CTI is OVER, Round 1 begins

CTI(corps training institute) has ended with an induction ceremony November 13th. We're well into our teams and most teams have left base. They've been deployed to places including the gulf, Seattle, Utah, Oregon, San Diego, and Compton. Its been a struggle trying to get into the swing of things. I've been assigned to Oakridge Elementary in Oak Park, only about 20 minutes from base so we're staying here. Its nice to have my own room, however, its hard getting up for those 5am PTs. They're more rigorous but I'm enjoying PT. I hope I can run soon, but my knee and ankle has been giving me trouble. The pilates and yoga is fun. I miss everyone in New York and everybody who's gone away on SPIKE. I hope you are all safe, send me post cards from wherever you are at! for my assignment I'm teaching 5th graders math, science, and english in preparation for their STAR tests, which is the California equivalent to the regents exams in new york. We've also been doing ISPs which are our independent service projects. I've planted a few trees for the state parks and have been working at RAFT, the resource area for teachers. I wish we had something similar to this in New York, maybe when I come back home I'll try to set up the program, which in simplest terms, gets supplies that are overstock or returns from places such as office max, HP, and other stores that reject their supplies. They stock these items and sell it at a heavy discount for teachers who have to pay a 20 dollar membership fee. Its essential here since the schools have suffered heavy losses, their funding is at a minimal where many schools cant afford a gym, art or music classes. My 5th graders will be tested in science proficiency but there is no science program to speak of so the teachers asked me to figure out something to teach them. This round is going to last till January 28th and I feel that i've already made some sort of impact on these kids, a lot of them now do their homework every night. The sad part is because of the stupid no child left behind laws, some of these kids with special needs who should be in a lower level are pushed forward. Some of them can barely read. most of them are below proficiency level which makes it difficult to try to prepare them. This school also has counselors who are constantly taking kids out of class when they are in the middle of lessons, when they come back they have five minutes with me to learn a days lesson. They're typical the ones who need help the most. I hope in the next 6 weeks I can make an impact on these kids lives, hopefully they'll have the will to study harder and will be able to keep up.