Time to Wind Up the Blog

The road of life is rarely smooth.  It twists and curves and comes out in unexpected locations.  The final goal can always be seen, but we often have to take smaller steps than we would prefer.  Our journey toward mortality is an uphill struggle with very few places to catch your breath. 

In short, life is rather like Lombard Street.

            As I gazed upon the least linear street in the world, I was struck by the behavior of the tourists.  They would dart into the street, heedless of cars and personal safety—too busy posing for pictures to adequately notice their surroundings.  In many ways, we have acted the same as the Lombard tourists on this trip.  We dashed into our placements, with little idea of what lay ahead.  We braved profanity, fights, and buses that broke down blocks from our stop, yet I can’t help but feel that I have been too busy acting as a teacher to truly soak up my school environment.  How many schools in America have a sun-drenched faculty courtyard and garden?  Or exquisite murals sprawled across its colorful walls?  Or palm trees flanking the encircling streets?  Or a nearby park with a monument erected in honor of the Father of Mexican independence?  I doubt whether I will truly grasp the uniqueness of my learning environment until I start student teaching in Mt. Spokane.

            I will always cherish my time in San Francisco, thanks largely to all of you.  As the final blog entry, the task of saying goodbye rests on me.  I wish you all the best of luck and opportunity as you continue down the path of life.  My final piece of advice comes from a rather infamous Chinese saying: 如果你已經有了它標榜.  

If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

I open at the close

I was only in the schools for half days, but still got the chance to work with some great students. I had a block class 1/2 period that covered math science. I have to admit, I've missed science classes a bit! I did a lot of small-group pullout with these kids, and worked with a few specific students often. There are so many faces, personalities, and unique situations in this class... bright kids who lack the confidence and/or work ethic to find the success they are capable of, a student who has a mind for math who does long division quickly in his head, a student who is homeless, a girl who was present maybe 5 times during the whole time I was here, a student with impulse issues who is very smart but on the edge of expulsion, and a girl who wants nothing more than to move back to Guatemala and therefore won't speak English in class. With all of this, they all have good hearts and good intentions (for the most part).

I also got the chance to work in an 8th grade Algebra class, which was fun because I taught Algebra in my Student Teaching placement this fall. California has adopted an "Algebra for All" standpoint, having all 8th grade students take Algebra in an effort to get them on track to take AP Calculus their Senior year of High School. I have mixed feelings about Algebra for All, but it was interesting to see it in action. I got a bit more attitude from these students, but also more intrigue and effort. One of these kids would greet me every morning with a high-five and an "I love you Ms. Lieseke! I'm so glad you're here today!" Which always made me smile. 4th period, I would turn around and have a lot of these kids in AVID, where I helped with tutorials and watched a lot of really good collaboration between students.

As I sat on the bus today, holding armfuls of stuff (thank you card from my kids and thank you loaves of bread from the San Francisco Education Fund), I took time to reflect back on the time we have spent here. We have had the chance to see a lot of diversity here in this city. From Grace Cathedral Church, a very rich church in one of the more affluent neighborhoods in the city, to Glide Memorial, a community focused church right in the middle of the Tenderloin, we have had the opportunity to see a very wide spectrum of culture. I have to think about how this wide span of different people and places and faces I've seen is the norm and so accessible for most of my students. They live in a town that is rich with culture and don't even realize it. I only hope they grow to appreciate the city they live in, and learn from it all they can.

Outside of school, I could write about so many things we were able to do here! If I were to make a list, it would include biking the Golden Gate Bridge, a weekend in Napa, sunsets at the beach, and accidentally not getting off the bus when Margo did and watching her frantically wave and yell at us as the bus pulled away from the stop. Time has been short, and I'm so happy to have spent this month in San Franscisco. I've loved this quick view into city life, and have really grown to appreciate things like effective public transportation. Also, Middle School isn't that bad! Our group has had a great time, and I'm so glad we were all able to spend so much time exploring and learning and adventuring together.

It's the Final Count Down...

Hey yall,
There are only 2.5 more days in the schools for Secondary and 3 for Elementary. It's crazy how time has flown and the end is about to come. I can't believe we have already been in San Fran for almost 3 weeks. I feel like it was just yesterday when we were still trying to figure out what bus to take, where the big green building is (San Fran Ed Fund), and where our schools are. In the classroom, I finally know all of my students' names and what some of their interests are. I'm getting attached and am sad to part from these students. I'm sure some of the other Whitworth students would also agree. I don't know if I'm ready to leave San Francisco yet with things still to explore and people to meet.

