad that she had teachers who finally could read her daughtere weren't going to give up on her, and were going to push her. She even cried!!! What an amazing breakthrough!!!
overall a very scucessful day!
i can't believe first quarter is done.. and that i still have 3 more.. haha
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
spanish readinG :)
today every single kid EVERY single kid in my class read a book, IN SPANISH... some might have been VERY basic.. but they did it.
and a girl who knows spanish but always speaks english spoke english to me today :)
also i learned that my girl who told me to shutup yesterday needs to be ignored.. today i told her to get to her seat, she said NO, and ran to the closet and cried like a baby and was whining. and i ignored her.. she sat in her seat w/in 5 minutes
and a girl who knows spanish but always speaks english spoke english to me today :)
also i learned that my girl who told me to shutup yesterday needs to be ignored.. today i told her to get to her seat, she said NO, and ran to the closet and cried like a baby and was whining. and i ignored her.. she sat in her seat w/in 5 minutes
Monday, November 2, 2009
Back in school this week
And it was a decently good day, (Even though I was told to shutup, disrespected and completely ignored... it's amazing how the behavior of one student doesn't affect me anymore!)
I was woken up at 5:15 by my new sweet puppy Cici (or Cece) i dunno haven't decided yet.
but it was good b/c we got to go for a walk, get stuff done and get to school early so i started the day out well! but i'm pooped now! (as is she, PASSEED OUT!)
the kids were pretty good today, decently engaged in lessons, and even though they might not have liked my friend "main idea" with the detail hair as much as I did, i suffice it to say they really enjoyed my activity of going outside and looking at "what is in the sky!" (we're about to start a unit on preciptation and air patterns)
i didn't stress as much about math and it went smoothly. I think i'm starting to freak out before starting lessons because i'm afraid they'll be a total flop, BUT They are only a total flop IF u freak out (well not only.. but that contributes!)
i was informed by my advisee today that i need to do less me teaching, and more of them doing activities and being engaged... i just don't know how to do that when they don't all speak spanish but i guess that's my task!
ok to bed, if i'm getting up at 5!
I was woken up at 5:15 by my new sweet puppy Cici (or Cece) i dunno haven't decided yet.
but it was good b/c we got to go for a walk, get stuff done and get to school early so i started the day out well! but i'm pooped now! (as is she, PASSEED OUT!)
the kids were pretty good today, decently engaged in lessons, and even though they might not have liked my friend "main idea" with the detail hair as much as I did, i suffice it to say they really enjoyed my activity of going outside and looking at "what is in the sky!" (we're about to start a unit on preciptation and air patterns)
i didn't stress as much about math and it went smoothly. I think i'm starting to freak out before starting lessons because i'm afraid they'll be a total flop, BUT They are only a total flop IF u freak out (well not only.. but that contributes!)
i was informed by my advisee today that i need to do less me teaching, and more of them doing activities and being engaged... i just don't know how to do that when they don't all speak spanish but i guess that's my task!
ok to bed, if i'm getting up at 5!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Been sick
So i've been out of school for two days (which was a bummer b/c i missed the halloween party!)
but when i came into school to pick up a few things yesterday i found the sweetest note from one of my most "behavior problem" students.
Dear s. Grelock
Happy Hollween
I want you to
Be here today
But am sorry
your Sick. You have
to ms All the
Fun I thot
that yell be
hrere I was going
to Bring you
A Bag of chips.
Plese be hrere
on Monday I want
You to come
Back. So we can have hame work
exrta mintes on reccys
I ms you ms
Grelock. Come
back Monday.
Translated:
Dear Ms. Gerlach, I want you to be here today but am sorry you are sick. You have to miss all the fun. I thought that you'll be here, I was going to bring you a bag of chips. Please be here on monday. I want you to come back so we can have homework, extra minutes on recess. I miss you Ms. Gerlach. Come back MOnday,
This made me cry...
but when i came into school to pick up a few things yesterday i found the sweetest note from one of my most "behavior problem" students.
Dear s. Grelock
Happy Hollween
I want you to
Be here today
But am sorry
your Sick. You have
to ms All the
Fun I thot
that yell be
hrere I was going
to Bring you
A Bag of chips.
Plese be hrere
on Monday I want
You to come
Back. So we can have hame work
exrta mintes on reccys
I ms you ms
Grelock. Come
back Monday.
Translated:
Dear Ms. Gerlach, I want you to be here today but am sorry you are sick. You have to miss all the fun. I thought that you'll be here, I was going to bring you a bag of chips. Please be here on monday. I want you to come back so we can have homework, extra minutes on recess. I miss you Ms. Gerlach. Come back MOnday,
This made me cry...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
1st sick day
being taken tomorrow....
i'm done, physically, mentally, emotionally everything.
Positive aspect of the day-EVERYONE i mean EVERYONE did their homework.. first time EVER! which means that we got 5 minutes extra at recess....
Negative aspects-i felt like screaming at children all day because i was getting soo frustrated at them not understanding the language/material, and the fact that i was sick on top of that just about sent me over the edge. I have certain students who TUNE OUT completely when i speak in spanish, and now that i haven't spoken a word of english in the classroom except to say (IM LATE FOR MY DRS APMT! HURRY UP!) haha they are starting to really get frustrated.
i feel really bad taking a sick day tomorrow but i have a fever, puked and just haven't felt very good all day. i went to the dentist and he found a rash on my throat and said "do u normally have htat" haha um no! that would be b/c i've had a sore throat for days...
i'm afraid my kids will get no sub, and they will learn nothing, but let's be honest... if i was there the same would happen. today i literally started crying in the middle of the day. (thank goodness during my planning period) yes it was partially b/c i was sick, and partially cause i need to work on that patience thing..
the kids are great kids, but i just expect a lot out of them, and if they think they will get by in my class putting their heads down and giving up they are WRONG! :)
i'm done, physically, mentally, emotionally everything.
Positive aspect of the day-EVERYONE i mean EVERYONE did their homework.. first time EVER! which means that we got 5 minutes extra at recess....
Negative aspects-i felt like screaming at children all day because i was getting soo frustrated at them not understanding the language/material, and the fact that i was sick on top of that just about sent me over the edge. I have certain students who TUNE OUT completely when i speak in spanish, and now that i haven't spoken a word of english in the classroom except to say (IM LATE FOR MY DRS APMT! HURRY UP!) haha they are starting to really get frustrated.
i feel really bad taking a sick day tomorrow but i have a fever, puked and just haven't felt very good all day. i went to the dentist and he found a rash on my throat and said "do u normally have htat" haha um no! that would be b/c i've had a sore throat for days...
i'm afraid my kids will get no sub, and they will learn nothing, but let's be honest... if i was there the same would happen. today i literally started crying in the middle of the day. (thank goodness during my planning period) yes it was partially b/c i was sick, and partially cause i need to work on that patience thing..
the kids are great kids, but i just expect a lot out of them, and if they think they will get by in my class putting their heads down and giving up they are WRONG! :)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
oo good week last week..
grading papers today, getting ready for report cards and conferences next week (scary!) Also... i don't have enough grades for these kids...
but anyways, the question was, Are ghosts real?
"No, b/c when people die they just rot in the groud and no one has real proof."
-Gosh i hope he's wrong
i like this one better:
"Cuando alguin muere van con dios cuando se van con dios se asen en gost"
-Yes because when someone dies they go with God and when they go with God they become a ghost.
i like this one too
"I think the gost is real bekause wen i was sleping i herd some thin in the kecken and i got skerd so thats way i think gost aer real."
but anyways, the question was, Are ghosts real?
"No, b/c when people die they just rot in the groud and no one has real proof."
-Gosh i hope he's wrong
i like this one better:
"Cuando alguin muere van con dios cuando se van con dios se asen en gost"
-Yes because when someone dies they go with God and when they go with God they become a ghost.
i like this one too
"I think the gost is real bekause wen i was sleping i herd some thin in the kecken and i got skerd so thats way i think gost aer real."
