Thanksgiving!

Neither I nor my roommate go home for Thanksgiving and we have a few friends who live in the area so we did our own Thanksgiving.

My first turkey turned out really great! Our first real Thanksgiving dinner was amazing overall.

My roommate carving the turkey.

We only served 4 people! I have tons of leftovers. Thankfully, I like Thanksgiving food on a normal basis.

We only have a week and a day before finals after this break! I'm not too bummed. I want my break already. The 3-day Thanksgiving break was such a tease. Also, I missed having everyone in Asheville! :/

It was my BFF from home's birthday so we held this sign for him. Look at our snowflakes! :)

Time for the holidays!

Houses of Worship Tour

This is post is a little late but I was lazy in uploading my pictures. On Monday, November 3rd, I traveled with a team of 7th grade students and their teachers to Atlanta, GA to tour various houses of worship. The bus left NC at 6am and we returned at 10pm. It was a LONG day but good experience for a budding middle school teacher like myself. This trip was provided by The Center for Diversity Education which is housed on the UNCA Campus. The trip's goals are to help educate 7th grade students in the area of world religions which is a part of the North Carolina Standard Course of study. Here are some pictures:



This is the entrance to the Muslim Mosque that was our first stop on our tour. This building also houses a school where 29 full time male students study the Koran and are homeschooled in other areas through the state of Georgia education system.



This is the main entrance to this beautiful building!











Next we headed to a Jewish Temple. There was a service going on and I was only able to take a few pictures.










Next we stopped at Martin Luther King Jr.'s Gravesite. We could only take external pictures as the famous Baptist Church is closed for renovations. The students were fasniated that his grave sits on top of a pool of water.










While it was a very long day for me, I really was grateful for the opportunity to spend this time with middle school students and their teachers. I think this field trip is a wonderful way to have students to have a learning experience outside the classroom.

I can only start out by saying how insanely glad I am that Thanksgiving is almost here! Like most people probably, I have a list a mile long of things to get done before the end of the semester! Not to mention the class I teach at the community college and all their final papers, exams that I have to grade! This has been a busy week in my schools as well, where I am going to do my student teaching I have been teaching this week too as a type of 'preview' and it is going pretty well so far, well its done now actually and I think it was a success. They finished the projects that I had assigned and I think that they really liked it (as much as high school students like anything at school anyway...). Yesterday my professor from here at UNCA came to observe, so of course it was the worst period out of the week! My co-op teacher actually left the room (which she has never done for the whole period) and the kids really did try me beyond belief- all in front of my professor- so he probably now thinks I am horrible in the classroom! Argh. Of course, after he left the other two periods were much better. It always happens that way! But at least I survived that, so it is fine! Today I am going to listen to research that was done last semester in the education department so that should be really insightful into what works and what did not. I am looking forward to those a lot, I hope they offer some inspiration!

Next week is a short week since turkey-day is coming upon us, and it will be nice to be able to at least slow down a little bit- even though there is so much going on! Talk to you soon!

Snow?! Please

Hello! It is so amazing that this semester is flying by! November has been a busy month! I will be very excited for a break next week but I have so much to do between now and then! I'm very anxious about my final full week of classes. I am teaching on my own for EDUC 380 Dec. 2nd-Dec. 4th for one whole period at my school placement. I am very nervous even though I am pretty used to this group of students by now! Wish me luck!




Opening Doors to Teaching was a great event and I am so glad that so many people came out! We had a great time interacting with potential teaching candidates! The food and cake were wonderful! We had great participation from our faculty as well!




November also reminds me that my time as Teacher Recruitment Intern is coming to a close. That means we are recruiting a new intern for Spring 2009 and Teacher Recruitment Representatives. If you are a current education student at UNCA please check your e-mail for an email from us or stop by our office in ZH 138. We look forward to meeting you!




I am now off to do a snow dance...




~Adrienne

Well! I have already had a crazy day and it is not even noon yet! I was out at my high school that I will be student teaching at and my co-op teacher was not there today so there was a sub, but they did not know I was going to be there so I got to do the whole lesson and run class for the two periods I was there! There was no lesson plan or anything done that I could look at since it was an unplanned absence, but there were some worksheets and activities that we did that were really fun and the students enjoyed. The best part for me was being able to really be in charge of the class and I did get to experience first hand what it was like to have to be strict! The students already know me, of course, but without the co-op there they definitely tested me a little, but all in all they were really good- probably since they knew I would tell if they were not! (hahaha). It really just reaffirmed that I do want to teach and I do really enjoy that age group!

