[ode to finals week, EED, and teaching]

As I am always endeavoring to become a better poet, I decided to write my thoughts and feelings down about the current situation I am in with student teaching, credentialing, professors, etc..

Dahi, i will first tackle your class,
zpd makes me bored off my a**.
vygotsky, what are you talking bout?
scaffolding book, i don't give a shout.

Cecelia, your singing and tiles,
give us random chuckles and smiles.
however, this unit plan we must do,
is a pre-PACT, load of poo.

Stephanie, ...for you i have taken the time,
to compile a journal, with reason and rhyme.
i've reflected, taskstreamed, and noted,
and to leave my class i'm feeling woe-ded. [not a word, i know]

and Conrad, oh you saucy minx,
this case study is a lot of work, me thinks!
i will find their visual, meaning, and syntax
as long as you don't think i'm what lacks.

and so to the end we now can glance,
as we attempt to stand a chance.
who knew teaching snot-nosed kids,
would make us blow our lids?

[cutie]

I want a child just like this one.

[you know where to find me]

my autumn looks like this...

my master teacher, a fiery little redhead whom i love.
fun halloween costumes.

starbucks.

newfound addiction to salads and baked goods.

wearing boots, pretty much every day.
eating in n out with the davis family.
being able to sleep 8 hours a night.
student teaching about 40ish amazing 5th graders.
michael jackson's "this is it." <----go see it.
dj'ing middle school dances.

soaking in views of san francisco as much as possible.

sleeping.

if you're wondering where i am...i've been right here, all along :)

[core values]

I recently was asked what my core values are.
My first response was, "I don't freaking know."

However, the more that I started to self-reflect, it has become clearer and clearer what I believe.
There's plenty that I have to say about each of these beliefs, but here's the short of it.


I believe in dancing.
I believe in green.
I believe in grace.
I believe in the pleasure of alcohol.
I believe in law.
I believe in laughter.
I believe in family.
I believe in healing.
I believe in priorities.
I believe in music.
I believe in literature.
I believe in service.
I believe in the church.
I believe in friendship.
I believe in living a life that demands explanation.
I believe in acceptance.
I believe in children.
I believe in God.
I believe in this world.
I believe in love.
I believe in respect.
I believe in joy.
I believe in faith.
I believe in life, and I believe that each day brings a new lease on life.

[wild rumpus]

i can't wait.

[my favorites]

this one time,

my best friend got married.

gorgeous day.

pretty much straight gangster.
my boyfriend's on the right.


...really special boys.
who wanna be like the girls.



super fun bridal party.
that's what happens when it's a bunch of good friends.


lovely wedding site.

and my favorite picture of the day:
:)

[sweet 16]

26 new children have moved into the depths of my heart.

I've long said that children are the heart of my heart, and that I can name at least 20 that have permanently touched my life.

There are even more now.

They are the students of Room 16, at Thousand Oaks Elementary School, in Berkeley, California.

(this is a picture of the opening walkway, I guess you could say
the entrance of the school.
underneath the bridge-like thing, there is a massive and
colorful painting of a world map.)

Berkeley works to ensure that every elementary school has kids from varying backgrounds, so that there isn't a "rich" elementary school, or vice versa.

This 5th grade class is a perfect example of that.

I am the student teacher, serving alongside a dynamic and amazing master teacher.
Her name is Jeni, and yes, that's what they call her.
They call me Gaby. Good times.

Our class, our fearless group of Room 16-ers, our little global community, is so stinkin diverse.
I love it.

Each and every child is unique, carrying with them their own cultures, race and nationalities.
Most of all, their personalities make them all special.
little grownups.

It totally trips me out.

And it's a beautiful thing.

Viva Fifth Grade :)