Post 9: Jan 28

I intern at a school office. The first thing you see when you walk in is Ms. Coffey's front desk. There are multiple doors that you notice soon after. There is three on the left and four on the right. One on the left is the attendance office and that is Ms. Taylors' office, the other office is Mr. Dolowichs' office and hes the principal, and finally Ms. Conduct. On the right, we have Ms. Lewis and Mr. Fabes, then there is a storage room and a book room. There are six people working here and including the TA's that come in every class period, its a littel crowded but its still nice. There are different types "of work" my work place does, depending on what section I'm working in, I have different jobs. I only had a chance to work with the principal once and I've worked for Ms. Conduct about 3 times, I worked for Ms. Taylor once and I have never worked for Mr. Fabes, but I'm always working with Ms. Coffey and I love it :)

Post 8: Jan 26

It was fun reading other people's blogs :) I feel like other people are doing more exciting things then I am, but I still love my WLE! I dont feel like they are learning more and I less, I think we are all just getting different skills to learn. I read Montrel's blogs and I found them very humorous and fun :) I love that he works at a vet, thats pretty awesome I think! I wish I could have interned there too just because I love animals :) I also read George's blogs, he has the best writting I think because it's very descriptive and thats great :) I feel like my blogs are good and I think I should be more descriptive too. I feel like some people are blogging, maybe its just a hassel to do it, I dont know.. Now that I've been at my internship for almost two months, I sort of find it a little repetitive but I love love coming in to the office and being around the staff, they are great! I haven't learned anything new, and I'm OK with that, I don't mind filing papers, I just like being around Ms. Coffey and Ms. Taylor and Ms. Lewis :)  

Post 7: Jan. 19

As of this day, I have had to change my WLE project because with my original project, none of  the girls that I wanted to work with wanted to work with me. So now I'm having to change my whole project, I now want to work with 8th graders and introduce them to Impact Academy and have like a little event for them & just introduce them to a potential high school. I feel like since I work  in the office, I can have my project approved by the counselor and start working on it soon! I found out that I had to ask for premission to host an event, because this falls into the school counselors' department of duties. Fortunately, I have all my hours, so there are no worries! :)

Post  6: Jan. 7 Mentor Interview

I interviewed Ms Coffey today and she is amazing. Ms Coffey hasn't changed a bit, I use to come visit her in the office when I was a student at Ochoa Middle School. Well, my mentors' full name is Susan Coffey and she is the Office Manager, she works at Anthony W. Ochoa Middle school at 2121 Depot Road Hayward, CA. Ms Coffey is in charge of all the things that concern the office. Ms Coffey deals with lending keys & helping substitutes, she also deals with substitutes' time cards, she files work orders, requests cum files, answers telephones, keeps records, takes care of visitors while also having student aids help around office. Ms Coffey's typical week is very busy, she is a busy woman and always has something to do. That is why I tend to stay out of her way and not keep her entertained from her work. Ms Coffey's week is also hectic because she deals with principal and vice principal requests for help or anything of that matter.
Ms Coffey is also a mother, she has four children, all of which are grown up. Ms Coffey decided to take on secretary work and she took some secretary classes in college and now she works at Ochoa. :)

Post 5: Dec. 17 Hours and Project

Well on December 17 I did what I usually do, which is office work. This is nothing new but I also don't mind doing it. My mentor is always working on her own things, and I usually don't have to ask her what to do, because I already know what to do, and I know what is expected of me. I haven't been able to work on my project, I know I should but my entire project is a little sketchy and I don't know how to start. I was planning on changing my whole idea and I was going to work with Blaine to do a combined project...we still have to work out details. As of December 17th, I have 34 hrs and I am one hour short of being on track. Next time I come to my WLE I will come sooner and work longer to catch up.

Post 4: Friday Dec. 10th Leadership Skills

The leadership skills that I have been using for WLE are collaborating productively and communicating powerfully because during my time at my WLE I have to work with the office aids who are also working with me and I use my communicating skills to talk with all the staff and make sure they receive any messages they need to get. I feel like the skills I am learning at my WLE are skills I wouldn't necessarily learn in a classroom because I am learning how to file things correctly and I have more experience talking with adults and parents, which is something I wouldn't do if I was at school. The role I have as an intern is very different from the role I have as a student. I feel like I'm more in charge of what I want to do with my work space and its very free and I can sort of create my own structure, it's just nice to have that freedom.

