Some Words of Wisdom

      I recently e-mailed my last teacher from observation hours, Ms. Hoover, prior to meeting my new teacher for observation, Ms. Pawlak. I wrote to Ms. Hoover stating how I was nervous to start the process all over again and could only hope and wish that this time around could go as wonderfully as last semester. She wrote me back some words that inspired and showed me that I really am progressing as an English teacher. Her words were uplifting to say the least, and I think you all deserve to see them as well, since we are all beginning another semester with another host teacher. I hope you all take to heart what Ms. Hoover said because I sure did. 

Jen,

Good to hear from you again!  Don’t worry about your next observation assignment.  I’m sure it will be fine.  And just remember–if you don’t ever agree with or like any part of your observation, that only means that you are formulating your own teaching style.  You will frequently learn both what to do and what not to do from your experiences.  Either way, it’s a good thing.  However, it just might not seem so at the time. 

                                                                    -Willis

I figured it out!!!

Hey guys,

I finally learned to post lol my weekly blog prompt about themes is written as a comment under the assignment we were originally given.  I did want to say that I don’t know about you guys, but so far to me this semester already seems alot more promising than the last!!

Jackie

First Day of Class

Our first day of class was exciting, inspiring, and fun! I loved meeting students similar to those that I want to teach one day. They were so determined, creative, and intelligent! At that age, I would never have been able to introduce myself and explain a personal piece of writing in front of college students. Their ideas were great too! I would love to be a part of their writing success in the ways Amanda had mentioned (editing, writing with them, or having an open mic night).

 I was surprised to see that so many of our fellow students had left the program. Last semester was difficult, but we made it through and we can do it again! I am looking forward to a great semester and some more time with the Cortland students! –Stacia

This thing was the most confusing thing ever!!

Wow! It honestly took me forever to get on here!! I hope it gets a little easier from here!

I think that this class is going to be very refreshing! What an awesome change of pace from last semester. The class was really exciting and engaging. I can’t wait to see what this semester will bring. I think that we are going to have great conversations, and that we will get to know eachother much better!

The R&B Ink Peppers left me astonished! There commitment, interested, and love for writing inspired me. I am extremely excited to begin working with the Cortland students and cannot wait to see what this semester will bring!

Kaitlyn*

so0 excited

This took forever for me to do because I couldn’t figure out how to get on here. Thank you professor Stearns for helping me!

 The first day of class was amazing. I loved how everyone discussed things that they remember from high school and how open everyone was with each other.  I think this is going to be a great semester and I absolutely can’t wait.

 The connection with The Ink Peppers I think is going to be a wonderful experience for all of us and I can not wait to start working with the amazing group of students that there are. I think it is going to be a great learning experience for everyone involved.

It seems to look like a good semester, even though we are missing some classmates I am happy with who is left. Can’t wait to see what is in store for all of us this semester!

 -Theresa =]

First day of class

I would have posted earlier, but I was confused by the original link that was sent for this website. I made my own blog page….was I suppossed to do that? Anyway, I am finally here now and ready to discuss

Class on Thursday was wonderful.  I immediatly felt comfortable with our small group and was enthusiastic about our conversations.  I am looking foward to many more insightful conversations about our writing, reading, and goals of teaching.   I was dumbfounded by the Cortland students and how motivated and inspired they are to write.  I was also very impressed with their ability to speak publicly, to a room full of adults and teachers.  I don’t think I would have been able to share my writing, thoughts, and ideas such as they did. 

Even today, when I am in the front of a room presenting or teaching, I still get the shakes and the butterflies in my stomach. Heck, I even stutter sometimes.  But these kids were so confident, so precise.  I walked out of class on Thursday with a whole new inspiration to start writing more, to do whatever it takes to become a great teacher so I can motivate students just as this group has motivated me.  Meeting those students and getting in depth in conversation was a wonderful way to begin the first day of class. I am looking foward to another successful and meaningful semester.

— Kristin

My First Post

Hey Everyone,
   I posted something the other day, but I was having MAJOR difficulties with the blog, so it came out as a comment. Just in case anyone skipped over the comment, I wanted to paste my first post from the other day one here now. Sorry for my kind of delay!
                                                                      -Willis

Helloo0o0o,
I don’t know if I am doing this correctly, but I am going to go for it and see what happens!
Yesterday was on the list of most inspirational days ever. Seeing students who are motivated, and what seemed like in love with writing is a beautiful thing. Ms. Triplett deserves a lot of credit as well. It seems as if Cortland High School is extremely lucky to have her there.
I look forward to meeting with those students, more if possible, and Ms. Triplett again. I hope that both Stearns and Ms. Triplett will keep us posted on anything we can do to be involved with the R&B Ink Peppers!

Everyone enjoy the weekend!
Cheers,
Willis

Our First Class

I finally figured this thing out.  I really enjoyed our first class.  I liked how we talked about the loss of people in our major, which was something that was on my mind, and I believe a majority of the others.  I also enjoyed our discussion on how to get students interested in writing, and I was able to notice many similarities with what others wrote about in high school.  I am extremely excited for this semester and believe I will learn a lot of valuable information.

 I also enjoyed Mrs. Triplett’s writing program with her students.  I was there when she brought it up to her fellow teachers at Cortland Jr/Sr. High School and think it is great to see how it has grown over the past few months.  One specific thing that I loved was that the students finally felt like they belonged.  They considered themselves “outsiders” and truly found a comforting place.  I look forward to working with them in the future. — Alexis

Let me say I love the look of this blog.  I think I am okay now as far as getting onto this site and being able to post. 

I absolutely loved having the kids come in from Cortland.  They were wonderful (so truly motivated to write).  I know I saw so many kids during my observation last semester who had absolutely no motivation to do anything that seeing kids who truly want to write is so refreshing.  I would love the opportunity to work with these kids and give them input and encouragement.  I think Ms. Triplett is amazing, and I only saw her for a few minutes.  I can see why she is inspiring to her students.

I absolutely love the idea of putting together really inexpensive bound copies of their work and our work combined so that people can buy what we publish.  I think it’s a wonderful idea, and I would love the opportunity to take part in such a project.  Thanks to Dr. Stearns for making this opportunity available to all of us. Darlene

Our first class…

I truly enjoyed the time that I spent in class yesterday, and I am definitely looking forward to future meetings. It’s neat that we are going to be writing and learning to teach writing this semester. Writing is essentially the most important skill that students will ever learn, as it enables them to communicate personally and professionally. I feel privileged whenever I think about where I will be in a couple of years: in front of a classroom, teaching English.

I am excited about working with the students from Cortland HS: this collaboration promises to be a wonderful experience both for our class and for the students of Mrs. Triplett’s writing club! Krystina