Be in the present

Wednesday on the airplane from Miami to Port-au-Prince

Kelly and I returned from Haiti Sunday night. We were only in the country for 5 short days, but I felt like I've been gone for weeks. Haiti is a powerful place to be.

It was Kelly's first experience with Haiti, and I think it is going to stick with him for a lifetime.

We arrived Wednesday afternoon and left on Sunday morning. Here is a brief overview of our days.

Wednesday:
*We flew into Port-au-Prince (above picture in the airplane)
*We were picked up by Charles and drove the scenic, unique route to Leogane.
*We saw friends at the house and ate Legumes for dinner!

Thursday:
*Kelly ate his first Haitian breakfast; he said he loved the Haitian oatmeal!
*We walked around Leogane, visiting Ma Petite Ecole, the market, Funny Summer, the soccer field at Kay Frere, and other key spots.
*We met with lots of people, kids, and families.
*We, of course, played soccer.

Friday:
*Kelly, Makendy, Kinston, Lovelie and I went to Destra on two little motos.
*We saw lots of kids and families that I spent time with (Mama Emilio, Makendy's family...)
*We swam in the ocean, played soccer, and Kelly climbed his first coconut tree!
*Kelly got his first chance on the Haitian radio station! We were on Darly's show. : )
*At night, Kelly, Makendy, Kinston, Mr X, Darly, Lovelie, and I went to a dance club (porch) and danced to cha-cha, kompa, and Haitian rap music

Little girl in Destra

Saturday:
*Kelly, Makendy, Kinston, Lovelie, Emilio, Nanson, and I went to Jacmel in one of Kinston's friend's cars. It was quite the ride. The route was "like a serpent," Makendy said.
*Lovelie got sick on the car ride, puked mango all over me, and went by the name "Mademoiselle Vomiee" the rest of the day. Poor girl.
*We had lunch at a cafe on the ocean in Jacmel.
*We went to the beach, saw the UN, and enjoyed goat kabobs
*Wisly, Kinston, Makendy, Lovelie, Kelly, and I enjoyed nice guitar music and singing until late into the night.

Street in Jacmel, Haiti

Sunday:
*We left for the airport with Emilio, Nicolas, and Makendy.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Ayti Cheri as sung by Kinston, Makendy, and Wisly

Restless sleep

Good morning!

Kelly and I are heading out the door for the airport.

I woke up every 30 minutes or so...I didn't want to miss my 6:00am alarm!

Have a beautiful day!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Bebo Norman's Step Into the Sun (not sure if this is the title)

M'ap Vini

Kelly and I leave tomorrow for Haiti! I am SO excited! My students brought in toys, books, clothes, and stuffed animals for the kids in Haiti. I was so proud of them. They are such wonderful students. I am so happy to be their teacher.

Please have me and Kelly in your thoughts from 12:00pm - 4:00pm as we will be traveling from the airport to Leogane.

I've been practicing my Kreyol and am looking forward to seeing how conversational I will be! I am most looking forward to...

*seeing the conch shells on the beach
*riding a moto
*seeing Makendy and Kinston
*playing soccer with the kids at the school I taught at!
*playing soccer in Destra
*singing and dancing to music at night with Emilio and his wife
*eating mambaa (Haitian peanut butter)
*drinking Haitian coffee with sugar cane
*walking through the market seeing the chickens, goats, and interesting animals!
*visiting Monsieur Duroiseau, the doctor next door

So, Haiti, m'ap vini! (I'm coming!)

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Kote Ti Talona

Beeautiful

Today in class we watched Akeelah and the Bee.

I'm starting a Spelling Bee at my school, so my class watched the movie as a motivator to get involved with the school bee.

My students watched the movie and wrote down every spelling word they heard. Some of my students ended the movie with 100 words written down! Oh my goodness.

I am SO proud of my students. While watching the movie, I got kind of teary eyed while thinking about the potential all of my students carry. Akeelah's story is their story. Akeelah's story could be their story.

I am excited for our school's bee. I think it will be a great way to promote academic excellence in the school. I also think it will be great to have a representative from my school at the district/county bee! I am proud of my students and want them to shine everywhere they can!

Lyrics I'm Humming

I Know I Can...Be What I Wanna Be

Viv Glorya Viv

Alicia and I went to Prince of Peace, a Haitian Mennonite Church, this morning. It reminded me so much of Haiti.

Kelly (my little brother) and I are leaving for Haiti this Wednesday. We're going to be there until Sunday...I wish it was longer. I am SO looking forward to seeing my beautiful friends down there!

Tonight I talked with Makendy and John on the phone. Makendy has learned so much English. I am so proud of him! It was so great talking with them. They are excited to see me.

I am especially excited to show Kelly Haiti. However, I am trying not to put much pressure on myself to show him the Haiti I love. I just want him to experience Haiti for what it is. I want him to come up with his own thoughts and views of the people and the country. I do worry that 5 days is too short of a time to understand a people, but I think it will give him a glimpse.

So, Haiti. I am close! Two more days!!!!! : )

Viv!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

India Arie's Strength, Courage, Wisdom

Our History

Tonight, a bunch of wonderful people and I went to see The Boy in Striped Pajamas. Wow. What a powerful movie. It's a movie about a little German boy's relationship with a little Jewish boy through the fence that separates the concentration camp from the outside world. The innocence of the children created a haunting plot where the audience knew what was going on. It was sickening to watch some of the characters' thoughts and motives.

