Week 2 Update from Westgate

As I was in early to shoot with some students yesterday, the vice principal came in and told me that he's been hearing some complaints about me. I was quite shocked as he had a pretty serious look on his face. I responded "really" in a crack voice. In a serious face he said, "I hear that students are having TOO much fun in gym class" and quickly smiled after he said that. It took me a second to realize that he was joking around with me and once I figure it out, I smiled and replied "well, is that a bad thing?". As he went to leave the gym, he said "thanks for all the great stuff you've been doing here." It was really pretty cool to hear this. It helped me be a bit more confident going into my science lesson about the heart. Which by the way, I was prepping in the staff room before the class and 15 mins before I was to do the lesson, my advisor walks in. Lesson went well and got some good comments for my advisor and CT. During the lessons I quietly said to a girl sitting in the desk right in front of me "I'm a bit nervous". She whispers back to me "dont' be, you're doing fine". It made me smile and relax.

I've been going into shortly after 7 to work with potential basketball players on their shot because they want to make the team. It sucks that I'm going to most likely cut a few of them and they are the ones coming in and putting in the effort. One mom came up to me after practice last night and asked if her son had to come to all the practices if he son made the team. I didn't quite answer at first but said that anyone that makes the team will have to attend all practices because I didn't know who's mom she was. So I asked her who her son was and it was a kid who's runners were so old that he looked like he was skating when we ran lines. The mom said that he's getting new basketball shoes and that she's so pumped to see him out for something outside of school. I feel bad though because I'll be cutting her son next week and she'll probably go out and get him new shoes this weekend. As much as I'm excited about coaching, this is the part I hate the most. I love to see the enthusiam but when it comes down to it, I can't take everyone. Wish that there was more time in the day so I can do something for these kids that want to play but aren't good enough to make the team. So many kids call me Coach and are going out of their way to be nice to me. They really want to make the team and I know they won't think I'm as cool after I cut them. That will be interesting to see.

Justin, I must give you the credit that you deserve for this. I do your clapping thing in every class. And at the start of class, it takes about 3 or 4 claps but if I ever have to do it during class, it takes 2. Once people hear that first clap, they are kind of trained to be quiet by the time the 2nd one comes around. So thanks, I tell the teachers that I got it from you cuz I can't take the credit for such a brilliant technique. Thanks buddy.

Teaching has been pretty fun so far. I've been getting to know more and more students and they are starting to open up to me. When I get bored I start walking around the school and talk to students and teachers we are also wandering the school. I've found that once I talk to them outside of class, they tend to try harder in the next class I have them in. It's like because they know me more, they are more willing to try out my ideas. Today I spent more than 3 mins in the staff room after lunch. I haven't been in there much b/c I don't know too many other teachers. Today another student teacher was there so I decided to hang out a while longer than usual. There was about 7 of us in there and they were talking about first jobs and it was really neat hearing thier stories. So many I'll start to hang out there a bit more now.

So that's my week. Hopefully I'll get some time this weekend to get up the video tour of the school. Hope that everyone is doing well. Can't wait to see you guys again.

Mr C / Mr Catacutan / Coach / Mitch / Hey You