Teaching Second Grade reminds me a bizarre amount of initiating New Members into the sorority. Sometimes I tune into the things I'm saying in front of the class and think... this is pledge.
Now before you call Child Protection Services on me for this confession, let me explain. This realization may surface a positive perspective on the pledge process...
Both in the classroom and on the college campus, strong modeling and positive reinforcement work best. Being kind and creating a safe atmosphere motivate learning. Bullying and intimidation shouldn't be attached to the pledge process just as they should never be allowed in the classroom. They have no place in a learning setting.
Both in New Member Education and in Second Grade, the Active Member and the teacher...
- look pissed if they're not smiling
- fluctuate their voice
- exaggerate emotions
- tell the students what to do
- ask for the reasons behind actions and responses
- emphasize respect
- teach the class as a whole, a unified group
- encourage students to work out their problems among themselves
- want to squish the students in a bear hug
- can't stay mad
- have favorites
- treat the students equally
- know there's a lesson in everything
- want them to do well
- make mistakes
- get carried away
- have a lot of responsibility
- stress effort and attitude
- know that respect goes both ways
- know that respect is earned
- know that trust can be broken
- have to care in order for the students to care
- have to stick to what they say
- want to be friends with the students
- have to establish distance
- burst bubbles
- feel like moms
- can't wait for the end
- miss it once it's over
Though pledge, new member education, initiation, or whatever you want to call it has a negative reputation, it's really just like elementary school all over again. Going through it, or being that student, you have little independence, you hang onto your teacher's every word, and you have to trust. You work with your classmates and learn to love even the weird ones. You learn your own weirdness. You work for your teacher's approval, you find your role in the class, and looking back, you realize that memorizing facts was never the point.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Parent-Teacher Conferences
The third quarter came to a close on the first Friday of April, followed by parent-student conferences the week after. Even the experienced teachers were dreading them. Don't worry, they said, we all hate them. Well, that's exactly why I'm worried, I said back.
Surprisingly, the conferences actually turned out well! It was exhausting but really nice to meet the parents. Seeing where my students come from brings me better understanding of their personalities.
I was dreading the conferences mostly because all except one of my students' families speak Spanish. Sure, I understand pretty fluently and can say everything I want to in Spanish, but the cordiality conventions are a different story-- especially when it comes to such a sensitive subject. How can I, a new teacher who barely knows the correct education vocabulary in English, voice my concerns about Johnny's inability to read without offending his parents? That's what was going through my head, but everything was fine. I came prepared with notes of strengths and weaknesses, student work, and a little story about each student complimented by a cute picture of him or her in class. Luckily, I only have 10 students, they're all great, and their parents are too.
The best part of the conferences was actually the thing I was worried about. The principal Naty (a parent of one of my students herself) sat at my table with me as a translator, which was a big help for the gentle phrasing of concerns and reassuring voice intonation, but it also gave me confidence. Her sitting there gave me more authority. My boss was backing me up and I saw myself as a real teacher because the parents did. They held onto every little word and it was pretty mind-blowing-- really opened my eyes to how much parents trust teachers to be responsible for their children's cognitive, emotional, and social growth. I can't get over what a great experience this job is!
Also, it showed me that my Spanish is more advanced than I sometimes think. Because I'm shy or nervous, I sometimes freeze up, but I understood perfectly everything Naty and the parents said. And every time they asked me a question I could answer directly. A long day, but it came and went and I'm better because of it.
Surprisingly, the conferences actually turned out well! It was exhausting but really nice to meet the parents. Seeing where my students come from brings me better understanding of their personalities.
I was dreading the conferences mostly because all except one of my students' families speak Spanish. Sure, I understand pretty fluently and can say everything I want to in Spanish, but the cordiality conventions are a different story-- especially when it comes to such a sensitive subject. How can I, a new teacher who barely knows the correct education vocabulary in English, voice my concerns about Johnny's inability to read without offending his parents? That's what was going through my head, but everything was fine. I came prepared with notes of strengths and weaknesses, student work, and a little story about each student complimented by a cute picture of him or her in class. Luckily, I only have 10 students, they're all great, and their parents are too.
We had fun together!
The best part of the conferences was actually the thing I was worried about. The principal Naty (a parent of one of my students herself) sat at my table with me as a translator, which was a big help for the gentle phrasing of concerns and reassuring voice intonation, but it also gave me confidence. Her sitting there gave me more authority. My boss was backing me up and I saw myself as a real teacher because the parents did. They held onto every little word and it was pretty mind-blowing-- really opened my eyes to how much parents trust teachers to be responsible for their children's cognitive, emotional, and social growth. I can't get over what a great experience this job is!
