Today, we'll be doing some genre analysis. We've already started to talk about genre in class a little. Now we're going to see one in action. We'll be looking at the "blog" genre-- the political blog in particular. First I want you to look at some of the following sites and simply check them out, read a number of posts, think about them. (You will probably want to open different windows so you can easily return to this site):
Blogs of the left:
http://bitchphd.blogspot.com/
http://talkleft.com/
http://www.leanleft.com/
Blogs of the right"
http://volokh.com/
http://cathyyoung.blogspot.com/
http://www.danieldrezner.com/blog/
http://michellemalkin.com/
http://adisgruntledrepublican.blogspot.com/
A couple others
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/
http://www.mikhaela.net/
Now think about what most of these posts have in common. What ties them together as a genre? For instance, the autobiography, as a genre, usually features first person narration. It usually takes a reflective tone. And it usually deals with significant events in the writer's life. Those are three commonplaces of the autobiography. Let's see if we can each find a different commonplace for the blog. Post the commonplace as a comment to this post.
The purpose of this activity is to show you how genres work, how whenever we are writing in a certain genre our writing is constrained and created by certain commonplace, and that recognizing those commonplaces can be useful to us as writers.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
America's Favorite Playground
My favorite event that takes place in Atlantic City is the Greek festival. I love the Greek festival because it sells every type of food like Jamaican food, Spanish food, seafood, Soul food and more. It brings different types of enthic backgrounds together and it also brings fun and rides for the little kids. The rides consist of merry-go-round, little ferris wheels, and riding horses. There is plenty of face painting and singing going on. I wait every summer for it to come around so I can enjoy different types of food and music. This Greek festival is different from other festivals because it has all races together and you can enjoy different types of music and meet new people. It also has people performing on stages from different types of background dancing and having a good time. The Greek festival has been around for a long time, since I was a little boy in pull-ups. My grandma used to tell me about her old stories and how she always brought old paintings and different types of statues. That was the old days. I haven't attended the Greek festival in seven years since my grandma passed, but hopefully when I have kids I can take them to it like my grandma used to do me.
--Lawrence Owens
--Lawrence Owens
Chang He Kitchen
“ A little known restaurant, but the center of my world"
What do you think of when you think of Atlantic City? The lights and sounds, the casinos, the boardwalk? Known as "America’s Favorite Playground,” Atlantic City is home to the world’s longest boardwalk and multiple palaces of entertainment known as casinos. It also hugs the Atlantic Ocean. Nestled away in this city of lights is a well-kept secret: a quaint little restaurant known as Chang He Kitchen.
A family owned Chinese restaurant, they have an extensive history of over 20 years in offering traditional Asian cuisine. Formerly known as Hop Sing, this restaurant was recently brought under new management. In the last two years under new management, this restaurant has changed its image and hired new cooks to better present its culinary arts.
Located on 1007 Arctic Avenue, just blocks away from Atlantic Cape Community College, Trump Taj Mahal Casino, and the Steel Pier Amusement Park, Chang He Kitchen is right in the heart of all the action!
What’s unique about this restaurant is its style of service. There is no dining area, as it is exclusively a take out only restaurant. Fear not, though, as there is a park nearby to enjoy your meals in. Conveniently enough, there is a bus stop right across the street from the restaurant. The buses run regularly, so anyone stopping by the church, community college, or the Taj casino can pick up a quick bite to go.
Expect to receive a warm greeting, as it is a family run business. You’ll see many familiar faces each trip. From the host that meets you, to the artisan that prepares your meal, you’ll find yourself immersed in the atmosphere of a friendly and classic Asian style restaurant.
This restaurant is especially great for college students attending ACCC because of their very low price, accommodating those with a limited budget. Not just that; it’s mere blocks away so that students can easily pick up breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a quick snack between classes. They can just bring the food back to campus and eat there too.
Chang He Kitchen isn’t limited to only one style of Asian cooking. The chefs specialize in creating dishes from all parts of China. Food that is both as good to look at as it is to eat. Tasty!
