Day 2: Let's Learn Everybody!
After sleeping like a rock, we quickly headed out for breakfast. First the dining halls are all gorgeous! Made me feel like I was at Hogwarts everywhere I went I swear! Second, yum! Loves me some breakfast and this one was good! The first session was at the School of Music and their auditorium puts Hurley to shame. Soooooo pretty. We are gonna post the pictures on facebook later so check em out.
This session was on visiting artists in the music classroom. The speakers were Mark Churchill dean of the New England Conservatory and director of El Sistema an amazing Venezuelan music program and Scott Shuler the President of MENC. They were so knowledgeable and really gave us all some insight into bringing outside artists into our programs the proper way and making the most of those opportunities. I am really excited to come back to Shreveport and discuss the possibilities with those artists. We broke into small groups and I got to work with Dr. Shuler. Soooooo cool! I love being a member of MENC and he is working so hard to update and improve the group. I highly suggest joining if you are interested in Music Ed at all.
Intermission for lunch. Yum of course.
And we're back for session two. This was about distance learning. They use a cisco based program called Movi to link classrooms together. There was a live demo using students from New Haven and in Rhode Island. It was so exciting to see the students interacting and performing for and with each other in real time. And all you need is a computer with a camera, mic, and the software. It's kind of like Skype except better quality sound. Then it was back into small group to brainstorm what we could do with it. Personally being so involved in professional development, I would love to workshop over it. Also inviting guest artists to share with students and of course allowing my students to work with students at another school. Dr. Retelle is going to be super interested in this tech I think.
After that we had to get ready for the awards banquet. I even wore a dress but I did slide my capris under it and I'm glad I did! Remember the last post when I said no air conditioning? It was gross in there. But it looked almost exactly like the Grand Dining Hall at Hogwarts. We luckily got to sit in the back by the door and feel a breeze. Perks of the last name Wright! The dinner was lovely and I received the award I've been waiting on since March. It felt good but boy am I drained. I think sometimes that I won't be an important person because I don't like to do those flashy rub elbows events. Can't I just boss people around without wearing dresses and eating with fancy place settings and turn down copious amounts of free booze? Hey I'm just keeping it real folks. So I'm back in my comfy clothes bloggiting about tonight and getting ready for another good night of sleep. Tomorrow's the day you've been waiting for: I meet Mr. Yo Yo Ma. And get and outside concert from the Silk Road Ensemble. IF the weather holds up! Tune in tomorrow for another installation of the Yale Bloggity Blog!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Yale Bloggity Blog Day 1
Day 1: The Trek to Connecticut
Woke up at 3:30 Thursday morning and Pops took Terry and I to the IHOP before our flight. Yum waffles! If you've seen me hungry you definitely don't want to see me tired and hungry...and on a little plane too...Got to Shreveport airport super early and easily made it through security. Ok guys, I know my sister in law works there but it's not like she gave us a cheat sheet. There are large signs everywhere explaining the do's and don'ts for your luggage. I thought she was making up her daily stories of people who don't know that shampoo is a liquid but surely enough that lady is in front of us. And she actually tries to debate it with the screener. Not a smart move and she was promptly escorted out of line. Wonder where they took her. Hopefully back to elementary science class to learn about the states of matter. Also there was a lady with two bugs in her coffee but she still drank it and told everyone about it. So I immediately start to worry about this plane trip...dumb is surely not contagious in closed spaces right? And this plane was tiny. That was not the reason that I was slightly nervous however. The reason for that was the fact that the pilot must secretly want to be a race car driver. He took off and landed like he was at the Indy 500. But we did make it safely to Atlanta and early to boot. How many times does that happen?
So onto Atlanta. I dislike this airport. It is waaaaayyyyy too crowded and everyone is desperately trying to make it 47 miles away to their connecting flight with only 5 minutes to get there. Atlanta Airport is not a part of the South. NO southern hospitality at all. Ladies even cut in front of me in the bathroom. Not even an excuse me. :( The little shuttle train thing is super cool though. We quickly boarded a real plane with a driver without a lead foot and were off to Hartford, Connecticut. Got to that airport and it was so cute and everyone was helpful. LOVE them! The shuttle guy had to bring a van to pick all of us up so no limo for me but that's ok cause I got to meet some of the other attendees before we even got to Yale.
Yale's campus is huge! It is like a city by itself. Everyone was complaining about the heat wave. Here's your giggle Shreveporters it was only 80! We got checked into our dorm and it was as all dorms are to me: disgusting! And none of the buildings have air conditioning. And Terry and I slept on those separate little dorm beds on opposite sides of the room. It made me appreciate being a commuter in school but hey I'm at Yale so I can't complain too much. We settled in and took a walk for a snack and to get a couple of Yale shirts but Terry's super tuba ears heard a New Orleans style jazz band so we walked down to check that out too. Kinda cool to hear in Conn. Then we headed back for the reception dinner and it started to storm. So glad we came early because several people were stranded. Got to meet our dorm suite mates who are from Alaska and lots of other amazing educators. We were the only people from Louisiana so that was nifty and we answered alot of questions. "Is it hot there?" was the most popular. Terry quickly caught the attention of everyone literally because the dean could not get everyone's attention to start the festivities. His services have been used extensively all weekend. The evening was fun and friendly but we had been up for 18 hours and it was time for bed. Tomorrow let's do some learning!
Woke up at 3:30 Thursday morning and Pops took Terry and I to the IHOP before our flight. Yum waffles! If you've seen me hungry you definitely don't want to see me tired and hungry...and on a little plane too...Got to Shreveport airport super early and easily made it through security. Ok guys, I know my sister in law works there but it's not like she gave us a cheat sheet. There are large signs everywhere explaining the do's and don'ts for your luggage. I thought she was making up her daily stories of people who don't know that shampoo is a liquid but surely enough that lady is in front of us. And she actually tries to debate it with the screener. Not a smart move and she was promptly escorted out of line. Wonder where they took her. Hopefully back to elementary science class to learn about the states of matter. Also there was a lady with two bugs in her coffee but she still drank it and told everyone about it. So I immediately start to worry about this plane trip...dumb is surely not contagious in closed spaces right? And this plane was tiny. That was not the reason that I was slightly nervous however. The reason for that was the fact that the pilot must secretly want to be a race car driver. He took off and landed like he was at the Indy 500. But we did make it safely to Atlanta and early to boot. How many times does that happen?
So onto Atlanta. I dislike this airport. It is waaaaayyyyy too crowded and everyone is desperately trying to make it 47 miles away to their connecting flight with only 5 minutes to get there. Atlanta Airport is not a part of the South. NO southern hospitality at all. Ladies even cut in front of me in the bathroom. Not even an excuse me. :( The little shuttle train thing is super cool though. We quickly boarded a real plane with a driver without a lead foot and were off to Hartford, Connecticut. Got to that airport and it was so cute and everyone was helpful. LOVE them! The shuttle guy had to bring a van to pick all of us up so no limo for me but that's ok cause I got to meet some of the other attendees before we even got to Yale.
Yale's campus is huge! It is like a city by itself. Everyone was complaining about the heat wave. Here's your giggle Shreveporters it was only 80! We got checked into our dorm and it was as all dorms are to me: disgusting! And none of the buildings have air conditioning. And Terry and I slept on those separate little dorm beds on opposite sides of the room. It made me appreciate being a commuter in school but hey I'm at Yale so I can't complain too much. We settled in and took a walk for a snack and to get a couple of Yale shirts but Terry's super tuba ears heard a New Orleans style jazz band so we walked down to check that out too. Kinda cool to hear in Conn. Then we headed back for the reception dinner and it started to storm. So glad we came early because several people were stranded. Got to meet our dorm suite mates who are from Alaska and lots of other amazing educators. We were the only people from Louisiana so that was nifty and we answered alot of questions. "Is it hot there?" was the most popular. Terry quickly caught the attention of everyone literally because the dean could not get everyone's attention to start the festivities. His services have been used extensively all weekend. The evening was fun and friendly but we had been up for 18 hours and it was time for bed. Tomorrow let's do some learning!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Being Productive
The Wright's are not wasting any summertime. Swimming, movies, getting the house interneted, and fixing the front garden area are our accomplishments so far. The front patio is my favorite project. It was sweaty and hard but worth every minute. Terry and my fantastic neighbors got it done so fast that we fixed theirs this morning. 4 trips to Lowes and walmart and a couple hundred bucks was all it took. Still looking for a cute wrought iron bench to complete the look. I think our next project should be garage organization. And I want to pimp out my bike. Spray paint it gold maybe? Bejewel the rims? Point is we are motivated. I thought we would laze around and watch the Netflix we finally got, but I guess we should use the energy while we've got it. Plus, sweating in the yard is great exercise. We also put up a badminton net which is super fun exercise too. And we installed a bird feeder to hopefully keep them away from our nectarine tree. I hope this energy never goes away.
This Thursday we leave for Yale. I am so excited about this that there are not words. I can't wait to meet other cool music educators and share and learn. Still haven't figured out what to say to YoYoMa if I get to speak to him. There is also this Fromagerie that I want to eat at. That is a cheese shop and they have this really fancy Mac and cheese that I can add a Kobe hot dog to. Mmmmmm hot dogs and Mac and cheese. Am I a kindergartner or a distinguished music educator? Can't I be both?
Still working on my baby bucket list. Terry and I are making sure to travel this summer and take in some concerts and workshops. We are going to Nebraska to see our friend Ken and a DCI competition. We also decided to save for a trip to Disneyworld this Christmas. Professionally, Terry is still growing his yoga class and music lessons. If you or someone you know is interested in those, let us know. He offers a free first class to everyone. It will make you feel relaxed for sure.
So this is my first summer update. Here's to hoping the others are as excited and relaxed. Here's to hoping you are excited and relaxed as well.
This Thursday we leave for Yale. I am so excited about this that there are not words. I can't wait to meet other cool music educators and share and learn. Still haven't figured out what to say to YoYoMa if I get to speak to him. There is also this Fromagerie that I want to eat at. That is a cheese shop and they have this really fancy Mac and cheese that I can add a Kobe hot dog to. Mmmmmm hot dogs and Mac and cheese. Am I a kindergartner or a distinguished music educator? Can't I be both?
Still working on my baby bucket list. Terry and I are making sure to travel this summer and take in some concerts and workshops. We are going to Nebraska to see our friend Ken and a DCI competition. We also decided to save for a trip to Disneyworld this Christmas. Professionally, Terry is still growing his yoga class and music lessons. If you or someone you know is interested in those, let us know. He offers a free first class to everyone. It will make you feel relaxed for sure.
So this is my first summer update. Here's to hoping the others are as excited and relaxed. Here's to hoping you are excited and relaxed as well.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
My obsession is...
My friend Mer keeps a really funny blog called "The Real Housewife of Crosby" and she writes about her latest obsession. I'm hoping imitation is flattery and stealing.
My obsession is John Jacobson. Goggle him immediately if you don't know who he is. Double dream hands has recently become a YouTube sensation but me and John go way back. He is a music educator, composer, and choreographer. In my line of work, his name is on almost everything I touch. I attend as many of his workshops as possible and try to hug him...creepy maybe? But I seriously love him. Here is a list of why.
1. He puts his dances on the Internets for free so my students can practice at home.
2. Someone takes a clip off his website and posts to YouTube. Does he get angry? No way, he owns it by going on the Ellen show, Sprint commercials, and most recently America's Got Talent. More on that later.
3. He is ALWAYS in a good mood. I saw him two years ago and at the time, I didn't enjoy my job. He hugged me and got me excited about music education again by putting my focus back on giving my students fun energetic music to learn everyday. Thanks to him, I found a new position and a new curriculum that is a joy for me and my students everyday.
4. He truly loves kids and even ran for Congress to bring attention to the importance of music and movement in schools. He puts on a huge concert every year called America Sings along with many other camps for students of all ages.
5. His dances are seriously fun and get me in shape. I dare you to do the whole double dream hands dance right now...are you doing it? Are you laughing and sweating? My 5th graders who are too cool for school half the time begged to do it at graduation ceremony. Then their parents even danced along. (thanks to those practice videos)
That is the abbreviated list but you get the point. So tonight I hear he is gonna be on America's Got Talent. I should've known Piers Morgan was gonna be himself but I watched and Terry and I danced right along with John. Piers obviously didn't know he was talking to an elementary music guru, and using the words "annoying" with this music teacher is not gonna work. John Jacobson works everyday to make kids happier and better. Piers what have you done at the end of every day? Tear people down that's what! My kids watch that show, they know that dance so when you call John annoying, you're hurting my kids too. But you don't care about hurting people's feelings. That's ok because there are thousands more of John's out there than there are of you. And everyday we'll be helping our kids grow and become better instead of just name calling to get our 15 minutes of fame. And I will not be watching this show anymore or any other show where judges are negative instead of positive. PS its called constructive criticism, even my 1st graders know to give "a glow and a grow." I will be supporting The Voice because they want to grow artists. And to my small but loyal following, please help me in speaking out against negativity especially when it comes to the talents of our children.
So there is my obsession. I feel so much better having said all of that. I can't wait to see John Jacobson in July...:)
My obsession is John Jacobson. Goggle him immediately if you don't know who he is. Double dream hands has recently become a YouTube sensation but me and John go way back. He is a music educator, composer, and choreographer. In my line of work, his name is on almost everything I touch. I attend as many of his workshops as possible and try to hug him...creepy maybe? But I seriously love him. Here is a list of why.
1. He puts his dances on the Internets for free so my students can practice at home.
2. Someone takes a clip off his website and posts to YouTube. Does he get angry? No way, he owns it by going on the Ellen show, Sprint commercials, and most recently America's Got Talent. More on that later.
3. He is ALWAYS in a good mood. I saw him two years ago and at the time, I didn't enjoy my job. He hugged me and got me excited about music education again by putting my focus back on giving my students fun energetic music to learn everyday. Thanks to him, I found a new position and a new curriculum that is a joy for me and my students everyday.
4. He truly loves kids and even ran for Congress to bring attention to the importance of music and movement in schools. He puts on a huge concert every year called America Sings along with many other camps for students of all ages.
5. His dances are seriously fun and get me in shape. I dare you to do the whole double dream hands dance right now...are you doing it? Are you laughing and sweating? My 5th graders who are too cool for school half the time begged to do it at graduation ceremony. Then their parents even danced along. (thanks to those practice videos)
That is the abbreviated list but you get the point. So tonight I hear he is gonna be on America's Got Talent. I should've known Piers Morgan was gonna be himself but I watched and Terry and I danced right along with John. Piers obviously didn't know he was talking to an elementary music guru, and using the words "annoying" with this music teacher is not gonna work. John Jacobson works everyday to make kids happier and better. Piers what have you done at the end of every day? Tear people down that's what! My kids watch that show, they know that dance so when you call John annoying, you're hurting my kids too. But you don't care about hurting people's feelings. That's ok because there are thousands more of John's out there than there are of you. And everyday we'll be helping our kids grow and become better instead of just name calling to get our 15 minutes of fame. And I will not be watching this show anymore or any other show where judges are negative instead of positive. PS its called constructive criticism, even my 1st graders know to give "a glow and a grow." I will be supporting The Voice because they want to grow artists. And to my small but loyal following, please help me in speaking out against negativity especially when it comes to the talents of our children.
So there is my obsession. I feel so much better having said all of that. I can't wait to see John Jacobson in July...:)
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Summertime
Summertime is the favorite time of year for many students and teachers. The ending of a year is cause for celebration and a sense of accomplishments. For many it is an ending of an era. School changes or job changes may be on the horizon. Needless to say rest and relaxation are much needed.
As for Terry and I this is the summer of staying put. This time last year we were preparing to move to a new house and Terry would soon be moved from middle school band to elementary music. After a long challenging year, we are both thankful to be happy, healthy, and employed. We have an exciting summer planned even though our college class was cancelled. Yale is the 9th and every day I get more excited. We are glad to enjoy some traveling since we will hopefully be trying to start our family in the fall.
We also have professional development planned at Penders. This will be the first year Terry has come along. It will be nice to have his ears there helping me. I have really enjoyed us having the same job this year. He is so creative and passionate about all music.
Also, since we didn't have a college class to pay for, I splurged on my new toy an iPad! It is so nifty. I am typing this blog on it. I highly recommend getting one even though I didn't want one when they first came out. I have already used it at school as well. It has all my playlists for class and graduation. I'm looking for other cool ways to use it at school as well.
I know this blog has been a bit of a ramble but that's how my brain feels right now. Just bits and pieces of final thoughts before summer truly begins Wednesday.
As for Terry and I this is the summer of staying put. This time last year we were preparing to move to a new house and Terry would soon be moved from middle school band to elementary music. After a long challenging year, we are both thankful to be happy, healthy, and employed. We have an exciting summer planned even though our college class was cancelled. Yale is the 9th and every day I get more excited. We are glad to enjoy some traveling since we will hopefully be trying to start our family in the fall.
We also have professional development planned at Penders. This will be the first year Terry has come along. It will be nice to have his ears there helping me. I have really enjoyed us having the same job this year. He is so creative and passionate about all music.
Also, since we didn't have a college class to pay for, I splurged on my new toy an iPad! It is so nifty. I am typing this blog on it. I highly recommend getting one even though I didn't want one when they first came out. I have already used it at school as well. It has all my playlists for class and graduation. I'm looking for other cool ways to use it at school as well.
I know this blog has been a bit of a ramble but that's how my brain feels right now. Just bits and pieces of final thoughts before summer truly begins Wednesday.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Baby bucket list
Two months down, four to go. I have never been so excited to get through the summer. That's probably why I planned so many activities. Yale, Orff class, S'port girl reunions, Pender's music convention, Omaha DCI competition...Everyone says I should do all the things I will be too busy to do with future kiddos. Terry and I call it our baby bucket list. You've gotta be excited about whatever stage of life you're at right? If you're constantly looking back or wishing forward, you will miss out on all the things you have right now. So I'm gonna enjoy these months, enjoy my hubs, enjoy the healthier me I am becoming, enjoy the time to grow. And I hope you do too. If you're not enjoying life, what can you put on your baby bucket list right now?What do you think Terry and I should add to our baby bucket list?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Insult to injury
So today my kiddos asked me what I was giving my mom. After explaining why I couldn't give her anything they followed up with what my kids were getting me...ouch. So this is a sucky week and I realized tonight that I have been growing more and more moody. But I haven't said anything. Because I am the older sister, the responsible friend, the award winning teacher. Then tonight I got upset for some stupid minor thing and it all came spilling out. Hard. Have you ever hurt so bad you couldn't breathe to sob?
I'm not telling you this for advice or pity, just the act of telling, speaking out when you are hurting. And listen to your friends when they are hurting. You don't have to fix it or feel sorry for them. Just speak and listen and care. Don't bottle up and hide and feel that you can't feel. And maybe this is the gift I can give my mom and my future children and myself. And that is the reason for this blog.
I'm not telling you this for advice or pity, just the act of telling, speaking out when you are hurting. And listen to your friends when they are hurting. You don't have to fix it or feel sorry for them. Just speak and listen and care. Don't bottle up and hide and feel that you can't feel. And maybe this is the gift I can give my mom and my future children and myself. And that is the reason for this blog.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)