Hello Blog. It seems I’m late again. I don’t mean to ignore you. I’ve just worked really hard to stay on track and keep up all the great work I’ve been involved with at Los Alisos as well as maintain that balance with my personal life.
 
Professionally, we have a new administrator at Los Alisos Middle School. Dr. Majid Salehi is bringing a new energy to our school. I know that this change is necessary because I see a change in my classroom practices. I am continuing to grow as an educator because of Dr. Salehi’s new insight into my classroom practices.  I am trying math centers integrating technology and maintaining my regular practices using Cornell notes, math talks, problem practice, and even lecture or two. Change is necessary if we want to advance our school’s mission and goals.
 
Even our robotics program looks different this year. After seven years of using the Lego NXT Mindstorm robots, our 6th grade Introduction to Robotics program has switch to the new Lego EV3 Mindstorm robots. We still learn about the history of robots and a robot’s parts, we build a robot, graphically program a robot, and the students will eventually build a robot to compete to show off with other students at our community Open House in May 2018.  The best part of the new robots is that all of the robotics programming is done from the iPad. The Los Alisos’s Robotics program has developed into wonderful opportunities for students to explore their curiosities about computer programming and robotic engineering.
 
Personally, I have had a good year. I have a 16 year old and a 13 year old. Both keep me busy, frustrated, happy and make my life full of love. I feel blessed to have them in my life even when life challenges my family, my husband and kids make my life better.

My year started off less than optimal with my oldest son being diagnosed with a disordered called ITP: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura- is a disorder that leads to excessive bleeding or bruising. This disorder is due to low level of platelets (the cell that helps blood clot). My son received treatment with a Rituxan and steroids and is on the road to a full recovery. The oldest continues to play soccer and enjoy Elmo and going to trampoline places around Orange County.
 
My youngest son has had his challenges: A sick brother, middle school mishaps (new friends, new drama, and just trying to figure out how to fit into a new school system), playing basketball, and he grew about 7 inches over the last year as well. He continues to be one of the stars of his basketball team. He has had some struggles academically, but thanks to Randy the trainer and Liz the tutor, my kids continues to excel in all areas of  his life. The youngest has survived and looks to maintain his Principal’s honor roll status well into the 2018 year.  
 
My husband and I are celebrating 21plus years of being together and are in the middle of remodeling our home. I will keep you updated in my next Blog.
 
I am blessed with a great family and a wonderful job. I’m not sure who will read this blog, but hopefully this give anyone some insight into my life in 2017. 

As many of you know, I'm from Norwalk.  I was born in the 60's, grew up in the 70's and graduated in the 80's from both high school and college. I'm very proud of my accomplishments in my life: great education, wonderful job, I own my house, my kids are fabulous and healthy, an amazing support system of family and friends, and really great husband, who always keeps me in "check" with a smile :)

At this time of year, I take time to reflect on how thankful I am for the things in my life.  I'm really glad that my mom is still around.I'm glad my mom will still be around for another Thanksgiving. As kids, we sometimes take for granted that our parents will be around forever. As I've gotten older, I realize that I need to value my time with my family since none of us are around forever.   I'm thankful for my for students. They bring me joy, frustration, good laughs, and a sense of accomplishment that the world is going to be okay with these students guiding our future. My family has given me the grace to be thankful for a good life.  I appreciate my time with them even when we are not physically together. 

In the end, please reflect on what you are thankful for this holiday season. I hope that your writings help you truly appreciate all the support and love your families give you now and beyond the holiday season.

So much to say and do... The year has been crazy. An early school start (August 17, 2016), iPads for all of 6th grade, a second story on my house, and a moodiness about me that I can explain.  I think that my life is changing.  Not necessarily for better or worse, my life is just changing.  I was motivated to write this morning because I found myself in tears over some events that are leaving my regular routines.  

First, my credit union after 27 years is changing their summer saver program. I'm sad.  I now have to find my own personal discipline and manage my money to last 12 months with only 10 months of pay.  I guess at 51, I should "middle school up" and become more responsible for my finances.  I was at ease with the fact it was one less thing to worry about in my crazy life.  I know I'm smart enough to manage, but after 27 years, it's a relationship break up that I'm having trouble with at this point in time. 

Next, if you have grown up in LA, you know that this is the last weekend Vin Scully will be the voice of the Dodgers.  I heard his farewell speech on the radio on Friday.  The grace and tranquility of Vin's voice reminds me of how much I take for granted about living in southern California.  I don't even care for baseball, but I found multiple tears came to my eyes when I hear Vin Scully speak on his career of 67 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I can only hope that my career in teaching will have half of the respect, good will, and grace this man has brought to baseball, broadcasting, and the greater community of life.

