I promise I've been taking pictures every day. Life just interrupted the part where I actually had time to post one per day. Consequently, Here is a week of pictures in review... Bear with me as I try to remember which picture was from which day.
1/9/11 at Lost Leaf (the wee hours of the morning)(a bar in downtown Phoenix):
1/10/11 from the World History textbook. My students said Napoleon and I looked alike. Awesome.
1/14/11 in my classroom. A student's thesis statement on a paper about closing the achievement gap.
1/17/11 while hiking Piestewa Peak in Phoenix.
(this one too)
More to come. Some pictures from other days in the week are on my actual camera (versus phone), so I'll have to upload them and then post. Sorry to leave you hanging!
Until next time (which shouldn't be a long time)!
A Day in the Life of Shooks
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The one at the "lesson planning" party
My buddy Theresa here and I often attempt to have lesson planning parties, especially on Sundays. This is the most productive thing we've done since I got here. So, 1/9/11... You're not going down as very memorable.
Until next time!
Until next time!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
The one with the caption contest!
So, typically I write some kind of explanation for the picture o' the day (today's is 1/8/11), but I think a caption contest would be more fun. Therefore, please comment with your best, most witty caption! :)
Until next time!
Until next time!
Friday, January 7, 2011
The one where there is actually one picture not from school
I was grading a student's notebook and found a couple amusing doodles...
Preface for the picture: From time to time, I'll play music while my kids are working. When Katy Perry's "California Gurls" came on once, I let them know exactly how much I detest that song... Therefore, I present you with photograph numero uno from 1/7/11:
That's right. "KATY Perry - hater Ms. Shuki"... Haaaha
Later on, I found this, which I thought was just kind of funny, although completely random:
Finally, a picture outside the realm of education and my school. This is my "Jackie O's" of Tempe, AZ. Ladies and gentlemen, the best bar on the west side of Phoenix: Casey Moore's. And yes, it is January... And yes, we were sitting outside (I'd say easily 2/3rds of the seating area of the bar is outside - jealous?).
Until next time!
Preface for the picture: From time to time, I'll play music while my kids are working. When Katy Perry's "California Gurls" came on once, I let them know exactly how much I detest that song... Therefore, I present you with photograph numero uno from 1/7/11:
That's right. "KATY Perry - hater Ms. Shuki"... Haaaha
Later on, I found this, which I thought was just kind of funny, although completely random:
Finally, a picture outside the realm of education and my school. This is my "Jackie O's" of Tempe, AZ. Ladies and gentlemen, the best bar on the west side of Phoenix: Casey Moore's. And yes, it is January... And yes, we were sitting outside (I'd say easily 2/3rds of the seating area of the bar is outside - jealous?).
Until next time!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The one with the hot messes
So, for your ocular pleasure, I have two pairings of hot mess photographs from the last two days. Yesterday, 1/5/11, I had a late day at work. I didn't leave until around 7:15. School ends at 3, and I got to work at 7. Long. Day. Anyway, in the mess of meeting with my TFA program director (PD) and my school district teacher-in-residence (TIR) (there are too many acronyms in my life right now), I collected a couple trees worth of papers to grade, sign, etc. So, I felt the need to document the NOLA post-Katrina mess that was my desk. Voila:
The good news is I'm a neat freak, so after I entered a few grades, the beast was tamed and my desk looked more like a desk again.
Moving on: the school I teach at is not too unlike your average American high school. You've got some preps, some jocks, some goths, and, well... There's a faction of the school population that seems to have a general disregard for any and all fashion norms. Therefore, for today's photograph, I present you with two fashion faux pas I happen to catch during passing time.
I couldn't tell if those were socks or actually part of her pants... I'm not sure which would be better or worse...
And then there's this trend to wear colored jeans... But bright yellow's a new one.
Maybe this is extremely passe for me to admit, but back when I was in high school, I don't think our garb was quite so... unique. However, I should note that I respect the kids who choose to where whatever the heck they want. I was (am?) the type of person who'd rather conform and blend into the crowd than stand out - it doesn't sound like the type of thing someone wants to really admit, but it makes life easier, I guess.
Well, until next time!
The good news is I'm a neat freak, so after I entered a few grades, the beast was tamed and my desk looked more like a desk again.
