June 11

It is almost the end of May and my presentation is going to be next month. I am very nervous and feel time is going very fast. After seeing Ivan's presentation I am scared that I can't top his presentation. I even keep having nightmares about not being able to do my presentation. I just have to re focus on my passion which it is to teach. I have to make the audience feel my motivation and tell them all about my experience. I have to make it happen and make the best book and the best pamphlet they have ever seen.

School four

Today, I went down to school four and helped out the teachers for field day. It was very exciting to have a part in their field day. What turn out to be even better is that I was assigned to help my sponsor Sra. Montanez. I have to say that many of the elementary students where very active in all the games they played. They found a lot of encouragement when their teacher was cheering them on and helping them win the game. In addition, they where even more motivated when their parents came to watch them.

1st Senior Project Presentation

Yesterday, we experienced a historical event that is going down in the Lindenwold books. Our first presentation for Senior Project was presented by Ivan Pinero. I was really impressed by his presentation and he set high expectations for the next to come. He demonstrated the audience that he learned something and that he enjoyed doing his project. Moving along, I really enjoyed his presentation and learned many knew things. Overall, the presentation was a home run and Mr. Abrams and Mr. Snyder did a fantastic job. All we have left now is to finish the rest of the presentation and hit more home runs. I am very confident that everyone else will do a great job to.

period 7 spahish class

Before, leaving to see my sponsor I decided to visit my mentor. When I walked inside her classroom, Ms. Kelly was playing a study game for the finals. Spanish can be really fun when you have an amazing teacher like her. She invited me to have a part in the game. In other words lead the class and correct them if they made a mistake. I have to admit I was a bit scared and nervous. Overall,I know I did okay and still have to work very hard to one day reach Ms. Kelly's level of teaching. Moving along, another thing I can get use too, is sitting in the teacher's chair, You definitely can't compare the seat of the teacher with the students.

Evaluators

My mentor Ms. Kelly gave me the advice to blog on how I decided to pick my evaluators. My three evaluators are Ms. Haffner (councilor),Mrs. Clark (special education teacher), Mrs.Cavalo(Language Supervisor).


Ms. Haffner has been very helpful throughout my senior year and basically knows my life. She has been a great councilor, friend and mentor. I decided to choose her because I knew she would feel my inspirational side of been a teacher.


Moving along, Mrs Clark has been the supervisor over the Bible club and she basically makes sure the students are alright. In many of my blogs I make clearly that God is first in my life and that I want to teach at a Christian School. Mrs. Clark knows that side of me and if the evaluators don't understand. I know for fact Mrs. Clark will make the evaluators see it the way I see it, and feel my Passion.

Furthermore, since Mrs. Cavalo is a language supervisor, I see in her what one day I want to become. She has gone through the whole process of becoming a Spanish teacher and knows how much I want this opportunity to become a teacher.

"Field Day"

Since I am not going to go to prom, Mrs.Thomas our gym teacher asked me if I could do her a favor. While the juniors and seniors are going to attend their prom, the elementary students are having their field day. Of course I saw this as an opportunity to work with kids and make connections for my senior project. Even though id tough working with little kids I am going to have a blast. What makes it even better is that I get to leave school for periods 2nd,3rd,4th and 5th period. I look forward to see a lot of competition among the students and let the games begin!!!!

Lion choice award

Coming back from Florida I remembered that "Lion's choice award" was on the Monday when we came back from Senior trip. Deep in heart something told me to check the mail box because I knew someone had picked me. Ever since I was a freshman I have wanted to get chosen for such an honor. As soon as I arrived at home the letter was definitely in my mail box. I was jumping off the walls and showing off everyone about my award. I am so happy that the teacher who picked me was Ms. Kelly, she has been my mentor and a friend I really admire.

VACATION OVER

5-18-09

Sadly, the senior trip is over and have 5 weeks left till graduation. I did not expected but through my trip I made a lot of connections to my senior project. When we arrived at Epcot one of Disney's parks, I explored many countries. For example, Mexico, this country of course was the best to explore and adventures. The biggest attractions in Mexico was the big pyramid seen above. Once you go inside you explore the Mexican culture and what makes it even better is that the workers are Mexican too. In other words you truly feel you are Mexico because you have the real food, clothing, and music. I got inspired to wear a traditional Mexican dress during my presentation.

