Freeky Friday: Teach the Children

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Welcome to another great summer of Freeky Friday! We're kicking off this year with this lovely topic:

What's the best thing that's happened to you over the last year? Get creative with your answer! It can be something you experienced, something you witnessed, something you participated in, something you realized...the possibilities are endless!

Well, Freeks, it's been a hell of a year! A lot of amazing things happened around me, but I think I can sum it all up in one sentence: In 2012, I learned how to be a teacher.

It all started with my student teaching placement at a public school in Manhattan. This school is unlike any other I've ever seen - it brings together students who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing, CODAs (hearing students whose parents are Deaf), "SODAs" (the school's nickname for hearing students who have a Deaf sibling), and hearing in one learning environment. We also have a high population of students with disabilities. Keep in mind that it's still a New York City public school, so these kids don't come from the same happy pre-fab suburban upbringing that I came from. They are typically lower on the socioeconomic spectrum, come from historically disadvantaged minority groups, and may not have a solid educational background either from their previous schooling or their parents.

It has been the hardest job of my life - a diverse population leads to a greater challenge of differentiating every activity and providing equal access to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, hearing status, language modality, IEP status, etc. On top of that, my cooperating teacher is one of the most difficult people on the planet (I say that with nothing but admiration). From my first day there, I was writing lesson plans, planning the curriculum, organizing powerpoints, working with the kids, and teaching. Now, I've lectured before. But until I got to this school and met my CT, I didn't know just how little I knew about TEACHING. I thought it was all about being an expert in the field - I didn't know how little my own knowledge or skills with the language mattered. A wise man once told me that master teachers do 25-35% of the actual work; the rest, they turn onto the students. In addition to student-centering everything from vocabulary practice to in-depth critical thinking projects, I also learned just how involved in these students lives a great teacher needs to be. During parent teacher conferences, I watched my CT ask about parents' health, students' performance in other classes, and siblings I had never met. The standard was set. From basketball games to school trips, I embraced the school culture and committed to these kids. And they embraced me back. I love my students. I am genuinely invested in their lives. And along the way, I've done a pretty bang up job teaching them ASL.

The conclusion to one of my favorite observation lessons - captioned for your convenience.

In the midst of working my ass off, I managed to write a nearly 70-page thesis about foreign language anxiety, finish a full course load of classes, and graduate from Teachers College, Columbia University. Again, none of this would have been possible without the continued ass-kicking encouragement provided by my CT and my program director. There were a few other people to blame for my success, too. My cohort was tight knit, and we made it through together.

So of course, this all leads to one more thing - after student teaching for a year, writing a thesis, and graduating, I have accepted an offer to teach full-time at a private school in Brooklyn! The school caters exclusively to students with learning disabilities, and I'm really excited to continue my efforts towards creating a fully-accessible classroom. The faculty seems so nurturing and supportive, the kids seem just as crazy as my public school students, and the school really believes in their ASL program! I know I couldn't have made it this far without the support of my cohort, mentors, family, and friends, and I am eternally grateful to the people who have been here for me the past two years! Celebrating my successes with you has been some of the best few weeks of my life. Thanks to you all, I am going to be a teacher. How could that NOT be the best thing that's happened to me all year?!

But special credit needs to be given to one person in particular: my cooperating teacher. So Anthony, if for some crazy reason, you ever end up reading this, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making me who I am today. You tested my limits, drove me crazy, and caused me a nervous breakdown or two, but you taught me just what I am capable of: editing iMovie projects while lesson planning for the entire week, with some kind of baked good in the works and a craft beer in my hand. Under your guidance, I have learned how to be a teacher. Thank you.

What's the best thing that happened to you this year?

In case you forgot, anyone can get Freeky on Fridays! You can participate in three different ways:

• Write a blog post using the badge html above, then comment on my post with a link to your post
• Tweet your answer using the tag #FreekyFriday
• "Like" the  Freekware Facebook page, then comment on there with your answer

Every time you post, tweet or comment in the month of June, you'll be entered to win some tasty treats and a contribution to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in your name. There are four more Fridays in June, so you can be entered to win up to twelve times!


Be sure to record your participation on this widget so your vote will be counted!

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Come on back next Friday, June 15, for and answer this prompt:

What's the best thing about summer in your neck of the woods? Any fun local activities or traditions?

Freeky Friday: How It Works

Those of you who have been reading this little blog for a while may remember a series called "Freeky Friday" that my sister blog and I did last summer. This series aims to celebrate and promote the message of Freekware, a clothing company that's all about positivity and individuality. Freekware is very near and dear to my heart, as it's my cousin Mark's legacy. His sisters took over the company when he passed away in 2005, and it continues to expand to this day. Best of all, the proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in order to help other courageous badasses like Mark.