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
just so i don't forget
1. Friday you had your first breakthrough with -iliano, we will call him. He sat and did the last 30 minutes of class great, did all his work, and got it done! WOW what a change from the usual distraction, misbehaving and accomplishing nothing!
2. Tomorrow marks the start of NOOOO ENglish... really though. After going to dual language training this weekend i realize that i'm giving my children that crutch, and i have to take it away. THey have PLENTY of english throughout the day, and the kids WILL LEARN if they pay attention!
2. Tomorrow marks the start of NOOOO ENglish... really though. After going to dual language training this weekend i realize that i'm giving my children that crutch, and i have to take it away. THey have PLENTY of english throughout the day, and the kids WILL LEARN if they pay attention!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
terrible thursdays...
i dunno what it is about thursdays.. maybe it's too far from friday, and they're just exhausted from school, but today was a messs
morning went well (well relatively, besides a little bit of boredom, frustration, crumpled papers, and some tears-what else is new?) but then after recess those kids just acted like they forgot HOW to act.... we had a new students today (yes 1.5 months into school and i get a new student) she seems like a sweet girl, knows a good deal of spanish (learned in school) and is on court order where she can NOT see her father. i have been warned he might try and come to school, so to be careful, especially on places like the playground when he can just walk right up to us.. super
but anyways. after recess those kids just went nuts! TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK i literally almost startd crying in class because NO ONE was paying attention, i'm spekaing in spanish so of COURSE half of them don't understand me, and the lesson is complicated so they HAVE to pay attention!
i'm going to a dual language training this week (mon tuesday) in chicago, we leave sunday, which sucks b/c my kids will have a sub for two days, which might not sound like a lot but it is a LOT of things that aren't going ot be learned, and a LOT of time for them to go crazy and mess up and ruin my perfectly organized wonderful classroom :) (yes i'm ocd, and that helps me be a better teacher ) in fact. today i put tape on the floor to let the students know where their desks should be. because they start there EVERY morning.. but by the end of the day, they are alll so crowded and smooshed together and messed up even i get stressed. so today worked much better!
but i stayed at school til 7:15 planning for next week and trying to get things ready for the sub so things can run as smoothly as possible! we shall see how that goes!
but back to the training, i really hope i learn something about teaching in a dual language classroom b/c it is such a foreign idea and so new that no one really knows how to make it work! so i hope we find some great information (even though we have little resources)
but it's off to bed. i'm pooped and i have to get sleep so that i can have a good evening tomorrow celebrating one of my good friends last nights here (he unfortuantely was the only ONE out of 75 of us Kansas City teach for america corps members who did not get placed... which i think sucks a lot, and it's shitty that this stupid recession happened and caused people who though they were hired since last OCTOBER and yet they move and then have to move back home with no job and a lot of bills.. but alas what can they do, it's the districts fault righT?
morning went well (well relatively, besides a little bit of boredom, frustration, crumpled papers, and some tears-what else is new?) but then after recess those kids just acted like they forgot HOW to act.... we had a new students today (yes 1.5 months into school and i get a new student) she seems like a sweet girl, knows a good deal of spanish (learned in school) and is on court order where she can NOT see her father. i have been warned he might try and come to school, so to be careful, especially on places like the playground when he can just walk right up to us.. super
but anyways. after recess those kids just went nuts! TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK i literally almost startd crying in class because NO ONE was paying attention, i'm spekaing in spanish so of COURSE half of them don't understand me, and the lesson is complicated so they HAVE to pay attention!
i'm going to a dual language training this week (mon tuesday) in chicago, we leave sunday, which sucks b/c my kids will have a sub for two days, which might not sound like a lot but it is a LOT of things that aren't going ot be learned, and a LOT of time for them to go crazy and mess up and ruin my perfectly organized wonderful classroom :) (yes i'm ocd, and that helps me be a better teacher ) in fact. today i put tape on the floor to let the students know where their desks should be. because they start there EVERY morning.. but by the end of the day, they are alll so crowded and smooshed together and messed up even i get stressed. so today worked much better!
but i stayed at school til 7:15 planning for next week and trying to get things ready for the sub so things can run as smoothly as possible! we shall see how that goes!
but back to the training, i really hope i learn something about teaching in a dual language classroom b/c it is such a foreign idea and so new that no one really knows how to make it work! so i hope we find some great information (even though we have little resources)
but it's off to bed. i'm pooped and i have to get sleep so that i can have a good evening tomorrow celebrating one of my good friends last nights here (he unfortuantely was the only ONE out of 75 of us Kansas City teach for america corps members who did not get placed... which i think sucks a lot, and it's shitty that this stupid recession happened and caused people who though they were hired since last OCTOBER and yet they move and then have to move back home with no job and a lot of bills.. but alas what can they do, it's the districts fault righT?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
days like this
today was a great day..
i dunno if i'm just getting better at lesson planning or what, but it just went well, smoothly, quickly, g kids listened probably 70% of the time, they were excited about our reading project of readers theatre, and i left the day liking them al and being excited for tomorrow!
now tomorrow might be the worst day ever... just gotta rememeber today.
p.s. this post was for you joe abernathy... i know u had been missing them :) good luck on ur interview!
i dunno if i'm just getting better at lesson planning or what, but it just went well, smoothly, quickly, g kids listened probably 70% of the time, they were excited about our reading project of readers theatre, and i left the day liking them al and being excited for tomorrow!
now tomorrow might be the worst day ever... just gotta rememeber today.
p.s. this post was for you joe abernathy... i know u had been missing them :) good luck on ur interview!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
good day :0
the one thing that gets crazy though is dismissal.. i've got to work on that
quote from student "ms. gerlach u just repeated urself 6 times!"
yes i know haha
quote from student "ms. gerlach u just repeated urself 6 times!"
yes i know haha
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
wow
yesterday wonderful, all kids on green (best color)
today great until afternoon... kids weent crazy.. they're getting frustrated with the spanish thing
how do people do this for their whole lives!??!
today great until afternoon... kids weent crazy.. they're getting frustrated with the spanish thing
how do people do this for their whole lives!??!
Friday, September 25, 2009
field trip
first field trip today
went well
saw mexican band perform /dance
kids loved it
it was at college
they want to go there :)
woo hoooo
went well
saw mexican band perform /dance
kids loved it
it was at college
they want to go there :)
woo hoooo
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
haha soo fickel
today i got 6 love letters from my kids...
one was from the girl who said she hated me yesterday.
one was from the girl who said she hated me yesterday.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
wow tough day
and i don't even know how kids change.. haha angels one day, crazy the next
this morning we had standardized testing for 2 hrs and i think that set them up for craziness all day long...
they just wouldn't stop talking, do waht they were supposed to etc.... and i mean they did.. but not the perfect way i know they can :)
and i had a girl tell me she hated my class, which she was never there and that i'm mean... even though they're little that still hurts..
o tommorow
at least we have field trip friday!
this morning we had standardized testing for 2 hrs and i think that set them up for craziness all day long...
they just wouldn't stop talking, do waht they were supposed to etc.... and i mean they did.. but not the perfect way i know they can :)
and i had a girl tell me she hated my class, which she was never there and that i'm mean... even though they're little that still hurts..
o tommorow
at least we have field trip friday!
Monday, September 21, 2009
ALLLL spanish
Today i spoke ONLY in spanish all day! i explained i was going to do it in english (of course) but then ONLY spanish.. i got crazy looks.. had a kid tell me he had NO idea what i was saying even though i was handmotioning and showing pictures like a crazy person, but it went WAY better than i thought it was going to... i have my less receptive class next week so we'll see how that goes
but i feel like hte only way my kids are going to learn spanish is if they are TOTALLY immersed in it for the week they are in spanish.. i'm a little worried about their learning as a third grader though....
another positive note, one of my girls who we thought did NOT speak, talks to me all the time w/ right answers b/c it's a spanish classs.. i love that
but i feel like hte only way my kids are going to learn spanish is if they are TOTALLY immersed in it for the week they are in spanish.. i'm a little worried about their learning as a third grader though....
another positive note, one of my girls who we thought did NOT speak, talks to me all the time w/ right answers b/c it's a spanish classs.. i love that
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
nervous....
so tomorrow 3rd grade is getting 2 new students:
1. going to be super easy, she is a cute little girl who has been home-schooled her whole life, and is super excted about learning...
student number 2. moved from atlanta because of abuse, moved here to KC, got kicked out of his first school, and now heading to my classroom... and NOT excited about the prospect of learning spanish... oo gosh.
