TE 818: Introduction Post

Hello, All.

My name is Lupita Ochoa. On our course roster and on the book club list, you will see my name listed as Maria Guadalupe Ochoa. One-and-the-same, I promise. I tried for about an hour and a half to get a neat little video done to upload as an introduction, but finally gave up.

This is my second semester of the MATC program. I started my undergraduate studies at MSU (Go GREEN!) in 1990, but was unable to complete my bachelor's degree, so successful completion of the MATC program is hugely significant to me.

I am in my 11th year as an educator in south Texas, mostly as a 4th grade teacher. The past 3 years have been one heck of a roller coaster ride. It started off leaving my campus to move to a brand new campus. About 4 weeks later, I received a letter that I had been assigned to a Kindergarten classroom. Who does that to a 4th grade teacher? I thought the best thing to do was introduce myself to my new administrator and ask, beg if necessary, if the possibility of a grade change existed. Fortunately, it did. I started off the 2011-2012 school year as a 3rd grade teacher. Did that for 9 weeks before I was moved to a 4th grade classroom (ah, home again). Started the 2012-2013 school year as a 4th grade teacher. Did that for five (yes, five) days before I was promoted to an Instructional Specialist. Ended the school year thinking I'd be doing that for at least another 3 years. I was wrong. A board of trustees decision eliminated the position across the district, and so now I'm back in a 4th grade classroom (ah, home again). As an added bonus, our district is participating in a grant which, long story short, has me capped at 14 students, and only 13 of them showed up. How great is that!?!

I am an EC-4 Bilingual Generalist certified teacher, so I have worked with ELLs my entire career. Last semester I had to rely on memory to relate to course topics, so I am really looking forward to making direct and current connections to my studies in this semester. I have my note-taking notebook ready to go.

I currently don't have any spare time, but I'm going to work on it. I'd like to up my running abilities from zero to 5k by November 9th. The Color Run is in town and I've already paid my fee. I like to read. I keep saying I'd like to read a good mystery, but I haven't picked one up since grade school. Still can't get through Anna Karenina, but did finally read Pride and Prejudice. I like to plan our summer family vacations to places we've never been before. This summer we spent a few days in Colorado Springs, and next year we're looking at Dallas.

Looking forward to the course. I'll work on that video post, too.