Student: I don't like that new Spanish teacher. She's MEAN.
Teacher: Which one?
Student: Well, you know. The white one.
Teacher: Which one?
Student: Well, the white one with brown hair.
Teacher: WHICH ONE?
Student: Well, she has a German sounding last name or something.
Teacher: Which ONE?!
Student: I dunno! She's just mean!
Teacher: Well, you said I was mean the first week last year and now I have to kick you out of my class at 4:30 because you won't leave. Does "mean," mean she's makin y'all WORK?
Student: Maybe....
Ms. Rosenberg and Ms. Hornstein- two new white brown haired german soundingish last named MEAN spanish teachers- are doing something right!!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Mayhem
News Bulletin: I am now a Spanish teacher at Gwynn Park High School in Prince George's County. I have 160 students that I teach in 6 periods, block scheduling, on A and B days. I teach 3 classes of Spanish I and 3 classes of Spanish II- each class has 30-35 students. I have more stories in 3 days than I could ever tell in a blog- and it's only been 3 days.
I think from now on, saving up for a weekly post is going to be too overwhelming. I'm going to start doing random small entries when a good story comes up, because I find that those literary gems are lost by week's end and I'm too tired to sit and write a thorough post.
I LOVE my students. They are hilarious so far, and so ready to learn. Yes, they are pushing back- they know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I am the new kid in town. But I can also tell that they are craving structure and a challenge. When I introduced my big goal of 80% class mastery, there were many groans and moans of protest- but there were also students who said out loudly, "Thank God Y'all! A teacher that's goin make us learn!"
Most funny have been the questions. "Are you giving us homework? Are you going to be hard? You one a those strict teachers or somethin?" Yes, yes and yes. But are you going to learn more Spanish with me in one month than you've learned all of last year? Absolutely. Are you going to like my class? Absolutely. Are you going to have to work your butt off? Absolutely...and that will be the challenge. Making them WANT to work.
Their minds are already blown by the organization, games and activities of the first few classes. I don't think many teachers they've seen give them this kind of a show. It's only day 3 and I've got two more years to go. There is a LOT to learn...
Peace and Love.
I think from now on, saving up for a weekly post is going to be too overwhelming. I'm going to start doing random small entries when a good story comes up, because I find that those literary gems are lost by week's end and I'm too tired to sit and write a thorough post.
I LOVE my students. They are hilarious so far, and so ready to learn. Yes, they are pushing back- they know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I am the new kid in town. But I can also tell that they are craving structure and a challenge. When I introduced my big goal of 80% class mastery, there were many groans and moans of protest- but there were also students who said out loudly, "Thank God Y'all! A teacher that's goin make us learn!"
Most funny have been the questions. "Are you giving us homework? Are you going to be hard? You one a those strict teachers or somethin?" Yes, yes and yes. But are you going to learn more Spanish with me in one month than you've learned all of last year? Absolutely. Are you going to like my class? Absolutely. Are you going to have to work your butt off? Absolutely...and that will be the challenge. Making them WANT to work.
Their minds are already blown by the organization, games and activities of the first few classes. I don't think many teachers they've seen give them this kind of a show. It's only day 3 and I've got two more years to go. There is a LOT to learn...
Peace and Love.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
The Best Happy Hour in DC
Last week, I reunited with a friend from high school named Kate. She was a student at AU, and to welcome me to town she wrote a list of all her favorite DC hot spots. Right in the middle of the bars and restaurants was something called "Drum Circle" and next to it she wrote "where everyone goes on Sundays 3-9pm."
It struck me a little odd that Sunday was a bar night in DC. But what do I know about city living? Every night's a "going out," night, I figured, and after another stressful week waiting for a teaching assignment, I decided that a few drinks on a Sunday afternoon couldn't hurt. I texted Kate: "Still going to Drum Circle? Can't wait.. what time should we meet?"
Kate returned my text with a phone call. "Do you want to have a picnic?" She asked. I hesitated. A pre-bar picnic? Well, cheers to Sundays in DC. "Sure," I replied. "What should I bring? Where are we picnicing?"