The Father: The family moved out to the German countryside so the father, who was a prominent soldier, could be close to the concentration camp. He was strong willed in doing his rightful duty to "make the world a better place."

The Mother: She didn't know what was going on in the camp until after they moved from Berlin to the country. The mother was sick when she found out the happenings to the Jewish people. However, she was terrified to take real action...fearful of what her husband and her country would think of her.

The Daughter: Perhaps the most haunting character...We watched her become brainwashed by her Nazi school tutor. Her personality drastically changed. How incredible that people can be manipulated so.

The story was innocent and incredibly mature at the same time. The end of the story is one that left a sick feeling in my stomach.

On Friday night, a friend of mine went to a shabbat service (the Jewish sabbath service and meal). She said that they did a special prayer for holocaust victims and survivors. It's incredible that this history is not that much history...it is in our time. It is our history.

I can't help but think what will movies show about out time in 20 years. What disgusting, inhumane things are going on right now. I hope to be someone who takes action.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Bebo Norman's "To Find My Way To You"

Ordinary Radicals

Sunday night, Mosaic was showing a movie. Christy and I have been going to Mosaic. It's a great community of people, and I've really enjoyed hearing about everyone's work and passions. The church consists of people living in the city doing justice or Kingdom related work.

Well, we met Sunday night to watch Ordinary Radicals, a movie following the lives of Christians exploring Jesus. The movie documents Shaine Claiborne and his friends as they travel across the US explaining their views and interpretations of the Gospels and Christ's mission on this planet. Their travels explain for Jesus for President might be an excellent campaign!

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone wanting a challenge. It is the kind of Christianity that gets my blood pumping and makes me excited to live! The movie shows a refreshing view of Christianity that I am longing for.

I feel like I am learning every day what it means to me to be a Christ follower. There is not one specific way to follow Christ. The beauty of Jesus is that He is full of grace, mercy, justice, and love. What places in our world do those four words converge? A graceful dancer? Is she full or mercy or justice? The justice system? Is it full of love and grace?

How these characteristics of God play out in my life shapes for me what Christianityis/should be about.

I have seen many examples of how my America, Westernized, Capitalistic, Materialistic, Individualistic culture has shaped and even altered my view of Christ. For example, people in my childhood Christian circles might ask, "Do you HAVE Jesus in your heart?" Do we HAVE him? As if he is a possession that we can own? Is that Biblical language or is that materialism seeping into my view of God?

Every day, I am trying to simplify my faith into a Biblical faith, void of my culture's warping.

I think culture is inevitable to anyone's interpretation of a religious text; but, I think it is wise to see how culture plays into our views and opinions.
Culture even plays a part into our views, opinions, and judgements of other people. And, in Christianity, is there an "other." What is Jesus' view of the "other?" I try to be open and love because it is how Jesus treats me.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Derek Webb's The Ringing Bell

Eiks! Yuck! Sprack!

Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!

I'm in my classroom and I just feel nasty!!!!!!! I was getting books out for my 1-2 graders to read and the books were kinda sticky...but, I just thought, "maybe they're sticky because of the hot weather..." I dunno! Then, I started to see lots of dead maggots....then... hair. AHHHHHH!!!!! I wanted to scream! I didn't because I didn't want to freak my kids out. YUCK!!!! I then (don't ask me why) kept looking...and there it was. A nasty, dead rat, covered in maggots and nastiness. The hair was all over my books. AHHHHH!!!! I sanitized my hands and am counting down until 10:30 when I can get the custodian to get it out of my room! YUCK!!!

Well, I guess the rat has been found. Mystery solved.

ERGHIKESIJRYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get it out of my room!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

There's a Rat in My Room by Megan Rapp

Look at the Books

Wow! Christy and I spent the afternoon at the Miami Book Fair. So great! We wandered around enjoying hundreds of book vendors. I got a great Haitian Kreyol dictionary and some Kreyol books to help me practice my language! I also got a African-American Tales book for children. It will be nice to use that in my classroom.

The fair was huge! There were food vendors, musicians, live performances, art, author signings, readings, and, of course, books!

I love books. I love the possibility that a book might change you. I just kept thinking while walking around surrounded by thousands of books that it is so beautiful that the written word is so powerful. I love reading a good writer's views on a subject I'd taken for granted. I love reading a good writer's views on a new subject!

Well, needless to say, I would highly recommend the Miami International Book Fair to any books lover or person curious about being a book lover!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Ooh La by The Kooks

On and Odyssey

Well, today I had a coaches training for Odyssey of the Mind. It was super exciting!



Odyssey of the mind is a competition for students to stretch their critical and creative thinking skills.



So, I'm going to get together a team from LBS of 6 students to begin the adventure of training to compete academically! I'm really excited about this competition. I think it's going to be really good for my students to gain pride in their intelligence and in their thinking skills.



It's going to be a challenge and huge commitment though! We will have to practice at least 2 hours a week, and the students are going to have to expand their mighty minds to places they've never been before. I hope it will be a great experience for all of us!



The competition is divided into two parts: a long-term problem and a spontaneous problem. We have until February 7 to solve a long-term problem creatively and will peform our solution in front of the judges. The second part of the competition is a spontaneous problem that the judges will give each team the day of the competition. The team must then solve the problem creatively on the spot.



