Week 6

Today was just business as usual. I'm just taking one step at a time, getting more comfortable with the kids. In terms of personal care, I think I need to begin eating more frequently throughout the day because I keep getting intense headaches towards the end of the school day and I think it's because I'm eating breakfast at 5:30 am and then eating lunch at 12, so my blood sugar gets low. I know it's not super pertinent to my mentorship, just learning new things about working on my feet for a full school day. In terms of classes today, the Intro to 3D class is working on making their totem poles out of clay. They learned four clay working methods including solid to hollow, coil, slab, and pinch. She had all of them stop what they were working on to take out their sketches and write next to each design what method they were going to use to for each totem. This was a great time for me to walk around and discuss techniques and problem solve with them. I know it is something small, but I feel really fulfilled when I can tell students that an idea they have is possible to manifest. I think students are beginning to really trust my advice and ask for help. I worked with J. during 1st hour on his totem pole. J. has autism and has a student aid during this period who helps him complete his projects. I came over and sat with him and he showed me his work. He's making a totem pole for Agape, an equestrian therapy program he participates in. He was initially just going to make letters, but I suggested that he add a horse somewhere in it. He said he thought the "G" looked like a horse head, so we reshaped it and he scratched a design into the surface. It turned out great! He also shared a small sgraffito plate he made in his free time. It looks awesome.

In the AP and Drawing 4 classes during 5th hour I brainstormed ideas for AP's final project after they submit their portfolio. THIS LINK is a screenshot of an email I sent to Ms. O with my ideas and we talked about them more in person today. She likes all three of them but seemed to be leaning towards the third idea, a group grid mural. I think we're going to talk about it more and then I'm going to whip up a lesson plan for her. The last two periods were the jewelry classes which have very different vibes. The first one is crazy hectic and working at way different paces. A lot of them are freelancing and making their own projects in between assigned projects so there's a lot of individual questions and demonstrations that Ms. O and I have to fulfill because she wants them to keep pushing themselves, but today she had them pause, told the ones working ahead to review class materials and the ones a little behind to complete the project they were on so they could reconvene as a class and she could demonstrate new techniques to everyone, not just the ones working ahead. The second class is very quiet and slow, sometimes unmotivated. So two very different atmospheres. I did work with S. for most of the first class. S. was the student who had trouble with fine motor skills that Ms. O modified classroom tools for her to successfully cut metal. Anyway, I helped S. enamel one of her necklaces. The countertops where enameling is done were too high for her so I took a wood slab and put it across her wheel chair so she could see and work easier. I had her brush on the flux and then I refined some of the edges. Then I scooped the enamel powder into the shifter and held it over her jewelry while she tapped on it to shift the powder onto her necklace. I did have to fire her jewelry for her because it would have been dangerous for her to work the torch, but I did talk through every step and let her turn knobs, listen for the gas, watch me ignite the gas, etc. S. is great to work with because she is so enthusiastic and happy to be in class. I had a fun time with her today! Ms. O was super nice too because she took pictures and videos of us working without me even knowing or asking :) So today was a good day! THIS LINK is the rest of my notes for the day.

An update about my mom: she sent a letter at the beginning of the week saying they had to the end of the week to tell her yes or no concerning the accommodations she is requiring and if they do not respond she will take that as an answer; no. So today they sent back a really disrespectful and outright false letter saying they have done more than enough to accommodate her and that she is being unreasonable. She is taking that as a no. She will be sending in her resignation next week. I'm just happy that this painful chapter of her life is over after six long months, but I'm also not over it. My mom gave so much to them and brought so much good publicity and reputation to Concord, so I plan to make sure it leaves with her. There will be public outcry. I don't know how yet though. I can't do much until she finalizes everything so I have time to think. Anyways, onwards and upwards.