"Are you in over your head?  Are you in water so deep you're drowning?  Do you think you've been left, and there is no one to feel your hurting?  Well everybody has been there, and everybody's felt lost.  If you're in over your head, lift it up, lift it up.  Oh listen to the sound of hope that's rising....

...I hear you saying you're alone, I hear you saying that you'll never make it.  I've got to tell you you're wrong.  I have been down this path you're taking.  You'll never know what faith is, 'til you don't understand.  Sometimes it takes a silence to finally hear His plan. Oh listen to the sound of hope that's rising..."

Building 429, Listen to the Sound

Well, I'm back for a moment.  Going to bed soon, hoping to finally catch up on the last bit of sleep I've lost!  

My first week is done! It was really pretty good!  Tiring- though after tonight's sleep, I think I'll finally be caught up again.

Today was really great!  We had several sessions based around what we would actually be doing, as well as what they call community panels twice.  Those consist of different people in the Delta, whether it be students, parents, PTA members, principals, school board members, or community members.  They all answer a lot of questions from us as well as tell us about themselves and the areas we will be teaching.

Aside from those, this morning we had "Impact Groups."  We chose what group best fit us whether it be faith-based, race-based, education majors, etc.  I chose the education major impact group, as I was curious of the things they may share.  It was very informative!  I also found out that a lot of schools do give $100-$200 stipends to new teachers for supplies, however, several schools are very limited on even the most basic supplies.  Many schools don't even offer copiers, printers, or computer paper to their teachers.... sooooo looks like I'm gonna be making a lot of hand-made things from the get-go until I get more invested in my classroom!  That's okay though- I have plenty of crafty things to bring down to help out with that.  They said books tend to be very limited too, so spread the word!!  Anyone with any old, not needed Pre-K-2nd grade books they would love to donate, would be fabulous! =)

We had sessions this afternoon too and mine was focused on Pre-K- 2nd grade teachers.  I've definitely been nervous about the whole teaching kindergarten thing, and now even more so, though very inspired after today as well.  Apparently kindergarten isn't even required for students in the state of Mississippi either so there is no telling how many students I may have.  In this session we focused a lot on how much of an impact lower elementary teachers have on the rest of a student's education career.  We watched once video of a previous corps member who just won some big award through TFA who had pre-schoolers (3-4yrs) READING, WRITING, and COUNTING and RECOGNIZING numbers 1-100.  It was amazing!  They recognized at least 100 site words, and so on and so forth.  Those are things that normally feed over into first grade and she had 3 and 4 year olds doing it!  I'm nervous, but excited and ready as well.

As today was our last day of Induction, we had a closing ceremony that was wonderful.  We heard from lots of previous corps members still living in the Delta and are now Executive Directors of Non-Profit Organizations, principals, still teaching, or doing multiple other things.  We heard from current corps members and learned the chants that Delta people such as myself chant at events.  All-in-all, it was a good time!

This evening was fabulous as well!  Many of the couples and families in the community of Cleveland offered their houses and became hosts for dinner tonight.  They fed us lots of good food, drinks, and dessert and an all-in-all good time. (Aside from the mosquitos! I've officially been eaten alive by the Mississippi Mosquitos!)  Lots of fun people and conversations.

NOW- I'm back in the dorm and already getting tired again!  At least tomorrow I can sleep in!  I'm hoping to finally see this gym and go running, and then tomorrow evening we have a cookout to go to, hosted by the City of Greenville!  Apparently it's on the river, so I'll finally get the chance to see this huge Mississippi River! =)  

Alright- guess I'll update again later!  Oh- and in case you're wondering, I'm trying to find quotes from music I like to head up the beginning of each of these posts that relate to something from the day!

Night ya'll!  Miss and love you all and I'll try to get some phone calls in tomorrow since I'll finally have a free early minute to do so! =)