My Social Life Begins

YIKES! I am living life and not taking the time to write. It has been over a week and so much has happened. I have been working with one of my colleagues, a first year teacher. Mr. Wilson. A man who shares the same teaching philosophy that I do. We discuss the students and what is happening in our classrooms. We plan together. And, most importantly, we have fun together. It is hard to believe he is Sean’s age and has begun his professional career. Sean continues his journey through college.

I think we make other teachers nervous. Take that back, I am pretty sure we do. We are teaching literary concepts through music, poetry, videos, hands-on activities, cooperative learning, and a variety of other ways that are not typically seen in a North Carolina school preparing students for the EOG. We are showing them concepts in ways students can relate to them in their world. Mostly through music. Slowly, we will move on to short stories and novels. However, until we do, I think there are going to be some teachers a bit freaked out.

In the classes that we are referring to, it is apparent that what has been done in the past has not been working. Many of these students have not passed the test and have had to go to waiver. I would like to avoid the waiver system if at all possible. Not only are we teaching out of the box, we are also preparing portfolios with the students to keep them a bit more accountable of what they are doing.  All in all, a positive step I believe.

And the fun Mr. Wilson and I have?  Getting together on the weekends to plan is only a small part of it. Somehow last week, I found myself part of a DJ crew for an upcoming dance. Mr. Wilson (Craig), the life skills teacher (Tracie), and myself will be DJ’ing an upcoming dance. Because we do not believe it would be any fun just being ourselves for this dance, we are all taking on different musical personas. I will be the rock star complete with leather pants, platform boots, and a painted face. Craig is gracing us a C-Dub the rapper, while Tracie will be bringing it as a punk rocker. The best part of planning the event was our evening out – costumes and dinner.

The fun continues at the adult spelling bee this Thursday night. Craig and I will be joined by two other teachers. The music theme continues. Tracie is not able to join us. Instead, we will enjoy the company of beach music and a little bit of country.  The rounding out of my time here continues beyond the social scene. I have joined a gym.

Life continues to be good….