It is really incredible to realize how much I can actually miss my sweet angels. They did more for me than they will ever know. My students saved me. I will say it again and again.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Sweet Souls
It is really incredible to realize how much I can actually miss my sweet angels. They did more for me than they will ever know. My students saved me. I will say it again and again.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Closing Night
It seems surreal that this entire semester has come to a close. And not only that, but my entire college career - my life up to this point, it has all led up to this day, and what is past is past. Isn't that bizarre?
I'd like to call this Closing Night. Every show must begin, and every show must come to an end, because what is forever is not what is treasured. Rather, those things that are but fleeting - those are what make us who we are. These moments that impact our lives in an earth-shifting sort of way, that change the shape of our eyes, change the movement of the air through our lungs, those are the moments that matter.
And we, indeed, are the lucky ones.
I have a hard time finding the words to say to summarize this experience. Today was a beautiful day. From the first tear-filled "hello" to the last tear-filled "good-bye," I will never run short on my list of "Reasons To Be Thankful."
I've been thinking for a while about what to leave you with in this blog - I began to type some quotes from the letters I received, but ended up feeling that they were too personal, too sweet, too close to home. The things these sweet hearts said, that the took the time to think through and write down, and ultimately to give - to me - it just fills and breaks my heart. We must remember that everyone has a story - their own story, a unique story, filled with heartbreak and joy, with struggles and victories. And every story - every story - is a love story. And if it's not, then it's just not yet. My story - our stories - this story - is most certainly a love story, and I never knew I could love so much. I never knew time could pass so quickly.
And so, where to go from here?
Every story is a love story.
Measure your life in love.
I'd like to call this Closing Night. Every show must begin, and every show must come to an end, because what is forever is not what is treasured. Rather, those things that are but fleeting - those are what make us who we are. These moments that impact our lives in an earth-shifting sort of way, that change the shape of our eyes, change the movement of the air through our lungs, those are the moments that matter.
And we, indeed, are the lucky ones.
I have a hard time finding the words to say to summarize this experience. Today was a beautiful day. From the first tear-filled "hello" to the last tear-filled "good-bye," I will never run short on my list of "Reasons To Be Thankful."
I've been thinking for a while about what to leave you with in this blog - I began to type some quotes from the letters I received, but ended up feeling that they were too personal, too sweet, too close to home. The things these sweet hearts said, that the took the time to think through and write down, and ultimately to give - to me - it just fills and breaks my heart. We must remember that everyone has a story - their own story, a unique story, filled with heartbreak and joy, with struggles and victories. And every story - every story - is a love story. And if it's not, then it's just not yet. My story - our stories - this story - is most certainly a love story, and I never knew I could love so much. I never knew time could pass so quickly.
And so, where to go from here?
Every story is a love story.
Measure your life in love.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Today was a great day.
In the words of my bearded friend, "This is your day for astronomical odd-beating."
Let me tell you more.
This morning my co-op teacher was late. Well, while I was waiting in the auditorium, the power went out. In the whole school. And everyone went crazy - in a really fun way! So my morning started with a whole lotta playing and a whole lotta joy.
The power stayed out through first period, when I was being observed by my university supervisor (ha!) so we moved into the courtyard, where the students took a quiz and performed the first round of monologues - and I was very happy with the way they turned out! 6/29 down!
We were told to stay in first period until further notice, due to the electricity issue, but the lights came back on toward the end of first period. After that, I had my conference with my supervisor, received the last document I need to submit all of my work for the semester, and then before he left, he offered to help me get in contact with a friend who lives in my future city (to be disclosed at a later date! Stay tuned!) So this is encouraging!
In technical theatre class, I learned about a program called Show Ready, which allows you to play the accompaniment track for all of the music from a show, and you can even select which layers you want to hear - so, for example, you could play just your melody line, practice, then your melody with the piano, then add the alto line, etc. You could also play all of the parts except for your own (even if you are in the chorus!!) and practice your notes - this is everything that I have needed for all of my life!!!! I am so thrilled!!!!
In tech, I also started playing this silly game with one of my students - you have to make eye contact with someone, count to three, and spontaneously say the same word at the same time. I have played this game for a while, and obviously the chances of saying the same word with no prior information are extremely slim. And when I say extremely, I mean astronomically.
In Theatre II, we were missing two students, so I got to join in one of the Shakespeare sword fighting insult scenes, which was awesome!! And the power went off again. And everyone went crazy, and started shouting and running around, and spooning on the floor (what?) It was hilarious.
THEN
RIGHT AT THE END OF THE DAY
I tried to play the 1-2-3 game with the same student from tech, and we decided to narrow down the options by category so that we could possibly train ourselves to have the same brain. Well, it still didn't work -
UNTIL!
Another student came up to ask what we were doing. I said "On the count of three, say the same word as me. 1-2-3-SALTINE!"
WE BOTH SAID SALTINE. This has never happened - IN. MY. LIFE.
Addendum: Earlier, this same student and I made the same joke at the same time, and discovered we both love Fig Newtons!
This was a magical day. The odds - ASTRONOMICAL - and yet, it gets better.
On the way home, I decided to stop at the store to pick up a few things, so I moved to the right lane on the highway, where I passed a car that was pulled over on the side - I know, you are supposed to leave a lane between your car and the edge when that happens, but I had to exit. But then, I passed not one, not two, not three, but FOUR MORE CARS ON THE SIDE. All unrelated, all within the 2 1/4 miles between when I moved into the right lane and when I exited the highway! WHAT!
Then, I decided that naturally, I had to buy a lottery ticket. Unfortunately, I did not realize that tonight is the drawing, so I bought a scratch off ticket with my last two dollars - I did not know at the time that the actual lottery ticket costs $2, or I would have bought that, and I think I would have won. However, under astronomically unlikely circumstances, I missed this information, bought a scratch off ticket, and LOST! On my lucky day! What are the odds!
Then, thinking it couldn't get any more unlikely, I got home to find that a Christmas card I sent out had been chewed up in the mail and returned! How often does that happen? So I wrote a note about it, put it in a new envelope, and resent it. About that time, my mother returned home and said "I have something for you"....
AND IT WAS THIS DOUGHNUT. From Krispy Kreme, of all places!
THIS WAS A GREAT DAY OF ASTRONOMICALLY ODD-DEFYING EVENTS.
I am in awe.
And delighted.
And still just mind-blown about the saltines.
Let me tell you more.
This morning my co-op teacher was late. Well, while I was waiting in the auditorium, the power went out. In the whole school. And everyone went crazy - in a really fun way! So my morning started with a whole lotta playing and a whole lotta joy.
The power stayed out through first period, when I was being observed by my university supervisor (ha!) so we moved into the courtyard, where the students took a quiz and performed the first round of monologues - and I was very happy with the way they turned out! 6/29 down!
We were told to stay in first period until further notice, due to the electricity issue, but the lights came back on toward the end of first period. After that, I had my conference with my supervisor, received the last document I need to submit all of my work for the semester, and then before he left, he offered to help me get in contact with a friend who lives in my future city (to be disclosed at a later date! Stay tuned!) So this is encouraging!
In technical theatre class, I learned about a program called Show Ready, which allows you to play the accompaniment track for all of the music from a show, and you can even select which layers you want to hear - so, for example, you could play just your melody line, practice, then your melody with the piano, then add the alto line, etc. You could also play all of the parts except for your own (even if you are in the chorus!!) and practice your notes - this is everything that I have needed for all of my life!!!! I am so thrilled!!!!
In tech, I also started playing this silly game with one of my students - you have to make eye contact with someone, count to three, and spontaneously say the same word at the same time. I have played this game for a while, and obviously the chances of saying the same word with no prior information are extremely slim. And when I say extremely, I mean astronomically.
In Theatre II, we were missing two students, so I got to join in one of the Shakespeare sword fighting insult scenes, which was awesome!! And the power went off again. And everyone went crazy, and started shouting and running around, and spooning on the floor (what?) It was hilarious.
THEN
RIGHT AT THE END OF THE DAY
I tried to play the 1-2-3 game with the same student from tech, and we decided to narrow down the options by category so that we could possibly train ourselves to have the same brain. Well, it still didn't work -
UNTIL!
Another student came up to ask what we were doing. I said "On the count of three, say the same word as me. 1-2-3-SALTINE!"
WE BOTH SAID SALTINE. This has never happened - IN. MY. LIFE.
Addendum: Earlier, this same student and I made the same joke at the same time, and discovered we both love Fig Newtons!
This was a magical day. The odds - ASTRONOMICAL - and yet, it gets better.
On the way home, I decided to stop at the store to pick up a few things, so I moved to the right lane on the highway, where I passed a car that was pulled over on the side - I know, you are supposed to leave a lane between your car and the edge when that happens, but I had to exit. But then, I passed not one, not two, not three, but FOUR MORE CARS ON THE SIDE. All unrelated, all within the 2 1/4 miles between when I moved into the right lane and when I exited the highway! WHAT!
Then, I decided that naturally, I had to buy a lottery ticket. Unfortunately, I did not realize that tonight is the drawing, so I bought a scratch off ticket with my last two dollars - I did not know at the time that the actual lottery ticket costs $2, or I would have bought that, and I think I would have won. However, under astronomically unlikely circumstances, I missed this information, bought a scratch off ticket, and LOST! On my lucky day! What are the odds!
Then, thinking it couldn't get any more unlikely, I got home to find that a Christmas card I sent out had been chewed up in the mail and returned! How often does that happen? So I wrote a note about it, put it in a new envelope, and resent it. About that time, my mother returned home and said "I have something for you"....
AND IT WAS THIS DOUGHNUT. From Krispy Kreme, of all places!
THIS WAS A GREAT DAY OF ASTRONOMICALLY ODD-DEFYING EVENTS.
I am in awe.
And delighted.
And still just mind-blown about the saltines.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Idleness is my enemy
Praxis Updates: So far I'm 2 for 2 - passed the PLT 7-12 exam!! The last test is a week from Thursday. Here we goooo!
Additionally, it has come to my attention that I only have six days remaining in the classroom, and I am both confused and horrified at this realization. I am also unsure of how to approach this situation. We are transitioning back to my co-op teacher leading all lessons, and that's really weird, because I just sit back and watch (or participate, more often), but the transition seemed to happen really fast for me, and I wonder if it happened so fast for the students? But I guess it is better than suddenly leaving next week with no further explanation... although I might actually like that better, because I can stay busy right up until the end, the way I like to be. I think idleness is my enemy. (Hence the title of this post - I just made that discovery, right now, as I was writing this. That's pretty amazing.)