"Senior Trip"

5-11-09

I am so excited because tomorrow we are leaving to Florida with the Senior class. I have been waiting for this trip since freshman year. What makes this even better is that my best friend is coming along as well. The bad side about this trip is that I am not going to be able to visit my sponsor or blog. In addition, continue to work on my presentation. Overall, I am going to have a lot of fun and make this experience the best.

Agenda

5-7-09

Today Mr. Abrams sat down and helped me plan my pamphlet. Since I want to be a teacher I decided to create a mini agenda but at the same time keep it simple. He gave me so many great ideas to make my agenda better. Before, I really did not know how to start it off ,but after his wonderful tips I feel more prepare. Before working in "Word" I plan what the pages are going to look like by planning it in paper, in other words called " a dummy book". I also had to incorporate photo shop into my work to make it better. I better start working fast because time is flying very fast. I believe in myself and I will have a fantastic finish project.

Franci

5-7-09 me and my freshman

Through out this journey of being a mentor to a group of kids. I have had a close relationship with one students whose name is Franci. I have truly worked very hard with him as well as his other mentors who have helped him succeeded in his freshman year. At first he was not working at his potential but now I see a big change in him. Looking back at the 1st marking period, he really stepped up to the plate. All his teachers can see a big difference in him. He has even worked hard to get out of 9th period. In addition, he has a B in math which is the greatest news ever because he was struggling a lot in that class. I truly admire him and I am very proud of him.

9th period

5-7-09


In the program of freshman seminar if a student is falling two or more classes they automatically enroll in 9th period. 9th period is not a punishment but a class where students stay after school and both the teacher and senior mentor help the student get their work done. The whole goal behind this program is to help the student better her or his grades. At the beginning one of my students was struggling a lot with his grades so he got stuck in 9th period. I always encouraged him to work harder and complete all his work so he would be able to get out of 9th period. I know it took long but he accomplished his goal on getting out of 9th period. I am just so proud of his motivation and determination he had on getting out. Now he can finally get out of school at 2:19 pm instead of 3:20. I have talked to him and he thanked me for always been there for him. I remember the day he told me he was out of 9th period, I was jumping off the walls. I have seen him grow in so many levels that I am just amazed of the person he has become. My whole goal as a Senior Mentor was just to impact a student's life and I believe I have accomplish it.

teacher appreciation day

5-5-09

Through out this week schools around the country are celebrating teacher appreciation day but May fifth is actually the official teacher appreciation day. I really appreciate all the hard hours they put in their students. I love all the posters around the school describing teachers as mentors that love,inspire and teach their students. Lindenwold should plan a breakfast for all the wonderful teachers and honor them there. I often always see students that don't make a big deal about it,when they should. What if you worked very hard and no one never thanked you? Deeply, I now for a fact that you would feel bad and not appreciated. Moving along, every student should thank a teacher this week for their hard work. As students we should cherish teachers every day like diamonds.

Cinco de mayo

5-5-09
Today is Cinco De Mayo, and school four will be coming to Lindenwold high school to watch a performance and learn at the same time. After, watching their performance a was a bit disappointed. As a Mexican American I did not see my culture been portray well. No offence to no one but it seen more like black history month mixed with Caribbean music. In addition, when the person started dancing it was nothing like Mexicans dancing. The children in my opinion got a bad prospective on our culture. Overall, the children did have a lot of fun and enjoyed the performance. They deserved it after working very hard in their NJ ASK test.

"Los catrines"

Today I am going to meet with David Suro, he is the owner of "Los Catrines". Los Catrines is a Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia. Earlier in the year my mentor had planned to take Cindi, Malanie and I to the restaurant. Meanwhile, this is a good opportunity because my project is to write a book on successful immigrant people. Mr. Suro qualifies perfectly for my book because he came from Mexico to the USA as an immigrant and by working very hard he now owns his business. Also, he even created his own tequila called "azul" which in English means "blue".

Moving Along,Tequilas got its' start back in 1986 while located at 1511 Locust Street. Owner David Suro, a native of Guadalajara, grew up near agave fields in the state of Jalisco.
He went to school with the children of agave farmers and tequila producers. David met his wife, Annette, while working as a waiter in Cancun. He followed her home to Philadelphia and got a job at the only Mexican restaurant in town (El Metate). A year later, he bought out the owner and renamed it Tequilas. That is just a little taste on his biography and how he made it happen.