Moving on: the school I teach at is not too unlike your average American high school. You've got some preps, some jocks, some goths, and, well... There's a faction of the school population that seems to have a general disregard for any and all fashion norms. Therefore, for today's photograph, I present you with two fashion faux pas I happen to catch during passing time.
I couldn't tell if those were socks or actually part of her pants... I'm not sure which would be better or worse...
And then there's this trend to wear colored jeans... But bright yellow's a new one.
Maybe this is extremely passe for me to admit, but back when I was in high school, I don't think our garb was quite so... unique. However, I should note that I respect the kids who choose to where whatever the heck they want. I was (am?) the type of person who'd rather conform and blend into the crowd than stand out - it doesn't sound like the type of thing someone wants to really admit, but it makes life easier, I guess.
Well, until next time!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The one where I kind of change the purpose for this thing
BAM! Just like that, I actually have a reason to keep this thing going AND possibly (maybe even shamefully) share it with people? I made a different kind of New Year's resolution this year. Instead of resolving to do things that would make me a better person (and subsequently failing to stick with it and staying the same, average person I am today), a friend (Bacha) and I were inspired by a friend (Hanrahan) who told us about someone she knew who makes achievable, unique resolutions.
You know, they always say that copying is the highest form of flattery, so that is what we're doing. Bacha and I resolved to take one picture every day this year. I'm going to be posting those on here (and probably also the occasional/latest rant and/or rave from my classroom).
Here are my photos thus far:
1/1/11: Photograph yet to be acquired. I didn't use my camera at all on New Years, but I stole my friends and used it aplenty. Once I badger her enough on Facebook to upload them, I shall prove my point by reposting it here.
(Or, actually... Here)
1/2/11: Back home in Phoenix. This serves no purpose other than to exhibit the extreme adorableness that is my jump drive, which has yet to be stolen by a student at my school (the fate of the last jump drive). The key is to give you an idea of just how small and cute it is. Who knew jump drives could be so endearing!?
1/3/11: A picture from the glorious school at which I am employed. The building on the left is the cafeteria, although there are a bajillion tables outside underneath those blue tent-like things in the background. Perks of living in a state that is like an ultraviolet ray emanating from the sun's surface 9 months out of the year (I guess...).
1/4/11: Shout out to my homies!
Until next time!
You know, they always say that copying is the highest form of flattery, so that is what we're doing. Bacha and I resolved to take one picture every day this year. I'm going to be posting those on here (and probably also the occasional/latest rant and/or rave from my classroom).
Here are my photos thus far:
1/1/11: Photograph yet to be acquired. I didn't use my camera at all on New Years, but I stole my friends and used it aplenty. Once I badger her enough on Facebook to upload them, I shall prove my point by reposting it here.
(Or, actually... Here)
1/2/11: Back home in Phoenix. This serves no purpose other than to exhibit the extreme adorableness that is my jump drive, which has yet to be stolen by a student at my school (the fate of the last jump drive). The key is to give you an idea of just how small and cute it is. Who knew jump drives could be so endearing!?
1/3/11: A picture from the glorious school at which I am employed. The building on the left is the cafeteria, although there are a bajillion tables outside underneath those blue tent-like things in the background. Perks of living in a state that is like an ultraviolet ray emanating from the sun's surface 9 months out of the year (I guess...).
1/4/11: Shout out to my homies!
Until next time!
Monday, November 29, 2010
The one where I start this thing
Hellooooo, Blogger! I kept a blog while I was applying to the Peace Corps, but when I decided to take the Teach For America route instead I deleted it. Truth be told, however, I miss the liberation that comes along with keeping a journal and keeping anyone who, for whatever reason, might be interested to hear about my life up to date. Allow me to paint a virtual picture for my life thus far in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix) and life generally:
I moved to Phoenix a week before graduating from Ohio University. TFA's induction was a piece of cake next to what I would be experiencing for the next 6 weeks. Anyway, I flew back to Ohio to graduate and then, like a true jetsetter, I was back to Arizona within 48 hours for the notorious Institute.
