This first week has been one that is full of emotion. Entering the classroom for the second time is totally different. I have confidence in my teaching but the reality of the every day lives my students live really hit me hard.  I am very grateful for my support system (My family and friends) for helping me through the adjustment. It’s amazing how I am able to function off very little sleep…this = more coffee. If you know me at all you have probably come to realize that I have a lot going on in that brain of mine and it is so hard for me to turn it off at night. This often results in exhaustion. I give my kids 110% of my energy throughout the day and when that last bell rings I am BEAT! When people ask me if I like my job my response is that I LOVE my students but I’m super frustrated with the school system. I tell my students I love them, I give them hugs and I try to show them love through my teaching. This doesn’t mean that some days I want to literally sprint out of the building and never come back. I continue to stay because I know that these kids need me.

It’s funny to me how each class period I teach is so different. They each have their own personality. Some classes are so quiet right now that they just stare at me with these blank faces. I've gotten use to having multiple sets of eyeballs on me I just wish we could speed through the whole get to know you phase where the kids can't decide if I'm cool or not. I tell them I'm cool and down with it but I guess they just have to figure it our on their own. Other classes have such strong personalities and I just thrive off the energy. They obviously have figured out how cool I am and take advantage of my unique and nontraditional  teaching skills.

This year I'm taking on a new approach to interacting with the students. I have decided to be extremely real with them, which means I have to be slightly vulnerable. This is hard for me because I get really attached to my students and I only have them for such a short period of time...9-18 weeks if I’m lucky. So, I put together a powerpoint to introduce myself to the students. I want them to see me as a not only a teacher but a person. I remember when I was little I use to think that my teachers actually slept at school. During my first year I would stay after school so late that security would come down to the basement to check on me. This year my planning has gotten so much better so hopefully I’m not going to have to stay so late and lets be real I'm trying to make it to the 5:30 Crossfit Class. The powerpoint included information and pictures about the things I really care about. They were able to see my family and the activities that I enjoy doing outside of school. They were shocked that I actually had pictures of me with friends!

Many people don't realize the hours of work that teachers put in once the school day is over or before it even starts. I have always been a person who finds joy in the details so it is the small touches to things that I create for my students that I think make my classroom a warm place to be. Teaching, like life or any relationship, is a process and my students and I will continue to work to grow together and now that I have over 154 new faces and names to learn I get excited about the possibility of being a positive influence in their lives...even if it is only for one hour each day. I have on my desk a verse that keeps me grounded. 1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

So many of my students are parents themselves and it is so strange to see students I had last year who came to tell me that they were pregnant and show up to school after this summer with swollen bellies. I see them coming down the hall and they smile at me and I see a young girl with braces who has this belly with a child growing inside and my heart hurts because I know this is a kid about to have a kid. I see that girls like Amber put on this really strong front yet deep down there is this sense of terror and they tell me. "Ms. I'm just not ready." I tell you this because it is the reality that I work in daily. What makes me proud is that Amber is still coming to school and she tells me that she wants to be better so she can provide for her baby. These kids constantly amaze me with a "fighter" mentality.

This week I really focused on investing my students into owning their education. We talked about Malleable Intelligence and that that their brain is a muscle just waiting to grow. This means that they CAN become more intelligent. Their brains can grow and change because it is full of billions of neurons waiting to learn new information and make stronger connections. We discussed the concept of Democracy and why that is important in their lives. We ended the week talking about how in order for them to be successful they have to set goals for themselves. We ended the week on a good note. I currently have 154 students and 154 Big Goals on my bulletin board.

On a funny note, the kids seem to be really concerned with my dating life. They are always asking if I am dating any of the other teachers and why I don't have kids yet. I tell them that they are my number one priority and that I'm just not ready to have my own kids. In reality once school starts my social life ends. This is something that I am working on trying to balance out in my life. In order to be healthy for my students I need to continue to take care of myself and that means getting enough sleep, being active and being social. 

Here are some pictures of the students working. One of my new favorites "Big Trey" :)

3...2...1...GO!

Over this past year I have had moments of panic, sadness, frustration and even questioned my ability to impact the students around me. Through all of the tough times came moments of pure joy, strength and growth. I would not have been able to make it through my first year with the support of my family and friends and my faith. It was about midway through the year and I was struggling (Did you know that your body requires sleep?) that I finally had a moment of clarity. I realized that I was wasting important moments in my life being miserable. Some may say I’m ridiculous others may say a little crazy but for those of you who really know me understand that I’m just “unique.” I did a 180 and began to take a new perspective. When students entered my classroom I was going to love on them as much as possible. The time spent inside my school building was going to be as positive as I could make it because my purpose was no longer to serve myself but to serve others. I wanted to be with my students I wanted to watch them grow and I wanted the time I spent with them to be joyous.

As I embark on this second year of teaching I have that same mindset. I realize that in order for my students to benefit from the crazy amounts of energy I’m blessed with that I have to take care of myself. Yes…here it comes. I drank the kool-aid. With encouragement from my brother I joined a Crossfit Gym (Crossfit Deep Ellum). It has completely changed my life (I know big statement). It has given me a venue to challenge myself both mentally and physically. It has surrounded me with people who are encouraging. It has given me strength. It is a new and exciting feeling to have.  I feel strong going into the classroom this second year and when I hit a bump in the road I will have the strength to deal with it, better than I did my first year.

