An Ode to Mari
Mari loves her math
Algebra, trig, calculus
She knows no English
Mari loves her math
Algebra, trig, calculus
She knows no English
- Phil Horn
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Just another manic Monday...
Some people may be curious as to why it has been over a week since the last update, and the answer to that is quite simple. I wanted to make a post so jammed packed that reading it could actually make your face melt off. I then realized there could be some legal implications with that, so I will try and give you the skinny on this past week without damaging any body parts.
On Monday we notified our behavior focus list students that they will be joining us for "Leadership Lunches." Some students were excited to be chosen, while others were a bit hesitant to say the least. One student actually informed me that he had "things to do" during our twenty minute once a week meeting and therefore could never make it... we'll see about that!
Wednesday our school had an activity fair in which we rolled out our after school homework help and The Collins Academy Emerging Leaders Club. I am proud to say that a good amount of students signed up for our leadership club (more than chess club! suckers!), and I am hoping to have a good year!
Thursday was bittersweet because although we were not in school = ( , we got to go on a field trip to Springfield for Americorp's Opening Day for the state of Illinois with the entire corp! There was no school on Friday, but City Year managed to have quite an exciting day. After starting the day with PT we were informed that Sentator Dick Durbin would be coming to speak for us! It was an awesome end to our IJ sessions, in which we all read a story about being in the belly of the beast. This story was more exciting than I could give it justice, so I'll leave it at that. The corp also got some training to prepare for Saturday's Make A Difference Day. The rain however prevented most of us from making a difference in anything but our sleep cycle (yay for sleeping in!). Props to Phil and Andrea who WERE able to make a difference doing indoor service projects.
So that brings us to today... Monday... which is almost never a Funday, but no complaints here. It's been a pretty mellow day around these parts and we are all looking forward to starting homework help today. The lovely Jasmyne and myself will be missing this monumental moment to attend an after school coordinator meeting. All of the other coordinator roles have had a chance to meet this past week, but I like to think that they have saved the best for last ; ). Which brings me to my next point... I have added a new tab at the top of the blog called COORDINATORS. You can refer to this section to see who has what coordinator role and any news going on!
On Monday we notified our behavior focus list students that they will be joining us for "Leadership Lunches." Some students were excited to be chosen, while others were a bit hesitant to say the least. One student actually informed me that he had "things to do" during our twenty minute once a week meeting and therefore could never make it... we'll see about that!
Wednesday our school had an activity fair in which we rolled out our after school homework help and The Collins Academy Emerging Leaders Club. I am proud to say that a good amount of students signed up for our leadership club (more than chess club! suckers!), and I am hoping to have a good year!
Thursday was bittersweet because although we were not in school = ( , we got to go on a field trip to Springfield for Americorp's Opening Day for the state of Illinois with the entire corp! There was no school on Friday, but City Year managed to have quite an exciting day. After starting the day with PT we were informed that Sentator Dick Durbin would be coming to speak for us! It was an awesome end to our IJ sessions, in which we all read a story about being in the belly of the beast. This story was more exciting than I could give it justice, so I'll leave it at that. The corp also got some training to prepare for Saturday's Make A Difference Day. The rain however prevented most of us from making a difference in anything but our sleep cycle (yay for sleeping in!). Props to Phil and Andrea who WERE able to make a difference doing indoor service projects.
So that brings us to today... Monday... which is almost never a Funday, but no complaints here. It's been a pretty mellow day around these parts and we are all looking forward to starting homework help today. The lovely Jasmyne and myself will be missing this monumental moment to attend an after school coordinator meeting. All of the other coordinator roles have had a chance to meet this past week, but I like to think that they have saved the best for last ; ). Which brings me to my next point... I have added a new tab at the top of the blog called COORDINATORS. You can refer to this section to see who has what coordinator role and any news going on!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Nicole's Birthday!
We were all here nice and early today, with the exception of our team leader (cough cough) who got caught up in what will undoubtedly go down in history as The Great Cake Mix-up of 2010. The lovely Jasmyne brought us some doughnuts this morning, which may be why we were extra fired up for today's morning greeting. We got to see Jasmyne get down to some Will Smith and Jeremiah made sure every one of his students brought in their take home tests. It is safe to say that we are all ready to put some idealism to work today! *BING!*
Now on top of all that, we have yet another reason to CELEBRATE! For today is Nicole's birthday and we would all like to formally thank her for being born!
Now on top of all that, we have yet another reason to CELEBRATE! For today is Nicole's birthday and we would all like to formally thank her for being born!
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| Miss Lewis in action... Isn't she adorable? |
Happy Birthday Nicole! We all love you!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Hide Your Kids... Hide Your Wife... We Have ARRIVED!
After a month of training our team has finally emerged from the sweaty gym of Thomas Jefferson Elementary ready to leave a mark on The West Side of Chicago! This past week at our school has been a roller coaster ride but exciting none the less. Without further adieu I introduce to you our grand slam team... so hide your kids and your wife cause here we are! (Well don't hide your kids... after all we are here for them!)
Phil Horn otherwise known as The Sassy One. Phil hails from Columbus, Ohio and is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University with his degree in social work. After this year Phil wants to get his M.A in either social work or public health. He will be working in a world studies classroom this year!