Let me pause my story right there and provide you with a little insight to how the whole Teach For America application/initiation process works. Not unlike Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, with TFA, you fill out an online application as the first of several steps toward acceptance. There are a few rounds of interviews that follow. First, a phone interview (which I skipped and, therefore, am not very knowledgeable about) followed by a final interview. This final interview is legendary; it is essentially a day long process of group interviews, one-on-one interviews, the presentation of a 5-minute lesson plan, short assessments, etc. Mine was the week after spring break and I taught the other 11 or so applicants in the room all there is to know about primary and secondary colors. They were, without a doubt, fascinated and left that day with a newfound proficiency in paint mixing. But I digress... Anyway, after weeks of waiting on the edge of your seat, you finally find out your fate - unless you're like me and you're wait-listed for one more month. I was specifically put on a wait list for Phoenix, since there was a pending bill to be voted on by Arizona that would either result in raised taxes and, therefore, increased funding for public services (i.e. education) or no raise in taxes and decreased funding for said public services. Lucky for me, the fine people of Arizona bit the bullet, raised taxes, and provided me with a teaching job, making me one of the fortunate 2010 college graduates to be employed upon graduation (woo hoo!). Word has it that in 2010, somewhere in the ballpark of 45,000 people applied to TFA and roughly 4,500 were accepted. I feel like one of John Calvin's Elect (and can boldly make that statement after teaching it a few weeks ago to my World History class - also, if you ever have any questions about Japanese feudalism, hit me up - I know all there is to know about the daiymos, the shoguns, and the samurais).
Moving on: once you're accepted into TFA, about 1.34 rain forests are sacrificed to move you along in the teaching certificate acquisition process. Fingerprints are taken, forms are filled out and mailed to various recipients, and you are enrolled in either a graduate school master's program for education or some similar certificate program. I chose the graduate school path (insert obligatory Sundevils' cheer here), thus (seemingly) doubling my paperwork to fill out and return. One plane ticket and 4 hour flight later, I find myself with about two dozen other wait-listed-turn-accepted TFA individuals at a Radisson in Phoenix preparing to take the AEPA (Arizona's educator's proficiency exam, essentially). After a few short study sessions, followed by celebrations at Rose and Crown downtown, the horde and I join our fellow 2010 corps members at Arizona State University's Tempe campus' resident halls for a week of Induction. During this time we're learning about TFA, its mission, expectations, and getting to know one another and a few alumni/2009 corps members. It was, basically, the calm before the storm that is Institute.
Institute is notorious. It will drive certain people off the deep end, given the average of 4-5 hours of sleep per night (or, in my case 1.5 on one particular night... It. Was. Rough.). During institute, several corps are brought together to one location learn effective teaching methods and best practices, and are put on the spot while teaching at summer schools in the surrounding city's area. I was fortunate to have Institute in the city where I was placed (Phoenix), which meant plenty of time on the weekends for apartment hunting and readjusting to living in a desert. Between teaching in the mornings, instructional sessions in the afternoon, and lesson planning into the wee hours of the morning, sleep deprivation came with full force - but the weekends were savored and I learned a lot about what I had just committed at least two years of my life to; it also helped me understand exactly what the achievement gap is and see it firsthand.
(My classroom collab group on our last day teaching during Institute)
Now that it's over, I've just finished/survived my first semester teaching. It was grueling at times, and I have myriad areas upon which to improve, but I have had a lot of fun in the last six months (which is easy to say now that I'm sitting in my hometown public library allegedly lesson planning for the first week or so back... Needless to say as a teacher I've mastered and perfected the art of procrastination). Of course, teaching high school special education isn't easy, but it's growing on me.
So, back to this whole blogging bit. It's my hope that I'll use this more regularly than not to give updates about my life out west and, eventually, my continuation with my Peace Corps application (quick recap: I applied, was nominated for Sub-Saharan francophone Africa leaving July 2010, got dental and legal clearance, but was medically rejected because of food allergies, successfully appealed, was deferred for a year, joined TFA, then they emailed me saying to restart the application/medical clearance process in February). I think I'll find this as an easier method of communication between friends and family, since I can fit it into my schedule and use it as a semi-more productive procrastination outlet than, say, Youtube or Facebook stalking... We'll see. Until then!
I moved to Phoenix a week before graduating from Ohio University. TFA's induction was a piece of cake next to what I would be experiencing for the next 6 weeks. Anyway, I flew back to Ohio to graduate and then, like a true jetsetter, I was back to Arizona within 48 hours for the notorious Institute.
