Just One of the Many Reasons I Love St Patrick's Day...

3 Years Later

Anyone who has known me and spent any amount of time in my presence over the last 3 years has at some point most likely heard me mutter the phrase "Stupid French Canadian" (or something like it).

Tonight, as I was sitting at dinner (at Jason's Deli with some wonderful friends in case you were wondering) I was complaining of a headache and bumming medicine off a friend when I realized that today is February 12th. I seriously can't believe it is 3 years later!

See in 2007, on this very date I was chatting on the phone with my (adorable) grandma while driving to the University of Tennessee to take a test when some (crazy) delivery truck driver from Quebec plowed into my SUV. (He turned left from the right hand lane-maybe that's okay where he's from?! Anyway...) The amazing (guardian angel...) thing is that I sort of saw it coming! So after "calmly" ending my phone call, slamming on my breaks, and blowing my horn...I was sort of astonished that the impact was still so severe. But as he continued to push my SUV down to the next light on the road he had turned onto and other cars started honking, I realized this crazy man wasn't even aware he had hit me! When the police arrived, he claimed to not understand English enough to answer any questions about what he was delivering, but clearly knew enough to repeatedly state "She make mistake". (Yeh, what was I thinking attempting to drive straight through an intersection in a middle lane!?)

The months that followed led to lots of stress and tears, an awful neck injury, lots of arguments with Canadian insurance people, 6 weeks of a rental car, and $12,000 of damage to my car. And even three years later, there are constant reminders of the event. The man never got a ticket and for all I know is still delivering things in the US. (And because everyone always asks: I was never able to sue him or his "company" because they are Canadian, and I'm not sure I would anyway...because it's just not "me"). I have my car back...but the bumper is starting to hang off, the paint is peeling off, and alignments will always be a temporary fix. And the biggest reminder: my neck. It will never be the same. Even after taking a year and a half off of running, jogging is still hard. The headaches and backpain do dull at times, but never fully subside. And my posture will forever be completely altered.

But I know how lucky I am. Many people end up in the hospital and leave with casts or stitches in surgery sites. Some spend years recovering. And there are others who never leave the intersection. So I know that I was spared that day. I know I am blessed to have the reminders.

And it seems silly to complain about what are really just inconveniences, when I have so much to be thankful for. So instead I am thanking God for His provision. And thanking Him that I am here to write a silly blog 3 years later.

I Became a Teacher for the Three Month Summer Vacation

In the fall of 2003, while student teaching I suddenly realized that I was running out of money. I loved my jobs at the curriculum library and teaching dance, but lets face it I wasn't exactly bringing in the big bucks! In fact, I was exhausted and barely making ends meet. I determined that my plans for graduate school would have to be put on hold, and started to look for a job (get this...) using my degree that I was about to obtain! My plan was never to teach special education students, but I like all kids and I figured I could do it for 6 months and save up some money. (Turns out I liked it...haha)

In my search for a teaching job on the Department of Ed website I came across a summer job at the Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities. One thing led to another and before I knew it I had a summer job (before I even found a job for January!) I needed the money and figured the extra cash would help me in my efforts to get on with my plans. (graduate school, remember?) But little did I know this simple summer job would continue for 5 Julys and change my life.

Last year at this time, I was trying to determine if I would return for a 6th summer. My sister was due to have a baby and I was in the midst of building a house; consequently, I determined that was enough for one summer and made the decision to take a summer off. (what a novel idea for a teacher...) It turned out to be a great decision with what became a very hectic summer that I'm not exactly sure counts as a "summer off".

(In 2 months I drove to MD, spent fathers day with my dad and took the cats to "summer camp" at my moms, drove to FL, packed up my house, took a quick unexpected flight to VA, saw my adorable premature niece for 3 days, flew to FL, took teacher exams, went to Disney, drove to SC, had a girls vacation with college friends, drove to VA, spent 3 weeks with my adorable niece, drove to DC, picked up my old furniture and cats, drove to FL, put the furniture in storage and dropped the cats at a friends, closed on a house, babysat my friends kids for a weekend, moved my stuff and cats into my house, drove to TN, visited grad school friends, was in my dad's wedding, drove to FL, and suddenly the summer ended and school started....wow, that was tiring just typing....and I'm pretty sure I left out a few things!)

