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Goings-On

At school, my leadership students and I just hosted a successful "mock rock" at the end of the school day. A mock rock is an annual event in which students choose a song, then perform a planned dance in front of their peers. Yesterday's mock rock included performances to "Call Me Maybe," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "One Thing," Gangnam Style," "Ice Cream and Cake," and a finale that featured my leadership class singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." I recorded a video of one the emcees using iMovie and introduced the event by playing the video. In it, the emcee interrupted the co-host, who had taken the stage and then introduced the event. The co-host acted annoyed, then introduced the first performers.

Later, the co-host took the stage to conclude the event, when a new video interrupted her again. This time, it seemed like she was talking to the co-host. She asked, "Wait, [student name]. Why don't we end with a song that fits the season by caroling?" The co-host responded, "That sounds good, but who's going to want to carol on such short notice?" Then, from behind the curtain, my leadership students yelled, "We do." The curtains opened, and we ended by singing "Rudoplh the Red-Nosed Reindeer." The adults seemed to like it, and I think the kids did, too, especially when "Call Me Maybe" and "Gangnam Style" played.

Leadership, several parents, and I also served at a local homeless shelter this morning. Most of my students came, so there was a large group of us there. I enjoy this event because the kids get to serve together. They typically enjoy it, but they are also introduced to the need we have in Stockton. As far as this is concerned, they now have-- at the least-- a place to serve when the time comes in high school to fulfill their community service hours. More than this, I hope that some of them find value in what we did and decide to serve in their own way-- whether that service is to the homeless or not-- in the future.

Last, I saw an opening at my local community college last April and decided to apply just to see if the college showed any interest. I had completely forgotten about it when, in late October, I received an e-mail asking if I was still interested. Since the position was possibly for the spring semester, I said I would not leave my school mid-year, but that I was interested. I wanted to go through the process, even if I couldn't take the job.

A few days later, I received a letter with instructions and a parking permit. The instructions named the five professors who would interview me, and told me I would be presenting the first five minutes of my lesson on the Spanish-American War.

I set to work creating my lesson, and on the day of the interview, one month ago, I presented. It was the most difficult interview I'd taken part in and I believe I could have performed better. To bring closure, though, I needed to know the results, and I felt this just a few days ago when I received a letter saying that the position had been filled. Still, I wasn't sad or anything. I was glad that I took this chance.

In the meantime, I still enjoy teaching. Each year, I seem to be more comfortable in the position, something for which I'm grateful for when I remember how different I am now than when I first began.

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