Exploring The Backroads: Public History with Jessica Hanson

Wrinkled fingers. Long nails clipped. Silent room. Closed in walls. Awkward silence. Hot tears. Childhood wagon walks. Honesty. Apologies. Lord keeps us safe. Deserving. Hell. Irony. Questions. Thoughts. One chicken leg. Butterfinger. Orange juice. White. Blue. Straw. Braves blanket. Fine white hair. Petting — like a child. Genuine smiles & laughs. Taken care of... You are now. Dog. Bear. Odd. Mother. Father. They may not have that at home. Be there. Absolute realization. Jokes. Sarcasm. Literalism. Deserted. Last goodbye. Love. Pet name... Afterthoughts. Limited Hours. Moments. Immeasurable worth. One man's life.

This summer was a whirlwind; I did TNTP (Nashville Teaching Fellows) Academy. I passed! Went to NJ/NY with my school to train at charters; then I had a tiny break; then I went straight into 3 weeks of professional development with #PurposePrep <3 Since then, I have been stressed, happy, felt purposeful, felt frustrated. So many emotions. #Kbabies are REAL. Haha, it takes telling them 80 times sometimes for them to "get something;" I need MORE patience and to assume the best MORE {glows & grows}. Someone (I have to keep in mind) taught me how to do all these things as well. The rigor is just much higher for our students; I am proud to be at a school with such HIGH math & English scores on Terra Nova & other data. I only hope I can continue to uphold that with the utmost integrity. Some scary things so far: teaching kindergarteners how to use scissors/ glue; teaching someone ALL their letters/ sounds; seeing a picture of a noose with a "what you did ...

These past couple of weeks have been hectic; however, I finished my last college class (for awhile) at MTSU. I graduate with my Ed.S., May 9th!  I have one last module to complete for my NTF coursework. I got to meet some of the TNTP/ NTF "fellow fellows" on the 25th; it was a small taste of what my full summer will be like. I am thrilled!  I give my last college finals this week (:/ #bittersweet) & then the grading marathon of 2015 will begin.  I do my first 5K this Saturday, May 9th! I haven't gotten to train like I wanted, but I have kept off my weight loss. I plan to continue the healthy lifestyle this summer & lose my remaining 10-15 lbs.  I will then be at Purpose Prep for their final two weeks of school before Pre-Service Training begins, May 27th (also my mom's birthday) :/ Haven't seen my family or "hometown" friends since last August.  May 27th-beginning of July will be NTF--PST! I will get to go to train more at North Star Aca...

Worry can subside, but only with hard work! Nothing will fall into your lap, unless you are some trust-fund baby; hopefully, if that is the case though, you would make the most of your opportunities. That is not the way the world works though. Most squander what they did not toil to earn: "People get so in the habit of worry that if you save them from drowning and put them on a bank to dry in the sun with hot chocolate and muffins they wonder whether they are catching a cold." -- John Jay Chapman  Have a great day! Work hard, with integrity.  Then, #dontworry #behappy <3  Yesterday was so exciting! I got to meet incoming "scholars" and their parents during orientation and assessments (I will teach this fall). It will be a HUGE change going from teaching college for four years to K-2nd, but I am thrilled about my new journey! #lifeadventures #stopandappreciate  I was hired with an amazing public charter school in Nashville [Purpose Prep Academy] in Feb...

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" (Robert Frost) Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village, though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between the woods and frozen lake The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep. #stopandappreciate It is definitely not a snowy, dark night, but this poem is applicable any day of the year. Feed a mule an apple/carrot; stop and take in some gorgeous water/ flowers; see the sky out of your sunroof. Watch some birds for a moment. Appreciate life, no matter...

I saw an article this week about turning your attitude (one we usually all have of negativity/ complaining) into positivity: (http://www.fastcompany.com/3042951/how-to-be-a-success-at-everything/what-its-like-to-go-without-complaining-for-a-month)  Therefore, instead of saying, "I HAD to study for my Praxis exam over 5 hours & counting today..." you should say, "I GOT to study for my Praxis exam over 5 hours & counting today..." First, I am putting myself on the path to success, not letting myself slack! I don't have a lot of time for my own studying with teaching, taking classes, PD training for my new job, etc... so I should be GRATEFUL that I can make time for this. Some people only wish they had power, running water, & food. I have internet access, lights, & the ability to study (brain power). I'll use one of my new sayings from the school I'm training with... Kiss Your Brain. Mwah... "I'm so smart!" ;) Confidence is...