Also, it showed me that my Spanish is more advanced than I sometimes think. Because I'm shy or nervous, I sometimes freeze up, but I understood perfectly everything Naty and the parents said. And every time they asked me a question I could answer directly. A long day, but it came and went and I'm better because of it.
My first quarter: finished!
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
"Love is all you need" sermon highlights
Today I felt home-church-sick. I got back to my house too late to make it to church this morning, so I opted to look up my home church's website (Christchurch Evangelical Covenant) where I listened to one of Pastor Mark Pearson's sermons. Here's some notes I quoted while listening...
"There's nothing wrong with being thirsty-- you just gotta know what you're thirsty for. And at your deepest, most basic, most human, most precious level, you are thirsty for me, Jesus says. The Author of the universe, your Creator, your Savior, your Lord...
An idol is any good thing set up as an ultimate thing...
Jesus' kind of love IS all you need and it makes any lesser kind of love a potential blessing."
Pastor Mark not only makes brilliant points in every sermon, but he teaches them in such a sincere, down-to-earth, and level-headed way. He often acknowledges that feelings are misleading and thus doesn't toy with the congregation's emotions. He doesn't rile us up like a manic street preacher; he doesn't guilt-trip, yell, cry, or shake. He simply discusses and teaches, treating the people in the congregation as intellectual equals. I really appreciate his preaching style because I think it's rare. It also reminds me of the way Jesus himself taught his disciples: a calm, faith-driven, prayer-centered understanding of God's person and ultimate will.
So often, Christians get caught up in the atmosphere of church-- the music, the brand of coffee, the devotionals, the closed eyes and raised hands. Sure, all of those special features can promote church fellowship by making members feel comfortable and invigorated... but what happens when the feelings fade? How about when you're having a bad day? Or maybe just a bad attitude? For me there's nothing lonelier than being surrounded by passionate Christians either shouting praise songs and jumping for joy or wailing prayers out loud, tears streaming down their faces when I'm not feeling it. But that's the thing my home church has stressed: feelings don't save. When we feel far from God, nothing has changed. He's still the same-- in control and bigger than mood swings. Lovelier and much more powerful than a well-sung worship song.
So that's one reason I miss the tiny church I grew up in, and this sermon specifically helped remind me to stay rooted. I've been craving lately. Sometimes I sit in front of the fridge and just stare at what's there. I know it's just a physical manifestation of cultural adjustment. I feel like I need more of everything, though I know I've got more than plenty. Living abroad is awesome but it can get pretty lonely. And when I'm feeling homesick, it would be a quick cure to go off in search of human contact, romantic love, human fulfillment. As a foreigner with blonde hair in South America, it would be very easy to find, seeing as Latin Lovers are the continent's most abundant resource. It could be as simple as agreeing to go out on a coffee date, messaging new acquaintances on Facebook messenger, lo que sea. But that kind of attention doesn't satisfy for long. In the end, the wasted energy of depending on others for my emotional fix just brings more frustration. Feelings fade; only God fills and I know patience will pay off...
"There's nothing wrong with being thirsty-- you just gotta know what you're thirsty for. And at your deepest, most basic, most human, most precious level, you are thirsty for me, Jesus says. The Author of the universe, your Creator, your Savior, your Lord...
An idol is any good thing set up as an ultimate thing...
Jesus' kind of love IS all you need and it makes any lesser kind of love a potential blessing."
Pastor Mark not only makes brilliant points in every sermon, but he teaches them in such a sincere, down-to-earth, and level-headed way. He often acknowledges that feelings are misleading and thus doesn't toy with the congregation's emotions. He doesn't rile us up like a manic street preacher; he doesn't guilt-trip, yell, cry, or shake. He simply discusses and teaches, treating the people in the congregation as intellectual equals. I really appreciate his preaching style because I think it's rare. It also reminds me of the way Jesus himself taught his disciples: a calm, faith-driven, prayer-centered understanding of God's person and ultimate will.
