This has been a crazy week! I've hit the ground running with my new job at the zoo, and have traveled to a different CPS school every day this week to visit junior high classes who have been involved with a collaborative research program all year. They've been visiting the zoo to collect animal behavior data and now I have to teach them how to analyze the data and share it in chart/graph form. Let's just say that if you are a junior high teacher I THOROUGHLY admire your dedication...it is definitely the toughest age to handle!
It's been eye opening to see so many of the Chicago Public Schools. Most of the buildings are gorgeous old citadels with tall ceilings and wood floors, some are classic "prison cell" concrete block construction, some are newly built with modern architecture. Some are situated in a grassy block in the middle of old classic neighborhoods, some are squeezed into the middle of a gritty urban neighborhood. Some of the kids are bright and well behaved, and some seem kind of hopeless. The atmosphere in each school is similar though--a positive space that tries its desperately to be a nurturing influence on the students, even if the teachers have to adopt a strict tough love facade.
So yeah, I'm relieved it's Friday, and can't believe that my birthday has snuck up on me! It's my golden birthday, 26 on the 26th. Last year I was freaking out about turning 25, but now I am definitely ready for this new year. 2013 has been great so far, and I'm excited to see what else happens!
To celebrate, I'm holding a flash sale in the shop! Use coupon code 26on26 to get 26% off your total order (including winter clearance items)! This would be an excellent opportunity to get that Mother's Day gift, just sayin...The offer is good all day today!