The most popular dish served at Chang He Kitchen is Chicken Wings served with rice. Quoted by many of Atlantic City’s locals as “the best wings in town,” people come from all points of the city to try some. Obviously not limited to just chicken wings, the chefs at Chang He Kitchen also serve Cantonese, Szechuan, and Hunan style dishes.
In the city of lights, there’s a gem known as Chang He Kitchen. There you’ll find friendly staff, competitive prices, and hearty portions of delectable meals. Whether you’re in for just a small snack or hungry for a full dinner, Chang He Kitchen has the selection, price, and convenience that will accommodate any of your dining needs. So what are you waiting for? Come and enjoy everything that Chang He Kitchen has to offer!
--Ting Chen
Monday, August 13, 2007
My First Day
My one and only experience within Atlantic City is coming to college taking English 070. In June of 2007 I came to Atlantic City to better myself and expand my knowledge. I walked in the doors early around 8:30 am; my heart was beating as fast as I drove down to Atlantic City, FAST! I simply walked down the hallway when a security guard walked up to me demanding to see an ID card. I responded, "What? I don’t have one. Where can I get one?"
The security guard told me to go around to the room next to the cashiers’ desk. I thanked him and I went to get my ID card. I walked through the doorway to the room and approached a woman sitting at a desk. She looked up at me and asked, "How my I help you sir?" I asked if she could make me an ID card. She smiled and asked for my license. After she was through typing my information on the computer she said look at the camera and smile. Flash. The deed was done. After she gave me my ID I was on my way once again to English 070 summer class. I ran into a trap though. I didn’t know where room 275 was. So I asked the lady who made my ID card to show me where my class was. With ease she got up and we were on our way.
I walked in the doors of room 275 where I met Mr. Jamey; he later corrected me and said “Just, Jamey”. He asked me my name and then he looked at me and said, "Well, you're not on my list." But he put his list down and wrote my name on his list then he told me to take a seat. I followed his directions and I sat down. When the minute hand landed on the twelve it was now 9:00 am and all random people came in. Later on they would become my friends. At 9:15 am some guy came in. His name was Al. He sat next to me and then we became good friends. During the first day Jamey told us that we would be writing a lot of essays and stories. At this time I was sweating because I was always bad at writing. Jamey made it fun to write. Now I love to write stories for our weekly paper. He is the first English teacher I ever liked. He is very professional (I am Not sucking up) and is a good teacher.
In conclusion, my one and only experience in Atlantic City is where I started my college education. I also met and dealt with very nice classmates who have wonderful personalities, and also a great college professor.
--Tommy Hahn
The A.C. Beaches
Too many people in A.C. do the wrong thing. I learned about how the people like to do wrong but not right in the public. Every time I go out in the public, I observe my surroundings.
The Ocean Public, I think that to me how it occurs to my consideration is how I learn and experience what's going on. The Atlantic City beach public is not clean. I learned absolutely how to observe my perimeter around me .They are not positive people to look at as examples.
People that have been around me, do not show a good example for kids or teenagers. When the adults are talking or doing activites they show them a bad way to act. The parents should tell them to be aware of some strangers and to be careful. But instead they are drinking and exploring another world.
The Community of the people outside public,I find very typical. Why? Because I took it especially notice you have to be very careful when you're outside in the public, being anywhere on the beach and the boardwalk.
I find the sunset very amazing, While being on the beach and you're with your family and everybody is with their family. Then that one split moment the sun goes away. The types of colors you see make a pretty view. I think that one split second it has an effect on everybody. Maybe if they're with their family that one split moment, they would pause .
Sandy beaches of the public, I find most parts are dirty. My reason why is because of the way people carry trash in their hands. But next is how the people take abuse, throwing litter in right in the sand.
I learned in A.C. the people don't want to change. They are always acting like idiots in the public places every day and not going to determination of changing as human beings.
--Keshawn
The Ocean Public, I think that to me how it occurs to my consideration is how I learn and experience what's going on. The Atlantic City beach public is not clean. I learned absolutely how to observe my perimeter around me .They are not positive people to look at as examples.
