MLK Day

"Can anyone tell me about the Civil Rights Movement? What was the goal?"

"The goal of the Civil Rights Movement was....World Peace." Said matter-of-factly by a rather feminine male student, in about the same tone a beauty pageant contest would use when proclaiming her one wish. Not quite, my friend, but I like where your head is at.


In preparation for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, our literacy activities last week all revolved around MLK, his speech, and his effect on our country. For the first time in my life, I watched his whole "I Have A Dream" speech, and wondered why I had never seen it before. I was fixated on the footage from that beautiful day in 1968, when thousands and thousands of people marched on Washington to stand behind this courageous man. And also for the first time, I realized just how brave Martin Luther King, Jr. really was. One of my intellectually advanced students made an excellent point in our discussion after watching the speech. She reminded us that King took a huge risk, knowing that what he was saying wasn't popular, and was even dangerous at the time. It sounds obvious, but when you really think about it, it's pretty incredible. Most of my kids said it themselves--they would never have survived in a time like the 1960s, when violence and injustice against African Americans were legal. And I'm scared to think of who I would have been if I had lived in those times, born and raised in a southern state whose perception of justice was disgustingly warped. Nevertheless, it spawned great discussion in my classroom for the last thirty minutes of each day.

We watched a BrainPop video about Martin Luther King and discussed some of the basics of the Civil Rights Movement. We watched the whole MLK speech and had good conversation about the meaning of his powerful words. We talked about whether we can truly say that there is equality among the races today and, surprisingly, my class seems to agree that there is (my homeroom class, the honors kids, had a very different opinion when we discussed similar issues earlier in the year. I think they are closer to the truth, and my last period babies are a little more blissfully ignorant). We read quotes from MLK and interpreted what they meant. We saw a slideshow of pictures from the Civil Rights Movement, set to the song, "I Have a Dream" by Common. And finally, we wrote out our own dreams. Each students started with the line, "I have a dream...", and finished it with his or her own hopes for the future.

Some were pretty standard: "I have a dream, that one day there will be no more world hunger." (Can you guess who wrote that one? World Peace boy.)

Some were very insightful: "I have a dream, that one day there will be less jails, and more jobs and schools." "...that families would be together."

And some were...interesting: "I have a dream, that one day people will only be on welfare for emergency, and they will not be having babies if they don't have no jobs." (Followed by a round of disapproving lip-smacks from kids wearing brand new Jordans and living in poverty. Just saying.)

I haven't quite finished mine yet. I'm not sure what my dream is. I know Teach for America would want me to say, "One day, all children will have access to quality education...", or whatever their mission statement is (should I have that memorized?). And I don't disagree. I'm just not sure if it is enough.


Sometimes, I chuckle thinking about my life right now. Teaching 30 African American students about Martin Luther King, Jr. It seems a little ironic, and sometimes I don't even feel like it's my place. What do I know about the struggles of African Americans, 60 years ago or now? Nothing.

All I know is, I love my kids...black, white, yellow, purple, striped or spotted. I love those babies. And I think that's enough for now.


And I couldn't leave without another amusing quote, from the same kid who has already provided so many laughs. He has taken to falling asleep in my class multiple times a week, which he blames on it being the end of the day. This little gem of a conversation came after I had assigned the "I Have a Dream" writing prompt last week.

"Miss H, I ain't got no dreams."

"Honey, you should have more dreams than anyone in this classroom, 'cause all you do is sleep all day!"


Point for Miss H.

Putting 7th Grade on the MAP...

It's been a while. I know. And really, there aren't any good excuses. My work-life balance is healthier than ever (more in a later post), so it's not even like I can blame that. Each day that passes that I don't write, I have more to say, which makes it harder to write. Does that make sense?

For now, I'll leave you with these two pictures. The first is of me and the social studies teacher from the 7th grade team. It's funny, we so often laugh about how different we are, and she refers to us as "night and day, literally". Yet one day last week, we showed up to work wearing almost the exact same outfit, with even the smallest touches the same (buttons along our sleeves, gray pants, and the exact same shoes). I love this woman (and the other women on my team) and have already learned so much from her this year.




The second is from our week of benchmark testing, known as Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) testing. Last year, I made a poster that said "MAPping Our Way to Success" (we all know I love a good pun) and had students who reached their personal growth goal or the seventh grade goal sign the poster. It really helped get the kids invested--they wanted to be able to sign their name with their friends--and also was a fun way to celebrate success. This year, I added another touch--kids who reached/passed their goals held signs that said "I passed my goal!" while I took their pictures, which I then taped up around the poster on my door. The kids claimed to hate it, but I still catch them looking for their faces as they walk in and out of my door.




And how did the kids do on the benchmark test? There was some significant growth in a lot of kids, there was also some backsliding, and there were some kids that showed no growth or just a point or two. Nothing tremendous right now, but we've still got a few months to go until EOG testing. And really, it's not all about the test. I have kids who came to me hating math who are excited about doing HARD math this year (algebra, anyone?). I have students who know it's okay to make mistakes, because it's part of the process of learning. Sure, I also have plenty of students who still don't care, or who aren't living up to their potential. But overall, I know there are kids who will leave my classroom this year better off.