Freekware is about more than my family (those lovely people pictured above), and it's way more than just a clothing line...it's a lifestyle. Spread the Soul. Share the Strength. Embrace who you are and be proud to be a Freek! Do you wanna join the Freeks? Just share some positivity every Friday by answering the prompt that we provide. Your first mission:

What's the best thing that's happened to you over the last year? Get creative with your answer! It can be something you experienced, something you witnessed, something you participated in, something you realized...the possibilities are endless!

Blog your answer Friday, June 8th, and be sure to insert this badge into your post. We've included the html for your convenience!

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If you do not have a blog, you can still participate via Facebook and/or Twitter! The weekly prompt will be posted on the Freekware Facebook page every Friday. Simply "like" Freekware and comment on the prompt! Or, you can briefly answer the prompt via Twitter with the tag #FreekyFriday. If you can't decide between a blog post, Facebook, or Twitter, feel free to do all three! Additionally, once a month our topic will be "visual," meaning you get to play on Pinterest instead! Be sure to record your participation in the widget below on Friday or it will not count:

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That same widget will appear on each Freeky Friday post, so you'll have plenty of chances to show how you participated! Oh, and you're probably wondering why you need to record your participation. Did I mention that Freeky Friday is a giveaway?! Each month, one lucky winner will receive a special prize, as well as a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in their name. So go ahead and rack up as many points as you can in that widget...each point counts as an entry!

I can't wait to read all of your blog posts this Friday!

IT'S BAAAACK!

Round 2 starts next Friday, June 8th.

Details to come next week!

Butter and Brawn

How does a man prove that he's a man? Think about it for a second.

This past weekend, a friend of mine needed a little assistance in setting up some IKEA-style furniture. She was so worried that a male friend of hers wouldn't want to help her out; we spent a good bit of time brainstorming ways to bribe him into doing so. But when it came down to it, he jumped at the opportunity. The opportunity to build something, to exert physical strength and meld things together and create a functional piece of wooden crap. The opportunity to prove he was a man.

The following day, I baked up a storm. And for the first time ever, I hand made pie crust. I used a dough blender to beat cold butter into flour and sugar. I used a wine bottle rolling pin to roll out dough. I used two very sharp knives in a number of different ways. I blended and pinched and assembled and baked. I baked and baked and baked. I knew I had done something great. And then it dawned on me. These little crispy golden wonders are the female equivalent to a particle board bookcase.

Before you freek out thinking that I've gone all weak woman on you over here, hear me out. I've built some-assembly-required furniture a dozen times. Hell, I used to love the opportunity to help out my dad when I was a kid. But if I'm going to do serious physical labor, you better believe there's going to be a delicious sugary sweet to enjoy as the output, not a judgmental dresser. And do not go on thinking that cooking is not serious physical labor. I dare you to make Jambalaya and not break a sweat, or to roll out pie dough without a sore arm the next day. You just can't, friend; you just can't.

Baking is a delightfully feminist experience. I get to prove I can do anything a man can do (manual labor), and the end result will still be delicate and beautiful.

My mom asked me last night why I didn't just buy the Pillsbury pie crust. It tastes just as good, and it's so much easier. Well, mom, I know you can make pie crust. I've seen you do it dozens of times. But I had never done it before. And for some reason, I needed to know that I could take a crazy looking handle knife blade thingy, throw some cold butter into a bowl of dry ingredients, and pulverize the hell out of it. 

Seriously, look at this thing. Tell me that's not a power tool.

Source

Like man building a fire, or grilling meat, or assembling a desk, I needed to validate my own gender with hard ass work. I am woman. Hear me roar. And then enjoy some of these delicious cookies.

To read more about my baking adventures, check out my baking blog!

There's even a whole post on these delicious, labor-intensive, feminist cookies.

Subway Series: Everything I Need To Know In Life

The Subway Series is a collection of posts dedicated to the ridiculousity of the Metropolitan Transit Authority's underground tunnel system, relied upon by so many New Yorkers to get to school, to work, to home, to play, to shop, to study, and to explore. I planned on doing this series to commemorate my first year living in New York, but I had to put it on hold when I stopped blogging. I'm dying to pick it back up! Today's topic:

Everything I Need To Know In Life I Learned From Riding The Subway

Yes, the subway can teach us valuable life lessons: stand clear of the doors, report suspicious behavior, bathe daily. But if you dig a little deeper, there may be more important morals to be learned from your daily commute.