People that have been around me, do not show a good example for kids or teenagers. When the adults are talking or doing activites they show them a bad way to act. The parents should tell them to be aware of some strangers and to be careful. But instead they are drinking and exploring another world.
The Community of the people outside public,I find very typical. Why? Because I took it especially notice you have to be very careful when you're outside in the public, being anywhere on the beach and the boardwalk.
I find the sunset very amazing, While being on the beach and you're with your family and everybody is with their family. Then that one split moment the sun goes away. The types of colors you see make a pretty view. I think that one split second it has an effect on everybody. Maybe if they're with their family that one split moment, they would pause .
Sandy beaches of the public, I find most parts are dirty. My reason why is because of the way people carry trash in their hands. But next is how the people take abuse, throwing litter in right in the sand.
I learned in A.C. the people don't want to change. They are always acting like idiots in the public places every day and not going to determination of changing as human beings.
--Keshawn
A Place of Fun
When has your life dramatically changed? I have thought about that. I will never forget when I had received a letter from the US embassy in Islamabad (Pakistan). That was an interview letter. All of my family members went for an interview early in the morning .Our interview was scheduled for 8:00 am. That day was very heavy rain. However we arrived there at almost 7:45 am.
I still remembered when they called my name for on interview. He was a white American. I was very nervous, but he said in my language “Tum Kasey Ho” means (how are you). I was surprised that he could speak my language also. At the end of the interview he asked me the last question,” Where will you be going in America. I felt shy and said, “Atlantic City”.
He laughed at me. “Yes I know Atlantic City, when you go there maybe you will be working in the casino or on the board walk or gas station”. He had lots of information abut Atlantic City. His comments about Atlantic City were that there lots of casinos, board walk, beaches, stores, and big crouds in the summer. He smiled and said, “My favorite casino is Taj Mahal, if you go there take some pictures and mail them to me”. People say, “Dreams comes true,” The pictures of Atlantic City I saw in my country were my dream comes true.
I was nineteen years old, when I came to Atlantic City. As I was entering Atlantic City my father showed theme Taj Mahal. I thought of the man who took my interview and told me about the Taj Mahal. When we came closer to the city, I saw the trees on the streets were decorated with lights. I thought I was in the heaven. They looked so gorgeous.
Later on, when I visited the Board Walk, the whole city looked like a monster to me. Everything was so very different then back home. I was going through a “culture chocked”. I saw pushing chairs and I thought it was very strange. I try my first slide of Pizza and I thought I could not survive on that kind of food, also it’s was very difficult to communicate since I did not speak English.
A few days later my father called a friend to look a job for me. He told him to bring me to the “99 cent store”. I was so excited because I had never worked before. My father took me to the board walk and showed me the entire store. I was so excited by the time, because I had never seen like these kinds of stores, chairs, casinos, small business, huge gatherings, and seagulls. My father left me in the “99 cent store”. When I saw the sign that said “Every Things on 99 sent “, I was shocked by the time. After introducing my self with the store supervisor he gave me a price gun and showed me to put price on the C D, s “Three for 99 cent”. I could not imagine that three CD, s for 99 cent.
The 99 cent store was always busy, because everything there was so cheep, like soda cans two for 99 cent, some candies were four for 99 cent, gums, books, food, toys, kitchen stuff, beach stuff, hats, and everything that needs in daily life. I worked very hard there, because every Friday delivery comes, then distribute to the right place and then put it on the shelf.
The 99 cent store as a place, where I started my life carrier, worked every day up to sixteen hours at a very low pay. I was very disappointed about that and decided to leave this job. The owners did not even care about me. I just quit the “99 cent store” job, and stay at home for a week. After week I found another job at a casino, but I missed that “99 cent store” very much, because everything I had learnt from there. That place I can, t forgets for ever in my life. It was the first place that gave me a sense of belonging.