So my mind has been rather scattered in recent days, as I think you can see. My emotions are registering high on the Richter scale, and I'm not sure how to cope. Except to keep on living, and laughing, and loving.
I think it is really important to surround yourself with your blessings - do not allow yourself to forget the ways you are warm. And measure your life in love. Always, always, measure in love. In that way, I am very rich.
It is nearly unbelievable to think of how quickly this semester flew by. It feels like just yesterday, or at least last week, that I was jump starting my car on the first teacher workday, back on August 19th. Can you imagine! And to think of how much has happened between then and now...?
It seems that I have nothing cohesive to say, except for this:
I am blessed. Incredibly.
How can you sleep at a time like this unless the dreamer is the real you?
"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands."
Additionally, it has come to my attention that I only have six days remaining in the classroom, and I am both confused and horrified at this realization. I am also unsure of how to approach this situation. We are transitioning back to my co-op teacher leading all lessons, and that's really weird, because I just sit back and watch (or participate, more often), but the transition seemed to happen really fast for me, and I wonder if it happened so fast for the students? But I guess it is better than suddenly leaving next week with no further explanation... although I might actually like that better, because I can stay busy right up until the end, the way I like to be. I think idleness is my enemy. (Hence the title of this post - I just made that discovery, right now, as I was writing this. That's pretty amazing.)
So my mind has been rather scattered in recent days, as I think you can see. My emotions are registering high on the Richter scale, and I'm not sure how to cope. Except to keep on living, and laughing, and loving.
I think it is really important to surround yourself with your blessings - do not allow yourself to forget the ways you are warm. And measure your life in love. Always, always, measure in love. In that way, I am very rich.
It is nearly unbelievable to think of how quickly this semester flew by. It feels like just yesterday, or at least last week, that I was jump starting my car on the first teacher workday, back on August 19th. Can you imagine! And to think of how much has happened between then and now...?
It seems that I have nothing cohesive to say, except for this:
I am blessed. Incredibly.
How can you sleep at a time like this unless the dreamer is the real you?
"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands."
Saturday, November 30, 2013
I'M GONNA PASS COLLEGE (8 days left)
I've submitted all of my assignments (aside from the ever-confusing tk-20 student teaching binder), and received an "outstanding" or "satisfactory" on all of them, and so, if all goes as planned, I will pass student teaching! And graduate! YEAH!
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Job applications on job applications on job applications
If anyone knows of openings or possible employment opportunities beginning in January, please let me know!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Update on a sweet child.
Do you remember my sweet girl that I told you about, whose brother passed away recently? She was the one playing in the wheel chair? Well, on that day I felt as though I may have missed an opportunity to reach out to her, and I was worried that the chance may not come again - BUT! Hallelujah, today is the day of the open door!!
My Theatre II class is currently finishing a Musical Theatre unit in which they are required to sing 16-32 bars of a musical theatre song (preparation for auditions, should they ever be asked to sing... could I possibly say "Musical Theatre" one more time in this sentence?) Practical, certainly. The students were allowed to choose any musical theatre song that they like, pending approval from me. This student, I remember, actually on the day when she was rolling around in the wheelchair, had a particularly difficult time choosing a song, but on that day I encouraged her to choose any song that she loved, and was passionate about, and I was sure that it would become the right choice.
I believe I told you, too, that she had previously asked me if it was okay to sing the song to someone who is dead. So, I had a feeling that this was coming, but I seemed to have forgotten all about it - but yesterday, the students had to perform the lyrics to their song as a monologue, to demonstrate acting choices that they will then transfer to their song on Friday. And let me tell you - hers was moving. I mean, really. I had read the lyrics to her song prior, but to hear her speak the words - with such truth, such honesty, such vulnerability - beautiful.
Then, today I was looking through her paperwork as I was grading the assignments, and she had written me a note - "Please don't think I'm crazy for singing to someone who is dead - I'm not crazy." No, sweet heart. You're not.
In reading her analysis, she confessed so many thoughts and struggles, and to tell the truth, it was more of a journal than a homework assignment - and I am so, so grateful. I was not sure how to approach her about it, but I did tell her that she's not crazy - because she is not. And I wrote on her assignment that her brother is a perfect scene partner for this song. Because he is.
After school today, I was helping another student figure out timing for her song, and I asked the few who were left waiting for their parents if they wanted to sing through their songs for me as well. This student said yes immediately, and performed a beautiful, beautiful, rendition of Patterns from Closer Than Ever. I have never heard the recording from the musical, but honestly I could not imagine anyone else singing it now. The maturity and love that came pouring out of that 15-year-old girl was just heartbreaking... and inspiring. "Filling" may be the only truly suitable word for how I feel.
On Friday (or perhaps Monday) she will be performing for the rest of the class - and I can't wait to thank her for her heart. To tell her that it is so beautiful and powerful to use her story and her love for her brother to make music - to make art. And that, my friends, is what this is all about. That is why we are here. That is why the arts are important - because they are a way for us to fill in the gaps in our souls, to fill them up with music and life, and to pour it out onto others.
The arts are important, because they allow us to live. And they allow us to sing - no matter what comes, we can still sing.
And sing, we will, sweet child. Sing, we will.
My Theatre II class is currently finishing a Musical Theatre unit in which they are required to sing 16-32 bars of a musical theatre song (preparation for auditions, should they ever be asked to sing... could I possibly say "Musical Theatre" one more time in this sentence?) Practical, certainly. The students were allowed to choose any musical theatre song that they like, pending approval from me. This student, I remember, actually on the day when she was rolling around in the wheelchair, had a particularly difficult time choosing a song, but on that day I encouraged her to choose any song that she loved, and was passionate about, and I was sure that it would become the right choice.
I believe I told you, too, that she had previously asked me if it was okay to sing the song to someone who is dead. So, I had a feeling that this was coming, but I seemed to have forgotten all about it - but yesterday, the students had to perform the lyrics to their song as a monologue, to demonstrate acting choices that they will then transfer to their song on Friday. And let me tell you - hers was moving. I mean, really. I had read the lyrics to her song prior, but to hear her speak the words - with such truth, such honesty, such vulnerability - beautiful.
Then, today I was looking through her paperwork as I was grading the assignments, and she had written me a note - "Please don't think I'm crazy for singing to someone who is dead - I'm not crazy." No, sweet heart. You're not.
In reading her analysis, she confessed so many thoughts and struggles, and to tell the truth, it was more of a journal than a homework assignment - and I am so, so grateful. I was not sure how to approach her about it, but I did tell her that she's not crazy - because she is not. And I wrote on her assignment that her brother is a perfect scene partner for this song. Because he is.
After school today, I was helping another student figure out timing for her song, and I asked the few who were left waiting for their parents if they wanted to sing through their songs for me as well. This student said yes immediately, and performed a beautiful, beautiful, rendition of Patterns from Closer Than Ever. I have never heard the recording from the musical, but honestly I could not imagine anyone else singing it now. The maturity and love that came pouring out of that 15-year-old girl was just heartbreaking... and inspiring. "Filling" may be the only truly suitable word for how I feel.
On Friday (or perhaps Monday) she will be performing for the rest of the class - and I can't wait to thank her for her heart. To tell her that it is so beautiful and powerful to use her story and her love for her brother to make music - to make art. And that, my friends, is what this is all about. That is why we are here. That is why the arts are important - because they are a way for us to fill in the gaps in our souls, to fill them up with music and life, and to pour it out onto others.
The arts are important, because they allow us to live. And they allow us to sing - no matter what comes, we can still sing.
And sing, we will, sweet child. Sing, we will.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Live in Love
Today I told a child to get control of his booty, to which he replied "That is the greatest compliment I have ever received!"
Close call.
Also, today I took a student's shoe in exchange for allowing him to borrow the dry erase marker. I put it on my foot, and he spent the next 10 minutes looking for it - even after I asked him if he wanted it back, to which he replied "No, I can find it myself." - EVEN AFTER he sat next to me, with my foot crossed over my opposite knee, discussing the cut for his musical audition piece. This was magical.
These days are the happiest days.
Close call.
Also, today I took a student's shoe in exchange for allowing him to borrow the dry erase marker. I put it on my foot, and he spent the next 10 minutes looking for it - even after I asked him if he wanted it back, to which he replied "No, I can find it myself." - EVEN AFTER he sat next to me, with my foot crossed over my opposite knee, discussing the cut for his musical audition piece. This was magical.
These days are the happiest days.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Perspective.
A day may be a challenge, but it can never be bad when it begins with one student texting another, "Want to hang out with L.L.Vine this morning?"
Ever-thankful.
Ever-thankful.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
I am blessed.
Something really wild happened today. Well, it actually began last week. Let me go back.
One of my students has had a life worthy of a lifetime movie. At fifteen years old, the things that girl has seen are more than anyone should have to bear. And it goes back beyond that, even, her mother's story is truly incredible and full of events that seem as random as anything, both good and bad, but somehow all fall into the world of one little family. And I am constantly amazed and awed by the grace of this girl, my student, to carry herself through each and every day, carrying burdens like she does, and smiling - genuinely allowing her joy to shine through - with every step she takes. This girl is a blessing.
Last week, my students had Commedia Del'Arte performances. This one group in particular used a wheel chair as a prop in their scene. I honestly didn't think anything of it, because I remember when I was younger, we used to have an old wheel chair sitting in the garage, which we occasionally used in performances. I guess my mom had just accumulated it along the way somewhere, it didn't seem the least bit odd to me. But on Friday, after the performances, I was sitting in the auditorium after school with this girl, who was waiting for her father to come pick her (and the wheelchair) up from school. And she started to tell me how they got it...
I don't remember all the details - it belonged to a friend or a relative, and eventually got passed down the line to this girl's mother - for her brother. Her brother had autism, and as she explained, he would get tired of standing after about an hour at the Fair, or other such events, so they would wheel him around in the chair so that he could enjoy the whole day with the family. At this point, I could remember hearing something about her brother, but I became afraid to ask too many questions... you know when you can tell that there is something deeper going on, and it's almost like you either have to ask a question to get the person to keep talking, or just nod with understanding, and let it go? Thinking back, I wonder if perhaps she had wanted me to ask more. I do wish I had - she could have always said no - and what if this was my opportunity to really reach out to someone? I'm thankful that at least we have more time.
