THANKSGIVING 2008...

After a long drive to Fresno, we arrived to this cake...
A raspberry chocolate mousse cake from Eddie's Bakery!
Who needs turkey? Thanks Eee-eee!

Seven year old with a knife! Not a good idea...

Let a pro show you how it's done.

VIVA LAS VEGAS...

On the road again...

A picture by Daniel, at the Mad Greek in Baker.

Hey, that looks like New York City!

This is what little boys do when they are in a hotel
room in Las Vegas with too much time on their hands.

The cool view from our hotel room at Bally's.

Getting ready for the concert with my Bacubak (?)
whatever it is called. It turns into a creature
when you throw it!

"I am the 4th Jonas Brother!"

Things to do when you are on a long drive
back home from Las Vegas...

I know it's midnight, but I just gotta
jam on my guitar... drums... and microphone.
I am inspired to be a rock star!

THE GREEN EYED MONSTER...

Note to Mommy:
You are not allowed to talk baby talk with any babies (especially cute ones like baby Zach) in front of me or I will throw a fit and storm out because you are ignoring your son!!!

How can such a cute and innocent face cause so much "trouble"?

Baby Zach's 1sth Turkey Day!
(And all I get is baby food in a jar)

In Papa Geoff's arms...

Trying to get the "perfect" group shot...

Lets try again...

How about one more time...

Great minds are born on January 17th.

The boy and his "rival"...

PURPLE POWER!

It was Spirit Day Friday. Kinder students were suppose to wear purple. 19 out of 20 of my students came dressed in purple or lavender. I think we might have won the spirit banner again! I have a really wonderful class this year. It's nice... and I don't take that for granted.

STUDENT TEACHERS...

2008

This past week (and one more to come), I have turned over my 20 energetic and quite unique, kindergarteners to my student teachers. It's not something I would say is easy to do, but when you have two very capable future educators, it's not that hard. The great benefit in it is that I get a chance to do some BTSA observations and also spend time in the new teacher's classroom next door.

Being a Guiding (UCLA's term) or Master (USC's term) Teacher is not something that I find many of my colleagues jumping at the chance to do. I have to admit, I am not sure I want to take on the responsibility for two consecutive semesters. Maybe it's because having student teachers, you have to step back and let them fly on their own. They are not you and therefore will not teach the way you would or have the same interests, share your strengths, weaknesses... And that's a good thing sometimes. In the end, I always find myself learning from them as much as they may learn from me.

If you work as a team, it's even more rewarding and how can that not benefit the students? My students and I were very lucky this year. We had two warm and caring educators join our class. They will be missed when they don't return after winter break. They are missed when they are not here on Mondays, so you can imagine the questions I will get in January.

New educators bring so much energy and enthusiasm to the profession. It is my responsibility, as an educator who loves teaching, to make sure that I keep that light and excitement in their eyes... because I know too well what the system can do to even the most dedicated teachers. I believe in the profession and students need good teachers. Teachers I would want Daniel to have. I always feel that if you are a teacher, you should want to be the kind of teacher you would want your own child to have. If we keep focused on that, we can't go wrong.

Jade, Jane, and Jennifer (The J's have it this year!)

Flashback to 2002

Six years ago, I had two amazing student teachers from UCLA. I am not just saying they were amazing educators, I have evidence to prove it! Ashley and Sandra first helped open a primary center in LAUSD. Then Sandra help open a successful independent charter school, served as a teacher leader, and with the development of the curriculum. (She is also newly engaged too!) Ashley and I actually help open Alexander five years ago before she moved on to middle school and just last week became National Board Certified! (Go Ashley!) They are also good friends too. How proud do you think I am?

1989

Okay, this was just for fun. I learned how to scan old photos, so here is a picture of my student teaching class. I taught a semester in kindergarten with one of the most "famous" whole language teachers in Fresno. She pretty much trusted me with the class and let me teach with her side by side from day one. (She knew I had taught 3 years on an emergency credential in LA). I learned a lot about using literature and early literacy from being in her class. It was like magic! She was the queen of poems and chants and I charted them for her. I guess that is why I love poetry and rhyme so much. My second semester was spent "studying" sixth grade math lessons and trying to figure out preteens. It was also a wonderful learning experience. At the end, my master teacher pretty much just left me alone. They were a great class too. And yes, that was a perm!

MORE NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS!

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY MR. SPAIN!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!
WHAT A BIG GIRL YOU ARE NOW! WE MISS YOU!

BABY ALLISON TURNS 1 THIS MONTH!
Allison was born the same day as cousins
Ally and Miki, and mommy's penpal Jill too!

Happy Birthday Jill!
Mommy and Jill have been penpals for
over 30 years now! Can you believe that?

BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS...

It was nine years ago November 29th, when two
beautiful baby girls were born on the same day...
One was named Allison, the other Mikela.
And they grew...

Holiday in Vegas...

Looking pretty for PoPo's 70th birthday party...

Lai-ee and Uncle Steve's wedding...

Walking Daniel down the aisle at Uncle Wayne
and Aunt Vickie's wedding...

Dressing up like princesses at the Enchanted Experience...

Look what beautiful young ladies they have become!
Happy Birthday Ally and Miki!
We love you so much!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MS. DONGON!

MAKING RAINBOWS...

We made rainbows in class!

Adding and mixing primary colors into the crystals...

Scientists at work and having fun!

Now we have the colors of the rainbow!

Recording our observations and findings
in our Science Journals.

THANKS GRETCHEN!

THE BOYS CONSTRUCTING...

A HOSE RUNNER FOR OUR GARDEN!

Under the guidance of my "big" boys Chaz and Kaylen, and "bigger" boy, Chaz's dad, Wesley, Daniel learned how to assemble a portable hose runner for our school garden. There's nothing like boys and a box of parts to put together! Both Kaylen and Chaz were mine in 1st grade and now they are 5th Graders! How cool is it to get to watch kids grow up? Pretty darn cool if you ask me and I get to do it every year!

THANKS CHAZ, KAYLEN, AND WESLEY!

For My Teacher...

Here is what I learned from Mike today in guitar.
It's just for you Miss Dongon!

FIRST SLEEPOVER: Photo Essay by Daniel

Mommy gave me her old digital from her desk. She says it's as good as new, although she never uses it anymore. I took it along on my first sleepover. I ended up taking 158 pictures and figured out how to use the video mode too. Here are some of my photographs from my day and night in random order. Enjoy!

AJ's baby brother Xaveer!

Poster in bedroom.

Side view of my friend AJ in his mommy's car.


AJ in Room 3

Self Portrait.

Me and AJ

Taken from AJ's mommy's car.

More pictures from the ride to AJ's house.

My overnight bag in mommy's classroom.

Cubbies in mommy's class.

My homework.

Another view from AJ's mommy's car.

Can you tell I like taking picture of me and AJ?

A sleepover picture by AJ's mommy.

SpongeBob!

I survived (and AJ's family did too) my first sleepover!