checking in...

Wow! I have been gone for a long time!
I love checking in on everybody and seeing what is going on beyond the 4 walls of my office where I spend way to much time. Lets see, what is new????

School is in session- This year we are Kindergarten - 6th and 9th & 10th this year
I am taking a class ASL ( American Sign Language) at the Community College.
I have my Associates degree in Education but have been thinking about going for my Bachelor's degree ( NOT in education) perhaps going to become an Interpreter ??????

Cloie ( my goddaughter) is no longer living with me because her mom wanted her back and that is where she wanted to be, with all her siblings. :( but I still get to see her everyday at school.
Hope you are all well!!!!

Waiting for Superman?!?!

I was finally able to see this movie last week! My school hosted an event where they were showing the movie and stopping it every 30-45 minutes and letting the 9th graders debate it. I have to say I really enjoyed this movie because it really does accurately portray(most) public school and the fight to get into charter schools. I see first hand the lottery and how so many people apply to get their children in because their neighborhood public school is failing them. I get to see first had the anguish in parent's faces while they wait to see if their child will get. I see first had the anger when parents realize their child did not get in. I also get to see the joy when a child does get it. I also get to hear a parent cry and scream out "thank you Jesus" when I make a phone call to a family on the wait list telling them their child has been accepted. I see first had the how Charter schools work and the difference it makes in the life of a child. I see a child who comes from a neighborhood public school with the mentality that nobody cares, to a child that walking in the door with a smile on his face . I see a child come from a neighborhood public school with all D's go on to get all A's and B's the next report card. I see first hand how awesome charter schools are and the difference they can make in the life of a child.

Schooling

So Not sure if i mentioned it before but I work at one of the 71 Charter Schools in Philadelphia. I love my job, I love the people, I love the children. I love the diversity of the school. I grew up in a ALL white neighborhood, went to Catholic school all 12 yrs. I did not have a conversation with a black person until I was in college. I remember walking into my first day of school as a new college student and was in complete cultural shock, I mean COMPLETE shock. I found myself having a hard time even having a conversation with anyone because I had never been in such a unfamiliar setting. I vividly remember watching the girl in front of me braided her hair and being amazed that she didn't even need hair ties. okay let me get to my point

I love walking the halls and seeing so many children from so many different walks of life having conversations, hanging out, being friends. I love that so many children will not have to wait until they are walking in to the first day of college to make friends pf different races, religion, and sexualities.