There is always someone crazier than you.
No matter what you've said or done, you will always find your crazier counterpart on the train. Snooped through your boyfriend's phone? That's okay - that guy over there is wearing yellow plaid pants and painted his nose red, despite the fact that he is most likely not a clown. Word-vomit confessed a deep dark secret to your entire family? No worries - that homeless man is throwing pennies and yelling at people who move out of his way. You are never the "most" or "least" anything person in the world. You're not the least fashionable. You're not the ugliest. You're not the dumbest. And you're certainly not the craziest. Don't believe me? Take the C train up the Upper West Side at 4:00 on a weekday.

Source

Don't rush.
My mom always tells me not to do anything too quickly. Rushing leads to shoddy work and needing to redo at least part of something before you can consider it the final product. But it wasn't until I started taking the subway every day that I realized just how dangerous being in a hurry can be. If the stairs are icy, you could fall and break both your wrists (or, if you use your hands for a living and have the consciousness to realize that and defy your reflexes, you can fracture your leg instead). If you leap to get on a train as the doors are closing, you could lose your shoe in the gap - and trust me, you do NOT want to walk out at your destination barefoot. Relax. There's another train coming in three minutes. Take a deep breath and slow down.

You can get wherever you want, it just might take a little longer.
There are 15 different train routes I can take to get from my apartment to the school where I work. The school is on a major cross-street, so almost all the subways stop at some point on that latitude. Once I choose a train and take whatever transfers are necessary, I have the option of either walking cross-town or taking the bus. Now that I mention it, there's probably an infinite number of bus combinations I can take to get to the school, too. The point is this: there are a million and one ways to get anywhere. Some take a little longer. Some are more direct. Some have guaranteed seats. Some don't even have guaranteed standing room. You can get wherever you want, however you want to get there. Sometimes you just have to allow a little more time.

Source

If you're uncomfortable, move.
I often find that I am in the way of the door no matter where I stand on the subway. Because of this, I have developed this weird tendency to move at every stop. Sometimes I think that no one else does this. Then I realize that I purposely try to not to pay attention to other people when I'm riding the trains, so in reality, I've probably just never cared to notice whether or not I'm the only weirdo. So when I think I'm in the way of the door, I move. When I'm sitting next to someone who is taking up a little more than their share of room (I'm looking at you, men who think their package is too big to put their damn legs together), I move. If a guy is throwing pennies at me and one hits me, I move. And if he yells at me for moving, I move farther.

If you can't move, grin & bear it; it will all be over soon.
Sometimes, you can't move. There are just too many people on the train. You can't even hold on to anything, except maybe the large black man in front of you. You know what's so great about the subway? It stops every 10 blocks or so. And when it stops, people get off. Sure, people get on, too, but there's a brief moment when there are fewer people on the train, and you have a second to catch your breath and readjust.  And on those rare trips when you don't even get those brief moments, comfort yourself with the fact that you do not have to ride the subway all the way to Maine. Your commute will end eventually.

Source

Don't lug around too much baggage.
People like to get on the train at Penn Station, Grand Central, or Port Authority with bags - lots, and lots, and lots of bags. Don't do it. First of all, why are you bringing that much stuff to New York City anyway? Space is a luxury we can't exactly afford here. Second of all, if you need to lug around that much stuff, what the heck are you doing taking the subway? Get a damn cab! Deal with your crap off the subway. Don't put your baggage in all of our faces.

Sometimes, it's just not worth it.
If you have been paying attention, there's a theme here: if you have too much stuff, if there are too many people, if you miss your train... sometimes, it's just not worth it. Don't run to the subway and smash your hand in the door because there are too many people and you just can't cram you and all of your stuff in. Wave goodbye to the train, and hail a taxi. You'll be glad you did.

What have you learned from your daily commute?

Where Have You Been All My Life?

I have not blogged in 5 months.

I didn't want to put that sentence in writing. I didn't even want to think it.

It started when the sentence was "I haven't blogged in a while." I was so busy with starting student teaching that I couldn't even fathom the thought of using my precious free time to do anything but sleep. Then the sentence became "I haven't blogged in a few months," but I look at the computer screen all day, so the last thing I want to do when I get home is look at it any more. Excuse after excuse after excuse. But I gotta tell you something, tribe: I miss it. I miss writing. And I miss you.

After the one-two-punch of my sister asking me to make business cards for her blog, and two of my friends from back home starting to blog (what up Becca Joy To The World and Poor Girl Dreams!), I decided it was time to get back in the game. Expect to see a lot more of me this semester. I will write more. Hold me to that.

