The state of South Carolina has given me a piece of paper that says I am certified to teach. However, I was a bit nervous and overwhelmed about teaching Spanish. Although I can speak some, I was intimidated by the idea of teaching it. However, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Most of my students walked into my classrom knowing little more than "hola" and "adios" and they have walked out-only 6 days later-and can say the alphabet, greet someone, ask your name and where you're from, and respond to those same questions. It's a cool feeling. I am looking forward to seeing even more. Tomorrow we're going to learn numbers 0-31 and how to tell time.

In spite of this measurable growth, I hope my students leave my class at the end of the semester knowing that I love and care for them. And really, as long as they know that, I could care less if they remembered Spanish.

secrets and freedom

I read the secrets posted on www.postsecret.com every single week. Every week I am astounded by the things that haunt people. Some of the hauntings are family, friends, past lovers, current lovers, children, jobs, dreams, desires. As I read it I think about these secrets and the people they represent and I hurt. My heart hurts. My spirit hurts. I hurt for those people and wish for them to find the one in whom they can find freedom. I have carried secrets like these, some of the cards could have been written by me, but I have found freedom. I no longer allow my secrets to hold me back or continue to hurt me. The truth will set you free; it has set me free.

swirling . . .

I'm teaching three Spanish I classes this semester. I'm nervous. But I can't tell if it's because I'm going to teach Spanish or if it's because I am nervous about classroom management.

Budget cuts are the thing of the present. The federal government. The state government. The school board. I hate that those who need the money most are losing it at a rapid pace. And no one seems to care.

I watched the inauguration today. I was proud. I watched history. Some think that racism is ending. I know it's not. Our country is just finding new groups of people to hate and discriminate against. Apparently the concept of love is lost on the American people.

We went to DC over Christmas break and spent a lot of time in the Museum of American History. One thing that stuck out to me while I was there: the items/topics/subjects/etc that were missing from the exhibits. The fact that we sent Japanese-Americans to internment camps during WWII. The fact that the government tried to hide a war from the people and lied to them along every step of the way.

Critical thinking skills are almost non-existent in the students I teach. So is respect.

I'm beginning to see God more and more around me. I'm not sure if it's because my eyes are more open or if He's being more obvious.

Where does my passion in teaching lie? In teaching itself or in a specific subject?

I hate seeing my students (and friends) make poor choices. I truly care about them and I wish they would see/understand that.

I'm still trying to find myself as a teacher; I wonder how long it will take.

Secrets are powerful, and, in a strange way, bring people together.

What is in store for Chris and I in the future?

Sometimes I feel like I miss the most obvious things . . .