Whew! It's going to be a lot of work, but I am definitely up for the adventure!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Band of Horses "Is There a Ghost"

Wi Nou Kapab!

Yes We Can!

Tonight I went to a great event at Coral Gables Congregational Church. It was a fundraising event for 3 Miami organizations that help development in Haiti. The night was very well done! I was so impressed.

There were hundreds of people packed into the church. In the middle of the room was a silent auction with loads of wonderful treats: Haitian artwork, Miami Heat tickets, surfing lessons, signed sports paraphernalia, books, and lots more! The outside of the room was beautiful lined with tables of Haitian food, wine, and crafts for sale. The night was classy and Haitian.

After people mingled and enjoyed the beautiful essence of Haitian art and culture we heard different speakers. I was just elated to hear other people's hearts for Haiti.

One man, a local newscaster, went to Haiti on an assignment to cover the events taking place last year commented by saying something I find so true. He said, "You do not find Haiti. Haiti finds you." And, I feel that. Haiti is like a beautiful virus...it gets inside of you and just takes over your core.

I just could not stop smiling while listening to the various stories about people who love Jesus and who love Haiti. Another man said, "The two best things my parents instilled in me are a love for Jesus and a love for Haiti." He grew up with missionary parents who raised him to Haiti during his childhood.

I am leaving for Haiti one week from this Wednesday.

I cannot wait to see my friends and family in Haiti.

I cannot wait for the wonderful mambaa (Haitian peanut butter).

I am anxious for the Haitian pop music that blares from the local dance club.

I am anticipating the stench of burnt garbage that you smell in the afternoon.

Tonight reminded me once again of this deep connection I feel to Haiti. I told someone a few weeks ago that I loved Haiti. He did not believe that was possible. He thought that you could love the people, or you could love the culture of Haiti, but that loving Haiti was impossible. He said the country has so much pollution and strife and corruption. And, I thought about his question for a moment. I thought, "I do love the people, and I do love the culture, but I also love the country."

And, I do think there is hope in Haiti. Tonight, we were saying "Wi Nou Kapab!" This means, "Yes we can!" If we take dedication, intelligence, patience, and a lot of faith, I do think Christians can make a difference in Haiti. And, I hope to be a part of that difference.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Songs of Freedom by Bob Marley

After School Growing

(The "easy button." I let my students press it after they finished something really hard! After you press it, a funny voice comes on that says, "That was easy!" They love it.)

So, after school my classroom has been full of students.

I tutor 4th graders from other teacher's classrooms with reading, writing, and homework help.

I also have my gifted students in my classroom working on projects on the computer.

I've been working on typing skills with them and basic Microsoft Office knowledge.

My classroom is often graced by some of my former 3rd graders as well! Whew!

It's a pretty lively room until 5:00 every day. : )

Well, today we were all in my classroom. One of my students came in and asked me if he could just stay in my room for a while and read. Oh my. Yes! Of course you can read in my room!

So, there I stood. 6 students experiencing Powerpoint for the first time, one little girl practicing her reading skills, and a little boy snuggled in my comfty chair reading Matilda. I stood there and started to cry. I don't know what it was about the moment, but I was just so moved by all of the learning and exploring happening in my room.

I was witnessing actual growth, and it was beautiful.

My students and I were both growing together. : )

I am so glad that my room is a safe place where students WANT to be.

I think if that is all I accomplish this year,

I will be satisfied.

My students have found a place

to learn and grow and take healthy risks!

I love it.

Lyrics I'm Humming:
Bright Eyes "The First Day of My Life"

A Quick Tour

I thought I would give you a tour of my new gifted classroom. I really like how I set the class up. We do a lot of small group work. The students work in "learning communitites" that are composed of 3-4 students. They work on spelling, vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing, and skill-based projects.

It is so fun to challenge these students. They are a breath of fresh air in my school. I truly believe in these young students. I am working hard this year to instil skills and knowledge in them that I know will benefit them in the long-run.


I want my classroom to be saturated with student work. Everything on my walls was either created by my students, put up by my students, or made because of my students! I want them to feel ownership of this room.



Yeah! There is part of my desk up at the front. : ) I roll around the room on my chair though...so I'm pretty much everywhere.



This is my classroom library. I set it up more in the middle of the room, because I believe reading should be central.

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my classroom!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

That dang freecreditreport.com song

Veteran's Day

I had such a delightful day! There was no school because of Veteran's Day.

So, I used the day to study for my GRE test and long-term plan for my gifted class.

I met a good friend at Jamba Juice for a nice work-day break. Alicia's working at a school in Little Haiti as an administrative assistant. We just hung out and chatted about life, family, Miami, work...

I am really enjoying living in Miami. It was such a beautiful day today! A nice breeze, afternoon rain, warm evening. This city has such an interesting vibe to it. Driving in Miami, you can pass though Cuban, Haitian, Brazilian, celebrity, European, Jewish, African-American, Bahamian, hipster, and Peruvian neighborhoods, schools, restaurants, shops... I love the diversity and the unique feelings of each community. I think it is one of my favorite aspects of this city.

I find all of the juxtopositions in Miami fascinating. You can be in a million $$ neighborhood, cross water, and enter a housing-project. I have really enjoyed being exposed to a new city and a new group of people.

