One of the great things about being in education is that it is mostly filled with really good, kind people. Turns out not a lot of self-centered jerks choose to be educators. And reading through these autobiographies certainly confirms that. What a kind, creative, hilarious group of people this is!
Once you start a full time job as a teacher, there will be less time for travel, so maybe having a year to do a lot of that was a pretty cool thing? My question for you is, have you ever considered teaching abroad? Or would you rather teach in the U.S.?
i know! this group seems great. i am enjoying reading their autobiographies so much.
yes, i definitely utilized this time to get a lot of traveling in before starting back to school. but, i am glad to be getting into a routine of classes & i'm nervously excited about student teaching this go-round. concerning your question, yes i have considered teaching abroad & have even been offered a teaching position in peru. so, it's always in the back of my mind. however, at this point in my life, i'm going to stay in the US & save up some money before making a big move out of the country. Ooh & a perk of being a teacher is that you have your summers off, so that will be a lovely time to travel AND places in south america are still in session because our seasons are flipped, so i could always volunteer down there on my break. :)
I volunteered with Communities in Schools this past spring, and that's how I fell in love with Baldwin High! And I think Creole is such an interesting language, so it's pretty cool you took lessons!! My question for you is- What are you most looking forward to in this next year?
i'd say that i'm probably most excited about just being in the classroom with the students. i hope to learn some innovative ways to engage them & how to best help them succeed. i am a little nervous, but i know with guidance from alby & the support of others in the cohort that this will be fun time to learn from one another & take each day as they come.
thanks. And yeah, i know. he told me that you were in the cohort. it's gonna be a fun year!
And, i do want to teach in America...for now. last year, i thought i wanted to teach high school, but now i'm leaning toward middle. such an awkward time, but fun nonetheless.
um NOLA was "interesting". i don't know what i thought it would be like, but it's not a place i am wanting to go back to right away. it definitely had unique smells downtown. seeing all the destruction left from katrina still gives me chills & it's been how many years since that happened? however, i must mention that my family & i visited the weekend after mother's day, in which, there was a "mother's day parade" shooting. it didn't help that the crazy shooter was on the loose our whole stay! so, that may have factored into my mixed feelings about the city. BUT, i did try some gumbo, which was out of this world! And, of course, i had to try some beignets from cafe du monde. i'm not sure if anyone can eat those without getting powdered sugar everywhere! haha. Ooh & i loved the aquarium of the americas. the penguins were my fave!
If you had to choose one event from your life as the most influential, what would it be? If you can't choose one, then just tell us about a few important things that have happened to you.
though i don't remember it, being adopted was the most influential event to date. if i hadn't been adopted, i wouldn't be here.
the story here is that my parents could not have children & wanted one so badly. though others suggested different medical ways of having a child, my parents looked into adopting from overseas instead. they went into the process knowing that they may have a child with special needs or birth defects & had even started the adoption process before i was born. my parents tell me that they looked through books & books of children, searching for "theirs", until they saw my picture. they were well aware that i would have a long road ahead with reconstructive surgeries & had no idea where the funds would come from in order to do so, but they were sure that i was meant to be their daughter. so, now i am. even if i do not have their blood coursing through my veins, i am glad they looked past my flaws & outer appearance & loved me as their own.
over the years, i grew up in a prominently caucasian area. we often received stares when we'd go out together. it didn't bother me much, but there was this one time when i was younger that one of my teachers met my mom for some event going on at school & the next week, she met my dad. when she saw my dad was white, too, she was confused; she assumed he'd be asian. she asked if he was my step-dad & at that time i didn't understand why she'd question me about that. little things like that over the course of my life have helped remind me to be more open-minded. i don't want to assume things, i want to get to know people -- like really know them.
so, the reason i deem this event as the most influential is because from the get-go, it has shaped my life in various ways. my way of thinking, my heart for giving back, my perseverance to get through the ups & downs of life, & my motivation to be better.
also, one last thing, i often speak at adoption panels hosted at the university of georgia to share my story with other adoptees & couples looking to adopt. it brings me much pleasure to mentor them & answer their questions. my parents enjoyed going to these way back in the day before facebook groups & adoption blogs. adoption is truly a beautiful thing! so many kids need a forever family. :)
You have such unique experiences under your belt at a young age. I'm jealous of that! You seem to be a very adventurous spirit. I can relate. I love to hike, kayak, fish, etc. etc. etc. My question is, how do you think you can fulfill your adventurous needs while in the classroom?
