Hi Guys & Gals,
My name's Maria Debowska and I have been a Language Arts teacher at Lodi High School for the past ten years. This year, however, I am on maternity leave because I wanted to get a chance to spend more time with my three and a half year old daughter, Alexis and my two month old son, Justin. Besides caring for the kids, I am an adjunct professor at Rockland Community College, where I teach Freshman Composition on Monday nights and of course on Thursdays you'll see me in our Principles of Curriculum Development course. I'm taking this class because it's a requirement to earn the Supervisory Certificate. After I attain the certificate, I am considering working on a doctorate in education, but my husband tells me I'm crazy - we'll see.
Something interesting about me is that I set a goal for myself to visit all the states in the US; this came about when I was studying in Oxford and heard many people commenting on the US and all these beautiful States (mind you, no one said anything about NJ) and I thought to myself, I'd like to visit them all. So, how many have I seen thus far? The answer is 36.
Well, I think that's enough about me.
See you on Thursday. ~ Maria D.
13 comments:
Maria-
First, what a beautiful family you have! Second, you certainly have a lot on your plate. (I can relate, for sure.) The key is balance and good time management.
With your adjunct work, how do you assess the preparation of your students when it comes to readiness for college writing? What would you suppose that they needed to "unlearn" when it comes to being ready for higher education?
As far as my adjunct work since it's a community college the students come on different levels of readiness for college writing. Some students turn in stellar work, whereas others require several rewrites to achieve a passing grade.
The main thing for them to "unlearn" which is specific to the English subject is the concept of a five paragraph essay. Since that is what high schools teach, these students come into a college composition class and can't think outside the box because they are stuck on only one form or writing.
I think that visiting all 50 states is an awesome goal -- and what a great thing to do with your kids...I always love traveling abroad, and I feel like I forget how beautiful our own home is:)
As for the discussion on higher ed., I feel like students are required to write, read, calculate in a particular way in elementary school and those lessons become so ingrained that to write in a new (maybe more innovative) way seems foreign...how can we allow students creative freedom while still teaching the basics?
Maria, I love your goal about the 50 states! I actually want to do that too! I think it would be so cool to say that you have done that!
Your kids are adorable! I know you said that your son is just a few months-- what about your daughter? Which states are your favorite?
Maria,
I know exactly what you mean about the 5 paragraph essays. That is a constant battle the my department members and I have with our students. We start off by telling them that they are going to learn how to write in a completely new way from what they are accustomed to. It is challenging to break them out of the mold.
It is so sad that (for how long?) high school English classes are still teaching the good-old FIVER... I am doomed for this apparently as a future English teacher but I hope to find a way to make it fun and not so daunting for the students. What level of language arts did you teach? High or middle school?
Good to meet a fellow Language-Arts teacher. I love your goal of wanting to visit every state but I think visiting 36 is awesome. I must say I have only been to 8 states.
Hi Maria- That is great that you do adjunct work along with your regular teaching schedule at Lodi. I am the head football coach at Emerson and I know Pat Tirico from Lodi. Also, that's funny that we are neighbors. Good Luck with everything!
Maria,
The Women in Literatue curriculum was written over this past summer. Once it's approved by the board we can begin offering it as an elective in our schools.
Writing the curriculum was a tremendous amount of work but I worked with a wonderful young lady who really brought a lot to the table.
Currently, the English electives available are Drama, Public Speaking and Forensic Debate.
Hi Maria!
You studied at Oxford? Color me impressed :-) I'd love to hear about that experience!
As you already know, I think it's amazing that you're being so productive on your maternity leave. I see NO reason why you shouldn't pursue a Ph.D...you certainly have the ambition and the brains for it!!!
NJ is beautiful too!!! You just have to know where to look.
I used to teach kids' art classes at the NJ Center for Visual Arts in Summit. I know there are tons of little places that offer classes in storefronts or small studios. I would just google kids' art classes in the area in NJ you're looking for...
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