Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Getting to Know One Another...
We are all exceptional, in some way or another, so before class starts, I'd like you to respond to this initial blog and introduce yourself and share one thing you think makes you exceptional (and keep in mind exceptional is not a good or bad thing; it just makes us different!).
Here's mine:
I'm a fanatic about some things, like fiercely loyal to a fault. My obsessions include my furry kids (a fox terrier named Kaycey and a Boston Terrier/Chihuahua mix named Cali); the Kansas City Chiefs (notice that my two puppies' names start with K and C--this is NOT a coincidence); the St. Louis Cardinals; the Missouri Tigers (my Alma Mater for my Masters and PhD); travel (hence part of this class will be taught from the Virgin Islands); books (come to my office and you'll get a sample of that...I read them and write them); and music (I LOVE concerts and am eclectic to a fault...last year I saw Lady Gaga, Zac Brown, Pink [amazing!!], Carrie Underwood, Dave Matthews, Bruno Mars, John Mayer, and went to Roots n Blues Festival in Columbia for a whole weekend of great blues!). Aside from my fanaticisms, I am ADHD, so I have a LOT of energy.
I live in Columbia (northeast corner), I'm new to Westminster and LOVING it, and this is my twenty-fifth year of teaching in some capacity (7th/8th/9th grade for 13 years, early childhood for 5 years, education preparation at Mizzou for 6 years and now WC!)
Welcome!
Now each of you follow with your own intro to what makes you exceptional!
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Hello everyone. Well I am Kailey Marchant. I am a Freshman at Westminster and love it. I have a huge Italian family including 37 cousins and counting for 1 more this year! My family means everything to me. My favorite holiday is CHRISTMAS! I plan to major is Elementary education with the Early Childhood add on. Then shortly after plan on majoring in Special Education. My absolute favorite thing in the world is children. I currently work at a daycare and Maurices. I also love music! My favorite genre is country! I love Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band, and Carrie Underwood! I live in O'Fallon and went to Fort Zumwalt South. Well this is alittle about me and what makes me exceptional!
ReplyDeleteWow Kailey, that is a big family. Christmas must be so fun when everyone gets together. Christmas is my favorite holiday too, but I could do without the bad roads during this time of year. You mentioned that you are majoring in Elementary then adding on Early childhood and then Special education after that. Is there one area that you think you would want to teach most? I too had all those on my list, but I ended up deciding that I wanted to just teach Early childhood for now. It was nice to meet you Kailey.
DeleteKailey Christmas is the best time of the year!! the lights are my favorite part. I worked at a daycare all through high school.
DeleteAmanda, I thought about limiting it to only one major but I have a huge interest in all three. In the future I will limit it down to one where i hopefully will find a job but for now I would like to stick to all three.
DeleteKailey, that is a huge family. I thought my family was big having around 25 ish cousins but thats small compared to yours. I would also have to agree with you that Christmas is the best time of year… People are alwas in a better mood as well as the fact that school is on break.
DeleteI can't help but wonder how one family can remember all the birthdays and, occasionally, the names of everyone when there are at least 37+ cousins to remember! Completely from the pretty tight nucleus of my family. I do love the appreciation of Christmas, that is my favorite of the year too. Too bad we have to wait all year for it to happen though.
DeleteJohn, if you have spent most of your childhood with these family members, it becomes second nature to remember their birthdays, aniversaries and occupations. I have 8 siblings, and as many cousins and nieces/nephews as Kailey. I too am Italian, on my adoptive mother's side (I was adopted at 12, but she was a relative of mine), but it is my father's side that is very large.
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DeleteCiao Kailey,
DeleteI was very fortunate enough to be able to do a two-year high school program in Italy. I do not know if you have been to Italy, but it is a beautiful place to visit.
I also grew up in a big family, and in our house, we always had more than 10 people, either siblings, relatives, or a host-student from another island who comes to study in our island.
I am the second oldest of 7 kids, and it never gets bored in our house.
I just became an uncle on 30 of September and I cannot wait to see the youngest member of our family when I go home.
Hey Kailey, It's Dean from choir. Sounds like a fun family. I'm Italian as well, and also have a plethora of relatives back in the east coast around PA, NY, and NJ. Just last week my family traveled back to meet a whole side of our family that we never met because my Grandpop didn't talk to his sister after he got back from the marines in ww2 for some reason. But they found us! The pictures were cool...I couldn't go since I had finals.