People go through life constantly clinging to something for meaning or a concrete idea of what their lives should stand for. I claim to "know" nothing definitely; however, I am always amazed when texts collide, especially when I remember something I was taught, read, or encountered when I was very young. I went to a Christian, private, Baptist school 1st-4th grade, until my parents could either no more abide by their hypocrisies/ judgment, or afford it (I am not sure, as I was ~9 & didn't know about their finances) ;)  When grading this week (for my American Lit class), I was listening to music; I read an article about R.E.M.'s song "Losing My Religion;" it was very controversial at the time; however, again...I was very young when it was released (February 19, 1991--so just 3 years old); this phrase "losing my religion" also apparently is something Southerners say meaning "being at the end of one’s rope, and the moment when politen...

Fun little "game" going around social media right now about spelling out your name with bands; I did specific songs/ bands (because I usually never like EVERY song an artist represents, but some songs stick with you for life or for certain moments of it)! Had to listen to music to keep my sanity, JUST grading, answering emails, & homework all weekend. J ohn Legend's-"All of Me"  "Made to Love" "Ordinary People" "Glory" (tied with "  J ust Like A Pill"-Pink) E lton John's EVERYTHING (lol) but "Your Song""Tiny Dancer" & "Bennie & the Jets" "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" S am Smith's EVERYTHING (lol) but "I've Told You Now" "Like I Can" "Not In That Way" "Leave Your Lover" "Stay With Me" S low Dancing in a Burning Room"-John Mayer I ris"-Goo Goo Dolls C eline Dion' "It's...

I'm impatiently waiting for YouTube videos to upload since "snow" predictions canceled my night class (6-9)! We're hard-core though...so on into the weekend. Can't get behind another 3 hour class meeting.  Make someone smile today/tonight :) 

+ MLK Jr. should not just be remembered on his "birthday week" or black history month. http://childcareclassroom.com/childcare-classroom-10-mlk-quotes/ Here is one of his other speeches; many are ONLY taught the "I Have a Dream" speech.  "On September 12, 1962, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a speech at the Park Sheraton Hotel in New York City to honor the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on the eve of its centennial anniversary. At a dinner organized by New York's Civil War Centennial Commission, Dr. King spoke on the importance of the Emancipation Proclamation in American history, arguing that the document proved that government could be a powerful force for social justice. He urged Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller and President John F. Kennedy to hasten integration and progress towards full civil rights."

I have had a CRAZY past week! I was offered a full time teaching job, the weather has been a bit extreme for Middle TN, & I am trying to stay on top of all my hw, lesson planning, grading, etc...  2/17/15' (Never got above ~21 degrees yesterday) I felt so proud to have safely traversed the interstate for my professional development meeting Monday, so I mainly just did a bit of hw for TNTP that night; I slacked off on working out that day :/ Boo me. Tuesdays I already do not work out, but I really should have done a "makeup" day.  Instead, I did some exploring in nature's "icy wonders" & spent time with Chris & the fur-babies, since he was also off!   Then, I did grade quizzes & updated students on what our week would look like in case of more delays (due to weather). Today I have been grading under the heating blanket. I plan to finish that, lesson plan (even if classes do wind up being cancelled for the entire week), TNTP h...

I am reading for my TNTP certification homework, currently. I saw some tragic statistics regarding students that are both of color and low income; they usually get instructors who score poorly on certification exams or fail and have to retake them several times. There is an ever growing # of U.S. students living in poverty, as well — so this is not a "small" issue (as evidenced in this 2015 article).  http://www.southerneducation.org/Our-Strategies/Research-and-Publications/New-Majority-Diverse-Majority-Report-Series/A-New-Majority-2015-Update-Low-Income-Students-Now I intend to make as high of a score as I can on all three of my Praxis exams. It may sound cheesy, but I want to achieve highly FOR THEM (my new "scholars"<<what my new job calls our elementary students)... not FOR ME, a job, or money. 