--Anonymous
I still remembered when they called my name for on interview. He was a white American. I was very nervous, but he said in my language “Tum Kasey Ho” means (how are you). I was surprised that he could speak my language also. At the end of the interview he asked me the last question,” Where will you be going in America. I felt shy and said, “Atlantic City”.
He laughed at me. “Yes I know Atlantic City, when you go there maybe you will be working in the casino or on the board walk or gas station”. He had lots of information abut Atlantic City. His comments about Atlantic City were that there lots of casinos, board walk, beaches, stores, and big crouds in the summer. He smiled and said, “My favorite casino is Taj Mahal, if you go there take some pictures and mail them to me”. People say, “Dreams comes true,” The pictures of Atlantic City I saw in my country were my dream comes true.
I was nineteen years old, when I came to Atlantic City. As I was entering Atlantic City my father showed theme Taj Mahal. I thought of the man who took my interview and told me about the Taj Mahal. When we came closer to the city, I saw the trees on the streets were decorated with lights. I thought I was in the heaven. They looked so gorgeous.
Later on, when I visited the Board Walk, the whole city looked like a monster to me. Everything was so very different then back home. I was going through a “culture chocked”. I saw pushing chairs and I thought it was very strange. I try my first slide of Pizza and I thought I could not survive on that kind of food, also it’s was very difficult to communicate since I did not speak English.
A few days later my father called a friend to look a job for me. He told him to bring me to the “99 cent store”. I was so excited because I had never worked before. My father took me to the board walk and showed me the entire store. I was so excited by the time, because I had never seen like these kinds of stores, chairs, casinos, small business, huge gatherings, and seagulls. My father left me in the “99 cent store”. When I saw the sign that said “Every Things on 99 sent “, I was shocked by the time. After introducing my self with the store supervisor he gave me a price gun and showed me to put price on the C D, s “Three for 99 cent”. I could not imagine that three CD, s for 99 cent.
The 99 cent store was always busy, because everything there was so cheep, like soda cans two for 99 cent, some candies were four for 99 cent, gums, books, food, toys, kitchen stuff, beach stuff, hats, and everything that needs in daily life. I worked very hard there, because every Friday delivery comes, then distribute to the right place and then put it on the shelf.
The 99 cent store as a place, where I started my life carrier, worked every day up to sixteen hours at a very low pay. I was very disappointed about that and decided to leave this job. The owners did not even care about me. I just quit the “99 cent store” job, and stay at home for a week. After week I found another job at a casino, but I missed that “99 cent store” very much, because everything I had learnt from there. That place I can, t forgets for ever in my life. It was the first place that gave me a sense of belonging.
--Anonymous
Rainbow Shop
My favorite clothing store in Atlantic City is Rainbow Shop. It has been a store where I have loved to shop for clothes. I have been shopping there for years. Sometimes when I go there I spend two hours inside because I kept trying everything that I like.
Rainbow Shop is mostly women's clothes. It’s one of the fastest growing junior size, kids size and plus size stores. In the store you can find shoes, kids uniform, pocketbooks , sun glasses, accessories, and lingerie. Their store is organized, way less expensive than other clothing stores in the City, and they have clothes that are in style. Rainbow Shop has been a store where mostly teenagers like to shop for clothes.
Come on out and shop at Rainbow with your family. All the hot fashionable clothing is waiting for you. All you need is money and you will leave with a lot of fashionable clothing. Don’t miss out on the discount they are having right now. I hope to see you there.
--Elveda Marcelin
Atlantic City Casinos
When August ends it's going to be my tenth year living in Atlantic City. After all these years I have some experience with this city. The place in AC that I picked to write about is the casinos . People all over the country come to Atlantic City mainly because of the casinos, at least the adults do.
These casinos have been here for a long time. Some for even more than three decades. Not to offend anybody, but these casinos are the main paying jobs for Atlantic City People who are middle class or not highly educated or young people like me trying to make some kind of income.
So basically these casinos are a really important part of A.C. Although Atlantic City might have other places there might not be any more exiting thing than these casinos, not just for gambling, but for other things in the casinos such as clubs, resturants, theaters, shows, etc.
