Dear Teaching World-

How do I fit everything into my classroom/day? It is too small. I have too many ideas. I am floundering.

I need help.

Love,
Ms. K

Bellies!

It is difficult, in today's world, to believe that you are beautiful. For every feature, every aspect of myself that I can discuss in a positive light, there are probably fifteen I could easily tear down. That destruction is not innate. It is learned. Despite the efforts of my parents (who might think I'm the best thing since sliced bread), it is easy to hate the jiggle in my thighs, the double chin in my photos, the mole on my cheek, my belly.

My BELLY.

BELLIES!!!

Last night I was fortunate enough to FINALLY see my friend Jen perform her belly dance. Jen is a vibrant, creative, caring, nurturing woman who has lately shown an amazing resiliance and ability to rise above the challenges life has thrown at her. We don't hang out near as often as I would like, but I am blessed by her presence in my life.

I was also blessed by the bellies (and the swords, and the coins, etc.)

What beauty!

It was a true celebration of the female form. Small, large, breast cancer survivors, young, older...

It made me feel happy. And sad. And effervescent.

And beautiful, through these other beautiful women.

Jumping Jehosephat!

I like to jump. Jumping jacks, jumping beans, jumpers. Even junipers. Everything I know with the word jump in it (even jump start) seems like it's designed to bring about joy. I'm putting a lot of power into joy this week, but jumping has power too. It makes you giggle. And giggle power is impressive.


I like to photograph people jumping. Above you see Jody. She's not jumping for joy, but the jumping is creating joy. She looks so happy in her red coat, about to land on my head (I was laying on the ground taking this one).


A group jump is even better. People stopped to stare, oh yes, but I know they were jealous. They giggled and laughed, and I even saw a few people copy us. "Oh" I know they thought "I wish I could still be as carefree as those young ladies over there. To let go of my troubles for a minute and just jump!" I'm sure I saw the biggest smiles on the faces of the elderly. The couple who took this picture might have gotten more joy from it then we did. "Do it again", they kept saying... "that wasn't perfect"! Normally people take your camera, take one shot, then walk away. Not when you're jumping. I have six shots.

There's a simple joy in the jump. The bending of the knees, the preparation. The whirling arms and smiling face and oh! momentary weightlessness, the departure from your worries, the joy of flying, but not falling, and the descent... sweet and bitter, the fragrant mixture of opposites.

I love to jump. It makes me happy.



Amy makes me happy too.

I can see a lot of things out of my window. My computer table is set up in my sunroom, facing northeast, and when I look out my window, I can see...

...a street full of cars. Always busy. Busy, busy, busy the city whispers, and we rush around, walking, running, driving, riding... busy busy busy. Except for that black car that's been sitting there for a week or so. Two tickets. It doesn't seem to have done anything wrong, just sat. Did you know if your car is in one place for more than two weeks in the city it can be towed? It offends the city sensibilities, apparently... car stagnation.



...plants. I used to be good at watering my plants. Three days a week. My routines have been disrupted and I need to reestablish them, but it takes so much time, so much dedication. I need to divide my life and conquer it, and besides, a good routine makes my soul glow.




...fences. I like privacy. Mostly I like fences that have space for neighbors to talk over them, but let people keep a bit of mystery... what happens in that house on the other side of the fence? Is the grass really greener?



...people. When my windows are open, which usually they are, I can sit in my big comfy chair and catch snippets of conversation from the people passing by. I like it. It makes me feel included. Makes me feel joyous to hear a little bit about my mom says... can you believe?... he didn't... and then she said.... I couldn't stop laughing... the square root of a derivative. What is your story, computer man? It makes me happy to know that people are still conversing, even though the wind and is bitter and the city whispers busy, busy, busy...



Beyond my windows there's joy too.

Joy in Miriam. "Aunty chelly, I'm two and a half". Joy in ice cream, and dirty faces, and absolute pleasure.



Joy in sleeping like a baby.



Joy in discovery and science. Joy in exploration and unabashed curiosity. Joy in simple things: four beans, some paper towels, a little water, a plastic bag...



I love joy.

Home from work, late lunch with friends... a whole day of teaching behind me-- vocabulary (root word-form.... words like uniform, conform, conformist, transform, etc.), literature centers (Fever, 1793 and Maniac Magee, hyperbole, trying our best to write like Jerry Spinelli), watching the finished product of the Joffrey Ballet's collaboration with our students and five other schools' students, math extended response... and it's only 5:00. I'm still trying to wrap my fingers and mind around the changes I'll be experiencing in *new school*. I know things often seem better from a distance, but some of the positive changes I anticipate and hope to see come to fruition...

*integration of "non-academic" subjects*
I grew up in a public school- A fine and performing arts magnet public school- and had early exposure to the arts. I believe FIRMLY that being exposed to Spanish, Music, Art, Photography, Musical Theater and a variety of cultures only served to strengthen my academic progress and my success as a thinker, student, and world-citizen. Music benefitted my mathematical skills, foreign language my verbal and grammatical skills, art my critical thinking and inferencial skills, and so on. Those extras are essential to my being an extra successful person. *New school*'s curriculum boasts bi-weekly art, music, Spanish, gym, computer science, and library science. Woo-Hoo!

*a love of reading, not reading to test*
Oh, the smell of feel of a good book. Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden... How amazing it was, as a child, to be pulled into the twists and turns of a plot, the drama and disaster. *New School* has a vibrant reading program, where the kids are welcome into the principal's office at any time to get recognition for their reading accomplishments, and where reading is not just a means to accomplish a test, but something to be loved and valued.

*great programming*
If you remember back, you'll recall my disappointment when I was sent to a writer's workshop but not encouraged to use what I had learned... Providentially, *New School* also uses writer's workshop, so I'll hopefully be able to put my skills to new use and develop them.

*LOVE*
'nuf said

I HOPE THIS BEATS THE BLUES...

It's been long. Too long. I think I've been locked in a funk... knowing I was leaving, unsure if I was making the right choice, but the news is official...

I HAVE A NEW JOB!

I will be starting in the fall at a charter school located only five minutes from where I'm currently teaching, serving the same population, but in a different manner. I hope i will be revitalized, reinvigorated, and renewed as an educator. I know I will be.

I have learned a lot these past two years, but am excruciatingly excited to be going to a school that recognizes the importance of art, music, language, gym, library, and computer sciences to young mind. A school that embraces recess. A school that will let me teach and believe at the same time. It won't be perfect, I'm sure, but I'm excited already...

If you want more info, let me know.

Oh jeez.

I fell off the face of the earth. I'm returning though, but first I have to go do this mock teaching lesson....

I'll be back.