The school's Psychology teacher and myself discussing the discarded texts from past. We discovered that they are not only outdated, but are a great form of fire fuel. Thanks, Mr. Gill!

These are a few of my local teaching buddies. We gather on the weekends for disc golf and to discuss our accomplishments and failures in the world of education.

Good Luck

Well, today is the final blog. Just wanted to say adios to my followers. Good luck with the rest of your school year.

All is Well 11/29/2010

So there is one more day, I believe, until this blog is due. I'm really not sure if I have anything significant to write about, but I wanted to make sure I have my 10. I can tell you, though, that I feel things are really coming together this 9 weeks. That is, much easier and with more fluidity than the last. I am in my "groove" so to speak, and I'm really liking. it. I hope the same is true for my classmates. I know some folks were having a really frustrating time last 9 weeks due to various problems. Hopefully, these people resolved their issues. Well, I'll get back to you tomorrow, and with more pictures!

Peace,

Jacob

"Strange but True: The Final Chapter" 11/27/2010

(Previously Unpublished)
11/27/2010

I thought that maybe I should get back to you all on the "Strange but True" death threat situation. I recently got to speak with my "troubled" student. He is doin excellent now in ALE. I am truly proud of this kid. It is unfortunate that he had to learn the hard way, but he has learned. His teacher tells me that he is making progress and that it is due in part to the smaller, more intimate environment. Maybe all he needed was the attention that he wasn't getting at home. We never really know what is going on at home with our students. We must always be open minded and as tolerant as we can be. It is just great to know that the student is doing well.
Peace,

Jacob

(Saved to BlackBerry Messenger); sent via BlackBerry Mail

Halloween Havoc 10/28/2010

(Previously Unpublished)
10/28/2010

Holy Moly!

Dr. Snow told us this summer about how students go so hyper and worked up around holidays and special events. Wow! I didn't anticipate this. Halloween is upon us, my friends, and the students are wild. Even with a few days until Halloween, these guys are insane. Our school doesn't allow costumes, but even without them, our school is a madhouse. Can Friday come any sooner? We are still getting a lot of information across and the students are still learning the needed material, but boy are they rowdy. If I make it out of here alive this week, I'll write back.

Peace & Happy Halloween,

Jacob

(Saved to BlackBerry Messenger); sent via BlackBerry Mail

"Tragedy in our School" 10/22/2010

(Previously Unpublished)
10/22/2010

Somber is the only way to describe my school today. During two-a-days this August, a student of ours passed out due to heat exhaustion. The kid passed away late last night. His younger brother is also a student at our school. Being such a small school and community, we are all affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

(Saved to BlackBerry Messenger); sent via BlackBerry Mail

10/16/2010 "1st 9 Weeks in the Bag"

Previously Unpublished
10/16/2010

Well, I just figured my grades for the first nine weeks. I'm fairly pleased with the results. That is, I do believe that the grades are a true reflectioin of what my students have done, put forth, and ultimately earned. The act of entering and figuring my grades, however, was way more tedious than I anticipated. Whew, glad it's over with. We use GradeQuick at my school which is pretty user-friendly, but tedious nonetheless. Now, off to prepare for the next nine weeks.
Later.

-Jacob

(Saved to BlackBerry Messenger); sent via BlackBerry Mail

9/4/2010 "Strange but True: Part II"

(Previously Unpublised)

9/4/2010

Well back to the drama. The student mentioned in yesterday's post has officially been sent to juvenile detention. This is not what I wanted for the kid. I could barely sleep last night. All I could think about was how his grandparents (whom he lives with) must feel. This has been extremely more difficult than I have anticipated. Sheesh. When he returns, he will be placed in Alternative Learning Environment status for at least the remainder of the year. Hopefully, this will be a great "turning-around" spot in his life. My fingers are crossed for him.

(Saved to BlackBerry Messenger); sent via BlackBerry Mail

"Strange but True" 9/3/2010

(Previously Unposted)

"Strange but True"

I've had this post saved for sometime, but am only now allowed to share it. That's right, I said "allowed." This was due to legal reasons.

 Listen to this folks, I had a student threaten to kill me today. His exact words were "Mr. Gould, if I ever see you outside of school I will shoot you right in the face." Don't jump the gun, my friends (no pun intended). I am a good, fair, and just teacher. This kid, however, is very troubled. His problems did not start nor end with me. He was sent to Danville earlier today per request of his probation officer. Wow, I really can't go into this any further. I'll have to get back to you later.

(Saved to BlackBerry Messenger); sent via BlackBerry Mail

9/30/2010 "Oh What A Day" Sent via BlackBerry Msgr.

(Previously unpublished post)

9/30/10

Today was one of those days. You know the ones, when the final bell rings it's like a 10,000 lb. weight has been lifted from your shoulders. It's as if someone just opened the door to a previously enclosed room to let the first bresh of fresh air in all day. You realize that there is a sunlight outside, and that people are still sane (outside of 8th graders). You know the days. It's on these days when we as teachers must analyze our life and what we do. It's on these days that the entire world owes us a "thank you." It's on these days, my fellow teachers, that I applaud and sympathize with you all at the same time.

(Saved to BlackBerry Messenge); sent via BlackBerry Mail

Together we "can!" (Pun definitely intended!)

My class has been analyzing the underlying concepts associated with S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders. In particular, we've discussed and examined the phenomenon of the "haves" and the "have-nots." My students have a true grasp on the dire realities of one being a product of his or her environment. In conjunction, my classes conducted a canned food drive to contribute to our community, and possibly help "have-nots" become "haves" this holiday season. I am very proud of my students in doing so.

"Modify & Adjust!"

"Modify & Adjust!"  This is my favorite educational philosophy. I modify and adjust all the time. In fact, I'm not sure if I've had a single lesson plan carried out 100% as initially planned. That is, without having been modified and adjusted. The reason is that I'm constantly assessing my students and detemining what it is they need to focus more on. In some cases, they've already mastered a particular area, so we move on. Other days we need to concentrate more on an area. I'm sure the day ahead of me will prove my affection toward this philosphy valid!

Cheers, Jacob.