In conclusion Atlantic City casinos are important for making money, for full-time or temporary jobs, and for the small businesses that can be done with them like clubs, restaurants, theaters, and shows. These are some of the things that increase the value of these casinos and attract people to make a visit.
--Haque
These casinos have been here for a long time. Some for even more than three decades. Not to offend anybody, but these casinos are the main paying jobs for Atlantic City People who are middle class or not highly educated or young people like me trying to make some kind of income.
So basically these casinos are a really important part of A.C. Although Atlantic City might have other places there might not be any more exiting thing than these casinos, not just for gambling, but for other things in the casinos such as clubs, resturants, theaters, shows, etc.
In conclusion Atlantic City casinos are important for making money, for full-time or temporary jobs, and for the small businesses that can be done with them like clubs, restaurants, theaters, and shows. These are some of the things that increase the value of these casinos and attract people to make a visit.
--Haque
My First Job
Since 1998 I have been living in Pleasantville, a little town around ten minutes away from Atlantic City. I spend a lot of time in the city which means that I have a variety of experiences since I first got here. The best one of all is when I started working at Ceasar's Casino.
I started working at Caesar's three years ago. I started working in the food and beverage department which is in charge of the bars and restaurants of the entire casino. My frist year, I started working as a bar-porter. I remember my first day I was so excited but I was also really nervous because I had no idea of how to work in a bar. I didn't even know how to cut a lemon.
The manager, who hired me, gave me a tour around the casino and then he sent me to a service bar. A service bar is a bar where the cocktail waitresses get the drinks to the slot players; it is one of the busiest bars. That day I was supposed to get training, and the person assigned to do that was one of the oldest bar-porters in the casino. Here is where the fun started. This guy was very selfish, he didn't like helping anybody. Anyway, as I was saying he was supposed to teach me how to do everything and as soon as he saw me he sent me to take the trash out.
Never in my life had I met a guy as mean as he was. He used to get mad whenever I asked him anything. But that was about to stop. A few months later, all the bar-porters were given the opportunity to get promoted. There were twelve of us, and we were supposed to take two different tests. The first test was a written test asking about alcohol brands, cocktail mixes, drink names, ingredients, and garnishes. The second test was in front of all the food and beverege managers. They gave us twelve drinks, and we were supposed to make them in a certain time.
As smart as I am, I was one of the bar-porters that passed both tests. Unfortunately the mean bar-porter that trained me he failed his tests. Now I am his bartender, and he takes orders from me. Honestly I try not to be mean with him, because I know it's not right, but I taught him a lesson. Never underestimate a person.
-- Alvaro Ocampo
I started working at Caesar's three years ago. I started working in the food and beverage department which is in charge of the bars and restaurants of the entire casino. My frist year, I started working as a bar-porter. I remember my first day I was so excited but I was also really nervous because I had no idea of how to work in a bar. I didn't even know how to cut a lemon.
The manager, who hired me, gave me a tour around the casino and then he sent me to a service bar. A service bar is a bar where the cocktail waitresses get the drinks to the slot players; it is one of the busiest bars. That day I was supposed to get training, and the person assigned to do that was one of the oldest bar-porters in the casino. Here is where the fun started. This guy was very selfish, he didn't like helping anybody. Anyway, as I was saying he was supposed to teach me how to do everything and as soon as he saw me he sent me to take the trash out.
Never in my life had I met a guy as mean as he was. He used to get mad whenever I asked him anything. But that was about to stop. A few months later, all the bar-porters were given the opportunity to get promoted. There were twelve of us, and we were supposed to take two different tests. The first test was a written test asking about alcohol brands, cocktail mixes, drink names, ingredients, and garnishes. The second test was in front of all the food and beverege managers. They gave us twelve drinks, and we were supposed to make them in a certain time.
As smart as I am, I was one of the bar-porters that passed both tests. Unfortunately the mean bar-porter that trained me he failed his tests. Now I am his bartender, and he takes orders from me. Honestly I try not to be mean with him, because I know it's not right, but I taught him a lesson. Never underestimate a person.
