I have truly been a bad blogger...

I realize that I have not blogged in almost a year (shame on you Denise).  I am currenlty traveling once again all over the country looking for best practices of schools.  So far, I have witnessed many inspiring practices helping to mold the minds of tomorrow's highest achievers.  I will continue to touch base on my blogging thoughts during my travels, but I would also like to catch up on some topics that I feel have been  taking up most of my thought process as I continue to prepare to open KIPP Generations Collegiate next year! 

I will post some new stuff soon...

What defines me...

I am currently on holiday vacation in Brownsville enjoying my two week stay with my family (in name and friends).  One of my friends asked me why I had not blogged in awhile, and to be honest, I guess I just haven't had the energy or the time for that matter (more of a timing issue).  AND, to be completely transparent, I haven't wanted to come off as grim because of the changes occurring in my life.  Moving to Houston was quite a huge ordeal for me... and I frankly put on my best smile for the last year so that I wouldn't show everyone how scared I really was to leave my hometown and how sad I was to leave my friends and family.  I now have successfully come to grip that I no longer live in Brownsville, and that I am a full-fledged Houstonian.  Although this last year and half has been quite an adjustment, I can now see the positive impact moving to Houston has made on my life.  I know that many of you will comment on the amount of work and time I put into the career I have chosen for myself, and I hope everyone knows by now that the work I do is a choice for me, and I love every minute I put into it.  While I type this message, I am facebooking and chatting with my two of my bestest buddies (my cousing Ana and my bestie Amanda :).  What is so funny to me is the fact that what we are doing right now is what I miss the most about living in Brownsville!  I have had a fantastic time spending time with everyone and chatting with my girls (sisters and friends)... this is what I miss the most, and this is why my transition has been difficult.  Get a load of my facebook statuses...

(2009 Facebook Reflections)

As you can see, my facebook statuses from this year reflect what has been going on in my head the last year.  I am ready to start anew.  I am ready to embrace my Houstonian life and invite you to be a part of the new me.  I will be traveling and spending much time trying to close the global achievement gap throughout this year, and I will continue to update my blog to keep you posted on my activities.  Let this be the beginning of a new blogging season.  And how fitting to reengage with the blog while I am on vacation with the family I love so much.  I will be updating pics and stories soon! 

Love ya, Niecy

Top 20 Adventures in Houston this year so far...

(Me getting dressed for a night at Sammi's... dancing the night away and injuring my knee more and more!)

(Ladee turned 9 this year!)

(My birthday picture at the Angelika Film Center in Houston!!!!)

(Shannon and I at the KIPP Quinceneara)

(Florence [student of mine from KIPP] and I buying $1,700 of books at Half Price Books)
(Dickie and I buying books with the English Department... looking sketchy)

I am writing this blog entry as a reflection of the year that has passed that I have yet to log. I know... I know... I am a horrible blogger, and most of the people who know me fear that I have had zero life since I have moved to Houston. BUT, I beg to differ. Because I did not have a camera before this last weekend (my birthday weekend... and a sweet present from my best friend), I did not have pictures to log what I have done. I am currently preparing for my third summer in NYC, and you know that I will log all of my adventures there. BUT, before I did that, I wanted to list the top 20 Adventures I've had in Houston thus far... here they are in no particular order:

