Classes, Social Psychology, yes, Microeconomics, yes, Multicultural, lesson plan due next week, Emergent Literacy, sorry Dr. Bozella, Intro and Methods are what they are. I am excited to meet my Co-Op teachers next week, that will be the rebeginning of the beginning of the end of the beginning. Get it?

Now as for PSEA, my officers and myself have been running around like crazy people trying to get this bird in the air. We have to get our constitution written and present it to the Student Government. Let's hope that goes better than the real government's bailout thingy. If any of you Ed. majors are reading this go sign up at PSEA.org for the new Mount Aloysius chapter, I've heard it's the super greatest thing ever. It's like Voltron's Blazing Sword only in student club form. Get it?

Now you got it, use it.
DePiro Rules!

Wicked bummer No. 2. I got straight Bs in class this week. I'm fallin apart. It ok, I'm working hard to shake off the blues. I took a learning style test this week. As it turns out, everything is close to normal except that I got the highest rating possible in intuitive learning. Basically, I look at the big picture, survey the scene, then react like a Burmese Tiger...or that I'm disorganized and spacey. Not the best of traits you know.... for a president.

Oh, yeah. I was elected President of the brand new chapter of the PSEA right here at beautiful Mount Aloysius College. What is the PSEA, you ask? The Pennsylvania State Education Association, think teacher union. Yeah, its a branch of the National Education Association, only has something like 3.2 million members nationwide. Nothing big. Long story longer, The MAC education program is starting to take off. We really need the 1 million bucks worth of liability insurance, but there are a ton of other resources available through my new best buddies. Also we have to give it up for the rest of the officers, VP Sheena Yingling, Secretary Dawn Cunningham, and Treasurer Emily Ross. And while were at it, congratulations to all the new education majors about it make the Mountie PSEA chapter a shining example of educational achievement... For America! DePiro 08' USA, USA, USA!

Come on, it's an election year! I had to do it once. Quickly, next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15 at 3:30 if you can't make it let one of the officers know. We got you covered. Umm... Steelers-ouch, do your homework, eat lots of fruit, register to vote, be good. I find myself in need of better organizational skills, Jess suggested getting a nice accordion folder, I'm gonna get one, but I'm gonna call it a Trapper Keeper(sweet). In your face maturity.

Dress well if you have a meeting, you never know when you may be elected president,
DePiro Rules!

Now, if I can go non-meathead for just a few moments I can tell you about the week in education. I gave a presentation in Multi-Cultural class about the history of race in education. I could tell I was starting to lose the class, thanks to Adele, Jess, and Dr. Rutledge for asking me questions at the end, you guys are sweethearts. If you ever have trouble with an audience during a presentation, do what I do. I just think to myself, "Well, the worst thing they can do is rise up against me and overthrow my speech," which would just be fun to be a part of to tell you the truth. It might be like, I dunno, some kind organized melee where action comes from every angle and glory is just a few yards away. They really do need to think of a game that has that.

Just one last thing real quick. Anybody that is struggling in History needs to come see me in the Academic Hall 211 on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30. I am an awesome tutor and can make you brilliant at everything. Come on, give me some business or they'll kick me out. Or you can go visit or other open tutoring sessions in the Learning Center and the Library throughout the week. We make brain smart.

I can't hold it anymore. Football, football, football, football, football...FOOTBALL. Ok, I'm good, go do your homework.

Seriously, Football,
DePiro Rules!

Dr. Smith has this rule about doing any teaching work at your old high school, but, luckily she bent the rules for me and Jim a little to accomodate our busy schedules. Oh, the wackiness. It was a truly unique experience. How could I not love it? Well, it's back to the grind. Homework doesn't do itself... or maybe? Anyways, Good Evening.

You can catch a really good nap in the Wulf Kuhn Gallery, but you didn't hear it from me,
DePiro Rules!

