Last night a former student of mine called and asked, "Ms. Lu, would you like to eat lasagna for lunch tomorrow? I'm making some right now and I thought you might like it!"
How could I refuse?
So today we ate lasagna together and caught up on our summers. I was so touched by his gesture of generosity and thoughtfulness. He was one of the main organizers for the group of students who came to my wedding back in April. Fifty years from now, when I'm wizened and senile, I will probably still remember this moment, when a student initiated a gesture of kindness.
I still see my former students around the school, and while I am happy not to be teaching them anymore, I do miss their vivacious (and psychotic) presence. My ninth graders this year are much more tame, mature, and respectful of one another. I am grateful for this change, yet it will take awhile before I can reach that same level of closeness with this class!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
WaterFire
Primal
Instincts gather
'round the fire
to dance in its dangerous rhythm,
bask in the glow of spirits
and perchance
glide along the slope of time--
halted, fixated
upon a moment of conversation
like kindred blood.
Fire
on
water
separated
yet
united
a supple, yielding dance
Instincts gather
'round the fire
to dance in its dangerous rhythm,
bask in the glow of spirits
and perchance
glide along the slope of time--
halted, fixated
upon a moment of conversation
like kindred blood.
Fire
on
water
separated
yet
united
a supple, yielding dance
T. L. - 9/14/08
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Little things matter
I have recently decided to let go and let it be. The result has been marvelous. I am free from my own frustrations, free from imposing my standards on others, and free to simply let them be. Why hadn't I thought of this earlier?
Today a little comment really got to me. It struck at the core of who I am, a woman who desires to be special. It had been awhile since I felt the need to compare myself with others, yet lately, dissatisfaction comes more easily. Why do people seem to like her more? How come they get invited to these things that I don't get invited to? Yes, very middle school, I know.
I fumed about the comment, then later cried on J's shoulders. The release was cathartic, and after a good meal, I am back to my contented self.
I am beloved...by no other than the Majesty of Heavens, the Intimate One.
Today a little comment really got to me. It struck at the core of who I am, a woman who desires to be special. It had been awhile since I felt the need to compare myself with others, yet lately, dissatisfaction comes more easily. Why do people seem to like her more? How come they get invited to these things that I don't get invited to? Yes, very middle school, I know.
I fumed about the comment, then later cried on J's shoulders. The release was cathartic, and after a good meal, I am back to my contented self.
I am beloved...by no other than the Majesty of Heavens, the Intimate One.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Days 1 & 2
Humanities 9
Preparing to teach a new curriculum has been challenging yet enjoyable. This year, for the first time, I am collaborating with two other 9th grade Humanities teachers, which makes my work all the more interesting. I am held accountable to a greater degree, which pushes me to work out the details of my lessons ahead of time. This leads to greater professionalism and at the end of the day, better classroom experiences.
Resting over the summer has allowed me to regain perspective and confidence; that, coupled with three years of experience under my belt and a co-teaching stint with LaurieAnn during VBS, I felt a marked difference in my personal attitude and ability to garner students' attention and impart upon them the urgency of education. On my first day, I was no longer nervous and unsure of myself. Rather, I commanded their respect for me and for their own learning. It helps that I have a good group of ninth graders, with whom I can establish a new relationship.
After teaching my first 100 minute block yesterday, I was extremely pleased with the ways in which students were interacting with me, with the text, and with one another. They were eager to learn and to do well in high school, and I was ready to make sure that they have these goals in mind. We began the discussion with elements of success. Many of them listed "hard work," "never giving up," "finding support," etc. as important qualities to possess in a successful person. We looked at a story of a 400 pound man who walked across the country in order to lose weight as well as to regain his sense of self. We looked at the map of the world and made connections between ourselves and our history. We looked at the human condition -- our ability to create and to destroy, to reproduce, to tell stories.
"Conscience and Perspective" is the theme for this first term. What shapes our "inner sense of right or wrong?" What would motivate a person to act out or reject his moral conscience? How would seeing things from different perspectives alter our conscience and actions? These are difficult questions, but I'm looking forward to exploring them this year!
Preparing to teach a new curriculum has been challenging yet enjoyable. This year, for the first time, I am collaborating with two other 9th grade Humanities teachers, which makes my work all the more interesting. I am held accountable to a greater degree, which pushes me to work out the details of my lessons ahead of time. This leads to greater professionalism and at the end of the day, better classroom experiences.
Resting over the summer has allowed me to regain perspective and confidence; that, coupled with three years of experience under my belt and a co-teaching stint with LaurieAnn during VBS, I felt a marked difference in my personal attitude and ability to garner students' attention and impart upon them the urgency of education. On my first day, I was no longer nervous and unsure of myself. Rather, I commanded their respect for me and for their own learning. It helps that I have a good group of ninth graders, with whom I can establish a new relationship.
After teaching my first 100 minute block yesterday, I was extremely pleased with the ways in which students were interacting with me, with the text, and with one another. They were eager to learn and to do well in high school, and I was ready to make sure that they have these goals in mind. We began the discussion with elements of success. Many of them listed "hard work," "never giving up," "finding support," etc. as important qualities to possess in a successful person. We looked at a story of a 400 pound man who walked across the country in order to lose weight as well as to regain his sense of self. We looked at the map of the world and made connections between ourselves and our history. We looked at the human condition -- our ability to create and to destroy, to reproduce, to tell stories.
"Conscience and Perspective" is the theme for this first term. What shapes our "inner sense of right or wrong?" What would motivate a person to act out or reject his moral conscience? How would seeing things from different perspectives alter our conscience and actions? These are difficult questions, but I'm looking forward to exploring them this year!
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