Day 4: More successes w PA

Each day has been consecutively better than the last. On Wednesday we did some ice-breakers. On Thursday J observed me and had very little to say. I guess is was shock? She always seems to think I'm too "nice," but the iron fist won't work for this group, nor will it for me as it's not my style. I am curious though, because she went back to see their behavior w/ Mr B--it's as if she doubts my classroom management style, either because
a) it's not perfectionist enough (i don't believe it's worth the strain nor even possible to have students working quietly/silently)
b) she hasn't really had to deal w/ these kinds of students so it's a whole different meaning of the word project management.

She did suggest having them read Camus, which would be great, but not this term! I think this term is all about breaking down barriers and building trust, and taking advantage of the election to get them to read.

So the exciting part of today is that the project advance kids came up with a great idea today--to write a book together about "212." (They have so quickly taken a group identity to the room, including finger signs for it.) I'm hoping to have them include all sorts of personal writings, have readings w/ VIPs invited, and bind it / copy it at kinkos. Fun stuff.

Also, I think it helped that I read my two books to them--the one I wrote for my mom and the one I wrote for Beck--was a huge success. We had a discussion about what is the right age to have kids (most said mid 20s, whew), and how many they'd like to have.

Ah, the first week is over!!

Terra

Day one

I am no longer afraid of freshmen. My classes are cute!

Project Advance, however, is another story. I had no control there today, though I didn't take it personally.

And this is an up comment from Emma:

Also, I think you have a bunch of my English Skills kids in your Humanities class because I asked them who they had. When the first of them told me "Ms. Lynch," I said, "you're lucky, she's a great teacher" and he said, "that's what everyone has told me today." Just thought you might appreciate knowing!

The Bad

Taking work home
Fixation on school and school work
Worry about kids
Tendency to lose priorities
Time away from family
Pay

The Good

Mr. Coleman
Project Advance
Smart, motivated new teachers
Smart, energized veteran teachers
Improved Mr. Miller
Four Committees (Curriculum Policy, Advisory, Project Advance, Discipline)
Previous years' experience

August Mood

I haven't been stressed out since two weeks ago when I came back from a run and was miserable because school was coming up and Aric said, "So quit." And that gave me the perspective I needed. There are so many positives this year, I can't quit (and if I want to, I can quit at the end of the year, so I have a release valve.)

I am EXCITED and energized and hopeful about the school year! Our two days of PD were upbeat, the news teachers seem together and some even have experience! Mr Coleman is going to make HUGE changes, and it was so great to see the staff respond to him so postively. The ninth grade team really rocks--so organized, collaborative, open, and proactive that it's actually sorta scary. And Project Advance, though it's going to be hard, is also so exciting to me for the potential--to move kids ahead, to personalize lessons, to work with a great set of teachers--just gets me revved up. I think I can do work there that will help me with my NSRF certification, and really, it's the perfect set up for a book on Education. Here we are in the middle of NYC projects, working with kids who have not been able to get ahead in 2-3 years, and we might might might make a difference. I feel like it's so hard to make a difference, but when we're starting with such a low set of skills, it might actually be easier in a way.

Reeves Article

High Performance in High Poverty Schools

Article on Effect of Charter Schools in NYC

http://www.nber.org/~schools/charterschoolseval/