Another loss that I am feeling this weekend is Charles Osgood is leaving CBS News: Sunday Morning.  For some reasons, I still can't stop tearing up.  For the last 22 years, I have found comfort in hearing his perspective on the weekly events of the world. His bow ties and rhymes remind me to listen better and to write out my thoughts more so that I can share my perceptions of the world in a thoughtful manner. I found security by watching Mr. Osgood during the 9/11 attacks since my husband was in New York. I love watching him sing every Christmas at his piano.  I enjoyed being introduced to things that I may never have been "open to" unless it was under the guise of Mr. Osgood's witful song. I will miss you on Sundays Charles Osgood, but I do know that I will always "See you on the Radio".

As a I mourn this loss of icons or events of my life, I need to remember how blessed I am to be here.  My oldest started high school (with special needs) and that's going well.  My youngest started middle school (6th grade with no issues other than attitude) and that has been a challenge. I know what my 6th grader will need, I just hope I remember to be a "mom" and not a 6th grade teacher. My students, as always, are the best looking students ever! I will need to work on making them smarter (LOL!).  I have my health and my husband is pretty good too.  We just celebrated 20 years of marriage and have been together for 26.  WOW!, just WOW!. 

Thank you Blog for letting me reflect so that I can remember that my life is a good life. kkj

Dear Blog,

I'm so sorry that I continue to ignore you.  You see with the inception of social media, I just find it easier to post a picture and a 140 character comment than come here to you and write an explanation of a thought or issue that concerns me at that moment in time.  I am overwhelmingly grateful for this place and this website. I will try and get here more often. In the meanwhile, I am on social media: on twitter.com @kjtheteach, on instagram.com @kjtheteach, and you can get Los Alisos Middle School updates by text using remind.com- text: @kjzalumni to 81010 on a cell phone (note that messaging rates do apply).  Thanks for always being here for me.  

The best part of my job is the students! I'm grateful for the opportunities that have been given to me at Los Alisos.  I have wonderful colleagues- GO TEAM 6! We have great Administrators and district staff that continually support the efforts and community of Los Alisos Middle School. I am lucky for the friendships I have developed beyond the classroom with my colleagues as well.  I want to especially thank my partner, Mr. Manso and Mrs. Lim, who keep my 6th curriculum life very sane.  I also really need to THANK MRS. SNYDER.  Without her care, knowledge, and reflective guidance, our magnet program and my tech skills would be nothing!  I am also truly thankful for my family.  I am privileged to have a wonderful husband Mr.J. and my two kids; Collin and Tyler.  My family allows me to share stories and tales of our personal life with love and kindness beyond my wildest dreams.  Please take time this week to thank the ones around you who will support all that you do now and beyond your time in my class.  Stay safe and out of trouble! Have a happy week off and see back in school on December 1, 2015.

I understand why we have them, but man oh man... meetings take energy. I hope I learn something new tomorrow.  I really just want to be with my students.  I guess it's a sign of who I am... a teacher.

My colleague, Mrs. Garcia, is pretty brilliant when it comes to writing. I know that she has received a few grants and is currently finishing her masters program in curriculum development.  Mrs. Garcia has taken the lead and started work on having Los Alisos recognized as a Gold Ribbon School.  The award is based on certain requirements and replaces the Golden Bell and Blue Ribbon programs recognizing schools for outstanding work in certain categories. Ton of work and I'm glad Mrs. Garcia is taking the lead. Her tenacity will serve Los Alisos well when it comes to recognizing the great programs and achievements our school has to offer the student and the community at large. I'm part of the committee to develop the application for the award. Hope I can serve the committee well. 

We just got the date for the Robo Lobo competition.  I'm scared.  I want to do well for the school.  I hope to guide the students to a win.  Thank goodness we have Mrs. Snyder to lead us to a possible victory!

Vacation is always good.  It's a time to reflect and set goals for a new year.  Have a new homework policy in place and I am seeing a lot of maturity in my students.  A couple of cool projects coming up using the iPad.  It just takes some much time to upload to the website, I hope everyone can be patient.

I realize that I'm very tired today.  It's the last day of school before Winter break begins.  As I reflect on the entire year, I am always amazed at how our students grow.  This year the Magnet students are "bigger, stronger, smarter, and even better looking" then the last bunch of students.  I hope to challenge them even more next year.  I also look forward to recruitment for the 2015-2016 school year.  Hey kids... I care about you enough to give you two weeks of school off :o) See you all next year. Happy Holidays!  

STUDENTS- Post a comment to me about how the Magnet program has changed you as a student and tell me your goals for the rest of the trimester.