From Brian

I picked the third one – moderate to high because ti don’t like to put myself in the highest category
and there are some things, such as directing students towards internships, where there is room for improvement.

As for commitment, it usually is pretty high, but there are only so many hours in the day and I’m not a monk. I am also highly committed to my family and that takes a lot of time.

As for how I want to interact with you – help with the internship placement first, support for the things I’m trying to institute in the class and a realization that we have been given too much to do in these first few weeks, that the job is draining, etc. Also, I’d like some common planning time. Right now I am
exhausted at the end of each day because I am responsible for covering my class from 8:30 to 1:10 and then 2 to 3. It is not a good way for anyone to start the year and while I’ll survive, there are things I am not doing – having time to talk to other crew members, learning specialists, Lorin, etc. on the needs of individual students, or even getting to know students individually. As for the new teachers, I think it is a bad way of introducing them to this (or any) system. It is begging for burn out.

Continuing on, there are things I would like delegated to me, providing there is time to do them.
Specifically, we don’t do well on content knowledge on the Global and US Regents (check out the
percentages on the multiple choice- only a third to half get over 40% on a test where you should get 25% by guessing randomly) and I could both familiarize the other crew leaders with the subject matter
and provide materials beyond mere Regents review.

Finally, I don’t know where this fits in, but I want to finish my Math certification this year and if you have any ideas whereby I could help the school and earn some math credits, tell me. I’m contacting someone at Hostos about it, but I’d like to get free credits if possible.

What I do every couple or weeks is go
through my crew list and write down a few things about half the crew.
I do this more after things have settled down.'

Right now these are first impressions and I'm not quite sure
how accurate these are.

Crew:

Shardasha --
Tall, elegant and seemingly professional at age 14.
She has been quiet, but has some things
to say. Organized.
Seems to be developing a friendship with Sintroya.

Aaliyah --
Assertive, talks a bit more than I'd like.
Concerned about class procedures,
but definitely sees the rest of the crew
as people to develop relationships with.
Leadership potential. Smart and likes
to have her opinion heard.

Malik --
Small, quiet, shy boy. Has missed some days.
Not quite sure how much he gets what is going on.
Waiting for physical development?

Justin ---
Slow walker -- always trailing behind on trips.
Large and carries a bit more weight than he should.
Definitely awkward age
Aaliyah has taken to calling him 'Curly.'
Often late.

Samantha --
Smart, organized, but has been suffering from
stomach virus this week. Willing to talk in class.

Edelys --
Quiet. Follows procedures and is afraid of
negative attention. Seems to have a friendship
with Andrienne.

Kimberly --
Very quiet Part French.

Brian Jones --
Same name as the founder of the Rolling Stones,
who was later murdered by the grounds keeper of his estate.
Brian asked me why we didn't change classes.
He seems to have been looking forward to what
he considered regular high school.

Vanae --
Not exactly excluded, but on the edge of things
socially in the crew.
Seems to be a bit on the cynical side.

Aaron --
Older, has a girlfriend in Daniel's crew.
Has not been in many days.

Denise --
Had 3 older siblings at the school.
Started the year with PDAs with Armando,
but that seems to be over.
(Armando seems confused as to way, but not upset.)
Talks a lot, will say negative things about me.
Think she is testing me.
High energy, a bit volatile. Funny.
Kadejah suggested Friday that she was ADD.
Took her to Juan at her request.

Kadejah --
Some one from her former school is apparently out
to get her, so after school she worries.
Well organized. Spends time with Aaliyah,
others.

Sashalee --
Very quiet, but articulate when you address her directly.

John Carlos --
No show as of present.

Emerald --
Quiet, respectful. Needs special help and seeks it out.

Andrienne --
Doesn't seem too happy -- the look on her face seems to
say, "Why would I ever want to do that?' Leaves a lot
of assignments incomplete. Friends with Edelys

Ashley --
Still in middle school in her own mind.
Well, organized. Have complimented her on her hat.
Good sense of humor.

Armando--
From Salvador, mother speaks only Spanish.
Won't create problems, but not exactly a go getter.
Still sits next to Denise even though they
are not longer going out.

Sintroya --
Smart, likes to answer questions in class.
Tall and likes fashion and dance.
Friends with Shardasha -- together they
are the two tallest in class.


Okay, that is in for now.
My method for this is to pull up this message
next time and add to it.
Over time it is more event oriented than
personality oriented.

Brian