Let me pause my story right there and provide you with a little insight to how the whole Teach For America application/initiation process works. Not unlike Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, with TFA, you fill out an online application as the first of several steps toward acceptance. There are a few rounds of interviews that follow. First, a phone interview (which I skipped and, therefore, am not very knowledgeable about) followed by a final interview. This final interview is legendary; it is essentially a day long process of group interviews, one-on-one interviews, the presentation of a 5-minute lesson plan, short assessments, etc. Mine was the week after spring break and I taught the other 11 or so applicants in the room all there is to know about primary and secondary colors. They were, without a doubt, fascinated and left that day with a newfound proficiency in paint mixing. But I digress... Anyway, after weeks of waiting on the edge of your seat, you finally find out your fate - unless you're like me and you're wait-listed for one more month. I was specifically put on a wait list for Phoenix, since there was a pending bill to be voted on by Arizona that would either result in raised taxes and, therefore, increased funding for public services (i.e. education) or no raise in taxes and decreased funding for said public services. Lucky for me, the fine people of Arizona bit the bullet, raised taxes, and provided me with a teaching job, making me one of the fortunate 2010 college graduates to be employed upon graduation (woo hoo!). Word has it that in 2010, somewhere in the ballpark of 45,000 people applied to TFA and roughly 4,500 were accepted. I feel like one of John Calvin's Elect (and can boldly make that statement after teaching it a few weeks ago to my World History class - also, if you ever have any questions about Japanese feudalism, hit me up - I know all there is to know about the daiymos, the shoguns, and the samurais).
Moving on: once you're accepted into TFA, about 1.34 rain forests are sacrificed to move you along in the teaching certificate acquisition process. Fingerprints are taken, forms are filled out and mailed to various recipients, and you are enrolled in either a graduate school master's program for education or some similar certificate program. I chose the graduate school path (insert obligatory Sundevils' cheer here), thus (seemingly) doubling my paperwork to fill out and return. One plane ticket and 4 hour flight later, I find myself with about two dozen other wait-listed-turn-accepted TFA individuals at a Radisson in Phoenix preparing to take the AEPA (Arizona's educator's proficiency exam, essentially). After a few short study sessions, followed by celebrations at Rose and Crown downtown, the horde and I join our fellow 2010 corps members at Arizona State University's Tempe campus' resident halls for a week of Induction. During this time we're learning about TFA, its mission, expectations, and getting to know one another and a few alumni/2009 corps members. It was, basically, the calm before the storm that is Institute.
Institute is notorious. It will drive certain people off the deep end, given the average of 4-5 hours of sleep per night (or, in my case 1.5 on one particular night... It. Was. Rough.). During institute, several corps are brought together to one location learn effective teaching methods and best practices, and are put on the spot while teaching at summer schools in the surrounding city's area. I was fortunate to have Institute in the city where I was placed (Phoenix), which meant plenty of time on the weekends for apartment hunting and readjusting to living in a desert. Between teaching in the mornings, instructional sessions in the afternoon, and lesson planning into the wee hours of the morning, sleep deprivation came with full force - but the weekends were savored and I learned a lot about what I had just committed at least two years of my life to; it also helped me understand exactly what the achievement gap is and see it firsthand.
(My classroom collab group on our last day teaching during Institute)
Now that it's over, I've just finished/survived my first semester teaching. It was grueling at times, and I have myriad areas upon which to improve, but I have had a lot of fun in the last six months (which is easy to say now that I'm sitting in my hometown public library allegedly lesson planning for the first week or so back... Needless to say as a teacher I've mastered and perfected the art of procrastination). Of course, teaching high school special education isn't easy, but it's growing on me.
So, back to this whole blogging bit. It's my hope that I'll use this more regularly than not to give updates about my life out west and, eventually, my continuation with my Peace Corps application (quick recap: I applied, was nominated for Sub-Saharan francophone Africa leaving July 2010, got dental and legal clearance, but was medically rejected because of food allergies, successfully appealed, was deferred for a year, joined TFA, then they emailed me saying to restart the application/medical clearance process in February). I think I'll find this as an easier method of communication between friends and family, since I can fit it into my schedule and use it as a semi-more productive procrastination outlet than, say, Youtube or Facebook stalking... We'll see. Until then!
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