School Update

Every day the Times-Picayune has been featuring different articles on the efforts to reform education in the city. It has been interesting to read about the programs we are involved in and the successes and failures of past teachers. Big changes were in the news today when the state decided to lay-off teachers who did not meet certification requirements or had other problems in their jobs. The state is looking to programs like teachNOLA, TGNO, and Teach for America to fill the positions that the new vacancies create. This was definitely a topic of conversation while in class today. Every day brings a better understanding of the layers in this system. Our focus remains on learning to teach.

Tomorrow is my first day in the classroom. Wish me luck!

Genteel Sunday brunch

James and I were driving around town yesterday looking for furniture to scavenge and happened upon brunch at Mandina's - James' favorite New Orleans restaurant. The meal was stupendous! Trout, soft shell crab, an amazing salad and bread pudding soaked in rum sauce for dessert. We are eating well here. As we were savoring our fine food and the the atmosphere we heard yelling from a nearby table, "We're the drunkest table in the place!" To which we turned around and confirmed that the person yelling did appear to be accompanying the drunkest people in the place. It was, in fact, noon on Sunday. No harm - no foul. Nothing stopped moving, no one asked her to be quiet. Most people did not even seem to notice. The woman continued her conversation and we continued ours. This is New Orleans after all.