I'm an infinity senior here at MAC and I'm enrolled in the Secondary Education Social Studies Certification Program. All that really means is that I'm tryin my butt off to become a teacher. I've got six, count em', six classes this Fall, five above 300 level and a Microeconomics course for a curve ball. I know I'll be able to do the work, it's just gonna be really, really, really tough. Really. However, it's all worth it because after this semester, me and a proud few will be the first secondary student teachers to come out of Mount Aloysius' 155 year history. In a couple words, Sick Awesome!

When I was on campus this summer, I saw the new residence hall gettin built, too bad I won't get a chance to give 'em that lived-in feel. But new buildings aside, the real attraction of this place is the innovation. I know I can count on my girls Dr. Smith and Dr. Rutledge to mix things up and I'm sure my other three professors have some new tricks up their collective sleves.

Summer was awesome, but it sure wasn't helping me graduate...again. Let's all get together now Mounties, let's make it happen. I'm totally jacked for this semester cause this time, it's personal.

Sit up front, buy your books, and say your prayers!
DePiro Rules!

This was truly the first semester where I got to brush up against the real world. Theory is one thing, real-world class rooms are another. I have had, and still am having, a great run with the people in the Greater Altoona Career and Tech Center, which is incidentally one of the off-campus sites where you can earn Mount Aloysius credits in the accelerated degree program. My experience there has really let me get involved in a fully functional classroom and stay there long enough to really get to know the kids. You know, who's mopey, who's cool, who do you have to keep an eye on. I'm only going to become more and more involved in school throughout the region as I begin my observations and placements as the new secondary education program takes off. So if you're thinkin' like, " Hey, I would like to have the coolest job on the planet and a great collegiate experience while I'm at it!" well then come check out Mount Aloysius College.

That's about it. I'm gonna take some classes, work as much as I can, and at some point I need to see sand and water. But, that can wait until I have a tan. If anyone cares, I'll be receiving my diploma this coming Saturday during our commencement ceremony. My Grama's gonna be there. I wouldn't mess with her, she's crazy. Alright, leave me to my summer. May awesome fill your days and groovy fill your nights. See ya.

Be excellent to everyone ... and party on dudes!
DePiro Rules!

I always try to get tranquil before class. Partly because it amplifies the learning experience and keeps you calm on that long drop to campus. Don't wanna be in hurry on Route 30. But, once you make that big loop in front of Old Main its all good. For me, school is relaxing, its my favorite part of the day. After dodging crazed high schoolers all day its nice just to kind of chill in class, cause let me tell you, that's the easy side. I had another fun homework experience this weekend. I had to find a 3-7 child and observe them like I did with my buddy's baby the week before.

Paige was easy because she did exactly what the book said she would do. With seven-year-old Beau, I wasn't sure what to expect. I was a seven-year-old boy once and I don't really think I would have been down with getting studied. However, we had a blast talking about Star Wars, Legos, Star Wars Legos, and so on while cleverly testing terms from the text.
Example:
Question: So Beau, what do you do with your free time?

Response: Play video games, play with my Legos. Check this out, I just got this one today.It has lazers that go *pew**pew*.

But, he did give me some really great information that I compared to the imaginary adopted son from my paper. His name is Batman, and he's a fighter. I must have Batman on the brain because I keep working him into my school projects, and getting good grades. Batman + technical expertise X literary skill = good grades. Thank you to Beau and his mom for helping get that project done. Just one more left, adolesence. Deadliest of all children. as smart as a chimpanzee with the instincts of an Amazon piranha. Nah, just kidding, kids are cool.

I'm looking forward to a little Spring Break and some Easter eggs. You know, if I was looking for a school in the fall, I would be thinking about the Mount and its expanded curriculum, off-campus classes, and sweet tuition breaks for Catholic school graduates. Just saying, now that the weather is starting to get nice, it might be a good time to check it out. But I'm already here so all I have to do is get my homework done and shape the youth of America so I need my sleep. Good night and Good Luck! Hope that's not trademarked.

It should be March comes in like a jerk instead of a lion.
DePiro Rules!