1. Ladee turned 9 this year!

2. Ozomatli Concert: October 27, 2008 - Warehouse Live... Shannon and I had a blast!!!!! We have the t-shirt to prove it!
3. Cool Halloween party at Trey's house (I have the chola pictures to prove it!!!!)
4. KUHF Presents a Silent Film Concert at Discovery Green- Phantom of the Opera: ADM (Hay Dios Mio)... this was fantastic experience. We took a blanket and laid in the grass at Discovery Green Park while watching a black and white version of Phantom of the Opera and listening to a trio play the score... the best night!
5. University of Texas at Austin Graduation... I saw Manny (my son from Pace) graduate from UT as an Engineer (and now he is living in Houston making a ton of more money than I am). This was a momentous night!
6. Became a participant for KIPP's Latino Focus Group as one of the few Latina women who will represent as a school leader!
7. Chaperoned a trip to the Renaissance Festival... my cousin and Ana and friend Steve have been talking about this festival for years! It was pretty fantastic.
8. Became a recruiter for the Summer Principal's Academy -- had the chance to support and represent Columbia's program! This was a great night... I had the chance to really speak up for the organization and recruit some phenomenal future school leaders!
9. Went to a Dafnis Prieto Sextet Concert!!!!! This was a truly enjoyable evening of music that blew my mind!
10. Patti Vasquez's One Woman Show "Mamacita"- I attended this event at the local Latino theatre Talento Bilingue... GREAT THEATER!!!! Made me want to go back to acting!
11. Attended a concert at Rice University - Emerson String Quartet - magnificence and elegance at its finest.
12. Visited Boston- for the 1st time!!!! Saw Harvard... and I ate taquitos in Boston!
13. RENT--- saw the play twice in one weekend at the Hobby Center
14. Kathy Griffin- saw the comedian with my buddies from Brownsville at the Toyota Center
15. Walk for LUPUS-- walked my first LUPUS support walk in honor of Shannon's mom... this was awesome
16. Rebecca's Graduation-- Saw my baby girl graduate from high school... she will be a freshman at the University of Texas this fall!
17. Del Castillo concert at Discovery Green-- another lawn chair evening of music from one of my favorite bands!!!! They are simply the best ever!
18. Bill Gates-- Met the man and he visited my classroom!!!!
19. June 6, 2009-- One of my best birthdays ever!!!!!!!!! Karaoke, Dave & Busters, Lunch at the Aloha Grill, Dinner in Kemah, Movie of Rudo y Cursi... honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better day!
20. Rode the Ferris Wheel at the Aquarium in Houston (this was high and extremely scary!)

I have yet to mention the phenomenal people I have met, the beautiful family and friend support system I have back home, my wonderful students, and the great city of Houston that has welcomed my little pumpkin Ladee and I with open arms. Now looking back, I have done quite a bit in just 9 months! No wonder I am exhausted! Not to mention the great books I have read this year... I just finished the Autobiography of Malcolm X and I am reading 100 Years of Solitude. This has been a blessed year for me, and I will continue to be thankful for all of the blessings that have come my way.

Look for updates from NYC!
Love, Denise

KIPP: My future

I know... I know... I have not blogged; I have not called; and there is no excuse for my behavior. Never mind that I have been sleeping on an air mattress for two weeks. Never mind that I had an extreme cold during my first week teaching with students; Never mind that my knee has given out, and I can barely walk. Never mind any of that.

The one thing that is keeping me together right now: School. I'll be honest, I would have never admitted this to any of you personally, but the thought of, "WHAT DID I DO!" has run through my head. I am happy with my decision. I just need to get out of my own way. I need to rest. I need to make a home. Before I make any judgements, I owe myself this.

I do miss everyone with everything I have, but I carry you with me always. Even as I sit in a Panera using the free Wifii (I have not yet received my Internet services because I am never home to receive the package!!!!!!!), I think of Noemi who introduced me to Panera when we drove to Illinois for her first year of residency. I fell in love with the Poppy seed dressing then, and now that I have been using the Internet here for about 4 hours, I'm thinking of ordering a poppy seed salad to go! As school started, I walked into a school of welcoming individuals, who I will say have been the most helpful and so giving. I do miss my Brownsville gang on Friday/Saturday nights when I want to go to a movie or play cards or just chill at Manda/Ana's home. And I miss my family.

AND MOST OF ALL MY LITTLE LADEE!!!!!!

Soon, I will begin to nest and begin to reveal all of the intricate stories that are unraveling for me. I have included some pictures so that you may see a bit of what my new school looks like. I almost cried when I saw the nameplate on my door!!! Isn't that cool! (But honestly, do they have to broadcast my road map of college successes and failures!) I love you all, and I will update this soon. I promise.

By the way my pictures are fuzzy because my camera is ___________!

3 weeks down before the big show.

I have realized that it has been forever since I have blogged. And I have realized that with the multitude of happenings in my life for the last three weeks I do not know if I can every put into words what I have been going through. I have had to really delve into myself to see the leader I am or that I should be. This has been a difficult time for me. This year's New York trip has not been ladden with excursions on the weekends, long phone calls at night, dinner with friends... this year's trip has truly been centered on creating a new school and culminating the end of my studies at Teachers College. I am sure that my colleagues are facing the same challenges, and when the director of the program told us last year that we would be extremely busy and that all of the other happenings of our life would have to take a back seat... I didn't know he meant what has been going on now. I do not have time to make phone calls, sleep, or anything else for that matter...so what I have had to do is take Denise in the city days. Today is one of them (well sort of... because I'm still working on homework).


So above is a picture of me after I went for a haircut in 'The Heights', and I had a wonderful experience. I wish I could cut my hair here all of the time! Tamar and I took the above ground 125th train to 181st... here we are pre-haircut!