Tomorrow is exciting and I get see the faces of kids who live very different lives then once I have lived. They have seen and experienced things that no child should experience. But they are amazing and they will be in my classroom because they are being given a second chance. Ready or not (and I feel ready) here we go!

Thank Goodness for the Bill of Rights

     Lets talk about the Bill of Rights... “Ms. Silverstein, does that mean I can get me a gun?”…well Omar I wouldn’t suggest it…this just means that we have the right to own a gun” haha! Hey Ms. “Does that man like in the movies when they show up at your house and say We Got a Warrant!” Yes, Vanessa that is what search and seizure means. As you can tell by my some of the comments in class today the kids were really excited about learning about history instead of English. Class actually went well and then kids were engaged. I did have one girl named Veronica refuse to do what I asked her to do or work in a group…I almost had to throw her out of class.

I was so proud because I let them work in groups which can get rowdy and they made such good posters about all ten of the Bill of Right and put them in their own words and draw pictures and I was so proud of their posters! It stinks because just when the kids start to like me and open up we have out last day tomorrow. The kids are really excited because they reached their class goal of 50 points. So tomorrow we are having a class party and playing educational games. I have to go to target tonight and get some cookies, and juice boxes, and chips and stuff for the party.

     I am getting my fingerprints taken on Friday afternoon for my new job, every teacher has to get it done and then I am hoping to go down to Galveston Beach for the night and come back to Rice late on Saturday. I don’t have a car so I’m just kinda going along with other people’s plans. Today’s theme song on the way to school was “The Dog Day’s Are Over” by Florence and the Machine. On the way back to rice I jammed out to “E.T. (Featuring Kanye West and Katy Perry). Still waiting on some new song suggestions…

    I hope everyone else is doing well. I can’t believe I only have 10 days left at institute! It has gone by fast but slow. I have been pushed really hard and I am definitely ready for a little break before I start full time with my own class in the fall. I feel a lot more prepare to teach which is good and I miss my family and can’t wait to see yall!

Love,

Molly

"I'm a Survivor...i'm not gonna give up i'm gonna make it!"

     The test is over and now all I have to do is WAIT on the scores to come in but the good thing is that it is no longer in my hands anymore. It was so weird on Sunday to wake up and not have to immediately start studying. All of the sudden I had some free time and guess what…I was BORED. I am so use to going a million miles per  hour that I could not decide what do with myself! Crazy. So on Saturday night a bunch of us went to a restaurant called 100 percent Taquitos and watch the Mexico vs. U.S. soccer game. The entire restaurant was going for Mexico…we stood out! Then we went out on the town in Rice Village. It was fun to go out without worrying about waking up early to study haha. On Sunday I went to the gym and laid out at the pool for like two hours. Then I had about a week and half worth’s of laundry to do so I decide to tackle that chore. I ended up playing volleyball later in the afternoon and made it to bed by 11 last night…it was a first.

    Today my kids were taking their post assessment test so I didn’t have to teach but did have to be there to proctor the test. I will be teaching the rest of the week and my last day at school is on Thursday. Hard to believe my time at Patrick Henry is almost up. I have to print a bunch of papers and handouts tonight as well as make some posters and chart paper for my Tuesday and Thursday lesson. I was able to talk to Angel yesterday and she said that she had the TIME of her life and I was so glad to hear that her trip went well. If you haven’t looked at her picture on Facebook take some time to check it out. I want to go to Scotland!

    I’m trying to decide what I am going to do for the 4^th of July because people are wanting to get out of Houston and have an adventure. I don’t know what my plans are because it is hard to not have a car here. There has been some talk about going to Austin but then there is finding a place to stay and all that…I will keep you updated on my plans. I wish I could come to lake but we have to be ready to work on Tuesday Morning. We don’t even get Friday off. So really it is just a three day weekend, but that’s better than nothing!

    I received a lovely email from Uncle Headley and Mrs. Nancy and they had such encouraging words for me. I love getting emails from yall and also knowing what yall are up to. It is also nice to know that I have people praying for me because I sure know I need it!

Oh and today on the bus ride home I listened to Destiny’s Child “I’m a Survivor” it was such a pump up song! Let me know if you have any other pump up songs I can listen to on the bus on the way to and from Rice.

