Pearl of the Week

My great friend (and fellow English teacher) Heather taught me the term "Pearl of the Day." She uses it in her room, but to me it means finding at least one thing that just makes your day.

Today I had a small moment, but it was good enough to be dubbed the Pearl of the Week because it warmed me heart so much.

Anyone who knows me would consider it an understatement for me to say I love my students. I mean, I REALLY LOVE my students. I genuinely care about them, want to know how they are doing, rejoice with them in triumph, and feel their pain when things are tough. This extends beyond my classroom walls. For the first time, I know students in all three grades. Lucky for me, the health teacher's classroom is at the end of the 6th grade hallway. Since health is a class required for everyone every year of middle school, I have the pleasure of seeing my former students (now in 7th and 8th grade) pass my door each day to go to health. Throughout the course of the year, I will have seen every single student I have taught since beginning of this teaching journey. I can catch a cool "Hey Ms. Walker" from Jimmy or Joey, slap Wyatt a quick high-five, smile as Maryknoll joyfully waves good morning, pat Lily on the back to tell her she did great on the morning announcements, and enjoy my daily dose of high pitched, joyful squealing when I see Annika turn the corner. Little do they know, that this is one of my most favorite times of the day. More than anything I just I want to grab them, hug them, have them tell me all about what is new with them... except that I have a class and they can't be late. So I dawn my brightest and cheeriest smile, wave furiously, and greet them as they pass my door.

But today, I had an interaction with one of my dearest former students that warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes.

Her name is Emma. She was a student in my class my very first year of teaching. She is one of those students that even when everything seems to be going to rot, kids are talking and not listening, and you feel like you are ineffective... you can look at Emma and she will be doing everything you've ever hoped a well-behaved, intelligent student would do. She is a BRILLIANT writer and worked the hardest I've ever seen a student because her goal since day one of walking into my room was "Ms. Walker, I want to be in GT." And by golly, that girl made it. She is sweet, kind, and her smile can light up the room. She also can sing like an angel. During my first year (and subsequent years) our team leader, Mr. Clifford, would joke around about the little "Mini Ms. Walkers" - the students he believed wanted to be me because they thought I was so cool. Emma was one of Mr. Clifford's "Mini Ms. Walkers"

On the last day of school that year, Emma brought me a letter she had written about all the things she loved from class and all the things she was looking forward to during the summer. Her mom sent me an email raving about how much Emma was sad to leave my class.

Today, I saw Emma before school started. She, being the amazing girl she is, was helping one of our volunteers deliver fundraising packets to teachers' rooms. She passed through my room, showed her big smile, and said, "Good Morning, Ms. Walker!!!" Of course, I smiled back and said "Good Morning" and continued preparing for the day.

About 5 minutes later she came back. She walked into my room and just stood there. I looked up from hole-punching papers and she looks at me with a tinge of sadness. This was our conversation
E: "Ms. Walker.... I really miss you."
M: "Aww... Emma I really miss you, too." (And I meant it) As a joke I say, "Are you sure you don't want to come back to 6th grade?"
E: "Oh no, I know I definitely want to come back to 6th grade."
(A pause... We smile at each other... I don't know what to say)
M: "Hey, Emma, are you going to do the play this year?"
E: "Ms. Walker, are YOU going to do the play this year?"
M: "Actually, yeah, I'm going to co-direct again... this time from the beginning!" (I chuckle)
E: "Then I am DEFINITELY doing the play." (she goes to leave)
M: "Have a great day, Emma."
E: "You, too, Ms. Walker"

I LOVE that girl. It got me thinking to what will happen next year when my babies will be moving on into high school. What will it be like to wonder/worry about them and not have tons of opportunities to see them? What is that like? How will I react? And then I got sad thinking about them moving on... so I stop thinking about it... but I think I will continue to ponder this all year because it is something new and unknown.

