If you make the correct decisions, you can sit back, relax, and really enjoy the rest of your life. Most people have never had the experience of winning the lottery and probably never will. Millions refuse to buy a lottery ticket, and their chances of winning, of course, are nil. Millions of others buy tickets every week or on a less frequent basis, and their chances of winning are almost nil. Yet, we refuse to let the dream go, the dream of one day getting everything we ever wanted.

Growing up my father bought the lotto everyday in the hopes of providing everything for his children and getting the chance to fulfill his every dream. As a child my imagination would run wild conceiving all the possible toys and “stuff” I could have, whereas now, the idea of winning the jackpot leads to thoughts of college loans, a house, security.

Nevertheless, although the way we spend the money may change, the thrill and rush of winning the lottery is as vivid as in our childhood and as genuine as a parent wanting what’s best for their children.

This concept is too real for me at the moment…

For years I’ve always considered myself as someone who can handle anything and do it gracefully. However, this school year has me doubting myself. I knew ahead of time that my schedule would be crazy and intense but I thought just like in the past that I was more than OK to handle what was put infront me.

This is my second year as a FACS teacher, but my first year being a freshman advisor and co-advisor for student government. I also created three new courses and am constantly doing work for these new classes. I coach soccer for a travel team weekly and have a engagement party and wedding to  plan for. Nevertheless, two graduate classes that I am taking. I’ve always been a good student but I’m telling you, this statistics class will be the end of me!! It makes me feel as if I sinking and there is no point in return. Just when I think that YES I can handle this all I sit in my statistics class Thursday nights and it all sinks in. As I become lost in each slide that the professor presents, all my other committments creep into my head. I should have done this! OR, I need to do this! and Boy, am I tired!!

And any free second that I get I want to spend sleeping! Its hard to balance everything and still manage to keep your social life or love life afloat. I’m trying and thats all I guess I can give myself credit for. I may falter every now and then but I keep pushing through.

All I need to think is that by this summer this will all be over and I will have graduated from Queens and that all these struggles I have dealt with this year will become less and less next year.

Is it June yet??

e·lu·sive

When I heard the word elusive, I automatically think of  something out of my grasp. Something far fetched or difficult to obtain. Although some of my goals seem harder than others, I feel that no realistic goal is unattainable. Knowing ahead of time the criteria of what it takes to accomplish your goal creates a time frame and steps to follow. Yes there are bumps along the way, but if you are dedicated and willing to work hard, its possible to follow through.

Nowadays the universal language, commonly used by all is the language and usage of technology. Despite one’s background or demographic, students gravitate and understand the medium of technology.  Whether it’s a PowerPoint, or movie, or an application on an iPad or iPhone, students find learning more attainable and understandable through the use of technology. Although we are a class that relies heavily on hands on learning, using technology such as Edmoto or Learnedness as communication forums only reinforces the information discussed in class. Being current and up to date with what our students are interested in allows us to keep them focused and driven. Textbook work is a lost cause, however, if the same information were accessed from online, your students are back on track. We live in a time were technology has overcome all other alternatives and we either jump on board or we get lost in the shuffle.

Growing up, I went to several schools. My parents divorced and remarried and I went from town to town, making new friends and losing old ones. It wasn’t until I finally moved to Valley Stream when I felt at home. Although I didn’t know anyone, I was excited to finally have a place to call home; a place to say was mine. My school ranged from seventh to twelfth grade in one building. It could be overwhelming for an incoming seventh grader to be exposed to so many ages at once. However, the building was small, and within weeks, you knew everyone in your grade, if not the school.

Throughout elementary school I never had a favorite subject, not until my seventh grade social studies class with Mr. Moniaci. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was both our first year at the school. He was full of energy and was passionate about this field; his passion invigorated his students. It is this type of passion that fuels students to learn. His drive and love for history influenced me to work harder, study hardier, and push myself to become what I always wanted to be, a teacher.

Mr. Moniaci, although stern and quirky in his own way always had control of his classroom and the respect of his students. His presence and knowledge superseded anything else. His opinion provided us with insight beyond our years and his relationships with students were based on trust and admiration. I took two more classes with “Mr. Mo” throughout my years at Valley Stream North, and although I have since long gone, his compassion and determination are characteristics I hope to convey to my own students.

Let me preface my idea with a personal experience as a way to further elaborate the basis of the book…

As a six-year-old in a new school, I felt like an outcast. Not because I didn’t know anyone but because I was unable to fully understand everything that was going on around me. I spent my days at school, doing my work and keeping to myself, and my nights at home with my family. We ate as a family, went out as a family and above all, understood one another. Until that year, I always felt I lived an ordinary life with my family or that I was “normal.”  I would have never thought that speaking Spanish would ever be considered out of the norm.

However that year, my perception was changed. I no longer felt “ordinary” and began having less confidence in myself. Every day, precisely after lunch, a young woman would lightly knock on the door and ask for me. At first I thought I was getting into trouble, as did the rest of the class by the faint ‘Ooh’s” I heard in the background as I got up. But I was actually getting help with my language skills in an ESL class.

The woman at the door with her pastel sweaters and long flowing hair was not a disciplinarian but rather a caring woman with a fondness for teaching and determination to help her students succeed. Through these individual sessions and her drive, I was able to learn English at my own pace. I finally began to enjoy being in school and was proud of myself for being able to complete the activities and tasks that were asked of me. I could carry on conversations with my fellow classmates and not feel awkward or embarrassed by my previous language barrier. I was able to fully adjust to my new environment. Even at home, my parents and I began to learn from my one another.  I had crossed the cultural divide.

