I've been struggling to do these two things this year, as I constantly have millions of thoughts running through my head.
This past week, I've had two moments in which I felt super "in-tune" (if you will) with what was happening: first, spending a wonderful evening with even better friends. Second, attending one of my favorite singer's concert.
I'm not sure what made these instances so special, but figuring out how to transfer that energy to all moments has been my most recent challenge - particularly in the classroom. I know that my class deserves that - plus, it makes my days run a bit smoother!
I don't think I've ever before held a bat. I'm pretty terrible at throwing balls. So naturally, when the opportunity presents itself to coach the girls softball team at my school, I volunteer. Naturally.
I'm most excited to work with my girls from last year, girls who really hold a special place in my heart.
I've also YouTubed, Wikipedia-ed & Googled the sport, but I'm pretty sure the real learning takes place on the field. Can't wait for practices to start this week??!
Side note, spring break came at a perfect time, per usual. I've had time to breathe mentally from the daily grind. I took the day today to clean out my teacher bag, & got a few smiles out of some treasures I found:
81 days left of this school year...HOME STRETCH IS NEAR!
"Ms. Castro, me puede llamar Sebastian en vez de Juan*?"
"Umm...claro que sí."
At the beginning of the school year, one of my 6-year-old students decided to change his name a few months into 1st grade. I went with it, as did the rest of the class, & learning went on, normal as usual.
The confusing & comical moment in which he asked me for permission to do so always replays in my head. This child made it so easy to change something so important in his life - hisname - & everyone was so accepting of it.
I wonder what life would be like if all changes were this easy to make.
Gymnastics molded me into the person I am today. The following video pretty much sums up my experiences with the sport:
As I joined Teach For America, I came to the realization that gymnastics had impacted my character more than my time as a student in my K-12 classrooms. Time management, discipline, perseverance, resilience, hard work...all of these skills came from a sport still dear to my heart.
I've also come to the realization that sports are a luxury - a luxury most kids at a Title 1 schools don't have the opportunity in which to partake. I often wonder how their lives would be transformed if they had a "gymnastics."
This year, a few teachers decided to bring soccer, cheerleading & football to our elementary school. These sports, along with the running club, have impacted school spirit tremendously, & it's been incredible to see the little transformations here & there within the school community.
As the culminating event for running club, I ran The Cowtown 5k with about 30+ students & parents - it was AWESOME. We ran united throughout the heart of Fort Worth, surrounded by the cowtown community - police officers, organizations, businesses, family & friends.
Five months of running club isn't quite comparable to my 10 years flipping across the floor, flying through the air, swinging around bars, balancing on a 4-inch beam...
BUT
I truly hope one of our runners got a glimpse of what I experienced with my gymnastics.
My first graders are the most loving people I've ever met. They greet each other at the door in the mornings, applaud each other when questions are answered correctly, smile incessantly...I could go on & on!
During rough days (typically Mondays) I like to keep track of the things they do that really make me smile.
Today included:
"Can I stay in first grade next year? So you can be my teacher again?"
25 hugs received throughout the day
"Ms. Castro, I don't ever want to lose you."
They have a way of articulating love that is unmatched by adults.
Despite the fact these cutesy actions/words are from 6 & 7-year-olds, they never fail to make my start to the week a little bit better.
Loved the message from this GoldieBlox commercial, considering fewer than 3 in 10 graduates in science, technology, engineering & mathematics are women (UPWORTHY). Food for thought.
"What are your plans after you finish Teach For America?"
I feel like college graduation is slowly approaching. Again. & again, the question is consistently asked, slightly altered from two years before.
For the most part, my corp members & I dread the question. It feels weird, to not know what the next part of your life will look like.
Many of us recently attended a job fair in order to learn about other jobs within the metroplex - jobs that fight educational inequality, yet remove us from classrooms.
"You're a certified bilingual teacher? Wow. You know, these districts really need you." - Comment from a man discussing his company at job fair.
Did he really tell me I need to stay in the classroom, instead of considering working for his organization?
I'm lucky to have so many options & opportunities.