Last year, I was so quick to see my failures. I could point out tons of kids who weren't learning anything, who didn't care, who would probably move on to the 8th grade without anymore knowledge than they began with. This year, I don't want to overlook the successes. Every student may not leave me more prepared, more respectful, more persistent, and more enthusiastic about math, but I refuse to let the successes go unnoticed. After all, you win some, you lose some.

More soon,

Miss H

From 2010 to 2011

Most days, I love to write, for many reasons. It's a way to release everything you are thinking. It's a way to capture raw emotions, and a way to relive memories that would otherwise have escaped my cluttered brain. And at the start of a new year, it's a way to reflect on where you are, where you've been, and where you're going. This time last year, I took a break from packing to write a letter to my future self, the January 1, 2012 Courtney. I remembered this letter as I crawled into bed on New Years Eve Eve, and couldn't resist opening it to see what I had to say, even though it was a few days early. And then of course I couldn't resist posting it for the world wide web to see. No but really, it's a fun idea, you should try it. The hardest part is waiting until the whole year later to reread it! So it goes....



January 1, 2011

Dear January 1, 2012 Courtney,

It is amazing to me to think about how little I could have predicted about the year 2010 at this time last year. I cannot even believe that it was just one year ago that I was still in college, living in a dorm, writing papers, and living what I thought was a relatively constrained life. I was dying to graduate, to get out there into the wide open world, and to have freedom. Freedom from school, freedom from my parents, and freedom from schedules dictated to me by a registrar and a bunch of professors.

Now, looking back, that life seem so easy, and so far away. This year brought so many big changes with it. Changes I could never have imagined, and may not necessarily have chosen had I known what they would bring. But I’ll stand firm in my belief that God has me here for a reason, right where I’m supposed to be, as I start another year.

I never could have imagined at this time last year that 2010 would be dominated by Teach For America. When January 1 rolled around, I was getting ready to spend a month in Chicago, wondering if the airline industry could be a possibility for a future job. I was finishing up my application for the teaching assistantship in France, which seemed like the most likely job opportunity. I had absolutely no idea how drastically different my life was going to be in the second half of the year.

Now, here I am, a seventh grade math teacher, trying to survive without going crazy, or killing a child. Teaching has brought so many emotions, challenges, and even a little bit of joy. I have worked harder than I ever have in my life, with no end in sight. That’s one of the biggest differences between this job and everything else I’ve ever done. When I was in school, all my work resulted in good grades and eventually high honors. My extracurricular activities boosted my resume and landed me a spot in a highly regarded program. Exercising makes me feel better and helps me lose weight. But lesson planning, grading, and teaching seem to only bring frustration, exhaustion, and more work.

That being said, I feel excited to go back to work. I absolutely love the team of teachers I work with. They have been fantastic, fun, and incredibly welcoming, and I feel at home at my school. I know when I get in the car tomorrow to drive back to North Carolina, I’ll cry my eyes out and feel the weight of it all on my shoulders. The burdens of my kids, the stress of running a classroom, and the loneliness that infiltrates my heart. But I also know that Monday morning, I’ll get to see some pretty incredible people. I am even excited to see my kids, to start fresh, and to hit the ground running. It helps that we have a holiday and 2 work days in the month of January to look forward to, as well.

This winter break, I feel like I avoided spending time with friends. It was too hard emotionally; I felt like if I spent too much time with people I would not want to go back to North Carolina and would slip into depression. Instead, I read books, played Banagrams with my parents, and ran errands to keep me busy. I hope this year I’ve found a better balance and have more control over my emotions.

Here’s what I’m hoping for, praying for, and thinking about 2011.

I hope that I take at least one big trip in 2011, whether it is to Europe or an American road trip or even a beach trip. Something that requires packing a bag for a week and celebrating my first year of teaching.

I also know that with the state of our school system, there is a possibility that I won’t be at my school after my first year. While I pray that this is not the case, I abide in the knowledge that God provides.

I really hope that I’m still living at Charleston Place with at least Lojo, if not Lojo and Krista both. I love that house and would NOT want to have to deal with moving again.

I hope and pray that this is the year that I start to see God’s love more clearly in my life. I have always been one to overlook the little things that God does to care for me everyday, and I want to become more cognizant of His hand on my life. I hope that as I’m reading this on the last day of the year, I’m able to look back and point out dozens of blessings that God has poured out on me, because I know they are always abundant.

I hope that the first 4 months of my second school year (if this is applicable) have brought with them peace that was definitely not present the first time around. I hope that as I’m getting ready to head back for the second half of the year that I am at least considering staying for a third year. And I hope that we have made progress in our scores, enough to keep the state believing that we can do it.

