I’m Back in School [sort of]

Happy New Year to all!

This is my very first post for 2009. And just like anybody in this entire planet… I am looking forward to a better year ahead. 2008 was indeed a great year as well despite some problems and trials that I encountered along the way. But still it was such a good year and a blessed one.

This year, I am starting the year right. I have a new job. And I am back in school… well, sort of. Here is the Newsletter I wrote for the parents of the children who are assigned under my care.

SANFORD-SPRINGVALE YMCA NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents,

Greetings! As we start the new year, we all look forward to a better year ahead. This year, is a very exciting year [especially] for me. And I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you as the new Site Leader for North Berwick.

I am Ruthi Gregoire and I am a Filipina. I came from the Philippines and been living here in Maine since May of 2007. I came here to marry the “love of my life”… a carpenter and a true-blooded Mainer. I am a teacher by profession and I taught English, Asian History and Research/Thesis Writing [for a short period of time] in High School for 11 long years. My duties and responsibilities as a teacher went far beyond the four corners of the classroom. And I am a firm believer that the best lessons in life come from inter-personal relationships and basic life experiences. That is why I used to train students for different inter-school competitions in Campus Journalism, Asian History and Leadership Training courses which primary goal is to hone their skills and abilities and to meet and deal with different challenges relevant to their personal learning experiences. As a teacher… an adviser… and a mentor… I am proud of my accomplishments.

I am also a freelance writer, a full-time blogger and website header designer. I have 8 blogs that I currently manage that serves as my online classroom for the many lessons in life that I want to teach not only my former students but people who are seeking learning. You can read all my articles/posts/write-ups at Ruthi’s breathingSpace - my personal life’s daily challenges, struggles, rants, and everything under the sun, a Carpenter’s WIFE’s tool box - about my life and personal experiences as a wife and a step-mother to a 7-year old [autistic] boy, my REFUGE Online - my life’s reflections and inspirations, Changing Seasons - a personal account of my experiences and new life in Maine and recount of my life in the Philippines , my cup of Tea - my take on things and life’s little blessings and mysteries, Scrappy Thingy - all about digital scrapbooking and haiku, GREGOIRE Builders – a website dedicated to my Hubby’s trade and Ruthilicious – my website solely dedicated to my learning-teaching experiences and where I will also post this “greeting/introduction” online.

I joined Sanford-Springvale YMCA on the 22nd of December 2008 and was assigned as the new Site Leader for our “Before and After School Child Care Program” for North Berwick school. This is my very first job since I came here in Maine and I am so excited because I missed school so much. Though I will not be working as a “real” teacher, being able to work in a school setting… be in the company of school children… and provide them with dynamic activities… give me a great chance to share my personal experience, knowledge and culture with your children. However, with my personal background and orientation as well as my different culture… adjustment especially with language barrier [accents and word pronunciation] will surely be a challenge both for me and your children. In this regard, patience and understanding will be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward in learning new things from your children as well.

My duties and responsibilities as a Site Leader may be limited to my job description but you can rest assured that your children will get extra care that they deserve because I want to keep our Core Values of caring… honesty… respect and responsibility as my personal commitment and motivation in doing my job as your new North Berwick Site Leader.

Sincerely,

Ms. Ruthi

I am still an out-of-school teacher because I am still not working as a real teacher. But my new job as a Site Leader for the Before and After School Child Care Program of Sanford-Springvale YMCA will surely come close not because I am assigned in a school but because my duties are also like a teacher. I will make lesson plans too. I have to come up with activities and programs for the children enrolled in our program. And I am also expected to keep the parents updated on the progress and important matters about their children.

Again, Happy New Year to all. May we all have a better year ahead.