"Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy."
- Wendell Berry
Monday, January 30, 2006
Sunday, January 29, 2006
I Like Teaching
At least I did this week. I am starting to get to the know the students, and they are getting to know me, which helps a lot. This week for American Literature, I dressed up as Jonathan Edwards and delivered "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." It was great fun! I got a call from the office (planned of course) and left the room, then proceeded to dress up in a black robe, collar, and white wig, and came back to the room spouting off about an unrepentant class I'd heard about. After the sermon and some questions, I left and changed and came back as Mrs. Perkins, acting very disappointed that I'd missed Edwards' appearance. :) The students really seemed to like it! One girl at church today told me that "everyone was talking about it". Bottom line, I feel really comfortable at Eastbrook and like I can be my weird self.
I have found grading to be very challenging, at least for the AP class. I am trying to prepare them for the AP test and be fair/consistent in my grading, which, of course, causes me a lot of stress. A parent at church this morning told me that her son told her that he wants to do well in AP because he wants to please me because I'm making the class challenging. I almost broke down and cried because it was so encouraging, and you just don't hear it from your students. After spending all day yesterday grading AP essays, I am thankful that God knows when I need to hear an encouraging word!
One more thing - I only had to kick one student out of class last week!
And of course, Dan is finally home. We went out on a date to Olive Garden Friday night, and we went running together Saturday morning. It is nice to have his presence around the house and in my life again. (And he's been cooking and doing the dishes - what more could a girl want?)
I am trying to focus on the positive, if you can't tell. Praise God for his faithfulness.
I have found grading to be very challenging, at least for the AP class. I am trying to prepare them for the AP test and be fair/consistent in my grading, which, of course, causes me a lot of stress. A parent at church this morning told me that her son told her that he wants to do well in AP because he wants to please me because I'm making the class challenging. I almost broke down and cried because it was so encouraging, and you just don't hear it from your students. After spending all day yesterday grading AP essays, I am thankful that God knows when I need to hear an encouraging word!
One more thing - I only had to kick one student out of class last week!
And of course, Dan is finally home. We went out on a date to Olive Garden Friday night, and we went running together Saturday morning. It is nice to have his presence around the house and in my life again. (And he's been cooking and doing the dishes - what more could a girl want?)
I am trying to focus on the positive, if you can't tell. Praise God for his faithfulness.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Visit for more pictures and a couple summary letters
Click below depending on your interest to learn more about my recent service learning trip to Guatemala.
Written updates
More Photos of Trip
Written updates
More Photos of Trip
Me and Rosemary my new girl
Click here to see more pictures o my latest trip to Guatemala http://www.flickr.com/photos/76587420@N00/
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Back from the subtropics
I am back in country. The trip to Guatemala urged me to move forward in so many ways:
1. Short term missions do have value!
2. Understanding the Global Body of Christ
3. Realizing the Complexity of Transformational Development
4. We got it good in the states, to good.
5. Appropriate Technology in context of Guatemala
6. Mayan cultural understanding
7. Great need to be a global citizen and an engaged citizen of the world
I got back late last night and plan on posting pictures soon and the like, but wanted to let people know that I was alive and well. I grew a nice mustache while there so look forward to that picture. Now I have to catch up on people's blogs and the like. I will write more stories later. God is good and faithful.
Dan P
The picture is of Margeretto and I in a cistern that our team constructed during our second week. 3m deep by 1 m wide all by hand! 1,500 gallons of pure storage!
1. Short term missions do have value!
2. Understanding the Global Body of Christ
3. Realizing the Complexity of Transformational Development
4. We got it good in the states, to good.
5. Appropriate Technology in context of Guatemala
6. Mayan cultural understanding
7. Great need to be a global citizen and an engaged citizen of the world
I got back late last night and plan on posting pictures soon and the like, but wanted to let people know that I was alive and well. I grew a nice mustache while there so look forward to that picture. Now I have to catch up on people's blogs and the like. I will write more stories later. God is good and faithful.
Dan P
The picture is of Margeretto and I in a cistern that our team constructed during our second week. 3m deep by 1 m wide all by hand! 1,500 gallons of pure storage!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
It May Be Awhile
till you hear from me again on the blog. I've been staying with a family that has Internet at their house, and I've been taking advantage of it. Tonight I return to my home, and Dan returns as well! Yippie!