The more I'm in Miami, the more comfortable I get. And, the more comfortable I get, the more I realize just how interconnected this city is. While driving today, I found lots of "shortcuts." Now, I'm sure these aren't shortcuts to people who know Miami, but for me, I loved seeing just how close these seemingly different neighborhoods are!

Just getting to know my city!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

It's A Small World

Religion Post

Religion. Religion is a word that carries a weight with it.

Some people hear the word and think of positive words: love, peace, compassion, generosity, freedom, unity.

Some people hear the word and think of negative words: judgemental, close-minded, war, tension, rigid, rules.

Either way, it is a minority that hears the word religion and doesn't have any immediate reaction.

Now, I think that is interesting. Even the word carries a reaction.

I've studied and been around people from many different religions and methods of life. Not everyone subsrcribes to a religion; some people claim a method of life like reason or individualism or personal growth.

I like to think that God is bigger than religion. If God is truth, then God can be found in many religions. Yes, I said that. I've been reading a very engaging book that has got me thinking even more about who claims truth. Is truth something that a certain people-group, or cultural religious group can claim?

Christianity of the West's claim of truth is not the same as Christianity of the East or Christianity of Ancient Times. We so often think that our version of Christianity is the only way one could find God or find Truth. I believe that if God is Truth then anywhere we find Truth we find God.

I think this expands our views of other people and our world. I think it makes us less rigid and more willing to enter conversations...to jump on trampolines.

Please leave your thoughts on Western Christianity's claim of the True God. I would LOVE to hear what you think!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Viv Glorya Viv

Sick Days...

Oh my...I already failed the November blogging challenge. I wonder if there are exceptions for being sick... erg.

Since Friday, I've been feeling awful. My throat is just raw again. I slept almost all day Saturday and am still resting today.

I am feeling better now and can talk without being super sore.

Hopefully I'll feel better for school tomorrow.

I started a GRE class yesterday. I was kind of out of it during the class, but I think it is going to be way helpful. I'm going to learn 5 new words a day for the test, so here are my first 5!

Aberrant: deviated from what is normal or expected (abnormal, divergent, anomalous, errant, deviant, irregular)

Alacrity: speed or quickness (celerity, haste, dispatch, swiftness)

Abate: to reduce in amount, degree or severity (ebb, moderate, subside, lapse, relent, let up, slacken, wane)

Abscond: to leave secretly (flee, decamp, escape)

Anachronism: something out of place in time (archaism, incongruity)

Lyrics I'm Humming:

This Too Shall Be Made Right by Derek Webb

Don't Be A Lummox!

Beautiful Day!

Today was a wonderful day with my students. My students were super fun today. We were all working together, they were working hard, and they were making mistakes and fixing them! It's so great to see students taking academic risks in the classroom and pushing past their challenges. I also met with 3 parents and loved hearing their stories!

My students have a big day tomorrow...the have a spelling/vocabulary test with SAT words like lummox, amenable, and tumultuous. I've been really trying to push them past their limits! They also must recite a poem called "Do It Now!" It's my mother's anthem. : ) The poem tells us not to put things up and to do whatever you plan to do NOW! It's great for my kids to have the repetition of working with a sense of urgency.

The animal stills resides in my AC unit...urg...The smell is going away though because I haven't been using my AC at all. This means that my students are complaining of a stuffy, hot classroom. Sorry students! It's better than a dead animal stentch. Hopefully by Monday the smell won't be as bad. I don't even want to think about what that animal must look like inside the vent.

It's exciting how much I enjoy my students right now. I look forward to seeing them, and I look forward to trying new ways to challenge them.

If you have any great ideas for

creative reading in the classroom,

please let me know!

And, look up "lummox" if you don't know what it means. Fun word!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Regina Spektor

God is Big

Tonight, I met with my wonderful Miami friends for a Bible/book study. It is so refreshing to be in a conversation with Christians who are real, who are vulnerable, who are intentional. I adore these people.

I have been really struggling with specific relationships in my life. I am trying to reconcile so many things right now, and it is so amazing to know that God is BIG.

No really, God is bigger than me....

bigger than my dreams and goals...

bigger than our language...

bigger than he/she....

bigger than the Bible.

God is not the Bible.

God is bigger than words.

I've been very convicted lately to move from "worshiping" the Bible, prayer, writing, and meditation to worshiping God. Focusing on God in the midst of life, instead of focusing on the Bible. Now, the Bible expresses God and the Bible is an anthology of narratives revealing God. However, God is bigger than I can even imagine. And, I am finding comfort and peace resting in the magnitude of Elohim (the creator).

So often I focus on the details and the small aspects of God that I forgot to see the big picture. Now, I believe that God resides in the details and that God is God of the small things. But, I have been longing for a fresh perspective of my creator.

At a workshop last week, we took Proscrope (a digital microscope) pictures of objects. See if you can guess what the below objects are!

Can you guess what I am?

Can you see the bigger picture??

--

Without stepping back to see God, sometimes I get caught up in the bricks.

I get caught up in the bricks that hold my stubborn view of God.

--

Rob Bell in Velvet Elvis talks of a trampoline instead of a brick wall. I want to be a trampoline that invites people into the conversation of God. I do not want to be a rigid brick wall, where if one brick comes out of place the entire wall falls. The trampoline represents a relationship and a journey of jumping and exploring the God-life.

--

I am striving this week to look at God with new eyes.

