Here We Go Again...Year 2!

Well, tomorrow I begin my 2nd year as a Middle School Language Arts teacher! I have to say, last year, I was just excited...this year, I feel excited, nervous and a little overwhelmed! Haha. There are a lot of changes happening at my school and in my life this year, so it will definitely be an adventure.

This year, I will be teaching 8th grade (so excited!) and I get to teach Pre-AP (my level of kids) and the special education inclusion class. I am so excited to practice what I have been learning in grad school while fine-tuning my skills as a teacher of high achieving students and students with learning disabilities. It's going to be great! I am also one of the cheerleading coaches at school (oh Lord!). So far, it is pretty neat...although people at my school find it hard to believe I was a cheerleader. (Is it really not obvious? haha)

Last year, I also finished my master's degree (WH11P!) and will be starting my PhD (double WH14P!) this month. This is what I have been working towards my entire life so I am beyond excited for it! I will only be taking 6 hours this Fall, and decided not to begin statistics, so that I will maintain my sanity. ;) (And, I'm counting down the days to 2014!)

Other than the above, I plan to get in better shape this year. My parents, generously, gave me their old treadmill, so I plan to run on it in the mornings to build up my mileage for the half-marathon I'm running in December. In addition to that, I plan to take advantage of the group classes at the rec most nights during the week. Hopefully through these endeavors, I will tone up, lose weight, be able to run my marathon and feel better all around.

I also plan to continue working on my book, reading lots of great literature, enjoying movies, playing video games and spending as much time as possible with my family, friends and Jack.

Here's to a great year!

-Tracey

I just wanted to share...

I read an article last night and came across this...I really feel like I need to share this (thanks for the push, Mom). Take it as you will.

How can we explain the phenomenon of "high scores but low skills?" Standardized tests by their very nature can only test a subset of useful skills. As a result, while a well-balanced effort at improving skills helps raise the test score, it is usually not as effective as a more focused approach: teaching/studying to the test. There is evidence that drilling students on content known to be on a test can significantly improve the students' performance on the test, but the resulting high test scores do not necessarily translate into corresponding knowledge and skills.

Liu, L. Neilson, W.S. (2011). High scores but low skills. Economics of Education Review, 30, 507-516.

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

Yes, I know this is an over-used phrase. Yes, I know it seems cliche. Yes, you are tired of hearing people use this phrase as motivation. However, it is the only phrase I could come up with that truly symbolizes how I currently feel.

When faced with blatant adversity, some people give up and run the other way. Some people stand their ground and fight with all their might. I am somewhere in the middle. I often stumble around a little bit and feel uneasy, then get back on my feet and quietly fight back.

I have three "bucket-list" items I would like to accomplish before I die. #1. Get a PhD. (in progress). #2 Have children. (I can't control this one). #3. Write a book that will make a difference. (beginning today).

My literary inspiration for years has been Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all time favorite novels. It is fun to read, hits on important societal issues and makes a statement. Harper Lee was not popular in her day for writing this novel and faced a great deal of backlash, controversy and anger. I admire her, though, because she saw a fundamental problem in society and sought to change peoples' mindsets about that issue.

When I was about 11-years-old, I saw a problem in society that I felt passionate about. As I grew older and even watched my older sister struggle against this problem, I became more passionate about it. When I got to high school and college, I almost gave up because I didn't believe I could make a difference. Now, I feel more strongly than ever about this issue.

Last night, I came home and read a research article that reaffirmed what I believe and eased my frustrations, temporarily. This morning, as I was getting ready for work, blow-drying my hair, the inspiration came to me. Inspiration for a novel. A unique novel that takes a unique look at something in society that, if changed, would have lasting repercussions. I have never been so excited to embark on a new experience or project. I know this will take some time, so don't get excited just yet.

For the first time, I get to use my literary talents combined with my deep-rooted passions to create something that just might make a difference. Here's to happy writing!

:) Tracey

And she's finally made it full circle...

I feel like my life has finally made it full circle and the ambitious, young, doe-eyed girl is finally calming down into a successful, content, satisfied woman. What do I mean?

Once upon a time, there was a young girl who dreamed of ruling the world. It may sound comical, but she was that girl who wanted to be CEO of a major company. She literally wanted to rule the world. Now, in her perfect world, she had everything she wanted. She was running a major company in a huge city (Houston, Dallas, New York City, you know), but lived on a ranch, with several acres, in her dream home. Her daily routine would consist of waking up the kids, making breakfast for them and her extremely sexy cowboy husband, then going out to feed and tend to all the animals. The family would then leave for work and school. She would take the kiddos to school and make her way to a high power job dressed to the nines (with super sweet heels, of course). At the end of the work day, she would pick up the kids and take them home. At home, the family would again tend to all the animals and do the ranch-chores, eat dinner, spend time together and enjoy quiet, country nights together. Nice, huh?

Somewhere along the way of boyfriends, expectations, and ambition, this little girl lost her way. She came to college and became somewhat confused about what she wanted. Her boyfriend at the time thought her ideas of ranch life were crazy and encouraged her to do more. She met people that inspired her to want more out of life than a quiet existence in the country, but deep down, knew it was what she wanted. While at college, she realized that running a major company was definitely in her blood but not her heart; instead, she had a deep-rooted passion for education. She became damn-near obsessed with chasing this dream. Go to college, graduate, teach, get PhD, move, live in big city. Check, check, check.

Now, this little girl did nothing short of live up to every expectation. She graduated, she got a job teaching, she bought a house, she lived her life by giving every spare bit of energy she had to accomplishing those big city dreams. However, she wasn't completely happy with the sacrifices she had made and who she had become. She still had a deep-rooted longing for more and less. Accomplishing and settling. Busy and simple.