I had to write four referrals today (2 for leaving class early and 2 for throwing mousepads/horseplay), and we had a "discussion" on racism today in seventh period. This occurred after one student said, "There was a bunch of Black kids at school today," and another student responded, "They're gonna get the crap kicked out of them," to which I responded, "That is not an appropriate comment for school!" to which my students responded my telling me how they called them "crackers" so someone at our school called them "the n-word" (they made a good choice in NOT saying that word in class). The Black students are from a different school. Apparently there was almost a fight today. Anyway our discussion revolved around what constitutes a racist comment and a racist attitude. My students says, "We're from a hick school!" as if that justifies a racist attitude. Frustrating.
I had to write four referrals today (2 for leaving class early and 2 for throwing mousepads/horseplay), and we had a "discussion" on racism today in seventh period. This occurred after one student said, "There was a bunch of Black kids at school today," and another student responded, "They're gonna get the crap kicked out of them," to which I responded, "That is not an appropriate comment for school!" to which my students responded my telling me how they called them "crackers" so someone at our school called them "the n-word" (they made a good choice in NOT saying that word in class). The Black students are from a different school. Apparently there was almost a fight today. Anyway our discussion revolved around what constitutes a racist comment and a racist attitude. My students says, "We're from a hick school!" as if that justifies a racist attitude. Frustrating.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Tired Monday
But I made it through. I did not sleep well last night, so I was a little yawny today. Also, my Advanced Composition students informed me that today is the most depressing day of the year. Apparently there are more suicides today than any other day. And guess what we were doing? Grammar. I gave them the little "fundamentals" speech, relating it to Hoosiers, and some of them got it. I'm going to show that clip later this week. :)
My language arts classes were a lot better today. One student (who's continuing the class from last semester) asked me if Mrs. Goble was coming back because she was so nice. I said, "No, I'm here all semester, so you probably want to pass this class as soon as possible." He said, "But I like this class. You're cool!" Unbelievable. I have handed out more referrals in that class than I thought possible. I met another teacher today who does ISTEP remediation, and she told me that she heard from her students that I was strict. She was very proud of me. :)
A fellow teacher brought me a card this morning saying she'd been praying for me all weekend, and she wrote some verses and part of hymn out for me. I felt so thankful I almost cried. God is faithful.
DAN COMES HOME IN ONE MORE SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My language arts classes were a lot better today. One student (who's continuing the class from last semester) asked me if Mrs. Goble was coming back because she was so nice. I said, "No, I'm here all semester, so you probably want to pass this class as soon as possible." He said, "But I like this class. You're cool!" Unbelievable. I have handed out more referrals in that class than I thought possible. I met another teacher today who does ISTEP remediation, and she told me that she heard from her students that I was strict. She was very proud of me. :)
A fellow teacher brought me a card this morning saying she'd been praying for me all weekend, and she wrote some verses and part of hymn out for me. I felt so thankful I almost cried. God is faithful.
DAN COMES HOME IN ONE MORE SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Working Saturday
Today I graded 21 imitation essays from AP English in which they imitated the style of chapter 1 in The Things They Carried. Some were really good, others not so much. I've been avoiding these essays since Monday, and when I finished them today, I had that same glorious feeling of finishing a massive college writing assignment. I then graded 13 in-class essays from Advanced Comp. on the most disgusting thing ever. Those were pretty funny, except for one which was more like a scene out of a horror movie. Then I spent time planning for my next unit in AP. I am definitely ready to be finished with school work for the rest of the weekend.
Dan is (according to his schedule) in Tikal this weekend, which I believe are Mayan ruins. He's been there before, but I'm sure he'll enjoy it the second time around. From his email earlier this week, he is ready to come home. I agree.