DeleteIt's great that you are interested in early childhood and special education!
Good luck with all of your plans for teaching, it sounds like you'd be great at it since you enjoy being around children so much. And Christmas is definitely the best holiday ever, so I agree with you Kailey.
DeleteHey everybody! My name is Ashley Wright. I believe what makes me exceptional (and unique) is that I have red(ish) hair, blue eyes, AND I'm left handed. I just transferred to WestMO from Mizzou and already love it. I'm a junior majoring in Elementary/Early Childhood Education. Like Dr. Bum, I also live in Columbia and commute to Fulton every day. I work at Fazoli's as an Assistant Manager, but I'd rather be working with kids.
ReplyDeletePS: I think the world needs a lot more Christmas lights and a lot less Christmas music.
Hey Ashley! I am also left handed!! I'm not sure if I like it because my hand always smudges what I just wrote!
DeleteHi Ashley, love the red hair. I work part time for Atkins, but would love to work with kids too. I know there were several daycare places in Columbia that were hiring, so maybe a position might open up and you can work with kids. Good luck and it was nice to meet you.
DeleteAshley I have always wanted to have red hair. I thought since I was pale and have a ton of freckles I deserve to have red hair.
DeleteAshley, I am left- handed as well and that can be a blessing as well as a curse. I also totally agree with you about the Christmas music… way too much Christmas music.
DeleteAgreed. I completely agree with the notion of more lights and fewer albums of Christmas music. All the music does this time of year is increase my purchasing of headache reducing medicines. And I'm glad you can't wait to work with kids over Fazoli's folks, though I bet some of them are pretty childish.
DeleteI am also left-handed, although I like to claim I am ambidextrous. My handwritting is very neat right-handed, but I can not write very fast that way. I think that the thinking processes of left and right-handed people are different. I always wanted blue/green eyes. Having hazel and brown seem kind of ordinary to me, and it is much harder for people to make tasteless jokes associating eye color with bodily functions.
DeleteHey Ashley, welcome to Westminster! Great day to be a Blue Jay, is it not? It's great to virtually meet you.
DeletePS, what's wrong with Christmas Music??
=)
Have yourself...a merry little Christmas!
I write two other languages that write from right-to-left. So, right-handed people face the same problem left-handed people face when writing latin-derived characters.
DeleteFor me I found it easier to write when I keep my note book turned 90 degrees anti-clockwise.
I grew up in a non-christian society, so I do enjoy anything Christmas.
Wow, so many lefties!
DeleteGaim, that's so interesting! I will have to try that.
Jimmy, I know this sounds awful, but Christmas music is overly cheery. Other than the music, I LOVE Christmas time!
Jessie, I would love to find a job at a daycare in Columbia. When I moved here 2 years ago I applied at every daycare that was hiring but was unsuccessful. I should really try again and see if any positions are open.
Interesting, why the switch from MIZZOU to Westminster? I love Fazoli's by the way..
DeleteHi, my name is Amanda Adkerson and I am a new Junior student to WM. I had an unexpected emergency move from Columbia to Holts Summit and am living with my aunt and uncle who are just AMAZING! I want to major in Early Childhood Education and move to Japan to teach English. I have been there twice and just loved it. I have a learning disability, however I refuse to let it stop me from pursuing my dreams. I am excited to learn how to work with all sorts of students who are exceptional. I was told from teachers in high school that I would never make it to college and if I did I would fail. So I am pretty excited that I am in this class and am one step closer to achieving my goal. I have two cats that I love and consider my kids and my younger sister and I have red hair and always get mistaken for twins. It’s great meeting everyone.
ReplyDeleteTraveling the world is my dream. I am hoping to go to grad school in England. Japan would be awesome! Why did you choose there though?
DeleteHello Amanda, Wow Japan! That's awesome! I have always wanted to be able to travel the world but I have a lot of allergies to medicine where I cant receive the shots in order to do so. However, I got a exemption form and plan to travel to many other countries after college! It is awesome that you want to teach in Japan though. Do you know how to speak Japanese?
DeleteAmanda, that is awesome that you were able to prove those teachers from high school wrong. Also, what made you visit Japan for the first time, and why did you like it so much?
DeleteI love your dreams Amanda and am excited for you getting one step closer everyday to watching them happen. I also to add that I also believe in the awesomeness of cats and that me and my younger sister were always mistaken for twins too as kids. Something about hair color just throws outsiders off I guess.