So a few nights ago we did Opening Doors to Teaching and it was a complete success! There were high school students and also transfer and other non-traditional students from all over who came to look into the Education Department and what we have to offer. I saw a high school student that I saw at one of the local college fairs a few weeks ago and talked to her for a while, it is so nice to already start building relationships with future students (hopefully!) We got good feedback on the program so I think we all did a great job!

The weather is starting to get cold and rainy and it seems like winter is definitely impending, all the leaves have almost fallen off the trees, but that also means the holidays- my favorite time of year- are coming up! I have been so stressed out lately but I feel like now I have it all under control and it is all going to pull together, so even though it is icky outside I am in a great mood! I wonder how long it will last... Talk to you soon!

Last night was Opening Doors to Teaching. We had an amazing turnout, good food, and lots of fun! Really! I enjoyed talking to all the people there, some all the way from Raleigh! I was impressed. :)

I've got a busy few weeks ahead. It's nearing the end of the semester. I had TWO papers due today! Ahead: final thesis, unit plan for middle school methods, and revision of a psych paper on UFC fighter Randy Couture. My friend was shocked I get to psychoanalyze anyone with a biography and I chose a mixed martial arts fighter. The paper I'm reading is about Eric Clapton!

Oh yeah, I'm presenting at the Living With/In Diversity Conference here at UNCA on November 21st. I haven't started making my poster, which will happen this weekend, but I have started designing it.

Okay, aside from the schoolwork, tutoring is amazing. We have a student taking Spanish 3 Honors and really needs help. I sent an e-mail to my fellow tutors today and already I have everyday I need filled up!

Today, the students in one of my groups and I all wore some, well quite a bit, of purple... and I have boys too, one who had the most awesome black, white, and purple high-tops! I think that coincidence shows how much we've bonded. Haha. :)

Alex and I are still trying to start up the Education Club as she mentioned. We're getting TONS of help from the staff in the department. It gives us lots of hope and motivation and I'm still pretty excited about it. I'm also happy that I'm only taking 12 hours next semester! I decided that, as a senior, I need to take the classes I need and two classes I really want to take: Tudor-Stuart England (history) and yoga! This will allow me to have time for tutoring, observing/some teaching for my last year before student teaching, the Education Club, and finally, fun?! Hopefully!

Education!

It seems like it gets harder and harder to get people excited about a cause. In Asheville, we have so many empowered, passionate people, fixated on their cause whether it be to destroy any Starbucks that heads in the downtown direction or getting people excited about a presidential candidate. We all have our issue that we advocate, some people more than one, and some people have dozens.
I always feel so badly for those at school who are trying to start a new club or bring in a speaker or are just trying to get something accomplished by getting people around campus involved. It often feels like an uphill battle and when you don't get a huge turn out it can feel very taxing.
With Julie and my recent attempt at an Education Club, I could feel the weight of upholding my issue on my shoulders, especially when we got out grand total of four people! It seems discouraging, but I just keep remembering that these things take time and that we can't hold it against people who don't come. How many times have I missed a meeting or an event for something I felt strongly about for one thing or another? Everyone has their lives, everyone is busy, especially at this time of year.
We have a few outlets to reinvigorate ourselves after this minor defeat! We can first take a bit solace in the fact that the Opening Doors to Teaching program was a complete success! We had a large number of people come, the speakers were great, the food was great, it was well-organized and very beneficial for those that came.
Another point of respite--the future! So the timing is perhaps not ripe for the starting of an education club at this late point in the semester. There is hope for next semester yet! We are working on trying to get affiliated with other groups to offer more to those who would join the club. Next semester we should also have funding. We are hoping to have an end of year "celebration" to try to gather the education troops one last time before next semester and try to pass the torch since Julie will be in her professional year next year and I will be in Iceland.
So, there is hope yet! We are trying our hardest to get teachers, and we will get them no matter what!