Here are a few other pictures... like Tamara, Ally and I watching the fireworks on the 4th of July... we were wet with rain, and we didn't get to see much.

Here's a picture of me and some of my colleagues on our way to the Lincoln Center for a panel meeting about Imagination and Leadership...a wonderful opportunity. I went to a studio and I felt like I was taping an episode of James Lipton's 'Inside the Actor's Studio'.


And finally, here's a picture of my teammate Rhonda and I. We were working extremely hard on our school's vision and mission. The Climb High Leadership Academy is on its way! I'll blog more later! Miss and love everyone!

Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0... my new outlook on leadership.

As a requirement of my Resource Allocation course, the members of my cohort were required to take the StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment. I am now a true believer in the power of finding out what I am made of! I found this assessment to be extremely revealing as to who I am as a leader, and how I should use my strengths in becoming an even better leader. I strongly suggest you take a look at this assessment to focus your efforts not on your weaknesses, but on what you should focus on - your strengths... happy finding!



The Strength within Me
I often find the question, “What do you define as your strengths?, an interesting question when being interviewed, and I will admit, I often answer truthfully and honestly that my strengths involve my commitment and dedication to whatever I set my mind to and whatever I value as a person, educator, and leader. Upon viewing my results for the StrengthsFinder report, I was not shaken by what I learned; more so, I felt and feel reaffirmed in that what I value as strengths in others is exactly what I embody as strengths myself.

I find the fact that my colleagues whom I have developed close relationships with in the short amount of time we have physically spent together during our coursework for the Summer Principal’s Academy recognize that the strengths of Winning Others Over (WOO), Communication, Restorative, Achiever, and Belief describe the person they see me to be on a daily basis. I find that my WOO strength to be surprising as my top theme, but after reflection I see that I may be a closet WOOer. I am not as outspoken as my fellow WOOers in the class, but I do see how the characteristics of wanting to make others feel comfortable and wanting to build relationships with people I find interesting epitomize how I approach new people and old friends. Interestingly with all that we have experienced as far as testing ourselves to see the true leaders we are, this StregthsFinder test reinforces all of the other coursework. For example, as far as being a transactional/transformational leader in our Decision-Making course with Dr. Richards, I realize that the Achiever and Restorative strengths in me lend myself to my transactional daily style of wanting to have agendas and solve problems that come into view, yet the Belief and Communication Strengths lead me to spread my vision and mission so that all stakeholders understand where I am coming from. Through Ellie Drago-Severson’s course we learned about the Instrumental, Socializing, and Self-Authoring Knower, and although many of my colleagues would categorize themselves as Self-Authoring Knowers because they feel that there is a hierarchy to learning styles, I have always known that I was a Socializing Knower. My top themes of being a WOOer, Communicative, and Achieving person all represent the validation and people focused learning I embody in everything I do. In Dr. Robin Stern’s Emotional Competency course I learned that I needed to focus on understanding my worth and how I have a positive effect on others impacting what they do without realizing that I do have power over others. This to me would categorize the most surprising realization of self in that the reason I have scored myself so low during my ECI questionnaire deals with my heritage as a Mexican-American woman raised with the beliefs that I am to be humble and never boastful of what I can do and who I am; therefore, the realization that the strength of Belief grounds me in core values that are unchanging ring true to who I view myself culturally. And most recently through Professor Maltbia’s NBI results, I find a strong connection in that I scored highest in the L2 Preserver/ Organizer realm where these results coincide with the Achiever/Belief Strength. These test results coincide in that they both represent that I have strength in traditions and “practice that are followed and respected” and that I “prefer to plan, organize and arrange things”. Even as I type this report, I amazed at all that I have learned about myself intellectually, emotionally, socially, and independently.

Currently in our Ethics/Law coursework, we have been engaged in reading a book titled Defining Moments by Joseph L. Badaracco, and I see the results of the Stregthsfinder assessment to be my defining moment as an emerging leader. The epiphany which has consumed my mind for the last week stems from the realization that I now understand what Dr. Richards has been asking of us as leaders. We must embody the self-awareness and reflective practices we are being taught so that we understand how to deal with ourselves emotionally and how to deal with others socially and intellectually. As leaders of schools, it is to the detriment of our success that we understand our limitations as well as our visionary dreams so that we understand how and when to use the resources surrounding our schools.

