pride & joy

I am so proud and happy for one of my students that I must share her story.

A is a senior in my Regents Chemistry class. She has an infectious smile and is wholeheartedly devoted to her education. Needless to say I really enjoy her presence in my class and I pretty much love her to pieces.

For the past couple weeks A, like all seniors in high school, stressed about turning in her college applications on time, searched tirelessly for scholarships, and juggled her everyday coursework.

Today all of A's hard work paid off. Today A was awarded a Posse scholarship, which means this amazing young woman earned four years of full tuition to Wheaton College! A's smile was shining the entire day; she spread joy everywhere she went.

My heart is so full right now because I have faith that A will take this award and use it to its full potential. A will take this opportunity to make her mark in higher education and I cannot wait to see what she is capable of.

I have high hopes for the future; you should, too!

Money Money Money

My super organized "Book Club" closet :)

Grants.

I highly recommend that you be proactive about applying for them. Especially if you work in a high needs, low-income school.

It's only my first year teaching. Yet so far, I've applied for and been granted about $5,100 worth of funding for my classroom! This has gone entirely to textbooks, new novels, technology, and supplies we didn't have before but desperately needed in order to further our learning.

Today, I was surprised to read an email that another of my proposals was just funded: speakers for our classroom laptop so that we can actually HEAR the audio every time I show clips to make teaching points about foreshadowing, mood, flashback, prediction, setting, or characters, or to be able to listen to our "Brain Music" whenever we're doing independent work. Thank you, thank you Jeff for giving us the gift of sound!

Thank you to my other wonderful sponsors as well. Though nothing can make up for your generosity and the world of opportunity you have opened up for my scholars and myself, I do hope that our small "thank you" pictures and letters have expressed our immense gratitude for your gift of a better education, and thus, a better life.

Grants.

Get started at DonorsChoose.org or SponsorATeacher.org.

Do it for the kids! No one else will :)

small victory

***I meant to post this a long time ago, but never finished my thought. Since I'm on break and starting to evaluate myself as a teacher I thought it fitting to share a happy moment.

My students took the NY State Chemistry Regents Exam this afternoon (1/23/09). Though I'm terrified to grade the tests I am hoping for the best.

A veteran teacher keeps telling me that I should look at the progress my students have made this past semester rather than sulk about their lack of preparedness for the Regents. So when a student tells me, "Miss, I have never tried so hard on a test in my life." I cannot help but smile.