Check it out!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_RVId9OkgI

Love,

Molly

Patrick Henry Middle School's Patriot of the Week for LEADERSHIP goes to...Molly Silverstein

     Thursday was probably my best day teaching so far, which is odd because it was the day I felt least prepared for since I’ve been trying to prioritize study for my test on Saturday. The kids were relatively well behaved and I was able to let them work in groups without the class completely falling apart! I got about 4 and ½ of sleep last night so I feel a little bit better but I am really going to focus on studying and getting some sleep the next two days, plus I really need to go for a run. I haven’t been able to since Sunday because of the weather (its been raining here a lot) and because I honestly haven’t had the time. Lauren seem to be busy taking on a new role as “wedding planner” for her friend this weekend. The nerve of some people …haha. I officially signed my lease online last night and set up the delivery times for all my furniture that I have gotten. Tonight I have mandatory study hall all night but I’m glad because we are not allowed to lesson plan during this time so it is good for me because I can really focus. Everyone keeps telling me that they are buying me a drink after my test on Saturday because the third week of teaching is the hardest and to have a test at the end of the week on top of that is just overwhelming. I’m looking forward to getting the test over with. I don’t know exactly when Angel returns from her trip to Scotland but I am so excited to hear about everything she and David got to do while they were over there!  Lets see, I want to hear what everyone else is up to this weekend. I can’t believe how quickly the 4^th of July is approaching? What is everyone’s official plans to celebrate I wish I could come to the lake!

      So I told this to Mom on the phone last night but yesterday I one of our sessions we were watching fellow colleagues who were doing great things in there classroom and they wanted us to watch the videos and comment on them. Well when I was observed on Monday apparently do very well at the Behavioral Management Cycle so in the middle of the session we watched a video of ME in my classroom implementing this cycle. I was happy that I was being noticed for my hard work but was not prepared for the entire school to see me on camera. I turned bright red!!!! I also said right at the end of my video “Awww Yeah! We got 16 Class points” so now everyone that sees me says “Aww yeah!”. It was actually really funny.  Brendon, a fellow 8^th grade teacher turned to me and I was wearing a coral cardigan and was like, “Molly, oh my gosh, your face is the color of your sweater”…it stayed that way for about the next 30 minutes.

    Today, on Friday morning we were in session and at the end they give out awards for the week based on different values that teach for America drills into your head and guess who received their first award ever!!! I got the award for Patrick Henry’s Leadership Award for this past week! I got an actual certificate and everything. I was really excited because I didn’t think I would every get an award…its kinda a big deal to be recognized in front of everyone. So at least my hard work is paying off. Okay well tomorrow is a BIG DAY I need everyone to please be praying for me today and especially tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. when I sit down to take my test. I need you to pray for me to be calm, confidence in what I know, and making smart answer choices! I can’t WAIT for this test to be over! Love you and I will let you all know how the test goes!!!

Love,

Molly

P.S. Here is the note I got from my Leader This week, “ Molly, Great us of previous posters in your classroom. I do think your review was needed and that your students are being set up for success because of it. Good job fixing behaviors and giving consequences when needed :)” -Eric

Middle of the Week...

I woke up with a slight tingle in my throat which wasn’t a good sign because it has now turned into a cough. I don’t think the fact that I’m getting very little sleep is helping the fact that I’m getting sick. I’m trying to drink a ton of water because I really can’t afford to be sick on Saturday when I take my test. Mom was nice enough to try and get me something called in to the CVS here because I think it is a sinus infection. Oh well just got to push through it. My class actually went well today, as in I didn’t have to give out any lunch detentions!!! We were comparing the written version of Martin Luther King Jr’s speech to the audio version. I did a little background buildup of the Civil Rights movement and then I broke the class up into groups to work on their worksheets and Venn diagrams. I still have two more lesson’s to do tonight, plus I have to re-write my lesson plan for tomorrow and still find some time to study for my test. I could use all the prayers I can get for this test. I am determined to try and have a positive attitude walking into the test and then once it is over I will be so relieved. I am making sure that I go to bed super early on Friday so I don’t fall asleep during the test. I hear Dad is out of town and I’m sure the dogs are missing him. Love yall  but I got a lot to do tonight.

Love,
Molly

Hey Molly!...You okay...You look kinda tired...

     It’s hard for your brain to function when your roommates alarm clock goes off at 2:30, 3:45, and then 5:30, interrupting your limited 5 hours of sleep the night before you are being observed by your group leader. I love Emily but I think we were both ready to throw her alarm clock out the window because it seemed to be possessed. Then we overslept our actual alarm and thank goodness I work up at 6:15 and was calmy said, “Emily don’t freak out but we have to be on the bus in 15 minutes. I got ready in about 2 minutes and then had to head down to grab breakfast and pack my lunch! Not to b negative Nancy but today was not best day in the classroom. I had so many people in there observing me that my brain just got so flustered and I kept losing my train of thought. I also have now had 3 students pulled from my class and kicked out of summer school because of behavioral problems. So I have lost Eric, then Anthony, and now Edwin. I am slightly relieved because it takes away some of the classroom behavior but I feel bad that yet again these kids get the shaft in their education. I am trying to teach the kids to compare and contrast two different text right now..hopefully tomorrow will go better. I have meeting tonight at 5:30, which is literally when I step off the bus, then 6:00-6:45, and finally mandatory study hall from 7:00-9:00 and then its time to work on lesson plans for the next day and the two more that I have due on Thursday!!!! Yay!!!! I have also been told twice today that I look really tired…aka…not lookin so great. Anyways got to get back to work. NO time to waste. Love you.

Love,

Molly