Then, yesterday, I was teaching about how to act through a song, and we talked about choosing an imaginary scene partner, who you are singing to. After class, this girl came up to me and asked if it would be okay if her scene partner is someone who is dead. Knowing some of her story, I told her that of course that would be alright (and very powerful, and well-connected, I'm sure). Again, I didn't think much of it after the fact, and ended the conversation pretty simply like that.
Today, at lunch, another one of the teachers began talking about how one of the mothers on her Booster Club was suddenly out of town and couldn't help with decorating for a concert. She was frustrated about this, but luckily one of the volunteers knew what was going on - she said it came up suddenly, that this woman was flying up to complete the process of donating her son's brain for research on autism. That they were suddenly able to accept the brain, and that the woman felt like this was her final closure, to travel with it, and to hand it over to the researchers. And, of course, this woman is my student's mother.
First, I think it is so noble and generous to donate her son's brain for research, and I earnestly hope and believe that something good will come out of it - that perhaps they will make a new discovery that will help us to better-communicate with people whose brains are wired differently from our own. That maybe, someone's life will be more full of love because of this woman's sacrifice. It was at this point that I mentioned to my cooperating teacher that my student had been talking to me about her brother a little bit last week, and I heard something I never expected to hear -
That's really good. She's never really talked about it. Even when he passed away, she didn't seem to process much. I'm glad to hear she's talking about it now.
And she's talking about him - about her older brother, her 18 year old brother, who passed away a year ago this summer - to me. I am honored, and humbled, and sincerely blessed to have this child in my life. And I truly lack understanding to see why she would open up to me, of all people. And I am so, so thankful.
So, what are the next steps? I don't want to press for information; I don't want to ask for more, not unprecedented anyway... I just hope I didn't miss an opportunity - the moment when she wanted to open up, and share more, and I was too afraid to ask.
And yet, even if it goes no further, this little glimpse into the heart of my student - my student who shares her heart, and pours out her heart into everyone else, and everything that she does, every day... to think - that a piece of that pure, and beautiful heart was opened up to me.
This is why I love what I do.
I am truly blessed.
One of my students has had a life worthy of a lifetime movie. At fifteen years old, the things that girl has seen are more than anyone should have to bear. And it goes back beyond that, even, her mother's story is truly incredible and full of events that seem as random as anything, both good and bad, but somehow all fall into the world of one little family. And I am constantly amazed and awed by the grace of this girl, my student, to carry herself through each and every day, carrying burdens like she does, and smiling - genuinely allowing her joy to shine through - with every step she takes. This girl is a blessing.
Last week, my students had Commedia Del'Arte performances. This one group in particular used a wheel chair as a prop in their scene. I honestly didn't think anything of it, because I remember when I was younger, we used to have an old wheel chair sitting in the garage, which we occasionally used in performances. I guess my mom had just accumulated it along the way somewhere, it didn't seem the least bit odd to me. But on Friday, after the performances, I was sitting in the auditorium after school with this girl, who was waiting for her father to come pick her (and the wheelchair) up from school. And she started to tell me how they got it...
I don't remember all the details - it belonged to a friend or a relative, and eventually got passed down the line to this girl's mother - for her brother. Her brother had autism, and as she explained, he would get tired of standing after about an hour at the Fair, or other such events, so they would wheel him around in the chair so that he could enjoy the whole day with the family. At this point, I could remember hearing something about her brother, but I became afraid to ask too many questions... you know when you can tell that there is something deeper going on, and it's almost like you either have to ask a question to get the person to keep talking, or just nod with understanding, and let it go? Thinking back, I wonder if perhaps she had wanted me to ask more. I do wish I had - she could have always said no - and what if this was my opportunity to really reach out to someone? I'm thankful that at least we have more time.
Then, yesterday, I was teaching about how to act through a song, and we talked about choosing an imaginary scene partner, who you are singing to. After class, this girl came up to me and asked if it would be okay if her scene partner is someone who is dead. Knowing some of her story, I told her that of course that would be alright (and very powerful, and well-connected, I'm sure). Again, I didn't think much of it after the fact, and ended the conversation pretty simply like that.
Today, at lunch, another one of the teachers began talking about how one of the mothers on her Booster Club was suddenly out of town and couldn't help with decorating for a concert. She was frustrated about this, but luckily one of the volunteers knew what was going on - she said it came up suddenly, that this woman was flying up to complete the process of donating her son's brain for research on autism. That they were suddenly able to accept the brain, and that the woman felt like this was her final closure, to travel with it, and to hand it over to the researchers. And, of course, this woman is my student's mother.
First, I think it is so noble and generous to donate her son's brain for research, and I earnestly hope and believe that something good will come out of it - that perhaps they will make a new discovery that will help us to better-communicate with people whose brains are wired differently from our own. That maybe, someone's life will be more full of love because of this woman's sacrifice. It was at this point that I mentioned to my cooperating teacher that my student had been talking to me about her brother a little bit last week, and I heard something I never expected to hear -
That's really good. She's never really talked about it. Even when he passed away, she didn't seem to process much. I'm glad to hear she's talking about it now.
And she's talking about him - about her older brother, her 18 year old brother, who passed away a year ago this summer - to me. I am honored, and humbled, and sincerely blessed to have this child in my life. And I truly lack understanding to see why she would open up to me, of all people. And I am so, so thankful.
So, what are the next steps? I don't want to press for information; I don't want to ask for more, not unprecedented anyway... I just hope I didn't miss an opportunity - the moment when she wanted to open up, and share more, and I was too afraid to ask.
And yet, even if it goes no further, this little glimpse into the heart of my student - my student who shares her heart, and pours out her heart into everyone else, and everything that she does, every day... to think - that a piece of that pure, and beautiful heart was opened up to me.
This is why I love what I do.
I am truly blessed.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
The Most Wonderful Things.
Today two of my students were waiting in the auditorium after school, until their parents came to pick them up. We were just chatting, when they began to ask what made me want to be a theatre teacher - because, they said, that each of them had recently been really considering it as a career. Praise God!! They wanted to know my story, and how I came to be where I am today... which, if you know about my four adventurous years of college, has been nothing short of a miracle.
I honestly believe that I have been called to teach, and although it is difficult, I wouldn't be anywhere else. I'd do it for free. I love my school, I love my students, I love my job.
I know it won't always be this easy - or will it? Maybe it's easy because it's fulfilling. Maybe it's because I'm passionate about it. Maybe it's because I love what I do. Maybe because I'm making a difference. Maybe I've been called here.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I hope, more than anything, that my students are realizing the true value and necessity of the arts in a community, and in each of our individual lives. And it was so encouraging to realize that not only are my students acknowledging this value within their own lives, but are wishing to spread it to others, even if they can't yet identify it as such. This is really amazing.
We are truly blessed.
Praying that these last six weeks last a lifetime.
- Always joyful.
I honestly believe that I have been called to teach, and although it is difficult, I wouldn't be anywhere else. I'd do it for free. I love my school, I love my students, I love my job.
I know it won't always be this easy - or will it? Maybe it's easy because it's fulfilling. Maybe it's because I'm passionate about it. Maybe it's because I love what I do. Maybe because I'm making a difference. Maybe I've been called here.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I hope, more than anything, that my students are realizing the true value and necessity of the arts in a community, and in each of our individual lives. And it was so encouraging to realize that not only are my students acknowledging this value within their own lives, but are wishing to spread it to others, even if they can't yet identify it as such. This is really amazing.
We are truly blessed.
Praying that these last six weeks last a lifetime.
- Always joyful.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Closing Night
Just closed the show, The Rimers of Eldritch. My kiddos did an awesome job!!! They blessed me with this bunch of flowers and thoughtful gift.
They are as sweet as anything! It's really amazing. I have been so blessed by these students, it is difficult for me to even comprehend how I got here. Blessings are overflowing, and my heart is so full of joy. These kids are amazing, and I am ever-grateful.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [Jeremiah 29:11]
Thursday, October 24, 2013
A Kurt Vonnegut-Quotable Summary of Week 10
And I've gone crazy, couldn't you tell? Threw stones at the stars, and the whole sky fell.
Well, this week I've gone crazy over Kurt Vonnegut quotes. Here are some of my favorites:
The truth is, we know so little about life, we don't really know what the good news is and what the bad news is.
People say there are no atheists in foxholes. A lot of people think this is a good argument against atheism. Personally, I think it's a much better argument against foxholes.
Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies- damn it, you've got to be kind.
If you want to really hurt your parents, and you don't have the nerve to be gay, the least you can do is go into the arts. I'm not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.
And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'
And Lot's wife, of course, was told not to look back where all those people and their homes had been. But she did look back, and I love her for that, because it was so human. So she was turned into a pillar of salt. So it goes.
Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'
In the beginning, God created the earth, and he looked upon it in his cosmic loneliness.
And God said, "Let Us make living creatures out of mud, so the mud can see what We have done." And God created every living creature that now moveth, and one was man. Mud as man alone could speak. God leaned close to mud as man sat, looked around, and spoke. "What is the purpose of all this?" he asked politely.
"Everything must have a purpose?" asked God.
"Certainly," said man.
"Then I leave it to you to think of one for all this," said God.
And He went away.
Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from things she found in gift shops.
And I asked myself about the present: how wide it was, how deep it was, how much was mine to keep.
Love is where you find it. I think it is foolish to go around looking for it, and I think it can be poisonous. I wish people who are conventionally supposed to love each other would say to each other, when they fight, 'Please-a little less love, and a little more common decency.'
I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.'
What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.
Wake up, you idiots! Whatever made you think that money was so valuable?
All right - I'll tell you what you did for me: you went for happy, silly, beautiful walks with me.
That's one thing Earthlings might learn to do, if they tried hard enough: Ignore the awful times and concentrate on the good ones.
Live by the harmless untruths that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy.
No matter how corrupt, greedy, and heartless our government, our corporations, our media, and our religious & charitable institutions may become, the music will still be wonderful.
The letter said that they were two feet high, and green., and shaped like plumber's friends. Their suction cups were on the ground, and their shafts, which were extremely flexible, usually pointed to the sky. At the top of each shaft was a little hand with a green eye in its palm. The creatures were friendly, and they could see in four dimensions. They pitied Earthlings for being able to see only three. They had many wonderful things to teach Earthlings, especially about time. Billy promised to tell what some of those wonderful things were in his next letter.
Billy was working on his second letter when the first letter was published. The second letter started out like this:
The most important thing I learned on Tralfamadore was that when a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past, so it is very silly for people to cry at his funeral. All moments, past, present and future, always have existed, always will exist. The Tralfamadorians can look at all the different moments just that way we can look at a stretch of the Rocky Mountains, for instance. They can see how permanent all the moments are, and they can look at any moment that interests them. It is just an illusion we have here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone it is gone forever.
