CJ Jatala Visits Holloway (March 31st)

My good friend, CJ Jatala, entrepreneur and karaoke DJ visited the school today to speak to my class. CJ owns CJ's Party Place, which does event parties from small children birthdays to wedding co-ordination, as well as karaoke at a number of events locations/businesses and a travel agency. His is a rags to riches story, having gone from arriving in Nashville a few years ago with less than $700 and a broken down car, homeless, to now owning the old Marty Stewart estate and being one of Middle Tennessee's most successful entrepreneurs in less than 5 years! Again, Mr Bridgeman opened the visit to the school, and Mrs. Gannon brought her entire economics class in to hear CJ's story. His presentation was extremely motivational, and CJ is a born entertainer. Through his karaoke business he already knew one of my students, AJ, so it was very easy for him to keep everyone engaged. As I write this three weeks later, students and faculty still talk about his visit!

The re-test (March 30th)

Well, the use of a practice test was definitely helpful. Everyone passed today, although it was interesting to see that all the students were expecting the test to be the exact same as yesterday. This expectation was even after I warned them both days that the tests were different. The tests are true/false, vocabulary matching, and multiple choice, with some short answer questions. I have selected to use short answer questions as extra credit questions, which helped a good deal. If there are 4 questions, they can chose 2 to answer, 5 points each.

Have new supervising teacher, Mrs Supakhan is on maternity leave. Can see problems with the interim. She retired 7 years ago, and treats the students with zero respect but expects them to be respectful of her.

March 29th...Return to school

Well, my fears were justified. Gave the first test today, after some review, and will have to retest the class tomorrow with a different test. NO passing grades. VERY frustrating!

Senior skip day and Spring Break (March 19th)

Wish someone had told me that today was Senior Skip Day. Not a single one of my students was in school! And all next week is Spring Break, so 6 class days lost in the first 2 weeks of the quarter. I feel like this week just got wasted, as I had planned on having our first chapter test today.

Paul Winkler Visits Holloway (March 18, 2010)

We had our first guest speaker for Personal Finance today. Paul Winkler, host of the nationally syndicated show "The Investment Coach" and president of Paul Winkler Investments came to speak to the class. Mr. Bridgeman, the principal, announced the visit and opened the program to anyone who wanted to come in. We had enough students who wanted the information (or to get out of their regular class) that we had to move to the cafeteria! Paul explained to us how investing works, about the stock market, the difference between stocks and bonds, and what mutual funds are. A lot of great information, and he presented it in a way that the students could relate too. Had a lot of engagement! I gave him the entire class period, and a number of the students stuck around after class to talk to him some more! Had 3 teachers sit in as well, and taking notes!

My own class! (March 15, 2010)

Today was the first day of having my own class! Mrs. Supakhan introduced me to the 4th block Personal Finance class, and told them that any questions they have are to be directed to me, I am the teacher and she is only observing. Started out with letting the students know how much I look forward to teaching them, and why an English teacher (some know me from Mrs. Williams class) is teaching Personal Finance. Also gave them a great incentive to do well. After obtaining permission from Mr. Bridgeman, I am able to run 3 contests. The students will be required to write 2 research papers for the class, any topic involving personal finance. The one who does the best first paper will be exempted from having to do the second, and receive $50 cash. The one who does the best second paper will also receive $50, and the person who is most improved overall at the end of the quarter will receive $50. Talk about getting their attention!

Class size is small, only 6 students, which is both good and bad. I can give more one on one help, but if 2 are absent I am missing a third of the class.

Visits

Welcome back!

Yesterday was great! NYC poet Mahogany Brown visited the school as part of YAWs (Young Artists and Writers) and spent the day teaching the students how to brainstorm writing poetry. Been in the middle of research papers and midterms, so it was a welcome break! Received the 'official' confirmation that I will be teaching Mrs. Supahkan's finance class, with her replacement being there to observe only. I will have full responsibility for the materials, start to finish. Psyched!

More soon!