The End

I'm not one to reflect too much after something finishes. I just assume to move on to the next endeavor without much thought concerning the prior events effects on me. However, I guess its hard to leave this program and not have a solid idea of what I've learned.

Well first thing is first. Food. The food this year has been magnificent. If you're a bit of a groupie when it comes to reading my blog (Mom!) then you know that eating good food is one of my highest priorities. But eating good food is a symbol for something more. When ever things get stressful I have always found food as a refuge. When I lived in Miami I could tell you five places off the top of my head that would give you a foogasm: Dogma, Icebox, North110, Andiamo's, and this Thai place on 79th and Biscayne that I can't remember the name of. I loved these places because going to these places was a social outing where I bonded with my friends. In a little more than a month I'll be attending the wedding of one of those friends. So you see, food can really create life time friendships.

The same is true this year. Lauren chilled with me at Panchitos as we discuss the stresses of teaching. The whole cohort relaxed at Mad Mex from 430 to 600. Happy hour is a beautiful thing. There is nothing. Nothing like good food to bring people together and complain about all the crap that is stressing them out. Everyone needs a release; food, good friends, and moderately good alcohol is mine. Unique right! I'll have to spread the word.

As for the program. I can guarantee you that I will always be an analytical teacher. I will always try to figure out how I can become better.

Absent

The huge gap between my blog entries is a testament to how incredibly intense this program is. The teacher education program at Penn does in 10 months what other institutions do in two years. So, it takes a tough soul to endure this kind of incessant stress. Luckily, the end is near! At the end of the program we put together a essay, working theory of practice and artifacts to demonstrate and prove that our method of teaching is effective. We do a lot of reflecting in this program and this portfolio is the king of all reflection projects. It's incredibly interesting to take a look at what you wanted to do in theory and then compare that to what you actually did. In my case some times I did and some times I didn't. The portfolio is intended to allow you to get at the root of why you would want to teach.

So the portfolio is the most dreaded but most exciting project that I have worked on yet. Let's just say on April 24th I'm going to be very happy.

Panchitos

There is a budding Mexican community in Philadelphia. As a result, amazing Mexican restaurants are starting up across the town. I'm originally from California, so I know good Mexican food when I taste it. Great Mexican food combined with the calm of a Friday afternoon after teaching is pretty much the greatest feeling in the world. You use a lot of energy teaching and leading students through activities. Friday afternoon you are tired but also oddly energized. Your body wants you to rest but your mind is still ready to go.

I prefer a small taco and torta joint in Northeast Philadelphia called Panchitos. Panchitos reminds me of a Mexican restaurant from Fresno, California called Don Pepe's. The tortas (Mexican sandwich) at Panchitos are simple but the meat is unbelievably tasty because the meat mixes with all the other juices/grease on the grill. Needless to say, I'm a carnivore, a hard-core carnivore. The result is a torta that takes me back to Fresno.

The Mexican community is growing here and adds to the diversity of cultures that you can find in Philadelphia. In fact, Northeast Philadelphia is incredibly diverse. Next, week I am to going to go to a Caribbean restaurant operated by the family of one of my students. I can't wait.

Open -House

Anyone interested in the Teacher Education Program at Penn GSE in elementary education or secondary education can come to open-houses on February 2nd, March 1st, or April 19th. Hopefully, you can make it out to one of the following events and hear from current students, alumni and our amazing program advisor's. We will be providing food and informal discussions after a short presentation.

Where: Penn GSE, 37th and Walnut

When: 2/1, 3/1, 4/19 from 11am to 1.

Come and learn more about making an impact in education.