"BALLROOM BLITZ"

If I could do anything I wanted.......

 I would learn to ballroom dance. I have always been captivated by the way they imbue pure elegance and poise. How confident and graceful the women carry themselves, with their long dazzling dresses. How the men lead their partners through the harmonious tune.  How both intertwine their love for the music  and execute every step with calculated perfection, yet projecting nothing short of radiance . They mesmerize their audiences with their whimsical twists and polished turns.  And if I were given the opportunity I would love to learn to ballroom dance. 

"Diamonds are forever"

It's funny to me how some days you think about people you have long forgotten and that in the midst of a fast paced day their name pops up like those random advertisements you get on the internet. It all started in class one day, I was trying to focus and for some inexplicable reason I noticed my fellow peer scribbling something on the board and at that exact moment I remembered her. She used to make me write page after page to practice my penmanship. How she meticulously watched my hand and when she saw that pencil slightly rise she took the paper and made me start all over again. I have to honestly say I disliked her a lot she made my life impossible, tolerant was her antonym and she despised horrible penmanship. She was my teacher, I'll never forget her because she taught me something, she gave me perspective. Doesn't sound like much does it, I think sometimes she forever engraved herself in my memory by mistake. Out of all the wonderful teachers I  have had, time has erased them yet not even time can erase her. She reigned over her class with an iron fist, with the most astronomical expectations that I think to this day drove me. Her point of view enabled me to establish a higher bar of success for myself and worst of all inspired me. Her lack of compassion and tolerance motivated me to  become a teacher. She was never there to hold my hand or pat me on the back, she was instead there pushing me picking on me to prove her wrong. She really did prove the saying that a "diamond is a chunk of coal made good under pressure". For that reason I applaud her, in the method of her madness I found her true motive she made us strong to never let anyone bring us down, to prove to the world our abilities, and most importantly to achieve perfection in whatever we pursue, making her a truly timeless diamond. 

"A Letter from the Future"

Assignment: Imagine that you are twenty-eight years old, and you're writing to a cherished teacher whom you haven't heard from in ten years. Tell him/her about your professional life. What do you do for a living and how did you get there? Consider the following: What schools did you attend? What special training and degrees do you have? Where do you work and what is the name of your company? What do your coworkers and boss think of you? What professional successes and awards have you enjoyed since graduating from high school.

Dear Teacher,

I hope that even after a decade of absence you still remember me. It has been ten years since I stepped in your class and took your exams and listened to your lectures. Today I am still attending school preparing myself for the next step which is my doctorate. I am currently a fourth grade teacher. And I am proud to announce that I have created a program which allows inner city children explore the world around them, interacting with other students all around the world in their classroom. My goals are to continue my studies and hopefully become a principal. I have been named teacher of the year in the state of New Jersey for my determination and dedication to the children of my school. I must admit that my dream to change the world in no way has changed during these ten years I continue to pursue it with ardor. My dreams to bring the world to children less fortunate is becoming a reality before my eyes, so far three neighboring school systems have adopted my idea and I hope many more will follow. It has been ten years since I was a student with big dreams and today ten years later I am growing closer to fulfilling them.

"The Knight of Education"

Today I stumbled across an article in the TIME magazine I picked up during my lunch. As you know I am interested in the field of education and this particular article grabbed my attention. It's about a woman named Michelle Rhee, many might not be aware of who she is, or what's she's accomplishing in the district of Colombia . But I was simply intrigued by her vivacity and her vision. The vision of creating schools that actually focus on the children, and her plan to insure their success. Many students today on a nation wide level face struggles that in her opinion should not even be an obstacle. The obstacle are the providers, the people that students depend on to teach them, to guide them, to inspire them. Teachers are the tool to the future in my opinion they are as important as the law makers and leaders of this great nation. Their goal is to promote and produce well rounded, wise individuals yet for some reason teachers primarily in cities where violence and chaos thrall are losing their reason for teaching, which in doubt hurt their students, our future. We find ourselves in a crucial time period where incompetent teachers can not be over looked nor tolerated and Michelle Rhee is trying to change that.

"Grab Bag"

If a genie gave me three wishes right now I would wish for.......

Health, happiness and MONEY! Although I am not fond of money overall, I feel that it is vital in order for me to accomplish some lifelong dreams of mine such as traveling the world to experience  both the cultures and cuisines that can be found throughout the world. Health because who needs money if you don't have health. Happiness because money is futile when one is not happy and healthy to enjoy the fruits of life. 

"Grading"

The way that I feel one should be graded when it comes to our journals should be based on ones creativity meaning pictures, video clips etc. I feel that it shouldn't have to be exaclty alot of writing but it should inform and entertain as well. I dont think a dull and boring entry should get a good grade our project is something that should be exciting and informational at the same time.

"Project Exploration"

Since my childhood, one of my dreams is to see the world, it amazes me that so many people live and never really live. They live on a beautiful planet that alot never get to really see or appreciate. I am entirely intrigued about world cultures. I would love to learn about cultures, people, and places I never imagined.

Over the past few years I have incorporated my dreams of traveling the world and becoming a teacher together. The way that I hope to execute this dream, is by becoming a History teacher. I plan to show and teach my students that the world is theirs that there is something bigger outside the classroom, the school, thier community. I want to give my students the ability to dream.

Walt Disney once said "If you can dream it, you can do it". I hope to one day realize that quote I dream I can travel the world and enlighten my students of the vast wonderful world around them.

"The Beginning"

   Today marks the beginning for the much anticipated moment. I have just gotten a response from my sponsors accepting my proposal to observe them interacting and teaching students. Hopefully during the course of the second semester I will get hands on experience to see what it means and takes to be a teacher. I look forward and again I am very ecstatic about the progress I have accomplished. 

"Melancholy"

It's the second day of the new Year and I am excited that I sent my letters to my hopefully sponsors. I am nervous for a response to see if my proposal to observe the teacher accepted. I am going to have to just wait till Monday I suppose. 

"New Adventures"

Today is my very first day to actually blog. I must admit I have never done it and I am quite excited. Felt like the perfect day for its the first day of the new year, MY year 2009! During the course of this year I will be daily posting my ideas and experiences of the Senior Project which I am part of. Hope it goes well and look forward to writing away.