Understanding these principle strengths, I envision an administrative staff who will play to my strengths and my weaknesses as we work together to build a cohesive team of leaders who will serve the community of students we serve. I envision a staff that must be understanding yet challenging to each other in developing the whole child and developing each other as well. I envision developing hiring committees who embody different strengths in aiding me in developing the faculty and staff of the school I will spearhead so that we can work together to find the most suitable teachers and staff to work with the students we represent leaving no stone unturned. I envision guiding leaders in delegation and asking others for guidance where I may not be able to complete tasks or a task may not play to one of my strengths; I need to understand that asking others for aid fosters the leader in them as well as meets the need for managing and leading a school.

All in all, finding and discovering my strengths leads me to understand why I am a leader in education. My business involves the business of people. My strengths show that the choice I made for myself in education was a choice I made for people. And in regards to resource allocation, I have found where my strengths needed to be utilized… in the forefront…as the leader…as the strong leader I am.

Anticipation of a new semester...

I am sitting here at the Teachers College library trying to organize me thoughts for a new school day tomorrow. I found myself fortunate to meet witht he new Summer Principal's Academy cohort coming in and starting tomorrow. As Vice-President of the SPA Council, I, along with the president and chairman, welcomed the new cohort to a challenging summer semester. I was happy to meet with the rest of my cohort today, and as last year, we are wondering what is going to happen during tomorrow's classes.

I am excited because my friend Tamara is here with me this year, and I am thankful to her for helping see what this program has to offer. It's still so hard for me to wrap my head around what I have to do, but I have to do it! The readings for my Law and Ethics class are numerous and wil keep me up most nights. Well... I guess I should stop procrastinating and get down to business. Talk to you soon!

A New Beginning...

As I begin preparation for my new summer endeavor, I think to myself..., "How lucky can I really be?" Two years ago, I began this blog in anticipation of traveling to Mexico for a month's trip. Last year, I continued the blog in anticipation of beginning my first summer coursework with Teachers College Columbia University. This summer I continue my blog in anticipation of moving to Houston, finishing my coursework for my second master's in Educational Leadership, and beginning a career with KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) on path to chartering a new high school in an area I know nothing about.

My life has been one change after another. I owe it all to the soul searching trip I took to Mexico two years ago. During this trip I discovered that I myself had been locking away my inner self waiting to let life happen to me... forgetting that I was to make life happen for me. Well, now I am on a path which honestly I do not know how I began... life is sort of still happening to me with me making some decisions along the way. But I wonder, when will the time come when luck runs out and opportunities close... then I will find if my self-discovery over the years has taught me anything.

I seem to be rambling... I'm not quite sure what to say. My life is changing in so many directions, but I do know one thing. I am the path to a new beginning. A beginning that will open my eyes to new experiences and life's wonderous adventures. I say, "I'm ready." I'm ready to make life happen.

Let's see how it goes...

Working Day...

Good Afternoon! It has been a few months since I have updated my blog, and I must say it only feels like days. Time is flying faster than I wish it would, and procrastination has taken control over my life!!! I am still relishing in the blessings I have been fortunate to experience these past months and am looking forward to the fruition of my dreams in goals in the next few months. As I sit here working on lesson plans and my Principal Shadowing Report, I am reminded of the opportunities I am trying to achieve and the opportunities my sisters are about to embark on. Life is great! I have included a picture of my little Ladee enjoying life as pets do! I'll talk to you soon with great news!

New Opportunities...

Everyday I wake up and I think (yes this is cliche) that I am so lucky. I have a fantastic family who gives me unconditional love and support; I have fantastic friends that pick me up when I'm down and raise me higher when I'm already feeling good; I have a fantastic profession that I love to pieces and have dedicated myself to. No, I do not have a husband; I do not have children, but I do know why I push myself to be the very best I can be...to be a role model for my sisters... and to carry the legacy my grandmother began in educating her children. Tomorrow I leave for New York to embark on the next part of my arduous but satisfying journey. Today, I I am excited with every breath I take... my skin is tingling with excitement ready to take on new challenges and new opportunities.

I love life!

Christmas at home...

At the beginning of this holiday season, I wasn't feeling thrilled about the holidays. I don't know why, but I just wasn't. One weekend I decided to get myself together and put out my Christmas decorations. A few of the holiday touches are pictured here as reminders of what I love about the holidays. Here you see the heart of what I have... my 4 ft. Christmas Tree! Yes, it's small, but it's beautiful!

My Christmas tree is completely filled with disco ball decorations. I guess the disco balls show my sparkling personality! I love them.

This year my grandmother gave me her nativity set that she has had since I was little. I felt honored to receive such a gift, and I couldn't wait to give the nativity it's spotlight. I think it to be beautiful.

