So I fell off the blog bandwagon for awhile. Jamar has coerced me into reentering the scene so here I am. Brief recap of life: I quit my job in July and went back to school for education (Secondary and Special to be exact). It was tough at first (with the loss of a nice paycheck) but it was a good decision and I do not regret it at all. I intern at an 'urban' school now during the day and go to class in the evenings. Its pretty tiring most days but again, I dont regret it.
I spent the summer in classes preparing for 'urban' youth. You can kinda guess how they prepare you. They say the kids might not be able to read. And that they are going to absolutely hate you. And that they might just swing on you. And curse words are definitely coming your way. And that they dont listen or follow directions. Oh yea, and that they dont do homework. And that the parents are cruel too.
Here it is...a whole 6 months later and I'm still in love with my job. Teenagers are bad. They dont always listen and they are real caught up with one another but they are the funniest people on the face of the earth. I have only had 2 'run-ins' with since the beginning. Neither involved anyone hitting me or cursing at me. And both times it was with this one little evil child who might just be Satan's spawn. Thats mean to say. I love him too. Hes just a difficult child. On the funny side of things, I've watched a 13 year old blk male explain 'teabagging' to an OLD white lady. Ive seen a little couple kiss in the hallway and then turn BRIGHT red when I blew up the spot. I've had a kid call my tattoo silly and ask me to buy a bottle and go out for drinks after school. I had a group of 3 create a dance for me. So everytime I come into the classroom I have music and a routine. I had a kid, just last week, tell me that my locs are getting long and asked me to "shake my dreds". They are great!
The kids, by and large, listen. Further, if they actually trust you they really TRY to do what you ask of them. If you care about them and truly want to teach them something they will attempt to learn. This is not to say they come to class on time everyday (they dont even though they make up wild excuses to humor you). Or that they always do their homework (we are working on that). But they TRY. I do not feel like I am wasting time writing lesson plans as long as I get just one.
What I know now that I didnt really think about before is kids just want someone to talk to. Kids dont want to be judged for real. They are even ok being chastised when they mess up. But they really want you to listen. They want to know if they tell you something that you respect them enough to keep it to yourself (unless its something legal then of course you have to go to the proper authorities :)). They want to know that if they need your help that you will stand by them and help them through. They want an adult friend who isnt a parent. And they want/need it BAD.
And I know everyone isnt meant to teach. I didnt realize that even I (the most patient and forgiving individual EVER) had it in me to last. But kids...especially Black kids...need people to talk to. Go volunteer some time people. They just need someone to listen to them. So...I'm on my soapbox. All you educated folks who have a few moments in your busy lives to spare...go volunteer at a rec or big brothers/big sisters of america. Or somewhere. Help someone out!
Moving forward...
I have this one loc that stands up in the air as though waving 'hello' everyday of my life. This one loc has ruined countless pictures. I dont know how to restrain it. I've tried headbands and scarves and bonnets and more. Oh the frustration. BUT I dont miss my relaxed hair. I'd rather have one surly loc than what I had before.
Well I'm done. Ill post again next week.
Friday, February 16, 2007
The Alphabet According to JENN!
1 of 2 posts today.
A - AVAILABLE: Yes?
B - BIRTHDAY: September 11, 1983 (Yes...I know...)
C - CRUSHING: Nope!
D - DRINK YOU LAST HAD: Sangria...which I hated.
E - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO: Myself
F - FAVORITE BANDS: Bilal is my favorite performer ever of all time. But I like lots...Meshell Ndegeocello, Eric Roberson, Jill Scott, Little Brother, Gnarls Barkley, Amy Winehouse. The list goes on and on forever.
G - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS: Worms...the sour ones.
H - HOMETOWN: Greenbelt, MD
I - INSTRUMENT(s): I played like 4 woodwinds between 4th and 12th grade.
J - JUGGLE: nope
K - KILLED SOMEONE: WITH KINDNESS sure!
L - LONGEST CAR RIDE: Atl when I was younger. Ill never do that again. I dont like road trips.
M - MILKSHAKE FLAVOR: Chocolate or Strawberry
N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: 2 little bits of Perfection
O - ONE WISH?: RICHES!
P - PERSON WHO LAST TEXTED YOU: Erica
Q- QUIET?: In public most of the time. But with friends never.
R - REASON TO SMILE: My students.
S- SONG YOU LAST HEARD: Smiley Faces by Gnarls
T - TIME YOU WOKE UP: 6:45 and for no good reason because I havent gone to work since Tuesday (because of the snow/ice)
U- UNDERWEAR YOU'RE WEARING?: boyshorts
V - VEGETABLE YOU HATE: cooked carrots. i like them raw. but cooked they are all soggy and gross.