Things have been going soo smoothly lately ! This makes me super nervous, but i know that they will each have good things to bring to the classroom..
on another sad note, a couple of my really good friends here haven't gotten jobs (thanks to the stupid recession) so they'll probably be heading home.... which is upseting because i got really close to them. but we'll know by friday!
otherwise doing well.. finally over the bug, and feeling like my energy is coming back :)
WOO HOO!
1. going to be super easy, she is a cute little girl who has been home-schooled her whole life, and is super excted about learning...
student number 2. moved from atlanta because of abuse, moved here to KC, got kicked out of his first school, and now heading to my classroom... and NOT excited about the prospect of learning spanish... oo gosh.
Things have been going soo smoothly lately ! This makes me super nervous, but i know that they will each have good things to bring to the classroom..
on another sad note, a couple of my really good friends here haven't gotten jobs (thanks to the stupid recession) so they'll probably be heading home.... which is upseting because i got really close to them. but we'll know by friday!
otherwise doing well.. finally over the bug, and feeling like my energy is coming back :)
WOO HOO!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
yup.... sick
so i was right.. got sick.
yesterday was 87 percent sure i was going to puke at school... somehow i made it through, was ready to pass out when i got home with fever and nausea but found out my landlord has not been making payments so my house is going to be FORECLOSED and that there is going to be an auction for it wednesday... AND we found out b/c our sweet little neighbor willa came by and let us know by asking if we had heard the news.. had heard NOTHING From our landlord.
so that was fun
woke up this morning and still have a fever but i can eat which is nice. i just have a terrible headache. and wish i could do stuff cause it's the weekend, but at least i can rest and not go to work! that was hard.
also i'm going to kind of miss my group of kids this las week. i get my old group next week, and i love them too, they just need a little more discipline and reminders. ALSO my kids are convinced i'm 107... i def look that old. :)
yesterday was 87 percent sure i was going to puke at school... somehow i made it through, was ready to pass out when i got home with fever and nausea but found out my landlord has not been making payments so my house is going to be FORECLOSED and that there is going to be an auction for it wednesday... AND we found out b/c our sweet little neighbor willa came by and let us know by asking if we had heard the news.. had heard NOTHING From our landlord.
so that was fun
woke up this morning and still have a fever but i can eat which is nice. i just have a terrible headache. and wish i could do stuff cause it's the weekend, but at least i can rest and not go to work! that was hard.
also i'm going to kind of miss my group of kids this las week. i get my old group next week, and i love them too, they just need a little more discipline and reminders. ALSO my kids are convinced i'm 107... i def look that old. :)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
9 pm
and i'm just sitting down to eat....
been on my feet all day
new class of kids
one of my kids had rope burns (i thinK) on her neck that she couldn't explain.... makes me sad
but i had a great day :) my new kids (group B) are attentive, they're excited, and they're sweet.
now to eat and plan and do it all tomorrow
WOO HOO For 4 day work week
been on my feet all day
new class of kids
one of my kids had rope burns (i thinK) on her neck that she couldn't explain.... makes me sad
but i had a great day :) my new kids (group B) are attentive, they're excited, and they're sweet.
now to eat and plan and do it all tomorrow
WOO HOO For 4 day work week
Thursday, September 3, 2009
every day is getting betteR :)
i do love my kids... they are very annoying, want to talk, don't listen, and hate learning spanish sometimes
but at the end of the day i'm excited for the next day and really do like them.. and it's been what 1 week?
also... heartbreaking story of the day,
we had a pre-school child come in with his mother, and he had a HUGE swollen mouth. His mother informed us that he had had TWO Teeth pulled out by the root, but would not talk to him, and she was sure that it had happened at school, there's NO WAY in hell that our PRe-k teacher did that, she's the sweetest little lady in the world! needless to say we had police at school ALL day long, and my co-teacher got interviewed b/c the boy talked to her.
She asked him, "what happeneD?" and he said someone kicked him in the mouth. he wouldn't say who or where, but when the teacher said, who told you to put ur hood up after it happened, he said "mommy did". she said "was there blood?" "he said, ya, everywhere, and it tasted really yucky"-no blood was anywhere in the pre-k classroom... poor kid. that makes me sadder than anything
on a lighter note, i got hit on today by the eigth grade boys at our school.. WOO HOO haha and i quote "who be dat teacher, man i do whatever she say.. ms. gerlach, mhmmmm ms. gerlach."
haha o lordy
but at the end of the day i'm excited for the next day and really do like them.. and it's been what 1 week?
also... heartbreaking story of the day,
we had a pre-school child come in with his mother, and he had a HUGE swollen mouth. His mother informed us that he had had TWO Teeth pulled out by the root, but would not talk to him, and she was sure that it had happened at school, there's NO WAY in hell that our PRe-k teacher did that, she's the sweetest little lady in the world! needless to say we had police at school ALL day long, and my co-teacher got interviewed b/c the boy talked to her.
She asked him, "what happeneD?" and he said someone kicked him in the mouth. he wouldn't say who or where, but when the teacher said, who told you to put ur hood up after it happened, he said "mommy did". she said "was there blood?" "he said, ya, everywhere, and it tasted really yucky"-no blood was anywhere in the pre-k classroom... poor kid. that makes me sadder than anything
on a lighter note, i got hit on today by the eigth grade boys at our school.. WOO HOO haha and i quote "who be dat teacher, man i do whatever she say.. ms. gerlach, mhmmmm ms. gerlach."
haha o lordy
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
getting easier??
so i can't decide if it's getting easier, or i'm just getting more used to hard times.. i think it might be a little of both. Something that made me cry last week i was so used to today i just said "we're not doing this" and walked off, leaving the kid w/ the principal. But he's a sweet boy, just TERRIBLE attitude, that we're working on adjusting
principal came into class today, gave me a good memo, said things were looking good HURRAY!
there might be staff changing after labor day.. getting a little nervous cause this district is CRAAZY and sucks.. but i'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get moved!!!
i would also love to quote a student, after i told them they would lose recess if they misbehaved/goofed offf (which they did today)
-Ms. Gerlach! Recess is a GREAT incentive! haha
principal came into class today, gave me a good memo, said things were looking good HURRAY!
there might be staff changing after labor day.. getting a little nervous cause this district is CRAAZY and sucks.. but i'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get moved!!!
i would also love to quote a student, after i told them they would lose recess if they misbehaved/goofed offf (which they did today)
-Ms. Gerlach! Recess is a GREAT incentive! haha
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
2nd week of school...
and i've already got a girl suspended for 3 days....
on the one hand i'm excited (which sounds terrible) b/c she was my biggest classroom management problem, distracted other kids, and always gave me attitude
on the other hand i feel terrible and like i let her down and gave up on her too easily b/c i couldn't get her to do what i wanted to so sent her to the principal.
she was suspended for defiance, b/c she would not do what i said, get up in class and just mosey around distracting others and getting in my stuff, and then when i would send her to time out, buddy room or other punishment it was like her feet were glued to the floor.... grab her by the hand, lead her shoulders, NOTHING could make her move, in fact she would HANG on doorways as not to leave...
as she left she stuck the suspension note in my face and said, "SEE NOW YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANT I HOPE YOURE HAPPY!" and walked off.... actually no tonneshia... i wanted you to excel and now i feel i've let you down.
on the one hand i'm excited (which sounds terrible) b/c she was my biggest classroom management problem, distracted other kids, and always gave me attitude
on the other hand i feel terrible and like i let her down and gave up on her too easily b/c i couldn't get her to do what i wanted to so sent her to the principal.