To look at him/her with humility and reverence.

God of the flowers and God of the nations and God of the heavens loves me.

Beautiful.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

The Air I Breathe

First Picture: Dunkin Donuts Cup

Second Picture: My dark jeans

Living in Historical Times

Wow! I cannot believe that our country just elected the first African-American president to office. What an incredible time to be alive. It is fascinating how far our country has come within the past 100 years. When I think of a 90 year black woman and what she has seen in her life, it's inspirational. Our country and world are full of institutional, systematic sins, and I wonder what injustice done today will be undone in 90 years?

Christy and I had lots of friends over for an Election Party. We watched the countdown and had some delicious food! That's what I like about this year's election...it is drawing people together. People who wouldn't normally be cheering for the same time are coming together. I hope that Obama inspires a country of service and giving as he enters office.

What are your thoughts on the election?? Let me know!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Every Move I Make

Election Eve

As Election Day approaches with rapid fire, I can't help but anticipate who will lead our country next. I always feel anxious before Election Day, so I cannot imagine how the candidates themselves feel right now!

My school had a mock election. We voted for the president and we also voted for our own school government! One of my wonderful students won president. I am SO proud of her! I'm excited to see what ideas she has for our school.

Tomorrow night, some friends are coming over to our apartment to watch the results. If you're in Miami, you are definitely welcome to come by! It's from 7:00pm until the results all come in!

It is so exciting to see how many people are involved with this year's election. I love seeing people engaged with their government. I hope that this participation carries on past tomorrow night. Wouldn't it be inspirational if our entire country rallied together in service and generosity. Here's hoping!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

This Land is Your Land

Dead Animal Update

Well...my guess is that the dead animal in my classroom will still be there tomorrow.

Tomorrow will mark Day 10 of having a dead rat/possum inside my classroom. The stentch is awful, and I've had to have class in the Media Center, outside, and in the computer lab. I have to say that it is sad that the animal was not immediately removed and my entire room disinfected. I hope to be optimistic, thinking that tomorrow morning I will walk into a clean classroom. However, I have a bad feeling that it will still be stank. Well, I'll let you know what the outcome is!

Great weekend though! Went dancing last night with lots of funny friends, which always proves to lead to an entertaining evening! : )

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Light of the World

Day 1 of the BLOGOFF

So, I'm taking my dear friend, Brandon, up on blogging every day in November.

So, here goes Day 1.

Quoted from http://www.brandonbarker.org/


"Blogging is something that is gaining popularity every day. People across the world are posting their thoughts, feelings, ideas, pictures, and videos for the planet to view. However, starting a blog and maintaining it with current posts are two separate things entirely. Most poeple have the best of intentions when they register their first blog post, yet for many reasons don’t keep it up to date. That is the reason for BLOGOFF: No “No Post” November.


In order to get back into blogging we feel that some blog owners need a jump start to their site. With that in mind we are setting up a challenge to all bloggers: write a post every day for the month of November. We think that this will get people to dust the cobwebs off of their blog and make it more of a discipline.


Here are the rules:
*You must post a blog entry every day of November (including weekends).


*You may not just reference a photo or a video, there must be a minimum of one paragraph written.

*You may not blog about blogging.


*Getting others to take part in the BLOGOFF gives you 10,000 points/person (points don’t really mean anything, though)

*You may write about whatever you want, however one post a week must meet the following theme schedule:
Week One: Politics
Week Two: Religion
Week Three: Sexuality
Week Four: Money


*If you decide to meet this challenge, let us know and we will post (and repost) your site on our BLOGOFF list so others will read your blog (which will give you more inspiration to write). We hope this is a great time of inspiration, thought, and revelation.
- The BLOGOFF Committee"



Yesterday, I had my gifted students post on my blog. Super funny! I want to give them a sense of technology that our school does not offer our students. My students are so eager to learn and try new things! Please respond to their post. I'm hoping to have them more involved in my blog.



Yesterday was also Halloween and my school was abounding with scary, funny, and bizarre costumes. I was an Indian (as in from India...) One of my favorite little students was a Chinese lady. So precious!



My school infuses literature with Halloween, so I went around to different classrooms reading the students an Indian Tale. It was wonderful! I taught them how to say "Namaste," which is what Indians say to greet one another. It was hilarious to see a bunch of Hannah Montanas and scary masks saying "Namaste" throughout the day!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

God of the City by Foster

Amazing time in Gifted

Here are three more of my wonderful students!!!

--------------------

Hi,my name is Elisha, Hi my name is Fawn,Hello my name is John. In Gifted we do exciting things such as: acrostic essays,and acrostic poems. Also, on the first day of gifted when we were in 5th grade we did a acrostic poem using our name, and we played a name game trying to learn every students name. The things I do in gifted is I do critical thinking, and the knot game meaning we all hold hands in different positions and we try to untangle to a circle.I think I am very well in gifted ,but I remember that same day when we had a spelling test on a few SAT college words. We recently did a project about University of Chicago in the form of and acrotsic essay. The things I like to do is draw in her class when there is free time.

We Love Gifted!

This is a new post from my wonderful students!!! Here are their thoughts.