I remember my mother being hesitant about allowing me to take part in this special program. I believe that because, at the time, she may have not known the English language so she was skeptical, maybe even a little afraid of what exactly the class was about. What if she was being judged or I was being singled out? However, as time went by and I could explain what the classes
consisted of, as well as express my enthusiasm for what I was learning, she understood the importance of such a program. Working with an individual who is as excited about what you are learning as you are, made all the difference. In one instance, I sat in a classroom with various crayons before me, and I recall vividly the moment I could say their names and explain why green was favorite color. My face lit up knowing that I was speaking like my other classmates and I was even more amazed that I understood what I was saying. It may have also been the push my mother needed to take ESL classes herself at the local high
school. We were learning together; a process that only made our family stronger and enabled us to assimilate without being self-conscious of our incapability’s or differences.

And although I was born in this country, it was not until I learned the language that I truly felt American. Therefore, being able to understand and speak this language could be a unifying element within our country. Hispanic immigrants realize this particular notion, to them, becoming English speaking is the same as becoming American. English is not just a vehicle for communication; it is the social and political markers of affiliation and belonging and with their best intentions try to arrive to this conclusion. But learning English is not so easy and immigrants are surprised and often discouraged by the contradictory
pressures to become English speaking and the many roadblocks and barriers they discover and had previously explained in order to be fluent in our language.

Being able to have experienced this and as a teacher and coach, I see the impact and importance of such a class. I sit back and watch as the student faces light up. They are truly devoted to their mission and to the betterment to themselves, their lives and their futures. I would love to write a book speaking on the behalf of English Language Learners. It has been a topic near and dear to me. I think ELL are often overlooked and have a lot to say. A book gives them a voice and allows students and educators a chance to truly see through their eyes.

Have you heard of these?

• YES, and if you haven’t, you should familiarize yourself with it. Especially, if you are a teacher or wish to become one.

What do you know? What should teachers know?

• These Common Core Standards will be a critical first step to bring about real and meaningful transformation of our education system to benefit all students.
• The Common Core Standards help define  the knowledge and skills all students need to succeed in college and careers
• Expectations will be consistent for all students.
• AAPR:  An education law that requires a new performance evaluation system for classroom teachers and building principals. New York State will implement a statewide comprehensive evaluation system for school districts and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES). The evaluation system is designed to measure teacher and principal effectiveness based on performance, including measures of student achievement and evidence of educator effectiveness in meeting New York State teacher or school leader standards.

My opinion as to why WE SHOULD have a teacher evaluation…

• To know what is going on in the classroom.
• To determine the teacher’s abilities.
• To measure the teacher’s effectiveness.
• To make the teacher accountable.
• To measure progress or regression.
• To foster competency in the teacher.
• To lay the groundwork for removing the incompetent.
• To emphasize a particular educational thrust or direction.
• To correct a problem.

This is a powerful question most of us ask ourselves at some point in life. What is it that I should do with my life? What is my purpose in life, my passion? What gives us our drive and will power to push forward?

Passion is an emotion that represents exceptionally strong feelings a person experiences from many sources. These sources are can be food preferences, literary choice, music style, emotional events, and/or intellectual focus. My passions define me. Passion is not only a physical but an emotional energy that sustains us. As I ready myself for a life of vibrant self-determination in the pursuit of my passionate visions, I shall always remember: The world needs dreamers. And, the world needs doers, but what theworld needs most of all are dreamers who can do. And, that takes passion!

This was written to me, four years ago on the day of my father’s funeral, by a teacher I had in high school years prior.

“In the coming months there will be a flood of emotions that you will and should feel (whether you like it or not). There is the heartbreaking pain of this loss and the sadness that seems to never end. There is the intense anger at the injustice of it all – how unfair this all seems. But finally, after all of those bad feelings that will eventually fade, after all of that, you are left with the great love that you and your father had for each other and that will never diminish. It will be strong forever. There are many things I question, but the love in your heart is not one of them. Hold onto it, cherish it and use it to bring you the joy you deserve.”

To this day, I look at this card, and although it opens up emotional wounds, I find reassurance in her words. Knowing that God only gives you what you can handle, allows me to feel confident that I can move forward and discover who I am and what I want to do with my life, despite numerous hardships and sorrows I’ve encountered.

However, if you were to ask me if I believed in this ideal eight years ago you would have received a very different response. I was barely thirteen, and was dealt one of my hardest blows. For years I cared for my younger brother. He was only eight days old when my mother suffered a severe stroke that left her permanently disabled. I was hardly an adult, but quickly becoming one. Throughout high school, I felt overwhelmed and flustered. I was grappling with issues that seemed out of my realm, but developed into a woman that could handle many responsibilities and remain focused. I went to school; received good grades, worked and maintained friendships that are stronger than ever. Nevertheless, I would have never made it through without the guidance and push from particular individuals in my life.

Yet, one wonders what makes a person who they are? Are they influenced by their society or the culture they’ve been brought up with? Does their family play a large role or do they base there ideals on philosophers from hundreds of years ago, or, rather, from a teacher from their passing years of school? I’d like to believe that all of these options, in some way, shape a person. Mrs. Palazzo, my high school Family and Consumer Science teacher exemplified how my opinion mattered and how being well informed was the key to our future. She explained that truth was important, and that being strong and willing to work hard makes all the difference.

My father and Mrs. Palazzo helped create the building blocks to the foundation of my life. Just as they assisted me in learning about myself and the world around me, I want to assist others in finding themselves and to not to be easily discouraged by any struggles along the way. While certain occurrences may seem unbearable and never-ending, with the help of others and time, anything is possible.

Therefore, by pursing a teaching career in Family and Consumer Science, I know I could become that strong leader and compassionate educator that prepared me in my transition from adolescence to adulthood. With my early experiences and exposure to various educational and work environments, I believe I offer an alternate perspective and effective work ethic.