However, on the bright side... Yesterday I went to Everett Middle School's Soccer game at Silver Terrace. I got to bus (charter) over with the team and everything. The coach made me the official camera woman during the game, so I took tons of pictures of the kids, the coaches, and of the team. A lot of my students are on the soccer team and have been begging me to go. So I finally made it out to their game. They ended up winning 4 to 0. It was awesome! We even got a picture of a kid doing a bicycle kick... (not the one that he did during the actual game, but afterwards). I loved getting to watch my kids and other students play soccer together and have fun. They were so happy when they won. They played great too.

Then today was great too. We all went to our last Thursday day of school. Then after a wonderful Lasagna dinner, we went out as a group to a dessert place called Max's Opera Cafe. They had pies, cakes, ice cream, cookies, crumbles, and more. It was delicious and fun for the whole group to go out. Sarah and I shared a Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Yummy, yummy, yummy!
It also rained for the first time today! We have been having lots of sun, but the weather is finally changing on us. I love the rain, but it was nice having weather in the 60s last week...

Then tomorrow is Friday and the beginning of the weekend. The week always goes by so fast with those 3 day weekends... and we have another one coming up on Monday (Lunar New Year)!

Anyways, it has been super fun in San Fran.... Not much time left so we have to enjoy it while we can. Keep reading...

-Cory

The Beginning of the End

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I think the reality that we only have four more days in the classroom is really starting to set in for most of us right about now. I came in hoping to learn so much and have a clearer sense of whether God is calling me to teach in low-income schools. While I can't say I've made much progress on the latter, I've certainly come a long way with regard to the former.

Like many of my fellow educators have indicated in their blog posts, the San Francisco school experience is so different from what you'll find in Spokane, sometimes in ways I wasn't expecting. I wasn't surprised to find that I was the only white person in my classroom all day long. I was expecting to find that many of my students have mild behavior problems and have skills far below grade level. What I wasn't expecting was that my students would be so sweet and charming, even when their classroom behavior drives me up a wall. The ease with which I have been able to relate to these students has really taken me by surprise; it turns out race and culture aren't as much of a barrier to teacher-student relationships as I thought they were. I've also been surprised by the way the students respond to my authority. As a young woman who still looks as though she's about 16, I wasn't expecting students to take me seriously, at least at first. I was pleasantly surprised to discover, though, that, at least for the most part, my students listen to me! How exciting :)

There's no question that I've learned a lot while I've been here. But even while this experience has provided opportunities for me to learn and grow as an educator, I think it's raised as many questions for me as it has answered. How can we allow students to make it to 7th grade when they still don't know their multiplication tables? How on earth am I supposed to help students grow academically when over 80% of them are on free or reduced lunch (indicating very low income), and clearly have other things to worry about? What is going to happen to these students, who have so much potential, when they continue to make such limited academic growth?

The hardest of those questions, for me at least, is the last one. I have so many students in my classes who could be outstanding pupils, but a lack of foundational knowledge, study skills, and resources prevents them from succeeding, even though they have the ability to make incredible academic achievements. There just isn't enough time to give them everything they need to make enough progress. One of my smartest students has been in two fights since I've been here. He should be in advanced classes and at the top of his class; instead, I wonder whether he'll even graduate high school, or whether he'll end up in "the system" for getting into more fights. I wish I could follow up with all these students and keep track of them over the next six years, but I know I can't. So what is my role as a teacher? How can I make the biggest difference? Does God want me to teach in low-income schools, or is he calling me elsewhere? There's so much I still don't know. But I'm hoping that God can use these last few days and the time following the trip to help point all of us here to the ways we can best use our gifts to serve our students.

Thanks for reading! Please keep us in your prayers as we finish up our trip!
Sarah

MLK celebrations!

Well, I must start off by saying we all have successfully completed two full weeks in San Francisco!  Hooray to us!  I must begin by saying how blessed I feel to have the opportunity to partake in all that San Francisco has had to offer, as well as work and learn from an amazing 1st grade teacher.  My experiences in the classroom, although challenging at times, are helping shape me into a more culturally aware and well-rounded teacher.  The time is flying by, and  we are doing all we can to live and breath the San Fran culture.  I must say that I think we are doing a pretty good job at it :)

The MLK celebrations began all last week in many of our classrooms at Rosa Parks Elementary and Everett Middle school, and continued into the Glide Memorial church service we attended on Sunday morning.  Although very different than any church service I have attended, it was a liberating experience and one of the most diverse environments I have been a part of since the beginning of this trip.  Glide Memorial is a methodist church, but prides itself on the contributions they make to their community; such as feeding the poor, taking care of the homeless, and providing a church for those recovering from addiction.  The service on Sunday was centered around Martin Luther King and how he has changed the course African American rights in America.  It was a moving service, and involved BEAUTIFL and INSPIRATIONAL music that made many of us jump to our feet and relish in the culture surrounding us.  This opportunity to attend a church in the Tenderloin district was one I will not forget.  I will remember it as a moving and powerful experience on this journey here in San Fran. 