----------------------------------

Hello our name is FirzHaster.Dufinsmirt and Kesterler. WE LOVE GIFTED!~!!!!!!!!! it is so much fun. it is so challenging. Too us gifted is a class for students with high acdimic excellence. we have challenging projects and they are very fun but hard. We have third ,fourth and fifth graders in gifted. We do acorstic poems, essays, and even projects. In gifted we are educated to behave and to act as collage students. today we be a essay on the diffrent iv league.

You Can Help My Students!

As of Wednesday last week, I have a new position in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. I am back in the gifted program, teaching full-time at Lenora B Smith! Yeah! I'm teaching Kindergarten-5th Grade Reading/Language Arts. It is great to give these high students a challenge and to push them past where they could normally go in a general classroom!

I have to admit though that I dearly miss my 3rd graders. They were such a joyous, challenging group of kids. LBS got lucky and was able to hire a Teach for America teacher to fill my position though! Yeah! So, I have a really good teacher in my old 3rd grade classroom, which has helped ease the transition.

So...here's where you can help! I applied for a grant with DonorsChoose.org to help my gifted students. Please check it out and contribute if you can! You can contribute ANY amount!

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My Students Need You!

I teach a gifted class in a high-need community in the inner-city. My students are free-and-reduced lunch students and live in neighborhoods with crime, drugs, violence, and poverty. My kids are grades 1 through 5, and they reside in a high-risk neighborhood, but have high-potential to succeed and make a difference in their communities and families.

I teach elementary school in a neighborhood where students are not given opportunities to be exposed to technology. Our school lost a huge sum of funding this year, and technology is more than a luxury for my students. Because of a money-gap, my students are not exposed to technology. I work with bright students who I BELIEVE will be able to rise above the cycle of poverty, but this climb begins with EXPOSURE. Technology is one component of my teaching philosophy of exposure!

I would love for my students to see a LCD projector, learn from creative presentations, and most importantly, have an opportunity to explore their own creative technological skills. I want my gifted students to use the LCD projector for projects, presentations, and creative reading and writing showcases. My gifted students are incredibly talented, and they will be completely ecstatic to have technology in our classroom!

YOU CAN HELP THESE STUDENTS! My students have big ambitions...they want to be doctors, engineers, lawyers, and scientists. With YOUR HELP, they can begin to be exposed to technology that high-income schools have! My students live in poor communities where it takes a lot of inspiration and hard work to succeed. This inspiration can start with your help in funding technology in the classroom! Thank you!

My students need a LCD projector, two projector carts, and a ceiling mounting plate to expose them to technology in the classroom! The cost of this proposal is $1,849, which includes shipping for any materials requested and fulfillment.

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=222139#

Lyrics I'm Humming

Regina Spektor's Fidelity

2009 Books!

We will read 2009 books by June 2009!

This is my classes' reading goal for the year! Together, myself and 40 students will read a combined 2009 books by the end of the school year. The schoolhouse below is how we're tracking our progress. Each square on the house represents 10 books, and the 9 boxes on top represent 1 book. We're already at 20 books! : ) The 2009 number breaks down to each of us reading 1-2 books a week. I think we can do it!




I have a morning class, which I call my "Peace Makers." They each put the peace symbol on their papers and assignments. These students are my ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages), ESE (students who have special ed needs), and Gifted (above grade level).

I have an afternoon class, which I call my "Superstars". They put a star on their work. These students are the 2nd Tier Retainees (meaning they have been retained a school grade)

The peace and star symbol are how I organize all of the paper work and supplies for each class. : ) It's keeping me sane this year.

Well, the honeymoon period is definitely over in my classroom. Today finalized the end. Please read your email if you want to hear more about what happened...or, if you want to be on my email list, leave a comment.

Lots of prayer needed for my students. They are very low and in need of a lot of love and teaching this year. I cannot do it on my own this year.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

INDEPENDENT-Do you know what that means?

First Day is Done!

Woah.... the storm has passed! School was canceled yesterday to the somewhat lame Fay. Although, I have to say that I am very glad that the storm was not damaging as I don't know how Miami would handle a tropical disaster.

Today was my first day with my new students, and I am ready. I think. : ) The kids are very unique, special individuals, and I need to definitely tighten up my plans.

Well, for many reasons, that's all I can say about my students. : ) I would love an email/call if you want more info!

But for now, I have 40 new students who are hopefully ready to learn!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

"August" (a song one of my students wrote and sang. very funny)

The Storm's Coming

So much about the opening of this school feels different from last year.

I am teaching 3rd Grade Reading, Writing, Language Arts to the Special Ed Students, the English as a Second Language Students, the Gifted Students, and the Retainee Students. I am working at Lenora B Smith (the same school I started at last year), and I am very anxious.

I feel more prepared, but I know that a storm is coming. It's just a matter of if I am prepared enough for it!

I feel much calmer, and I am finding humor in the situations that stressed me out like crazy last year!

Tomorrow is the first day of school; HOWEVER, a real storm... Hurricane Fay is on a path toward Miami, so school is canceled. Tuesday will be the first day...hopefully.


I'll keep you posted!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

You Go Banging On by The Go

Barnabus' Joy

The Good News of Luke tells shows us the life of Jesus.

And, while at the Lakota Tribe's Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota,

I saw Luke in a new light.

Each summer, the Valley Church High School Ministry takes a short trek out to Parmelee, South Dakota to serve on a Native American reservation. Over 70% of Parmelee residents live in poverty, and while there, our students are opened to some of the disgusting stuggles in our time. The oppression and injustices placed upon our ancestors and history are unbelievable. Together, in Parmelee, we spend our time loving the town through its beautiful children.

