Getting a Little Better

Life is getting a little better, the more time I am able to spend in my classroom the better my days become. I would much rather be in my classroom than be in Teach For America sessions all day long. It has been amazing to see the growth of my students in just the 7 class periods I have had with them. The English exposure I am providing the students is a great thing for them. Today I overheard two of my boys speaking in English to each other in the lunchroom. It’s the little things that make me really excited. Today, one of my collaborative members told me that a student was telling her all about lakes and oceans because Mr. Street taught her about them, I was jazzed to hear that.

Yesterday they surprised us all with an afternoon off, they called us into the curriculum specialist room (the place where we have the dreaded horribly long TFA classes) and lectured us then told us we were going to spend the rest of the day in horrible sessions that made a few people start to cry. Then they said, just kidding, go home, the busses are waiting! There were so many people that cried when that announcement came. We arrived back to the University of Houston campus to massage tables, food, fun music, games, and beds to fall asleep in (which is what I did). Then most of us went out to happy hour and enjoyed breathing for the first time in awhile. Such a relief!

We get the keys to our apartment on Sunday, very excited about that! It still seems surreal that I signed a lease, have a salary, and have to wear a shirt and tie to work everyday, still feels like dress up.

I love you all, thanks so much for the emails and comments, I can't tell you enough how great it is to hear from friends and family at home.

Much love,
Robert

p.s. the first picture is my friend Cristina and my housemate Nels... Cristina will be living in an apartment above Nels and mine. the next photo is of our 1st grade classroom and the last photo is a cheesy picture of me asking to the kids what flag i was holding and explaining the dreaded "Pledge to the Texas Flag".