On Monday, MLK day, the celebrations continued.  Many of us chose to take part in the Martin Luther King march.  I myself, have never marched in honor of something or someone, so it was a new and exciting experience for me.  Thankfully, we were blessed with another stunning, sunshine-filled day in which we marched a mile-and-a-half in honor of MLK.  The most incredible part for me was seeing and hearing people of all difference races, gender, and religions come together and join as one to celebrate freedom and how far we have come since Martin Luther King was assassinated.  My favorite part of the parade was singing "This Little Light of mine, I'm gonna Let it Shine," for about half of our walk! Although by the end, I did not want to hear another verse, it was still an incredible experience to think, sing, and celebrate equality and freedom for all. 

I have to be honest, I feel that over the last two weeks I have become more culturally aware, open-minded, and accepting of others than I had been in my four years of undergrad and the first half of grad school.  Again, I am thankful for this fantastic opporutnity to learn and grow as an individual and teacher.  Thank you San Fran! 

-Danielle

Surprise! Your teacher is sick.

I am the fourth person on our trip who has had their teacher be unexpectedly gone one day. Today my students, a class of 12 fourth- and fifth-graders, went on a field trip to the California Academy of Sciences. I was quite surprised when another fourth grade teacher came up to me at our morning stretches and told me my teacher was going to be gone. We didn't have a substitute until we were walking out the door to get on the bus, and I spent a majority of the hour we were at school trying to take care of a girl who was missing a permission slip. But we still got to go on the field trip and it all ended up working out! It's quite intimidating to be put in a position where you are instantly shifting from a helper who's here for a month to someone who is responsible for a group of small children.

My classroom is, as I said, twelve 4th and 5th graders. I have three 4th graders and the rest are in 5th grade. Our class size is so small because the school has a grant where at least some of the grades (I know fifth grade, I'm not sure about the others) have to have an average class size of 15. Because the 5th grade Japanese Bilingual Program class next door has about 25 kids in the class, the other fifth grade classes must have small numbers to keep the average at 15. This allows a lot of small-group work... I haven't seen my teacher teach a whole-group lesson yet. I am also able to give a lot of one-on-one attention during math and language arts. I spent three afternoons doing fourth grade social studies with the fourth graders because their curriculum sometimes gets put on the back burner. Five of my students are African-American, three are from Yemen, two are Vietnamese (it's so fun to hear them talk to each other in their language! They both speak English but will sometimes converse in Vietnamese), one is Latina/Italian, and the other I believe is Latino as well. My teacher grew up going to Catholic school in San Jose so the culture of an inner-city school is about as foreign to her as it is to me! I have loved getting to know my students and getting to ask them about their dreams for the future. In the words of one student, "I want to be a dancer, singer, actress, scientist, and maybe a nurse." Dream big, girl :)

Here are some pictures from our group's adventures this weekend. Highlights include biking across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito (and back, for seven of us brave souls!), a majority of our group walking an a MLK celebration march, afternoons at Haight-Ashbury and Golden Gate Park, Siri's birthday on Saturday, and a win for the San Francisco 49ers!

Our whole group on the way to Golden Gate Bridge :)

Eight of us hiked up to a view point that overlooked the bridge. It was gorgeous!

It looks like a postcard :)

This is at the MLK Celebration in downtown San Francisco! It's really need to be here on this weekend because figures like MLK, Rosa Parks, and President Obama are really important to the people in this city. Our elementary school sells shirts that have this quote on the back:

"Rosa sat so Martin could walk. Martin walked so Obama could run. Obama ran so our kids could fly."

It's interesting to see so many posters and references to our president in our school. I feel as if Obama's place in office does not affect the Spokane community nearly as much as it does here in San Fran.

Golden Gate Park :)

 Cory's got mad hops! :)

I'm thinking of giving up teaching and becoming a professional action shot photographer... Ok. Maybe not.

Alcatraz, Golden Gate, Bread Bowls, and Ethiopia

My post is about 24 hours late but oh well!
So much has happened since we've been in sunny San Fran! If I started listing everything I'd be here typing for another ten hours. I guess first off the weather has been gracious and maintained a constant mid 60s about everyday we've been here. All the places we've visited are so much fun! The food is absolutely the best thing I've ever had. Last Saturday we got bread bowls of chowder that were huge! Best clam chowder ever. The Chinese food is fantastic, the pizza is amazing, the seafood is incredible and they have a Popeye's! I've never been so excited about food!

