Scenes from Westside Academy Open House

Took some photos at the Open House a few weeks ago....The text book...used it once and we had to read it together! This is the "textbook" I've used more. The kids actually like it. My teacher... On her cell phone, getting ready. She's both serious and not, friendly and aloof. She has been the right person for this experience though. Alicia and her mom talking with Ms. O'Connor. She is one of our few Caucasian students....she's smart, but kind of a know-it-all! She can read and write in complete sentences though...! Raysan...he told me he was photogenic and gave me a grin. He works really hard and has a good attitude, despite the fact that he is one of 6 kids to a mother who is a recovering addict and their apartment burnt down over the summer with everything they own in it. When the teacher asked him if they needed anything, he mentioned they had only one "cover"....meaning one blanket for the 7 of them...but he gave it to his mom. We put in some money to buy them each their own comforter/quilt. Equasia, who is a ham and loves the camera and always being the center of attention. Yenissa works her ass off and rolls her eyes at all the students who act out in English class. They harass her because she's pretty and works hard but she has that natural talent to shrug them off and still be popular. Anniyah...Ms. O'Connor's favorite. She's a bit high drama for me, but she does her work. The clock and hand sanitizer by the door...use that stuff A LOT! The hallway...the science teacher Mr. Davis in the blue...Diamond is the VERY tall girl he is talking to. (Maybe she's in the background...it's Detiny you can really see on the left...she really likes me and I like her, too. She buttered up to me and told me I was the best teacher :) She isn't the greatest student, but she has moments where she is trying. Mr. Davis up close. He is definetely Ms. O'Connor's work husband. They worked at Shea together and were transferred together. He is really good with the students, especially the boys. And he knows it ;) Three times a week, I push into his class with my teacher for ELA support...basically help these kids read and write their labs.... This is Elizer with his father. There was a dinner before the Open House for the "Avid" kids...the 20 I think I've mentioned that have a lot of potential and they try and help succeed. It's nice to work with them because they are trying so hard to beat the odds. His English is so-so but he tries hard. He told me the next day his Dad loved the "Baked City". I told him it's Baked Ziti...I thought it was so cute. Mr. Mason the guidance counselor and Ms. Herr the prinicipal. Kids love him and can't stand her, but I point out to them they'd probably dislike most principals (to be honest, she is a bit harsh). Quintasia with her family..love this photo and the blur kills me. She's gorgeous and is one of the few students in my block from hell that tries. That's the thing, the kids that came that night and had an interested parent didn't really shock...they are the kids that try. It makes such a difference.