Until then, I will keep the pearls in my pockets for when my students don't listen or I don't feel like they are understanding me. Then, I can pull a pearl out of my pocket and remember that even when I don't feel at my best, I can still love them and make a difference. Thanks, Emma... I'll be tucking this pearl close to my heart.

Take a Time-Out Ms. Walker

Ok, I'm giving myself a time-out... a blogging time-out. I am so ready to blow my lid to the next person who BUGS me while I am trying to do work. This is the first Wednesday for the whole month of September where I don't have a meeting - you would think I could do some work... WRONG! School was out at 2:25... it is 3:05 and I have still accomplished nothing (yes, I know this blog is now adding to that... shhhhh). If one more person comes in here to bug about something that is not important... I WILL scream.

I just want to PLAN my lessons, GRADE my papers, and TEACH my students.... can't anyone see that? All of this logistical, bureaucratic, asinine BS that teachers have to deal with is enough to make you mad (in the crazy sense) and the number one reason why new teachers burn out in their first 2-5 years.... I'm in year 3 and trying to hold on.

Anyway, in my self-inflicted time-out, I have discovered some new things to help my reach calm and refocus. One is caffeine (mmmm) and the other is a not-so-new, but new-to-me thing of Podcasts. Now, I am new to discovering these, but ran across one that I am particularly enjoying. Some would say that I could listen to sermons, which would be a good idea for the exception of 2 things: 1) I hate talk radio, so I think I would hate talk-podcasts 2) I want something that can feed my raging emotions as well as be something I don't have to pay close attention to so that I can get some other work done.

The podcast I am most enjoying these days comes from NPR (I know SHOCK UPON SHOCK!!! Kelly would be so proud!!!) However, this is music through the vehicle of NPR. I found it on iTunes, it is free to download and listen to as well as subscribe to. It's called "NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered" There are tons of concerts that you can listen to for free. Currently my favorite is the broadcast of Nickel Creek from the 9:30 Club from 11/06/07. Chris Thile's magic fingers on his mandolin and Sara Watkins's soulful voice along with Shawn Watkins's incredible guitar riffs is enough to talk even the craziest of crazies off the ledge. (Aren't you so impressed with my picture?! I just learned how to make screenshots on my computer... Macs are so totally boss).


So thank you, NPR, for podcasting some great musicians for my free enjoyment. You may just have saved my colleagues and unbeknownst motorists from my rath. :)

Tuesday Tunes

In my entertainment world, perhaps the most exciting of the day of the week is Tuesday. Now, for you movie-buffs out there, you might say "But Meghan! How can you say that?! MOVIES come out in theaters on FRIDAYs!!!" Oh, Movie Buff, do you even know me? Do you know why Tuesday would be the best day of the week for me?! Tuesday is New Music day!!!

Music is my lifeblood. It courses through my veins in a way I cannot explain. It is how I relate to this world, and part of my ridiculous memory is intertwined in it. I think in lyrics, feel emotions in lyrics, and can explain my life through lyrics and melodies.

So, naturally, the most exciting day for me (entertainmently speaking) is Tuesday because that is the day of the week where new music comes out. In an attempt to keep myself bloggily responsible (are you liking these new words I'm inventing? I'll be calling Merriam Webster soon) I want to share some of my ideas about the new music released each Tuesday. Let's talk about this week's new releases that I'm excited about!

Released 9/16/2008:


"Thirteens" by Leona Naess
This is Leona's fourth album (my personal favorite is her self-titled, third album). Leona is a singer-song writer that hails from London, but now resides in NYC. She has an earthy, yet pure and honest sound. She is being compared to new up-and-coming artist Yael Naim and Lenka. She reminds me a little of Regina Spektor (without the crazy) and Feist. Leona first caught my attention with her song "Ballerina" that was featured in an episode of the show "Weeds". Come to find out later, she sang the harmony on one of my favorite Counting Crows' song "Black and Blue" from their album "Hard Candy." She has had other songs featured on shows/movies such as "The O.C" and "Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason." This new album excites me because it is her first release since 2003. To top it all off, Leona will be touring with Ray Lamontagne (umm... PLEASE check him out - he is INCREDIBLE) and sings on one of his songs on his brand new album "Gossip in the Grains" to be released Oct. 14th (consequently when I get to go to his show!!!) When I bought tickets for his show, I was extremely excited to see that she is the opening act. I can't wait to hear her sound live!