Dan is (according to his schedule) in Tikal this weekend, which I believe are Mayan ruins. He's been there before, but I'm sure he'll enjoy it the second time around. From his email earlier this week, he is ready to come home. I agree.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Almost the Weekend
I have never appreciated the end of the school week quite like I do these days. I am so tired by the end of the week! Teaching takes a lot out of you, but I'm really starting to enjoy it. One story:
Last week I had a student who was coming across as arrogant, in my opinion. So I emailed and talked to some people to get some ideas, and I ended up asking this student to talk with me on Monday. He was already finished with his reading and other work in the class, whereas most of the rest of the class was not. I asked him if he liked reading, and he said he didn't; he was in the class for college credit and to become a better writer. I told him he could take other work to class during worktime, or that he could read the book I'd brought him, The Life of Pi. He took the book.
The next day after class he gave me the book back, and I figured he had decided not to read it. Wrong. He not only read the book (in one night) but also wrote a three page paper exploring the ideas of postmodernism and religion in literature. We talked for a few minutes after class, and things have been much better. Two other students have asked for the book. The crazy thing is that I received the AP English catalog in my mailbox the next day, and guess what one of the books on the cover was??? That's right, The Life of Pi. I'm not trying to toot my own horn here, but if I only shared the hard stuff about teaching, Katy Dekens might go into a different profession. :)
Last week I had a student who was coming across as arrogant, in my opinion. So I emailed and talked to some people to get some ideas, and I ended up asking this student to talk with me on Monday. He was already finished with his reading and other work in the class, whereas most of the rest of the class was not. I asked him if he liked reading, and he said he didn't; he was in the class for college credit and to become a better writer. I told him he could take other work to class during worktime, or that he could read the book I'd brought him, The Life of Pi. He took the book.
The next day after class he gave me the book back, and I figured he had decided not to read it. Wrong. He not only read the book (in one night) but also wrote a three page paper exploring the ideas of postmodernism and religion in literature. We talked for a few minutes after class, and things have been much better. Two other students have asked for the book. The crazy thing is that I received the AP English catalog in my mailbox the next day, and guess what one of the books on the cover was??? That's right, The Life of Pi. I'm not trying to toot my own horn here, but if I only shared the hard stuff about teaching, Katy Dekens might go into a different profession. :)
Sunday, January 15, 2006
On Dan's Behalf
Dan called me yesterday! I came home from babysitting in the morning (I was gone for 2 hours), and there was a message from Dan. After realizing I had missed my chance to talk to Dan, I had a momentary breakdown which including weeping on the stairs, but I had only had 5 hours of sleep and some yogurt (and it was 1 pm), so I think there were some physiological factors involved as well. Anyway, Dan called back later in the evening, and we talked for 10 minutes, which was WONDERFUL!!!!!
He is doing well. They are in Antigua now, and they start building a cistern tomorrow. This past week they were in the mountains, and they drilled a well for a village that had been without a nearby water source since Hurricane Stan last October. The locals received them warmly and helped with some of the work. Please pray for Dan as he continues to try to be bold in using his Spanish and reaching out with the message of Christ.
After 9 more sleeps, Dan and I will be re-united! This Wednesday I move in with the Guebert family (from where I'm blogging right now), while Carolyn (the wife of Mike, who's leading the team) and her youngest son go to Guatemala. I will be with the three older kids: Alyssa, a senior; Emily, a freshman; and Davis, a seventh grader. They are very cool and mature and fun to be around. Sammy, unfortunately, will be on his own for the most of the week, but I'm going to try to play with him every day.
He is doing well. They are in Antigua now, and they start building a cistern tomorrow. This past week they were in the mountains, and they drilled a well for a village that had been without a nearby water source since Hurricane Stan last October. The locals received them warmly and helped with some of the work. Please pray for Dan as he continues to try to be bold in using his Spanish and reaching out with the message of Christ.
After 9 more sleeps, Dan and I will be re-united! This Wednesday I move in with the Guebert family (from where I'm blogging right now), while Carolyn (the wife of Mike, who's leading the team) and her youngest son go to Guatemala. I will be with the three older kids: Alyssa, a senior; Emily, a freshman; and Davis, a seventh grader. They are very cool and mature and fun to be around. Sammy, unfortunately, will be on his own for the most of the week, but I'm going to try to play with him every day.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Still Here
I apologize for the long gap in between posts, but I have never been so busy and emotionally drained in my life. Yes, I have made it through my first week of teaching and my 9th day of Dan's absence. As far as I know, Dan is safe and sound in Guatemala, drilling wells. As far as I know, I am safe and sound here in Upland, surviving teaching.
