What a whirlwind

   All of a sudden life has picked up and is going at a supersonic pace. Cannot even believe last week is over let alone almost this week. I literally hit the ground sprinting coming back from break and really have not stopped since. I have a pretty big presentation coming up on KIPP schools (Knowledge is Power Program). I had the opportunity to visit one of the KIPP schools in Albany yesterday where I was able to tour the school with a current student and  then speak with the school's co-founder Dan Ceaser. The school and students truly amazed me. There were pictures and displays of work everywhere. The students were so well behaved and respectful and the teachers and staff were extremely friendly. It was great to hear about the school from a student perspective and I am excited to share my visit experience with my fellow classmates next week.
   Last week I spent a great deal of time gathering my transcripts and letters of recommendations so that they could be uploaded onto Interfolio. This way when I start applying for jobs my items can go out immediately and all go out together, rather than having to individually request them each time from each teacher and each college. Things with my internship feel like they have picked up quite a bit as well. We just finished the first of three units on Genetics. Genetics is certainly a harder concept for them to understand so it has taken quite a bit of planning and preparation on my behalf to get through it. Their quiz is tomorrow so I am kind of nervous for them  how they will do. I really slowed down the pace, making sure to constantly ask them if they are with me and if they have questions. I also strongly encouraged them to see me before school tomorrow to review, so I am hoping some of them will take advantage of this. I stressed that I know Genetics is not easy, I remember, but that I am here to help them get it and that I want them to do well. So tomorrow will be the true test.
   Next week I am very excited  that our very own Dean of Education will be hosting a Wine tasting event here at UGC next Friday. He is a wine connoisseur we have heard so I am excited to learn more about some wines that I have not tried before along with some great food and company.  It will certainly be a nice and relaxing way to end a crazy few weeks. By then my huge presentation will be done. Other than that not too much more to report. For those that are starting the summer program this summer, so exciting, some of us were saying we are going to miss it. For those that are still deciding, it has been a great experience, I cannot imagine going anywhere else. Let me know if you have questions!

Gotta love breaks!

   So we are yet on another break, our last full one before the year is over. Because graduate classes are in session it never really feels too much like a break, but the weather was so nice over the weekend I took an overall break from work. Next week I am starting a new unit which I needed to work on from scratch so I had been working on it alot but needed to make some final alterations on it before I coped it today. I also had to write a lab which I finished as well. I now need to test out the lab today to make sure it works or no minor tweaks need to be made. I have also been trying to gather my letters of recommendation as well as making transcript requests so that when the job search gets in full swing (which I hope it does) I will be well prepared.
   I started my 3 graduate classes for the Spring term last week. So far so good. I actually have to do a presentation in my seminar course on a type of education reform and the one I was able to get was KIPP schools. I actually found a great book that gave me alot of valuable insight titled Work Hard. Be Nice. It was very helpful so I am hoping to utlize that as well as online articles and I am hoping to visit the local KIPP school in Albany. I am really hoping to make that visit because to be able to meet with the staff, teachers and students, to sit in on classes and see how it is done, would be valuable to me on so many levels. Not only for presentation purposes, but so I can become more informed as I head through my job search and I can also share with my peers what things are being done there and things that might be useful for us to try as teachers. Luckily this week I did not have any classes, but certainly had work in their place. Being two of my classes are held in actual schools, we are unable to be there when the school is closed, so we were given assignments to work on in lieu of that fact.In seminar we were given a book to read and needed to write a proposal for our project, so this week has been crazy.
  On a fun note I am giving myself a break and heading to Boston on Friday for the weekend to celebrate my bestfriend's birthday! I hope the weather holds out for us, Boston is a great city, especially when the weather is great.
  Well that is it for now. I will check back in next week, which I am sure will be a crazy one. New unit, new lab, supervisor visiting on Monday, full week and all 3 graduate classes, can you feel my excitement?! I like my classes this term, but I must admit I have a bit of spring fever and will be excited when classes are over and I know my plan for the Fall.

Have a great weekend everyone!