Mari Mermelstein (Msquared) is our math wiz from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Mari recently graduated and got her mathematics education certification at the University of Illinois Wesleyen. Of course Mari will be working in an Algebra class this year and is hoping to have her very own classroom in the near future.
Jeremiah Washington is one of two native Chicagoans on our team! After attending the University of Chicago Jeremiah came to City Year ready to give back to the very community he grew up in, attending grammar school just down the road from our lovely high school! Jeremiah will be working with students in health classes this year.
No team would be complete without their very own smart-alec and that is precisely where Alan Shelton comes in! Alan is a recent graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute which is also where he grew up. Next year Alan hopes to go to either Japan or Korea to teach English abroad. Alan is working with students in English classes this year.
Nicole Lewis always puts some pep in everyone's step! Nicole is a proud Michigan State graduate and she recently got her certification in elementary education. After this year Nicole is considering becoming a senoir corp member at City Year ( a very brave soul) before pursuing a career in education. Nicole is also working in English classes this year.
We call her The Spicy One because she is always getting everyone one FIRED UP! Ladies and gentleman I am referring to Miss Andrea Serrano. This Mexican fire-cracker moved to the states at a young age and pursued her education at The University of Notre Dame getting her degree in Anthropology. Andrea will be working in a world studies class this year.
Jazzy Jasmyne Griffith is our other Chicago born teammate. Jasmyne left the windy city to go to Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi but she is back with avengence! Currently Jasmyne is working on her Masters degree in non-profit management at Argosy University to reach her dream of running her own NPO. Jasmyne is working in an English class this year.
Dr.Martin Luther King Jr, Mohandas Gandhi, Captain Kirk... all great leaders. Soon to join their ranks is our very own Jade Lopez. Fearlessly leading our team to greatness, Jade is a senoir corp member with City Year. Jade received her degree in Africana Studies from North Park University in Chicago and has plans of beginning a career in education after this year.
And of course there is yours truly. (drum roll please!) Hannah Gray. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA where I also got my Economics and Sociology degrees at The University of Pittsburgh. Since I have fallen in love with Chicago I plan on getting my masters degree in teaching somewhere in the city. I will be in an earth science class this year.
As our second week here draws to a close we still have many unanswered questions, but the thing we are all learning fast is flexibility! I know that I speak for us all when I say that this will be an interesting year, but the students have already brought so many smiles to our faces that it all seems worth it already. We have already made a little home in here in the West wing of our school and I love it already. So here is to the year ahead... to all making it out alive and to CHANGING LIVES!
Phil Horn otherwise known as The Sassy One. Phil hails from Columbus, Ohio and is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University with his degree in social work. After this year Phil wants to get his M.A in either social work or public health. He will be working in a world studies classroom this year!
Mari Mermelstein (Msquared) is our math wiz from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Mari recently graduated and got her mathematics education certification at the University of Illinois Wesleyen. Of course Mari will be working in an Algebra class this year and is hoping to have her very own classroom in the near future.
Jeremiah Washington is one of two native Chicagoans on our team! After attending the University of Chicago Jeremiah came to City Year ready to give back to the very community he grew up in, attending grammar school just down the road from our lovely high school! Jeremiah will be working with students in health classes this year.
No team would be complete without their very own smart-alec and that is precisely where Alan Shelton comes in! Alan is a recent graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute which is also where he grew up. Next year Alan hopes to go to either Japan or Korea to teach English abroad. Alan is working with students in English classes this year.
Nicole Lewis always puts some pep in everyone's step! Nicole is a proud Michigan State graduate and she recently got her certification in elementary education. After this year Nicole is considering becoming a senoir corp member at City Year ( a very brave soul) before pursuing a career in education. Nicole is also working in English classes this year.
We call her The Spicy One because she is always getting everyone one FIRED UP! Ladies and gentleman I am referring to Miss Andrea Serrano. This Mexican fire-cracker moved to the states at a young age and pursued her education at The University of Notre Dame getting her degree in Anthropology. Andrea will be working in a world studies class this year.
Jazzy Jasmyne Griffith is our other Chicago born teammate. Jasmyne left the windy city to go to Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi but she is back with avengence! Currently Jasmyne is working on her Masters degree in non-profit management at Argosy University to reach her dream of running her own NPO. Jasmyne is working in an English class this year.
Dr.Martin Luther King Jr, Mohandas Gandhi, Captain Kirk... all great leaders. Soon to join their ranks is our very own Jade Lopez. Fearlessly leading our team to greatness, Jade is a senoir corp member with City Year. Jade received her degree in Africana Studies from North Park University in Chicago and has plans of beginning a career in education after this year.
And of course there is yours truly. (drum roll please!) Hannah Gray. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA where I also got my Economics and Sociology degrees at The University of Pittsburgh. Since I have fallen in love with Chicago I plan on getting my masters degree in teaching somewhere in the city. I will be in an earth science class this year.
As our second week here draws to a close we still have many unanswered questions, but the thing we are all learning fast is flexibility! I know that I speak for us all when I say that this will be an interesting year, but the students have already brought so many smiles to our faces that it all seems worth it already. We have already made a little home in here in the West wing of our school and I love it already. So here is to the year ahead... to all making it out alive and to CHANGING LIVES!
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