she was suspended for defiance, b/c she would not do what i said, get up in class and just mosey around distracting others and getting in my stuff, and then when i would send her to time out, buddy room or other punishment it was like her feet were glued to the floor.... grab her by the hand, lead her shoulders, NOTHING could make her move, in fact she would HANG on doorways as not to leave...
as she left she stuck the suspension note in my face and said, "SEE NOW YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANT I HOPE YOURE HAPPY!" and walked off.... actually no tonneshia... i wanted you to excel and now i feel i've let you down.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
first week of school was tough
went into the weekend kinda down, discouraged, overwhelmed, and wondering how i was going to do anything for these children when i was so un-sure myself.
found out all my fellow TFA ers felt the same, that was helpful.
then got an e-mail from my principal, telling me how much she believed in me, didn't want me to get down, and told me i had a tough class.
and now i'm ready for a new week :)
went into the weekend kinda down, discouraged, overwhelmed, and wondering how i was going to do anything for these children when i was so un-sure myself.
found out all my fellow TFA ers felt the same, that was helpful.
then got an e-mail from my principal, telling me how much she believed in me, didn't want me to get down, and told me i had a tough class.
and now i'm ready for a new week :)
Friday, August 28, 2009
i made it through week 1
barely...
haha i'm not going to lie. this is the hardest thing I've ever done and i don't know if i'll be good at it.
i have SOO Much respect for teachers now!
haha i'm not going to lie. this is the hardest thing I've ever done and i don't know if i'll be good at it.
i have SOO Much respect for teachers now!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
every other day
seems to be a good day every other day (but TOMORROW is friday.. so it has to be good, right?! :)
today just went smoothly, i didn't yell, didn't get mad, just patiently waited when they weren't quiet, b/c they were wasting their OWN learning time (they do care about that, sometimes) haha at least they care about gym!
but it's getting easier (well sometimes) But i actually taught real lessons today and that went well and they were engaged.
and my kids are sweet, and i love that. i made the "toughest' little boy Tra'von cry today, b/c he got blue instead of green and will be punished at home... poor kid
but they are just fun and i know that even though i'm exhausted every day when i get home, i like it :)
i've learned to leave EVERYTHING at school.. b/c when i take stuff home i never relax, so that's working well too, two days in a row.
also i've spoken with 10 of my childrens parents.. only 15 more to go (for this week :)
today just went smoothly, i didn't yell, didn't get mad, just patiently waited when they weren't quiet, b/c they were wasting their OWN learning time (they do care about that, sometimes) haha at least they care about gym!
but it's getting easier (well sometimes) But i actually taught real lessons today and that went well and they were engaged.
and my kids are sweet, and i love that. i made the "toughest' little boy Tra'von cry today, b/c he got blue instead of green and will be punished at home... poor kid
but they are just fun and i know that even though i'm exhausted every day when i get home, i like it :)
i've learned to leave EVERYTHING at school.. b/c when i take stuff home i never relax, so that's working well too, two days in a row.
also i've spoken with 10 of my childrens parents.. only 15 more to go (for this week :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
day 3
synopsis of the day:
morning awesome (sensing a pattern here)
sent to lunch, RAINING no recess... down hill from here
kids took pent up energy and would not calm down all afternoon. had a child openly defy me in the hallway , would not listen/move or MOVE, had the whole class, didn't know what else to do, so i cried. haha seriously though
found out my girl with down syndrome is supposed to have someone working with her 24/7, haven't seen anyone work with her yet, though i have had someone observe "her" aka me, 3 days in a row. no help to her at all., sweetest girl though
ended day wanting to cry but realizing it would be ok when dominic said "the school day is just too short!" i love that kid
learned not to bring work home or i do it all evening.. so now i'm taking it easy :) WOO HOO TEACHING! hump day is overrr
morning awesome (sensing a pattern here)
sent to lunch, RAINING no recess... down hill from here
kids took pent up energy and would not calm down all afternoon. had a child openly defy me in the hallway , would not listen/move or MOVE, had the whole class, didn't know what else to do, so i cried. haha seriously though
found out my girl with down syndrome is supposed to have someone working with her 24/7, haven't seen anyone work with her yet, though i have had someone observe "her" aka me, 3 days in a row. no help to her at all., sweetest girl though
ended day wanting to cry but realizing it would be ok when dominic said "the school day is just too short!" i love that kid
learned not to bring work home or i do it all evening.. so now i'm taking it easy :) WOO HOO TEACHING! hump day is overrr
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Day 2
And i left school today not wanting to cry :)
but still utterly exhausted.
my kids are sweet, and i told them today we will only speak spanish in class, i think they took it well
we did well all day, got complimented in the cafeteria for having a good line, i think me being stricter on them, and flipping their card to colors besides green (for poor behavior choices) helped a lot.
my troubled child did get sent to the security guard all morning.. that's a different stoy, principal found her "loitering" outside the bathroom. (talked to her mom today, apparently she has a lot of issues, bi-polar, depressioN) GREAT talk w/ her mom, i'm glad i've mad that initial contact with her!
met and taught my other class i'll be teaching every other week, SUPER sweet kids, and VERY excited to learn :)
overall a good day.... now time to pass out :)
but still utterly exhausted.
my kids are sweet, and i told them today we will only speak spanish in class, i think they took it well
we did well all day, got complimented in the cafeteria for having a good line, i think me being stricter on them, and flipping their card to colors besides green (for poor behavior choices) helped a lot.
my troubled child did get sent to the security guard all morning.. that's a different stoy, principal found her "loitering" outside the bathroom. (talked to her mom today, apparently she has a lot of issues, bi-polar, depressioN) GREAT talk w/ her mom, i'm glad i've mad that initial contact with her!
met and taught my other class i'll be teaching every other week, SUPER sweet kids, and VERY excited to learn :)
overall a good day.... now time to pass out :)
Monday, August 24, 2009
FIRST DAY
OVERWHELMED is one word to describe it... stream of consciousness
morning went well, afternoon ok, recess very fun, after recess disaster, girl cursing, flipping cards, having a student OPENLY defy me and not move when i told her to.
12 students who don't speak english, in a class where i can only speak spanish
one girl with down syndrome, who can not do anything i ask my class to do.
and the highlight of my day:
a boy who when we were packing up said "WE ARE LEAVING ALREADY!?!?! WHY!!!!!" :) and was super sad
third graders are cute,
but love to talk
are rowdy
and i have my work cut out for me!
morning went well, afternoon ok, recess very fun, after recess disaster, girl cursing, flipping cards, having a student OPENLY defy me and not move when i told her to.
12 students who don't speak english, in a class where i can only speak spanish
one girl with down syndrome, who can not do anything i ask my class to do.
and the highlight of my day:
a boy who when we were packing up said "WE ARE LEAVING ALREADY!?!?! WHY!!!!!" :) and was super sad
third graders are cute,
but love to talk
are rowdy
and i have my work cut out for me!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
School Starts tomorrow
I should probably be super nervous, and afraid i'll be terrible, BUT I"M REALLY EXCITED :)
my classroom is all set up
i've got my lesson plan done
2 lists of 25 kids
and i'm super excited to do what i've been training for!
know it won't all go the way i plan, but we will do what we can!
WOOHOOO
my classroom is all set up
i've got my lesson plan done
2 lists of 25 kids
and i'm super excited to do what i've been training for!
know it won't all go the way i plan, but we will do what we can!
