Inspiration from former student...

BTW- Mr. Duez used to work in that green building in the middle. Yep, 67th floor!

Every once in a while I will post some things about former students. I received a really encouraging message today from a former student and wanted to share it with you. She was a student of mine during the first WHAP class in 2011-2012. In fact, she was the student of the year in AP World History, first one ever at AHS. Then she took AP Psychology the next spring as a junior. She was accepted with honors to the University of Houston. Here's her message:

Mr. Duez:  

I really love it here. I'm living on-campus which honestly really helps because traffic is horrible in the mornings. I made into the Honors College, so the classes are extra small, and I love that. We can be up to only 16 people max. But that doesn't include lectures, of course. The food is pretty good, but after eating it everyday it's really easy to get tired of it. Professors are strict but they really are amazing, not all of them though, some are really hard to please. Hopefully with all the AP Credit I have I'll be able to graduate in 3 years instead of 4. 

Thank you Mr.Duez, I really enjoyed my time at Atascocita, your class was definitely my favorite, WHAP and AP Psychology.  

How is your family doing (including your beloved dog)? 

Love,
Your Former Student

It was awesome to hear from her. Such a great choice to attend U of H on campus. The commute, as I told her, is like driving in to work each day. It can be difficult. We have tough weather, the rush hour traffic can be very hard. The wear and tear on your car, the gas $, the potential for car accidents... all tough. When you live on campus you are much more connected to the school and all that happens there.

It is also incredible to hear that her college credits will help her graduate early. She was not the most fortunate student I have had. She had to work hard for everything she has earned. I am so proud of her and I know many of you will be following in her footsteps. If not to U of H, certainly to the school of your dreams. I am here to tell you that the hard work makes a difference. Keep it up!

Wikipedia: #Edit 2014

What did we edit in 2014?

Published on Dec 17, 2014

The world made more than 100 million edits to Wikipedia in 2014. In our first ever annual video, revisit what you read and edited, from the FIFA World Cup to the Indian general elections, and the Ice Bucket Challenge to Ebola in West Africa. Use the hashtag #Edit2014 to follow the conversation.

A Little Spring Inspiration

Amazing young lady...

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Like I'm Floating: Teen with MS Becomes a Running Star

Three years ago, Kayla Montgomery, 18, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an incurable yet treatable disease of the central nervous system.

While Kayla can run long distances without feeling pain in her legs, when she stops, her limbs give out and she collapses. As she crosses the finish line, her coach catches her to keep her from falling.

"I don't feel anything at all," Kayla said in a TODAY segment Wednesday.

"It kind of feels like I'm just kind of floating,” she added. “There’s nothing underneath me.”

Kayla was profiled in Tuesday’s New York Times, in a story that explained that her condition blocks nerve signals from her legs to her brain and describes how her legs gradually go numb as she races yet become uncontrollable when she stops.

A Little Inspiration. Calvin & Churchill.

As I watched my classes write the Continuity and Change Over Time Essay this week (and then take a district mandated SEVENTY-FIVE QUESTION Mock EOC test)... this cartoon came to mind:

Certainly Calvin is no "exception" when it comes to students struggling to find their words on a history essay. However, I believe my students are well on the way to being ready for the test on May 16th! Keep writing and keep working. It will be worth it.

And remember, if Calvin could take AP World History - you can do it!

In the Inspirational tone and tenor (and Mr. Duez's tweaked words) and wisdom of Winston Churchill:

"In nothing great or small, large or petty... Never Give In.
Sir, I have my self full confidence, that if they do their duty...
They shall prove themselves able to defend their Eagle Home.
We will shall go on to the end...
We will keep fighting strong. We will fight on the multiple choices. We shall fight with growing strength and growing confidence in free response.
We shall never surrender!

 The Battle of Strayer is nearly complete. The Battle of The Small Gym awaits. If we fail the entire world will sink into the abyss of a new dark age... Let us brace ourselves so that years from today Eagles will say, "This was our finest hour."

Alumni Focus: Bike MS - Valero 2012 Alamo Ride to the River

This week's inspiration is a personal one because it has inspired me! 

I have two former students Celeste Garza and Kandice Melchor who road this weekend in the Bike MS: Valero 2012 Alamo Ride to the River. The ride is very much like the MS 150 that goes from Houston to Austin. 

Celeste and Kandice met with me this summer and explained that they wanted to ride in my name for Bike MS. They were inspired to do something positive (and get in great shape at the same time!). At the time I was having a pretty great summer and feeling well. But, this weekend has probably been the hardest I have had since sometime early last spring. My MS has been really raging and spiking on me. 

Seeing the news that they had both finished today really picked up my spirits! They are awesome.

Searching for AP World History