For my teachers...

Got this in an email from my mom and I thought some of you would relate. I know I do...

How would you pronounce this child's name?:  Le-a

Leah?? NO

Lee - A??  NOPE

Lay - a??  NO

Lei?? Guess Again.

It's pronounced "Ledasha"  Oh yes...you read it right.

This child attends a school in Livingston Parish, LA. Her mother is irate because everyone is getting her name wrong.  SO, if you see something come across your desk like this please remember to pronounce it correctly.

When the mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name,
she said "the dash don't be silent."

I can only hope...

http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/k-12/2008/10/17/the-evolution-of-teach-for-america.html

Tonight my fellow TFA'ers and I went to the zoo for a cocktail hour with some of Kansas City's most prominent citizens.  The purpose of the event was to expose them to our cause and to put some faces with the headlines that have been promoting our arrival since early summer.  Some of the attendees included Carl Schramm from the Kauffman Foundation (a HUGE supporter of TFA in KC), Todd Epsten, CEO of Major Brands in St. Louis, Missouri State Senator Jeff Smith, and Maxine Clark, CEO of Build-A-Bear/national TFA board member/honorary doctoral degree recipient, Saint Louis University '08.  (For those of you that were at graduation, she was the little short lady that got her honorary degree with Jack Buck and the Drury couple). It was nice to get dressed up and talk to adults for a change :)

So one of my major challenges in teaching has been figuring out the right approach to classroom management.  At the risk of sounding self-sacrificial, I will tell you that my students are mostly from the ghetto.  Hell, my school is located in the ghetto.  And what my students know is a ghetto way of life.  They haven't been taught that problems can be solved with words and not violence.  The respect for authority figures that is instilled in many children by their parents is lacking. So basically, my job is not only to bring my students up to grade level--which for most of them involves a leap of about 1 1/2-2 years--but also to try and teach them the life skills that they must have to escape the cycle of violence, illegal activity, and poverty that plagues them every day of their lives.  And I know it does--it's amazing how honest and open 8 year-olds can be.

Not that it's all bad.  Some days are better than others...last week I had my first genuinely good, productive day.  That was a big step.  I have lots of stories to share, but right now it's late and I have tests to grade, so I'll have to post those later...

Traveling to St. Louis this weekend for the Show-Me Summit, a day of workshops geared toward the needs of TFA teachers in the KC and STL corps.  Staying with Morgan and Katie and I absolutely cannot wait!!

Oh yeah, and did you catch that TFA shout out on the debate??  Hell yes!

A few pics...

A few from the classroom...

                              

New at this...

Hey everybody! Sooo I never thought of myself as a blogger type of person, but I figured this is a good way to keep in touch with you all, seeing as my phone/text/social time is limited these days. I'll try to update this frequently so keep checking back for more adventures in life, teaching, etc... 

My dad sent me this prayer today. It really spoke to me and seems fitting for where I am in my life right now, so I thought I'd share it as part of my first blog...you know, kick things off right:

May today there be peace within. 
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. 
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. 
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.  

May you be content knowing you are a child of God. 
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, 
dance, praise and love. 
It is there for each and every one of us.

-Prayer of St. Theresa

Time for bed...