A summer away made realize just how much of a constant governor's school had become in my life. I said last summer that it wasn't goodbye for good, but I didn't know that would translate into my last post. After the recent developments with govschool, I started looking at other summer possibilities (because apparently I don't relax well...)

And I found the National Writer's Project! It is an amazing summer program for teachers where you learn to be a better writer and a better writing teacher! One of my dearest friends attended years ago and highly recommended it. I found an institute at UVA and got really excited! The program runs July 5-30 from 9am-3pm every day. How perfect! I could spend a month of evenings with my niece while becoming a better teacher and writer! You even get 6 hours of graduate credit. (Not that I need credits...I already have 66, and it's not like they'll count for a PhD if I go back...) And the website advertises grants! Perfect consolation for my mourning of govschool, right!?

But then I found out that as a teacher from outside of Virginia, I am not eligible for the grant money and it will be $2,000! I realize that God could have other plans for my summer, but I can't help but be sad. First no govschool, now no NWP. :(

So now I'm wondering if I can find some grant money or save up some tutoring money before the summer or if God has something even better in store. (a mission trip to Greece, perhaps?) :)

But seriously check out just some of what the Writer's Project advertises: (And let me know if you know of any amazing grant opportunities out there!)

http://cvwp.org/summerinstitute2010.htm

http://cvwp.org/CVWP_2010SummerBrochure.pdf

Come to…

• discover and enrich yourself as a writer

• share with and learn from other teachers

• deepen your understanding of writing instruction in your content area

The heart of the Institute is the opportunity to engage in personal and professional writing and to experience and reflect on successful classroom practices in the teaching of writing and using writing as a mode of learning. In a collaborative, supportive setting, we will hone our craft as writers, share our teaching practices, examine current research in the field, and learn from guest speakers. In doing so, we will look closely at effective teaching processes in a wide range of areas, such as:

• Developing the writer’s voice

• Helping students to focus on one main point

• Strengthening students’ writing in various curriculum areas

• Practicing revision and editing

• Using technology to enhance writing

• Most importantly, taking an in-depth look at successful ways by which to engage students as writers

I Won't Say Goodbye

As I sit here to type I find myself at a loss for words. (If you have missed the recent happenings, you should check out Sheryl Johnson's recent notes.)

The Governor's School for the Visual and Performing Arts and Humanities as we know it has come to an end. And I regretfully acknowledge that it cannot and will not ever be replicated. And yet I remind you that GOVERNOR"S SCHOOL is not a name, it is not a school, and it is not a month. Governor's school is a community. That community is us: the faculty, the RAs, the support staff, and the students. WE are governor's school. Without us, governor's school ceases to exist.

Though Radford will have a program this July, the faculty, staff, and students will be not be attending governor's school (though they will refer to their program by this name). They will make new friends, go to class, attend activities, and probably have a good summer (even if we don't want to admit it). But they won't have attended governor's school. (And my guess is they won't have much trouble explaining what they did during that month.)

As I read the facebook statuses bidding farewell to governor's school, I thought back to the speech I gave at the Closing Ceremonies in 2008. In that speech (which I have reposted below) I said, "Governor’s school is not an experience that ends here. It continues in the relationships and changes that have started this month." Though Governor's School as we know it has come to an end, it is my genuine hope that we will let it live on.

No one leaves governor's school untouched by it's magic. It becomes a part of us. In some small or large way it has made us who we are. And as a result, we carry governor's school with us. So I won't say goodbye, instead I say thank you for being a part of something that will stay with me forever. Thank you for being governor's school.

...I Still Don't Know...

As I stand before you today, I am keenly aware that this is something I would never have done before….before Governor’s School. And yet I find myself here wondering not only why I am standing and speaking on a stage, but how I can put Governor’s School, a program that has somehow changed my life, into words…and I don’t know….

See governor’s school has changed me and I didn’t even notice it occurring. I don’t know when or how…I just know it happened. That’s what this month has been about-change. The people, events, and questions that you have been met with this month have or will in some way alter your life. Some of you are already aware of this transformation…but some of you (like me) will realize this change years from now.