DeleteTess, I have been to England once with a tour group in High School and it was so beautiful there. You will love it. I have always been interested in Asian cultures and a little over 3 years ago I met my boyfriend who is Japanese, so yeah, he sort of had an influence on deciding where I wanted to end up teaching.
DeleteKailey, Im so sorry to hear about your allergies but that is awesome that you got that exemption form so you can travel. You always her people say travel if you can in college or after college and i would have to agree. Traveling is a great learning experience. I unfortunately have failed at learning Japanese, but have not given up.
Ryan, thank you for the positive message about my high school experience. Its played an important role for me and my education. I went to Japan for 2 weeks the fist time for vacation and the second time for 3 months to attend a Japanese language school. Japan is just so different from the US and was captivated by Asia at a young age.
Japan is on my top three list for visiting in the future! I love the culture and I am slowly working on learning the language. I can't write in Japanese, but I do get constant practice by watching foreign films and anime.
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DeleteInspiring story and goals Amanda! Westminster is a great place to make your dreams come true...it's kind of like Disney World in that way.
DeleteGood to meet you!
It indeed is an inspiring story, Amanda. But it is a good thing you believed in yourself.
DeleteAs I see it, if life is not challenging, life is just boring!
My brother and I sometimes get confused for one another also, so I know how that is. Japan would be a lot of fun, I wish you the best.
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DeleteHi everyone, my name is Tess Fessler and I am a Sophomore at Westmo. I am majoring in Psychology and Early Childhood with a minor in Music. I love kids, my favorite part of coming home from school is seeing my niece Hayden. I have ADD and was born with a heart defect. Every summer I work at a camp for children who were born with heart defects which is sponsored by St. Louis Children's Hospital.
ReplyDeleteHello Tess! Work at the camp sounds like an awesome experience! Over the summers I also work at a camp however this one is through church's and is a learning experience for the children!
DeleteTess, what made you want to minor in music?
DeleteThe fact that you found that there is a music minor at Westminster leaves me a little on the surprised side. Seriously, where did that come from? I love that you return to camp every year, that is a pretty cool thing to share with those probably searching for someone to relate to.
DeleteTess, so nice to meet you. That is such a great story. Its awesome for kids to see someone like them who is older and has not let anything stop them from achieving their dream. Can anyone work at the camp during the summer?
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DeleteDitto what Dovi said; I'm also a music minor! Let's all jam sometime.
DeleteFor three summers I worked in a science and animal camp, but the camp you worked seems very worthwhile.
DeleteI am sure the kids would find you very inspiring.
There aren't many things more meaningful than teaching and learning from people who have gone/are going through the same things you did. I hope it is something that you continue to do for a long time to come! If I had known that there was a music minor when I first came to Westminster, I would have a music minor as well! I gave up other schools that offered great music programs to go here where they have a great science/prehealth professions program.
DeleteHi Tess! I also have ADD, so I understand how that can be a difficult challenge at times. Sounds like the summer camp is an amazing experience- I bet you've met tons of great people through that!
DeleteIt's great that you support kids who are going through the same things you did, everyone needs some guidance and hope in their lives. Good luck!
DeleteHello everyone, my name is Ryan Strohm and I am a sophomore at Westminster. I am double majoring in education as well as mathematics, however I plan to become a college basketball coach after I graduate. I love sports and just about anything dealing with sports. I play baseball at Westminster and am a pitcher. I am from St. Louis. I guess what makes me exceptional is the fact that I am OCD about things such as being organized and planning things out. These can be good or bad depending on the situation.
ReplyDeleteHi Ryan, I do have to admit I'm not a big sports fan, but I would love to be more involved with the school, so I will try and come out to one of your games and support Westminster. Like I said, I don't know much about sports, so umm, when is baseball season?
DeleteYeah! Another secondary education finally! I will give credit, life as a St. Louis sports fan has been pretty sweet this year to say the least (those darn Cards, Bills, Blues...). But, a basketball coach? I've known you as a baseball guy.
DeleteThat is quite the combination, ,Ryan. is organization the only thing you have OCD tendencies about? So, why basketball coach over base?
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DeleteHey Ryan, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Basketball is my favorite sport, and I can understand why you would want to coach it. My Dad was the coach of my Middle school team and it was a lot of fun. I get a bit OCD sometime too. I always loved watching Monk cause his OCD is hilarious. I know it's not always funny, but it helps to laugh sometimes.
