Pomp and Circumstance

You are cordially invited...

The Trustees, the Chancellor, and the Faculty
of the
University of Arkansas
J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
announce that
Gloria Brown
is a candidate for the degree of
Bachelor of Music
in
Music Education
Saturday, May twelfth
Two Thousand Seven
at one o’clock in the afternoon
Bud Walton Arena

I made them cry!

Some of you may have noticed that the address for my blog is "don't make them cry." I have been trying to live up to that for the entire length of my internship. However, some goals are never reached. I made someone cry yesterday.

But it really wasn't my fault. The third grader had been sick and wasn't feeling good in the first place. But she didn't want to play her recorder; let me revise: she just wanted to sit in class and do nothing. And I wasn't about to let her do that. Come on, put the recorder on your chin and move your fingers. It's not hard! All the other kids in class are doing it. She just really made me a little mad, and when I wouldn't let her slack off, out came the tears. I almost laughed! Apparently, that works on her mom and dad, but she hasn't faced Miss Brown yet! Let's just say she did play her recorder for the remainder of class, and she was assigned to be the first one to play on the test next week (insert evil laugh here!).

I promise I am a really nice teacher and students really do like me. It just really irritates me when a student who can do something doesn't want to do for no good reason. All I ask is that you try. It's not a hard concept, and she'll thank me someday. Have a great weekend!

I LOVE GOING FAST!

Well, since the time is approaching when I will no longer be a student at the U of A and I will loose all my privileges that I receive as a student (free e-mail and internet, etc.), I decided to make a grown-up purchase. I finally am now connected to the world of high speed internet. It's amazing! I no longer have to hear that horrible noise when I connect to the internet (yes, I have been blogging to you on an ancient dial up connection!). I love that as soon as I open my computer, BAM, I'm surfin' the net with not a care in the world. So, welcome me to the fast lane!

I also received my final scores from my Praxis I test that I took a few weeks ago. As I told you early, I knew I passed two of the three modules but had to wait for the scores for the writing section. Needless to say, I passed... with flying colors! All three sections were scored out of 190 points. My lowest score was 180, and my highest was 184 (that was in math, which I haven't actually had to do for real since 1995!). GO ME!

I'd like to teach the world to sing...

But that's really hard to do when your voice no longer works! I am struggling with my annual bout of laryngitis right now. Not the most opportune moment when you think that I am now teaching all the classes for Tami. Ugh! This sucks!

Alright, enough complaining. I was cornered twice today. Tami asked me if I was given the opportunity, what would I choose: elementary or middle school. I really don't know what I would pick. I've always said I wanted to teach elementary, but after working with middle school for the first part of my internship, I may be changing my mind. The little ones require so much energy, and I have to be constantly on my toes dealing with all these problems that maturity takes care of (like Billy wasn't exactly behind the line when we started our game...). Someone else asked me later that afternoon which I would prefer. Honestly, if I'm offered two positions, one in elementary and one in middle school, I would really have to think about it and take in to consideration the school district, the location, the other teachers, and, of course, the salary. I guess I've got some thinking to do...

I need everyone to pray. I really need a teaching job, I really need to pass all my Praxis II exams on the first try, and I have no choice but to start searching for a summer job. PRAY! PLEASE!

Anyway, here are a few pics from last week. I was able to teach the first and second graders last week. And Jami, I miss you too!

(Teaching second grade the lines and spaces of the Treble Clef)

(It's the Note Name Showdown!)

(Learning motions to "Going Over the Sea")

Let's give 'em something to talk about...

YEAH! SANJAYA IS GONE!!!

I really don't have much to post this week. It's been kind of boring around my world. There's been testing going on again, so I handled all the first and second graders this week. Nothing too out of the ordinary there. I did somehow manage to pick up a cold this week. There's nothing worse than a warm weather cold.

