I was going to update my blog and write about NYC and London but now those seem to pale in comparison to Uganda. I will save my NY and London stories for when I return.
It is currently 9:30 pm Monday. The last time I woke up was 10:00 am Friday. I am so tired I am shaking. I also haven’t showered or changed my clothes since Friday either. I know that I will shower tomorrow night but I won’t be able to change my clothes since the last time I saw my luggage was at JFK airport on Friday. I don’t really care though. I am so dirty along with my companions that we seemed to have all accepted our funk. I’m assuming that my luggage will eventually make it ☺
On the final leg of the trip I had the pleasure of sitting next to an amazing Ugandan man. He told me stories from the “conflict” years and described how when schools were destroyed the children would congregate into any open space to continue their education. It is such a stark contrast to the motivation of American students.
As our flight descended the view was like nothing I have ever seen, large expansive green fields, a massive lake, and a clear sky. It was so breathtaking.
Today we spent the day getting acclimated with our new surroundings and finalizing last minute things. We went to the Embassy to discuss the role of foreign aid (very enlightening conversation but I am to beat to explore it here today) followed by a school tour. We topped our evening off with dinner in the city.
I have only been in Uganda for 10 hours but I already know that there is something very special about this land and the people that inhabit it.
The few things that I have already learned about Ugandans
1. They are very soft spoken but also great story tellers
2. They are physically beautiful
3. They are an intimate group- it is not uncommon the see boys holding hands
Sleep now...more later
Sorry for the bare bones blog and lack of spelling/editing but I NEED to sleep.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
On a side note…
For most, the current year is still in full swing, only nearing its halfway point but for educators their year is coming to a rapid close. When I speak in years I think of 08-09, 09-10, September to June with July and August neither belonging with the year before or the year approaching. The academic calendar is my calendar.
The end of every year always evokes a range of emotions and this year has been no different. This year I looped with my students; I followed them from 9th grade to 10th grade. Looping transformed the classroom dynamics, I abandoned any need to feel authoritative and embraced my role as that of facilitator, guide, and model. I established profound deep bonds with many students and found that teaching from a place of love, respect, and empathy could accomplish miracles. I close this year saddened and optimistic. Saddened to no longer have the honor and privilege to spend my days with an amazing group of teens yet optimistic that many of those teens will grow up to become amazing adults.
I am also saddened by the departure of my colleague turned friend, Jill Brownlee. Jill, after committing well over a decade of her life to education decided to take a leap of faith and walk away from all stability to purse a career in film and production. Jill is an amazing person with unsurpassed drive and motivation. I do not doubt that Jill Brownlee will become a household name for creating phenomenal films.
Over the course of our work relationship and friendship Jill challenged my beliefs and pushed me do the “tough hard” thinking and for that I am a better educator and person. Whether we were discussing student work or personal issues, Jill was always able to guide my thinking and help me see what I wasn’t able to independently. I hope that in the future I will have an opportunity to work with her again.
Besides the last few emotional days, my year has been one of triumph and success. I was so concerned with turning thirty having accomplished nothing that at the start of the year (September) I committed to crossing off a large chuck of items from my “do before I die” list. This year I have:
1) Paid off all credit card debt (October, 2008)
2) Skydive (November, 2008)
3) Get Healthy (January- work in progress)
4) Quit some really nasty habits (February, 2009)
5) Obtain a Masters (May, 2009)
6) Go on an adult vacation alone (June 24th, 2009- NYC)
7) Do something important and meaningful (Summer 2009- Africa)
8) Bungee Jump (August, 2009 over the Nile River)
Since I tackled so many things this year, thirty was a lot less scary! I am really optimistic for next year (09-10) and believe that I will return from Africa will a new perspective on life and a new set of goals for myself both personal and professional.
I leave for my adventure and experience in one week. I will try to update and post pictures as much as possible.
Thank you again for all the support and encouragement.
The end of every year always evokes a range of emotions and this year has been no different. This year I looped with my students; I followed them from 9th grade to 10th grade. Looping transformed the classroom dynamics, I abandoned any need to feel authoritative and embraced my role as that of facilitator, guide, and model. I established profound deep bonds with many students and found that teaching from a place of love, respect, and empathy could accomplish miracles. I close this year saddened and optimistic. Saddened to no longer have the honor and privilege to spend my days with an amazing group of teens yet optimistic that many of those teens will grow up to become amazing adults.
I am also saddened by the departure of my colleague turned friend, Jill Brownlee. Jill, after committing well over a decade of her life to education decided to take a leap of faith and walk away from all stability to purse a career in film and production. Jill is an amazing person with unsurpassed drive and motivation. I do not doubt that Jill Brownlee will become a household name for creating phenomenal films.
Over the course of our work relationship and friendship Jill challenged my beliefs and pushed me do the “tough hard” thinking and for that I am a better educator and person. Whether we were discussing student work or personal issues, Jill was always able to guide my thinking and help me see what I wasn’t able to independently. I hope that in the future I will have an opportunity to work with her again.
Besides the last few emotional days, my year has been one of triumph and success. I was so concerned with turning thirty having accomplished nothing that at the start of the year (September) I committed to crossing off a large chuck of items from my “do before I die” list. This year I have:
1) Paid off all credit card debt (October, 2008)
2) Skydive (November, 2008)
3) Get Healthy (January- work in progress)
4) Quit some really nasty habits (February, 2009)
5) Obtain a Masters (May, 2009)
6) Go on an adult vacation alone (June 24th, 2009- NYC)
7) Do something important and meaningful (Summer 2009- Africa)
8) Bungee Jump (August, 2009 over the Nile River)
Since I tackled so many things this year, thirty was a lot less scary! I am really optimistic for next year (09-10) and believe that I will return from Africa will a new perspective on life and a new set of goals for myself both personal and professional.
I leave for my adventure and experience in one week. I will try to update and post pictures as much as possible.
Thank you again for all the support and encouragement.
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