WOOHOOO
Thursday, August 20, 2009
made my day
today i received a snail mail from grandma :)
made me very happy
i think i'll try and write one thing everyday.. might not be profound.. but it's all i've got time/energy for except for every now and then :)
made me very happy
i think i'll try and write one thing everyday.. might not be profound.. but it's all i've got time/energy for except for every now and then :)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
and yet i'm still happy :)
left for school at 8
was at school til 2
ate lunch
stayed at school til 5
drove to grad school
there til now
now to translate/lesson plan and then do it all again :)
was at school til 2
ate lunch
stayed at school til 5
drove to grad school
there til now
now to translate/lesson plan and then do it all again :)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
it was a good day
long, just got home around 8:30
overwhelming soo much to do!
but i'm teaching THIRD GRADE :)
and my co-teacher is wonderful
and the staff is excellent!
and i'm very excited!
and i'm going to be speaking a LOT of spanish
now to bed, i'm pooped and haven't stopped working, cept 1 hr to play soccer w/ 5 boys.... i'm really not good enough to play w/ 5 boys haha o well it's fun
long, just got home around 8:30
overwhelming soo much to do!
but i'm teaching THIRD GRADE :)
and my co-teacher is wonderful
and the staff is excellent!
and i'm very excited!
and i'm going to be speaking a LOT of spanish
now to bed, i'm pooped and haven't stopped working, cept 1 hr to play soccer w/ 5 boys.... i'm really not good enough to play w/ 5 boys haha o well it's fun
Saturday, August 15, 2009
I HAVE A JOB!!!
SOOOOO. I don't know if you all are aware of how stressed I've felt recently since I had not been placed. Originally the Kansas City Missouri School District (KCMSD) promised teach for america 51 contracts. We signed these before we left for training in Chicago. HOWEVER , when we got back we found out there were only 31 promised contracts. These contracts were all discovered this past week, and all the 31 contracted people were able to go to new teacher training. I, along with about 15 others were not contracted, and were pretty sure we might be unemployed until the 2nd or 3rd week of school (when the teacher hiring freeze was over)
HOWEVER, i got a call on Thurdsay night from a Principal, asking me to come and interview for a Bilingual speaking teaching position, teaching either 2nd or 4th grade. I was nervous for the interview but excited because I felt like I was very qualified for the position, and was SUPER excited b/c this is actually known as one of the better schools in KCMSD. It is still about 98% free-and-reduced lunch, and about 60% african american 48% hispanic, but it is one of the higher performing schools in the district AND In an awesome area! It is .9 m from my house! I could walk if i wanted to!
So i interviewed with the principal who seems awesome! She was very very excited about helping all students achieve no matter what, seemed to really care about her staff, and called the staff a "family". This was great to hear b/c a lot of schools have NO interaction w/ their adminstration at all! So even though it seems as though I will be working very hard, and long hours, we are working towards common goals all together which is exciting!
I got a call the day after the interview letting me know I will be teaching SOME grade at the school (pre-k-8th) and I will be teaching ONLY in Spanish. The way the program works is that each group of students has 2 teachers, one English speaking one, one spanish speaking one. They spend half their learning time only in Spanish (with me!) and during this time we ONLY speak Spanish. Then they spend the other 1/2 of their learning time with the English speaking child. It is the only school that does this in the entire state of Missouri, but it is designed to help the English speaking children learn SPanish and vice-versa. I'm very excited and know it will be HARD, but hopefully my Spanish will improve rapidly! It's like studying abroad... but in the US :)
My first day of work is Monday, and I will be in my school all week going through Professional Development, meeting staff, getting my classroom, and preparing for DAy 1 of school which is the 24th. MAN!
So overall i'm super excited! I'm loving KC, meeting lots of great people, and making good friends! I still miss everyone, but i HOpe you guys are having a wonderful end of the summer as well!
HOWEVER, i got a call on Thurdsay night from a Principal, asking me to come and interview for a Bilingual speaking teaching position, teaching either 2nd or 4th grade. I was nervous for the interview but excited because I felt like I was very qualified for the position, and was SUPER excited b/c this is actually known as one of the better schools in KCMSD. It is still about 98% free-and-reduced lunch, and about 60% african american 48% hispanic, but it is one of the higher performing schools in the district AND In an awesome area! It is .9 m from my house! I could walk if i wanted to!
So i interviewed with the principal who seems awesome! She was very very excited about helping all students achieve no matter what, seemed to really care about her staff, and called the staff a "family". This was great to hear b/c a lot of schools have NO interaction w/ their adminstration at all! So even though it seems as though I will be working very hard, and long hours, we are working towards common goals all together which is exciting!
I got a call the day after the interview letting me know I will be teaching SOME grade at the school (pre-k-8th) and I will be teaching ONLY in Spanish. The way the program works is that each group of students has 2 teachers, one English speaking one, one spanish speaking one. They spend half their learning time only in Spanish (with me!) and during this time we ONLY speak Spanish. Then they spend the other 1/2 of their learning time with the English speaking child. It is the only school that does this in the entire state of Missouri, but it is designed to help the English speaking children learn SPanish and vice-versa. I'm very excited and know it will be HARD, but hopefully my Spanish will improve rapidly! It's like studying abroad... but in the US :)
My first day of work is Monday, and I will be in my school all week going through Professional Development, meeting staff, getting my classroom, and preparing for DAy 1 of school which is the 24th. MAN!
So overall i'm super excited! I'm loving KC, meeting lots of great people, and making good friends! I still miss everyone, but i HOpe you guys are having a wonderful end of the summer as well!
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
i have an apartment!
I feel like such an adult.. haha i have my own place! that's so weird!
so i'm living in a condo (we're renting it out) and it's two bedroom two bath. It's called the Madrid, and the condos are set up in a european/spanish style, and it's super cute! with flowers and gates everywhere! it even has an "acueduct". Our place is on the third floor and it's pretty nice! the kitchen was newly remodeled, and we have a balcony with HUGE windows into our spacious livingroom. i have to put up pictures
My room is cute too, a little small, but i don't have much stuff (especially right now) so it'll be fine! Right now i'm furnished with a blow up air matress, a bookcase (that i put together ALL by myself.. i was proud) lol a few container things, and a lamp. when dad and paul come next week i should have a bit more stuff, and i'm hoping to buy some furniture tomorrow for cheap so we'll see!
my bathroom is cute as well... it's monkey themed.... i don't have ot grow up all at one time! haha
i think one of the favorite parts about our condo is the location. we are in a little neighborhood with cute little houses and near a REALLY nice neighborhood with huge houses. i am a TWO minute walk to the public library, which i LOVEEEEEEE. same distance to food places (chipotle, pizza, cvs, coffee) and then a 4 minute walk to KC PLaza, which is a new ritzy shopping/restaurant district in kansas city. It's really nice and there's always people around walking/shopping hanging out. in addition, i've got a few friends who live on hte plaza so they're within walking distance!
also within walking distance is a whole foods, which is super exciting! (my family and our health food) haha
i'm also walking/runnning distance to the school where we are taking graduate classes.
so all in all i'm super excited! the weather here has been beautiful! today the high was 78, and i've had my window open all day, there's been a nice breeze.
the only thing i can complain about is that i'm many miles from many loved ones, and my apartment is super dirty cause no one has lived in it for over a year and a half (so says my super friendly neighbor sandy who brought me over enchildas today, just because) haha so i've been trying to wash windows, scrub floors, etc. hopefully when my family comes next week :) they can come help me? hahaha have to put them to work while i'm out working!!!! but no i'm excited to see them and wish that everyone could come visit! and if you're in the midwest u have a place to stay!!!
so i'm living in a condo (we're renting it out) and it's two bedroom two bath. It's called the Madrid, and the condos are set up in a european/spanish style, and it's super cute! with flowers and gates everywhere! it even has an "acueduct". Our place is on the third floor and it's pretty nice! the kitchen was newly remodeled, and we have a balcony with HUGE windows into our spacious livingroom. i have to put up pictures
My room is cute too, a little small, but i don't have much stuff (especially right now) so it'll be fine! Right now i'm furnished with a blow up air matress, a bookcase (that i put together ALL by myself.. i was proud) lol a few container things, and a lamp. when dad and paul come next week i should have a bit more stuff, and i'm hoping to buy some furniture tomorrow for cheap so we'll see!
my bathroom is cute as well... it's monkey themed.... i don't have ot grow up all at one time! haha
i think one of the favorite parts about our condo is the location. we are in a little neighborhood with cute little houses and near a REALLY nice neighborhood with huge houses. i am a TWO minute walk to the public library, which i LOVEEEEEEE. same distance to food places (chipotle, pizza, cvs, coffee) and then a 4 minute walk to KC PLaza, which is a new ritzy shopping/restaurant district in kansas city. It's really nice and there's always people around walking/shopping hanging out. in addition, i've got a few friends who live on hte plaza so they're within walking distance!
also within walking distance is a whole foods, which is super exciting! (my family and our health food) haha
i'm also walking/runnning distance to the school where we are taking graduate classes.
so all in all i'm super excited! the weather here has been beautiful! today the high was 78, and i've had my window open all day, there's been a nice breeze.
the only thing i can complain about is that i'm many miles from many loved ones, and my apartment is super dirty cause no one has lived in it for over a year and a half (so says my super friendly neighbor sandy who brought me over enchildas today, just because) haha so i've been trying to wash windows, scrub floors, etc. hopefully when my family comes next week :) they can come help me? hahaha have to put them to work while i'm out working!!!! but no i'm excited to see them and wish that everyone could come visit! and if you're in the midwest u have a place to stay!!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Last day of teaching summerschooL!?!?
