Don't Forget South Central

There are 48 hours in the day in Finland. Not really. But it is amazing how much time you have when you are not busy being a mother, teacher, daughter and wife. As Fulbrighters, we are encouraged to take time to get to know our new environments, whether in Botswana or New Zealand or Singapore. There are many A-type personalities in the group, and many of us don’t know how to take it slow. But I heeded the advice and moved slowly. I've been getting familiar with the transportation system. Venturi is the national train system with an app that helps you look at timetables and purchase tickets.  Electronics -Finding the right adapter to connect to European power supplies.  Currency -what is the value of a Euro in comparison to a dollar? It’s important to know. Do I really want to spend 99 euros on a blender? (About $125) Setting up my apartment involves connecting to the WiFi (important!) and seeing what needs to be purchased for day to ...

What I Want to See The Finnish Educational System http://www.oamk.fi/extra/degree/artikkelit/14/educationsystem.jpg How do schools in urban centers incorporate nature into the curriculum, as opposed to schools in the far north, Arctic Lapland? What I Will Miss My School For all of its challenges, the value of the work we do with the students and parents of South Central L.A.  is what keeps so many of us still working there.

What I Want to Experience Finland's Natural beauty From the raw beauty of Lapland to the National Parks, I want to see how much time students get to spend in nature, and study the effects on their schooling. What I Will Miss Woodland Hills Just as I'm getting to know this neighborhood, and liking it, it is time to go. I never thought I'd be a Valley Girl.

What I Want to See The Nordic Model Universal healthcare, free schooling through college, generous work leaves, all paid by the state through high taxes. There's even an experiment with paid unemployment ! How does that work?  Read all about a the Finnish baby box that all newborns receive, that has reduced the infant mortality rate in Finland substantially. What I Will Miss Diversity It's just a way of life in Southern California. It's not something you even think about.  My husband is half Irish, half Indian. My daughter is half African-American. My best friends are the Rainbow Coalition. I will miss the diversity of food, traditions, people and thought while I am away.

As my Fulbright journey becomes a reality, I am one part excitement and anticipation, another part forlorn about what I am leaving behind. So each day, leading up to my departure this time next week, I will post what I am most looking forward to learning and what I will seriously miss from my life in Los Angeles. Looking Forward To Discussing Education In our August orientation, I met some of the world's most intelligent and passionate educators. It feeds the soul! These are people for whom teaching is not just a job, but a calling. In just the few days we spent together, I knew that the ideas produced could actually make a difference in improving educational practices in the U.S. Now, I will have the opportunity to have these same type of discussions with educators in Finland while visiting their schools. Here is some more information about the Finnish education system, from the Fulbright Center in Finland. Will Miss Sunny California The fruits. The vegetable...

Photo Credit https://bodybalance4you.files.wordpress.com Friday the 15th of December marked the last day of the school semester for me at Los Angeles Academy Middle School in South Central L.A. It also meant that I would not be returning to work until August of 2018. Goodbye, 8th grade students matriculating to high school. Goodbye, parents with whom I have collaborated for many years. Hasta luego, colleagues and friends who will remain on the front to keep pushing our school forward. Mighty Lions Gala It was not an easy farewell. But confoundingly, I was wished a happy vacation by various people. I smiled, and corrected them, but apparently this is a very common misconception encountered by Fulbrighters while on leave. Imagine having a burning curiosity on a subject related to your work. Mine was the education system in Finland, and whether we could implement some of their best practices in the USA. You wish you had the time and the money to explore this esoteri...

When I tell people that come January, I will be living in Finland for 5 months, the reactions are shock, wonder, and admiration. "I wish I could get away for 5 months like that!" is a common reaction. The truth is it is not so easy. Your Job  Most teachers who apply for a Fulbright tend to be intricately involved in the management of their schools. They are department chairs, coaches, coordinators, and many times all of the above. Aside from that, we have our own rolls of students we are committed to. I had the opportunity to leave the classroom this year for the first time in 22 years. My Fulbright award definitely swayed me into the direction of taking on a full time Magnet Program Coordinator role. If I wasn't personally in charge of 150 students, it would make my departure easier to bear. But no matter your role, knowing you will be leaving your school is a tough decision.  As January approaches, the decision is still a tough one to deal with. Your Pay ...

As a classroom teacher, milestones that determine your accomplishments are quite different than in other professions. Managing an unruly department can be an accomplishment. Applying for and earning a school grant is laudable. National Board Certification? Props. But would these be enough to qualify me for a Fulbright? The application itself was formidable. You can peruse it here . The main focus of the application was previous travel experience and qualifications. Moving to a foreign country for 6 months is no joke, and I saw the questions as a way to gauge your sturdiness in adapting to foreign cultures. While  Finland is not dramatically different than the U.S., the climate is. Going from the land of eternal sunshine to 5 hours of daylight upon arrival will take some adjustment. For my letters of recommendation, all those commissions in which I participated came in handy. I did not hesitate to ask leaders in education for a letter. They not only obliged, but cheered m...

In the midst of my 21st year of teaching, I get the email about applying for a Fulbright . It gave me pause. When you have worked a career that involves so many moving pieces, it seems impossible to tear yourself away from your work. Who will take care of my Advanced Studies Program? How can I walk away from a school that faces dire challenges due to the surrounding poverty in the neighborhood? How could I afford this opportunity, if an unpaid leave of absence might be required? Then I remembered that my students and families watch what teachers do, not what they say. My whole career has been dedicated to affording the best educational practices to my students, regardless of their background. And when you think of the best, you think of Finland. Maybe you've seen the Michael Moore video on Finnish education. Maybe you've read Tim Walker 's funny and informative posts on moving to Finland and learning about the schools and culture (my favorite was My Amatho...