It is over!

2009-2010 School year comes to a close today! I have administered my last test, now all I have to do is grade them. Thank goodness for scan-trons!

The freshmen class has been an interesting group of people to work with and interact with in the halls. Inside the confines of our classroom they have been wonderful, hardworking kids; however, outside the security of this room they become harsh, rude children with crude vocabulary and disrespectful attitudes. I can only hope the words I shared with them today will sink in. I expressed to them that their class is getting a bad reputation for being rude in the halls. I only hope that they will change how they act and become good role models.

My sophomores have been incredible. Aside from the random student whose maturity level has not matched the enriched student profile at our school, all have been kind, generous, and fun to work with.

Finally, my newspaper staff has been the group of kids who have gotten me through this trying year. Their dedication and devotion to producing such an outstanding product can be unmatched. I will miss the seniors. Lauren has been a member of the staff since her freshmen year, and she has devoted her every spare moment to the advancement of the papers good standing in the school. Christian joined the staff this year, and he brought with him a standard of excellence that raised the bar for all who entered the class after him. Jennifer and Iris, also new to the paper this year, have given us such wonderful personalities and an attention to detail that will be carried on in the future.

Please check the paper out on the web: http://eyrie.edenpr.org

In the end, I have truly enjoyed teaching, as I always do. Next year I hope to blog more often and therefore will be able to share the most interesting and hysterical stories more immediately.

Until the fall,

The Eyrie Newspaper

Well, here we are: the 2009-2010 Eyrie staff. Some students have left the class for other classes or personal reasons, but most of them have remained all year. Last year was my first year as the teacher/adviser. The year was filled with new students, new curriculum and problems. At mid year I vowed to make this staff and class my own, and with that vow came the recruitment of most of these kids. Here at EPHS, kids have to apply for publications classes; they fill out a standard application and submit a piece of writing. Last year, and at registration time this year, I personally invited students from my ninth and tenth grade English classes, as well as students who came highly recommended by English department staff, to join the team. It has transformed our paper. We cover so much more in terms of cultural issues, news items and even the athletic teams we profile. The staff is happy and dedicated to producing the best product they can because they are wanted and respected for their talents and views. Don’t get me wrong, we have had some downs with the ups, but overall the staff has been strong and produced a paper I am astonished by and proud of.

In the back from left to right: Me, Najimo, Zach, Iris, Ethan, Krystal, Olivia, Adrienne, Christian, Juan, Nicole, Erica, Richard, and Melissa.
Middle row, sitting: Kilee, Lauren, Allie, and Noel
Front, sitting: Rob, Ryan, Kyle, and Morgan
Not pictured: Andrew