You know I love my little Ladee. She's so special she deserves her own tree! And of course, it's a red tree!

Here is a small nativity I bought when I was in Mexico for my Fulbright trip. It's eccentric, and I love it just as much as everything else I own.

I wish everyone a great holiday. I'm looking forward to seeing what Santa brings this year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Ladee's Weekend Visit

Ladee and I decided to take a little visit this weekend to see her cousins at Noemi's house. While Noemi studied for her medical boards for this weekend, Kassy and I worked on school work to keep busy. Ladee had a great time with her cousins, and I thought I would log a few of her pictures to keep track of her visit. Here you will see pictures of me and Ladee, Ladee and Emma, Gunther, Emma kissing Kassy (my goddaughter), and finally Ladee with both of her cousins.

It's quite funny how the Great Danes are scared of a little Miniature Schnauzer, but then again, those of you who know her, know Ladee can be a little vicious! I love my doggies!

Educational thoughts for this week...

Reflective Prompt: To what extent is the quote applicable to me and my colleagues: “In training a child to activity of thought, above all things we must be aware of that I call ‘inert ideas’- that is to say, ideas that are merely received into the mind without being utilized, or tested, or thrown into fresh combinations.” Alfred North Whitehead (1929)
Standardized testing has become the rooting soil of ‘inert ideas’ for students and teachers. Standardized testing has paralyzed master teachers into becoming the planters of seeds that will find neither water nor sunlight to grow. Every year a teacher is reminded that he/she will be held accountable for students passing a standardized test. Every year a teacher is reminded that if his/her students do not meet the criteria of a rigid passing rate the school will suffer and could be condemned to failure. Every year a teacher sees no other outlet but to plant these “inert ideas” so that the students will pass this year’s particular test for this particular teacher. And every year, a new planter must begin this process. In turn, the seeds wither and die as the sun and water to their growth continues to become paralyzed by the drought I call standardized testing.
As I transition from teacher to administrator, I see so much more than what I thought I knew about education. When I first read this month’s prompt, I thought, “How Interesting? I am struggling with this very same idea with the teachers I work with. How will I respond to a prompt that upsets me every time I read it?” My question lies in thinking how is it that education has not changed since 1929 when Whitehead spoke these very words. How can this situation be possibly true seventy-eight years later! The teachers I work with work diligently at their craft: some work diligently to continue teaching the same lesson they have taught for years on end; some work diligently to revamp the teaching lessons they taught last week. And neither is at fault for continuing to work with these “inert ideas” that hinder a student’s understanding of content material.
My students constantly grumble when my expectations lead their thinking beyond a regurgitation of concepts covered in the classroom. I stand by three rules a student must adhere to when giving an answer to a question:
Rule No. 1: Students must provide ‘On the Line’ Understanding where there are able to provide an answer covering basic concepts and validity of their point.
Rule No. 2: Students must provide ‘Between the Line’ Understanding where the intricacies of their answer must be provided in detail. How or what makes their answer correct? By whose authority does their answer stand true? How would I go about finding their answers validity?
Rule No. 3: Students must provide ‘Beyond the Line’ Understanding where a student must complete their validation by referencing their answer to life. How is their answer substantiated with life’s occurrences? Is there a time in their personal life that they have witnessed their answer be true or false? Where else have they seen the answer validated: movies, literature, family, etc…?
The adage of ‘read between the lines’ holds true in my classroom, and what I have seen with this teaching theory involves a student having to manipulate the “inert ideas” presented them in class into personal ideas that can be adapted to any situation they see fit. This process is not easy; by all means, I am honest to say that my students sometimes take months to understand that this concept of working their minds works. But the answer to Whitehead’s proposed dilemma lies in this: I am most happy when my students come back to school and tell me, “Miss Rodriguez, I couldn’t get you out of my mind this weekend. I was watching this movie, and all I could do was analyze why this was this and why that was that…”. It is then and only then, that I realize that the educational ideal Whitehead discusses is that of stale “inert ideas”, and the attainable educational ideal of now lies in productivity of vigorous ideas. As a future administrator, I will lead by setting and striving for the attainable educational ideal of today.

English Department...I love teaching...

Wow! This year is just flying by, and I don't know what to make of everything that is going on in my life right now. I have been working on my internship diligently, but I feel like I'm not making a dent in progress. I will be observing a teacher for a formal evaluation (well not too formal... what I write up does not go in their file) tomorrow, and I'm really excited about it. We had our pre-observation last Friday, and I actually felt like maybe I can do this administrator thing! Ha! Ha!

