Auto Harps

Leslie was given some autoharps before she left school today. Last played 1996. Last tuned, 1886. We thought we'd give them a whirl.

Leslie's last day

Today, Leslie finished her last day of instruction and came home to relax for a couple of hours. Her elected relaxing activity: Follow that Bird. She pretty much has it memorized.

Bangladesh

Sam came through town a couple of weeks ago and told of us some of the good times he's having on the other side of the world. He came to our bible study on Thursday night where I heard him speak fluent German to his wife in Canada, then to our church on Sunday evening where I heard him speak fluent English and read Bangla. Quite a guy.

Teacher of the Year- Continued

I just wanted to post the speech that was spoken to unvail Andy as the Teacher of the Year. The job of the person who wrote the speech was to slowly but surely hint at who the teacher might be and get more and more specific until they finally come out with the name of the teacher at the very end. This is how the teachers and students at MHS describe Andy:

The Speech
I am delighted to have the honor of presenting the 2009 Teacher of the Year Award to a very special friend. This Person is, in one word, extraordinary. Not only have I never heard anyone say a bad word about this recipient, I have never heard the recipient say an unkind word about anyone else. That is, in and of itself, remarkable. When I add to that his consummate professionalism, amazing talent, and devotion to family, friends, and colleagues, and students and his unfailing confidence and optimism, the result is a person of uncommon character. At the risk of sounding utterly corny, he brightens every room he enter! On a personal level, our recipient has provided me with valuable support and encouragement, especially recently, and his advice is so sound and sage that I sometimes forget that he is young enough to be my son!!
But allow me to provide you with some quotes from some of the numberous nomination forms from his students and colleagues...
"Though young, he has the qualities of the teachers of the 'old school'"

"He's Funny, good-looking and a little crazy."

Not only is he "gentle, well-groomed and smart," he is "a very helful, patient, kind and funny teacher.

"His Classes are tough, but only because he wants his students to understand the subject that he teaches."

"While one of school for three weeks due to an injury last year, he emailed me and sent my assignments to me daily."

"It was great to walk into class knowing that the teacher truly enjoyed the subject he was teaching."

It is obvious he loves his students and is the coolent teacher ever. He brings joy and humor to the classroom.

"I've never had a teacher who wants to help his students succeed so much. He's a great teacher."

And my personal favorite... "I don't always know what he is saying, but he still manages to make me laugh."

Our recipient this year has been at Manzano High School for eleven years, albeit four of them as a student, is an amazingly talented musician who helps keep the Shades of Purple on key, provides a spiritual center for students and staff alike and is a creative, energetic Spanish Teacher. I am thrilled to present the 2009 Teacher of the year Award to Senor Andy Cook!!!

Teacher of the Year!!!

This past week our household celebrated an amazing award Andy received at the Senior Awards assembly at Manzano High school. Andy was awarded Teacher of the Year!!! The way one gets this award is by being nominated by students and teachers alike.They fill out a nomination form writing all the reasons why they feel a particular teacher should get it. Andy had always dreamed of receiving this award, but was so sure it would not be this year. As you know, last year Andy did his National Boards which kept him very busy. Then, this year he had some major job additions with being Department Chair, being incharge of the Multi-Cultural assembly, and being on a number of committees like textbook adoption, making a new schedule for next year, among many other things...Oh yeah, and this is on top of the normal job of teaching all his classes to the best of his ability. He continually told me how he wish he would have done better and continued to praise his colleagues for their excellent work. It was sooo great to be there and see how moved and excited Andy was when he realized it was him. Everyone knew he deserved it in every way. I recorded the speech and took some pictures that I hope to put up soon. As his excited and proud wife, I just had to share.

The perfect weekend

It's only 10AM Saturday morning, but I already consier myself to have had the perfect weekend. Yesterday after work I went over to Brian's and helped him, Aydin, and Papadaddy cut down a couple of trees. Then we went to Nob Hill and had Gelatto. I had just been telling Leslie how I had a hankering for a little Nob Hill time. The evening weather was perfect!
Then, this morning after dropping Leslie off at Cibola High School, I took a drive through Corrales - my first time doing so during the day - and it was beautiful. The Sandia's were lit up from the sun peaking through the morning drizzle clouds. Then I stopped at the Flying Star, which is probably the best one in Albuquerque, and had some tea and went over awesome verses. Perfect!