-- Alvaro Ocampo
Atlantic City
For as long as I can remember, people have been going to the beach in Atlantic City. The beach is a wonderland of adventures. Every weekend, cars are bumper to bumper, the kids screaming, "Are we there yet?" Bucket, shovels, music playing. You can smell that grill cooking. Come splash in the water. Let’s jump some waves. While making some new friends-- cheese!-- take a picture. Atlantic City, the world’s famous playground. People come from all over the world just to go to the beach.
Summer's the best in Atlantic City. You and your family can go fishing, boating, surfing and or crabbing. It’s the best when you’re at the beach. You can relax and enjoy the sights. The ocean is green, the color of jade, and cool to the touch. The sand is a tan color, warm to the touch. The sand feels good against your feet. Swimming in the ocean is a treat to behold. Some beaches have playgrounds for the little ones. Swing the swing to your heart's content. When you’re finished with the beach, you can go on the boardwalk and spend some money. There are plenty of stores to choose from. They have cotton candy, popcorn, and pizza, all that you can eat. Ride the rides, take a chance on a game for fun. Stop for a drink on the boards if you are thirsty. The board walk is the place to be. Riding your bike, or just walking the boards is all good. Here’s a song about Atlantic City:
On the boardwalk in Atlantic City, we will walk in a dream.
On the bordwalk in Atlantic City, life will be peaches and cream.
There lay the salt water air, bring out a lady charms.
There in a rolling chair, she’ll roll right into your arm.
Cindrella you have found your fella, someone that you’ve waited for.
In romantic enchanting Atlantic City, down by thee old New Jersery Shore.
GORDON, MACK (LYRICS) & MYROW, JOSEF (MUSIC) On The Boardwalk (In Atlantic City), from the 20th Century-Fox film "Three Little Girls In Blue" [sheet music]
One hundered thirty-two years this month, beach goers in Atlantic City have strolled the world’s first boardwalk. At first, the walk was a temporary structure, ten inches above the beach. The sand was stored away for each winter. In 1916, boards were set up in a herringbone pattern upon the existing steel and concrete pilings. Lanes were established to control traffic. People paid to be pushed around in rolling chairs. Railings kept the distracted from accidentally falling onto the beach. Twelve foot long planks were used to form the boards.
--Lynette Passley
Experience in Atlantic City
When I moved to Atlantic City in 2005, my first impression was that the city would be clean, filled with lots of good places to see and people to meet. Atlantic City is a clean and nice place to live depending on what part of Atlantic City you live in. Something interesting about Atlantic City is that it’s been called “Americas Favorite Playground,” because it has fourteen casinos and the boardwalk.
People come from all of the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Delaware, etc to visit Atlantic City. Just recently the city added several new shopping stores and restaurants. We have the Pier Mall on the boardwalk. My opinion about Atlantic City is, some of the areas need to improve because there are lots of crimes, robbery and murders going on.
A month or two ago, the city had a circus at the Boardwalk Hall; it was the first time that I had ever been into the Boardwalk Hall. There were many animals. Elephants walked on one foot, tigers jumped out from a fire ring, and there were also different jokers in the circus. Another fun day was when my friends and I went to see the Ripley’s show once. That was on the boardwalk. It was amazing. I had never seen anything like it. They showed lots of magic tricks. Some were scary and freaky. They also showed people disappearing etc.
At these shows, there are many other exciting places to visit. Atlantic City is a beautiful city to work and live in. It has lots of history behind it. The boardwalk is one of the oldest from what I know. Atlantic City is a great place to hang out with your friends or family. You will have fun.
--SJ
Sunday, August 12, 2007
A Diverse Classroom
It's one thirty in the afternoon, and I'm driving down Atlantic Avenue in Atlantic City. I start teaching my first class of the semester at two o'clock. My main concern is finding the community college, so I don't pay much attention to the people or buildings out my window-- there will be plenty of time to pay attention to that later. As I drive I rehearse my introductory speech, which I have down to three sections-- personal life, education, and professional life. Worrying about the speech keeps me from worrying about anything else-- teaching in an unknown place at a new level, for instance. The only thing I know about my students so far is that ninety percent of their names are, to me, unpronouncable.
