Start of Something New

Wow! It has been a great summer. Too bad I didn't write much about it. Just quick some of the things I did: I went To Star Valley, WY (twice), Blackfoot, ID, Lagoon (a few times), Provo, and many other activities. It has been a fun and busy summer. I worked at school for a couple of weeks before my official start date. I also taught a bunch of Special Education Teachers new ways to teach math.

I started at school on the 17th. I spent the first week trying to get my world in order. I kept describing to people how I felt: Teaching 3rd grade scared me. Setting up my classroom didn't. When I started sixth grade it was the other way around. I knew what to do with 6th graders, I had taught them plenty of times before. 3rd grade. . . I don't know what to do with them. How often do you let them go to the restroom in a day? What do they talk about? They don't find my jokes funny. What do I do? Well, back-to-school night came and I was REALLY nervous. Like to the point I wanted to throw up. Parents seem scary to me, with all the problems I had with parents last year. I really wanted to skip the whole meet parents and start teaching. But, I made it through the night, without throwing up and I decided the kids were really cute. And I had a few parents who were very supportive of me and the classroom. "Ok," I thought to myself, "I can do this." But, I still didn't know what to do with third graders. The weekend before the offical start of school I kind of avoided figuring out what I should do the first day of school, until Sunday night. Where the idea just kind of came to me.
The first day was pretty successful. The first week has been pretty successful. I am just having a hard time adjusting to all the new stuff and how to teach 3rd grade. I have to be nice and I can't tell all my jokes. . .or say my random things. The 3rd graders just don't get it. I realized on Friday, as my class was walking down the hall to lunch, they are the best behaved 3rd grade class down the hall. . . then I thought to myself. "I'm treating them like 6th graders. I am laying down my expectations and I keep pounding them in. . . Maybe I should let up a bit." Ummm, no. . . I am not going to. Because honestly, I like that my 3rd graders walk down the hall perfectly. And they walk into the classroom quietly. It really makes life so much easier.
By Wednesday everyone was asking me if I like 3rd grade. Right now I don't. It really is two different worlds. I came from a group of "7th graders" and I have moved to a group of "2nd graders." That is what makes life so hard. I also can't say that I have any real experience of teaching 3rd grade yet. We'll see what happens as the time moves on and things really start to pick up.

My Summer So Far

Well, I have been around the past few weeks. I actually come on to my blog everyday, but I never write. I don't have any excuse just that I don't think my summer has been that interesting. And I don't really want to write about it. I think the best way to do this would be a slide show of everything I have been up too. Some of the pictures are from before school got out, but most of them have been what I have been up to since school got out on May 29th. As you will see I have gone on a few hikes, one of them three times, the Dinosaur Park, Hogle Zoo and just hung out with my friends. More to come in July, concerts, the 4th, Idaho. I'll try really hard to stay up with all of that. And when my classroom is in order I will post about that fun in my life.

Moving On

I'm moving on in more ways than one. The move from my old house to the new one is one way. I am moving from that college life I was living. I was talking to my old roommate and I told her how much I saw the Lord's hand in this move. I think it was best for everyone involved. And now I am living a more adult life, where I am taking care of myself and learning to be better at taking care of stuff. I have no one but myself to blame for the messes.
Next, I am moving on to new adventures with school. I am so excited to get to know the 3rd graders that will be in my class next year. And to try something new, something better. And to hopefully be more successful in that aspect of my life. I am excited to see what happens and what I can do in the lives of those I teach.
I'm moving on from the problems I am seeing in my personal life. I am getting rid of those things that I feel I don't need in my life anymore. Mostly people. I've been involved in so many toxic relationships in the past few months. I am done with them. I still care about them, and want what is best but I am moving on and forward and not holding back waiting for them to figure out what they really want.
Last, I am moving on to goals I have in my life and hopefully brush off a few of the ambitions. I really want to write and publish a book. I am so excited to try and see what I can do. So, this summer hopefully I'll start spending time everyday writing and getting those ideas out. I'll keep you updated on the progress. And I want to get into Graduate school. I want to get my MEd (Masters of Education.) I just need to figure out how I am going to do it and where. I really want to do it through USU. I am hoping I can take the GRE and get going on it.
It is going to be an interesting ride, but I know it is all for the best.