When a Tralfamadorian sees a corpse, all he thinks is that the dead person is in a bad condition in that particular moment, but that the same person is just fine in plenty of other moments. Now, when I myself hear that somebody is dead, I simply shrug and say what the Tralfamadorians say about dead people, which is "so it goes."
There is no reason why good cannot triumph as often as evil. The triumph of anything is a matter of organization. If there are such things as angels, I hope that they are organized along the lines of the Mafia.
And in closing,
Be patient, Ophelia.
Love,
Hamlet
Well, this week I've gone crazy over Kurt Vonnegut quotes. Here are some of my favorites:
The truth is, we know so little about life, we don't really know what the good news is and what the bad news is.
People say there are no atheists in foxholes. A lot of people think this is a good argument against atheism. Personally, I think it's a much better argument against foxholes.
Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies- damn it, you've got to be kind.
If you want to really hurt your parents, and you don't have the nerve to be gay, the least you can do is go into the arts. I'm not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.
And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'
And Lot's wife, of course, was told not to look back where all those people and their homes had been. But she did look back, and I love her for that, because it was so human. So she was turned into a pillar of salt. So it goes.
Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'
In the beginning, God created the earth, and he looked upon it in his cosmic loneliness.
And God said, "Let Us make living creatures out of mud, so the mud can see what We have done." And God created every living creature that now moveth, and one was man. Mud as man alone could speak. God leaned close to mud as man sat, looked around, and spoke. "What is the purpose of all this?" he asked politely.
"Everything must have a purpose?" asked God.
"Certainly," said man.
"Then I leave it to you to think of one for all this," said God.
And He went away.
Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from things she found in gift shops.
And I asked myself about the present: how wide it was, how deep it was, how much was mine to keep.
Love is where you find it. I think it is foolish to go around looking for it, and I think it can be poisonous. I wish people who are conventionally supposed to love each other would say to each other, when they fight, 'Please-a little less love, and a little more common decency.'
I say in speeches that a plausible mission of artists is to make people appreciate being alive at least a little bit. I am then asked if I know of any artists who pulled that off. I reply, 'The Beatles did.'
What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.
Wake up, you idiots! Whatever made you think that money was so valuable?
All right - I'll tell you what you did for me: you went for happy, silly, beautiful walks with me.
That's one thing Earthlings might learn to do, if they tried hard enough: Ignore the awful times and concentrate on the good ones.
Live by the harmless untruths that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy.
No matter how corrupt, greedy, and heartless our government, our corporations, our media, and our religious & charitable institutions may become, the music will still be wonderful.
The letter said that they were two feet high, and green., and shaped like plumber's friends. Their suction cups were on the ground, and their shafts, which were extremely flexible, usually pointed to the sky. At the top of each shaft was a little hand with a green eye in its palm. The creatures were friendly, and they could see in four dimensions. They pitied Earthlings for being able to see only three. They had many wonderful things to teach Earthlings, especially about time. Billy promised to tell what some of those wonderful things were in his next letter.
Billy was working on his second letter when the first letter was published. The second letter started out like this:
The most important thing I learned on Tralfamadore was that when a person dies he only appears to die. He is still very much alive in the past, so it is very silly for people to cry at his funeral. All moments, past, present and future, always have existed, always will exist. The Tralfamadorians can look at all the different moments just that way we can look at a stretch of the Rocky Mountains, for instance. They can see how permanent all the moments are, and they can look at any moment that interests them. It is just an illusion we have here on Earth that one moment follows another one, like beads on a string, and that once a moment is gone it is gone forever.
When a Tralfamadorian sees a corpse, all he thinks is that the dead person is in a bad condition in that particular moment, but that the same person is just fine in plenty of other moments. Now, when I myself hear that somebody is dead, I simply shrug and say what the Tralfamadorians say about dead people, which is "so it goes."
There is no reason why good cannot triumph as often as evil. The triumph of anything is a matter of organization. If there are such things as angels, I hope that they are organized along the lines of the Mafia.
And in closing,
Be patient, Ophelia.
Love,
Hamlet
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
We Did It!
The Rimers of Eldritch opened tonight with an invited dress rehearsal preview... and it was awesome! I'm so proud of my kiddos!!!
Also, #quotable:
"Somebody told me that I reminded them of you, that they think we're very similar, and I'm pretty sure I came very close to passing out."
Choose love. Be Kind.
Also, #quotable:
"Somebody told me that I reminded them of you, that they think we're very similar, and I'm pretty sure I came very close to passing out."
Choose love. Be Kind.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Parents
Today I was contacted by parents twice. The first was via letter (the original snail mail)... this letter was not very nice. I will say that. The second was via email. The note was incredibly kind and humble, just a parent asking for some advice. I liked that a lot better.
Evidently student teaching is not all sunshine and roses.
I am reeeeally tired today. I mean, really tired. I don't know what's up with me, I'm beginning to feel cranky and impatient, and even entitled to be loved. Well, that's simply not the case. I have been lucky - truly blessed - to have classrooms full of awesome students who do their work and love the process. This does not always happen. Perhaps it rarely happens. And the stars have simply aligned in this process to put me in such a wonderful, nurturing place... and yet, this week I'm left wanting more.
Why? I'm not sure what is going on in my head, except, as I said before, I'm tired. I love teaching, I love my job, I LOVE my students, I love what I do. And yet, I want things to be easy. And the reality is, that in larger perspective, they are.
Please remind me to count my blessings.
"She loved so much that she feared."
Evidently student teaching is not all sunshine and roses.
I am reeeeally tired today. I mean, really tired. I don't know what's up with me, I'm beginning to feel cranky and impatient, and even entitled to be loved. Well, that's simply not the case. I have been lucky - truly blessed - to have classrooms full of awesome students who do their work and love the process. This does not always happen. Perhaps it rarely happens. And the stars have simply aligned in this process to put me in such a wonderful, nurturing place... and yet, this week I'm left wanting more.
Why? I'm not sure what is going on in my head, except, as I said before, I'm tired. I love teaching, I love my job, I LOVE my students, I love what I do. And yet, I want things to be easy. And the reality is, that in larger perspective, they are.
Please remind me to count my blessings.
"She loved so much that she feared."
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Social Media Is Weird
Today two of my students found my profile on Twitter. Considering the fact that I haven't used Twitter in months, and had kind of forgotten that it existed, this was particularly surprising. They've decided to keep it a big secret so that I don't get in trouble (THANKS) and at the same time it seems like everyone knows. I don't feel like it's that big of a deal, although I'll certainly scan through my page and be sure there's nothing weird to be found!!
This week is tech week for the play, which is always a challenge, but it's going well, I think. I still love my students (like crazy) and I still love my job. I am ever-thankful.
Ever-thankful.
This week is tech week for the play, which is always a challenge, but it's going well, I think. I still love my students (like crazy) and I still love my job. I am ever-thankful.
Ever-thankful.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Announcement
Today marks the first time I saw a student outside of school - at my jewelry making class!
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Saturday Rehearsals are an Excellent Excuse for Overjorts
Also, quote of the day:
"Miss Levine, I have something VERY important to tell you.... it's about my socks."
Every story is a love story!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
The Most Adventurous Day Of All
I had a crazy day.
It is possible that I've said those words previously in my life, but I truly believe that I never really knew the meaning of crazy before today!
This morning, first of all, I decided to wear a dress. This is the second time I've worn a dress to school. I also wore heels. This is the first time I've worn heels to school. My mother also got up early and made me coffee and grits. This is the first time this has happened as well.
So I left for school, obviously with no conception of what was about to happen next...
I successfully navigated 1st period essentially as I expected it to go. Then came second period, and here the world began to spin backward.
I have been working on my Impact project - five days to prove that I can impact student learning and am worthy of receiving my teaching certificate from the NC Department of Instruction - so this can be stressful. After the implementation of each day's lesson, I have to record some data and reflect on my teaching, which is exactly what I was about to do when a fox walked into the building.
Did you read that right?
Yes, yes you did.
A fox walked into the building. It's one of those things that seems like it couldn't possibly be true. I mean, I kept staring at it, thinking that maybe if I looked long enough, it would become a cat, as I kind of expected. Well, it didn't. It stayed a fox.
My teacher went out of the room, told the students to move away, and tried to coax the fox back out the door. I stayed in my chair, frozen, I think. This part is all kind of blurry. Well, a minute or so later, I saw the fox walk toward the office door. I don't remember if I stood up then, or if I was already standing.. I think I stood up then, as the fox began to walk toward me, and I instantly saw my life flash before my eyes, as well as my bloody fox-bitten ankles, which, thank the LORD were only a figment of my imagination. As I said, the fox started moving toward me, and I let out a loud YELP, and proceeded to dance a little do-si-do with the fox around the rolling office chair before he went under my desk and I went shooting out the door!
We closed the door, therefore trapping the fox inside the office, and as the administrators poured into the hall and called animal control, I attempted to process this amazing and terrifying experience!
Animal control arrived a little while later, so I hid in the theatre while they removed the fox. Then, I became terrified to touch anything, considering I'm a hypochondriac, and the fox had both a broken leg and some kind of disease, like distemper. WHAT THE HECK.
So, that happened.
And then the day went on.
And then fourth period came, and by that time all of my students had heard about this fox incident and wanted to hear the full story. Which I told them, and which they thought was just the funniest thing they had EVER heard.
And then the end of fourth period came, and my teacher went to work in her office, and I stayed in the theatre with the students for the last ten minutes of class... at which time one of my students came inside to tell me that blood was pouring out of another student's arm. Now, I'm obviously a weenie about foxes, but for some reason I turned into a superhero over this blood! (It really wasn't nearly as bad as she made it out to be, and we quickly cleaned it up and put a band-aid on it. Problem solved.)
Then rehearsal came, and everyone was crazy - especially when one of the lines was about fearing a fox. Yep, I'm never gonna live that one down.
Then after school, I found out my students also play "What Are The Odds," aka the funniest game in the world! Also a student asked if he can call me L.L.Vine (like L.L.Bean) and another student asked if she could call me L-Dawg..?
Then I came home. And immediately took a shower, because of the fox, and what did I find in the shower, but a GIANT BOOTY CRICKET! I trapped it, finished my shower, and then when I went to remove it, I also found a spider. Oooookay.