I would like to say that working with my English Department team this year has been a blessing. They are really teaching me what it will be like when I do take on the administrator role... it's been difficult having to juggle between when to be a friend, when to be a mentor, and when to draw the line as the one in charge... but I've always been one to understand those boundaries.

I do love how my team bonds together to celebrate the good times in life. Here we are celebrating Rita's birthday a few weeks ago. Yes, I donned the UT colors just to celebrate her birthday... I'm sorry to all of my Aggie friends... I could only wear the cap though!

Much props and love to my English buddies!

New Show... Annie Get Your Gun

I know... I know... many of you have asked me why I fill my days with nonstop activity, and honestly, I do not have a great answer. We opened our first show of the season at the Camille Playhouse on Friday... I have a few pictures below. We had a great first week and end next weekend. I guess I caught the bug from watching broadway shows in New York... I do love them. If you have a chance, you should come out to see the show. I'll also be appearing in the next two shows (Mousetrap - we start rehearsal on Tuesday) and Cats (I'll be the cat that sings "Memory" and die right after!)...





My body is aching, my spirit is exhausted, but like the show says... "Let's Go On With SHOW!!!"

(Here is a shot of the stage when the show opens, and here is a picture of Annie Oakley (Sophia Esteve). We were in our first community theatre show together when whe was in the 7th grade - she is now a Senior in High School... I feel old).

(My sisters saw the show today and took pictures - great photography... and yes, I am being facetious! The first picture is me getting upset with the stage manger because he has given my assistant job to Annie Oakley; the second picture is me at the beginning of the show where we are getting ready for Buffalo Bill's wild west show!)

Oops... I forgot to tell you about LADEE!

I wanted to include pictures of Ladee's mishap this summer. Everybody knows how much I love my little dog, Ladee. Everyone also knows that she is on a specific diet food and has a weak stomach due to her Pancrititis...well, during the summer as she was living with her grandparents (my parents), she was asking to go outside to go "potty" when in turn she was eating my dad's dog, Luna's, dog food instead. Needless to say, she became extremely ill, and almost died. My parents had to take her to the emergency vet who placed an I.V. in her delicate little leg (pictured below), and my parents did not want to tell me about it while I was in New York.

She is fine now, but I almost lost her! I don't know what I would have done...so, I think my little pumpkin deserves some screen time... Here she is in all her glory! I love my Ladee.

James Pace High School...

Another year has begun at James Pace High School... I am embarking on my 7th year at Pace, and I must say I am still learning and loving every hectic minute of it. I don't know if this will be my last year at my Alma Mater, but I will say that I will bleed green forever! It's football night tonight... I'm not sure if I'm going to the game. It is an out of town game, but I think I need a little football fever!

I don't know what the future holds for me... this might be my last year at Pace High School... I don't know. I do know.. that I love my students this year... they don't want to do their homework, but they will come around. I love my colleagues...I have a great bunch of people who I work with. And I love my school... more to come soon... I promise... I won't be so neglectful.

Teachers College

Going to New York City was an experience in itself, but when I stop to think that I am enrolled in the number one educator training facilities I am stun by the possibilities of my life opening in so many ways! Since I have been back at school, I can see the difference a summer of study has made in my outlook of education and how I work with my colleagues. Working with my colleagues and using some of the strategies I have learned through the summer has been fantastic. I have officially begun my internship and will be meeting with my mentor coach and principal Monday morning. I will make my first principal observation this Friday at my father's school (Port Isabel High School), and I will get to see first hand what a principal does for their complete day (both good and bad)... my father is giving me the opportunity to shadow him... What a wonderful opportunity... I really get to see my father in action!

I just talked to my buddy Ally yesterday (pictured above), and when talking to her I was saddened... I had quite a day with my department the other day where I realized that the teachers I work with (my friends and colleagues for years) do not see me as part of the "teacher" team anymore. They tell me that I've turned to the "dark" side of education... I say I'm on the side of "STUDENT SUCCESS". That is what I have learned from Teachers College. It might seem like a simple lesson, but it's not. Everyday I am reminded that my job is not a selfish job... I became an educator to educate... not just my students, but my family, friends, colleagues, and everyone else around me. If that means I ruffle a few feathers along the way, so be it. If I have the power to influence others in a way that behooves them, then doing what I do is worth every second.

I have to remind myself of this. Ally has reminded me of this... and so with that thought... I leave the blogging to future successes and hardships...