Post 2:  One interesting thing

Since we haven't had a blog post up, I figured I would write about an interesting thing I worked on last time I was at my internship. Well, the last time I was at Ochoa Middle School, I found myself filing papers and looking up students on the school's directory. I was excited to learn how to use their software and how I could find students on their directory. I think besides my amazing lunch I had an interesting time trying to learn how to use their software. I think finding students was the highlight of my day, and although this doesn't sound so much fun, I still felt happy to help out in the office and work with Ms. Coffey :)

Post 1 Wednesday Nov. 3rd

I first arrived at my WLE site at 8:30. I intern for my old middle school (Ochoa) and as soon as I walked in the door I was put to work! I didn't even have enough time to introduce myself to my mentor, I just walked in and Ms. Coffey walked me over to my task. Her introduction to my task way speedy I barely had any time for quesitons!  As soon as I got started I didn't stop. I spent most of my day revising certificates that would be used for next tuesday's award ceremony for all the 7th and 8th graders who had 4.0's or 3.0's for the first quarter. Although it took me a long time going over all the names and GPA's, I finished the task so that Ms. Coffey wouldn't have so much work for the weekend, which was a plus for her..because now she can "party hardy" ;)
My first day went wonderful. TA's for the office had a party which I was invited to. (What an awesome way to start my internship.) At the end of the day Ms. Coffey and I had a little chit chat. We had a chance to formally introduce ourselves, we spoke about what WLE is all about, and we discussed my day at work. Ms. Coffey said she was very impressed by the way I caught on so fast. My little secret was that I've worked for an office before at my old school which helped me with my work today :) For the most part I was busy and only had a small amount of downtime. I don't believe that I need any area of improvement. I had a good day today.

Post 15: My "Last Day"

Today is May 6..its a Friday. For me the reason why I have My Last Day in quotations is because I don't officially stop going to my WLE until next Wednesday which is the 12th. But most of the things I did at my internship were work on my lesson plan for the students I will be working with...I also did some class speaking..I was really nervous for that. I was just afraid the students would see me more as a student and less as an acutally "adult" which would be teaching them. Over all the whole me going up and talking with the students went ok..I did have some difficulty with the last class because there were some students that acted more like little middle school kids..I was not impressed (they were freshman)...so when I left my internship that day I was a little annoyed ahaha it just was NOT my day and I felt like I wanted to just go home and let the stress fade away..its Friday and I still can't help but feel upset. I guess I'm just really anal about it... like I take it to heart because I have been working with the lower division class and for me, I see them..I see them more as like MY students and not just regular kids. I mean I correct there work and I've taught them and I've helped them with work they didn't understand..It just sucked because I thought they were going to be more respectful of me. Well you will be seeing another post next week the ACTUAL last one!! Until then I will be preparing for that special day!
   ---Mari

Post 14: Almost done!

Today is April 28th and our WLE blog title is "Almost done"..hah omg I'm not even close to saying those words..well yeah I am its more like "Almost almost getting there" haha but anyhow..So far what I have finished is my WLE "Class Task" I edtited some of the things on there to make them more specific. (who would of know being a teahcer was hard, Oh! I'm not being sarcastic) I had to do many write ups to make sure things were right but I didn't mind the corrections, it kept me busy. Today I also got busy on drafting out a homework reading handout for the students and working on their Do Now! Then I will be teaching on May 12!! (how scary) I'm not going to lie..I feel a little intimidated..I've never done this before and I'm starting to scare myself. ( But I have to keep it casual ;] ) I definately have to do some of my own work at home and find things to talk about while I'm teaching the lesson! Anyways, today all I did was make a binder for myself to keep my things organized..its awesome!! And I of course did some photocopying..had some chocolate (that was delicious) and yeah. My WLE project kept me busy most of the time. I love Mrs. Galvan she is amazing and working with her has been awesome :) I totally appreciate her and all the time she has spent with me. We have had our moments and we laugh about stuff and it is just awesome. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do for her on mentor appreciation day but I  definately want to give her some thanks and as for the food we are suppose to bring..I want to make it something meaningful and bring her some type of food she will actually enjoy. Its either that or I'll bring a surprise. 
 ---Mari

POST 13: How my WLE project is going.. 

Well today is April 21st and my day here at my internship was fun! Today was a little interesting and I did something that was out of the "norm" Ok, well i got here early..Im guessing around 7:50 ( I think the earliest I've ever come to my WLE) and I had an early prep time with Mrs. Galvan. Usually during our prep we talk about the day plan and plan the activities I would be doing. And today the activities lined up for me to do were to of course make copies..I know that  sounds like such an easy task and It is..but when I do copies its not just one to two little copies, its like 10 or 260 huge copies that take HOURS! (ok, I exaggerated..it does not take hours, but it still takes long) hahha umm but making copies is fun..I actually enjoy doing that sort of work. Anyhow, the task that was out of the "norm" for me was that I was actually doing a PowerPoint!! Can you believe that? I was so excited to do something other than grading papers and make copies (don't get me wrong, I appreciate having work to do even if its just grading papers and making copies.. its cool) But yeah, I was thrilled to work on a new activity. Besides that, like I mentioned before did paper copies, worked on a PowerPoint, then graded papers. Well so far for my WLE project I have an activity planned out for the lower division kids. Its a DNA Fingerprinting activity and the students are to solve a crime that happened at Impact's staff barbeque.. I think its a really fun way to teach the lower divisions students and I just hope things go well with the activity :] I also have to prepare students for the activity and introduce exactly what DNA Fingerprinting is. I already have some information I want to share with the class when I teach them.. I'm just a little nervous to teach a class of kids.. when its like I'm only slightly older than they are. So my plan to finish my project is to stay on track and push myself to do the work that has to be done. I think that would  be my strategy on finishing my project on time.
  ---Mari