Well enough about great food. Teaching! My classroom is great! I was a bit nervous at first because I was the only white person in the classroom and it was second grade. To me, second grade is barely out of kindergarten. Surprisingly though these second graders are fairly well behaved and well ahead of most of the third graders! I taught a math lesson a few days ago about different ways to multiply and most of them caught on really quick! Probably because I'm an awesome math teacher, but really these kids are quick to learn and exceptionally bright.

The first day I was in the classroom they got two new students. One Hispanic girl who is cute as can be and then Beza from Ethiopia. Beza has kind of been my focus in the classroom because she speaks a little English but needs help with just about everything. She is also remarkably bright. It's really fun to work with her teaching her some English as she teaches me Amharic which is the native language of Ethiopia. I'm known as Mr. Andrew in the class because I didn't get a chance to really introduce myself early on but it's totally fine. I like the sound of it every five minutes from my students when they all need help reading a word or getting pencils sharpened. Working with such a culturally diverse population has really opened my eyes to more of the world and also confirmed my passion to teach. All kids need a teacher who will love on them and walk them through the challenging stuff. I know that have a limited time with these kiddos but I'll try my hardest to let them know that teachers care about them deeply.

Overall I am having the best January of my life. Totally mutant.

Andy

Choosing to look for the good

When we began this trip, I remember thinking to myself "Wow. 26 days. We are going to have so much time!" Well let me tell you- time is flying, and we are having so much fun! Last night a group of us went down to Point Lobos, a look out point by the ocean, and watched the sunset. It was one of those moments in life that I wanted to capture in a jar so I could go back to it again and again. I was surrounded by people that I am growing to love so much and was looking at the deep, wide sea with a golden sun setting over it. Truly, it was a moment to treasure.

As for the classroom, I have been placed in a kindergarten classroom. The thought of Kindergarten made me want to run for the door, and I would be lying if I said that there weren't moments where I wondered what on earth I am getting myself in to. My classroom is filled with children who are a different color than I am. Ji'Niyah, Wayjon, Jessiah, Mikiah, Nevaeh, Tianee, Gabino, Selam, Husaam AND Bryan. Good ol' Bryan. I was so intimidated at first because these children came from such a different world than mine, but I have been so incredibly thrilled to spend time with them each day. They say the funniest, sassiest things and they love so quickly. That is my favorite part about working with children. It takes about two seconds for them to love you more than anything in the world, and they live in the moment without asking questions. We have fits, accidents, paint spills, moments of insanity, moments of joy, moments of sadness, moments of triumph and lots and lots of fun. They test my patience, but I look at their faces, feel their embraces and hear their words of encouragement and love towards me and I can't help but encourage, love, support and educate them in return.

If I have taken anything from my experience in the classroom so far, it has been that it is no use to go to school everyday trying to be something I'm not and focusing on the negative. I had a really difficult day on Monday where I wasn't feeling excited about being the classroom. I had walked into the classroom with a negative attitude and, in return, had left with even more of a negative attitude. Since then, I have made the commitment to look for the positive, enjoy the kids for who they are, not looking for who they aren't and enjoy every moment loving them. It has worked, and I am enjoying every second I can spend with them.

This weekend we have a 3 day weekend thanks to Dr. King and will be enjoying company, Siri's birthday, good food and more adventures. More from one of us later.

Love-

Liz

One Week!

Greetings from San Francisco!

After my first day in the classroom I left feeling overwhelmed. I was in a fourth grade classroom (I’m used to teaching second grade and under) and feeling completely out of my element. (The elementary school we are working at here is a bit different than those I have experienced in Montana and Washington). However, here we are—it’s already been a week! After just that little bit of time I have gotten to know the children, classroom, and school so much better! I wish I wasn’t going to have to leave these kids at the end of the month!

The most important thing I’ve learned so far is respecting and acknowledging your students. It’s something that I have always known is important, but it has become so very obvious during my short time here! If a child feels like you care who they are and are really pulling for their success there is such a difference in the mood of the classroom. Another thing—this is what I love, even when I don’t feel like things are working. The kids in my classroom are fantastic. They were asking me if I was going to miss them when I went back to Washington—what a silly question! The class is small, just thirteen students, so there are lots of opportunities to work one-on-one or in small groups. Even with a class this small there is so much diversity—several different races, different socioeconomic status, home life, English language learner, GATE, maturity levels… you name it.