I may be a tad bias, but I can not help but see Jesus in the face of every child in Parmelee.

What is it about a child's face that makes me feel so loved?

Luke challenges us to spend time with people. For me, it is a book of slowing down and remembering how Jesus treated his neighbors.

God didn't indend for individualistic, "American" work.

Travel in pairs, Jesus tells us.

Be in community, his close disciples echo.

Support and encourage one another, the first Christians say.

Luke 10:4 struck me this week. Luke tells us to make small talk with people. Interact with others. The Kingdom is meant for people, for hearts, for souls...take time to form, maintain and invest in relationships. Prioritize people. Prioritize the people in my path.

Stop. Slow down....in order, not to loiter or be lazy, but in order to love people.

Wednesday night, as we were leaving the church to play a softball game, I felt a heavy feeling on my heart. I felt as if we had not prioritized Pastor George and his wife Violet. George oversees the church and its ministry throughout the year, and we come to help for a few days at his church. George is a humble man and a hard-worker. His thoughts on faith and his people's history are wonderfully honest.

So, I went back with another lady (Lori) to the George's home to talk with him. George, Violet, Lori and I sat outside their house talking for at least an hour. I have so much to learn from a couple like George and Violet.

George and Violet welcomed us, and would have let us stay for hours and hours just talking with them. We talked about George and Violet's history, the church's growth, stuggles in Parmelee, Native American challenges, and the pure hope that George and Violet carry daily.



Luke is the poor man's gospel. It is the Good News for the most lowly and materially poor people.

The poor know the importance of relationships, people, and making time to love on neighbors better than suburbanites.

While in Parmelee, I was reminded of my love for community development. I was also reminded of my love for encouraging others. I love seeing strengths in other people and helping them see how wonderful God wired them. I love watching others shine and see how God works in them.

For that, I was Barnabus. I related well with Barnabus this past week. Not getting credit as the leader, nor as the follower. I tried to pour into different people, encouraging them to continue with their serving hearts.

Parmelee, you continue in my heart. I pray that I never come to a day where I forget the struggles of the Native American people.


Lyrics I'm Humming:

Five Iron Frenzy's The Day We Killed

Shifting

Brennan Manning in his wonderful book, The Ragamuffin Gospel hit me in the gut when he said "shift from my badness to His goodness."

I've been so focused on my sins, shortcomings, and faults... I'm becoming so preoccupied with myself and my sins. My focus has been on what I'm not doing and how I've failed rather than how beautiful and how graceful God is.

I just had a revelation full of tears tonight in my apartment while remembering why I am a Christian. I follow Christ because I believe in His Love with all of my being. I don't know why I've let that slip away.

Grazie, Signore, for Your lips twisted in love to accommodate my sinful self; for judging me not by my shabby good deeds but by Your love that is Your gift to me; for Your unbearable forgiveness and infinite patience with me; for other people who have greater gifts than mine; and for the honesty to acknowledge that I am a ragamuffin. When the final curtain falls and You summon me home, may my last whispered word on earth be the wholehearted cry, "Grazie, Signore."
-Salieri's song in Amadeus (which I haven't seen or read)

Oh Lord, thank you for your grace. I love you.

Lyrics I'm Humming:
Bebo Norman "My Eyes Have Seen Holy"

Shakin' in the Midwest!

I am in the middle of recovering from my tonsils being removed last Wednesday, April 9. Yuk.

Oh my, my ex-roomie Anna was not joking when she said the recovery was awful!

I finally stepped out of my grandma's house today and went to my brother's soccer game where they beat Dowling 2-0! : )

Well, the weirdest thing happened last night. I was dreaming, and all of a sudden I felt like I was in a plane crash. My body shook and I thought the plane was going down. Fairly quickly, my dream turned into a horendous nightmare ending in a awful plane crash!

This morning, I woke up to find out that the shake I felt was actually the tremors of an earthquake! What?! Craziness!

So, after recovering from the mini-earthquake, I am still recovering from my surgery.

My throat still feels terrible, I can't talk, and eating is painful. Hopefully, I will feel better soon!

Two of my precious students from Miami sent me flowers today!!! Oh my goodness!!!! I almost started crying; I was so touched! : ) They wrote a really sweet note with the GORGEOUS BOUQUET!!! Thank you both so much! I miss you dearly!

Lyrics I'm Humming:
Catch My Disease by Ben Lee

See Key West! It's the Best!

I have now been to the Southernmost Southernmost point in the continental United States and I am incredibly proud to say so!

Elaina, Mel, and I went down to Key West for the day and had a delightful time. The drive down there was beautiful...through all of the Florida Keys, over The Seven Mile Bridge, past the various beaches, and with a spectacular view the entire drive.

I love nice weather.

We pretty much just wandered around Key West. The day could not have been more perfect. I could to experience Elaina and Mel's first time eating Key Lime Pie! Mel's face was great... "Oh my! This is tart!" Yes...it is lime pie.

Here is the point that marks 90 miles to Cuba. I have to say this is pretty swell! I would love to go to Cuba. It is on my List. Other places on my list are Israel (Jerusalem), North Korea, raising a child in a foreign country, and buying a family a goat.

Definitely go to Key West. It is wonderful!

