Impressed with Teach for America

WOW!!!!  This was my experience when interviewing candidates from Teach for America.  I, along with two administrators from our sister high school, were charged with interviewing candidates for the upcoming school year.  I had little knowledge for Teach for America, and was asked at the last minute to go in my principal's place.  However, after this day of interviews, I have a new found respect for the job they do and the people they shape and mold.  We interviewed candidates White, Black, Indian, Afghan, etc.  When I looked at their resume' I asked myself, why are they here.  After talking to them, I realized they have a passion for what they are training to do.  Most impressive, I did not get the feeling that there was a fear of working in urban districts and dealing with kids who will curse you out on minute, threaten you another, and ask you for a dollar in the same breath.
These candidates are highly motivated, they want to be a part of a collaborative environment, they bring a lot of ideas and creativity to the table.  I was also very impressed with the content knowledge of the candidates; especially those who were high school certified.  This is a big problem that you find a lot with regular teacher preparation programs.  You have to know what you are teaching.  There were candidates who majored in Molecular Biology, Bio-chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, etc and as we interviewed them and asked them how they would challenge students in the classroom they were amazing.  In our school we are heavy on real-world connections to engage students in the learning process.  Many of the candidates were describing ways to engage students using real-world scenarios without being prompted to do so.  One candidate played football and was interviewing for a physics position and he made a correlation between football and laws of physics.

I can't say enough how impressed I am with them.  I plan to look into this organization more to see just how effective their program is.  If all teachers in this program are as passionate as the candidates we interviewed, and if they can be mentored properly, given good support to nurture and cultivate that interest, then I can see major milestones begin met in urban education.

Video courtesy of Teach for America

What's up Tiki

Hi guys,

I was checking the web the other day and was thinking about Tiki and realized that I have not heard from Tiki in a very long time.  I remember talking to some colleagues about his unretirement and I thought Tiki took one too many bumps to the head.  Don't get me wrong, I will support Tiki on his retirement.  If anyone can do it physically he can.  He did some amazing things when we played together at the University of Virginia.  I wish I could block for him now, but I know if I step onto a football field and try a return I would break every bone in my body . . . before contact.

I just hope everything is ok with Tiki.  I was sad to hear that he and Ginny did not work out, she was always very nice to everyone and we (teammates) knew that brotha was in love when they were in college.  I will not judge Tiki, that is not my place.  I just hope he is doing the right thing with his comeback.  I am just praying that he isn't coming back for the money; even though he has a pile of legal issues in front of him.  I just wish him and his family all the best.

Shout out to Rhonde.

YouTube - President Obama on Death of Osama bin Laden (SPOOF)

Hello everybody,

I know this video is old but I cannot get enough of this guy and his impersonation of Barak Obama. His mannerisms, depth of voice, and the sweet moves top it all off. I don't know what I enjoy most about his video; if it is the fact that he told it like it is and for everyone to get off my back, or the fact that he put this together in one night and it is awsome.

Crosson should be proud of himself for this accomplishment. He even generated press in the media in Al Jazeera. Everyone is impressed by his spot on imitation of Barak. I still can't get enough of watching it. Check it out.

YouTube - President Obama on Death of Osama bin Laden (SPOOF)

Why are the Kardashians so popular?

I must admit that I have watched and rather enjoyed the reality TV show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians", not really sure why.  As I was perusing MSNBC, I ran across this  headline that made me think, "Who the hell is Kim Kardashian?".  This was the reaction of [atress] Edie Falco when asked in an interview if she watches reality television. 

 ""“Who the hell is Kim Kardashian?” Edie answered when asked if she watches reality television, during an interview with New York Magazine’s Vulture blog posted on Tuesday. “Who are these people and why are they famous and why are they advertising things and being asked their opinions about things? I just don’t understand what these people did to be in a position of having everyone ask their opinions about stuff." (Access Hollywood) 

You can read the full article here: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43328983/ns/today-entertainment/

But she has a valid point, we worship this family on a daily basis, they grace the cover of magazines with, nothing of substance.  What have these people done to be the mantra of television and print.  Granted, they are a beautiful family; however, if that were not the case would they be as successful and as popular as they are now.  Kim is reportedly worth more than 35 million; from what.  There are other successful people out there whose resumes have far more substance than them.  

What about the Williams sisters?  They are talented tennis players, entrepreneurs, have dealt with tragedy in their lives as well, but we don't see anyone breaking down their door to do a reality show.  Is beauty all we see as a society now, is that what makes you successful?  

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Ok all my TransFans out there.  It is almost here, the 3rd installment of the Transformers movies.  I am syked and cannot wait.  I haven't read a lot about this installment because don't want know what is going to happen and also, this is supposed to be the last installment.   I hope not because I am a true Transformers fan.  I grew up with the Hasbro money-makers in the 80's and still follow to this day.  I was in Walmart one day and happened upon a Transformers, Generation 1 video and of course I had to buy it.  I used to play around the house as a kid thinking I was Optimus Prime, leader of the autobots, and fighting the evil Decepticons.  That was fun.  I can't wait to see this movie.  I will be there at the midnight showing.