So many things to look forward to, and so many reasons to be thankful. I hope that this letter brings me joy and a sense of accomplishment, not for myself but for the kingdom (FTK!). I cannot wait to reflect on the ups and downs of another year.

Love,

2010 Courtney

It's almost Christmas!

Despite baking Christmas cakes, going “light-seeing”, listening to Christmas music (both in class and at home), and exchanging gifts, it really hasn’t felt like Christmas time yet. Maybe it has to do with being in school until December 21st. It’s hard to feel the joy of the season when you’ve got papers to grade, lessons to plan, and 12 year olds to babysit. Because that’s pretty much what it felt like this week: babysitting.

Wednesday was an utter waste of time and energy. It was a half-day, which already spells worthless in my book. The kids come to school with the mindset that they won’t do any work, which is evident by their lack of back packs and basic school supplies. This half-day, even the teachers felt the same way. We had a Christmas program scheduled for the first hour or so of the day, and from there it becomes a matter of feeding children and controlling chaos. But of course, nothing went according to schedule, so I had no idea what was going on for pretty much the whole day. And what’s more annoying than not knowing what’s going on? Oh, say, 100 kids asking you what’s going on. By the end of the day, I was practically shoving kids out my door. “See you in 2012!” was my catch phrase as I walked the kids out to the buses. Praise. The. Lord.

Now the fun could really begin. The rest of the evening was stress-free, filled with laughter and conversation that did not revolve around school or students or test scores. The staff went out to eat and exchanged secret Santa gifts, with nothing hanging over our heads except a week and a half of break.

I absolutely love the people I work with. My principal is hard-working, but she is down to earth and never expects more from us than what she herself is willing and able to give. She is real about our “situation” as a low-performing school, and her honesty is refreshing. My fellow teachers are fun-loving and hysterical. But by far my favorite people are the women I work most closely with, the other 7th grade teachers.

Last year, on those mornings when I would rather get hit by a bus than try to manage the chaos that was my 8th period, I got up to go to work because if nothing else, I knew I’d have fun with my coworkers during our common planning time.

This year, I look forward to our unofficial morning meetings in the hallway, where we mingle for maybe a little too long to watch the chaos that is the 8th grade and bask in the glory of our well-behaved (and well-trained) 7th graders. We are a strong team, mostly because we all like each other and work well together. And apparently, we play well together, too. After our staff dinner, the 7th grade team went shopping “on the town”, making trips to Target and Old Navy, and creating a scene along the way. We had so much fun, and it was a great way to kick off break.

Now, all is right in Glen Allen--Amanda and I are both home, and we are currently preparing for happy hour with our parents.

It's beginning to feel a little more like Christmas...

Baby Jackson?

Playing a "literacy" game I call "A to Z"--students must come up with one word for each letter of the alphabet within a certain category. This week's category: Christmas, of course.

Here's what happened when I tried to help one group....


Student: "Miss H--we need somethin that start with a J."

Miss H: "Hmm okay. Here's one. Who was born on Christmas? Baby......"

Student: "Jackson?"




Is it break yet? Two and a half days and counting....

Goodbye Enfield, Hello Orlando!

After a day like today, Florida couldn't sound any better. Nothing more than kids being kids...and driving me crazy. I dropped the bomb yesterday that I would be leaving for the next three days to go to a conference in Orlando, and while many of my kids seemed disappointed, I'm worried about the kids who I know were silently celebrating in their heads. I can hear their mischievous brains working now...

"You thought one day was chaotic, and now you're leaving us for three?"

It's about to get real.

We're about to find out how extraordinary my class really is. We've been working on becoming a class that other people talk about in a good way, since so much of the talk about Enfield is negative. Some of the kids have put everything they have into being the best, into being different than what other people expect when they walk into our classroom. And some of my students are fine being just plain old "ordinary", as we call them. It doesn't seem to bother them. In fact, I fear that they may even take a little joy in being the weakest link, if for no other reason than the attention that it gets them. I fear for those babies and their lives outside of school.

And while I am excited for the trip, there is still so much to be done. I've taken to recording my voice on every slide of my presentations for each of the three days that I"m gone, so that there will be no confusion about my expectations for each assignment. Which takes forever, by the way. And even still, I need to type up my sub plan to avoid things like, "But Miss H always lets us use the bathroom!" (No she doesn't.) Or, "We go to lunch right away." (No we don't.)

So one more late night of working, one more early morning of setting up my classroom, and then it's off for an afternoon flight to Orlando, and 3 and a half days of Floridian winter (and the conference, of course).

I'll be anxious to see my sub report when I get back. Fingers crossed!

If you were the President...

Do Now Assignment:

1. If you were the President of the United States, what is the first change you would make in America?

Student Responses:

"Stop getting AIDS."


"Change the law of passing math."



"I would change the drug dealers their will not be no drugs."


"I would let the people out of jail." (Upon clarification I learned that yes, she meant ALL the people. She would let everyone out of jail.)


I know you missed this.