Then I checked outside the front door, and found my box of thirty brain-shaped stress balls, which I expected to arrive today, but also a package from Jesus. Seriously. It's in the return address. I haven't opened it yet.
Then I FINALLY learned how to use the can opener (can openers are my achilles heel), so I was able to make a burrito for dinner - AWESOME.
And this was my day. As I said, the Most Adventurous Day Of All.
I seriously love my life.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:38-39)
It is possible that I've said those words previously in my life, but I truly believe that I never really knew the meaning of crazy before today!
This morning, first of all, I decided to wear a dress. This is the second time I've worn a dress to school. I also wore heels. This is the first time I've worn heels to school. My mother also got up early and made me coffee and grits. This is the first time this has happened as well.
So I left for school, obviously with no conception of what was about to happen next...
I successfully navigated 1st period essentially as I expected it to go. Then came second period, and here the world began to spin backward.
I have been working on my Impact project - five days to prove that I can impact student learning and am worthy of receiving my teaching certificate from the NC Department of Instruction - so this can be stressful. After the implementation of each day's lesson, I have to record some data and reflect on my teaching, which is exactly what I was about to do when a fox walked into the building.
Did you read that right?
Yes, yes you did.
A fox walked into the building. It's one of those things that seems like it couldn't possibly be true. I mean, I kept staring at it, thinking that maybe if I looked long enough, it would become a cat, as I kind of expected. Well, it didn't. It stayed a fox.
My teacher went out of the room, told the students to move away, and tried to coax the fox back out the door. I stayed in my chair, frozen, I think. This part is all kind of blurry. Well, a minute or so later, I saw the fox walk toward the office door. I don't remember if I stood up then, or if I was already standing.. I think I stood up then, as the fox began to walk toward me, and I instantly saw my life flash before my eyes, as well as my bloody fox-bitten ankles, which, thank the LORD were only a figment of my imagination. As I said, the fox started moving toward me, and I let out a loud YELP, and proceeded to dance a little do-si-do with the fox around the rolling office chair before he went under my desk and I went shooting out the door!
We closed the door, therefore trapping the fox inside the office, and as the administrators poured into the hall and called animal control, I attempted to process this amazing and terrifying experience!
Animal control arrived a little while later, so I hid in the theatre while they removed the fox. Then, I became terrified to touch anything, considering I'm a hypochondriac, and the fox had both a broken leg and some kind of disease, like distemper. WHAT THE HECK.
So, that happened.
And then the day went on.
And then fourth period came, and by that time all of my students had heard about this fox incident and wanted to hear the full story. Which I told them, and which they thought was just the funniest thing they had EVER heard.
And then the end of fourth period came, and my teacher went to work in her office, and I stayed in the theatre with the students for the last ten minutes of class... at which time one of my students came inside to tell me that blood was pouring out of another student's arm. Now, I'm obviously a weenie about foxes, but for some reason I turned into a superhero over this blood! (It really wasn't nearly as bad as she made it out to be, and we quickly cleaned it up and put a band-aid on it. Problem solved.)
Then rehearsal came, and everyone was crazy - especially when one of the lines was about fearing a fox. Yep, I'm never gonna live that one down.
Then after school, I found out my students also play "What Are The Odds," aka the funniest game in the world! Also a student asked if he can call me L.L.Vine (like L.L.Bean) and another student asked if she could call me L-Dawg..?
Then I came home. And immediately took a shower, because of the fox, and what did I find in the shower, but a GIANT BOOTY CRICKET! I trapped it, finished my shower, and then when I went to remove it, I also found a spider. Oooookay.
Then I checked outside the front door, and found my box of thirty brain-shaped stress balls, which I expected to arrive today, but also a package from Jesus. Seriously. It's in the return address. I haven't opened it yet.
Then I FINALLY learned how to use the can opener (can openers are my achilles heel), so I was able to make a burrito for dinner - AWESOME.
And this was my day. As I said, the Most Adventurous Day Of All.
I seriously love my life.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:38-39)
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
In which every day is a good day.
I'm sure I could say it a thousand times, and say it again, but I've been so blessed by my students - every time I say it, it remains just as true. They are so so great.
I love teaching, but I'm getting a little tired of student teaching... but I'll never get tired of these kiddos.
Today I played "Beautiful City" from the new cast recording of Godspell - this is quite possibly my very favorite musical theatre song ever in existance, and my students went CRAZY over it!!! I haven't seen them react like that to any of the songs so far... so many of them wanted to use it for their performance project - even the girls, but especially the boys!
I think I'm in love with them.
All of them.
Also, listen to this song if you don't know it - the version by Hunter Parrish.
"Out of the ruins and rubble,
Out of the smoke,
Out of our nightly struggle,
Can we see a ray of hope?
...
We can build a beautiful city,
Yes we can - yes we can,
We can build a beautiful city,
Not a city of angels,
But finally a city of man."
I love teaching, but I'm getting a little tired of student teaching... but I'll never get tired of these kiddos.
Today I played "Beautiful City" from the new cast recording of Godspell - this is quite possibly my very favorite musical theatre song ever in existance, and my students went CRAZY over it!!! I haven't seen them react like that to any of the songs so far... so many of them wanted to use it for their performance project - even the girls, but especially the boys!
I think I'm in love with them.
All of them.
Also, listen to this song if you don't know it - the version by Hunter Parrish.
"Out of the ruins and rubble,
Out of the smoke,
Out of our nightly struggle,
Can we see a ray of hope?
...
We can build a beautiful city,
Yes we can - yes we can,
We can build a beautiful city,
Not a city of angels,
But finally a city of man."
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
A Quotable Summary of Week Six
"You're my fourth best friend with a birthday close to mine!"
"Miss Levine, I got poop on my shirt. Look, it's straight dookie!"
"I hope you get a black eye."
"Trying to stay positive today so Miss Levine doesn't throw the Grinch at me."
"Since Friday is early release, will you go buy me a salad from Panera Bread for lunch?"
And one of my personal favorites,
"When you retire our senior year, can they hire Miss Levine to be our teacher?"
In my little world, every week is a great week : )
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord! [Ephesians 5:19]
"Miss Levine, I got poop on my shirt. Look, it's straight dookie!"
"I hope you get a black eye."
"Trying to stay positive today so Miss Levine doesn't throw the Grinch at me."
"Since Friday is early release, will you go buy me a salad from Panera Bread for lunch?"
And one of my personal favorites,
"When you retire our senior year, can they hire Miss Levine to be our teacher?"
In my little world, every week is a great week : )
Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord! [Ephesians 5:19]
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Almost-Friday : )
One more day till the weekend : )
Monday, September 23, 2013
Monday's Lesson:
If I can survive my IDP, I can survive it all.
[But for now, this remains to be seen]
[But for now, this remains to be seen]
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The "Lessons" part of the blog.
Lessons, Week FIVE (HOLY COW)
1. Love your students. Even if they are turds. Always love them.
2. Never wear a dress to teach theatre.
3. Be yourself. You can't get everyone to like you, but if they do like you, they might as well like you for who you really are.
4. Take pride in the small things.
5. Work smarter, not harder.
And above all else,
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
1. Love your students. Even if they are turds. Always love them.
2. Never wear a dress to teach theatre.
3. Be yourself. You can't get everyone to like you, but if they do like you, they might as well like you for who you really are.
4. Take pride in the small things.
5. Work smarter, not harder.
And above all else,
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Day 21, in which sleep-deprivation no longer matters
I haven't written a fully-fledged blog post in a while, so I suppose it is about time.
I've been continuing to teach Theatre I (in fact, my teacher often doesn't even stay in the room any more). I'm still supporting in Tech Theatre (it's all practical stuff - building the set for the play, etc.) And today I began lead-teaching in Theatre II for their monologue project. Now, I work a little differently from my host teacher, so I've found that it's slightly more difficult to pick up the teaching load as the semester goes on, because the students are more and more accustomed to the way that their regular classroom teacher leads. Even so, I have some students in Theatre II who seemed to get a lot out of our activity today, and since they are working on monologues, it's really up to them to prepare well. It's not that I don't care if they're using their time wisely in class or not, it's just that they need to learn to be responsible and to manage their time so that the final product is something to be proud of.
I'm not sure if that's the wrong approach to teaching, but I think it's appropriate - they are high school students after all, they should be held accountable for keeping themselves on task, especially when I've given them a specific goal to accomplish by the end of the period.
We've moved into a Pantomime unit in Theatre I, and it has been going well so far, although today I didn't accomplish nearly as much as I had planned - that's alright, that's what tomorrow is for!
I've been working with the ensemble for the Fall Play, and although I'm still unsure of exactly what I'm supposed to be doing, I have enjoyed working with the students on a different level than we usually can within the confines of the classroom. They have been really great, and for the most part, totally willing to try whatever I throw at them... and I can be very abstract and right-brained, so that's saying a lot for them!
I had my first official observation on Monday, and I am humbled and incredibly grateful to say that it went very well. I got good feedback from my supervisor, and was encouraged to stay in the field of education. That was definitely good to hear - it is an unbelievably hard job, but to think that what I'm doing is worth it? To think that I am making a difference? That's big.
This week I had a student bake brownies for me, to thank me for coaching her for an audition (she got top 3!!) and I had a student tell me that she turned down an offer to sleep through first period, before her 9am dentist appointment - she didn't want to miss Theatre I because it's her favorite class. WOW.
And so, all in all, this has been a good week. (What? It's only Wednesday? Phew!)
..Wait, but I really just realized it's only Wednesday. Woah.
This weekend we have the North Carolina Theatre Educator's Conference, and it will be great to reconnect with some of my teacher-friends, and I'm THRILLED to be able to introduce my students to my friends!!!!! Seriously, proud momma over here.
This is a good job.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
[Psalm 136:1]
I've been continuing to teach Theatre I (in fact, my teacher often doesn't even stay in the room any more). I'm still supporting in Tech Theatre (it's all practical stuff - building the set for the play, etc.) And today I began lead-teaching in Theatre II for their monologue project. Now, I work a little differently from my host teacher, so I've found that it's slightly more difficult to pick up the teaching load as the semester goes on, because the students are more and more accustomed to the way that their regular classroom teacher leads. Even so, I have some students in Theatre II who seemed to get a lot out of our activity today, and since they are working on monologues, it's really up to them to prepare well. It's not that I don't care if they're using their time wisely in class or not, it's just that they need to learn to be responsible and to manage their time so that the final product is something to be proud of.