Over the course of last year, I found myself LONGING to go to my parent's house, the place I had avoided for years (because I was a grown up and that's what grown ups do, right?). I found solace and comfort in the country. Peace and quiet filled my soul and made me feel whole again. But the desire to be near tall buildings, museums, culture, busy-ness is still part of me.

After an extremely confusing summer full of self-revelation, I have found some answers and came full circle to a better place. I cannot say that I am the same little girl who went away to college with big ambitions. Instead, I am an accomplished woman with simple desires. Yes, I want more than anything to finish my PhD. It is one of the most important things in my life. However, I DO want a simpler, quieter life than the one I have been living. I want to meet a fantastic man with a good heart who wants to live on a plot of land outside of a big city. I want him to be a hard-working family man. Someday, I want to build that dream house I have imagined my entire life. I want that dream house to be FULL of children. I want to work at a university in a big city. I want to come home to the country each night.

All in all, I want my small town, country upbringing WITH my big city dreams. It feels incredible to find clarity in what I want and to finally, for the first time in five years, know exactly what I want out of my life and where I want to go. So, all that's really left to say is, BRING IT ON!

-Tracey

Goodbye Summer, Welcome Fall 2011!

Summer is officially over in two short days. I'm sad. Done.

I have had an amazing and relaxing summer. This is the first summer since I was 15-years-old that I did not work or take summer classes, and boy, did it feel nice! It was exactly what I needed after 5 straight years of college. I feel refreshed, energized and ready to tackle the challenges of Fall.

This Fall will prove to be the busiest yet for me (as if that is possible). I will be teaching 8th grade and assisting with cheerleading at school. That, in and of itself, will keep me very busy. Added to that will be nine hours of graduate courses (3) including my first statistics class that is already scaring me a bit. As my mom said, I will finally have to study some, so I'm trying to plan time for that. It is going to be a new adventure, but I am ready for it.

In addition to school and work, I plan to continue working out during the semester. I have already programmed into my Google Calendar workout times and classes so I am ready. I will try to strengthen and tone my body while I continue my running training for the half-marathon in December. Other than those things, I plan to watch some fun TV shows, go see movies, cook, hang out with friends and family and enjoy being a hip (soon-to-be) 24-year-old.

All-in-all, I am excited about the challenges of the Fall and the fun it will bring. :) Wish me luck!

-Tracey

Open mouth, insert foot...

Well, on more than one occasion, I have spoken without thinking. Today, was no different, or less embarrassing. For someone who is getting a PhD, you'd think I'd have more common sense.

One of my most embarrassing moments to date, and a perfect example of not thinking before I speak, happened earlier this year in one of my master's classes. For this particular class, the students had to each research a topic of their choosing and create a PowerPoint presentation of their findings. They were then grilled by the class and professor on their research. Now, I adore this professor and happened to pick a topic of study that he was well-versed in. I primarily chose this topic because I thought it was kind of silly and a pointless topic in studying education (spelling, seriously? who needs it). I wanted to rock the boat a little. :) Now, I'm a huge advocate of the topic and am even considering doctoral research on the topic. Anyway, while I adore this professor, he is a bit slow to get through a PowerPoint. His presentations were usually no less than 80 slides (which can't be done in 3 hours) and very dense (I'm sure all my PhD friends no exactly who this is!) On this particular day, we were beginning our own presentations and he got to sit back and listen to us. After the first person presented, the class clapped to show their appreciation to the peer-speaker. The professor then remarked, "How come you never clap when I finish a presentation?" Without thinking, I look him in the eye and announce, "Well, Dr. *, you never finish a presentation." Ouch. The entire class responded to my inappropriate response, the professor gave me a hard time, and believe me, he grilled me after my presentation. (Note to self, "think before you speak".)

Now, today, I got to make a fool of myself once again. This week I have Pre-AP training with some of my colleagues and teachers from other schools. I decided to be a bit of a smart-ass, and got onto some of my co-workers for not listening and paying attention to the speaker. "Now, if you were listening, you would know the directions," I said to them in a mocking teacher voice (if only I'd known then that karma is a, well, you get the picture). Anyway, the speaker then passed out cards to us that had a word on them. Everyone got a different word. I looked down at mine, which said "fortress". Now, I wasn't entirely paying attention to the speaker, and kind of zoned out momentarily. Mistake. She then begins reading cards, just like the ones she passed out, aloud to the group. Since this was a lesson on diction (word choice), I assumed if our word carried the same meaning as the one she said, we were supposed to shout it out. (Her directions had clearly said to do this, and I think she promised candy as a reward...or at least that is what my brain told me in that moment.) She reads the first word, no one says anything and she puts the card down. I should have been tipped off by everyone else's silence but assumed the rest of the group was too timid to shout out at the speaker. The next word she read was "dwelling". Quickly, my brain thinks "Dwelling..ok, that is kind of like a fortress. I mean people could live in a fortress. They are both buildings. YELL!" So, I scream, "FORTRESS" and wave my card in the air. Imagine my shock when I did not receive praise, or candy, but instead, everyone turns to me and LAUGHS! Clearly, I did not think before I spoke (yelled) and clearly, I was mistaken on what was going on. My co-worker then looks at me and says, "Now, if you were paying attention, you would have heard the directions," in a mocking teacher voice.

I'd like to say that I've learned my lesson and will think before I speak, but everyone who knows me knows this is an impossible feat. Karma's a bitch, but hopefully you got a good laugh. :)

-Tracey