sabrina, don't be jealous; let's go! haha. but, seriously. :)
i think that i can fulfill my adventurous side by getting my kids excited to go beyond just reading, writing, learning grammar, & the like. seeing kids' expressions when they learn something they didn't know before absolutely makes my day. it gives me the same satisfaction that i get from climbing mountains & traversing rocks. so, that's definitely going to be an adventure in & of itself! each day is sure to bring something new to the table & i want to help my future students grow & find their own adventures along the way. by sharing about the places i've been, my hopes are that these things may spark interest in the books we're reading, the essays we're writing, & the discussions we have in the classroom. when i read books, it's my escape. when i write, i can be as creative as i want. those will be adventures for now.
Would you ever consider teaching in South Korea or visiting the place to see how it's changed or stayed the same? I keep telling Chase that he's gonna become the leader of South Korea one day! ha ha!
never say never, but i'm not looking to teach on the other side of the world. i'm too close to my family to make that kind of move. plus, i only know about 2 words of korean! haha. i came to the US when i was 3 months, so i do not have anything to compare if i ever return. however, i would like to visit my homeland one of these days.
Hey! I enjoyed your autobiography and I sort of stalked your blog about Haiti a little bit! I have so many questions for you! But I will start with: How is Hatian Creole coming along?? Is it hard to practice now that you are back?
I am so impressed with your extensive list of service you've done for so many! I really need to find time to donate to others. My dad's family and I are going to Africa in the summer of 2014 so hopefully I will get to experience some of what you did in Haiti!
One of the great things about being in education is that it is mostly filled with really good, kind people. Turns out not a lot of self-centered jerks choose to be educators. And reading through these autobiographies certainly confirms that. What a kind, creative, hilarious group of people this is!
ReplyDeleteOnce you start a full time job as a teacher, there will be less time for travel, so maybe having a year to do a lot of that was a pretty cool thing? My question for you is, have you ever considered teaching abroad? Or would you rather teach in the U.S.?
i know! this group seems great. i am enjoying reading their autobiographies so much.
Deleteyes, i definitely utilized this time to get a lot of traveling in before starting back to school. but, i am glad to be getting into a routine of classes & i'm nervously excited about student teaching this go-round. concerning your question, yes i have considered teaching abroad & have even been offered a teaching position in peru. so, it's always in the back of my mind. however, at this point in my life, i'm going to stay in the US & save up some money before making a big move out of the country. Ooh & a perk of being a teacher is that you have your summers off, so that will be a lovely time to travel AND places in south america are still in session because our seasons are flipped, so i could always volunteer down there on my break. :)
I volunteered with Communities in Schools this past spring, and that's how I fell in love with Baldwin High! And I think Creole is such an interesting language, so it's pretty cool you took lessons!! My question for you is- What are you most looking forward to in this next year?
ReplyDeletei'd say that i'm probably most excited about just being in the classroom with the students. i hope to learn some innovative ways to engage them & how to best help them succeed. i am a little nervous, but i know with guidance from alby & the support of others in the cohort that this will be fun time to learn from one another & take each day as they come.
DeleteYou have such an enthralling life. It's also kind of cool I already know you some since I lived with your brother. Haha.
ReplyDeleteDo you want to teach not in America?
thanks. And yeah, i know. he told me that you were in the cohort. it's gonna be a fun year!
DeleteAnd, i do want to teach in America...for now. last year, i thought i wanted to teach high school, but now i'm leaning toward middle. such an awkward time, but fun nonetheless.
Gotcha. That's awesome.
DeleteSuch an interesting life! I love all of your adventuring :) How did you like your visit to New Orleans??
