So Much to Say, So Little Time

In the last two weeks since my most recent post, everything in my classrooms and my personal life has continued to improve. I am daily amazed by the energy and grace I know feel to give just a little bit more to my teaching. Since we returned from winter vacation in January, I have tried my best to get to school extra early in an attempt to stay on top of my preparation for the day. This little change has made a world of difference and I believe my students have even noticed how much more energized and positive I have recently been. My intermediate/advanced students continue to embrace the reading program and procedures I have established for them, while my beginners continue to improve their behavior and focus. I have been very diligent to write names on the board in this class to recognize the "star students" and also warn the "section sheet" students that their homeroom teacher will soon be returning to teach them a lesson. I have even recently asked my principal for more professional development opportunities, especially related to phonics instruction, and even requested supplies for my classroom library.
In other news, I had the pleasure of meeting two delightful young ladies you love to sing. They are both students at my school but not in any of my classes. One of their teachers told the younger of the two sisters to come talk to me about singing one day and, after hearing her lovely but untrained voice, I asked this young lady if she would like the opportunity to join a real choir. I then contacted several choirmasters in Manhattan. Preston Smith, the director of the children's Choristers at St. Bartholomew's, was the first to get back to me, so on Friday last this sixth grade student, her seventh grade sister, and I traveled downtown for an audition. Both girls were invited to join the choir which sings every Sunday and participates in various festivals and trips. The girls were ecstatic and when I talked to their father that evening he was overjoyed by this opportunity. As long as he is supportive of the girls and helps them get to rehearsals regularly, this will be a great way for these two young ladies to learn music and have a positive influence in their lives.
I have told a few people that I finally really do remember why I joined Teach For America and signed up for this whole thing. I won't deny that there are still some very difficult moments and, overall, teaching is a ton of work, but I am now pleased to say that I am happy to go to work and I think that maybe, just maybe I am making a difference in some of my students lives.
I must also say that something very unexpected, yet extremely wonderful has recently developed in my personal life. I am happy to make it known that I am now dating a wonderful man, my good friend from Baylor, Musheer Kamau. Musheer was the operating officer and the brains behind The Pulse, for which I was the chief editor and loved every minute. I have long admired him from afar for his intelligence, his dedication, and, more than anything else, his great kindness and generosity. Musheer is from the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago and is currently studying economics and development at the Fletcher School of Tufts University in Boston. He is also an organist and works for a church here playing Saturday and Sunday mass as well as assisting with the choir and other music functions. Musheer and I plan to see each other probably every other week and, of course, wholly enjoy the process of getting to know each other better.
As the title of this entry implies, there is so much going on in my life right now that it is hard to even share it all. I will write again soon and share all this good news I have as I know that we should all rejoice in the blessings we receive.