DeleteHey Ryan! I feel like i have OCD to some extent with being organized! I am crazy when it comes to organization however, I have mastered the skill to maintain a messy room!
DeleteHi Ryan,
DeleteIt is cool that you want to be a basketball coach.
I love sports, but I grew up playing soccer, so that is pretty much the only sport I really understands.
I have tried playing basketball, but I feel like I need at least couple of years of practice!
Hey Ryan! Just curious why you want to be a basketball coach instead of a baseball coach? Do you play basketball as well?
DeleteI too am OCD about things being organized and I agree that this can be good and bad. My planner/agenda is completely 100% color coded-- otherwise I'll constantly forget about assignments. It can be a bad thing when I'm not in control of the organization and get anxiety about how something is not organized my way.
Basketball has always been my passion, we have a lot in common. I hope you can make it to a solid college coaching position, that would be an amazing career.
DeleteI'm John York, a Sophomore from Lee's Summit, Missouri which is just outside Kansas City (I know, a KC kid at a St. Louis school! I still can't fully explain how I ended up where I am). My majors are Secondary Education and History so I get to have Dr. Serota for my advisor. Learning is probably the biggest hobby of my life. Exploring new people, places, and stories just constantly interests me and is probably why teaching ended sounding as appealing as it does for a career.
ReplyDeleteI also a passion spot for the Kansas Jayhawks and Lawrence, Kansas as my favorite college/town/sports group (sorry Mid-MO people). I do also follow the Kansas City Chief and all things baseball (especially my hometown Royals). Reading and music and words are also of a strong interest for me with my favorite of music being stuff that ages well (with examples being Americana - John Mellencamp, Rock n' roll - Tom Petty, and truly good country - Wynonna). I appreciate some really good travel too, especially a good Midwestern road trip to places not necessarily at the top of everyone's list, or any stop Lincoln related, whichever I find first.
This should be a robust three weeks. Time to get to work!
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DeleteJohn York; that's a cool name man. Good to meet you, I dig Tom Petty too!
DeleteJohn I think that you will be a wonderful teacher! Also on a side note i love to take road trips with my family. It is so much fun!
DeleteHello John! I love to meet soon to be new history teachers! My worst and least favorite subject was history but my favorite teacher was my sophomore history teacher!
DeleteA road trip can be dragging at times, but, it is pretty fun. One summer I went on a road trip to Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone Park, and Grand Canyon.
DeleteOne of the best thing about a road trip is that you get to see lot more places.
Hi there! I love to go new places but I HATE getting there. I can't stay still for long and I need a frequent break to stretch my legs. Short trips are my thing, and to keep me occupied I love to take pictures of everything I come across. I no longer read on those car rides, they make me sick. I think I spent a good majority of my middle school years stuck in a book.
DeleteWell hi. Do you have any plans on traveling this upcoming year? I use to go to Wyoming all the time and loved it. Its been years, but i would love to go back.
DeleteHey John! If I were to be a secondary teacher, I would also choose history. I always loved history and learning about things that happened before my time. I think it is so interesting.
DeleteI know you mentioned you liked anything Lincoln related. If you could teach any subject (of history) in depth, what would it be?
I'm a fan of Lincoln myself, and some really good travel as well. Any thoughts on your favorite destination?
DeleteJohn, I love to travel to. Where is your favorite place to go?
DeleteHI, I'm Jessie and I am a senior biology major. This is the last course I am taking before getting my diploma! Having 8 siblings, I have always been around small children and I started working with children who have special needs since I was ten. Yesterday I celebrated my one-year wedding aniversary. Something that makes me exceptional? Well, I am brutally honest and I always speak my mind. I am not inclinded to sugar coat things and I have a reputation for being very honest, but also sometimes very mean to peers. Although, with children I am known to be very kind, caring, and compassionate towards. Two years ago I was diagnosed as bipolar and due to my behavioral problems, I spent most of my elementary school days in the special education classroom.
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DeleteJessie it is wonderful to meet you. Congratulations you on the anniversary. My mom taught children with special needs and she says it can be tough sometimes but it is worth it.
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS! I plan to major in elementary education and go back to school later to major in special education! I volunteered in my cousins classroom with children with special needs and absolutely loved it.
DeleteWell, I think congratulations are in store due to you graduating after this class, that is always a pretty cool event I hear. I am wondering a bit about a Bio major taking this course though...I guess I'm so focused on it as future teacher that I don't know what other major kids think of it.
