Observations

This week I observed a special ed class, grades 1-3. My focus is 5-12 literacy, so it may not have been the best move, but I wanted my observations to be well rounded. I walked into the classroom and was immediately impressed. Colors everywhere, smiling teachers, great classroom layout and a huge solar system model that spanned the entire classroom. I've know this school district for my entire life, and never thought it to be what it is. I met the teacher who I would be observing for the day and she greeted me and told me to loosen my tie, this is a fun environment. I'm a tall person, 6'5", so when all of the 1-3 graders walked in they saw me right away. Younger children have always been amazed by my height and my demeanor so for the most part everyone was comfortable.
Before the students walked in though, I watched the teacher I observed and how energetic she was. She was running around the room making sure everything was ready and in it's place for the days activities. I offered to help, but I knew there was little I could do, she was on a totally different level than I was. Throughout the day I saw a lot of students struggle through there challenging lesson. Fractions, reading comprehension and Easter crafts were a few of them. I was amazed at how this teacher was able to control her students and how effective she was. There were are 12 students in her class, all with IEP's. She knows how to handle each and every one of them and tailors lessons to their needs. She made it look so easy, but to get up every day and go through what she experiences is extremely difficult. A lot of people don't understand what someone like her goes though on a daily basis and it's too bad. She isn't always recognized for her work and often doesn't receive the gratitude she deserves. I saw her look at one of her 1st grade students with a giant smile after he successfully completed a challenging reading comprehension exercise. Once I saw that smile I knew that she had successfully mad an impact on that student, and that is why she teaches. She doesn't teacher for the gratitude, money or recognition, because those factors aren't always there. She teaches to make an impact on someones life and most of the time, that is an internal accomplishment. This particular teacher gave me a comforting look on teaching and what she goes through every day. Despite all of the challenges, I could tell she loves what she does.

Questions

It's amazing how much can happen in just a few months. It's the final month of my first semester of my Graduate studies and like everyone else, the stress and anxiety is building. Projects are coming to an end, observation logs are due and it's easy to loose sight of why we do all doing this. It's easy to go through the motions, sit in class, do the work, stress out and then count down the days to summer vacation, but that's not the point. We do this for a different reason. I made it a point to approach my graduate work differently than my undergrad work. I wanted to focus on a higher level of thinking and questioning rather than going through the motions and just doing. I am doing this to better myself as an educator and a role model. As an educator it is important that you are respected amongst your peers and your students. The hardest thing about all that's going on in this last month is that we have an end result. We all want to be successful, well respected teachers and are here for that reason. It is important not to forget this when finals are approaching and overbearing deadlines are hanging over us. All of this stress is for a good cause, and it's how we approach it that defines who we will be.

Battenkill Cat. 5 Race

This past weekend I completed my first Cycling race. It is called Tour of the Battenkill, a grueling 65 mile race with over 5,000 feet of vertical climbing (nearly one mile straight up), consisting of dirt roads, sleet, potholes, endless mud and 1,200 cyclists. Saying it is a challenge doesn't give it justice, especially for a first timer. I picked up the sport in January and dove straight in. I only placed 22 out of 56, and four riders didn't even finish, but I consider it to be an accomplishment. 3 hours and 39 minutes of the most difficult cycling I have done yet. I experienced every type of emotion, I wanted to cry, I felt happiness, I cursed and I was angry. The whole thing was a painful blur, but I will remember this experience forever. The best thing about the race was chugging a quarter gallon of chocolate milk after I finished, chocolate milk never tasted so good.

SOL14

The weeks are flying by...

I can't believe how fast things are moving. This is my first semester at MSMC and it's already half way over. It's hard to think that much time has gone by so quickly. Work loads are becoming more demanding and expectations are rising, so stress is always a factor. These past two weeks I've been pushing myself by cycling and have improved dramatically. This past weekend I rode 51.3 miles with over 4,500 vertical feet of climbing. This time last year I was nowhere near able to accomplish that. I am getting closer to my goal for the summer, which is the Tour of the Catskills. I will be racing on the third day, 75 miles and over 7,000 vertical feet of climbing. It's an insane race, but it looks like I am still on track. Now time to fit music and job applications in there.

Slice of Life


Spring is coming and training has started for the upcoming cycling season. As a personal goal I have chosen a few races to enter in both cycling and mountain biking. I wanted to push myself physically this year and since this is my hobby I thought it would be the best way. Since I have been a mountain bike enthusiast, I decided to gear myself to the fitness end of the sport and try cycling. Honestly, it's a stupid sport. You sit on an uncomfortable seat and put your body through nothing but extreme pain. Who would have thought it to be a good idea to try and ride up the longest, steepest hill as fast as they could and call it a sport, but for some strange reason I like it. I get to push myself harder than ever thought.  The wind rushes over me and the country side becomes a blur  as I push myself harder. Now it's time to take this hobby and bring it to a competitive level.

Many people would find it difficult to sit on a bike trainer, pedaling, going nowhere, but I see the end result in the suffering. Every pedal stroke is a challenge and a benefit. It teaches me dedication, work ethic and enforces the idea that you really have to work for things that you want, whether it's winning a race or getting a job. This sport is pure discipline and makes you want to scream "SHUT UP LEGS!" So as I sit on this trainer on a Tuesday night spin class, I see myself in the races to come. I see the hard work paying off. I see myself to be a better person and even though at this moment I am thinking about how stupid this sport is, I am excited for the moment when I'm at the starting line with the pack and know that I can beat every single one of them.