Eternity - Chinese Sumi brush painting with Darrell Wilson

Tutor-Darrell Wilson-Chinese Sumi Art1 from Fast Track Video on Vimeo.

Through our partnership with William Paterson University, my students and I were fortunate to have Darrell Wilson, New York University Professor of Sculpture and Filmmaking, join us as a part of the Young Audiences grant.  What a meditative moment we experienced! Students got into the zone for creative expression.  We learned the symbol for "eternity".  This lesson on Chinese Sumi brush painting will remain with us for many years as we seek to preserve these memorable moments .

WPU Partnership yields a bucket-filling surprise!

WPU Tutors - Ms. Marrone's serenade-You Are My Sunshine from Fast Track Video on Vimeo.

Mr. O'Reily, WPU tutor, prepared my students for a bucket-filling serenade of our WPU practicum teacher, Ms. Marrone.  She returned the sentiment by presenting my students with a heart warming tribute...a box of crayons, which symbolized our uniqueness and celebrated our diversity.  What a beautiful surprise!

Communities of Caring-"Beatrice's Goat" and our donation to Heifer International with Ms. Verta and Ms. Ospina!

After our year-long "Penny Jar Fundraiser", our lesson on communities of caring culminated with a reading of the book, "Beatrice's Goat."  My students collected $81.00!  We decided to make a donation to Heifer International.  Take a look at this very poignant lesson on how a small group can make a tremendous difference in the world.

Women's History Art Appreciation-Georgia O'Keeffe # 1

In honor of Women's History Month, my students were treated to a lesson on American female artist Georgia O'Keeffe. Ms. Melanie Davis is an art education major at WPU who serves as a tutor in my classroom. She did an amazing job of inspiring my students to appreciate Ms. O'Keeffe's abstract art form. In usual style, my students' responses are impressive and enlightening!

WPU Tutor-Ms. Davis-Art Appreciation 3/8/12-Georgia O'Keeffe 1 from Fast Track Video on Vimeo.

Women's History Art Appreciation-Georgia O'Keeffe # 2

WPU Tutor-Ms. Davis-Art Appreciation 3/8/12-O'Keeffe 2 from Fast Track Video on Vimeo.

Women's History Art Appreciation-Georgia O'Keeffe # 3

WPU Tutor-Ms. Davis-Art Appreciation 3/8/12-Georgia O'Keeffe 3 from Fast Track Video on Vimeo.

Poet Suzie Johnson-Scott provides editing help to Nine, an aspiring poet!

My students and I are blessed to have many volunteers from the community who share their time and talent with us. During a recent tutoring session, Nine was treated to an enlightening and encouraging moment. He had no idea that his style of writing was reminiscent of Langston Hughes' in "Dreams." Imagine that. Our tutors rock! Ms. Johnson-Scott's book of poetry, "Keep Smiling, Standing Strong," is quite inspirational.

Tutors-Suzie Johnson-Scott-editing work with Nine, the poet! from Fast Track Video on Vimeo.

Tango @ WPU with Tutors Mrs. Kourani, Mr. Mankin, and Ms. Victor

In partnership with William Paterson University, PS # 12 is a Professional Development School. Endeavoring to expand my students' "Points of View," I often expose them to the arts. At a recent performance of her senior recital, a few of my students went in support of violinist, Nadya Kourani. It is an evening that they will not soon forget! Amid the elements that would otherwise discourage, my students are privilege to experience periodic glimpses of hope that reassure them that success is within their grasp.

WPU Tutors-Mrs. Kourani, Mr. Mankin, and Ms. Victor-Tango @ WPU from Fast Track Video on Vimeo.