Reflections- First Week of Teaching

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 (I can't believe time flies by so quickly!)

I thoroughly enjoy my new job at Coppell High School! I am teaching the subject I love, and with passion and enthusiasm for American history, I hope to give my students a unique perspective into this subject and many opportunities to further develop the skills they will need to succeed in college and beyond. Also, I feel supported by my principal, department head, and fellow teachers (this year will be tough since the pandemic is still around, yet I know I have a supportive network around me). Below, I have written a few reflective pieces regarding my first full week of teaching AP U.S. History (also on my CISD Bulb page).

Before the first day of class... my classroom has a bunch of posters & antiques in it! History 'comes to life' in my CHS classroom!

What happened this week that I want to remember? Think of the good/bad. 

The first week of content was fantastic & mostly went according to plan. I am blessed to have great students who appear to enjoy the subject and are eager to learn more at the end. We discussed the pre-1492 Natives (including the 'Clovis People') and the controversy surrounding Christopher Columbus. Also, the students completed their first short essay (based on a DBQ). Since I told my students that my classroom is a safe and inclusive space for everyone, it appears that my shy students feel safe and willing to speak up in class without having a fear of being sharply criticized. The names of my students will be a challenge for me (remembering 180 student names over 6 classes is a massive feat), yet I am slowly improving and remembering one at a time. I am very excited to teach at Coppell High this year!

Portraits of the U.S. Presidents as well as a quilt of my old high school t-shirts crafted by my grandmother are located in the back of my classroom.

What was I prepared for? What was unexpected? What did I do very well? Where would I like to improve? 

My lesson plans were prepared so my classes flowed smoothly (and, except for one class, I did not run out of material before the classes ended). Additionally, the strong working relationships I had begun to develop with the students during the first week of classes (Fish Philosophy & GRIT at CHS) were further grown during this week. The students asked me for assistance when they needed help on their essays, and my shy students were eager to contribute to the class discussions because they knew they could speak up without having a fear of being sharply criticized by their teacher or classmates. Also, I was asked by many students to be a sponsor for their after-school clubs (which I painfully had to deny requests because of my busy schedule). Yet, this shows me that the students know I am supportive in their academic and extra-curricular goals. I am currently in the process of memorizing everyone's name, and although it will take time (I have asked my students to have patience) I am confident that I will be able to recall all my students' names by the end of the 2nd month.

The front of the classroom displays maps and political cartoons of major events in U.S. history.

How does what happened change my future planning? 

In the coming weeks, I plan to create a variety of engaging, interactive activities for my students (to immerse them in critical events in American history), as well as continue memorizing the names. Also, I intend to support my students inside and outside of the classroom, including at their athletic/band/choir competitions (Go Cowboys & Cowgirls!).

Proudly wearing my #CHSReset t-shirt on the first day of school. Passion and enthusiasm for U.S. history are my keys to teaching. I truly love my new job!

My desk and little built-in book shelf is covered with personal trinkets, antiques, and books! Notice my china doll of First Lady Mrs. Lady Bird Johnson?!...

Blessed to have been an 'Honorary Lion'

On Friday, July 30, 2021, I departed A&M-Commerce. I had been blessed to mentor, teach, and inspire hundreds of young students at TAMUC as an adjunct history professor and a residence hall community director. I will fondly remember the happy memories I had in Commerce, and will keep in touch with the staff, faculty, and scholars I collaborated with (I lived in Commerce for three years!). Now, another door opens, and I am giddy and thoroughly excited to start a full-time teaching career at Coppell High (my 'ole stomping grounds!). Below are a few photographs I took on my last day of work at TAMUC.

#MeInCISD- picking up my technology and teacher ID at the Coppell ISD building, July 2021. TAMUC will continue to hold a special place in my heart (the campus was beautiful, students were phenomenal scholars, and the institution gave me an opportunity to teach and work in student housing), yet I am very excited to see what is next in store for me at Coppell High School!!

Our last photograph in the Prairie Crossing CD apartment. My wife and I are very excited to start our married life in Coppell!

My wife and I enjoyed feeding one of the stray cats at PC. We named him Domino. He was a good boy!

Residents at Prairie Crossing have the unique luxury of parking their vehicles in an enclosed parking garage. During my time at PC's community director, I collaborated with facilities and the Honors College staff to upgrade the complex's security system. The $1 million upgrade included a garage gate, new security cameras, and swipe-access gates at all the entrances and exits. I also oversaw the completion of a study space/conference room for the Honors College students.

Another angle of the swimming pool at PC. Prairie Crossing was home to a lot of wildlife, including birds on the 4th floor. I labeled PC as 'the mini jungle.'

My Resident Assistants and Desk Assistants (student staff) worked at the PC Front Desk every day. We assisted residents with roommate/housing/facility concerns, and provided every resident with a key to their room. Superior customer service was important in our mission.

I also oversaw the operations of the Women's Halls (nicknamed the F-Halls). These 6 buildings were constructed in the early 1960s; 5 of them were used by on-campus sororities. The sixth house was used by members of two Living Learning Communities (Mujeres de Accion & Sista to Sista). You can also see the Library and Professor Mayo's grave in this photograph.

I was the building manager for the Prairie Crossing Apartments at TAMUC between March 2020 and July 2021. PC houses 350 residents (most of the students are part of the Honors College). The complex has a swimming pool, games room, media room, study room, and laundry facilities.

My empty office at Prairie Crossing (this was also my faculty office). Posters and antiques once decorated the walls in this office (my bobblehead collection was a frequent discussion topic). I met with many students/residents in this office, discussing housing policies, academics, and professional goals.