WOW! I Can't believe that tomorrow is the last day of summer school here in Chicago! I can't believe I've been teaching for 4 weeks! That blows my mind!!! Today we gave our children the post-assessment and we found they scored a class average of 88%!!!!! WHICH IS AWESOME!!! All students met their growth goals with the exception of one, who was like 2 points off! NOT bad at all! We were super excited, and very happy with our students improvement!
We also asked our kids to write letters to us and our students so here they are as follows:
Dear Ms. Gerlach's Kids,
She is really energetic. So if you have her for a teacher then take an energy bar or something. But it works, the class goes fast. SO yea, overall she is cool.
Dear Ms. Gerlach's Students,
If Ms. Gerlach is your teacher you BETTER raise you hand b/c she will make you repeat whatever you said.
Dear Students of Ms. Gerlach,
She's very ecstatic and energetic. You better keep up. Make sure you raise your hand too!
Ms. Gerlach is a different kind of teacher that is always happy and cheerful. SHe loves when students raise their hands to answer questions.
We also asked our kids to write letters to us and our students so here they are as follows:
Dear Ms. Gerlach's Kids,
She is really energetic. So if you have her for a teacher then take an energy bar or something. But it works, the class goes fast. SO yea, overall she is cool.
Dear Ms. Gerlach's Students,
If Ms. Gerlach is your teacher you BETTER raise you hand b/c she will make you repeat whatever you said.
Dear Students of Ms. Gerlach,
She's very ecstatic and energetic. You better keep up. Make sure you raise your hand too!
Ms. Gerlach is a different kind of teacher that is always happy and cheerful. SHe loves when students raise their hands to answer questions.
Monday, July 13, 2009
I can't believe i'm over half way done!
So when i got an email from my mom entitled "Are You alive" i decided i must not have blogged/communicated with people in a while ! :) So i do apologize!
So it has been quite a while since i've written! The past was it a week? Has been SOO Busy.. Every week here feels like at least a month or so. It's soo jam-packed, busy, full of information and excitement!
So the first week i taught that super challenging class that like to test me and keep me on my toes :) luckily i survived that week (no it wasn't impossible, i actually enjoyed the challenge!) But this past week and the rest of the summer i have a new class. They are 8 students and are so well behaved it's crazy! I feel ridiculous enforcing silly rules like hand-raising, when they are only answering questions to contribute, and are not disrupting, but i know i need to practice for when i get a more challenging class!
so anyways, my students are great, super engaged in my material (probably b/c i act so excited about it, the funny thing is i really like teaching it! even though history was BY FAR my least favorite subject in hs! It's a challenge, no doubt, for a person who can't even locate important countries on a map sometimes, and knows little to nothing about background history knowledge (embarassing i know!!) but i really research and study hard and can put the information in words my kids can understand and i think they get it and that's so exciting!
this past weekend i got to really explore chicago (finally!) which was nice! we went downotown, looked around, went to milenium park, walked the miliondollar mile ( i think that's what it's called) went to the art institute and all that fun stuff! I can now get around the city by train station and color so that's neat.. almost like i live here! haha
so i ended up having to switch around living situation b/c of leases and such, but NOW i have a great apartment in a great area of town called the plaza, and i'm super excited about it! i'll be living w/ a girl named Tammy, and she's really fun/nice so i'm excited!!!
there's only 2 weeks left of teaching here, then i head back to KC and that's exciting and weird! i can't believe time is flying by so fast, but i'm SUPER Excited to have my own class in KC, and find out what i'm teaching ! we're supposed to know by wednesday, but we'll see, there's been lots of changes in the KC school district board, so who knows!!!
but i have to go lesson plan and such fun, but i miss everyone loads!
So it has been quite a while since i've written! The past was it a week? Has been SOO Busy.. Every week here feels like at least a month or so. It's soo jam-packed, busy, full of information and excitement!
So the first week i taught that super challenging class that like to test me and keep me on my toes :) luckily i survived that week (no it wasn't impossible, i actually enjoyed the challenge!) But this past week and the rest of the summer i have a new class. They are 8 students and are so well behaved it's crazy! I feel ridiculous enforcing silly rules like hand-raising, when they are only answering questions to contribute, and are not disrupting, but i know i need to practice for when i get a more challenging class!
so anyways, my students are great, super engaged in my material (probably b/c i act so excited about it, the funny thing is i really like teaching it! even though history was BY FAR my least favorite subject in hs! It's a challenge, no doubt, for a person who can't even locate important countries on a map sometimes, and knows little to nothing about background history knowledge (embarassing i know!!) but i really research and study hard and can put the information in words my kids can understand and i think they get it and that's so exciting!
this past weekend i got to really explore chicago (finally!) which was nice! we went downotown, looked around, went to milenium park, walked the miliondollar mile ( i think that's what it's called) went to the art institute and all that fun stuff! I can now get around the city by train station and color so that's neat.. almost like i live here! haha
so i ended up having to switch around living situation b/c of leases and such, but NOW i have a great apartment in a great area of town called the plaza, and i'm super excited about it! i'll be living w/ a girl named Tammy, and she's really fun/nice so i'm excited!!!
there's only 2 weeks left of teaching here, then i head back to KC and that's exciting and weird! i can't believe time is flying by so fast, but i'm SUPER Excited to have my own class in KC, and find out what i'm teaching ! we're supposed to know by wednesday, but we'll see, there's been lots of changes in the KC school district board, so who knows!!!
but i have to go lesson plan and such fun, but i miss everyone loads!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
End of semester assesment
today was a great day of academics!!!
We gave our students an assessment that covered material from the beginning of the summer (before we got there) to now (so we taught one week). On the material from the beginning of the summer plus the material that we taught my students averaged a 46%!
without the beginning of the summer, and only with the material we taught, 80%!!! EIGHT PERCENT!!! granted it was more recent, and more fresh to their brains, but STILL.. that's a HUGE jump! more than just the recency effect (i know, i'm a psy major :) )
WOO HOO for a successful first week of teaching!!
We gave our students an assessment that covered material from the beginning of the summer (before we got there) to now (so we taught one week). On the material from the beginning of the summer plus the material that we taught my students averaged a 46%!
without the beginning of the summer, and only with the material we taught, 80%!!! EIGHT PERCENT!!! granted it was more recent, and more fresh to their brains, but STILL.. that's a HUGE jump! more than just the recency effect (i know, i'm a psy major :) )
WOO HOO for a successful first week of teaching!!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Day 2... another day of success!