"At Drum Circle," she answered. I was confused. I never heard of a bring your own food bar. "Um," I said. "Wait, where is this place again?"
"At Malcolm X park, near U street," she replied. "I guess you can bring whatever, people just kind of eat and hang out, do yoga and listen to the drums."
Suddenly, it clicked. "Drum Circle," wasn't the name of a bar. It literally was a DRUM CIRCLE. In a park. Where people sat, and picniced. And did yoga. Ok, so not exactly what I was expecting for the afternoon- but I decided that this sounded even better!
And I was right. I've never seen anything like the Drum Circle. According to Kate, it's the one place where all walks of life in DC get together in peace and love for 5 hours a week. The park itself was beautiful, it reminded me of Parque Guell in Barcelona for any of you Spain travelers. And as I climbed flights of stairs towards the top of the hill and the beat of the drums, I could see exactly what she meant. Blacks, whites, and every color in between sat on the grass. Mothers with babies, small middle school boys, and college kids mingled with food and laughter. There were popped-collar Georgetown types and Patagonia-bearing city hippies, women dancing around with incence and couples doing Yoga in the most incredible positions that I had ever witnessed. There were even people tightrope walking between trees. Elderly people closed their eyes, enjoying the sunshine and warm breeze. Everything about it was relaxed and joyful.
Best of all were the drummers. There must have been 100 people or more with all kinds of drums and instruments. Homeless men and college professors all beat in rhythm. I wanted to know who was in charge of the giant cacaphony making it all work together seamlessly! And behind the huge circle of drummers were 40 or 50 people dancing to the beat. It was such a hodge-podge, it completely blew my mind.
If any of you find yourself wandering Washington DC on a Sunday afternoon with nothing to do, or you just feel a need to see what the world at peace might look like, this bizzare break from the real world is a must-see every Sunday afternoon. I look forward to more adventures off the beaten (or is it on the beaten? Drum...pun...) path.
Peace and Love.
It struck me a little odd that Sunday was a bar night in DC. But what do I know about city living? Every night's a "going out," night, I figured, and after another stressful week waiting for a teaching assignment, I decided that a few drinks on a Sunday afternoon couldn't hurt. I texted Kate: "Still going to Drum Circle? Can't wait.. what time should we meet?"
Kate returned my text with a phone call. "Do you want to have a picnic?" She asked. I hesitated. A pre-bar picnic? Well, cheers to Sundays in DC. "Sure," I replied. "What should I bring? Where are we picnicing?"
"At Drum Circle," she answered. I was confused. I never heard of a bring your own food bar. "Um," I said. "Wait, where is this place again?"
"At Malcolm X park, near U street," she replied. "I guess you can bring whatever, people just kind of eat and hang out, do yoga and listen to the drums."
Suddenly, it clicked. "Drum Circle," wasn't the name of a bar. It literally was a DRUM CIRCLE. In a park. Where people sat, and picniced. And did yoga. Ok, so not exactly what I was expecting for the afternoon- but I decided that this sounded even better!
And I was right. I've never seen anything like the Drum Circle. According to Kate, it's the one place where all walks of life in DC get together in peace and love for 5 hours a week. The park itself was beautiful, it reminded me of Parque Guell in Barcelona for any of you Spain travelers. And as I climbed flights of stairs towards the top of the hill and the beat of the drums, I could see exactly what she meant. Blacks, whites, and every color in between sat on the grass. Mothers with babies, small middle school boys, and college kids mingled with food and laughter. There were popped-collar Georgetown types and Patagonia-bearing city hippies, women dancing around with incence and couples doing Yoga in the most incredible positions that I had ever witnessed. There were even people tightrope walking between trees. Elderly people closed their eyes, enjoying the sunshine and warm breeze. Everything about it was relaxed and joyful.
Best of all were the drummers. There must have been 100 people or more with all kinds of drums and instruments. Homeless men and college professors all beat in rhythm. I wanted to know who was in charge of the giant cacaphony making it all work together seamlessly! And behind the huge circle of drummers were 40 or 50 people dancing to the beat. It was such a hodge-podge, it completely blew my mind.
