After
another amazing week of school I am experiencing the ever-present challenge of
keeping up with the meaningful moments. I have decided to take notes and post them
as the start to my blogging discipline.
Samuel
You know the “Adopt a Freshman”? I want to be adopted. : )
Julie
“I said a whole sentence in French yesterday: <<Montez la tente Mademoiselle.>> We are ready to go camping now!.
Noël
Taking out his conversation card he commented: “This
is stupid”. Just a few minutes later, he was a superstar, participating in
conversations, volunteering, going above and beyond to practice. Friday he asked to go to the WC in French
without hesitating. Seeing a shift from dread to joy is why I teach.
René F
Showing initiative by making up work during lunch is
so nice for me to see, students who are motivated and really care. He wants to go to CNM and get caught up on all
classes. He was so focused and positive. Learning about students and their
goals helps me see them in a new light, a more meaningful one. They are all so amazing.
Yves
How nice it was to chat with him when he checked in to
see about make up work after coming in late to class. He is happy to be staying
in French. I am so happy as well, especially after I refused to sign his
transfer form.
Marty
wall connection – Yes we did learn each others’ names.
Learning about him wanting his
son to coach football was exciting and special. To see
his enthusiasm while talking about his son going back to school it was
inspiring to see a father’s pride.
Bruno
Another wall connection. He stopped to help me with
the hose as I was getting it to wash off the wall. He introduced himself as Sue’s
husband. He shared how had great conversations with kids at the Wall. He was surprised
at how meaningful they were since it is his first time working with HS students.
“It’s good to be here.”
Isabelle
“Just imagine that you wanted to write something on
the sidewalk to inspire someone. What
would you want to share? Just pretend.” She
wanted to put it where all could see it. She was so excited to write again on
Friday. Watching Isabelle go from not
wanting to participate to writing “Ton coeura vivra toujours” all over campus,
even putting it in English too is why I teach.
Léo
How awesome to get to know new students and what they
think about life. “I wrote 3 quotes, not
just one. You have to go down and read them. I put my initials on them”
Bruno
Giving students the opportunity to choose a new
identity really does work, every time!
After two weeks of class, a student who came in week two who was sitting
with another new student, told me “We need French names.” I had forgotten that I had so many students
add to my classes that I ran out of name pages.
Once I gave them the list, it was fun to watch them choose their
favorites and reflect on the ones they wanted based on how they sounded. So curious and enthusiastic Bruno is constantly
asking how to say things and practicing everything I say. He is even teaching himself Russian at home. To see such motivation and interest…this is
why I teach.
Mr. Landis
The activities director came in and started talking to
my class in French. He stopped by to
tell us about the power outage and then say that so many kids were coming to
him about our “Adopt a Freshman” project that he wanted more information! Yeah!
Our strategy to get everyone curious is working!
In the end, he came up with “…Mon petit chou” which
made my class laugh because it is a conversational expression that my class
learned last year. How many languages
use “my little cream puff/cabbage” as a term of endearment? And people wonder why I love French so much!
Keep practicing Mr. L and your three years of high school French will
come flooding back!
Beautiful girl on the stairs
Stand strong.
Turn tears into freedom from uncertainty
Break from the past and those who may not appreciate
you for ALL that you ARE.
Create the space for people to come into your life who
really SEE you and your beauty and intelligence.
You are amazing!
Come talk to me!
Olivette
What an honor to be a “second mom”. I get to have a
daughter after all!
Je t’aime ma puce.
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