Sooo so far i'm getting more and more nervous, we have been told officially, we have the hardest class in the h-s... they're tough, so energetic and talkative, and attitude and assertive. YET once again I was able to keep them under control, on task, doing work, and only had to send two children to the "reflection desk"
i don't know if it's b/c I have better classroom management, higher expectations, or b/c the students aren't exhausted cause it's the first period of the day, but i'm having a much easier time then all my fellow teachers. The teachers who have the SAME students i have said they are completely out of control and don't know how to handle them! It's making me nervous, but things are ok for now so we'll see!
i had one kid tell me he hated history, and then he said, "no affense", which i totally understand.. i hated history in hs, maybe i can change his opinion! the other girl who misbehaved explicitly told my faculty advisor that she doesn't a. like female teachers or b. being told what to do... that leaves me in a sticky situation!!
but right now my plans are going well, and i hope that continues! it's hard enough for me to create them since i don't have the history background, but i have to say i'm researching just like as if i was in college... if not more! But it's rewarding to ask the kids a question that you think they'd never be able to answer... and then they do, and blow you away! and most even have high goals. One of my students said he wants to get an A+! i know if he works hard he can!
these kids are smart! they just have to try hard and do the work!
i don't know if it's b/c I have better classroom management, higher expectations, or b/c the students aren't exhausted cause it's the first period of the day, but i'm having a much easier time then all my fellow teachers. The teachers who have the SAME students i have said they are completely out of control and don't know how to handle them! It's making me nervous, but things are ok for now so we'll see!
i had one kid tell me he hated history, and then he said, "no affense", which i totally understand.. i hated history in hs, maybe i can change his opinion! the other girl who misbehaved explicitly told my faculty advisor that she doesn't a. like female teachers or b. being told what to do... that leaves me in a sticky situation!!
but right now my plans are going well, and i hope that continues! it's hard enough for me to create them since i don't have the history background, but i have to say i'm researching just like as if i was in college... if not more! But it's rewarding to ask the kids a question that you think they'd never be able to answer... and then they do, and blow you away! and most even have high goals. One of my students said he wants to get an A+! i know if he works hard he can!
these kids are smart! they just have to try hard and do the work!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Day 1 of teaching-SUCCESS!
Sooo.. today was the first day i taught! And it was surprisingly good! and went unusually well!!
First i'll tell you about my class, it is a group of 11 summer schools students, the majority are rising sophomores but we have a few rising juniors. None of the kids want to be there and they're all there b/c they have failed World History and have to retake it.
So I am teaching them world history.. which is interesting b/c history has never been my subject but i've been studying and learning a lot! i write lots of lessons every night, and every one takes me an INORDINATE amount of time, but i'm sure once i get used to writing them they will get easier!
So today I had to introduce my class to the new idea about how we're going to teach them history. THeir old teacher thought that making them read everyday for 5 hrs was teaching.. we're changing things up. Every lesson i have i ask lots of questoins of them and interactive group work to keep them excited, we don't read the book at all!
so far the kids have done well.. they're a very rambonxious and talkative group so i have to make sure that my classroom managment is strong, but if you respect them and are stern and show you mean business it works better! i'm amazed how comfortable i felt standing in front of them and leading them and hope it continues this way!
tomorrow i'm going to teach a "real lesson", past the usual day introduction, here's what we're going to do, class rules, etc. so we'll see how that goes! i know it's going to be a challenge b/c today after giving our kids the pre-assesment (for stuff we'll teach them) the highest grade was a 26%! So our goal is for all our students to have an average of 80% of higher passing as a class. i think we can do it but it'll be a very hard-working 4 weeks!!!
off to bed now b/c i'm exhausted from long day of traveling yesterday and getting in late. but it was WONDERFUL being home and seeing all my girls and watching andrea get married!!!
looking forward to another day of teaching! i get observed tomorrow so hopefully it goes smoothly!
First i'll tell you about my class, it is a group of 11 summer schools students, the majority are rising sophomores but we have a few rising juniors. None of the kids want to be there and they're all there b/c they have failed World History and have to retake it.
So I am teaching them world history.. which is interesting b/c history has never been my subject but i've been studying and learning a lot! i write lots of lessons every night, and every one takes me an INORDINATE amount of time, but i'm sure once i get used to writing them they will get easier!
So today I had to introduce my class to the new idea about how we're going to teach them history. THeir old teacher thought that making them read everyday for 5 hrs was teaching.. we're changing things up. Every lesson i have i ask lots of questoins of them and interactive group work to keep them excited, we don't read the book at all!
so far the kids have done well.. they're a very rambonxious and talkative group so i have to make sure that my classroom managment is strong, but if you respect them and are stern and show you mean business it works better! i'm amazed how comfortable i felt standing in front of them and leading them and hope it continues this way!
tomorrow i'm going to teach a "real lesson", past the usual day introduction, here's what we're going to do, class rules, etc. so we'll see how that goes! i know it's going to be a challenge b/c today after giving our kids the pre-assesment (for stuff we'll teach them) the highest grade was a 26%! So our goal is for all our students to have an average of 80% of higher passing as a class. i think we can do it but it'll be a very hard-working 4 weeks!!!
off to bed now b/c i'm exhausted from long day of traveling yesterday and getting in late. but it was WONDERFUL being home and seeing all my girls and watching andrea get married!!!
looking forward to another day of teaching! i get observed tomorrow so hopefully it goes smoothly!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Insitute HAS begun
WOW What a whirlwind this week has been!!!! Driving from Kansas City to Chicago. Moving in to my summer home, meeting a set of 400 more people, training sessions all day long for 4 days. Laughter, stress, exhaustion, tears, hard work, it has been quite a week! But yet at the end of the day i'm soo excited and glad to be here!
Last night was probably the most stressed any of us have been, as we all stayed up and worked on writing 2 lesson plans (doesn't sound like much but when you're a new teacher trying to make AMAZING lessons to engage your students who have never loved school... it's quite a task. BUT we all succeeded, and woke up ready to start a new day!
Today went great. We learned more about discipline, i created a plan for my students and our first day (on monday!) where i'll teach them for 50 minutes. I originally was supposed to teach math students but due to a lack of math students at summer school was switched to World History. NOt my favorite subject in school, but i want to make it interesting so these students have a better experience than i did! So i'm super excited to get my students and start teaching (scared too...)
But also today we got to meet our student's past teacher which was really frustrating for a lot of us because of his pervasive attitude towards his students and their abilities to succeed, and he just had a vision of a very tired older teacher that is easy to get when dealing with students in these school settings. However, i think i successfully re-boosted the moralle of my group of co-teachers (there are 5 of us per group, we each teach one period each day) and now we're excited again for school monday!
I was also given a "reward" type thing today, or a "shoutout" as we call it at our school, for this sense of posibility so that always makes a person feel good :) WOO HOO for m & m trophys haha. I also got to speak with the TFA director at my school and he let me know how much he appreciated my questions and participation during sessions which was nice to hear b/c sometimes i was afraid that i was that obnoxious kid in class that always spoke up, but he didn't see it like that at all!
But now off to shower, dinner and write more lesson plans! I can't believe i even had time to sit and type this!! it's been such a crazy week! but i couldn't be more excited to start teaching!
Last night was probably the most stressed any of us have been, as we all stayed up and worked on writing 2 lesson plans (doesn't sound like much but when you're a new teacher trying to make AMAZING lessons to engage your students who have never loved school... it's quite a task. BUT we all succeeded, and woke up ready to start a new day!
Today went great. We learned more about discipline, i created a plan for my students and our first day (on monday!) where i'll teach them for 50 minutes. I originally was supposed to teach math students but due to a lack of math students at summer school was switched to World History. NOt my favorite subject in school, but i want to make it interesting so these students have a better experience than i did! So i'm super excited to get my students and start teaching (scared too...)
But also today we got to meet our student's past teacher which was really frustrating for a lot of us because of his pervasive attitude towards his students and their abilities to succeed, and he just had a vision of a very tired older teacher that is easy to get when dealing with students in these school settings. However, i think i successfully re-boosted the moralle of my group of co-teachers (there are 5 of us per group, we each teach one period each day) and now we're excited again for school monday!
I was also given a "reward" type thing today, or a "shoutout" as we call it at our school, for this sense of posibility so that always makes a person feel good :) WOO HOO for m & m trophys haha. I also got to speak with the TFA director at my school and he let me know how much he appreciated my questions and participation during sessions which was nice to hear b/c sometimes i was afraid that i was that obnoxious kid in class that always spoke up, but he didn't see it like that at all!