Sometimes children's books (or at least the ideals in them) can change your life! My mom always read to me, and encouraged me to read aloud to her, and even to myself for better comprehension. I still read aloud...even to my college students and when doing my own lesson planning & homework. One of my favorite childhood books may be cheesy to some, but it always inspired me as: The Little Engine That Could (1930). The train itself is passionate and constantly optimistic. Maybe I also liked that it was a girl. There were and still are so few female main characters in children's books, that are not some super heroes' sidekick, girlfriend, or at least a helpless princess/ damsel in distress type. This is particularly interesting, since both the original train and the later heroine are females and vehicles! Trains, planes, automobiles, etc...are usually only considered masculine or at least "for" males. Additionally, she loves her work—delivering toys and tr...

I'm not posting this on any "public" social media yet! I always have hesitations about things that I sincerely care about! I have gone to college STRAIGHT since I graduated high school in 2006.  I went straight into college less than 3 months later; it was NOT easy. I am not discussing "difficulties" academically. I was never a "straight A" student; however, I really only struggled in math. I am referring to finances. I had to WORK. 2+ jobs EVERY semester (including summers)—and keep up my studies!  I was enthusiastic, and in fact naive! I thought you work HARD and then something "falls into your lap." My journey has been both elating, frustrating, heartbreaking, fun, and scary!  It may sound cliche now...but I am sincerely grateful for ALL my struggles during my educational/professional journey: including adult chicken pox, being robbed at gunpoint at a former job, financial struggles, romantic struggles, etc... So many times I w...

It is so important to continue learning about history; to some-- media may be the only opportunity/version people see regarding these important events.  So, although there may be mixed opinions about these "Simpsons" images, I commend them on their unique tribute to the 70th anniversary of Auschwitz' Liberation (Jan. 27, 1945):  "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—  Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—  Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me" (Niemöller).  It could have been any of us! Learning & teaching novels on the Holocaust last semester was saddening, engaging, and eye-opening for all. We are never too old to learn! Never forget. Never again.  Keep in mind, the "proper name" Holocaust did not exist...

Sometimes you prepare, worry, & research. But, at the end of the day...patience and trusting that fate, a higher power, or whatever one believes will control what happens in your life, is all the solace you have left. Night! J.D.H. <3

This semester just began, and I already feel a bit like Crusty here. He is a "Simpson's" character... ;) if you're super young!  I am involved in a cohort of TNTP; we have a lot of deadlines. Got some good news about stressful things regarding the program this week; worked in an hour webinar/ conference call for it today (in between signing my lease, a dentist appointment, and teaching my three hour night class). Also, somehow fit in lesson planning and a workout this morning.  I have to make strict rules for myself to succeed! I bought a planner this week and have stuck to everything I set up like a champ, somehow! I ONLY allow myself to watch tv, if I'm working out now.  Put in attendance and answered student blogs tonight! Have to do a hiring mock-interview, tutor, and teach tomorrow. Then a big morning Friday!  Doing all of this (and taking my last Ed.S. class), while trying to juggle my own patience, is a daily struggle!  I just need to...

I have kept up my goals for 2015, so far! I have worked out (unless I was sick or super busy) everyday since my goals began anew at the end of 2014. #personalaccountability on Instagram EVERYDAY! I even doubled up to play "make up" if I missed a day. I began my semester again today (my last one-for my Ed.S) & taught my first class for Spring tonight for Motlow . Even with a google hiccup, I always feel completely rejuvenated meeting new students. They can truly brighten my day. I LIVE for the classroom. Though my goals have drastically changed since I moved to TN (Ph.D. to Ed.S.) and currently higher education to elementary education with TNTP, I am now excited about changes-- I used to be terrified of. I got two pieces of excellent news tonight regarding a new adventure in my education. I can't wait to move forward! I also love learning about history and politics more and more daily (therefore, extremely excited to be teaching American Literature again th...

"Have you ever?" is an icebreaker type game. Teachers or leaders usually get group members to participate in such (usually unbearable [to introverts] ) activities to get to know everyone in order to feel closer, or accomplish things in a more open and honest environment.  Questions are usually selected to avoid humiliation, ridicule, or embarrassment. Now switch gears a little bit..."Never have I ever," is a more "scandalous," if you will, icebreaker game for parties...more of a drinking game.  It can even get competitive as people who have not done what was stated prior-- have to drink, etc... My life sometimes feels like a cross between these two "games." Except, these games play out in my mind: in bed (while trying to slumber off into dream land), or obsessing during the day. Have you ever thought about this? Have I done...Never have I ever done this... Society is so full of expectations. They can literally drive us crazy.  ...