"To Sir, With Love"

As we all know I appreciate old movies because I find something interesting to them. I try to watch movies that have something of moral that is meticulously intertwined in the plot of the story. This one is by far one of the best in my "admire teacher" category. The story takes place in England. I liked this movie because the patience that the teacher had in the tough neighborhood of England he endured and changed the teens perspective on things. It might had been old but I felt it quite refreshing. I had watched it first by myself on a lazy Sunday but when it re aired I made my brother watch it. I feel that he should see oldies once in a while to compare and contrast for himself the distinction from good thought out movies that have a message embedded then pointless ones that allows him to only memorize a line here and there. So on my list I give it five stars!

"Bye Bye To the Letters"

Growing up I used to push for straight A's and B's. Where an A was a 90-100 and a B was 80-90. Then when my brother began to go to school they had changed the whole thing a 92-100 was considered an A and a 83-91 was a B. We are in the year of 2009 and some schools across the country have decided to say goodbye to the letters and hello to the numbers. According to the New York Times some school districts in New York and California among other select few have changed the traditional A,B,C,D, and F, to numbers ranging from 1-4. The science to the madness of this concept is to improve and allow consistency. The numbers are being adopted by struggling districts to ensure and see what areas are their students struggling the most. I was impressed because a few months back I had read something in the Courier posts about colleges having a tough time with measuring and calculating which student would best exemplify the qualities they want to see due to the differences of the grading system each state or even district haves. In my opinion I believe this is good because it unites education overall. Now, no matter where the students come from their grades stay the same. In a way the number scale has made it more easy to pin point what the problem is which allows the school to correct the problem or at least give them the idea for improvement.

"A Few Good Kids"

This Monday I was scheduled to have gone to School Four to participate in the classroom with their lesson in Social studies I had asked Mrs. Fitzpatrick if I could come in when she taught that. I was literally cheesing when she told me that she would be happy to change social studies from Friday to Monday so it could accommodate my schedule. I was thrilled, but due to unseen technical problems I encountered on Monday I apologized and asked if I could attend on Tuesday. They agreed. Tuesday rolled around and I made my way excited to see what new things I would learn. When I got there Mrs. Mahoney told me that the projector was out of service so their entire lesson was thrown out the window. She decide to continue working on the social studies so we ending up breaking the into groups. I had so much fun because I got to see what real class has to go through or how fast teachers have to react to problems that are hurled at them like fast balls. I was amazed how Mrs. Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Mahoney handled the situation with composure. I had a tremendous time. Towards the end of class, I asked Mrs. Fitz if I could give her a form in which I would explain my purpose in the class and if I would have the parent consent to take pictures and include their children in my final project to be presented in June. She agreed so I can't wait to start taking pictures. These kids are amazing they are vivacious and quick to jump into their lessons. I am very fortunate to be able to attend that class filled with shining stars.

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off"

OK I am such a fan of movies that have sense to them such as my recent favorites like "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" to "Changling" or "Steel Magnolias" but once I like to switch from the heart breaking tear jerkers to fun and whimsical movies. My all time favorite is "Ferris Buellar's Day Off". Ever since I have watched this movie which was probably two summers ago I fell in love with it. The movie gave you an inspiration to actually go out and take a day off yourself. I know that is far from a real life scenario but once in a while you have to believe or at least dream it can actually happen.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is one of the most heart-breaking stories I have ever read. I will not spoil the book, last week I had the chance to actually see the movie. If the book made me feel teary- eyed the book made me cry. It made me reflect on the innocence these children had and how in the midst of evil and destruction, friendship had a chance to bloom. I hardly ever recommend people to watch movies that were made in this day and age. But this movie is a most see for the entire family. And if you get the chance to actually read the book even better!

"Curious Creativity"

Today I went on a Spanish trip. Despite the technicality that I went through (I wore my uniform when we were allowed to not wear them!) I found myself intrigued with the murals and painting I encountered throughout the whole tour. The artist that was on exhibit Harry Hernandez I have to admit was very creative. When I first walked up those super steep stairs into the gallery. I was welcomed with glitter, color, and overall to the untrained eye JOY. I loved the color that was displayed on the paintings I never thought something that looked so unorganized seem so meticulously placed to create am image inside an image. After our tour guide explained the artist's take on the color, I was stunned I thought to myself "Wow, this guy is very creative". The glitter and color I thought symbolized joy and happiness in fact represented doom, sadness, and despair. The people in the paintings were in fact homeless people and the color was all their emotions that they carry spilled out so every one could see the magnitude of sadness they live with. After seeing the paintings and all, we headed down the street start on mask making which was fun, but then again when isn't COLORING fun. I learned something today without really knowing. I learned that creativity has no boundaries you can make anything you want from the most unusual materials.

"Truly a Winner"

Yesterday I had a chance to go over to my weekly visits to school Four. When I got there the teachers told me that the lesson they were planning on doing was going to be moved over because they were heading to the cafeteria to see a guest speaker. They told me it was an author Dan Gutman. I was thrilled the children's excitement seem to have infected me. One of the girls paraded her signed books to me, excited and thrilled that that the author had autographed her books. I have to admit that I had never even heard of this individual. When we got to the small cafeteria/Auditorium. I got to see the author. During his presentation he showed us a stack of papers which could easily be passed as a copy of a book. It was a composure of all the rejections of pretty much every major publishing company out there. I was blown away I admire anyone who can handle rejection so well. Personally I would stop after the twentieth time. Yet this man didn't he believed his work was something that had to be published. By the end of the presentation I was surprised to find myself very fortunate to have seen this author. I never thought that people could be so determined. It truly touched me, this man is a true winner.

