Saturday, January 29, 2011

A Girl Can Dream, of New York

Can't get New York City off my mind.

Keeping the dream (some call it obsession) alive by keeping track of all the must sees in this handy dandy notebook, (Blue's Clues reference reserved for RS)
makeshoplive

And resting my dreamy head on this pillow.

NestaHome
Indulging in my new found (albeit belated) love for Woody Allen
EcoStudioNYC
They say keeping visuals of your dreams nearby helps you achieve them

vsc83
ptchapman


New York, I Love You
Raceytay
And you don't even know it.


 See the related:  Etsy Treasury

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Dog if you are listening, please help!


Aloha Dog and Chapman Family,

I'm a teacher at Konawaena Middle School on the Big Island and I need your help. There is a student in my 8th grade class who I'm afraid is heading in a very dangerous direction in his life. He misses school more days out of the week than he attends, is getting straight F's, and has to go to court for truancy charges. Because he misses school so much, he is far behind in his schoolwork and academic skills. This is a young man who doesn't know how bright and special he is and if he keeps going in this direction will get lost, or worse. 

At our school the students do a Kulia I Ka Nu'u Project toward the end of the year, which is designed to get them interested in something they may want to pursue in the future and to strive for new knowledge. The student I mentioned needs a mentor for this project, so I thought of your family and the difference you've made in so many lives. He could do his project on bounty hunting and, I know it's a lot to ask, but could you, or someone from the Chapman family mentor my student or possibly be available for an interview so that he can meet or talk with you? He needs someone to show him there is a way to have a good life and stay out of trouble before he gets in too deep.

Please, if there is any way you can help this boy at all, I would really appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Gwen Edwards
Konawaena Middle School

Monday, January 24, 2011

Teacher Clothes!

Realizing my current wardrobe was not up to par for my new professional gig, my life-saver of a friend Becky helped me get the "teacher" look I've always wanted. See the Treasury I created on Etsy, too!

RiverofRomansk

MRUcollection

RevolvingStyles


careydion

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Before Turning 30...

I like deadlines. Not that turning 30 is a deadline in a literal sense, but there are still some goals I'd like to accomplish before entering my fourth decade.Only 18 months to go.

1. Live in New York City for at least a month.
irensuchoki

2. Audition for a part in a play or movie.

3.
Santastitch

4. Wear one of these before my booty gets completely flat.
http://sanlorenzohawaii.com/thongbelt.html

5. Complete another solo backpacking adventure.
shellieartist
6. Howl at the moon.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

On becoming a REAL teacher

In December I completed the required student teaching hours for the Post-Baccalaureate degree in Special Education (severe disabilities and autism) that I'm nearly done with now. The plan was to go back to working as a skills trainer until this summer when I'd have my certification and could apply for teaching positions. In a very surprising turn of events my supervisor for the skills training position recommended me for a teaching position at a middle school that had just become open and the school urgently needed to fill it.

So here I am, a newly hired teacher! Having just completed the first week back, I feel great. There is more than a lot of work to do, but because I've never done any of this before it feels so exciting to be planning lessons and grading assignments.

The position is for eighth grade Special Education. It is a resource position, which means my students spend part of their day in my class for certain subjects, depending on their limitations, and part of the day in the general education setting. So I'm currently in the process of coming up with the curriculum for an English class, a math class, and a reading class.

This setting is very different than what I'm used to as the kids I've worked with in the past have had severe disabilities and these eighth graders have mild to moderate disabilities. One student in particular suffers from such obvious shame over being in Special Ed, however his skills are the lowest in my class. How can I best help this kid that doesn't want anyone to know, even his teachers, just how little he understands?

Saturday, January 1, 2011

A Girl Can Dream, in French

While cleaning out a bookshelf, I ran across a tourist magazine for Rouen, France which got me all kinds of worked up about my dream of living in France.

First, I'll need to do some research. Lonely Planet publishes my favorite guidebooks.








Then of course, there is that language business. These French alphabet cards should get me started. (From bibitty on Etsy)

And I ought to start getting to know my way around. (With help from studiokmo)

So I'll need a way to get around. (Thanks to 86ForTheHome)

Fitting in with stylish French women is of utmost importance, but easy thanks to these great finds.
SavoyFaire
TutusChic
OxfordHeaven

My tummy will need to get prepared for the French diet with these treats.
CraigsMarket
MacaronParlour

But for now, staring at this great print as I fall asleep will have to do. (By elgarboart

The obsession continues: check out the Treasury I made on Etsy.

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