DeleteCongratulation on the first year anniversary, Jessie!
DeleteI know we always don't like hearing the honest opinion, but personally, I like when people speak their mind. At least it does not leave a side story with that!
As harsh as it sound, I think everyone should be honest when giving an opinion (granted, there might be times when you might have to word things a bit better).
John, not every biology major will wind up being a researcher or doctor. I have always wanted to teach others and my passion lies in the sciences. Much like in education, having a career in science means a life-long committment to learning, and that is overall what I strive for. But, before I decide to become an educator, I think it would be best to be well aquainted with my subject matter first. Much like in sports, you want your coach to be someone who has an interest in and knowledge of what they teach. And if nothing else, having someone who is not an education major can provide a different take on some aspects.
DeleteCongratulations on your marriage. Also congratulations on being a senior. Are you excited to be done or are you a little nervous? Hope all goes well for you.
DeleteHi Jessie! Congrats on a year of Marriage and for being so close to finishing your degree. I'm sure you will make a great Biology teacher. I'm actually taking my first Bio class since high school next semester. I found myself way more interested in Env. Science this last semester than I thought I'd be. Science Rules!
DeleteCongrats on one year of marriage and on graduating! So many exciting events. What do you plan to do after graduation?
DeleteJessie good luck on finishing your degree. I love that you try not to let your diagnosis interfere with your goals in life.
DeleteJessie, congratulations on the wedding anniversary as well as graduation. Im curious, as a bio major, what are your thoughts on an education class?
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ReplyDeleteI want to hear you play piano Dovile.
DeleteDovile I wish I knew how to play the piano better than I do. I am learning though. How did you find out about westminster?
DeleteHello Dovile! That's awesome that you have played the piano so long! I have always wanted to learn but never seem to be able to. I have been in choir what feels like my whole life and would love to write my own music but suffer with the music part.. haha,
DeleteDefinitely being the only student at our college from your home country is a pretty unique occurrence indeed, exceptional for sure. Playing the piano for a decade now is also a form of dedication I don't think my music loving has afforded me. That's a lot of practice and passion put together!
DeleteI do not play any instruments, so I have huge respect for anyone who can play one. I never knew you play Piano, Dovile!
DeleteI can't imagine being so far away from home without anyone I knew prior. Do you sing as well? At least music is something we all express an interest in.
DeleteOh, so nice that you are the first one here from your country. That is very exceptional. Has your time here been good? Hope you liked it. Do you plan on staying in the U.S. or do you want to leave and work in a different country? Congratulations on being a senior. It was nice to meet you.
DeleteHave you enjoyed the states? Will you go back home after graduation?
DeleteThat is awesome that you've played the piano for so long. I played for about 2 years and then played the flute for about 3. I wish I would have stuck with it.
Try not to lose your passion or interest in playing music if you enjoy it so much. We should all try to find more time for the things we love, myself included.
DeleteDovile, thats awesome that you have been in music for so long. That is something never been able to do. What made you come to Westminster?
DeleteHello, My name is Gaim Yoosuf Adam, and I am from The Maldives.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in High School, every summer when I go home, I used to teach extra-classes on Economics and our native language, Dhivehi, to students of grade 8-10 and sometimes to 11 and 12.
I enjoyed that immensely.
One thing 'exceptional' about me? -- At the age of two, due to a botched vaccine, I stopped walking. Since the government refused to give any assistance at the time, my parents nurtured me back to health for their best of abilities. I started to walk, but ever since then, my whole left side is weaker (including leg, hand, eyes, ear, and even left nostril).
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a big family and around people. My parents were never over protective. So, they never stopped me from doing any sports or any other activity for that matter, because I was "disabled". Which helped me a great deal growing up as I never felt I was limited to doing anything.
But I have seen people who are in 'worse' situations doing jaw-dropping things. So, I can not complain about my situation and I am just blessed to be where I am today.
In fact, the question of disability never came to my mind until I was 15, when out of nowhere government invited me to a event held on International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I got pretty upset that day, but it did inspired me to write one of my creative writing pieces for my Creative Writing - Fiction class.
That brings me to my hobbies. During my spared time, I like to draw and write (mostly short-short stories). But it really depends on whether I am motivated to do it or not. And, it has been almost 5 months since I drew anything, and even longer since I wrote anything.