W - WORST HABIT: Not answering the phone or responding to texts.
X - X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD: my thumb
Y - YOUR FRIEND THAT SHOWED YOU THIS: I stole it from Jarrod.
Z- ZODIAC SIGN: Virgo. Virgo is the sixth sign of the Zodiac and is represented by the virgin. Although you are an introvert you are talkative and lively when in company, making you the ideal companion. You are also very health conscious and hygiene is of the utmost importance to you. This may even be taken to the extreme and result in hypochondria. Because you are highly strung you need to learn how to relax to avoid stress or nervous strain. Virgo is associated with the digestive system and when you get nervous you will feel the tension in your stomach. With a Virgo Sun you care for all living things and like to be with other people as you are interested in their opinions. You are naturally friendly, thoughtful and very kind to others but do not like to get emotionally involved with their problems as you are uncomfortable with this depth of feeling. You are naturally analytical and like to organise yourself and others. Making lists will come naturally to you, as will being tidy, and you like to have a regular routine. You are always punctual and plan ahead to ensure you make no mistakes. Your liking for detail and perfection can result in you being critical of other people's behaviour as well as your own. This love of detail can result in you becoming overly fussy or narrow-minded as you fail to see the bigger picture. But you are a very hard worker and are content to work behind the scenes where you can serve others in your quiet efficient manner. You find praise or being in the limelight highly embarrassing.
A - AVAILABLE: Yes?
B - BIRTHDAY: September 11, 1983 (Yes...I know...)
C - CRUSHING: Nope!
D - DRINK YOU LAST HAD: Sangria...which I hated.
E - EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO: Myself
F - FAVORITE BANDS: Bilal is my favorite performer ever of all time. But I like lots...Meshell Ndegeocello, Eric Roberson, Jill Scott, Little Brother, Gnarls Barkley, Amy Winehouse. The list goes on and on forever.
G - GUMMY BEARS OR GUMMY WORMS: Worms...the sour ones.
H - HOMETOWN: Greenbelt, MD
I - INSTRUMENT(s): I played like 4 woodwinds between 4th and 12th grade.
J - JUGGLE: nope
K - KILLED SOMEONE: WITH KINDNESS sure!
L - LONGEST CAR RIDE: Atl when I was younger. Ill never do that again. I dont like road trips.
M - MILKSHAKE FLAVOR: Chocolate or Strawberry
N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: 2 little bits of Perfection
O - ONE WISH?: RICHES!
P - PERSON WHO LAST TEXTED YOU: Erica
Q- QUIET?: In public most of the time. But with friends never.
R - REASON TO SMILE: My students.
S- SONG YOU LAST HEARD: Smiley Faces by Gnarls
T - TIME YOU WOKE UP: 6:45 and for no good reason because I havent gone to work since Tuesday (because of the snow/ice)
U- UNDERWEAR YOU'RE WEARING?: boyshorts
V - VEGETABLE YOU HATE: cooked carrots. i like them raw. but cooked they are all soggy and gross.
W - WORST HABIT: Not answering the phone or responding to texts.
X - X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD: my thumb
Y - YOUR FRIEND THAT SHOWED YOU THIS: I stole it from Jarrod.
Z- ZODIAC SIGN: Virgo. Virgo is the sixth sign of the Zodiac and is represented by the virgin. Although you are an introvert you are talkative and lively when in company, making you the ideal companion. You are also very health conscious and hygiene is of the utmost importance to you. This may even be taken to the extreme and result in hypochondria. Because you are highly strung you need to learn how to relax to avoid stress or nervous strain. Virgo is associated with the digestive system and when you get nervous you will feel the tension in your stomach. With a Virgo Sun you care for all living things and like to be with other people as you are interested in their opinions. You are naturally friendly, thoughtful and very kind to others but do not like to get emotionally involved with their problems as you are uncomfortable with this depth of feeling. You are naturally analytical and like to organise yourself and others. Making lists will come naturally to you, as will being tidy, and you like to have a regular routine. You are always punctual and plan ahead to ensure you make no mistakes. Your liking for detail and perfection can result in you being critical of other people's behaviour as well as your own. This love of detail can result in you becoming overly fussy or narrow-minded as you fail to see the bigger picture. But you are a very hard worker and are content to work behind the scenes where you can serve others in your quiet efficient manner. You find praise or being in the limelight highly embarrassing.
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