PS: A big big thank you to all of my wonderful classmates and friends who have come to some of these events out of interest and/or support! It is so nice to see familiar faces at such events! Thanks!

This magic week...

This past week and a half hasn't really been magic. It's been the most stressful and yet liberating past few weeks.

I finally got rid of my roommate (as an RA, I'm not supposed to have a roommate but due to a housing overflow I had roommate). Our school's housing office does a great job handling these situations and finding people comfortable spots to live until a permanent space is available. That's been the liberating spot of my week.

So over the past few weeks we've had Opening Doors to Teaching where students came and we had the opportunity to learn about our school and our education department. There was a HS senior I met there who had many good questions, and luckily, I could answer all of them for her because of my other involvements on campus. Even with a full schedule, I could afford time to do things like work as an Ambassador for admissions and be an RA. You can never learn enough about your school to share. I find that people in education at UNC Asheville seem to have the fullest experience and like it the most and are involved in other things on-campus.

The most amazing thing about Opening Doors program was the fact that someone sent us a nice e-mail afterwards about the program.

Educationally, it's been a rough few weeks with a pretty big French paper (10 pages-15 pages) due, presentations for Marketing class, and tests for my Arts & Ideas class. Although I didn't ask for it, teachers noticed how stressed some of us were, and our paper was delayed by a week. As a teacher, sometimes you just have to survey the situation and consider everything to help the student succeed the best way that they can. If they really need help, lend it - or help them find it.

Time is worth a lot, and I found that out quickly over the duration of this semester. Luckily at UNC Asheville there's a lot of support for these times of learning experiences and transitions. Taking on too much has been a tradition of mine, but my academic advisor gave me great advise and why I don't have to do everything. After this whole semester, I feel liberated for next semester, although I'm taking way more hours.

Crunch Time is here!

It's Definitely Crunch time! After Halloween it always seems that the semester goes into warp speed around here but all if us start to fade! I realize that this is a very busy semester though and when I think of what the overall reward will be it is so worth it. I gave a lecture here yesterday at the Squibb lecture series in the Science department on what I did my masters thesis research on and it was so great to be back in a lecture hall where I took so many classes and be on the other side! I was introduced by one of my favorite faculty members who was a mentor when I was here for my undergraduate work as well as an advisor of mine in grad school. I was presented as an 'alumna' which is awesome- even though I am back and still classify-(hahaha). I have to admit that as my final classes here come to end(with the exception of my student teaching) I am sad that my days at UNC-A are numbered, but I am really excited at the same time because I know that I could not have gotten a better education anywhere!

I am working on lessons for student teaching already and the entire process is so exciting! We have to do a research project in our class that we student teach and I am really excited about mine and think it will be quite useful to me in the future!

On a non-school topic the election is of course over- and NC finally decided who we voted for...- and I am really excited about how the country is going to change and the things that are about to happen in our government. I think everyone will eventually come together because we so need that as a country. I was really touched and humbled in a way about the concession speeches of the candidates that did not win. They were all so gracious and polite and talked of unity in the country although they had suffered defeat. I find it to be truly inspiring that there was none of the bickering over the final election count or mud slinging afterwards. I am truly proud of how our country handled the election and how many people turned out to vote! It is a very exciting time in our country!

Lots of work and play!

Tonight is exciting! Who can sleep? Instead, my friends and I went out to eat at TGI Fridays. They even had blue and red drinks. :) I thought everyone was just as excited about this election and voting as we are in Asheville until I spoke to my friends a few hours ago. They didn't vote because my home state, California, always goes blue. Whether you vote red or blue, it doesn't matter. I thought this was a myth and that "your vote counts" is ingrained in everyone's head. My family members didn't vote either, but I can say I called my mom to make sure she voted.

So all in all, I found out all cities and campuses are NOT the same. Here, whether or not you wanted to be sucked into the elections, you were. Some people, like me, straddled the fence publicly to avoid tension (especially with working in the schools). I think it also had to do with North Carolina being such a pivotal and as we now know, close-call state. I'm happy we got a healthy dose of politics during this tough time in our nation. We had the Clintons, the Obamas, Sarah Palin, and Kal Penn (Kumar from "Harold and Kumar") come to talk in Asheville or even at UNCA. I'm happy to be a part of the fun and the ringing in of changes whatever they may be.