If any of you find yourself wandering Washington DC on a Sunday afternoon with nothing to do, or you just feel a need to see what the world at peace might look like, this bizzare break from the real world is a must-see every Sunday afternoon. I look forward to more adventures off the beaten (or is it on the beaten? Drum...pun...) path.
Peace and Love.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
DC at Last
Yes! I am finally here in the district, in my adorable new house in my amazing new city! It is so refreshing to have a LIFE back- if only for a few weeks. Right now, the place is chaos as we are all more or less "camping out," here. I don't have a bed, or any furniture, and the dining room is a glorified storage closet for all the bags and boxes of items we can't bring ourselves to deal with yet. We are all very excited for when this house becomes a "home." I think just a few storage cabinets will make all the difference in the world!
My two roommates spent last week in professional development and more training as they prepare for the year. But since I am in limbo, I decided to go home to MA and at least pack my car with my clothes and kitchen supplies. Tonight, I made a shrimp scampi in my new kitchen. Even if I don't have a bed, I'm good as long as I can cook! This upcoming week will be much of the same: they will continue their training, and I will continue waiting. I am told that I might have some answers from the TFA office, or at least some progress, by the week's end. In the meanwhile, I plan on painting, unpacking, and continuing the never-ending cleaning. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I am assigned to a Spanish classroom!
Otherwise, I don't have all that much to report. DC is just wonderful. It feels like I live in Paris- the city is so beautiful and refined in so many ways. There are vibrant colors and all kinds of people to behold, and the sight of the monuments and the architecture in general still takes my breath away. I've been lucky enough to check out Chinatown, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and Adams Morgan this week. Already I have been to some amazing restaurants and great bars. There's just so much to do and everyone here is young and confident. It's not hard to meet people. I would love to join a softball league or take a pilates class to make some more new friends. I am expecting challenging, draining work during the school year- but I refuse to give up my social life entirely! There's just too much to see and do here.
Until next week. Peace and love!
My two roommates spent last week in professional development and more training as they prepare for the year. But since I am in limbo, I decided to go home to MA and at least pack my car with my clothes and kitchen supplies. Tonight, I made a shrimp scampi in my new kitchen. Even if I don't have a bed, I'm good as long as I can cook! This upcoming week will be much of the same: they will continue their training, and I will continue waiting. I am told that I might have some answers from the TFA office, or at least some progress, by the week's end. In the meanwhile, I plan on painting, unpacking, and continuing the never-ending cleaning. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I am assigned to a Spanish classroom!
Otherwise, I don't have all that much to report. DC is just wonderful. It feels like I live in Paris- the city is so beautiful and refined in so many ways. There are vibrant colors and all kinds of people to behold, and the sight of the monuments and the architecture in general still takes my breath away. I've been lucky enough to check out Chinatown, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, and Adams Morgan this week. Already I have been to some amazing restaurants and great bars. There's just so much to do and everyone here is young and confident. It's not hard to meet people. I would love to join a softball league or take a pilates class to make some more new friends. I am expecting challenging, draining work during the school year- but I refuse to give up my social life entirely! There's just too much to see and do here.
Until next week. Peace and love!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
FREEDOM
The last post I wrote, I think my overwhelming exhaustion came through with every typed word. This last week, I hit rock bottom. After giving my kids their final exams, and reviewing the results, I couldn't have been at a lower low. The one thing that gets everyone through the excruciating work of institute is the joy in seeing your students succeed. When our class average on the final came in at a 76%, and I knew that some kids had failed the course, it was like swallowing a rock. To call home parents and tell them that their kids would be repeating grades- to tell students you've been encouraging all summer that their final test was a D... how can you balance the ups and downs of the experience? How do you make sure that it's not YOU who pushes some struggling student over the edge of dropping out of high school? How do you find a way to tell a student riddled by text anxiety that they can do it? How do you maintain faith and trust, so fragile that you've built with your kids? It's overwhelming pressure in this profession, knowing that someone's life and future rides on your shoulders. You may be even tempted to pass the failing students...but then you do them no justice either when they arrive the next year and get lost and give up by week three...
