Diversity

My college class will have their first exam next week.  I gave them a list of problems to help them prepare and spent the evening letting them work on problems (which they all did.)

As the class was leaving, I heard a Spanish woman calling across to a Korean male asking him to text her his answers so they could compare.  An African American student sat and worked with a boy from South East  Asia and a Jewish girl and a Pakistani girl in a hijab also exchanged numbers.

I love teaching in Queens.  I love seeing students from such diverse backgrounds bonding together and working to succeed.  Queens is one of the greatest places in the world to live.

Back In The Saddle

I was sorry I decided to go back to work.  Planning a lesson is not fun.  And then, when I had to turn down a trip to wine country because I had to work I really got pissed at myself.

In spite of all this, when the phone rang asking me to do a coverage today before my class, I immediately said yes and then kicked myself again as I had to put away my Nook and head out the door to class. But, when I walked out of the door with that familiar bag thrown over my shoulder, my mood changed.  Instead of a weight, I felt wings.  I walked into a class of primarily freshman, remedial math students who were eager to start their college career.To have an attentive group listening to me and to watch the expression of a woman who finally got it was wonderful.  My only regret was that I would not be with that particular group again.

After a quick dinner with my husband, I went back to teach my own class.Two and a half hours later, I walked out, exhausted, wondering how I ever managed to teach nights after working full days and feeling great, looking forward to my next classes on Wednesday, two at my new school and one here.