Here's a brief rundown of my classes:
1st period - Language Arts - 20 high schoolers retaking English, mostly boys. These kids sort of listen and they get work done. This is my third favorite class to teach.
2nd period - PREP!
3rd period - AP English - 21 intelligent, creative students, including a few who think quite highly of themselves. I'm encountering the "arrogant" student for the first time. We're reading The Things They Carried and other war/violence related stories.
4th period - Academic Am. Lit. - I really like this class. We're reading The Scarlet Letter. These kids are so well-behaved that they ask me before sharpening their pencils. This may sound normal to some of you, but it's not.
5th period - Workplace Communications - I team teach this with a business teacher. I don't have any planning for this class, but I do have some of the same students from Language Arts. That's okay. We've been playing getting to know you games.
6th period - Advanced Composition - I really like this class too. There's only 14 students, and we sit in a circle and discuss writing, and they write too, of course. They are starting on their first composition, describing a person/place. There's more too it, but this is definitely my favorite class to teach.
7th period - Language Arts - I'm in a classroom with 21 of the students whose names most frequently come up in the faculty lounge, and not for good reasons. Some problems I've encountered with these students this week (and for which they got kicked out) included a student kicking another "in the balls", a student calling another a "f*&*%r", a student beating up his computer, and other odds and ends. This class is still out-of-control, but I'm working on it.
Then I stay at school for a few more hours and plan and grade. It's great fun. And I get paid $55 a day until I get my Indiana license, at which point I get retropaid for the work I've done. What a mess.
So basically I'm learning to depend on God more than ever before in my life. Everyday I read the passage from 1 Cor. about love, and everyday I ask for the Holy Spirit to help me love and teach these kids. I also daily read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" to my students. Just kidding. They wouldn't get it anyway. Oops, that cynicism is kicking in! In all reality, I am doing okay and I have a great support system here in Upland, IN. I have been out with people or at their houses every night this week; in fact, I'm writing this from my friend's Eric and Loretta's apartment because I can't access my blog at school and we don't have Internet at home.
Okay, I'm finished.
Here's a brief rundown of my classes:
1st period - Language Arts - 20 high schoolers retaking English, mostly boys. These kids sort of listen and they get work done. This is my third favorite class to teach.
2nd period - PREP!
3rd period - AP English - 21 intelligent, creative students, including a few who think quite highly of themselves. I'm encountering the "arrogant" student for the first time. We're reading The Things They Carried and other war/violence related stories.
4th period - Academic Am. Lit. - I really like this class. We're reading The Scarlet Letter. These kids are so well-behaved that they ask me before sharpening their pencils. This may sound normal to some of you, but it's not.
5th period - Workplace Communications - I team teach this with a business teacher. I don't have any planning for this class, but I do have some of the same students from Language Arts. That's okay. We've been playing getting to know you games.
6th period - Advanced Composition - I really like this class too. There's only 14 students, and we sit in a circle and discuss writing, and they write too, of course. They are starting on their first composition, describing a person/place. There's more too it, but this is definitely my favorite class to teach.
7th period - Language Arts - I'm in a classroom with 21 of the students whose names most frequently come up in the faculty lounge, and not for good reasons. Some problems I've encountered with these students this week (and for which they got kicked out) included a student kicking another "in the balls", a student calling another a "f*&*%r", a student beating up his computer, and other odds and ends. This class is still out-of-control, but I'm working on it.
Then I stay at school for a few more hours and plan and grade. It's great fun. And I get paid $55 a day until I get my Indiana license, at which point I get retropaid for the work I've done. What a mess.
So basically I'm learning to depend on God more than ever before in my life. Everyday I read the passage from 1 Cor. about love, and everyday I ask for the Holy Spirit to help me love and teach these kids. I also daily read "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" to my students. Just kidding. They wouldn't get it anyway. Oops, that cynicism is kicking in! In all reality, I am doing okay and I have a great support system here in Upland, IN. I have been out with people or at their houses every night this week; in fact, I'm writing this from my friend's Eric and Loretta's apartment because I can't access my blog at school and we don't have Internet at home.
Okay, I'm finished.
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