Chalk

So I must say that I was not sure what "Chalk" was going to be like, I was a little skeptical as the movie started, but then after we got a minute or so into it, I realized I really enjoyed this movie. It can definitely be described as the "teaching version of the NBC TV show 'The Office". It has elements that you would expect there to be some truth to, however that truth has been exaggerated quite a bit. I think some of my favorite moments were when Mr.Stroope, (the teacher who is wishing to win the Teacher of the Year Award) asked one of his students to stop using big words that he couldn't understand, and another to stop being so smart, since they both know that she knows a lot more history than he does. Then there is Mr. Lowrey who is really awkward, and has no teaching experience. The only interaction he has with his students is when they steal his "chalk". Another part of the movie which reminded me of 'The Office', was when Mr.Stroope was talking to the faculty about all the things that they shouldn't steal from the school, like paper, and money from extracurriculars. A really really awkward part was also when Mr. Stroope compared shooting a gun to teaching... = / One of the funniest parts for me also was just when the AP was talking to the parent over the phone about the kid who brought the knife to school, and then all of the sudden she just gives up talking to the parent and holds the phone away from her face, makes a really funny face and then flicks off the parent over the phone. There are many awkward parts in the movie, but I am thoroughly enjoying it.

By the way, it said that 50% of new teachers quit during the first 3 years... I think that it a really high statistic, and I don't really know if that is true, or another exaggeration... ?

New Teachers & Hope Has Won

Last night we had the privilege to be visited by 3 relatively new teachers who graduated from Luther and are now teaching in the Decorah School District. They all talked about how Luther had prepared them to step into their own classroom, and they also commented on how much more we will be prepared because we will be in the classroom observing and doing practicums. I also thought that the music teacher brought up a good point in that, we never stop learning. It should be our goal to "steal other people's ideas" and make them our own, always adjusting our methods of teaching to fit our classroom. I really enjoyed listening to what they had to say.

On another note, Barrack Obama has been elected as the President of the United States. I can't help from thinking about what a large achievement this is, for everyone- the American people- for our country as a whole. It's amazing when you think of how far our country has come, and the message we send to the rest of the world. I feel like this is a defining moment in history, that I will end up telling my children about someday. "It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America," Obama said in his speech tonight. I felt inspired as he told the story of the 106 year old woman who voted today, and all of the things she has witnessed in her lifetime.

"This is our moment. This is our time -- to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth -- that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can," Obama said.

We all know that there is a great anticipation to see the changes in store of our country, and we know that there is a lot of work ahead of us to create the change we want. I love that Obama addressed all of the people who supported McCain, that we all have to come together as one to rebuild our country. I think Oprah put it best when she said tonight: "It feels like hope won. It feels like not just a victory for obviously Barrack Obama, but America did the right thing," Winfrey said. "It feels like there's a shift in consciousness. It feels like something really big and bold has happened -- like nothing ever in our lifetime did we expect this to happen."