A few problems...

. Sent in lesson plan last week Wednesday stating that I needed the projection equiptment in my room.
I had a link to a powerpoint on my lesson plan to be viewed. Now first thing's first. My understanding towards the reason as to why we give in lesson plans is to have our plans reviewed for feedback. I was expecting feedback on my powerpoint. If my powerpoint was viewed I would have been told that none of the beacon laptops have access to powerpoint and that the building has website blockers on their network. The computers in the beacon office all have access to youtube so I naturally assumed that there was no blocker, but there was. The reason why this is a problem is because I had 6 youtube videos about cyberbullying featured in my powerpoint presentation that was written and directed by middle school children. These videos demonstrated the kind of expertise and professionalism that I would like my middle school children to strive towards. Luckily for my students, I had a back up plan and back up lesson just in case.

. The above issue is centered around my morning activity. This soon to be mentioned problem is centered around my afternoon activity. 3 words... NO VIDEO CAMERA! (after I specifically requested it to be available to me during the afternoon educational enrichment session. Ofcourse, no one knew where the camera was or even IF I was allowed to use it after what happened to the old camera. So...once again I had to completely change my lesson plan for the afternoon. This wasn't easy for me to deal with because tomorrow during our trip to the museum, I wanted the kids to already be experienced in speaking in front of the camera (voice projection, body language, stature, clear speech, etc...)

. "Where's the fire?"
I don't know what is going on, but for some reason a few of the beacon staff are in a rush everyday to gather their students and escape extra early from wellness. Wellness is supposed to be from 9:30am-10:30am. Why are some staff gathering up their kids at 9:50am-10:00am to head to the classroom? That gives the kids an extra 30-40 mins in the classroom, and since we already planned around an hour and a half time frame, it leaves you as a staff member looking silly when your lessons end way ahead of schedule. You shouldn't have to pull rabbits out of a hat to keep your kids engaged because you rushed to get in the class.

. "Should of stayed home!"
Some staff are SOOOOOO lazy! First trip was on Thursday to Central Park. Some staff had their phones glued to their hand and their butts glued to a chair. When it was time to clean up, these same staff members literally sat there while O'shane, Pete, Eve, Ralphie, Stephon, and myself cleaned up and searched the park high and low for missing, rented sports equiptment. Many SYEP workers were sitting down as well or gathered in a small huddle and socializing. I am completely confused as to why these people felt so comfortable to do this but more importantly, why some of the regular staff felt like this was ok.

This camp has the ability to be great but I honestly believe that some of the people that work here are either completely wrong for the job or they just need a little more incentive other than "work and get a check". There are days when I really do not want to be here and sometimes it registers on my face when I am around other staff members. But, when I am in a group with my kids I don't show how angry or tired I am because I don't want them to feel angry or tired.


Sorry for the grammatical errors. Tired. If I think of anything else, I will edit.

On the right track...

As I sat at the bus stop, listening to today's random report from today's random rambler who would like to share their "wisdom" (I must have one of "those" faces...) a little snaggled-toothed boy ran in front of me. He looked around for the adult he had no doubt "lost" but beamed at me all the while. When I told the rambler that I recognized the boy from our camp, she ceased the tongue lashing she was giving his "irresponsible parent" and the boy whom she assumed was "being fresh".

But it's what happened next that sums up my reflection on today's group activities and staff meeting. The boy and his grandma, whom I recognized as a nurse from Fulton DOH, joined me on the BX 15. The little boy stopped in front of me and said "Aren't you from the camp?" and I replied "Yes. Aren't you from Ms. Lulu's group?" He replied, "Yes." Then I proceeded to ask him about his day and his "Book About Me" cover and what he titled his soon to be scrapbook project. He rattled off his design and what the first page was about. I then encouraged him to tell his grandma all about the project. He went on and on explaining the whole project all over again. It was grandma who was beaming now. I could read in her smile, "We chose the right camp" as she smiled at her grandson's enthusiasm.

I felt the same way this kid and his grandma felt. I chose the right camp. I'm proud of the impression we're making, the fun the kids are having, the messages we are helping them communicate. Beacon, I'm proud of you. This summer is different. But, so are you. You're growing!

Keep up the good work!