Welp, in this time of transition, even my blog is transitioning. It's the same URL, but it has a new title for a chapter.
After a great week at home I am now getting set to head to my ACE teaching placement in Mobile, AL where I will be the middle school math and science teacher (and hopefully the basketball coach) at Most Pure Heart of Mary.
As usual, there is no pressure for anyone to read this- I'm going to see if it will continue to be as therapeutic as it was while I was in TZ. If you do read this: I hope you enjoy! I'm sure it will an interesting year!
Now that my teaching stint in Tanzania is over, the logical next step is to teach in Alabama. Luckily for me, this will still push me out of my Comfort Zone and into my "Zone of Proximal Development" where I and those around me can do some serious growing! (Also, maybe, just maybe, there'll be some funky adventures along the way.)
Friday, July 29, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
The Zone Goes On
Hey! Long time no blog!
First, as usual, I want to explain the title. One of my favorite current-ish songs is called "The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco. Specifically, the second and third verses have some great lines about what it means to be a teacher and instill hope in youth that may not get a lot of affirmation in their lives, and, hey, that's what I'll be doing the next 2 years! Also, I feel like it's a fitting title as I move on to a new funky adventure (the ACE program through Notre Dame). It will be different than Tanzania (just a bit), but I will still most definitely be in my ZPD (exactly where I want to be).
It's been so phenomenal so far! Don't get me wrong- it's been tough and crazy-busy (even according to my standards), but I've loved every minute of it. I still get to go to daily Mass. The people are wonderful. The campus is gorgeous. The classes and professors are great. This has been my dream for a long time, and I cannot complain one bit.
I have a great math prof. who actually just had his last day for the summer, but he left us with quite the philosophical question that my friend Jer often asked as well: "Are we human, or are we dancer?"
Anyway, I'm teaching summer school in the mornings in preparation for these next 2 years. My first two weeks were Pre-Algebra (nothing too exciting) and...HEALTH. Yep. And our first lesson was...BIRTH. Good times! Let's just say I think our students have a new appreciation for Mother's Day, as well they should!
Last week I was at a middle school science camp, and we disected perch, tested fake vomit (guess who got to use a plastic spoon to try to turn calf liver and Sprite into a liquid resembling vomit), and test hair samples (guess who awkwardly walked around the dorm asking for hair samples). Good times were had by all.
We'll see how the spirit moves me, but my ACE adventures may very well turn into their own blog (after all, Mama Katie H. advised it). However, the main reason for this blog is the following giant announcement:
THE BOOKS MADE IT TO THE DE PAUL SISTERS!!!! That's right, Phoenix Rising 2 is complete, as my wonderful aids Ben and Tyler officially delivered the available textbooks and the extra money (for the rest of the textbooks when they're available) to the de Paul School! It was such a sigh of relief, as you just never know how money transactions will go in the TZ! A giant thank you again to Ben, Tyler, Br. Lew, Mike, and everyone who supported in any way. I'm so excited to hear how the sisters grow that wonderful school! TUMSIFU YESU KRISTU! (Praise Jesus Christ!)
First, as usual, I want to explain the title. One of my favorite current-ish songs is called "The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco. Specifically, the second and third verses have some great lines about what it means to be a teacher and instill hope in youth that may not get a lot of affirmation in their lives, and, hey, that's what I'll be doing the next 2 years! Also, I feel like it's a fitting title as I move on to a new funky adventure (the ACE program through Notre Dame). It will be different than Tanzania (just a bit), but I will still most definitely be in my ZPD (exactly where I want to be).
It's been so phenomenal so far! Don't get me wrong- it's been tough and crazy-busy (even according to my standards), but I've loved every minute of it. I still get to go to daily Mass. The people are wonderful. The campus is gorgeous. The classes and professors are great. This has been my dream for a long time, and I cannot complain one bit.
I have a great math prof. who actually just had his last day for the summer, but he left us with quite the philosophical question that my friend Jer often asked as well: "Are we human, or are we dancer?"
Anyway, I'm teaching summer school in the mornings in preparation for these next 2 years. My first two weeks were Pre-Algebra (nothing too exciting) and...HEALTH. Yep. And our first lesson was...BIRTH. Good times! Let's just say I think our students have a new appreciation for Mother's Day, as well they should!
Last week I was at a middle school science camp, and we disected perch, tested fake vomit (guess who got to use a plastic spoon to try to turn calf liver and Sprite into a liquid resembling vomit), and test hair samples (guess who awkwardly walked around the dorm asking for hair samples). Good times were had by all.
We'll see how the spirit moves me, but my ACE adventures may very well turn into their own blog (after all, Mama Katie H. advised it). However, the main reason for this blog is the following giant announcement:
THE BOOKS MADE IT TO THE DE PAUL SISTERS!!!! That's right, Phoenix Rising 2 is complete, as my wonderful aids Ben and Tyler officially delivered the available textbooks and the extra money (for the rest of the textbooks when they're available) to the de Paul School! It was such a sigh of relief, as you just never know how money transactions will go in the TZ! A giant thank you again to Ben, Tyler, Br. Lew, Mike, and everyone who supported in any way. I'm so excited to hear how the sisters grow that wonderful school! TUMSIFU YESU KRISTU! (Praise Jesus Christ!)
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