I felt bad for Dr. Rutledge last week. Poor lady had some of that super nasty flu that's going around this year. She played hurt though and stuck it out as long as she could. She even gave us the most ridiculously fun assignment yet. Two words: Puppet Show. Details to come. But long story short, not much going on. Later.

Don't hate the IRS, that's what I learned in Public Admin.
DePiro Rules!

Apparently, I am not as tough or as quick as I once was. Long story short, doing a forward roll is not as easy as it used to be. So, I've been walking around like Evil Knievel after he failed to adjust for the wind. I hope I'm loosened up a little by tomorrow morning or at least by class. Well, I guess I'll just file this one as a learning experience and walk it off.

As far as class is concerned, all appears to be going well. We just got our study guide for Exceptional Learning; I just hope that Dr. Rutledge doesn't beat up my grade because my blog is way cooler than hers. Oh, snap! But seriously, it's bizarre to learn about something one night and see it the next day in school, or see it in school first and then read about it later and say "That's what that insanity was all about."

Well that's about it, you guys have nice evening and stay safe. Or, if your not being safe, just be smart enough to say, "Well, I guess I deserved that."

1:30 is not the time to try amazing feats of acrobatics.

DePiro Rules!

I know you won't believe this, but there was also school this week. Monday was a group project in Child Development, where we examined the importance of spheres of influence in a child's life. I know it wasn't a competition, but I think my team won. USA, USA, USA. Sorry, that's just my default chant. Moving on.

We gave Internet presentations in Exceptional Learner. We had to look around on-line to find different sources on special needs and organizations that can help disabled children and their families. We found a huge array of information and links that showed the diversity of field and our individual class. Again, I think my team won, USA, USA, USA. Man, I am a goon. I guess I'm still just fired up from the Super Bowl and deeply saddened at the passing of another season.

My favorite commercial was the Doritos one with the Mouse and I lost what little mind I had when I saw the Ironman preview. Awesome! I may just go check it out right now, later!

The off-season can be filled with basketball, hockey, futbol, school, and crying (football, I miss you so much!)
DePiro Rules!

Glass is so sweet she gives me cavities. She's the principal at St. Aloysius Elementary School and her whole demeanor makes me want to be a second grader all over again. She's going to take us through early childhood, all the way through adolesence and those mega-dramatic teenage years. Incidentally, the classroom drama is the most entertaining part of being a teacher. I just want to walk around with a TV frame and a little high school drama soundtrack its so funny. But I digress, Child Development; Monday nights; good replacement for football.

My Wednesdays end with Dr. Rutledge in Exceptional Learner. Basically, its a class on how to approach, interact and stimulate children with special needs. From my few short weeks at the GACTC, I've realized just how hard that is to do. No Child Left Behind has made classroom inclusion a major part of the academic world and I looking forward to a class that can provide a basis for a Special Needs Certification. Dr. Rutledge herself is high energy and just what I need to stay focused on Wednesday night. She's another one that you can tell started her career in elementary education. We get snacks and everything. Oh yeah, we learn stuff too.

That's a short breakdown of what the big fella is up to this semester. Buy a ticket, take the ride with me as I continue my collegiate oddessey from under-achieving, name-on-my-shirt jerk to over-achieving, professionally-employed spazz. It's a work in progress.

Don't trust a skinny chef.
DePiro Rules!

My crazy schedule along with a nasty computer virus(Thank you, Dad and video poker) has kept me from blogging regularly. Even now, I'm fighting a losing battle against pop-up ads while I write. However, I remain unshaken in my quest to bring all the Mountie news you need at hyper-sonic speeds. That's all you get for now, just something to wet your appetite for things to come. Be well.

If anyone offers you a good job, take it!
DePiro Rules!

My original freshman year occurred at another university far, far away in the long forgotten year 1999. Gas was a dollar and football was all I really cared about. I used to go to class just enough to keep my grades up which help me accumulate credits but not much of a GPA. I came into school as a business major but really had no definitive plans for the future, which lead to my downhill slide after 5 year of school. Yeah, I know, Adam how did you stay in school five years and not graduate? Well, I did. What are you gonna do about it?

