A thousand words...

A thousand words come to mind when I see these pictures (more on what those words are another day) but I started three years ago with among others, these 5 students. Yesterday, they made their dreams a reality when they graduated high school. Kind words, tears, gratitude, smiles and passion were shared between them, their families and myself and it just further RE-AFFIRMED that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing in life.

Who woulda thought teaching adults could be AS enriching as teaching our youth?

I had no idea but this year I was given the opportunity to teach a credentialing class to first year teachers and I am SO GLAD I did it. Not only did I learn a lot about teaching adults, but it continually pushed my own teaching practice and along the way, people re-affirmed my ability to inspire others. It also confirmed that down the road, I would love to work at a university as a professor.

In the card that I received, here are a few things that the participants wrote (it touched me in a BIG way):

• Thank you for everything. It has been a pleasure learning from you this past year. You inspired me to continually work hard to impact student achievement in a positive way.
• Thank you for all of the inspiration, guidance, and support. This year has been filled with many moments where your kindness and help have kept me focused, grounded and positive.
• Thank you so much for all your have done. While I have learned many things from you-the biggest one is what it means to teach from the heart. All of the heartfelt thoughtful things you did-things even as simple as an encouraging e-mail are so powerful and I am more conscious of what it means to teach from the heart and show my students I appreciate their work because of you.

I hope I continually get these opportunities. It pushes me as a person, a practitioner and a leader.

Teacher Appreciation Day...

Yesterday was Teacher Appreciation Day and I received two very sweet notes from students....want to commit them to memory so here they are:

I appreciate Ms. S because she has pushed me harder than anyone I know and she encourages me to do better at reading, math and chemistry. I would also like to thank her for everything she has done for me. The best, greatest and always a motivator Ms. S.....

Thank you Ms. S for being nice to me and to help me on everything that I need help in class and I'm so glad to have you this year too because you teach me new things about senior year and I promise to work more hard in class because I want to graduate this June. I am going to do it thanks to you. Love you Ms. S.

I will forever treasure these two notes.....lot of love

Summer bucket list

This summer I will be working to help coordinate a summer camp. I am excited as it will be brainless, but fun work with kids at a younger age....but I am also determined to make it a F.U.N summer-I need it. So, here it goes-a list of thing I have yet to do in the Bay Area but want to.....

Sail on the Bay

Go eat at Dopo in Oakland (best italian around!)

Shuck oysters on the coast

Hike Mt. Tamalpais

Eat at Chez Paniesse (Completed!!!!)

Make my own “summer” wreath

Hit up one of SF’s museum night events

Spend an entire day outside-cafes, lakes, hiking, pool, 

Take a weekend vacation for myself

Coppola Winery for the day and lounge by the pool

End of year # 3

Well, who would have thought it? I am nearing the end of year three and I have so many emotions, thoughts, disappointments and successes that come to mind. I have 5 kiddos graduating this year and I couldn't be more excited. These are all students I have worked with the majority of my time and I am so excited for them....

Things are changing at my school. This is our last year as we are merging back into 1 comprehensive high school. I think it offers a lot of positives, but I also can't say I am not sad. An era is ending-a community is closing down, a tight-knit family is disbanding....I know the comprehensive high school will be successful, but it is really hard to watch a school live its last days. Students, families, the community and teachers identify with the school and its values which will merge with two other small schools come Fall 2012. I have lived an experience that has been invaluable in developing myself as an educator. I am so thankful I ended up at the school that I did, with the students I did, the staff and the administrators. Each has been so integral in my development and life-long learning both as a person but also an educator. I am a million times better than I was the day I stepped onto campus. I finally found something I am passionate about and determined to contribute to. No matter what happens, I know that kids are leaving school better than they came---that is something I can be proud of. I know I could have done more, pushed harder, demanded more, cried less, dedicated more but I also know I held high expectations for the young people I serve and most met them. The ones they didn't-that is my failure and something I will learn from moving into my future.

I am grateful...I am humbled...I am determined...I am passionate...I have a fire lit in my soul that pushes me daily to continue in the work I am doing...three years and still moving forward, each and everyday.

What doe success look like....

Three years ago, I could not have imagined this today....

Students have been reading a book for the last three weeks and today they finished the book. I have been so proud of them as they have read individually, in pairs and as a class. Today it came full circle when there wasn't a single noise for 40 minutes...

They LOVE reading!

Losing a student....

Tomorrow is the last day for one of my students and not just any student but a young man who has really impacted my life. This is his 2nd year with me-he is bright, has a heart of gold, dedicated to his education, insightful, loving and extremely caring. Although he is just 5 foot, he holds his own socially and I have seen so much growth from him. He has never been disrespectful to me and showers the classroom with laughter and love.

His home life is not perfect, but he handles it with care and spends most of his hours on the school campus which allows him to "get away" from the struggles at home. He is moving on to live with his Dad in which I am excited for him, but worry about him getting 'lost' in another school.

Just thinking about not having him the classroom brings tears to my eyes. I know there are great teachers out there who will take really good care of his emotional, social and academic being but it is so hard for me. That young man hasn't ever had anyone tell him that they love him until me. He admitted to his therapist that I am the first teacher to deeply care about him and that he can't really believe it when he hears me tell him that I love him. He told her that I am the nicest teacher he has ever had and that even if he wanted to say something bad to me, he couldn't because I never get upset.

This young man lights up the room when he walks in, he makes me laugh, he teaches me things on a daily basis and reminds me to continually become a better person. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to teach him. He is the reason I teach in Oakland. He is the reason I wake up excited to go to work. He is the reason I want to become an even better teacher.

You will be missed deeply but you have taught me more than you will ever know. I can't wait to hear and see the great things you continue to do. Peace & love