Though you came to governor’s school 4 weeks ago with expectations for this program, there is no way you could have predicted what you have found.

As you pulled up RAs in ugly blue shirts ordered you to put the ridiculous amount of stuff you packed on the grass and move your cars immediately to a parking lot that was just “down the road”….if you take a right, a right, and another right. You waited in lines that stretched out the door in the humid summer heat and began to study and perhaps label each of the persons you saw. Little did you know that the guy standing behind you was your roommate. You had no idea that the girl opening the door for you would soon become one of your best friends. And you had only hoped that the guy in the elevator would be the guy you spent last night dancing with.

On the first day as you gathered on your halls, most of which lacked air conditioning, and sat through meetings that went on and on and on, you wondered if you’d made a huge mistake. You questioned why you had handed over your cell phone and turned down those carefree days with your friends by the pool or that annual trip to the beach in exchange for school during the summer. Now, you’re wondering where 4 weeks went.

Inevitably, when you return home you’ll be asked to explain those weeks. “What did you do this summer?” “What is Governor’s School?” You’ll stand there for a moment not knowing exactly how to answer. How do you explain this experience through words? I can honestly tell you that after 5 years of answering those questions, I still find myself struggling to find a way to respond. This month cannot be explained. Governor’s school cannot be expressed; it must be experienced.

When you return home you’ll try to explain what flashmobbing is and why it really was cool when several hundred people stopped in the middle of a park to point at an imaginary object in the sky. Your friends won’t understand when you shout “group” to your fellow classmates while walking down the hall at your home school. You’ll attempt to explain how you became sheet ningas, thundercats, double d’s, A one-ders, or members of the C-squad. You will reminisce about movie nights, your Hard Knock Life in the nunnery, living in the basement, playing endless games of risk, and creating hostage situations with Chinese food, snakes, and praying mantises. You’ll tell stories or pull up one of the thousands of photographs Big D took, but words and pictures can’t express what WE know.

When I came to the Governor’s School 5 summers ago I had certain expectations for the program. I thought I’d find the introverted scholars, the extroverted actors, the quiet musicians, the confident vocalists, the weird artists, and the serious dancers. What I’ve found is a place where those stereotypes and walls have melted away and 450 people have come together on this last day as one, one family, one GROUP.

As a group we’ve shared in tears, arguments, and laughter. We’ve seen each other at our worst and at our best. We’ve divulged our secrets and greatest fears. We’ve made ourselves vulnerable and have learned from one another. The mosaic that is the faculty, staff, and students is why I can speak in front of you today. Because you accept me as I am. It is only now that I realize I am not an introverted dancer, but a member of this GROUP. It is through this realization that I am finally beginning to understand why I love this program so much.

Recently a fellow RA and I were discussing how amazing you-the students of governor’s school- are and she asked me, “Do you ever wish that you were their age so you could be friends with them?” I responded, “NO!...But I wish they were my age”. I responded jokingly, but our conversation speaks to a very important Governor’s School truth. This is a place where unlikely connections and friendships are made. In this program we are all teachers and we are all students.

You don’t know this yet, but I have learned from my former students that you will keep in touch with your new friends-the students, the faculty and the staff of governor’s school beyond your high school years. Many of you will attend college together, be roommates, and have reunions years from now. In fact many of you will continue to be friends for years to come. Governor’s school is not an experience that ends here. It continues in the relationships and changes that have started this month.

A person I respect very much issued a warning from this stage 27 days ago. At our first meeting as a group Lori said, “The summer you have is the summer you choose.” As we are meeting in this space for the last time, I hope you chose wisely.

On behalf of the RAs and support staff I want to say to you: thank you for asking questions, thank you for being you, and thank you for changing our lives. As you go home we wish you luck as you try to figure out how to put Governor’s School into words for your family and friends.

As for me…I still don’t know…

Dear Motivation to Run,

Where have you gone? I beg you to please return soon.

The Princess Half is less than 5 weeks away! Your return is quite necessary and sure to be greatly appreciated!

I can't do it without you! Thank you so much for your assistance in this matter.

~Jen