ReplyDeleteaww...THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteum NOLA was "interesting". i don't know what i thought it would be like, but it's not a place i am wanting to go back to right away. it definitely had unique smells downtown. seeing all the destruction left from katrina still gives me chills & it's been how many years since that happened? however, i must mention that my family & i visited the weekend after mother's day, in which, there was a "mother's day parade" shooting. it didn't help that the crazy shooter was on the loose our whole stay! so, that may have factored into my mixed feelings about the city. BUT, i did try some gumbo, which was out of this world! And, of course, i had to try some beignets from cafe du monde. i'm not sure if anyone can eat those without getting powdered sugar everywhere! haha. Ooh & i loved the aquarium of the americas. the penguins were my fave!
Cafe du Monde! C'est Magnifique or something.
DeleteIf you had to choose one event from your life as the most influential, what would it be? If you can't choose one, then just tell us about a few important things that have happened to you.
ReplyDeletethough i don't remember it, being adopted was the most influential event to date. if i hadn't been adopted, i wouldn't be here.
Deletethe story here is that my parents could not have children & wanted one so badly. though others suggested different medical ways of having a child, my parents looked into adopting from overseas instead. they went into the process knowing that they may have a child with special needs or birth defects & had even started the adoption process before i was born. my parents tell me that they looked through books & books of children, searching for "theirs", until they saw my picture. they were well aware that i would have a long road ahead with reconstructive surgeries & had no idea where the funds would come from in order to do so, but they were sure that i was meant to be their daughter. so, now i am. even if i do not have their blood coursing through my veins, i am glad they looked past my flaws & outer appearance & loved me as their own.
over the years, i grew up in a prominently caucasian area. we often received stares when we'd go out together. it didn't bother me much, but there was this one time when i was younger that one of my teachers met my mom for some event going on at school & the next week, she met my dad. when she saw my dad was white, too, she was confused; she assumed he'd be asian. she asked if he was my step-dad & at that time i didn't understand why she'd question me about that. little things like that over the course of my life have helped remind me to be more open-minded. i don't want to assume things, i want to get to know people -- like really know them.
so, the reason i deem this event as the most influential is because from the get-go, it has shaped my life in various ways. my way of thinking, my heart for giving back, my perseverance to get through the ups & downs of life, & my motivation to be better.
also, one last thing, i often speak at adoption panels hosted at the university of georgia to share my story with other adoptees & couples looking to adopt. it brings me much pleasure to mentor them & answer their questions. my parents enjoyed going to these way back in the day before facebook groups & adoption blogs. adoption is truly a beautiful thing! so many kids need a forever family. :)
great question, dave!
You have such unique experiences under your belt at a young age. I'm jealous of that! You seem to be a very adventurous spirit. I can relate. I love to hike, kayak, fish, etc. etc. etc. My question is, how do you think you can fulfill your adventurous needs while in the classroom?
ReplyDeletesabrina, don't be jealous; let's go! haha. but, seriously. :)
ReplyDeletei think that i can fulfill my adventurous side by getting my kids excited to go beyond just reading, writing, learning grammar, & the like. seeing kids' expressions when they learn something they didn't know before absolutely makes my day. it gives me the same satisfaction that i get from climbing mountains & traversing rocks. so, that's definitely going to be an adventure in & of itself! each day is sure to bring something new to the table & i want to help my future students grow & find their own adventures along the way. by sharing about the places i've been, my hopes are that these things may spark interest in the books we're reading, the essays we're writing, & the discussions we have in the classroom. when i read books, it's my escape. when i write, i can be as creative as i want. those will be adventures for now.
Would you ever consider teaching in South Korea or visiting the place to see how it's changed or stayed the same? I keep telling Chase that he's gonna become the leader of South Korea one day! ha ha!
Deletenever say never, but i'm not looking to teach on the other side of the world. i'm too close to my family to make that kind of move. plus, i only know about 2 words of korean! haha. i came to the US when i was 3 months, so i do not have anything to compare if i ever return. however, i would like to visit my homeland one of these days.
DeleteAnd, chase...goodness. that would be scary!
Hey! I enjoyed your autobiography and I sort of stalked your blog about Haiti a little bit! I have so many questions for you! But I will start with: How is Hatian Creole coming along?? Is it hard to practice now that you are back?
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with your extensive list of service you've done for so many! I really need to find time to donate to others. My dad's family and I are going to Africa in the summer of 2014 so hopefully I will get to experience some of what you did in Haiti!
ReplyDelete