The end of school was... the end of school: hectic, filled with packing and wrapping everything up for the semester. A's and Aces was a little rough because the school I work at was always having breaks. Their schedule also changed so I didn't get them until 4:30 which involves getting home around 6:30-7:00 p.m. if you stay for after school programming. Obviously, this made attendance an issue. Regardless, I had my ups and downs with my class. They never cease to surprise me with new slang terms and bad behavior, but I know how much they appreciate that I'm there so I can't help but love being one of their teachers.
Because of A's and Aces, I've seen what it's really like in New Orleans public schools, and how forgotten these kids are in our society. Detentions non-stop, parents that don't care, thinking lil' Wayne lyrics are okay to sing as a 10 year old, it all adds up to make kids who are somehow fearless of consequences and an inability to see how important it is to get an education.
I have learned so much about myself and teaching through my work with A's and Aces and it has made me realize how under appreciated teachers are. With the hour and a half I'm there, I am completely drained by the end and can only hold on to the small hope that they might've learned something that day. I think the most redeeming part is when they write in their journals about the things they like about A's and Aces and their coaches. They all complain if they don't get picked to go outside first, but they secretly love the activities I do with them inside so after the first 2 minutes of complaining, they're usually happy as can be. I have been working to consolidate all of the fun activities and projects I've come up with so that when I have to leave, someone else can use my ideas and make them even better. With only one year left at Tulane, I want to help out as much as possible. My bosses are incredible and work so hard to make A's and Aces succeed and grow, I am excited to see where it will be in a few years!
Packing was terrible (as usual) and thank goodness I have awesome friends to help me! It is crazy how much stuff accumulates throughout the year and packing took a solid two days to finish. It was such a relief when I was finally heading out of NOLA.
Next year, I'm finally moving off campus! Aubrey and I got pretty lucky finding a place after looking at, what seemed like, a hundred downers. It's not too close, but not too far from campus with a washer and dryer, and a free parking space -- no complaints here! Even with buying furniture, electricity and paying rent for a year, it will be cheaper than living on campus. I am really excited to have a nice little place to relax at!
I was able to go garage sale shopping twice before leaving to get some things for the apartment next year, thanks Megan! I look forward to continue my bargain streak when I return in the Fall :) It was super convenient that the girls we're taking the apartment over for wanted to leave the majority of their stuff and sell it to us. That certainly took the pressure off when I knew I'd be leaving school way before we could move in! I am really lucky that Aubs can help move us in before she heads over for an internship in Oregon and then I can finish it before she gets back from Alaska in August!
My drive back to NY was thankfully problem free and I love that I get to visit my sister (and hopefully brother on the way back) when I road trip home. We did our typical things - eating out, watching tv, sleeping in and playing with the kids and her new kittens! It was a much needed break/down time after the hectic move out. I decided to take a detour on my second leg of the trip to see Ash-girl once more and was glad that Jenna could make it too :) I love that throughout college, I have met so many wonderful people! Hopefully after graduation, I can visit Ash in Zimbabwe and see her in her real element! I've heard way too many stories to not go and see what it's like. I'm guessing a future project will be heading to Zimbabwe ;).
I know that this week at home is going to be gone in the blink of an eye, but I'm excited to see friends and family <3
Because of A's and Aces, I've seen what it's really like in New Orleans public schools, and how forgotten these kids are in our society. Detentions non-stop, parents that don't care, thinking lil' Wayne lyrics are okay to sing as a 10 year old, it all adds up to make kids who are somehow fearless of consequences and an inability to see how important it is to get an education.
I have learned so much about myself and teaching through my work with A's and Aces and it has made me realize how under appreciated teachers are. With the hour and a half I'm there, I am completely drained by the end and can only hold on to the small hope that they might've learned something that day. I think the most redeeming part is when they write in their journals about the things they like about A's and Aces and their coaches. They all complain if they don't get picked to go outside first, but they secretly love the activities I do with them inside so after the first 2 minutes of complaining, they're usually happy as can be. I have been working to consolidate all of the fun activities and projects I've come up with so that when I have to leave, someone else can use my ideas and make them even better. With only one year left at Tulane, I want to help out as much as possible. My bosses are incredible and work so hard to make A's and Aces succeed and grow, I am excited to see where it will be in a few years!
Packing was terrible (as usual) and thank goodness I have awesome friends to help me! It is crazy how much stuff accumulates throughout the year and packing took a solid two days to finish. It was such a relief when I was finally heading out of NOLA.
Next year, I'm finally moving off campus! Aubrey and I got pretty lucky finding a place after looking at, what seemed like, a hundred downers. It's not too close, but not too far from campus with a washer and dryer, and a free parking space -- no complaints here! Even with buying furniture, electricity and paying rent for a year, it will be cheaper than living on campus. I am really excited to have a nice little place to relax at!
I was able to go garage sale shopping twice before leaving to get some things for the apartment next year, thanks Megan! I look forward to continue my bargain streak when I return in the Fall :) It was super convenient that the girls we're taking the apartment over for wanted to leave the majority of their stuff and sell it to us. That certainly took the pressure off when I knew I'd be leaving school way before we could move in! I am really lucky that Aubs can help move us in before she heads over for an internship in Oregon and then I can finish it before she gets back from Alaska in August!
My drive back to NY was thankfully problem free and I love that I get to visit my sister (and hopefully brother on the way back) when I road trip home. We did our typical things - eating out, watching tv, sleeping in and playing with the kids and her new kittens! It was a much needed break/down time after the hectic move out. I decided to take a detour on my second leg of the trip to see Ash-girl once more and was glad that Jenna could make it too :) I love that throughout college, I have met so many wonderful people! Hopefully after graduation, I can visit Ash in Zimbabwe and see her in her real element! I've heard way too many stories to not go and see what it's like. I'm guessing a future project will be heading to Zimbabwe ;).
I know that this week at home is going to be gone in the blink of an eye, but I'm excited to see friends and family <3
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