Thursday, September 18, 2008

Class 9/18/08

Today's class was very helpful in getting an understanding of how to try and seperate judgements from observations. As I watched the board meeting of a charter school being up for approval, there were many things I witnessed that normally would translate into opinion. For instance, when one lady was speaking, I noticed numerous "um" and "like" in her speech. It would be easy for me to make judgement and say this lady was nervous, but for when observation begins at Newark, just saying somebody was nervous or bored doesn't tell a lot. The actions that lead to you thinking they are bored or nervous have to be taken down as well to show why you made that assumption.
Something that was not discussed in class but really caught my interest in the reading was the Aldridge text on page 4 where he discusses how numerous high school students who are preparing to take their SAT's are trying to get diagnosed as disabled. If a student has a disability, they will be allowed time and a half, or even double time on their exam without the colleges finding out. So what is happening is that some students who are perfectly fine, will still get diagnosed with a disorder, and get a lot more time to complete their test. These students will likely be able to score higher on their test, allowing them to potentially get into a college over a student who had normal time. To me, it is very important that a college should have information if a student took the exam under different circumstances as somebody else.

Monday, September 8, 2008

About Stephen Paniconi

My name is Stephen Paniconi. I am 21 years old. I currently live in Chester NJ and am hoping to be admitted into a dorm room as soon as I can. My major is art education and my concentration in art is painting. I am an artist and like to do all forms including sculpting, drawing, and even stuff like carving or building. I skateboard daily and like to practice form and style. I recently finished constructing a half pipe at my house in Chester that is twelve feet wide and has height sizes of four and six feet. The structure is suspended at most points and connected to a sweet little tree house that has real opening windows and shingles. It is the setting in which my three younger brothers and all friends included come to jam it out with Cd's blasting or simple skate sounds carrying the tune.
I play guitar. I used to be into allot of classical stuff but have been playing legato styled stuff like fast solos and intricate scales and fingerings lately. I am kind of like a van Helen, Santana, Hendrix type dude... but with my own unique style. I think I will be recognized one day if I pursue ir properly. I was at one point a music major but decided teaching art would fund my music better. I'm gonna build a studio in my basement when I buy a house. I play piano and drums as well as having knowledge in electronic recording software. I can make anything from rap beats(and crappy rap) to jazzy light music and heavy metal/classic rock.
I am part of a group called the Warrior Brothers that run out of new york under Dr. Phillip Mango. A primary component of The Warrior Brothers consists of sword fighting taken at The Martinez Academy of Arms in NYC. I learn fencing in the style of military sabre treated as a weapon and not a sport. This is not only beneficial for my body, I have learned (and hope to master) abilities in conquering mental weakness and focus /concentration. I have learned some really cool exercises that build and control chi energy too.
I want to master the sword, the paintbrush, and the guitar to my max potential. I feel all contribute to each others overall understanding and possibilities. I know that I will be successful if I convince people of my resources, influences, philosophy, and understandings.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Future of education

With the 2008 election at hand and an ever increasing number of students in the public school sytem, the education field will most likely change soon. Republican canidate John mcCain gave a speach the other day and mentioned his plans of attack for the school systems. He noted change and the fact that parents should have say over teachers. Now I have had a few bad teachers that should not have been teaching but at the same time I feel that as a teacher, parents looking over my shoulder constantly will be annoying. There is no right way to determine ones action because of issues of morality, religion, and personal belief systems that could deem one person right of wrong depending on a desposition.