Rookie Reflections

inspiration

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - Posted by Kelly - 1 comments

I saw this somewhere on the Interwebz, and it inspired me. I read this at the right time. I hope you enjoy, too.

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.

(from the Tao Te Ching, by Lao-tzu Stephen Mitchell translation)

Letters

Saturday, January 16, 2010 - Posted by Kelly - 4 comments

Heartfelt letters to the clientele of The Bank Shot in Brewton, AL

Dear Long, Blonde-haired Guy Sitting at the Bar,

You are obviously Tom Petty's younger, cuter, more athletic brother. You are playing it low-key by sitting by yourself and not making eye contact. I respect the way you're rocking the early 90's one-stripe sweater. I like your style.

Dear Frat Daddy,

I see you're salivating over the slutty, bubbly girl who is hanging around the jukebox. It probably took a lot of courage on your part to go over to her and ask her to dance. But couldn't you have chosen a better dancing song than "Ring of Fire"? Lucky for you, she's too drunk to notice.

P.S. Don't think I didn't see your hand inching farther and farther down her butt. Again, lucky for you, she's too drunk to notice.

Dear Awesome Bartender Girl,

Thank you for being so prompt and attentive. You get lots of tips.

Dear Lame Bartender Man,

You ignored me twice and snatched the money out of my hand when you finally did serve me. All your tips go to Awesome Bartender Girl.

Dear Girls Waiting in Line for the Bathroom,

Please don't talk smack about me (A.K.A. "the ho who is holding you up") and rattle the door handle obsessively while I'm in the bathroom and then act surprised when I come out glaring at you. A girl can only pee so fast.

tough love

Saturday, January 16, 2010 - Posted by Kelly - 1 comments

Yesterday in class, we played a quick game of verb charades to show them the difference between physical and mental action verbs. One of my students asked, "Do you just sit around at night and think of things like this?" Since I was too busy laughing, another student fired back, "No, they learn all their tricks on the Internet."

HAH!

I was thinking about work, and I figured out one of the biggest changes in me as a teacher. I am finally figuring out how to discipline effectively and how to give tough love. When I started teaching, I took everything personally. When a student was mad/upset at a decision I had made (such as not allowing them to turn in late work or go to the bathroom for the fitieth time) it hurt my feelings, and I would second guess myself every time. I'm sure it showed, and it probably contributed to my lack of disciplinary skills. Now, I am confident about my discipline policies and realize it's important for them to learn things like deadlines and resource management, even if it means them getting angry or aggrivated for a minute. I would still say my weaknesses are mainly in the disciplinary area, but at least I feel like I'm getting better at it.

Next goal: not thinking about work on the weekends

Who weeps for these weeps for corruption.

Thursday, January 14, 2010 - Posted by Kelly - 0 comments

Today was a great day at work! We finally got to start reading the scandalous Puritan soap opera The Crucible. I was nervous that they may not be interested, but I worked really hard on my intro and background information; the discussion beforehand went GREAT. They listened, questioned, and even acted it out with emotion when we read. I am looking forward to tomorrow!