So what have I been doing for the last 5 months, you ask? So many things! Okay, mostly just one thing. But a few other things sprinkled in there too. Let's recap, shall we?

I started student teaching
This one is obviously the most life-altering. I started grad school thinking I wanted to teach college - and only college. After one week of teaching at an inner-city school, I knew I wanted to work with high schoolers long-term. My students are amazing. My school is an incredibly unique environment. My cooperating teacher is a crazy genius. I feel blessed every day to have been given the opportunity to learn here.

I started online dating
Oh, pick up your face. Every single person in NYC has either done it or considered it. It's not a big deal anymore. It was fun for about a minute until...

I stopped online dating
Because frankly, I did not have time, I was not ready for a relationship, and I am not the type of person that can just casually date people. So no, I'm not seeing anyone. Thanks for asking, though.

I became an "aunt"
My cousin Michelle gave birth to an amazing baby girl. Keira is the first baby I have instantly loved. In case you haven't heard, my cousins and I are pretty close. The fact that there's a whole new generation is pretty freeking badass.

(Source: Doctor Princess)

I passed the Content Specialty Test
In order to become a certified teacher in New York State, you need to meet a few requirements, three of which are exams. I passed the general knowledge test and the ethics/teaching skills test this summer. All that was left was the CST - a notoriously hard test of American Sign Language skills. Well, folks, I passed. On my first try. That doesn't happen very often. I'm pretty gosh darn proud of myself for that one and in awe of the respect and congratulations I got from those around me.

I did not apply for a job
Despite the fact that I am just a mere diploma away from becoming a certified teacher, when a teaching job opened up in New Jersey, I did not apply for it. I realized I wanted to stick around and be there for my students, and that meant more than a paycheck or a job opportunity for me. Pretty cool thing to learn about myself.

I did apply for a job
Now that jobs are opening up for next school year, I am actively looking and applying for teaching jobs in the NYC area. Keeping my fingers crossed that the right opportunity comes my way.

I got the best birthday present ever
My cohort organized a little get-together on the weekend of my birthday, and they had a surprise up their sleeves. I walked into the room to find everyone decked out in Freekware. It was the greatest present anyone could have gotten me.

(Photos by my friend and wonderful party host, Mike)

I created a movie marathon
I unintentionally started a superhero movie marathon. In keeping with the theme of No Shave November, I dubbed it "No Bad Guys November." This isn't really an accomplishment or anything, but it was a pretty awesome use of my spare time.

I played hostess and tour guide
First, my cousin Jen stopped by NYC for work. It was the first time I really got to show off NYC as my city to anyone in my family... even though we weren't exactly in my neck of the woods.

Then, my sister came to town to visit me for the weekend. We had an AMAZING time! We saw the New York City Ballet perform The Nutcracker, watched Daniel Radcliffe in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, met up with some of the Weddingbee bloggers, celebrated my good friend's birthday, went to the top of the Empire State Building, and generally made our own antics all around the city. It was perfection. You should read more about it on her blog!

(Source: Doctor Princess)

My thesis was destroyed
After spending a year developing my thesis topic, it was completely shattered when I realized I was too late to do the research. I am now back at square one and trying desperately to complete the work so I can graduate and get a job for Pete's sake.

I became an iMovie rock star
One of my biggest roles as a student teacher is editing the footage of my students signing. I work mostly with the Advanced ASL class, so they're doing some pretty high level stuff. We just finished doing action movies filmed in front of a green screen. I had to spend an entire weekend editing video and putting in backgrounds, but I am so proud of the final product. The best part? Not only do I get to put it in my teaching portfolio forever, I get to burn it to a DVD to give to my students so they can put it in their portfolios too. Fantastic.

So that's what's been going on up here. How have you been?

Freeky Friday: Equal To The Love You Make

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As the summer draws to a close, so we say goodbye to this year's Freeky Friday. Our last topic:

What was the best thing that happened to you this summer?

When this summer started, I thought the best thing about it would be exploring New York with all of the wonderful friends I've made here. And make no mistake - that was wonderful. But it turns out that the best part of this summer was reuniting with some of the people who have been with me for the longest time.

It started at the beginning of the summer, when my sorority sisters Maddie & Bonnie came up to visit. It was kind of a rough week for me, and they managed to completely take my mind off of everything I was feeling. I got to see some parts of the city I had never seen before through a really awesome tour/show hybrid called Accomplice and take them to a few of my favorite haunts. Whether we were getting rained on at South Street Seaport or drinking shmishmoshas at Jalapeno, it was the perfect visit.