Lyrics I'm Humming

Key Largo, Montigo, Baby Why Don't We Go to Jamaica or the Florida Keys?!

Adios Miami... for a while...

After throat infections 6 times since October 2007, I am finally getting my tonsils out.

The surgery is Wednesday, April 9th with Dr Greiman (a friend from Valley Church).

I will be in Des Moines Friday, April 4th to Thursday, April 24th. 

I am going to miss my students, but it will be good to take care of my health.

Last week, my Lenora B Smith Elementary School morning class got their Flat Stanley project back in the mail! Flat Stanley is a character from a Jeff Brown book that you send out to friends and family in the mail to experience those locations. After Flat Stanley visits the destinations, he comes back in the mail with postcards, pictures, brochures, and items from his travels. 

My kids were so excited to get Flat Stanley back! We had a blast with him! We made a class display with maps, pictures, brochures, and my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students even wrote persuasive letters persuading me to visit one of the three Flat Stanley destinations.

So, thank you for those of you who helped! My Miami classroom has now visited Des Moines, Tulsa, and Phoenix! If you want one of my other classrooms to visit your city, please let me know and we can send you Mr Stanley. 

Lyrics I'm Humming

Love Today by Mika

Snow Snow Snow Snow

My winter wonderland backyard in West Des Moines, Iowa.

What is it about snow that is so magical?

...Maybe it's the moment the snow falls and the anticipation of a snow day.

...Maybe it's the morning after a fresh blizzard where the whiteness graces everywhere one looks.

...Or, maybe it's the opportunity to play around with this white wonder.

Well. my students and many of the teachers I work with are fascinated with snow. Most of them have never seen snow in their entire life! Now, for me, a girl of West Des Moines, Iowa, snow is a part of my childhood and youth. Snow is lovely, but snow is also depressing and a pain! My memories of snow are not all magical wonder.

I do have some great snow memories!

So...I want to bring **snow** to my students somehow. Any ideas???

My back porch in West Des Moines, Iowa! So pretty!

Snow Fun Facts!

**Believe it or not, snow is actually clear or transparent. Snow appears white because the crystals act as prisms, breaking up the light of the sun into the entire spectrum of color.

**The largest snowflake recorded was fifteen inches in diameter!

**All snowflakes have six sides.

**No two snowflakes are alike.

**The fluffiest snow falls at temperatures around 15F.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Let it Snow!

Love Because He is Love

Christians are called to be God's love and light on Earth. We are called to show love, peace, and grace to not only our friends, but our enemies. The Bible tells us that even the wicked show love to their friends! Christians are challenged to go deeper and show Love to our enemies and those difficult people in our daily lives.

Well...that concept hits home for me. Jeremy and I have been doing a Doug Fields Bible study since Christmas, and the past few days have been on being peacemakers, mercy-ful, and love-flowing. I am feeling a strong conviction to apologize to people in my life to whom I was disrespectful and unkind. In particular...a certain woman at my school deserves my sincere apology, and I would love your accountability challenging me to apologize to her.

God is incredible! I mean really...incredible!

Tuesday, February 12th at Lenora Braynon Smith, I had the best day teaching since August! It was a wonderfully refreshing day for me.

We were learning about poetry, colorful writing, metaphors, similes, nature, Maya Angelou, and finding your voice in your own writing. We talked about oppression and change...seeing how words, pictures, and a single voice can spark international change! It was so great!

And, then I realized. Wow. God really loves the children in my classroom. I mean...really loves them. As simple as this sounds, I think I looked at my children in a different light. I took some great pictures of their smiles and eyes yesterday. I wish I could post them on this blog to share with you. I'm going to send an email for you to see some of them!

God's love is dependable.

Deuteronomy 7:7-11

God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend on. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments.

God's love is impossible to hide from.

Romans 8:35, 38-39

Absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us!

God's love is believable! It's believable because it is real!

1 John 4:16-18a, 19

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us... There is no room in love for fear.

Love someone today!

Love someone who is hard to love,

because sometimes that is the person who is

most in need of Godly love!

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Unchained Melody by Robson and Jerome

My voice is back

I've come to the realization (with the help of a caring soul) that the reason I haven't posted since November is that I am unsure of what I can say on this blog.

I guess I don't know the purpose of this blog right now, so I kinda avoided it.

Is this blog a place to speak honestly about my experiences in the schools I work in? Oh no... that would not be okay.

Is this blog a place to explain about what I do with my kids in my classrooms? Maybe...

Is this blog a place to share funny stories and daily insights? Yes...most definitely! But...without any proper nouns!

New/Old News! : ) I've been teaching gifted students at 4 different schools in inner-city Miami since October 8, 2007. The day of my liberation! : )

I work at Phillis Wheatley Elementary School in Overtown on Mondays.
I work at Lenora Braynon Smith Elementary School in Allapattah on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
I work at Kelsey Pharr Elementary School in Allapattah on Wednesdays.
And, I work at Little River Elementary School in Little Haiti on Fridays.

So, this is hopefully the rebirth of my blog "grace a" Jeremy. ; )

Funny Story: I went to a Christmas tree burning cook-out last night. Christmas trees are really fun to watch burn! Very dangerous, but wow...they sure catch on fire quickly and makes lots of noise.

Daily Insight: The poor and the middle class have incredibly different mentalities.

Lyrics I'm Humming:

Brown Skin by India Arie