And, I am looking forward to finishing this course and going home in couple of months after being away from home since August 2009.
Hey Gaim (this is Dean) I would love to read that story you wrote if you would share it with me. Are you still doing sports psychology?
DeleteI am happy to hear that your childhood wasn't never limited by your parents. That they never labeled you as "disabled" and just let you grow and experience the things you wanted to.
DeleteHey Gaim! I'm so happy for you that everything got better! I bet your super excited to go back home since it has been so long.
DeleteAll I feel I can add down here is that that is an exceptional story indeed and that going home after over four years sounds incredibly exciting too.
DeleteDean, I majored in Economics. But I did take Sports Economics and a Coaching theory class. It was pretty fun.
DeleteI think you read my original piece in intro to creative writing class, I just made it more of a story in the CW-Fiction class.
But, if you are willing to give some constructive-criticism, I can definitely send you the story. I don't think I will be able to have a final version of a story as I always find something to add or change.
I love to draw too, but some of the items I use get smudged as I move across the surface that I am drawing on (Ah, the curses of being left-handed). I haven't done anything of real skill in quite sometime, although my notebooks are filled with doodles all over every margin. I used to find it very hard to keep from drawing on every piece of paper set in front of me. As for writing, I sound better in my head than on paper. I would love to be able to creatively express myself through writing. I bet your experiences make for some of the best writing. Fiction seems so much harder than everyday occurances.
DeleteGaim, what an amazing story. I m happy you were inspired and followed your dreams. I hope you have a safe flight when you go back home. I'm sure your family will be so happy to see you. My sister writes short stories and draws too. Have you thought about publishing your work?
DeleteI do remember! We had class back with Dr. Zade in our Sophomore year. I remember you reading it to the class and it being very powerful.Yes, I think a writer's work is never finished. I would love to read the latest draft, if you would email it to me at DMoran.13@westminster-mo.edu, I'll write you back with some notes!
DeleteWow thats an incredible story, Gaim. You'd be an inspiration to a lot of people. Enjoy every minute of time you get with your family, it sounds like they are a very important piece of your life's journey.
DeleteGaim, that is an awesome story and it is very inspiring. Im curious, where exactly are The Maldives and how did you find Westminster College?
DeleteAmanda, my work is not publishing-material yet. But now and then I will create a blog and publish them. For a while I created an account on deviantART and posted some of my drawings too. But if I am to take those things seriously, I need to be more active. At the moment, it is just hobbies.
DeleteRyan, Maldives is an Island chain close to India and Sri Lanka. If you look very closely just south west of Indian Ocean next to India, you will see bunch of dots, and that would be the Maldives.
When I was in High School, I was fortunate enough to go to International School call UWC of Adriatic in Italy (one of many UWC schools around the world), and I came to Westminster basically through that program. Lot of international students at Westminster went to one of UWC schools. So I was just one of the lucky ones.
Howdy fellow digital classmates, my name is Dean Moran. I sometimes have a problem putting my true identity on the internet, so I make up phony names like this. The picture is from the Lorax; I like it because that "unless" part always reminds me of the responsibility for the future that we all have. (especially our generation)
ReplyDelete"Jimmy the Saint" is a character from a Bruce Springsteen song, called "Lost in the Flood". He's a New Jersey street racer who the kids all look up to, then one day he decides to ride his car "head first into a hurricane" and disappears. I guess I want to be him one day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h9Zki_4e98
(Start at 1:28 to hear about Jimmy)
Well, I think I always knew I was special. I guess it must have been the first time I went through the second grade; I caught my reflection in a spoon while eating my cereal and thought "Wow, I'm ridiculously good looking...maybe I could do that for a living?" So that's when I knew I wanted to be a male model...
But if that doesn't work out I'm going to be a middle school teacher. I want to teach the kids of the future that it's ok to think about sex and go through puberty and be confused and angry sometimes. Everybody tells me I'm brave when I tell them I want to teach middle school...as if I'm about to go up against some kind of frumious beast or something. I think the stigma is half the problem. I'm very patient and I'm going to help them go through that age by teaching them the core values I've learned of growing up through music, literature, and creative writing. I have other agendas for my students that I am developing to help alter the materialistic abysmal of our future.
I really enjoy Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and Velvet Underground. My favorite sports teams are the Bulls, The Sixers, the Ravens, the Cards, and unfortunately...the Eagles.
I love Westminster! It's a great day...
