Celebrating Purple Victory in the City

Even though I'm states away from my college, I still have the opportunity to get together with fellow K-State lovers and watch football. Tonight was our first watch party, which took place on the Upper East Side. As Seth and I headed there via subway, we randomly enough were spotted by a K-State Alum who was also on his way to the watch party. I always wanted to be the one to spot another K-Stater in our Big City, but I figure it's just as cool being spotted! The evening was a great time, met new people, even a new teacher to NYC (who's going through a very similar experience) and hung out with a former classmate from KSU. The night was topped off with a K-State victory over Montana, and even better because our commute wasn't dampened by too much other than a few sprinkles - "Hurricane" Hanna was not so nasty to us after all!

I have to say again, I love New York City. I love the fact that I am teaching here, living here, meeting new friends here, having conversations about Kansas here, and just living outside of any life imaginable in Kansas. This life is going to change me forever. I've never been one to be overly outgoing when I first meet people, and I've always been one to really reach for a comfort zone. But here, I see myself stepping out of that shell, challenging my fears, and just being. Despite my lack of know what's "right" or what's even going on... I'm able to just bring myself to the table and present me as me. I think I can say that I'm starting to love meeting new people and I look forward to all the new people I'll know in my future!

As you may have noticed, my entries have already decreased... I used to have all this time to get them in, but now that school has started I am running a little short on time to do anything, including thinking. But I'm happy to say I survived my first week of teaching in NYC. Although, Thursday I was so exhausted I fell asleep watching the news and Friday I was so exhausted from "crowd control" my heart beat and blood pressure were probably reaching unhealthy highs!

We truly have some great students in our class - and I have already received my first note from a student, you know the ones that really work to boost a teacher's confidence! Did you know I'm the BEST teacher EVER!? In a lunch meeting with our A.P. (Assistant Principal for those without the New York City jargon) about some issues with a few of our students, she encouraged us to use positive attention to try to get the attention of our "trouble" students. Often it's easier to get stuck in the trap of focusing the negative - Brian, stop talking please; Brian, is this how you line up; Brian, you need to be in your seat. After lunch, when we headed out to pick them up for recess (YES! on Friday they did get recess!), instead of asking the students who were out of line to get in a proper line, we started complimenting and focusing our attention on our star students who were doing what they were supposed to be doing. Immediately (!) the others were lining up and getting quiet. They were craving that attention... In a half an hour, I learned a lesson and saw positive results. I will use this for the rest of my teaching career. I've never seen it work so well... and, as a teacher, I'm changed for life!