Friday, July 18, 2008

Goodbye Phoenix, Hello Vermont!

















I said goodbye to my first classroom of kindergarten students today and truth be told, it was tough. Who knew that 5 weeks of 5 am wake up calls, 19 five year olds, and countless soggy roast beef sandwiches could leave such a bittersweet set of emotions! Our last day of kindergarten mirrored many of the last days of schools I experienced as a wee one, "parties", speeches, popcorn, read-alouds and general giddiness! I have never seen so many excited 5 year olds, anxious to show off their refined reading skills to their visiting parents. And to top it all off, our students reached their individual growth goals for the summer and exceeded our expectations for improvement in reading, writing and math!

Yes, Institute is over and now it is time to board my plane to JFK and onto VT for several glorious days on Lake Champlain before I head south (this time for real) to the Big Easy. Much awaits me in the Crescent city - my undiscovered apartment is waiting for me, along with a soon-to-be found job! And I can just about taste the beignets already.

But alas, my plane is boarding and so begins my red eye journey east.

More later, Kari

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

A quick update from the trenches to satiate any hungry appetites for teacher stories - Institute is half way over which is a bit difficult to believe! Our time here in the Phoenix oven is flying by! We have been teaching for 2 weeks and I have to admit, I am seeing visions of academic mastery coming to fruition! Jose now knows his plus sign from his minus sign. Eddie can sit criss-cross applesauce for 30 seconds without fidgeting and with a silent but deadly teacher stare/glare from Ms. D. can quickly resume criss-cross formation. We have had a daily bout of tears but not from the same child so I suppose that is an improvement.
Exhibit left/above is Ms. D. and her Math group - Jose in the white shirt, Gary, Angel and Julian! In the picture I think I'm telling Gary to stop playing with his skiddles (our addition manipulatives).

I love kindergarten and am keeping my fingers crossed for a K placement back in New Orleans. Still no word yet on school placement or employment prospects but I've been assured that there will be a job for me.

More later, Ms. D.