"The American Dream"

Being the first generation of my family of growing up in a promise land called the United States. I have always been aware that I was lucky, my family was blessed by living the American Dream. My parents had jobs, our family had a home to call our own. I could describe our life as those old fifties posters in which the mom of the family was baking a pie and everyone looked happy. Today that dream seems to be crumbling beneath our feet. The country that once embraced the idea of immigrants seems today to target and ridicule them. I have always wanted to be a teacher, growing up instead of playing jump rope or tag with my cousins I would make them sit and call me Ms. La'More. Becoming a teacher was my way of achieving the ultimate American dream, realizing my dreams. But what happens when the country you thought that was going to help you achieve these dreams turns their back on you? What happens when everything you've worked for is suddenly turned upside down by a swift of a pen signing a law? That is what is happening to thousands of individuals that get caught in the intricate web of immigration issues. "I'm calling on a new generation of Americans to step forward and serve our country in our classrooms. If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation, if you want to make the most of your talents and dedication, if you want to make your mark with a legacy that will endure--then join the teaching profession" - Barrack Obama. I agree with President Obama, but I can't help to feel helpless as an immigrant myself fear consumes me especially when you hear about the laws and procedures that are being enforced throughout the country.or the families who are separated because one of the parents was picked up in a raid. It breaks my heart to see seven year old on camera crying because they their parents didn't get to pick them up after school. It saddens me to see children who at such a young age face the hard truth of life. It saddens me to see a country turn its back on these children. It saddens me to see that the American Dream is becoming a the American Nightmare. I believe in the dream of our founders, in which we immigrants are given the ability to aspire in the pursuit of happiness. But the most important question to me is has America stopped believing?

"Squids Will be Squids"

Yesterday I went over to go to my sponsor meeting and I have to say that every time I go I am blown away. Today I walked into the class and they were going over how the week was going to be like. She started explaining about the activities each group has to do before the end of the week. The class is learning about stories that have morals to them. One of the fables, in which she explains as "modern, for the modern people they are" is called Squids will be Squids. When I first heard it, I chuckled because it sounded weird but when I saw the cover I wanted to read the book because it looked interesting. That was one of the highlights of my day. Most importantly was me being able to help the students with their spelling. They asked me as if I were Webster's Dictionary. I loved it, it made me feel that I am impacting their lives. I know it might be too deep but I can tell for sure that they impact me more then a million words could describe.

" A Truly Amazing Time"

Today I went over to school Four for my sponsor meeting. I had left a few minute before my eighth period class and I have to say that my heart was racing. I can't begin to describe the excitement that builds up while I was walking to the class. As I made my way to her classroom I passed children and friendly smiling teachers. The atmosphere that inhabits the bustling hallways can only be described as wonderful. How the children analyze you with such curiosity and amazement, how the teachers greet you with a warm smile and a kind hello. When I reached my class Mrs. Ma honey was reading to the children. When I  walked in I was greeted by all with smiling faces a couple of the kids where like "She's back". The entire class looked at me again as if I were a giant. I walked over to the spot that I had sat at on my last visit but this visit was even better. Mrs. Fitzpatrick began her math lesson and asked me to illustrate the work on the smart board. I can't say I wasn't nervous, I could have died on the spot but when I walked up to the board the kids looked at me in awe they all tentatively listened to me explain the problem. At the end one of the kids called me Ms. Cindi. My heart melted at that moment because the rest of the class followed, it reassured me that teaching is the thing for me. I did the problems with the children and sat back down. Both, Mrs. Mahoney and Fitzpatrick assured me that I was official part of their class. I was all smiles the rest of the day. I felt that same feeling as when I stepped into Ms. Adams class some time ago which can only indicate to me that I have truly found my calling.

"Leaving the Old Behind"

Growing up, once I walked into my classroom I was expected to hang up my coat and quietly make my way to my seat. Once I sat in my seat I was expected by my teacher to stay there and do my work without un-gluing myself from it unless I had permission. I was reading around on Monday a couple newspaper websites looking for something to feed my brain with and I stumbled across this article in the NY Times. The article was about how this school is using a rather unconventional desk for students to focus more in class. I found it rather interesting but at the same time I have to say depressing. It hasn't even been a decade since I was in grade school myself where I dreaded those hard wood rather stuffy desks, that I had to battle everyday to not loose my mind. I  was never the type to just sit in a chair I liked to fidget and move and be able to have space. Today these students can do exactly that without the losing their focus in class. I had the privilege to have gone to school Four today and this article popped into my head I saved the link for people interested (it's under the "Grab attention" NY TIMES link). As I observed around the classroom while they finished their English section I noticed how some students where just sitting quietly without much movement listening to the teacher whereas if I looked to my left I saw another student paying the same attention to the lesson but fidgeting as if he was uncomfortable in the rather small desk. I made a connection between the students and the article, it made me think about how every student learns at a different rate or in a  different form. What might seem unconventional and unnecessary to some can be crucial for teachers to educate their students.