As I mentioned in two previous posts, I visited Boston for the 4th of July to reunite with my oldest and dearest friends in my oldest and dearest city. It's kind of lame to admit, but most of what we did that weekend was lay around and chat... and that's exactly what I wanted to do. We had our share of tourist fun, but for the most part, I just wanted to catch up with my girls! Highlight of the weekend? Swan Boat Ride.

After Boston, I traveled down South: first to Atlanta, then to Gainesville/Jacksonville, then back up to the A. I'm still astounded at how many visits I managed to cram in to a single week. My dad greeted me at the airport with (cold yet still somehow delicious) Chick-fil-A, and I spent the next day talking with him and playing with my sister in Suburbia. Julia & I have this problem where whenever we're around our parents, we turn into 5-year-olds. It's kind of an excellent problem to have.

 

(Photo not from this summer because I forgot I had a camera in ATL)

See that dude in the back up there? That's my brother-in-law. He's pretty much the greatest photobomber ever. I always have a great time staying with him & my sister, but this time was special. It was my first visit to Atlanta since the wedding, so it was the first time where we didn't have to plan a billion things. It was so nice to just relax with them!

Julia, Dave and I also got to catch up with some of my friends from high school. Mike & Ross moved to Atlanta pretty recently, so Julia put on her expertise pants and took us to Ormsby's. After a few rounds of craft beer and Apples to Apples, I was reminded how awesome these boys are. I've known Mike since I was 10 and Ross since I was 13. How crazy is that?! It was so fun to reminisce on old times (like the time Mike showed up on my doorstep and sang to me to convince me to date his friend) and talk about where we're going from here. They grow up so fast.

 

(Photo not from this summer because I forgot I had a camera in ATL)

(Also, Kevin, I'm sorry I cropped you out. But you stayed in Florida. So, sorry I'm not sorry)

I then drove down to Jacksonville, stopping in Gainesville to see my favorite cupcake makers. Stephanie and Claire are running a great show down there in the Swamp. If you haven't checked out Sarkara Sweets, you simply must! These ladies changed my life. They taught me how to do what I love, and constantly reminded me of what's really important in life. They are beautiful human beings. Beautiful human beings that I somehow don't have a picture with.

I made it to Jacksonville for my sorority sister's wedding. Ashley and Andrew have been together for about a billion years, so it was great to see them tie the knot! The best part, though, was partying with my Kappas at the reception and at some honkey tonk afterparty. I love these girls way too much. I'm a little sad I don't have a picture of ALL of us together, but this one, minus a few VIPs, will have to do:

Back in Atlanta, I had margaritas and guacamole with Lisa, another sorority sister, who is starting the next chapter of her life. She is so immensely brilliant, and I know she's going to do wonderful things. I know things are kind of crazy for her right now, so this is me formally announcing my faith that everything is going to turn out great for her. Hang in there!

All of these people have meant so much to me over the years, and it was so wonderful to spend even a little time with all of them. Every summer in my life has been defined by some negative event that happened during the time frame - the summer my parents split up, the summer my mom had breast cancer, the summer I fell mysteriously ill. The last two summers, I have been determined not to define my summers by whatever negativity would inevitably occur. This could have been the summer I felt an earthquake or prepared my northeastern friends for a hurricane. This could have been the summer I actually didn't understand what was going on in school. This could have been the summer I ended a five year relationship.

But it's not. This is the summer I was reminded how incredibly blessed I am with kick-ass friends and family all over the country. This is the summer I took grown-up vacations with my friends. This is the summer I showed tourists around my city. This is the summer of positivity. And you, Freek Nation, have been a huge part of that. Freeky Friday has been a weekly reminder of all of the beautiful things in my past, present, and future. It has meant so much to me to have all of you participating. To be honest, the single greatest thing that happened to me this summer was the love I feel every Friday when I see your tweets, blog posts, and Facebook comments. Thank you for helping make my summer what it was. I encourage you to continue finding the positivity in your life on your own. We'll be back next summer to nudge you along!

So, what's the best thing that happened to you this summer?

Remember, anyone can get Freeky on Fridays! You can participate in three different ways:

• Write a blog post using the badge html above, then comment on my post with a link to your post
• Tweet your answer using the tag #FreekyFriday
• "Like" the  Freekware Facebook page, then comment on there with your answer

Every time you post, tweet or comment in the month of August, you'll be entered to win some homemade cookies and a contribution to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in your name. You still have three chances to win this week! Be sure to check back next week to see who August's freeky winner is!