I'm not sure if that's the wrong approach to teaching, but I think it's appropriate - they are high school students after all, they should be held accountable for keeping themselves on task, especially when I've given them a specific goal to accomplish by the end of the period.
We've moved into a Pantomime unit in Theatre I, and it has been going well so far, although today I didn't accomplish nearly as much as I had planned - that's alright, that's what tomorrow is for!
I've been working with the ensemble for the Fall Play, and although I'm still unsure of exactly what I'm supposed to be doing, I have enjoyed working with the students on a different level than we usually can within the confines of the classroom. They have been really great, and for the most part, totally willing to try whatever I throw at them... and I can be very abstract and right-brained, so that's saying a lot for them!
I had my first official observation on Monday, and I am humbled and incredibly grateful to say that it went very well. I got good feedback from my supervisor, and was encouraged to stay in the field of education. That was definitely good to hear - it is an unbelievably hard job, but to think that what I'm doing is worth it? To think that I am making a difference? That's big.
This week I had a student bake brownies for me, to thank me for coaching her for an audition (she got top 3!!) and I had a student tell me that she turned down an offer to sleep through first period, before her 9am dentist appointment - she didn't want to miss Theatre I because it's her favorite class. WOW.
And so, all in all, this has been a good week. (What? It's only Wednesday? Phew!)
..Wait, but I really just realized it's only Wednesday. Woah.
This weekend we have the North Carolina Theatre Educator's Conference, and it will be great to reconnect with some of my teacher-friends, and I'm THRILLED to be able to introduce my students to my friends!!!!! Seriously, proud momma over here.
This is a good job.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
[Psalm 136:1]
Monday, September 16, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Day 18, in which we make several break throughs
Today was good.
In fact, this whole week was good.
But today, my theatre 1 students committed to their movement. They had fun. They were LOUD. And they loved stage combat.
Today, my tech students improved on their tool test. One of them figured out how to read a tape measure, after trying to convince me that he couldn't do it.
One of my theatre II students who had been testing the waters with me since the start of the semester spent over twenty minutes with me talking about his future, acting, the business, and how to proceed (he is a senior in high school).
I coached two seniors for their musical theatre competition tomorrow, and they grew SO MUCH in the hour of practice. I think they had some awesome realizations, and I believe they are going to do a great job tomorrow.
Today was a good day.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
[Ephesians 4:15-16]
In fact, this whole week was good.
But today, my theatre 1 students committed to their movement. They had fun. They were LOUD. And they loved stage combat.
Today, my tech students improved on their tool test. One of them figured out how to read a tape measure, after trying to convince me that he couldn't do it.
One of my theatre II students who had been testing the waters with me since the start of the semester spent over twenty minutes with me talking about his future, acting, the business, and how to proceed (he is a senior in high school).
I coached two seniors for their musical theatre competition tomorrow, and they grew SO MUCH in the hour of practice. I think they had some awesome realizations, and I believe they are going to do a great job tomorrow.
Today was a good day.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
[Ephesians 4:15-16]
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Day 17, in which I realize that Open House Day is a long day.
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| As I'm going on my 12th hour at school today, I received this photo of my sweet baby Holmes! After celebrating his 1-year Adoption Anniversary yesterday, this was just a really awesome gift... I love this boy! Look at that sweet dirty face! |
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Day 16, in which I experience success
Today began with Theatre I (as my days here often do).
This is a joke, because the schedule always starts the same way, but I don't want to say that my days always start with Theatre I, because, you know, once you say something is certain, it almost immediately becomes uncertain, reminding us that the amount of things we know is infinitely smaller than the amount of things we don't.
Anyway, today began with Theatre I, in which I was beginning to teach THE SLAP. Woah, I know, you're thinking why would anyone decide to teach 28 freshmen (mostly freshmen) to slap each other? Well, it's on my teacher's plan, so there you go.
Going into this, I was most certainly nervous because, uh, liability? I'm not even the real teacher! Well, we started with the basics (in-distance, out of distance, in-distance, out of distance, etc etc etc) Then we moved on to the knap, and then the victim's reaction to the slap. Of course, some students were goofing off, and some were not really paying attention, but I believe most of them were engaged or at least having fun! This is good.
And no one got hurt. This is even better.
After my lesson, my teacher told me that she thought it was my best one so far, because the students' energy was better, and they were engaged the whole time - not that they weren't necessarily before, but they were more actively involved, and more free to be loud! This was nice.
So I'd say that was a success - a bit of organized chaos, but a success.
Then, during homeroom I found out that the 8th grader who I had been coaching for an audition received a callback!! This is very exciting. He had been struggling, because he seems to love performing, but has a hard time releasing his inhibitions and just getting crazy! Well, his father asked me if I would be willing to help out, and I really enjoyed both of the times that we worked together. I am really proud to hear about his callback, which is always my first goal in an audition - beyond that, as long as he does his best this afternoon, I think he should be very pleased! I should be finding out the results soon - stay tuned!
Aside from that I don't have much new news - it is only 10:00am and I am writing this during my planning period, because it's hard to do homework. I'm caught up on all of my stuff as far as teaching this week goes, and I'm just working ahead for next week.
Procrastination is a habit that really does die hard.
I hope everyone has an awesome rest of the day! Did you know that I've been up and moving for 4 1/2 hours already? I bet some people are still sleeping, and will probably still be sleeping for another 2 hours! Woah.
God is always good.
This is a joke, because the schedule always starts the same way, but I don't want to say that my days always start with Theatre I, because, you know, once you say something is certain, it almost immediately becomes uncertain, reminding us that the amount of things we know is infinitely smaller than the amount of things we don't.
Anyway, today began with Theatre I, in which I was beginning to teach THE SLAP. Woah, I know, you're thinking why would anyone decide to teach 28 freshmen (mostly freshmen) to slap each other? Well, it's on my teacher's plan, so there you go.
Going into this, I was most certainly nervous because, uh, liability? I'm not even the real teacher! Well, we started with the basics (in-distance, out of distance, in-distance, out of distance, etc etc etc) Then we moved on to the knap, and then the victim's reaction to the slap. Of course, some students were goofing off, and some were not really paying attention, but I believe most of them were engaged or at least having fun! This is good.
And no one got hurt. This is even better.
After my lesson, my teacher told me that she thought it was my best one so far, because the students' energy was better, and they were engaged the whole time - not that they weren't necessarily before, but they were more actively involved, and more free to be loud! This was nice.
So I'd say that was a success - a bit of organized chaos, but a success.
Then, during homeroom I found out that the 8th grader who I had been coaching for an audition received a callback!! This is very exciting. He had been struggling, because he seems to love performing, but has a hard time releasing his inhibitions and just getting crazy! Well, his father asked me if I would be willing to help out, and I really enjoyed both of the times that we worked together. I am really proud to hear about his callback, which is always my first goal in an audition - beyond that, as long as he does his best this afternoon, I think he should be very pleased! I should be finding out the results soon - stay tuned!
Aside from that I don't have much new news - it is only 10:00am and I am writing this during my planning period, because it's hard to do homework. I'm caught up on all of my stuff as far as teaching this week goes, and I'm just working ahead for next week.
Procrastination is a habit that really does die hard.
I hope everyone has an awesome rest of the day! Did you know that I've been up and moving for 4 1/2 hours already? I bet some people are still sleeping, and will probably still be sleeping for another 2 hours! Woah.
God is always good.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Day 15, in which several students share their hearts.
Today was a great day.
Let me say that once more,
Today was a great day.
Today I had my first student cry. She was afraid that she wouldn't do well on her project, because her partner wasn't pulling his weight. I encouraged her to advocate for herself, reminding her that we cannot control other people, but she can let the teacher know what's going on, and just do her best on the things she can control. I was so proud to see her walk back into the theatre, find her partner, treat him with kindness and patience and get back to work. Honestly, I think she handled the situation with more maturity and grace than I could have, and I was so encouraged by her spirit.
Today one of my students told me that he was so excited for his friend, because this afternoon was going to be his first audition ever - however, when 4th period came around, this student said that he was no longer auditioning. We asked him why, and he said "well, my dad is kind of a... man's man... and he will only let me audition once this year, so I chose the musical."
First of all, I am proud of my student for following something he loves, and is passionate about - that's pretty awesome. It can be difficult to hear things like this, fathers believing that the arts are 'feminine', and I don't know the whole situation at home, but I am so glad that my student is still in theatre class, is still auditioning, is still working hard and pursuing what he loves. While the news about the dad was hard to hear, this remains encouraging. I told my student that he should invite his dad to audition, too. I hope his father will see the productions, and see how well his son is doing. And I hope that maybe then, he will change his mind.
And, my heart is full to think about the other students in the class who are so supportive of this student, and upon hearing about his dad, nobody said anything, but everyone had looks of pure compassion, and some nodded, understanding. This is a great group.
Today another one of my students was talking about how his father would help to build the set when he gets back, and he spoke with so much pride and love, that I was truly captivated, just by this simple statement. I could kind of tell that he wanted to talk about it more, so I asked him where his dad was, and he answered -
Afghanistan.
Wow. I was definitely not expecting to find that in this little old peak of good living. That is dangerous, adventurous, wild at heart. I asked my student when his dad would be home, and he said December. I hope it's before I leave.
I told him about my camper this summer whose father surprised her by picking her up at the end of the week, and I just wish I could share with you the look on this boy's face... I think his dad really means a lot to him, and it was so sweet, and so touching, and so strong to witness this. I have been truly blessed.
You guys, I love my students.
Truly.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Let me say that once more,
Today was a great day.
Today I had my first student cry. She was afraid that she wouldn't do well on her project, because her partner wasn't pulling his weight. I encouraged her to advocate for herself, reminding her that we cannot control other people, but she can let the teacher know what's going on, and just do her best on the things she can control. I was so proud to see her walk back into the theatre, find her partner, treat him with kindness and patience and get back to work. Honestly, I think she handled the situation with more maturity and grace than I could have, and I was so encouraged by her spirit.
Today one of my students told me that he was so excited for his friend, because this afternoon was going to be his first audition ever - however, when 4th period came around, this student said that he was no longer auditioning. We asked him why, and he said "well, my dad is kind of a... man's man... and he will only let me audition once this year, so I chose the musical."
First of all, I am proud of my student for following something he loves, and is passionate about - that's pretty awesome. It can be difficult to hear things like this, fathers believing that the arts are 'feminine', and I don't know the whole situation at home, but I am so glad that my student is still in theatre class, is still auditioning, is still working hard and pursuing what he loves. While the news about the dad was hard to hear, this remains encouraging. I told my student that he should invite his dad to audition, too. I hope his father will see the productions, and see how well his son is doing. And I hope that maybe then, he will change his mind.
