Farewell

One great year at a GREAT school with GrEaT students. While tears did not come, it was bitter sweet to say goodbye to my students on Thursday. Students from this semester and last made some impressive strides and really grew both academically and personally as youth, as is evident in my 4th Period's group picture below :) haha... They're outstanding kids.

3rd Period's Goofy Picture

4th Period: Proud of her geometric sculpture

There was a lot to celebrate at the closing faculty luncheon, although I think the administrative team did not get the shout-outs that they really deserved. It's inspiring to work with individuals who are so invested in the success of students and teachers. I'm really looking forward to returning to the same school (different position) in the Fall!

BTW: We, as faculty (women sadly represented by only me, the "wanna-be-baller"), pulled off a win against the eighth graders in baskball! Whew! I'd love to make time to work on those skillz- it was fun.

Fall Semester Students on their way out

Summer is here! I am also REALLY looking forward the adventures that are soon-coming... departure in 1 day! If you are interested in hearing updates on teaching in Ghana, please send me and email or just comment. I have another blog set up for the trip, but I may resort to emails if the internet connection is too slow.

Last bus's departure

Marshall Islands Update

If my sources are telling me correctly, the Majuro District of the Marshall Islands is due to become a STAKE this month!!! This is something that we were working for back in my days 2004-2006, and the leadership and members have become stronger since! This is so exciting! Check out this link for a more detailed explanation. http://ldschurchgrowth.blogspot.com/2009/05/first-stake-in-marshall-islands.html

Cheerleader?

Question of the week from the 7th Graders... "Ms. Skeen, were you a cheerleader in high school?" Well, not only is math a reason to cheer each day in the classroom, but...

Sunday was a day of celebration! DeEtte Chatterton agreed to take on the last name Jones!

Her and Brandon will be sealed this Fall... I am so happy for her! I've been rooting for Dr. Jones from day one of their dating, and I'm sure their courtship would have been more peaceful without a roommate who was cheering in their behalf (literally, at times). While I do not have any picture of the proposal and "official" engagement that took place in New York's Central Park (Brandon is a smart man), I do have evidence of the aftermath... one happy DeEtte (not new- she's always happy), and three happy friends.

Virginia Skeens

Colette Skeen recently married Aaron Massey, which created a great "excuse" for me to finally meet more of our extended cousins our here in VA! Katrina and J.C. and I have spent some time out here, with their little girl, Juliet, but we had not yet successfully all convened.

Way to Go "Sevies"

This past month has been Virginia State SOL Testing (SOL: standards of learning). Math for my school was the first department in our testing window line-up. This made us slightly on edge, to be honest, since it meant we'd have up to 2 weeks lost in time for instruction prior to students taking the test that determines a lot about their success in 7th and 8th grade. BUT, it was what it was! We cheerfully did it, and it was..... AWESOME!

I am so proud of the 7th graders! Their scores sky-rocketed in success from last year! With an increase of 34%, they finished with a 76% passing rate!!! And an even greater reason to celebrate is the individual students and their personal successes... one of my boys had an increase in his score of 140 points (this is a 600 point scaled test)!!! Let's just say, this boy has grown immensely this year (in many ways)! Also, 3 of my kids went from a failing score (below 400) last year to pass/advanced (above 500), which is opening up a high possibility of them studying Algebra as 8th graders and preparing for Calculus as seniors in H.S.... that may seem pretty ordinary, but they made huge leaps of progress to get there this year. Way to go "sevies"!!! :)

One of my girls had a epyphony this semester, declaring herself recently to be a "nerd" because she's smart. It's really cute- she's a "very cool nerd," nonetheless, as she and her classmates reassured her. :) She's one that pass/advanced.

Gratitude

Aside from testing, I am grateful for little lessons that my students teach me every day that I have eyes to see it. Yesterday, we went outside to prove the Pythagorean Theorem to be true on the basketball court... I decided to have the kids leave their papers and boards for me to carry up to the classroom so they could go straight to the cafeteria for lunch. They managed to slide themselves into the side door, which was previously locked (someone must have let them in). As I approached the door with my hands full and no key to get myself in, one of my students was quietly waiting for me inside so he could let me in! What a nice kid! He's been so impressive in many ways throughout this semester- he's just a really good kid. It's refreshing and edifying to associate with such youth.