"Under Summer Sun" by Matt Wertz
Matt Wertz has been one of those underground names, similar to that of Stephen Speaks, amongst my group of friends. I remember running into Matt Wertz songs when Kazaa was popular and music downloading didn't have the penalties it does now. I have a CD I made of his songs and thought how real and soulful his voice and lyrics were, plus, he loved Jesus! Matt spent his time gaining popularity through playing at Young Life camps (and his best friend happens to be Dave Barnes.. umm... sweet!) Matt has toured with acts such as Jars of Clay, Matt Nathanson (i LOVE him), and Jason Mraz. Though this is Matt's 5th album, the time has finally come for Matt to break out from the indie world and into the light of mainstream! Recently, Matt has been on tour with Gavin Degraw, and he is finally beginning to get the recognition for his music that he deserves. While the jump into mainstream means adding more than just the simple and beautiful acoustics, I think this album can do Matt some good as well as bring his music to the masses. My favorite acoustic song, "Red Meets Blue" makes it onto this album with a fuller band sound. Overall, Matt's music is touching to the soul and his voice can make you swoon. Here's to Matt's continued success and let's see what this album could do for his career (perhaps a headlining tour?)


"Keep Coming Back" by Marc Broussard
I was first introduced to Marc by my dear friend, and fellow music junkie, Joe Link. Marc's album "Carencro" hooked me within notes. His voice is full of soul (which makes sense because he's a Louisiana boy). I mean, this dude, can SING! His music is like a mix of R&B, rock, pop, soul, funk... and the kitchen sink. This is his third album (and he's only 2 years older than me!!!) Besides his music, he has toured with some of the BIG dogs of music: Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt; as well as some of my favorite smaller names Sara Bareilles (who collaborates with him on one song on this new album and Marc joins her tour this fall) and Josh Kelley (who I met at SU!!!). This album already seems like it will not disappoint - still bringing Marc's smooth and soulful voice with the fun of the light beats and catchy melodies. Marc... are you coming to town any time soon?!


So, if you're in the mood for something good or need to try some new music, check these folks out! And check back here next week for some more music updates!!! :)

Ohhh blog...

Well, I always have good intentions on keeping this up, but alas the last few weeks of school have sucked my time.

But here I am!!! :) I really want to be better at this... I'll keep trying!

Anyway, here's a life update:

1. School is re-taking its place as my significant other
2. I'm having a great time with my students
3. I'm building deeper relationships with my teacher friends from school :)
4. Ra is in my Bible study (PRAISE THE LORD!!!!)
5. I am still waiting to move with Em and Ra... they just need jobs (pray, pray, pray!)
6. Band is going well... exciting things are in our future ;)
7. I will be co-directing the spring musical - Into the Woods
8. I am looking forward to October - 4 concerts in 4 weeks :)
9. Still trying to wrap up some new songs
10. I am still terrible at grading papers (hahaha)

Although the pace of life has been steadily growing since the end of summer, I feel that overall, I am keeping up with the pace better than ever (for now!). The other really incredible thing that has been happening has been my seminar class. This is an extra class that we teach for an hour most days. This is a course based off of curriculum objectives that support the MSA (the bane of our existence) but it can be on any topic of the teacher's choice. I chose to do a unit on Mystery, Suspense, and Forensic science. It is going so well! Last week I taught my kids how to make fingerprints - this week they will have to take what they learned to solve a real "crime" in our classroom. We are having a great time! And they are learning at the same time (soooo sneaky of me!)

Well... off to make sure I'm ready for tomorrow! :)