And, my heart is full to think about the other students in the class who are so supportive of this student, and upon hearing about his dad, nobody said anything, but everyone had looks of pure compassion, and some nodded, understanding. This is a great group.
Today another one of my students was talking about how his father would help to build the set when he gets back, and he spoke with so much pride and love, that I was truly captivated, just by this simple statement. I could kind of tell that he wanted to talk about it more, so I asked him where his dad was, and he answered -
Afghanistan.
Wow. I was definitely not expecting to find that in this little old peak of good living. That is dangerous, adventurous, wild at heart. I asked my student when his dad would be home, and he said December. I hope it's before I leave.
I told him about my camper this summer whose father surprised her by picking her up at the end of the week, and I just wish I could share with you the look on this boy's face... I think his dad really means a lot to him, and it was so sweet, and so touching, and so strong to witness this. I have been truly blessed.
You guys, I love my students.
Truly.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
to the glory of God the Father.
[Philippians 2:1-11]
Monday, September 9, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
Reflections on Week Two (Three?)
I've officially completed my second week with students. This was only a three-day week, so it was relatively easy, although that definitely discouraged me from being productive in my planning and work time at school. In fact, today is a teacher workday and my co-op has allowed me to work at the library closer to my house so that I don't have to drive 30-minutes to the high school, and yet, it is 11:00 am and I'm not even out of my pajamas yet.
This week I took on the full-responsibility of teaching Theatre I. This is a big job! I have learned very quickly that student teaching becomes very real, very fast. Work seems to pile up, and it can be overwhelming having to focus simultaneously on the day-to-day operations of each class, while also looking forward to next week, planning those lessons to submit a week in advance, and planning for the focus week of my impact project, which will take place in October. It can be a lot to handle.
And yet, the job remains rewarding. I love working with students. One of my awesome Theatre II's showed me his monologue after school yesterday. I had helped him to find this piece, and he came back saying that he loved it... the monologues are not even due for another few weeks, and he already has his mostly memorized, and has been working on it at home - how amazing! I was so encouraged and inspired by his commitment and enthusiasm. This makes the job worth it, these moments.
Yesterday I also stayed after school to coach the band teacher's son for his middle school audition again, and since we had a meeting for all students interested in participating in school productions this year, some of my students had to stay late to wait for their parents to pick them up, rather than riding the bus like they normally would. So, there were 4-5 students left in the auditorium with me when I was helping R. They kindly agreed to participate in our physical warm-up, and were very happy to do so, and they watched R's work and offered him some really valuable feedback. They encouraged him, reminding him that he is learning things that they are learning in 10th or 11th grade, and he is only in 8th! And on their way out, they told him that he would do a great job at his audition next week.
My students are awesome.
And so, lessons from a student teacher:
This week I took on the full-responsibility of teaching Theatre I. This is a big job! I have learned very quickly that student teaching becomes very real, very fast. Work seems to pile up, and it can be overwhelming having to focus simultaneously on the day-to-day operations of each class, while also looking forward to next week, planning those lessons to submit a week in advance, and planning for the focus week of my impact project, which will take place in October. It can be a lot to handle.
And yet, the job remains rewarding. I love working with students. One of my awesome Theatre II's showed me his monologue after school yesterday. I had helped him to find this piece, and he came back saying that he loved it... the monologues are not even due for another few weeks, and he already has his mostly memorized, and has been working on it at home - how amazing! I was so encouraged and inspired by his commitment and enthusiasm. This makes the job worth it, these moments.
Yesterday I also stayed after school to coach the band teacher's son for his middle school audition again, and since we had a meeting for all students interested in participating in school productions this year, some of my students had to stay late to wait for their parents to pick them up, rather than riding the bus like they normally would. So, there were 4-5 students left in the auditorium with me when I was helping R. They kindly agreed to participate in our physical warm-up, and were very happy to do so, and they watched R's work and offered him some really valuable feedback. They encouraged him, reminding him that he is learning things that they are learning in 10th or 11th grade, and he is only in 8th! And on their way out, they told him that he would do a great job at his audition next week.
My students are awesome.
And so, lessons from a student teacher:
- The work is hard
- The time commitment is huge
- You will get tired
- You will mess up
- You will forget things
- And you will be thankful, because it's all worth it.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Day 12 (Week 3, Day 2!)
I have learned a lot this semester about the way that the Lord leads on paths of righteousness, paths that will bring glory to His name, should we follow them, and should we hold steadfast to His promises. I had a really really challenging summer - but I got through. This is something for another blog, but I know for sure that I was serving a greater purpose. Now, I am so, so thankful to be in a place where my heart feels secure. I am thankful to feel like I am on a path toward a meaningful future. I am grateful to feel the energy of what is to come. I am in-waiting for the conversations, the "aha moments", the overcoming of fear, the struggles, the joys, the growth. I am ready, I am waiting. I am thankful.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. [Psalm 23]
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. [Psalm 23]
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Lessons - Week 1
As of today, these are things I know:
-Teaching in pants is better than teaching in a skirt. You will move around on the floor.
-Bring snacks. Hunger sets in pretty quick when breakfast happens at 6am.
-It's okay to say "I don't know, but I can find out"
- Use your planning period. You may think you'll be able to work at home, but you definitely will not.
-Be nice to people. Relationships are super important, in any field of work.
-DO NOT NAP. You will not be able to sleep at night!!
-Make yourself exercise. Make a plan. It's really hard to do it, but it makes you feel good.
-Love your students. Just live out your love for them. They will know it.
-You're automatically cool because you're in college. Stop worrying so much.
-And as always, these three rules apply:
-Teaching in pants is better than teaching in a skirt. You will move around on the floor.
-Bring snacks. Hunger sets in pretty quick when breakfast happens at 6am.
-It's okay to say "I don't know, but I can find out"
- Use your planning period. You may think you'll be able to work at home, but you definitely will not.
-Be nice to people. Relationships are super important, in any field of work.
-DO NOT NAP. You will not be able to sleep at night!!
-Make yourself exercise. Make a plan. It's really hard to do it, but it makes you feel good.
-Love your students. Just live out your love for them. They will know it.
-You're automatically cool because you're in college. Stop worrying so much.
-And as always, these three rules apply:
- Stay cool
- Don't be a turd
- And have fun!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Day Seven, in which the first frustrations arise.
Hello, Blogosphere. Hello, readers. Hello, friends.
I'm in a silly mood because I am feeling very sleepy today. It is Tuesday, but it certainly doesn't feel that way. It feels a lot more like Thursday, which makes me super anxious about the work I need to turn in by Saturday night (or in this case, Thursday night, because I'm going to camp on Friday)... but in reality, I'm doing really well, and I'm pretty far ahead!
My teacher is a pretty last-minute planner, in fact, she decided what we would do in Tech class today approximately 10 minutes before tech class began. This makes it a bit difficult when I have to write my lesson plans a week in advance, and have them approved by her. But today, I asked what she wanted me to teach next week so I can get a head start on those (again, due Thursday night). I'm taking on Theatre I all by myself next week, and I am excited, but here is where the bit of frustration has begun to sink in:
I am so anxious to be a real teacher, to make my own syllabus and schedule and to design my own class, that it can be difficult and frustrating for me to follow her plans, while attempting to add my own twist on things. I have to fit into her unit titles, and arrange my lessons to fit hers, and I have her lesson plans (or lists, sort of), and she has been teaching this for thirteen years, so it seems that she has her assessments pretty much set... I know she is flexible, and she's told me that I can teach it any way I would like to, whatever I think will work best, but it is definitely a challenge to integrate my ideas with her ready-made plans.
I think that over time, this will sort itself out, especially when I start taking over Theatre I... except I'm not delivering the final assessment, because I'm done on December 11th, and their final is January 13th. I'm sure we'll figure out what to do, and she has had student teachers before, so I know it will be okay. It's just an interesting personality difference - my planning and organization versus her following what she has always done. She is still very organized and has things all worked out, but I'm bringing in new things, which I want to do, but which seems intimidating right now.
In any case, it's only the second day with students, and I'm already tired of observing and ready to jump right into the water - I'd say that's a good thing : )
I have to remember to be patient - I am still learning, after all. I am a student teacher. I need to remind myself of that fact daily.
I wonder if the students think I don't do anything - but, again, it's only the second day. I'm not supposed to do anything right now - except observe and work behind the scenes. It's interesting when most of my students have had classes with my teacher before, so I'm new - normally everyone is kind of new together, especially at the start of the year, but this is a bit different.
I think it will be okay.
I just want to know when I should jump in, when I should add to conversations, when I should take the lead and stop just watching... but, Laura, it's day two.
It's going to be okay.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. [Isaiah 26:3]
I'm in a silly mood because I am feeling very sleepy today. It is Tuesday, but it certainly doesn't feel that way. It feels a lot more like Thursday, which makes me super anxious about the work I need to turn in by Saturday night (or in this case, Thursday night, because I'm going to camp on Friday)... but in reality, I'm doing really well, and I'm pretty far ahead!
My teacher is a pretty last-minute planner, in fact, she decided what we would do in Tech class today approximately 10 minutes before tech class began. This makes it a bit difficult when I have to write my lesson plans a week in advance, and have them approved by her. But today, I asked what she wanted me to teach next week so I can get a head start on those (again, due Thursday night). I'm taking on Theatre I all by myself next week, and I am excited, but here is where the bit of frustration has begun to sink in:
I am so anxious to be a real teacher, to make my own syllabus and schedule and to design my own class, that it can be difficult and frustrating for me to follow her plans, while attempting to add my own twist on things. I have to fit into her unit titles, and arrange my lessons to fit hers, and I have her lesson plans (or lists, sort of), and she has been teaching this for thirteen years, so it seems that she has her assessments pretty much set... I know she is flexible, and she's told me that I can teach it any way I would like to, whatever I think will work best, but it is definitely a challenge to integrate my ideas with her ready-made plans.
I think that over time, this will sort itself out, especially when I start taking over Theatre I... except I'm not delivering the final assessment, because I'm done on December 11th, and their final is January 13th. I'm sure we'll figure out what to do, and she has had student teachers before, so I know it will be okay. It's just an interesting personality difference - my planning and organization versus her following what she has always done. She is still very organized and has things all worked out, but I'm bringing in new things, which I want to do, but which seems intimidating right now.
