Dare You to Move

I've moved! Not to a new school, not to a new city, but a different blog. Trying something new, maybe it'll revitalize this blog. Checkcheckcheck it out!

http://mschewrocks.tumblr.com

The Wolves (Act I and II)

Damn, this year must have been stressful. I haven't taught a real class in a month and my face is still twitching.

All Been Said Before

What I've been saying all along, but a lot more eloquently..

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/22/ED181IET01.DTL

I heart Dave Eggers.

Ironic

Oh irony of ironies.. today we are having our teacher appreciation celebration at school, sponsored by our PTSA and student council. And today our district will begin sending out almost 500 pink slips to teachers, counselors, aids, nurses and admin. Fantastic!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/02/BAEV1I1GC3.DTL

Nobody Knows Me At All

Part of what I love about a new school year is getting to know a new group of kids. While I probably already knew about 70% of my kids this year, it's still great getting to actually be their teacher and know them a little better. I'm totally diggin' the no-freshmen thing.. and have been doubly blessed because almost all my physics kids are seniors. My class sizes are down because we went from three sections of physics last year to four this year. So there's not much for me to complain about. It's been a good start of the year and (at least with the physics) I totally feel like I've been doing this my whole life.

That being said, here are highlights from this year's "All About Me" worksheet..

If you could spend a day with anyone (living or dead), who would you choose and why?

My family because they are the best.

I guess it would be Obama, play against him in a basketball game.

I would spend a day with my grandmother because she is dead and their are certain actions that I committed in the past that I would love to apologize for and tell her I love her and miss her.

I would choose a mayan person so I can find out if the worlds really going to end.

I would want to spend the day wiht someone from history that never made it into the books.

I would go wit Hannah Montana I always wanted to meet and kiss her.

If I could spend a day with anyone it would be my parents. It would have to be my parents because I would like to know how it feels to have the two people you love the most reunite.

I would choose Justin Bieber cause his hair is so tight. I wish I could have his hair!!

What do you like most about school? Why?

What I like most about school is that keeps your mind away from things that hurts you just by thinking about it.

The teachers here at school because they are AWESOME!

What I like most about the school is that the teachers are good people.

The one thing I like the most about school is the teachers, because they push you to be succesful and dont give up on you.

My teachers because I know they're there when I need them

I like the hugs.

I get to spend time with my friends and b e a normal teenager and not a mom.

What do you like least about school? Why?

The gangstas! I just don't like them

I don't like how many students are not taking school seriusly.

Economy not enough supplies

What can I, as your teacher, do to make this class more engaging for you?

Just give me an A every-day, noh just kidding, but really though.

Pick on me in class I tend to sleep.

Be as chill as you can because it would make us feel bad and stressed to see you stressed and such.

Just be the Ms. Chew Rocks that everyone always talks about.

Brand New Colony

If I were one of my students, I would be a senior right now. That's right ladies and gents, I am officially starting year four of my illustrious teaching career tomorrow. I have no idea what's in store for me and the school this year. Will it be a good year? Will we emerge unscathed and unbruised with our our brains a little weightier from all the learning that went on? Will our herculean attempts to turn this ship around be fruitful or are we just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic?

New things in store for me this year..

• No more freshmen.
• No more algebra.
• No more earth science.
• No more FRESHMEN!!!
• Teaching my physics curriculum for the fourth year (I'm an old pro).
• Teaching the AVID elective for 11th graders.
• Possibly being team leader for the 12th grade small learning community.
• Probably being a lead teacher for our afterschool program again.
• Quiet time and transcendental meditation rolled out for the whole school over the course of the year.

All in all I'm pretty stoked to finally be teaching classes that I want to teach. I like to think I've paid my dues.. three years of teaching wildcard classes (chemistry, algebra, earth science). But really I'm just lucky and blessed to still have a job and actually be happy with what I've been assigned to for this year. I'm still skeptical about the meditation thing and how it's going to improve our students' lives, but at this point anything is something. I guess I'll update more on the AVID thing later, but if you're curious you can look at www.avid.org for more info on what that's all about.

So yes, day one is tomorrow. Begin the begin. Since it is my fourth year, I know not to get too anxious or excited about what's to come. I've learned to roll with the punches and appreciate the little victories. I am apprehensive about what kind of tragedies are in store for us.. but who knows, maybe this will be a tragedy-free year for the O'C. One can only hope. Without hope, what else is there? Bring it on, year four.

Karma Police

One of the hardest things I contemplate daily is leaving my house and neighborhood. I lost my cousin to gang violence - because of a stupid color. He was not involved in any gangs, yet he was fatally shot. Living in a neighborhood with gang violence and high drop out rates, I feel the need to complete a college education, become a role model, and inspire young kids in my neighborhood to do the same. By pursuing a career in law, not only can I add a little security to my life, but I can also help minimize the violence and crime in a neighborhood and help make a positive change.

I meant to post this a long time ago. This is the bio blurb of one of my students who won a scholarship. Only 50 of these scholarships are awarded to low-income seniors in public schools in SF. I was able to attend the scholarship award reception at the end of the school year. At a time when uncertainty dominated my frame of mind his words brought be back down to earth and reminded me why I do what I do. Hopefully I'll hear great things about him in the future.