But now off to shower, dinner and write more lesson plans! I can't believe i even had time to sit and type this!! it's been such a crazy week! but i couldn't be more excited to start teaching!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
I'm finally here!!
O My GOODNESS. I couldn't be more excited/anxious/overwhelmed or pumped that I'm finally in Kansas City at Institute, training, meeting my 75 corps members and getting to know the AWESOME city of Kansas City, MO!
Today, first full day of training, was a WHIRLWIND of activities. We started the day with workshops on what Teach for America's goals are for us, and as an organization and discussed how we can stay involved with it even after our two year commitment in many various areas and fields throughout the country. In addition, we learned a lot about KC TFA in particular, which is only in it's second year as a TFA charter location. Apparently, the bar was set EXTREMELY high last year, which is extremely fortunate for us because we have very strong backing and support from the KCMO public school system! They are excited to have us and are working hard to make sure we all get placed!
In addition, we learned a lot about the partnership that TFA is having with Rockhurst University, which is where we will receive our liscensure and master's degree througout the next two years (by taking class 2 days a week, 3-4 hours.. FUN!) This is the first year TFA has worked with them BUT they could not be more excited to be working with us! This is extremely fortunate and exciting b/c oftentimes educational programs do not like TFA b/c they feel that we are taking jobs that teachers with certificates and degrees in education would have had (that's a story for another day) We're actually staying at Rockhurst this week too, in dorms, and it's really neat. The area that Rockhurst is in is actually the worst in town, but it's neat to be here b/c this will be where most of the school's we are placed in will be.
In addition, Rockhurst is only 5 minutes from the PLaza/Wesport area of KC which is awesome! We drove through the PLaza today, which is set up to be like the Plaza in Sevilla Spain, and I fell in love immediatly! I'm going apartment hunting thursday and hope to find a place there with one or two girls that I have met and am getting to know really well already! In addition tonight we got to see WEstport which is a more historic distric and got to walk around a bit. We ALSO got to see another district called the Power and LIght District. This is downtown and it's a relatively newer area of town and really cool! There is lights everywhere, bars, restaurants, a bar/bowling alley we went to tonight (super fun, but weird!) and just neat things to do! I'm loving the big city life so far :) Everyone thinks i'm just some silly little country girl from some small town by the way i talk! it's funny the things that are different here!
Tomorrow will prove to be either a very exciting or a very dissapointing day. 50 of us are going to the Kansas City Missouri School District and meeting with people to either sign a contract or to put our names down for when jobs finally open up (because there are NOT as many as we had hoped there would be, YET). I have been told that b/c of my placement in Bilingual the chances are very good that I will be one of the 30 who will sign tomorrow.... i sure hope so! Otherwise i might not find out what/where i'll be teaching until as late as August!
But i must go to bed so that i can wake up and look professional and do the work thing... soo weird!!!!
I miss you all!!!
Today, first full day of training, was a WHIRLWIND of activities. We started the day with workshops on what Teach for America's goals are for us, and as an organization and discussed how we can stay involved with it even after our two year commitment in many various areas and fields throughout the country. In addition, we learned a lot about KC TFA in particular, which is only in it's second year as a TFA charter location. Apparently, the bar was set EXTREMELY high last year, which is extremely fortunate for us because we have very strong backing and support from the KCMO public school system! They are excited to have us and are working hard to make sure we all get placed!
In addition, we learned a lot about the partnership that TFA is having with Rockhurst University, which is where we will receive our liscensure and master's degree througout the next two years (by taking class 2 days a week, 3-4 hours.. FUN!) This is the first year TFA has worked with them BUT they could not be more excited to be working with us! This is extremely fortunate and exciting b/c oftentimes educational programs do not like TFA b/c they feel that we are taking jobs that teachers with certificates and degrees in education would have had (that's a story for another day) We're actually staying at Rockhurst this week too, in dorms, and it's really neat. The area that Rockhurst is in is actually the worst in town, but it's neat to be here b/c this will be where most of the school's we are placed in will be.
In addition, Rockhurst is only 5 minutes from the PLaza/Wesport area of KC which is awesome! We drove through the PLaza today, which is set up to be like the Plaza in Sevilla Spain, and I fell in love immediatly! I'm going apartment hunting thursday and hope to find a place there with one or two girls that I have met and am getting to know really well already! In addition tonight we got to see WEstport which is a more historic distric and got to walk around a bit. We ALSO got to see another district called the Power and LIght District. This is downtown and it's a relatively newer area of town and really cool! There is lights everywhere, bars, restaurants, a bar/bowling alley we went to tonight (super fun, but weird!) and just neat things to do! I'm loving the big city life so far :) Everyone thinks i'm just some silly little country girl from some small town by the way i talk! it's funny the things that are different here!
Tomorrow will prove to be either a very exciting or a very dissapointing day. 50 of us are going to the Kansas City Missouri School District and meeting with people to either sign a contract or to put our names down for when jobs finally open up (because there are NOT as many as we had hoped there would be, YET). I have been told that b/c of my placement in Bilingual the chances are very good that I will be one of the 30 who will sign tomorrow.... i sure hope so! Otherwise i might not find out what/where i'll be teaching until as late as August!
But i must go to bed so that i can wake up and look professional and do the work thing... soo weird!!!!
I miss you all!!!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
10 days....
In a total of 10 days I am going to be traveling to a far far land... Kansas City, MO. Ok it's not that far.. but it seems pretty far for me who's been here in Winston-Salem, NC for 17 years. Not that I'm not excited to go, I'm very excited! Moving to a new city, in a new state, with new people, having a real career! But wow, I feel way too young to be here already!
However, I decided that since I have nothing better to do, and that some people might care to know what my experiences will be like in my future years in MO (I at least know my mom will read :) ) that I'm creating this blog. While I can't gurantee that I will update everyday (though I do love e-mail and the like) , I will do my best to keep you guys posted on my life.
For now, all I know is that I'm heading to KC, MO in 10 days. I'll be there for 1 week, get to know the city, meet all my fellow KC TFA corps members, and try and find a place to live. From there I will head to Chicago for the next 6 weeks. Here I will be "training" which means I'll be teaching my own summer school class in an inner city school with 3 or so other corps members.
Hopefully I'll be teaching the same age/grade that I'll have in KC, but I still don't have my placement yet, I just know I'll be "Bilingual" placement! I'm dying to know what my class will be like but i still don't know!
So until i head to MO i'm just reading up on all teaching material i can to somehow get myself somewhat ready for this crazy/challenging/inspiring adventure that I'm about to partake in. Needless to say, i can't wait! I hope I can help close the achievement gap that is plagueing this country, but regardless I know I will work my hardest to make that happen.
Meanwhile, you get to read and watch me become a teacher... weird, and hear about all my journeys along the way!
However, I decided that since I have nothing better to do, and that some people might care to know what my experiences will be like in my future years in MO (I at least know my mom will read :) ) that I'm creating this blog. While I can't gurantee that I will update everyday (though I do love e-mail and the like) , I will do my best to keep you guys posted on my life.
For now, all I know is that I'm heading to KC, MO in 10 days. I'll be there for 1 week, get to know the city, meet all my fellow KC TFA corps members, and try and find a place to live. From there I will head to Chicago for the next 6 weeks. Here I will be "training" which means I'll be teaching my own summer school class in an inner city school with 3 or so other corps members.
Hopefully I'll be teaching the same age/grade that I'll have in KC, but I still don't have my placement yet, I just know I'll be "Bilingual" placement! I'm dying to know what my class will be like but i still don't know!
So until i head to MO i'm just reading up on all teaching material i can to somehow get myself somewhat ready for this crazy/challenging/inspiring adventure that I'm about to partake in. Needless to say, i can't wait! I hope I can help close the achievement gap that is plagueing this country, but regardless I know I will work my hardest to make that happen.
Meanwhile, you get to read and watch me become a teacher... weird, and hear about all my journeys along the way!
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