Reflections

We're now at the home stretch, and it's time to reflect on our pre-college reading course. I enjoyed the literature circle discussions, class discussions, presentations, and book talks. I also liked getting to work with the students individually and in groups. It was interesting learning all about Afghanistan and Pakistan from the students' point of view. Technology added to the course through our blogging experience, powerpoint presentations, Youtube videos, and wiki site. What I liked the most was how we learned so much from each other and everyone's input was essential. I am so glad that I was a part of this unique experience, and it has motivated me to start a book club with my fellow teachers at the elementary school where I teach. Also, our school will take part in the "Pennies for Peace" program to support the CAI's initiatives in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I have listened to the wind and my sails are set full speed ahead to increase literacy programs where I work.

Travel Plans

When I was young, I dreamed of traveling the world each summer on my break from teaching. Needless to say, that has not happened. I had two children and my direction in life took a turn. We usually vacationed at the Jersey shore each summer except for one summer when we went to New York state and toured the entire state. My favorite part was Niagara Falls. We were together for two weeks and we still talk about this vacation. Another favorite was when we went to Cape May together. It's my favorite vacation spot in New Jersey. I love the victorian houses, the shops, and the beach. You can see the sunrise and sunset there because it is a peninsula and surrounded by water.

Before we had children, my husband and I vacationed in Hawaii for two weeks. My husband loved it so much that he wanted to move there. I had to convince him that our family was 8 hours away by plane and that we had jobs to go back to. Well we ended back in New Jersey. We moved 7 miles from our hometown five years ago, and I told him that I was not moving again until we retire.

We plan to travel in a couple of years when our children are out of college. We started a vacation fund and hopefully we will make it a reality. We want to go to Europe and see where our ancestors lived. Everyone has told us to go to Italy. I always wanted to go to England and Greece. I have time to research various countries and tours. I'm hoping that the economy will improve and we will be able to see it all.

Fifth Week and Optimistic Future Outlook

This summer has flown by and soon we will be turning the calendar once more. I usually get depressed when it's August 1st because I only have one more month to get ready for school to start. This year I am excited about the start of a new year. I am returning feeling like I have accomplished a lot. I finally received my master's degree in reading, and I am ready to delve into reader's workshop with renewed interest. I want to start a literacy committee and teacher book club where we can model mini-lessons with our colleagues and learn from each other. I plan to propose this to my principal this week. Since reader's workshop is new to our district, the teachers would benefit from a weekly meeting to share ideas. I'm also excited because I want to start a school-wide collection/campaign for "Pennies for Peace." Each grade level usually has a cause and this year I'm going to suggest that we unite and focus on one effort in order to reap the greatest reward. Also, I will be getting a SmartBoard for my classroom so I'm thrilled to be able to integrate technology into my daily lessons.

This is the fifth week of our precollege reading summer course. We've finished reading our core novel and the students are presenting their projects. I enjoy learning from the individual students and seeing their take on Afghanistan/Pakistan. It's been a good experience thus far and hopefully these students will feel prepared for what awaits them in the fall at MSU.

An Eventful Week

I will never forget July 2009!

We dropped my daughter off at JFK on an international flight to Korea where she will be teaching English to Korean students at a camp. I'm so excited for her and I can't wait to hear all about it. She will return to the U.S. August 12th.

This week my husband and I went to Citi Field Center (the new Shea Stadium) in Queens and saw Paul McCartney in concert. It was an amazing experience. We had never seen him before in person and we listened to 5 decades of music that night!

This week my son is graduating from the Bergen County Fire Academy in full uniform. I am so proud of him. He was effected by 9/11 and wants to help people in need. We plan to visit the 9/11 memorial this summer.

I have enjoyed my experience immensely tutoring/teaching pre-college freshman this summer. It is rewarding to help young adults in a reading program especially with the book, Three Cups of Tea. This book has inspired me to want to participate in the Pennies for Peace campaign at the elementary school where I teach.

It's been an eventful July and I wonder what August will bring!

The Person I Admire

The person I admire most is my mother. She was a positive influence upon me, and she always found the good in a person instead of finding the bad which is so easy to do. My mother was my sounding board, and I would always run ideas by her first before acting upon them. I miss being able to do that and I have found myself thinking about what she would say to me in a given situation. My mother let me make my own decisions and supported me throughout my life. I admired her ability to get up every day and give me a little history lesson. Her memory was incredible! She would tell me who was born on that day or something that had happened on that day. She was a wonderful story teller and also an encyclopedia of information. She had me when she was forty and had already lived a full life, but I never tired of hearing her stories. I miss her very much, but hopefully I have passed on some of her wonderful stories and memories to my children. Some day I hope to write a children's story and include some of her anecdotes. I think children would enjoy it very much.

Favorite Quotes

It's difficult to select a favorite quote because I have quotes from different periods of my life. As a girl scout and leader my favorite quote was "Be prepared." I am a very organized person by nature and people tend to depend on me for having things that they need.

For most of my adult life I have attended MSU, and the school motto is "Carpe Diem" which means seize the day in Latin. I have tried to live by this creed and make the most of every day.

My educational philosophy is based on John Dewey. He has many quotable quotes, but the one that stands out in my mind is "Students learn by doing." I tailor all of my lessons so that students apply what they have learned.

Today's PBS video was very troubling. The plight of innocent people in Pakistan and Afghanistan has weighed heavily on my mind this summer. Two young girls spoke eloquently in the interview with the reporter. One girl stated, "Education is a ray of light and I want that light." I pray that her wish comes true. All children should be provided with an education. Sometimes, as Americans we take it for granted.

Thoughts on the Future

My roles as teacher, tutor, wife, mother, bookkeeper, organizer, coordinator, etc. over the last two decades have kept me in a state of perpetual motion. Now it is time to take a step back and evaluate how I want to proceed with my life.

Since I have finished my graduate studies at MSU, I will no longer officially be a student, but in my career, I like to keep abreast of new literacies and anything that will help me in the classroom. The district I work in has been very supportive of me. Through two grants I was able to get a digital camera, printer, and projector. This year I will be getting a smartboard in my classroom. I am very excited and thrilled to finally retire my overhead projector. Each year, I learn something new and I think that I am so lucky to be able grow and learn in my role as a teacher.

This summer I feel so fortunate to be a part of the EOF reading program at MSU. I am enjoying my role as a tutor, and I am enjoying working at MSU with the students. I can relate so well to this age group because my daughter is in college, and my son has just graduated from high school. I know how hard the transition from high school to college is, and I hope that I am helping these students make a smooth transition. I am also enjoying working with Meghan and appreciate that she has allowed me to take an active role in the classroom. I can't believe that we are at the mid-point of the course already. Time flies when you enjoy what you do.

In my personal life, I hope to spend more quality time with my husband. He has always worked long hours, and throughout our marriage, we have not had much free time together. It was always about getting everything done on the weekend so that we could work during the week. We plan to take a few days at the end of the summer to spend time at the beach. We also have joined a gym, and we are committed to getting into shape and eating right. We have set a goal to take time out each week to have fun. This may sound like a simple goal to some people, but for us it really is not. We tend to work way too much!

Since both of my children will be in college for the next few years, we are waiting until they graduate to start traveling. We would like to visit different states in America and then travel to Europe. I have to save first to make this a reality, and we started a vacation account. I am planning on saving the money I make when I tutor thoughout the school year. If all goes well, I will be packing our bags and taking off for a couple of weeks each summer.

I really enjoy blogging. I wonder if anyone is reading my blogs??? Feel free to comment.