I did participate in the Race for the Cure today. It was really fun. I was on the "Thompson Team" again this year. June Thompson is a survivor since December 2000, and always has this great team participate in the race. This was my second year to be involved. It's always so much fun, and you can get all these great treats and coupons afterward. I was a little wiped out after wards though, with my cold and everything, so I went back to the homestead. I was supposed to go to this workshop on "play parties" but figured that by the time I finally got to the workshop, more than half the information would have been given out. Oh well.

I'll have some pictures to post from the Race for the Cure later!

What's this world coming too?

As I'm sure all of you have heard, Virginia Tech suffered an unbearable tragedy today. So many people senselessly lost their lives today. So many families have been ripped apart by the actions of one deranged individual. My heart goes out to all the people who have been touched by this tragedy.

I am fortunate to say that I am not part of one of those families dealing with the loss of a loved one. I have a cousin who lives in the Ambler Johnston residence hall, so we were all breathing a sigh of relief when she was finally able to make contact with her family. I'm sure a lot of people were feeling the same amount of relief that we felt today. But sadly, there are an unthinkable amount of families dealing with this horrible and vicious act of terrorism against our students. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

It's Like Riding A Bike!

This week has been all me for the first grade classes. I was a little intimidated coming into this part of the internship, not because of the kids, but because I haven't worked with Tami before. Since I've worked with this age group, I kind of knew what to expect from them. I've had fun this week. I decided what I was going to do with them last week, and Tami and I went over it to make sure there wasn't something I was leaving out. Yesterday was my first day in front of the group, so I knew my lesson would be rough. Today, however, I got my bearings. I was able to think on my feet, and I even came up with some great ways to get the kids to do what I wanted them to do, as well as learn a few concepts in the process. And it's only Tuesday...

I need a job!

I really hate filling out all these applications for teaching positions. They all ask basically the same thing. Why can't there be a giant database where you go and complete one application that can be used for applying for all positions in the state of Arkansas? Wouldn't that make sense?

Alright, so start praying for me. I'm sending in applications to some of the bigger school districts this week. I would really love to have a job before I graduate! Anyone got any leads on an elementary music teacher position?

Money makes the world go 'round.

Over the last few days, I've made some startling observations. The school where I was previously placed falls into the socioeconomic realm of the upper-middle class. A lot of the parents were executives or some type of upper level income with a higher education degree or two under their belt. The household usually has two parents with a good amount of mothers stay-at-home moms by choice. This type of family leads to well groomed, well mannered children with cell phones, laptops, and Nintendo Wii.

At my new placement, the students don't have these advantages. The community is probably considered lower-middle class or even at or below the poverty level. Both parents are probably working full time jobs in workplaces where degrees aren't required, if they are working and not on welfare. The students are lucky if one parent is home, let alone both. Students go home with backpacks full of food and clothes provided from the school and community. There are also a lot more noticeable cases of lower intelligence, ADHD, and other behavioral problems, as well as a higher case of students classified into the Special Education system.

I was talking with mom about a couple of these students. Since she is a K-2 Special Education teacher in a rural school district, I knew she would have some sound words of advice. She was in complete agreement over these observations I had made and had noticed the same things with her students. As we were talking, one student I had met earlier this week came to mind. He really touched my heart. I noticed that he was clearly a student with some sort of disability. I assumed this was a birth defect, but while talking with Tami about him, I found out that he was shaken as a baby and given severe brain damage by his parent. This really broke my heart; this student was trying so hard to do simple tasks, while several of his co-students were slacking off and not even trying. He wanted so much to please Tami. I just really hate this kind of torture that parents put their children through when it is completely avoidable.

Not only are the students completely different, the buildings where learning occurs are different as well. My first school district has the highest paid teachers in the state, with masters and doctorate degrees and National Board Certification. My current placement is lucky if their teachers are certified. These observations are only from the first four days at my new school. Isn't is amazing what money and privilege can provide to those who have it?

Do you know anyone famous?