I find the building-- a large gray rectangle set behind a black gate--, get stopped by security and shown to my room, which is directly across from a mock casino used for training purposes. Then, before I'm ready, there they are-- eighteen eager faces... Or, at any rate, sixteen eager faces, plus two younger students fresh out of high school who lean back in their seats in the back row and dare me not to be as boring as they expect me to be.
I introduce myself and then leave the room for ten minutes, giving my students a chance to get to know each other. When I return, I have one of the students introduce me to the others. It's a quick and easy way to establish rapport in the classroom, and to tell who's going to be the "leader" of the class, the most talkative student, the one who will carry discussions when they lose steam. This one, Prince, is from Liberia. He has a thick African accent, but English is his first language and I have little difficulty understanding him. I stumble with the names, we laugh, and then we get down to the real business of a writing classroom: writing.
As the semester progresses, I learn that the students come from Bulgaria, Russia, India, Bangladesh, Liberia, Haiti, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Phillipines, Columbia, and Atlantic City. It is exactly what I've always wanted: a diverse classroom. Now I just have to figure out how to teach them all at the same time.
That was the beginning of my first semester of teaching at the community college level. Teaching in Atlantic City was nothing like the experiences I had had teaching in other places. There was a wider mix of personality and ethnicity and ability here. One constant, especially in that first class, was the willingness students showed to listen to advice, to become better writers, and to keep on writing.
My first impression of teaching in Atlantic City was an accurate one. Throughout the course of the four classes I've taught at this campus, I've had great experiences and not-so-great experiences. I've come into contact with devoted, striving, intelligent students, and I have dealt with students who would rather have been other places. Discussions have been inspired and labored. In the year since I've come to Atlantic City, I have learned a lot about teaching. One thing I've learned is that I would like to teach full-time in a place like Atlantic City, a place with wild diversity in every respect. The challanges are there, but so are the rewards.
--Jamey Gallagher
I find the building-- a large gray rectangle set behind a black gate--, get stopped by security and shown to my room, which is directly across from a mock casino used for training purposes. Then, before I'm ready, there they are-- eighteen eager faces... Or, at any rate, sixteen eager faces, plus two younger students fresh out of high school who lean back in their seats in the back row and dare me not to be as boring as they expect me to be.
I introduce myself and then leave the room for ten minutes, giving my students a chance to get to know each other. When I return, I have one of the students introduce me to the others. It's a quick and easy way to establish rapport in the classroom, and to tell who's going to be the "leader" of the class, the most talkative student, the one who will carry discussions when they lose steam. This one, Prince, is from Liberia. He has a thick African accent, but English is his first language and I have little difficulty understanding him. I stumble with the names, we laugh, and then we get down to the real business of a writing classroom: writing.
As the semester progresses, I learn that the students come from Bulgaria, Russia, India, Bangladesh, Liberia, Haiti, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Phillipines, Columbia, and Atlantic City. It is exactly what I've always wanted: a diverse classroom. Now I just have to figure out how to teach them all at the same time.
That was the beginning of my first semester of teaching at the community college level. Teaching in Atlantic City was nothing like the experiences I had had teaching in other places. There was a wider mix of personality and ethnicity and ability here. One constant, especially in that first class, was the willingness students showed to listen to advice, to become better writers, and to keep on writing.
My first impression of teaching in Atlantic City was an accurate one. Throughout the course of the four classes I've taught at this campus, I've had great experiences and not-so-great experiences. I've come into contact with devoted, striving, intelligent students, and I have dealt with students who would rather have been other places. Discussions have been inspired and labored. In the year since I've come to Atlantic City, I have learned a lot about teaching. One thing I've learned is that I would like to teach full-time in a place like Atlantic City, a place with wild diversity in every respect. The challanges are there, but so are the rewards.
--Jamey Gallagher
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