You have a good taste in music... I'm just sayin'.
DeleteHey Dean! Are you in Churchill Choir and Wren? I'm pretty sure we just had Wren together!
DeleteMiddle School teachers, now there's a brilliant set. Not necessarily out of bravery but definitely out of a willingness to live with the memories of some of their personal puberty pains everyday in watching their students hit that stride of growing up. Good thing you will have good music available to listen after class each exciting and individualized day.
DeleteFor some odd reason, if male model agency decided there is a surplus of models running around, I think you have a pretty solid back-up job, Dean!
DeleteFor a fact, I know you would be a great teacher. You might have to work on your poker-face though.
Being the age we are, who got you interested in the Beatles? My father loves them and used to torture us in the car with 'old' music, as a result I like a wide variety of music.Middle schoolers, that is a tough route but someone has to do it.
DeleteLove all the music you listed Dean. Also you would be a great middle school teacher. I would have loved having a teacher like you. In middle school we just took notes and took testes. Really no creativity was going on at my school.
Delete...to be a Blue Jay!
DeleteDean, you already know I share your taste in music. Its really awesome to hear you talk about how it shaped your life. I think you'd be a fantastic middle school teacher as well.
Deleteailey- Yeah I'm a Churchill singer...(that Christmas concert :-o) Thanks Tess!
DeleteJohn- Yes! That is a huge reason why I'm called to that age, because I have a pretty strong remembrance of how difficult and intense it was.
Gaim- HA! oh man...you kicked my ass at poker every game! Good times.
Jessie- I'm not really sure. I used to listen to Outkast, and Weezer, and the Strokes in Middle School...High School I was really angsty about moving to M.O., and I listened to a lot of Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead. My Junior year my parents saw that I really liked writing songs and got me the complete book of Bob Dylan lyrics: 1961 to 2001 for my birthday. From then on I was enamored by the 60's.
Thanks Amanda! That's a shame! I think all middle school curriculum today should be developmentally flexible, and stimulating scientifically, and creatively...maybe even philosophically. (These are just words of course...)
:-) You win Ashley!
Hey Hunter, thanks man!
Dean, thats awesome that you want to be middle school teacher. I don't think I would have the patience for that, so I applaud you.
DeleteHey everybody, my name is Hunter Amend and I’m from St. Louis. I’m currently a senior, majoring in Political Science and Philosophy with a minor in Pre-Law. I chose this major (and hopefully a fruitful career in law) so that I will someday be in a position to give back and help those who haven’t been blessed with the same advantages that I’ve enjoyed. My driving passion is to help others as much as I can. I have a lot of hobbies, but to name just a few; I enjoy playing/watching basketball, playing golf, fishing, spending time with my two dogs, eating italian food, smoking cigars, and generally trying to solve the world’s problems. I don’t often think of myself as particularly exceptional, but I suppose there are some things which make me a little different than others. I don’t like peanut butter. And yes, apparently I’m one of a handful of people on this planet who feels that way. Sorry. I also love to be in tune with world events, such as politics and foreign affairs. I’d like to think of myself as a worldly 21 year-old, although I have sooo much more to learn. I’m excited about what I can learn from EDU 231.
ReplyDeleteHi Hunter, nice to meet you. I too do not like peanut butter. I am the only one in the house who has a jelly sandwich while everyone else has a normal PB&J. Congratulations on being a senior. Do you plan on staying in school more after this or do you want to find a job right after you graduate?
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ReplyDeleteI know you'd be a fantastic lawyer since you made a pretty convincing argument during the persuasive speech for Hardeman! May I suggest that you read "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult for the book report project? It's an awesome book and there is a lot of information about representing someone with special needs in the courtroom. She even gives you 1st person narratives from the point of view of both the lawyer, Jacob, (the defendent who's diagnosed with asperger's) his mother, and his brother. It sounds like you would enjoy it a lot. I read it already for this class actually since I had to kind of drop it this last semester...
DeleteGlad to see you! But how could you not like peanut butter? What's wrong with you? ;)
Hunter, I love to golf too… whats your handicap? Also, if you don't like peanut butter, have you ever tried nutella?
DeleteHunter, it seems you have pretty fun hobbies. I love fishing too. My favorite is going snorkeling with a spear and catch some fish. I am not too good with a fishing rod.
ReplyDeleteI took a golf class at Westminster and it turned out that I was not a born-golfer. But mini-golf, that I can play.