August 20, 2012
Goodbye, Left Testicle

Early last week, I noticed a dull ache in my groin and lower abdomen. I assumed it was something I ate, but as the pain continued, I made a critical and uncharacteristic decision to go to the doctor. On Thursday, August 16th, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. 

The facts are these:

1. Testicular cancer is a young man’s disease. It is the most common cancer among men in their 20s and 30s, and there are no discernible causes known at this point other than a family history and/or pre-existing conditions present at birth. I have none of these, so basically it’s bad luck.

2. I will be fine. The odds are ever in my favor to see out an entirely average life expectancy. The path ahead will become more or less complicated as test results come in, and I am prepared for whatever might be in store.

3. I will have a procedure called an orchiectomy to remove the cancerous mass from my body this Wednesday afternoon. Hence, the title of this note. I must give credit here to H. Alan Scott for having a way with words that I envy and also for being my instant ally and confidante in this new reality.

4. My spirits are high! Though I’m admittedly nervous about Wednesday, the love and support of the family I was born with and the family I chose at Tufts and here in Chicago have made me feel very safe in the face of this most unexpected bump in the road.

5. I have never been afraid of a challenge and I certainly don’t intend to get in the habit now. As my friend and colleague Pat Dwyer reminded me, if Lance Armstrong can win the Tour de France 7 times after beating this thing, I am still well on my way to being the Secretary of Education. :) Truly though, I am encouraged to think that I will absolutely be able to greet my students on the first day of school in two weeks. Perhaps a little worse for wear, but with a smile nevertheless.

In closing, here are some more words from H. Alan Scott who puts it better than I can:

    Basically, touch your balls and if something feels funny, go to the doctor!  More info here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/14231-testicular-cancer/

11:26pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZzV3RxRqhP7a
June 20, 2011
Real World Problems #2

Sleeping with a frying pan at your bedside in celebration of RodentFest2011.

8:14pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZzV3Rx6HiE6I
(Notes: 2)
  
June 18, 2011
Real World Problems #1

Google searched “coffee without a filter” this morning. 

5:57pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZzV3Rx6DQ0DL
(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: simple living 
June 15, 2011
Jump.

Jump.

12:12am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZzV3Rx666gCR
June 10, 2011
It's Not About You.

8:36am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZzV3Rx5yRt4B
(Notes: 4)
  
Filed under: orientation mission-based teaching 
June 10, 2011
Home sweet home.

Home sweet home.

8:35am  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZzV3Rx5yRnAL
(Notes: 1)
  
June 7, 2011
Propaganda Inspiration sent in my program’s acceptance packet. 

Propaganda Inspiration sent in my program’s acceptance packet. 

1:05pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZzV3Rx5soaCx
(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: chicago inspiration 
June 7, 2011
And…lights!

Hello and a hearty welcome to friends, family, and passersby,

You’ve stumbled upon my attempt at recording my experiences as a 20-something first-year teacher in Chicago, IL. I’m moving to Chicago as part of a program committed to closing the achievement gap in urban schools through the efforts of recent college graduates and career changers.

This blog will reflect my navigation and negotiation of the divide between theory and practice in education. As an undergraduate, I majored in Child Development at Tufts University where I found myself most exhilarated by opportunities for applied research. These opportunities came in diverse circumstances including, but not limited to, an immigrant youth interpreter program, charter school classrooms in a still-recovering New Orleans, LA, and a LEGO robotics summer camp.

I’ve elected to start teaching full-time because 1. I love it and 2. I believe that in order to contribute something substantial to education policy and research, my knowledge must be grounded in full-fledged classroom experience. 

I am not yet certified, and to that end I will be enrolled in an intensive summer training institute. I’ll continue to earn credits toward my MSEd over the next two years.

For the non-teachers among you, never fear! I’ll also use this blog for periodic updates about the parts of my life you’re more familiar with: theatre nerdiness, general nerdiness, Hispanic culture, and so on. But I hope you’ll also be interested in learning along with me about the reality  of urban education (a reality that can’t possibly be accounted for in the sidebar of a Child Development 101 textbook). 

I leave tomorrow (!) and upon arrival to the Windy City, I’ll be swept into a week and a half of program orientation split between downtown Chicago and a northern Chicagoland suburb.

That said, I’m off, because I’ve now got less than 24 hours to finally learn how to effectively and efficiently do Real World Things. Like tie a necktie. And iron a shirt. And fold a shirt. (All through college, I relied on roommates to help me with these sorts of things.)

Here’s to the next act!

-J

1:00pm  |   URL: http://tmblr.co/ZzV3Rx5aNP99
(Notes: 13)
  
Filed under: americorps chicago education introduction ictc