In addition to my time in the classroom I’m loving the city! It is such a rich city—there are so many things to do and to see! We’ve had fantastic weather—I’m afraid returning to cold and grey Spokane will be a bit of a shock! Tonight some of us went to the ocean to watch the sunset. It was lovely.

Thanks for reading! Have a marvelous day!

-Elizabeth

My feet hurt!

Ladies and Lads,

Did you know that San Francisco has the most hills above a 20% grade than any other city in the United States? You probably didn't because I just made that up. But seriously, SF has a ton of hills and they make my legs sore and I sweat a lot anywhere that I walk. It is a good exercise though!!! Anyways, enough about the hills!

I'm having a great time here and I am truly learning more about becoming an educator and the adventure that lies ahead this spring with student teaching. I have learned that if the students know that you care about them and that you expect great things of them they will strive to impress you and want to exceed your expectations. Some of my students in the first grade at Rosa Parks Elementary School are not motivated in the correct way and this eats at me because I know what they are capable of and they aren't reaching their goals. So, during my remaining time here I am going to try to find a way to motivate each of my students that are underachieving and get them to realize they are brilliant and can learn!! I know this may sound like some far-fetched goal but I truly believe that it is possible because first graders can adapt to just about anything! 

I have found that Mr. Martling's class is very unique and culture filled. We have about 10 different races in our class. Over the past few days I have had many different occurrences happen in the classroom. Kevin wasn't feeling well and threw-up all over himself. Kaden was conversing with me and her front tooth literally fell out of her mouth as she was talking. Bhaaddin and Kino decided to play in wet paint during morning recess. Ibrahim's lunch got stollen which might as well been the end of the world. And Harun didn't quite make it to the bathroom once and had to change his pants. To say the least 1st grade is an exciting class, and I have prayed to God that He increases my patience! 

So, as you can tell SF has had its ups and downs during this past week but the ups outweigh the downs. As I go into the second half of this week I realize that I only have 10ish days to make an impact on these children. I am going to go in everyday trying to not only make each student a better learner but also make them smile and realize that learning can take them anywhere (as cliche as that sounds). 

Thanks for reading!

Travis

San Fran is Lovely!

Hello to all!

Today was our only Monday left to teach because the next two Mondays are no school days. Although that might seem exciting, it's actually sad because already, the time is flying by here! We are in our second week and have so many experiences and sightseeing under our belt.

Focusing on our weekend highlights, group trips to Alcatraz, Alamo Park, Haight-Ashbury, the Ferry Boats, the Fisherman's Wharf, China Town's "House of Nanking" (thanks to Liz!), and North Beach Pizza were prime for bonding and a release from school all week. After hitting a few bumps in the road with the bus system, I think we may have actually gotten the hang of it finally!

My favorite place to visit thus far was Haight-Ashbury, the historic "Hippie" town. Though the streets are lined with new stores, there is also a mixture of vintage shops, small grocery stores, and I'm sure delicious restaurants!

And of course, the other favorite was Alamo Park which holds the wonderful "Full House" outside scenery! The group loved taking pictures of the "Painted Ladies" (the name the group of houses is referred to as) and enjoying the BEAUTIFUL sunshine that we are so fortunate to have in January, if you weren't aware :)

Enjoy the rest of our adventures through our class blog!
--Alexa Foster

First Week!

The first post of the trip! Wow, so much to update on.  This week has included a lot of orientation---orientation to our new living situations, the city of San Francisco, and most importantly our schools.  After a few minor mishaps (think an address mistake and 10 city blocks of walking) we got our school placements.  Rosa Parks Elementary in Japantown for the elementary folks and Everett Middle School in the Mission District for the secondary.

Although I taught in "inner-city" Spokane at Lewis and Clark High School, the inner-city schools here are completely different worlds.  For example, security guards flock the halls, doors to the schools stay locked most of the time, and red or blue clothes are forbidden due to their gang association.

Overall the vibes in the school is a lot different with more diversity and Spanish is spoken all around me.  The teachers and staff have been so welcoming and I have felt like I am very valued in the classroom right away.

It has been fun getting to know the city and I have taken a couple of bus rides by myself---I'm proud that I can negotiate the city by myself if need be!  Dolores Park is a beautiful hipster hangout near Everett and a stop at Bi-Rate Ice Cream is a perfect way to spend the afternoon.  We also got to see the "Painted Ladies", a row of famous colorful townhouses that are known for being in the background of the Full House show's opening scenes.

Me, Danielle and Elizabeth S. also went on the most beautiful sunset run along Fishermen's Wharf, complete with views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge!