No, I'm not leaving Kentucky anytime soon, but in the last week and a half I have been able to do more in the area. And, in the process, I've gotten to know some very interesting individuals.
To begin, about two weeks ago I took part in the Apple Festival 3K trail run at Paintsville Lake State Park (~35 minutes north) and although I took away a small trophy, I also met the local bike shop owner who invited me on the shop's bike club's ride later that morning. Suffice to say I went on that ride and I enjoyed myself immensely. This part of the state draws few true cyclists and it was fun talking to people that appreciated my love of the sport. This past week there was a 50K bike race in town and, although I pinched a nerve in my back on a 1 mile climb at the midway point, I still finished close to the second group. After the ride I met a local podiatrist and osteopathic physician who told me about the best (i.e. cheapest) clinic and a good chiropractor in the area. Timely for sure.
Active sports aside, one area that I have been missing in my life here was the companionship of people my age and 2 weeks ago I met a group of young people at church that changed all that. The Christian Appalachian Project, or CAP, is a volunteering organization operating in about five different counties in the area and two of their volunteer bases are located less then a half hour drive from where I'm living. After having lunch with a few of the volunteers that Sunday
after mass, I found a group that shared my devotion to service and sort of a second family here in KY. So far we've gone to town festivals, shared movies, and last Sunday drove over an hour and a half to West Virginia to check out a corn maze (which only toke 30min).
All being said, I'm starting to really meet some interesting and enriching folks that help me to not think so much about what I'm missing being here in KY, but rather what an awesome place it can be through the right eyes.
Love to write more, but I'm off to go grocery shopping before the weekend. On Sunday a big group of college students will be arriving from the University of Notre Dame and I'll be tied up with them for a week. They will be learning about the area and helping with the teaching process. I'm felling a little burned out, so this change to the usual daily grind will be a nice change.
Until I write again, God Bless you and keep your prayers coming this way!
Peace Out!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
One day at a time
Hello! I first must apologize for the delay in posting. It's been quite a while since I've had the time, or should I say made the time to sit down and put fingers to keyboard and update the outside of my status in Kentucky. Well, here I am!
Exclamation points aside, it has been a challenging experience thus far and I am still searching for that illusive feeling of having everything under my complete control. My preconceived ideals concerning the big picture of being both a source of knowledge and a role modal to these kids sustains me each day, and I must say that the ability to shrug off the little annoyances and instead of over-reacting or freaking out has given me at least a superficial sense of calm in this nontraditional setting. Calls back home and occasional visits with friends and relatives in Ohio have given me inner strength although that to is not always easy. For example, driving back to David from Cincinnati, Ohio a few weeks ago gave me a harsh lesson in handling severe weather as I had to contend with the combined force of that bad storm which hit Chicago and fallout from Hurricane Ike. Together they combined to create one of the worst windstorms Kentucky has ever experienced, with Gail force cross winds and occasional rain playing with the nerves of all drivers on I-75. Driving the truck was a challenge and what normally would have been a 3.5 hour drive lasted almost 5 hours.
Since that experience I have done a little exploring and have checked out local state parks, lakes, bike shops, and random small towns in an effort to better familiarize myself with the area and escape the relative isolation of the school. For example yesterday I checked out the Apple Festival in the town of Paintsville. Although the "festival" itself was less interesting then I had been lead to believe, I did get some grocery and hardware shopping done at Lowe's and Walmart. However, since Paintsville is located in a dry county, procuring any type of libation was not possible. But fear not, I'm working on that. :)
Classes are going well for the most part with industrial arts being the most entertaining of my six periods. The students have already completed several projects including boomerangs, bird houses, bird cutouts (to protect birds from flying into the school windows), and several laminated cutting boards. Current projects include a bat house, several speaker boxes, and a host of folding walnut and canvas camp chairs that would make a wonderful gift for a loved one this holiday season (hint, hint!). It's great to end the day with smiles on the kids faces, all my fingers, and a dusting of sawdust. A day well spent!
Until I write again... God Bless!!!
Mike
Exclamation points aside, it has been a challenging experience thus far and I am still searching for that illusive feeling of having everything under my complete control. My preconceived ideals concerning the big picture of being both a source of knowledge and a role modal to these kids sustains me each day, and I must say that the ability to shrug off the little annoyances and instead of over-reacting or freaking out has given me at least a superficial sense of calm in this nontraditional setting. Calls back home and occasional visits with friends and relatives in Ohio have given me inner strength although that to is not always easy. For example, driving back to David from Cincinnati, Ohio a few weeks ago gave me a harsh lesson in handling severe weather as I had to contend with the combined force of that bad storm which hit Chicago and fallout from Hurricane Ike. Together they combined to create one of the worst windstorms Kentucky has ever experienced, with Gail force cross winds and occasional rain playing with the nerves of all drivers on I-75. Driving the truck was a challenge and what normally would have been a 3.5 hour drive lasted almost 5 hours.
Since that experience I have done a little exploring and have checked out local state parks, lakes, bike shops, and random small towns in an effort to better familiarize myself with the area and escape the relative isolation of the school. For example yesterday I checked out the Apple Festival in the town of Paintsville. Although the "festival" itself was less interesting then I had been lead to believe, I did get some grocery and hardware shopping done at Lowe's and Walmart. However, since Paintsville is located in a dry county, procuring any type of libation was not possible. But fear not, I'm working on that. :)
Classes are going well for the most part with industrial arts being the most entertaining of my six periods. The students have already completed several projects including boomerangs, bird houses, bird cutouts (to protect birds from flying into the school windows), and several laminated cutting boards. Current projects include a bat house, several speaker boxes, and a host of folding walnut and canvas camp chairs that would make a wonderful gift for a loved one this holiday season (hint, hint!). It's great to end the day with smiles on the kids faces, all my fingers, and a dusting of sawdust. A day well spent!
Until I write again... God Bless!!!
Mike
Monday, September 8, 2008
I LOVE weekends!!!
After my last post, it may seem as though I was struggling in the dark, but I've come to see the light at the end of the tunnel. No, I'm not more then a full week into the year, but the weekend has given me the time to pull back and assess what I'm teaching and how I'm delivering the material to a degree that has given me a fresh outlook on the semester ahead. After almost totally reworking my 9 week lesson plan I'm finally able to see what I can realistically accomplish and what I need to brush over. For example in chemistry I'm lecturing less and implementing more active learning activities such as POGIL to help students take an active role in the learning process. Algebra II is moving slower then I would like, but by golly it's MOVING in the right direction and I have some stand out students who are getting involved and helping others. This just makes my job that much easier. Integrated Science is also progressing slower then I would like, however, I was able to get the students outside in the woods surrounding the school for some experiments in their Earth Sci. component.
Altogether the four other teachers and myself have really begun to jell well together and slowly, but surely I'm getting a pulse for who my students are and what they're truly capable of. This is good since I'm going to be working with them for the next 9 months. Yikes! That seems like such a long time, but all I can do is take it one day at a time. Sometimes that's easier said then done, but definitely necessary.
Until I write again, God Bless!!!
Mike
P.S. If any of you know were I could get my hands on an old digital projector, let me know. It would really help us out!!!
Altogether the four other teachers and myself have really begun to jell well together and slowly, but surely I'm getting a pulse for who my students are and what they're truly capable of. This is good since I'm going to be working with them for the next 9 months. Yikes! That seems like such a long time, but all I can do is take it one day at a time. Sometimes that's easier said then done, but definitely necessary.
Until I write again, God Bless!!!
Mike
P.S. If any of you know were I could get my hands on an old digital projector, let me know. It would really help us out!!!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Lonesome volunteers are paid in hope and faith.
Dictionary.com defines "lonely" as a feeling of being: "affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome." That pretty much sums up the last few days.
To someone on the outside it may at first seem ironic that being surrounded by dozens of students a teacher would feel this way, but my time so far in David, Kentucky has been one marked with lingering feelings of disconnection with the outside. The world outside of the mountains and valleys I have come to call my home. Besides the fact that, to reach civilization, it requires a 20-30 minute drive to "civilization" consisting of a small cluster of franchise restaurants and bulk retailers such as Walmart and Save A Lot, compared to the mainstreet independent coffee shops, bakeries, and bookstores that those such as myself are accustomed to congregate in. Yes, there is Internet at the school and cable at the volunteer house, but that form of communication and entertainment is far from what I'm used to. Although I've only been in Appalachia for about 1 1/2 weeks now, I haven't seen many folks in my age bracket, let alone those that share my eclectic interests... yet. I'm assuming those in the know choose colleges outside of this area or spend much of their time working, perhaps in the dozens of coal mines surrounding David. Who knows.
On a lighter note, today marks my third full day of teaching. Teacher. It still feels weird using that title. Although the last few days have been some of the most difficult days of my life for several reasons, I have received supportive comments from my fellow teachers and just getting through each day's six classes feels like summiting a new mountain. Incredibly exhausting, yet leaving me with a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Perhaps more then ever in my life I feel I have the potential to make a real difference in the lives and futures of others. Yes, I know that is the idealist in me coming out, but it is what is getting me through each day.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. It makes it worth writing. :) Thank you all for your support and prayers! Love to share more with you now, but alas, three folders of assignments to grade and no one else to do it! I'm off!
God Bless you!!!
To someone on the outside it may at first seem ironic that being surrounded by dozens of students a teacher would feel this way, but my time so far in David, Kentucky has been one marked with lingering feelings of disconnection with the outside. The world outside of the mountains and valleys I have come to call my home. Besides the fact that, to reach civilization, it requires a 20-30 minute drive to "civilization" consisting of a small cluster of franchise restaurants and bulk retailers such as Walmart and Save A Lot, compared to the mainstreet independent coffee shops, bakeries, and bookstores that those such as myself are accustomed to congregate in. Yes, there is Internet at the school and cable at the volunteer house, but that form of communication and entertainment is far from what I'm used to. Although I've only been in Appalachia for about 1 1/2 weeks now, I haven't seen many folks in my age bracket, let alone those that share my eclectic interests... yet. I'm assuming those in the know choose colleges outside of this area or spend much of their time working, perhaps in the dozens of coal mines surrounding David. Who knows.
On a lighter note, today marks my third full day of teaching. Teacher. It still feels weird using that title. Although the last few days have been some of the most difficult days of my life for several reasons, I have received supportive comments from my fellow teachers and just getting through each day's six classes feels like summiting a new mountain. Incredibly exhausting, yet leaving me with a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Perhaps more then ever in my life I feel I have the potential to make a real difference in the lives and futures of others. Yes, I know that is the idealist in me coming out, but it is what is getting me through each day.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. It makes it worth writing. :) Thank you all for your support and prayers! Love to share more with you now, but alas, three folders of assignments to grade and no one else to do it! I'm off!
God Bless you!!!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
A Day of Rest
Narrow mountain valley road outside of David, KY
Sunday arrived bright and early this morning and signalled a welcome opportunity to take a break from the preparations being made for the new school year which begins this Tuesday. Due to limited staffing, the school staff and faculty have been working together to cover all the bases including that of cooking for the students as we are currently without a full time cook. On Friday the absence of a predetermined kitchen staff necessitated a shopping trip to stock the kitchen for the students' arrival. As a new addition to the staff here at the David School I was quick to volunteer my services and have an opportunity to explore the area a bit. As it turned out, we filled eight shopping carts (or as the locals call them: "buggies") and pretty much an entire Chevy Suburban. Walmart pretty much had to restock all the shelves after we left.
Yesterday I had time after work to get a decent run in and was able to make it up over the nearby mountain pass behind the school. Altogether about 500 feet of a climb and then a thigh burning decent that mad the climb worth the torturous ascent. Later in the afternoon my house-mate James and I ended to day with a trip to the town of Paintsville to see the movie Babylon AD. Forgettable movie, but I'm starting to get my bearings and I spotted a Lowe's Hardware store that I'll need to stop at next week for shop supplies as I'm the school's new shop instructor.
Today Jill, Steven and I made it to the Catholic church, St. Martha's, in Prestonburg for mass. The fact that the Priest and most of the parishioners were largely ex baptists made for an interesting service and I was welcomed back for next week. It's nice to make those local connections.
Until I write again, God Bless!!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
“The Best Laid Plans…"
Day 5 Wednesday (8/27)
My day stared at 6am with a short 2 mile run on the mountain roads surrounding David. Although dodging local dogs and coal trucks was fun, I was glad to make it back and cool down in the pool.
I unfortunately don’t have a lot to report today as it basically revolved around lesson planning, paperwork, and lots of coffee. I did go out with my roommate to a nearby town for Chinese and groceries. Also, as my insurance kicks in first in October, I’ll have to be extra careful I guess!
“Bambi, Books, and Brats”
Day 4 Tuesday (8/26)
Today began at 6am with me hitting the snooze button on the alarm next to the ancient brass bed in the pink bedroom of the staff house. Why the pink room you might ask? Well, it was chosen more for its location away from the road then color. Despite of this fact, coal trucks are still earth shatteringly loud as they tear down route 404 at all hours not 30 feet from my femininely decorated habitation. It’s good I sleep like a log…
As James, Steve, Jill, and I drove up to the school today we noticed the soccer goal was tipped over. The culprit turned out to be a young fawn, helplessly tangled in the netting of the goal and alone. After cutting away the netting Bambi bounded off into the thick wooded hills. The whole experience provided an enlightened start to our day of lesson planning, and other preparatory activities.
As I had painstakingly carried a package of Johnsonville brats and
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