Packing and Moving

Well, my crazy life is kind of under control. However, I am moving my house tomorrow and I haven't finished packing. And my classroom gets packed up Monday and Tuesday. By the time I am done with all of this I am going to be sick of boxes and all that stuff.
The best part of today. . . SCHOOL IS OUT! Yes. I am so happy. It isn't that I don't love teaching and being there. It is the fact that this year has been all around hard for me. I am ready to move on and meet with the new challenges I am going to face teaching 3rd grade. I am going to miss my 6th grade class from this year. I really want what is best for them. And I worry what will happen to them in Junior High. Especially those who really can do better they just don't want to prove it to me. I really almost cried this week a couple of times. These kids are great and I am so happy they were part of my life for a year. I have changed because of them. I hope they have changed because of me. I hope that I made a difference in some lives. I think I am going to miss these kids more than I miss last years class. . . just because I have put so much of myself into them. It was rough but worth every tear and moment of frustration. To see those kids shine and give each one of them a hug and let them know I really do care.
Okay. It is now time for me to go back to packing. . . or I will go to bed and pack in the morning. I will tell you about the move when I get all settled.

Exciting Day and Other Stuff

We went to Lagoon today. It started out perfect. The weather was beautiful, sunny warm, but not hot. Around 1:30 A group of my students, my roommates and I went and rode Rattle Snake rapids. While we were waiting in line a few sprinkles of rain fell. Not that bad it was kind of nice. After the ride, my roommates and I headed to Wicked to ride it. While we were walking over there it rained a little harder. Then about 10 minutes later while we were in line it got harder, it seemed to let up a bit, then about 15 minutes later when we got on the ride and started going the rain got even harder. By the time we were off the ride it was full on down pour. My roommates decided it was time to leave and I was left for the next hour to hang out by myself and wander and wait for the rain to leave. The rides were still open but I knew I couldn't handle anymore (I got really motion-sick today.) However, by the end of the day we saw hail, rain, and lightning. It was an interesting Lagoon trip.

Next little bit of information. In order to get my "Level 2" license I have to take a test called the Praxis test. It is 2 hours long and is a combination of essay and multiple choice. I didn't study and I wasn't sure how I would really do. Well, I found out today. . . I needed 160 to pass. . . I got a 184! I am "highly qualified" to teach! YEA! I am so excited. Now I get to take the GRE and get started on my graduate work. It is pretty exciting for me and very happy. If you're wondering how I passed without studying; this test is actually just a measure of what you know about good teaching practices. As long as I thought how would a good teacher handle this situation everything workout just fine.

Last, I am moving this weekend. I am leaving my house on 35th street for a different one on 36th street. (Yeah, a whole block.) But I am excited about the move. It is going to be a good thing. I will tell you all about it when I have moved.

3 Days, then school is out!

And The Peasants Rejoiced!

Our principal is retiring at the end of the year. He was sick earlier in the year and we got an administrative intern who took care of things while our principal was gone. This intern was amazing and so much like our principal that we really wanted him to take the principal's spot next year.
Half way through the year we were told that we were getting an intern here who would be helping out. We were told the intern would probably not become our principal. When we found out the intern we had be for was our intern we were excited, but sad at the same time. We have fretted for months about who we were getting and what changes they would make to our school.
Well, yesterday they announced to the school board the changes they are making. And we found out this morning. The intern is our new principal! Hooray! There is nothing more exciting than to know things aren't going to change that much and it is someone I am comfortable with and who knows what is going on in my teaching world. This is a good thing. I am so excited.