My class was not with out its successes. It had many of them! For as many students that failed, there were those that started out on the edge, getting 50's and 60's, who we pushed up to producing consistent B quality work on tests. There were those that had no confidence in their brilliance that we showed could and should expect A's in their life, not just "passing." But it's always "the one that gets away" that haunts you.
So yes, after the test I was in a foul mood. I couldn't wait to get out of school and start fresh with a new class. The second to last day, I gave the students the equivalent of a college course evaluation that my friend Liz had given her class to amazing results. "Give them lots of time," she advised me. "They are more thoughtful and thorough then you could imagine."
She was right. She was beyond right. These reviews changed my life. They changed the whole way I thought about my work this summer. And more than anything, I knew that I didn't lose one single kid. Not one. Even the ones that failed weren't walking away hopeless. I have included a few quotes from these reviews that I will keep with me forever, wherever the next two years take me I will know in 20 days that I was able to touch my students. It thrills me to think about what opportunities await me in a year. Here are just a few samples:
"I really enjoyed you as my teacher...you kept a very high energy in the class so every day was a awesome day."
"She made me confident in myself. Made me beleive I can do anything if I put my mind to it."
"She has helped me alot by going through the objective I don't get and she gives me the energy to work hard and do well by leaving little comments on my exit slip."
" I love Senorita Hornstein. Just because of Srta. Hornstein now next year I will be prepared for Spanish 2. Thank you so much!"
"I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! I LOVE SENORITA HORNSTEIN :-) She is funny... needs to learn some new raps."
And my favorite, from the student I failed:
I love it. I never worked so hard. Thank you all...Ms. Hornstein encourage me to stay strong, go to school and do what I have to do so I can graduate. Thank you for all the hard work and push so I can go to college because I've had so many haters.
I took a photo diary of my last day at South Philly. Please enjoy a trip through my day here... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2307403&id=5515657&l=5857b6ae64
My class was not with out its successes. It had many of them! For as many students that failed, there were those that started out on the edge, getting 50's and 60's, who we pushed up to producing consistent B quality work on tests. There were those that had no confidence in their brilliance that we showed could and should expect A's in their life, not just "passing." But it's always "the one that gets away" that haunts you.
So yes, after the test I was in a foul mood. I couldn't wait to get out of school and start fresh with a new class. The second to last day, I gave the students the equivalent of a college course evaluation that my friend Liz had given her class to amazing results. "Give them lots of time," she advised me. "They are more thoughtful and thorough then you could imagine."
She was right. She was beyond right. These reviews changed my life. They changed the whole way I thought about my work this summer. And more than anything, I knew that I didn't lose one single kid. Not one. Even the ones that failed weren't walking away hopeless. I have included a few quotes from these reviews that I will keep with me forever, wherever the next two years take me I will know in 20 days that I was able to touch my students. It thrills me to think about what opportunities await me in a year. Here are just a few samples:
"I really enjoyed you as my teacher...you kept a very high energy in the class so every day was a awesome day."
"She made me confident in myself. Made me beleive I can do anything if I put my mind to it."
"She has helped me alot by going through the objective I don't get and she gives me the energy to work hard and do well by leaving little comments on my exit slip."
" I love Senorita Hornstein. Just because of Srta. Hornstein now next year I will be prepared for Spanish 2. Thank you so much!"
"I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! I LOVE SENORITA HORNSTEIN :-) She is funny... needs to learn some new raps."
And my favorite, from the student I failed:
I love it. I never worked so hard. Thank you all...Ms. Hornstein encourage me to stay strong, go to school and do what I have to do so I can graduate. Thank you for all the hard work and push so I can go to college because I've had so many haters.
I took a photo diary of my last day at South Philly. Please enjoy a trip through my day here... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2307403&id=5515657&l=5857b6ae64
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