Through my book I want people to believe that your dreams can become true and Mr. Suro's biography is going to make it happen.I am truly just one step ahead on what is going to motivate many and hopefully published.

http://tequilasphilly.com/

My Anecdote

Growing up was very difficult probably because my parents were not able to help me through my school work. At the same time, I felt bad for them because they did not have the opportunity to get an education, and they could not help me in my school work. Everywhere we went I had to be a translator for them; instead of them helping me, I was helping them.Furthermore, everywhere I went to help my parents, I saw many other Hispanics that lacked education and their children suffered from it.I always wanted to better myself at everything I did. Realizing that I was the key to my own success (and others), I mounted a burden that included helping others who did not have an opportunity to receive an education. I wanted to be the opportunity of education that anyone could take advantage of. For this reason, I decided to become a Spanish teacher. In addition, I picked Ms. Kelly and Mrs. Montanez to help mentor me through this journey. This two ladies are absolutely the best spanish teachers Lindenwold district has.

Sra. montanez visit

4/30/09

Yesterday, I went to visit Sra. Montanez at school four. I arrived to her classroom but the children where on their break outside. Mean while, we sat together and I helped her cut paper dolls. She told me her plans for class which was to show them a video clip on "Cinco de Mayo". She showed them this clip to introduce them to Mexican culture. This clip really explained what "Cinco the Mayo" was all about. At the end one thing that was really funny was when the children started singing "cielito lindo". It's a very popular Mexican song,they had a lot of fun singing this song.After, the clip was done they colored their dolls and went over on what they had learned. Next, week they will be coming to Lindenwold High School to celebrate "Cinco de Mayo".

"Poem Game"

In Senior Project class we are celebrating poetry and to help boost our speaking techniques we have to read a poem in front of the class. I have to say I liked this activity better than the dictionary game. The only hard part was choosing one that was short and related to my future career. My friend Cindi helped me find a short poem on teaching. I really enjoyed hearing my fellow classmates read their poem and motivated me not to be afraid to read my poem.

Overall, Mr. Abrams said I did okay, I just have to work harder on my expression. So I will go home and practice reading my poem in front of my mirror, so next time we do it, I impress Mr. Abrams with my poem.

The following is the poem that I presented in front of the class;

I want to teach my students more than lessons in a book;
I want to teach them deeper things that people overlook-
The value of a rose in bloom, its use and beauty, too
A sense of curiosity to discover what is true;
How to think and how to choose the right above the wrong,
How to live and learn each day and grow up to be strong;
To teach them always how to gain in wisdom and in grace,
So they will someday make the world a brighter, better place.
Lord, let me be a friend and guide to give these minds a start
Upon their way down life’s long road, then I’ll have done my part.

bible posters

The above poster is the one we are going to use to invite students to the club. At this time their is no emotion to describe how much this posters mean to me. As everyone knows we meet every Monday at 2:20 in room D201. I had some problems with my previous posters, but after having a meeting with the principal, I created new posters that regulated all rules. This club is very important to me and hope the club won't have any more problems.

So far we have had 10 -15 students attending the club and it's a lot of fun to talk about the bible and most importantly God. Next week I plan in bringing a book on Jesus Christ teenage years, it's absolutely one of the best books for teenagers. Indeed,I know the group will enjoy reading this awesome book. 

Lastly, now everyday when I walk through the hallways I feel so happy to see the Young Ambassadors posters. I feel as though I have reached another mile stone in my life. The whole group has been greatly blessed to have this opportunity to have a bible club in school. Slowly but in time this club will make a difference in Lindenwold High School. I might not be here next year but I promise that this club will last forever and make a difference.

Senior Mentors

Senior Mentors 2009






It's almost the end of year and Mr. M is already looking for the next Senior Mentors of 2010. He asked me to interview some of the future Senior Mentors. It's so cool to be in the other side, just last year I was getting interviewed to become a Mentor and it was really scary. When interviewing this juniors, I am looking for hard working,determine role models. The job of a mentor needs a lot of motivation and passion. Not anyone can handle kids and mentor them at the same time. Our job is very seriously and deals with having a strong relationship with the freshman. Any Senior Mentor at this time will say that mentoring takes a lot of hard work and time and at the same it's really fun. We are making a change in many students lives and helping them through high school.I want the freshman class of 2010 to have the best Senior Mentors ever.
Truly this experience has helped me improve as a person and prepare me for my future career. This opportunity is once in a life time. I was very fortune to get picked for such an honor job and will take all this experience with me forever. I wish good luck to the Senior Mentors of 2010 and  encourage them to make a difference in their freshman.