So often, Christians get caught up in the atmosphere of church-- the music, the brand of coffee, the devotionals, the closed eyes and raised hands. Sure, all of those special features can promote church fellowship by making members feel comfortable and invigorated... but what happens when the feelings fade? How about when you're having a bad day? Or maybe just a bad attitude? For me there's nothing lonelier than being surrounded by passionate Christians either shouting praise songs and jumping for joy or wailing prayers out loud, tears streaming down their faces when I'm not feeling it. But that's the thing my home church has stressed: feelings don't save. When we feel far from God, nothing has changed. He's still the same-- in control and bigger than mood swings. Lovelier and much more powerful than a well-sung worship song.
So that's one reason I miss the tiny church I grew up in, and this sermon specifically helped remind me to stay rooted. I've been craving lately. Sometimes I sit in front of the fridge and just stare at what's there. I know it's just a physical manifestation of cultural adjustment. I feel like I need more of everything, though I know I've got more than plenty. Living abroad is awesome but it can get pretty lonely. And when I'm feeling homesick, it would be a quick cure to go off in search of human contact, romantic love, human fulfillment. As a foreigner with blonde hair in South America, it would be very easy to find, seeing as Latin Lovers are the continent's most abundant resource. It could be as simple as agreeing to go out on a coffee date, messaging new acquaintances on Facebook messenger, lo que sea. But that kind of attention doesn't satisfy for long. In the end, the wasted energy of depending on others for my emotional fix just brings more frustration. Feelings fade; only God fills and I know patience will pay off...
Made it into Capital last night...
Night bus drive-by...
Friday, March 28, 2014
A church of gold (Mar del Plata, Day 2)
"desnuda eres enorme y amarilla
como el verano en una iglesia de oro."
- Pablo Neruda, "Mañana xxvii"
Katy convinced me to wake up in time for the Atlantic Ocean sunrise. She woke me up, I slipped on my flip flops, and grabbed my camera.
Aside from the ocean swims, this was my favorite moment of the whole trip. We watched the world wake, one shade of color at a time. This post is mostly sunrise photos. I've included all of my photos (no editing, no fancy camera) so you can experience it too!
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These are the workout machines I named "all-age playgrounds"
After some yoga on the bridge and a short nap back at the hostel, we headed on the bus south down the coast to a BEAUTIFUL private beach. We don't have photos from the swimming, but this was one of my favorite ocean experiences outside of Maine. It was exhilarating and I just about died of laughter and happiness.
After a long day of sun, we decided to recharge. Official partner-binge sesh! Check out the array we had... milk, dulce de leche icecream, frosted flakes, gouda block cheese, and tomato sauce. What a mix...
Later that night, at the hostel we had an Asado! We all pitched in with money and helped in our own way, big family style, to make the food.
After the food was devoured and the dishes washed, a group of us headed out to go dancing for the night!
We stayed out till about 4:30 in the morning. I even got one more night swim in! Then it was just a half hour of rest before time to head back to Buenos Aires...
All in all, the perfect vacation of sun, sand, and new friends!
Please leave a comment with your favorite photo!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Ojos Oceánicos (Mar del Plata, Day 1)
There's no way to cover everything from Mar del Plata. Instead, I'll give brief descriptions of the pictures I managed to take...
Katy's new swimsuit, standing in the doorway to our dormitory in Puerto Nomade Hostel-- my favorite hostel experience yet! Owned by a mother and run by her family, it really makes you feel at home. In addition, her attention to detail and creativity was just enough to give that special vacation touch.
First thing on our to do list: go to the beach! Since it was afternoon, we headed to the closest one: a crowded, energetic little cove about 2 blocks walk from the hostel. After warming on our towels (loaned out by the hostel), I headed to the water. The waves were almost too much for me! I love waves, but there was a moment-- brain jostled, sand under my fingernails from gripping the ocean floor, seaweed wrapped around my neck-- where I decided they were too strong and I needed to come back to shallow water.
This dog is not a pet on vacation. There are whole packs of beach dogs: strays who love to play... down by the boardwalk, down by the seaaaa.
City in back, beach in front. Hot sun, cool wind.
From the hill you can see the crowds. People have started to head home... for the day, and also for the season.
My pretty friend Katy tomando un poco de sol. This is before she lost her earring.
Love the summer colors all around.
There's many picturesque pit stops on the walk towards the bridge.
The lookout: changing tents line the coast in the background. Good thing they've got tops on the tents!
Me and my girl!
After making dinner together, Katy and I put on our social shoes. It was pretty easy with other hostel mates like these. There was a perfect conglomeration of people from different areas, all with a great vibe. Here we're reviewing the rules for an Argentine card came called Truco.
Chicago, Portland, Buenos Aires, Quito, and Mendoza represent!
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