After that debacle, I returned home to Altoona and ran my family's pizza shop for the next 2 1/2 years. I loved my shop but 11 hour-days and the environment was less than intellectually stimulating. We reached a point where we were gonna have to cut back to make it through the winter and after a long, emotional conversation, me and the Old Man decided to shut it down. I told everybody that my plan was to go back to school, but I really didn't believe that. After three months of not leaving the house, I met Julie in the admissions office who was, and still is, dating one of my best friends.

I came to MAC just to go through the motions to keep my mom off my back, but when I saw what Mount Aloysius College could offer me, something changed. I found out that I had accumulated more credits than I thought from the sinking ship, and that MAC would transfer 81 credits, putting me only a year and a half away from graduation. I couldn't argue with the math, so I signed up and spent all summer getting nervous about returning to school. Would I still know what to do? Could I even absorb the material? Would everybody think I'm weird?

As it turns out, that last one is true but after the first week I had a revelation. It's just school, we've all done it before. There's nothing to be scared of. So, I tried as hard as I could and what do you know, my first semester I got a 4.0. Well, good grades are addictive so I became an over-achiever, that for the first time, knew what he wanted to do with his life. The professors nurtured my brain until it was like a class 5 hurricane of knowledge, the small class atmosphere really appealed to me and every professor would go out of their way to give me individual attention. Even the administration gave me special attention when I had financial aid or scheduling problems. You just don't get that kind of treatment at a university.

Long story longer, I love MAC. My experience at Mount Aloysius College has changed my life. I know I'm coming back next semester for more classes, but it feels very different. I'm a college graduate and I always will be. There are great admissions counselors that would be happy to help you start, restart or finish your degree. You need that piece of paper, there's no way around it. The MAC is the place to do it, trust me. Now I'm done, it's time to celebrate! Enough gushing - as always, the dude abides.

Learn something, do something, be something!

DePiro Rules!

It's not really normal people nervous, its more like before a football game nervous, when I'm just getting ready to get out there and do my thing, and get paid alright for it. Pretty cool. I plan on doing that five days a week next semester and taking a few classes to get a head start on my certification. I even think I might get an English minor while I'm here, cuz me much love proper grammar stuff.

I just wanna thank everyone who helped me a long the way, and especially Mount. Because I've done so well here and been nutured by the staff and faculty, I got a lot of confidence in my abilities that really wasn't there before. I'm trying to get on the fast track to student teach next spring and hopefully have a real jobby type job by fall of 2009. Which, incidentally, will be exactly ten years from when I started college. Ha, ha *sad laugh* But that's the goal.

Well that's that. This week is the December Graduate Luncheon so I had to go get a haircut so Grama doesn't yell at me. That's all i can pretty much think about. So I'll let you guys know how it goes. Big Man loves you.
Three people to make buddies with in school, the secretary, the lunch lady and the janitor.
DePiro Rules!

How have you been. Me I'm a little tried personally. My semester has been kinda back loaded. I have to say, to his point I've done pretty well. I've got one A in the books from my CLL class. My Capstone was the one that really drained me. Thirty-three pages, a new personal best. I think I'm done in Con Law but we're just watching a movie called Gideon's Trumpet to finish out the year.
I actually think Smith has given herself a ton to read so she is as ready for break as were are.

At the moment I'm moving into the last two pages of my Public Administration paper which has pretty much fought me every step of the way. I only need two more pages but the burn is I have to smush it together with two other ten page papers for my final grade. Then, after I hand that in and give my presentation on Tuesday, the only thing left is my Judaism paper.

I'm on page two of twelve on that bad boy, but I think once I get Pub. Admin. out of the way that one will write itself. Yeah, right. On the brighter side of things, this is my last week of school as an undergraduate. Feels really weird. But it looks like half decent weather for these last four days so I think things are going to go pretty smooth. AS smooth as they can anyway. Well, I'm goin got try to shake off my Steeler blues and just keep grinding the ball into the graduation endzone. Represent!
Watch out for that Capstone rubrick, it'll get cha'
DePiro Rules!