Today was the most eventful day at Farmington. The morning classes went according to plan. Nothing was out of the ordinary with the first and second grade. The fourth grade went well, but this class started noticing that I was in the room. All the classes up until now had acknowledged I was there and then proceeded to forget about me.

Today changed that. After this fourth grade class, the third graders were just plain nosey! Who are you, why are you here, are you going to be our new music teacher, and so on. I even had one kid ask me who I knew that was famous. I really didn't understand his question until I asked him who he was asking about. When he asked if I knew Darren McFadden, I understood. He was a Razorback football fan, and since I went to school at the U of A, I might know him. I told him that I knew Marcus Monk and had worked with several other football players, as well as Stephen Hill from the basketball team. His eyes were huge! I think I have a fan now. If I could only remember that student's name...

All I need to know in life, I learned from my cat...

I love being a teacher. It's, what, my second day at Farmington, and already we have gotten out early! Because of some kind of program at the high school, the entire district was out at 1:00 PM today. It was beautiful!

On another note, my poor cat Oliver has a rough life. All last week through Sunday afternoon, Oliver was terrorized by Braden. Braden loves cats, but Oliver doesn't like children, so it's a little crazy when they are together. Anyway, since Braden left my apartment Sunday afternoon, Oliver has been in one spot: asleep on my chair! I think he's trying to sleep his life away.

I'm now a Cardinal.

Today was my first day at Farmington. It is a much smaller school district than the one in which I was originally placed. I am working with first through fourth grades. After working with middle schoolers who are much taller than I am, I forgot how little first graders can be. I was pleasantly surprised this morning when a girl in my children's choir at church walked into the music room. She's a sweetie!

I am excited about working with a wider age group. First graders are completely different than fourth graders. And the lessons they will be taught are completely different as well. I am also going to enjoy the commute a whole lot more. I was able to leave my house at 7:30 this morning and make it to my first school in less than 10 minutes. And I was home by 3:30 this afternoon! Amazing!

My new mentor teacher, Tami, is really fun too. She's probably my age, and I really think that we are going to get along smashingly. She's very laid back and doesn't let a lot of things bother her. I guess we'll see how things go.

On the other hand, Rachel did call me and tell me how much I was missed at Spring Hill. Hmm, could this be the beginnings of some sort of job Mrs. Cornett? Could you maybe pull those magic strings you use on the administration and work something out for me? After that article in the Democrat-Gazette yesterday, every educator in the state will want to work for the Bentonville School District!

I have some cute nephews!

Since I spent Spring Break at my parent's house, I got to spend a lot of time with my nephews. Here are a few of the best shots I got this week.

(Landon is one of the sweetest babies!)

(Braden travelled to Fayetteville to visit me!)

(This baby looks good in Razorback Red!)

(Braden ran Dad ragged all week long.)

(Does this baby have red hair?)

Bye Bye Do

This weekend has been a little crazy. Since mom was on Spring Break, she came to Fayetteville with me on Friday to have a little away time. I met my new teacher Friday afternoon and took my Praxis on Saturday.

Dad arrived Saturday afternoon and brought Braden with him. It was Braden's first big away trip without Jonathan and Melanie! He was, shall we say, into everything. He found things in my house I thought I had lost forever. Mom and dad wanted to get Braden some new shoes, so Saturday night we headed to Target. Braden loved his new shoes so much!

Sunday was a little crazy too. Since it was Missions Sunday at the church, all the kiddos performed. And since Braden was in the nursery, he got to perform too!

My children's choir also performed on Sunday and did a great job. I was so proud of them.

After church, mom, dad, Braden, and I headed to the Catfish Hole for lunch. After a quick nap, they decided to head home. Since Braden can't quite say my name, he calls me Do (like do, re, mi), short for Glo, which for some unknown reason to me my family still calls me. Anyway, as we were walking to the car, Braden looked up at me and said, "Bye, bye Do." It was all I needed!