Apparently, the World Zombie Day/Walk came before Halloween and I missed out. However, my roommate went and took tons of pictures of this huge event that coincided with Sarah Palin's rally. He also met some "zombies" downtown, caught a ride with them, and went for food! I guess you can feel that safe in Asheville but not me!

I recently shared my Halloween costume with you. Well, my friends and I attended the Sigma Nu (fraternity) sponsored shuttle party on Halloween Eve. A shuttle (bus) toted us to a secret location for a party.

My roommate was Quailman and I was Sailor Moon.

Everyone is so friendly on Halloween! I have no idea who these people are, but they wanted a picture with Quailman, Eve, and Sailor Moon. :)

I woke up early the next day (Halloween Day) to take my 9th grade students to classes. Again, we went to Spanish where the students enjoyed hot chocolate and "pan" (bread) for Dia de Los Muertos. They also played with computers as they learned some statistics. We were treated to lunch in the caf with pumpkin-inspired everything from pumpkin burgers (pretty good!), pie, iced cookies, and staff in costumes.

On Monday of this week, I went to a meeting with all the other tutors. We did group work where we wrote on papers affixed onto the walls around the room. I had so much fun with my group consisting of mostly my high school tutors. I also saw some of my "old" tutors who are now at the middle school. We chatted and planned to watch some UFC fights together soon. :)

Afterwards, some 9th graders from a neighboring county came to visit! Alex went with them on their tour. We didn't realize that the end of daylight savings would make 5pm so dark! Anyways, we ate pizza with the students and took them to a UNCA basketball game. They were super talkative kids and I enjoyed my first basketball game in years! :/ I remember how much I love basketball now - I used to be a big fan of the NBA. I think it surprises everyone because I rarely talk about basketball now that I've dedicated my TV time to the UFC.

Our players getting ready for the 2nd half

Our dance team - one of my fellow tutors appears to lead it!

Lots of work the next couple of weeks but also lots of fun as I countdown my fall semester!

The Essence of UNCA

Halloween, shockingly, has now officially passed and the holidays are well on the way. I personally have never been a huge Halloween fan. Of course it's alright, the kids get excited, it's a nice reminder of just where we stand in terms of the semester, and everyone takes a little breather. So, lacking enthusiasm, I did not go trick-or-treating, but rather visited a friend at a private, expensive university not far from here that shall remain anonymous for the purposes of this post. Some things I noticed that made me proud of UNCA:

1. Our campus is decidedly not as glamorous--we are short about 15 fountains to keep up with this schools crazy obsession with trickling water down a piece of engraved marble.

2. Our facilities (i.e. labs, libraries, computers, etc.) are not as cutting edge or expensive.

3. The cars you see around campus are worth, typically, much less.

4. Our student population is larger for the size of our campus. The student to teacher ratio is higher at UNCA.

5. People often have much larger groups of friends than at UNCA.


BUT


6. Our students are here for a reason--this isn't just a place to go after high school, a necessary step to keep up with social circles or please mom and dad. Not that this completely doesn't happen, but mostly UNCA students are really interested in something or are trying to get somewhere in their life.

7. Tacking on to the above, this means that people are INTERESTING, the absolute most important part about college. Everyone is going somewhere or doing something, or is passionate about one thing or another, whether it be about politics or anime. We are REAL people!

8. With our unmanicured lawns and centrally located quad, you can be sure to find someone you know lying around on the grass at one point or another throughout the day. Our campus is small, which means that you see new people and friends alike every time you walk through campus.

9. We appreciate our campus and our city and take advantage of them fully. People don't just hang around campus--there is always a hike to go on, an open-mic where a friend is playing, a group of people going for coffee, an awesome concert to attend at the orange peel, contra, swing, hip-hop, african, or belly dancing to check out, a politician to hear, a festival to attend, or a plethora of other awesome things to do in and around campus, versus the never-ending party scene you see at some schools.

10. We relish in our own oddities. Never will see a group of crazier dressed, more hippified, more diversified, bizarre group of people than in this city and school. We are crazy! Don't let anyone tell you differently! And we love it! Homogeny is just not for us.


So, even over a beautiful, well-endowed, cutting-edge school, I would still pick UNCA. It's just hard to match.

Alex