Cristo Rey Network New Teacher Orientation: Day 2

"You're from Detroit? I LOVE Detroit! I was just there and I can't wait to go back!" Those words were uttered by a Loyola University student who is responsible for the dorm building we're housed in, sending me into a state of shock and awe (not to be confused with GWB Iraq military policy). It turns out the student stayed in Corktown and visited "the best French restaurant in the Midwest" (yes, Le Petit Zinc, it was you!) and actually visited our neighborhood often. He and some potential business partners are drawing up plans for businesses when they finish school. And to think that I met him because I walked down to the lobby in search of an iron.

Yesterday evening was spent at Goose Island Brew pub with Margaret and Patrick. As a fan of big cities and beer, it is always nice to catch the true local flavor from residents. The food and brews were delicious and it was great to hang out with them.

Day two of training was spent tackling all things classroom management. Using Marzano's A Handbook for Classroom Management that Works we explored ways to incorporate rules, procedures and our own school handbook into our daily classroom behaviors. Talk about refreshing information! For those scoring at home, mark another one in the "things I wish I'd heard before I started teaching" category (for baseball fans, it's like a 6-4-3 double play when your starter is pitching in the 8th inning with a one-run lead).

I was asked a whole series of questions today about our school handbook, how we handle discipline, etc. It was a weird discussion and it did not make sense until the questioner asked me how long I have been the Dean of Students at our school. Apparently my name being Dean was the confusing part...

The most important part for me is the ability to build relationships with other educators within the Cristo Rey Network. It isn't that often that we have that opportunity to view things on the national scale and seeing passionate teachers from many cities and walks of life is a real bright spot. Claire, a new teacher at Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School here in Chicago, and I constructed this image of a life with, and without, Learning Goals in the classroom.

Pauline metaphor + graduation + weather = step aside Picasso

More to come tomorrow, especially after I grab a coffee with the above-quoted Loyola student this evening.

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While you're on the internet, also check out this great Detroit News piece on the The Detroit City Futbol League. You'll like it.