In any case, it's only the second day with students, and I'm already tired of observing and ready to jump right into the water - I'd say that's a good thing : )
I have to remember to be patient - I am still learning, after all. I am a student teacher. I need to remind myself of that fact daily.
I wonder if the students think I don't do anything - but, again, it's only the second day. I'm not supposed to do anything right now - except observe and work behind the scenes. It's interesting when most of my students have had classes with my teacher before, so I'm new - normally everyone is kind of new together, especially at the start of the year, but this is a bit different.
I think it will be okay.
I just want to know when I should jump in, when I should add to conversations, when I should take the lead and stop just watching... but, Laura, it's day two.
It's going to be okay.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. [Isaiah 26:3]
Monday, August 26, 2013
Day Six (Week 2, Day 1)
The counting reminds me of Running Mate. (If you haven't heard of this, you should definitely check it out, runningmatemedia.com!)
Today was my first day with students - -
And it was awesome!
It actually went by really fast. This morning we had homeroom, then theatre I, which picked up all the exercises really quickly - I think they will be a good class. Then we had planning, in which I got pretty far on my homework for the week. After that was technical theatre, and we got a bunch of stuff inventoried, and the students seem to know what they're doing, or to be enrolled in other theatre classes, and so they must be in tech because they want to be there. Then, we had lunch - yummm - then Theatre II. In that class, the students all explained why they took Theatre II, and it was so awesome to hear them talk about what theatre means to them - I wish I could have it recorded and turn it in for my impact project!! It really encouraged me to hear this, and assured me that I am doing something that is important and meaningful.
That was definitely the hi-light of the day. After that, the day was over! I just worked in the office some more, and got some more homework done, and then came home, ate a cookie, which motivated me to go for a run, took a shower, and now here I am!
(Also my teacher told me that I don't need to wear pantyhose, and I can put my nose ring back in, because it's fine with everybody at my school. That's awesome.)
Oh, and I encouraged the chorus teacher to look into Chacos to help with her tendon problem in her foot - I should be a Chaco sales rep, I love these things so much. I think she's going to get some, and I really hope they help her. I like her a lot! I know it's only the first day (with students) but I could definitely see myself working at this school in the future.
Of course, like I said, it's day one.
We'll see where this goes... but so far, so GREAT!
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake. [Psalm 23]
Today was my first day with students - -
And it was awesome!
It actually went by really fast. This morning we had homeroom, then theatre I, which picked up all the exercises really quickly - I think they will be a good class. Then we had planning, in which I got pretty far on my homework for the week. After that was technical theatre, and we got a bunch of stuff inventoried, and the students seem to know what they're doing, or to be enrolled in other theatre classes, and so they must be in tech because they want to be there. Then, we had lunch - yummm - then Theatre II. In that class, the students all explained why they took Theatre II, and it was so awesome to hear them talk about what theatre means to them - I wish I could have it recorded and turn it in for my impact project!! It really encouraged me to hear this, and assured me that I am doing something that is important and meaningful.
That was definitely the hi-light of the day. After that, the day was over! I just worked in the office some more, and got some more homework done, and then came home, ate a cookie, which motivated me to go for a run, took a shower, and now here I am!
(Also my teacher told me that I don't need to wear pantyhose, and I can put my nose ring back in, because it's fine with everybody at my school. That's awesome.)
Oh, and I encouraged the chorus teacher to look into Chacos to help with her tendon problem in her foot - I should be a Chaco sales rep, I love these things so much. I think she's going to get some, and I really hope they help her. I like her a lot! I know it's only the first day (with students) but I could definitely see myself working at this school in the future.
Of course, like I said, it's day one.
We'll see where this goes... but so far, so GREAT!
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake. [Psalm 23]
Friday, August 23, 2013
Day Five: Lessons in Humility
Today was the last teacher workday before students show up on Monday.
Today I received a Lesson Plan Book.
Today I completed my lecture notes for next Friday.
Today I attempted to move a 14-foot ladder by myself, and in the process managed to spill a bucket of water on a ton of electrical equipment.
...
Oops.
Lessons from today:
It's okay to ask for help.
It's okay to appear incompetent.
It's okay to make mistakes.
But it really helps the last two items on this list when you remember the first one.
So, that was embarrassing. Plus, I've realized how little I know about technical theatre terms, and even though I know I can figure out how to do everything, and I'd be happy to sit in the theatre and work on a project by myself, I get really intimidated when my teacher is there, and I feel like she is going to think I'm not good enough - but I have to let this go!!
It is okay to mess up.
It is okay to fail.
We cannot grow if we do not change.
I am ready for students to come on Monday. I have some insecurities, but I think that I just need to be as much myself as possible. (It's way easier in some environments than others - I'm becoming increasingly thankful for camp and Boone as the days go by). If I'm nervous, or if I'm trying to hide, the students will know. And they won't like me. Why should I hold back simply because I'm a student teacher? In fact, I should take advantage of the fact that I'm a student teacher - it means I get to try new things, to try things and fail miserably, and get back up on my feet and try again.
Be BOLD.
I will be BOLD.
Tomorrow I am looking forward to: Seeing Sam
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. [Hebrews 12: 1-2]
Today I received a Lesson Plan Book.
Today I completed my lecture notes for next Friday.
Today I attempted to move a 14-foot ladder by myself, and in the process managed to spill a bucket of water on a ton of electrical equipment.
...
Oops.
Lessons from today:
It's okay to ask for help.
It's okay to appear incompetent.
It's okay to make mistakes.
But it really helps the last two items on this list when you remember the first one.
So, that was embarrassing. Plus, I've realized how little I know about technical theatre terms, and even though I know I can figure out how to do everything, and I'd be happy to sit in the theatre and work on a project by myself, I get really intimidated when my teacher is there, and I feel like she is going to think I'm not good enough - but I have to let this go!!
It is okay to mess up.
It is okay to fail.
We cannot grow if we do not change.
I am ready for students to come on Monday. I have some insecurities, but I think that I just need to be as much myself as possible. (It's way easier in some environments than others - I'm becoming increasingly thankful for camp and Boone as the days go by). If I'm nervous, or if I'm trying to hide, the students will know. And they won't like me. Why should I hold back simply because I'm a student teacher? In fact, I should take advantage of the fact that I'm a student teacher - it means I get to try new things, to try things and fail miserably, and get back up on my feet and try again.
Be BOLD.
I will be BOLD.
Tomorrow I am looking forward to: Seeing Sam
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. [Hebrews 12: 1-2]
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Day Four, Y'all!
I cannot explain why, because I do not know, but I have this desire within me to pretend that I am super country. Like, for my students. On the first day. Would that be funny or weird? Only time will tell...
Today was day 4! Can you believe it? It feels like a time-warp, kind of. It almost feels like I've been doing this for a lifetime! I wonder if the semester will fly by?
Today we had county-wide departmental meetings, and mine was at my old high school! It was pretty cool to see the support from central office, and to be in an auditorium full of people who are passionate about the arts in education, just like I am. I still feel like I'm in sort of a weird position as a student teacher, I almost envy the people who have been doing this for 15 or 20 years! But everyone has to student teach first, in order to be a real teacher later, so I'm sure they understand.
I was so happy to see my old theatre teacher, and our former student teacher who is now working at the school, and even my old tech teacher! So crazy!! It was a joy to be in a room full of high school theatre teachers from all across the county - interesting to be on the other side of things! The fellowship and community among them seems really cool.
I also met the Senior Administrator for Arts Education in the county, and she remembered me from when I was performing in high school!! THAT WAS AMAZING. And she asked me if I'm thinking of staying in the county after student teaching, and started talking about possible openings in theatre positions starting in January. I am so blessed to have this kind of support!!!
After the meeting, we went back to my high school and continued to work to prepare for Monday. I'm not sure what we're doing in theatre II and tech on the first day, but I guess we'll figure it out? My teacher doesn't have super detailed or specific lesson plans like I probably will, but she's also been teaching for thirteen years, so I'm sure she knows what she's doing. Plus, she is well-respected by other educators in the county. I definitely got a good placement : )
Since the school was less busy today, I got more time to talk to my teacher, and I think we will get along really well. It was nice to actually talk, not so much about business stuff, but just to get to know her a little better. It's going to be a good semester.
I also started making lecture notes for my first lesson next week! Eek! Monday is coming really soon.
My biggest lesson today: be BOLD! I've been pretty shy this week, and it can be intimidating to be a newbie around lots of experienced educators, but we each bring something to the table - they have their experience, and I have a ton of energy and hope!
I am most looking forward to: the weekend : )
1 Corinthians 12:
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Today was day 4! Can you believe it? It feels like a time-warp, kind of. It almost feels like I've been doing this for a lifetime! I wonder if the semester will fly by?
Today we had county-wide departmental meetings, and mine was at my old high school! It was pretty cool to see the support from central office, and to be in an auditorium full of people who are passionate about the arts in education, just like I am. I still feel like I'm in sort of a weird position as a student teacher, I almost envy the people who have been doing this for 15 or 20 years! But everyone has to student teach first, in order to be a real teacher later, so I'm sure they understand.
I was so happy to see my old theatre teacher, and our former student teacher who is now working at the school, and even my old tech teacher! So crazy!! It was a joy to be in a room full of high school theatre teachers from all across the county - interesting to be on the other side of things! The fellowship and community among them seems really cool.
I also met the Senior Administrator for Arts Education in the county, and she remembered me from when I was performing in high school!! THAT WAS AMAZING. And she asked me if I'm thinking of staying in the county after student teaching, and started talking about possible openings in theatre positions starting in January. I am so blessed to have this kind of support!!!
After the meeting, we went back to my high school and continued to work to prepare for Monday. I'm not sure what we're doing in theatre II and tech on the first day, but I guess we'll figure it out? My teacher doesn't have super detailed or specific lesson plans like I probably will, but she's also been teaching for thirteen years, so I'm sure she knows what she's doing. Plus, she is well-respected by other educators in the county. I definitely got a good placement : )
Since the school was less busy today, I got more time to talk to my teacher, and I think we will get along really well. It was nice to actually talk, not so much about business stuff, but just to get to know her a little better. It's going to be a good semester.
I also started making lecture notes for my first lesson next week! Eek! Monday is coming really soon.
My biggest lesson today: be BOLD! I've been pretty shy this week, and it can be intimidating to be a newbie around lots of experienced educators, but we each bring something to the table - they have their experience, and I have a ton of energy and hope!
I am most looking forward to: the weekend : )
1 Corinthians 12:
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
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