POST 10: Today

Today is March 24 and we are suppose to blog about how long we have worked and if we are on track of our hours. Well, for me its hard to say if I'm on track of my hours, only because I didn't start my internship with all the other juniors. A typical day at work would be starting at 8 and getting off around 4 sometimes 4:20.  So, my guess is that yes I am on track now. The reason I say 'I'm on track now' is because I use to start at 8 and leave work at 12:35 but I changed my hours... so now I'm good I think. I don't have my time sheet so I can't tell if my hours are on track. As for today...hmm well I just helped students with their lab reports, I ran some errands, and also photocopied some advisory lesson plans. For my WLE exhibition project, I'm planning on teaching a lesson on DNA fingerprinting and doing a 30 min activity :] I'm excited but also have a slight fear of failing or not being able to accomplish this goal. 
    ---Mari

POST 9:  My day..

Well, it is March 17 today. The day today was a little chaotic.. having to deal with an early dentist appointment and some personal issues. The reason I say chaotic is because my day was not organized. I woke up early in the morning getting ready to drive to San Jose for my appointment, I myself did not have ANY notification of the appointment until THIS morning..I felt like it was very unprofessional to not speak with my mentor a day in advance about the appointment. I felt like if I was able to speak with her then the day would of been more clear and organized. I did not arrive at my internship until 11:10.  Since I missed more than half the school day... I was not able to work with the kids I usually work with [I feel a little relieved.. {can't believe I'm saying this}.. I just thought I wouldn't of been focused enough due to some "issues".. my mind was just not focused] BUT I was able to get some photocopying done and enter grades :) My mentor was at an all day meeting, I only saw her a couple of times today, so the class had a substitute and it was a relaxed day....
   ---Mari

POST 7: Analyzing my Workplace

Its March 10 and I am still very excited to be coming to my internship :) For todays blog, I will be going over my work enviroment. I am currently working in a small sized work place, I actually work at Impact Academy (It is a real privilege!) my workplace is also considered a PROFESSIONAL workplace & that is so awesome. Working at Impact has been very interesting. Since I was new to the school I was able to interact with the students as well as the teachers... it has been fun :) Working in a small place is actually, I think more convenient. I run errands and everything is close by, so Im not complaining :) Ms. Galvan is my BOSS! She is the one in charge of me.. the big shot ;] I love Ms. Galvan, she is an amazing mentor and just really friendly. I love that we have communication and that we are on the same page for our jobs and activities on the job. I don't really know who comes before her..I'm guessing the office is the top dog when it comes to the "chain of command". Overall I very much enjoy coming to my WLE its I think the coolest experience I will have in high school.
   ---Mari

POST 6:  Grading Myself for WLE 

Well today is the 17th and It's my second time coming to my internship :). So far I have been able to record grades, photocopy papers, and run errands! I know It does not seem like a lot of fun.. but I'm actually enjoying my time with Mrs. Galvan. I can say that I'm very pleased with the work I do at my internship. I know I do all my activities that Mrs. Galvan gives me with a positive attitude. Earlier today I had to photocopy two papers to the back of each other. I was very frustrated because I couldn't figure out how to actually do that. I calmed down (reminding myself to be positive) and I asked for help, then I was able to do my assignment Mrs. Galvan assigned me to do. So when I finally got the job down, I was very proud and I felt good about myself :) (It was nice to learn something new!). I believe I'm learning basic "office" skills that I didn't have before. Umm, like I had said before, I use to do office work at my old school so I already had some skills for the internship I have, but now I know a bit more :) (It's always good to have more knowledge than what you have begun with) As for my own evaluation I would give myself a 4 because I believe that I have been doing an amazing job here with Mrs. Galvan, in addition I can see that she is also happy with my efforts and doings :)
   ---Mari

My first day.. :)

Today I actually started the internship with Mrs. Galvan!! I was real excited! I got here early and I did a lot of things, like I learned how to photo copy papers and I ran errands. I cut paper with the cutting paper thing (hah) I posted up students names for tomorrows exhibition :) So basically I helped for tomorrows event. I was really proud of myself because I actually felt like I was being productive :) I am excited to get to know Mrs. Galvan while Im doing this internship, and I am super glad to keep coming, also I am very anxious to do knew things. I hope that this internship brings tons of happy days of learning :)  
    ---Mari

My expectations.. :)

Since this is my first blog I want to talk about my expectations and having to wait for my internship: 
 I have never really done this before. I came to Impact Academy on the 28th of January and I didn't know what to expect. I was really nervous because I came from San Jose and I went to Oak Grove High School. When I first met my teachers, I was really excited when I finally was able to see them face to face. The Impact Academy teachers and office staff made me feel comfortable. When I met Micah; my advisor, he told me I had to find an internship to attend and I was real scared. I was scared because like I said..I never really done this before. I was first suppose to attend an internship at Kaiser but it would of took three months or so for me to get the actual internship and so my adviser hooked it up (haha) with this awesome teacher; Mrs. Galvan :) I didn't know what to expect...
   ---Mari