Observation update

This morning I dressed up, wore VERY uncomfortable shoes (but had the foresight to take another, more comfortable pair!!), and went to school ready to welcome some principals and the founder of our classroom management program into my classroom. The kids were ready, too. And then no one showed up. I'm not disappointed, I'm not upset, I'm not even sad I wore the uncomfortable shoes. It was a good day, the kids were happy, and if I trust God to take care of me I have to believe this was part of His plan.

Thanks for all your prayers! I know they were heard even though I don't understand the answer. Hugs to you all!

a BIG opportunity!

Job prospects for my district don't look too good. With mega-budget cuts and increased classroom sizes, I will be looking for a job in a smaller district....maybe. Read on:

So my school is a Make Your Day school. MYD is a classroom management/citizenship program predicated on the concept of personal responsibility and communicating with someone with whom you might have a problem (sound familiar?). Thursday the gentleman who developed the program and a group of principals will be touring our school observing how the program is implemented. One classroom per grade level will be designated for the group to observe and I've agreed to be the classroom for my grade level. Sounds a little scary, right? However, this could be the equivalent of an "on the job" interview. Picture this: a group of principals from my district observe me teaching lessons AND managing a classroom of twenty students. Later when my resume crosses their desk (because I dropped it off at their school), and I walk in for the interview, they will already know first hand how I teach! I confess, I didn't come up with this scenario by myself. My cooperating teacher laid it out for me and convinced me, reassuring me that I have the skills to do it.

If you think of it on Thursday, pray for me that I will make a good impression, that the right principal is there, that God's will is done.

Dr. Yates report to OR...STAT!

Teaching is so much fun! Today we introduced making contractions by performing surgery on two words...It worked great! I got the kids' attention by wearing the scrub and stethescope for 30 minutes before we started. A student assisted as a nurse and the vowel-ectomies began. Thanks to Mr. Yates for the medical gear and to Mrs. Grim for the EXCELLENT idea!

Checking on the patient.



Performing an O-ectomy.


The patient will never be the same...there will always be a scar!

My Flocks

Four dogs do not make a flock, but they are a pack, which is a group of animals, but just not sheep. I tell you this because I claimed a promise in the Book of Mormon, I prayed over my flock. Isabel had been VERY sick for three or four days. She had stopped eating, started vomiting, and wasn't eliminating. Jim set up the doggy veterinarian clinic in the living room, using the treadmill as an IV stand. For three days he gave her IVs; on the third day he said if things didn't get better, we would have to make some "tough decisions." I didn't want to be forced into making any decisions, let alone the tough ones. This morning when I checked on her, she lay completely still except to move her head to receive a pat. I knelt in the living room and poured out my heart to the Lord and begged him to intervene for Isabel. After I prayed, I went to my computer to read e-mail before leaving for school. A few minutes later, Isabel came into my bedroom, wagging her tail. She trotted to the front door, we went outside, and she went to the bathroom for the first time in three days. She's had eggs and broth to eat and kept both down. Not only did God answer my prayer on behalf of my pet, He answered it immediately! And if He'll take care of a dog, how much more will He take care of me?

Two Weeks Down...

Week 2 of student teaching is over. Starting next week, I begin taking over subjects; a slow build up until I'm teaching everything. I'm starting with Phonics (it is scripted and very easy to slide in to). And in two weeks I'll be evaluated by my university advisor.

This week was exciting and tough all rolled into one (but isn't that the way life is?). I took on more responsibility, doing some teaching, moving students through the hallways to and from class, lunch, and specials. I learned that some students don't think that they do anything wrong, while others are so used to taking responsibility for their actions, that one more time is no big deal. I learned that, though I'm good with kids, there is skill to managing twenty individuals and creating a community with twenty different personalities. I learned that you can't change the order of calendar time or you throw off the whole class. And I learned that six and seven-year-olds forgive you when you do change calendar time...and usually hug you no matter what you do. I learned that skin color isn't that big of deal when you're in first grade, and that Barack Obama plans to take away all video games when he becomes president. I learned that parent helpers are a good thing and that a principal makes or breaks a school.





Here's a couple pictures of the classroom I'm in and the students I'm working with. We were finishing a small unit on civil rights leaders: Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Caesar Chavez.

Thanks for all your prayers; I feel their impact. I love first grade.

What a GREAT week!

What a great week! I don't think I have ever been so tired (except for camp) or learned so much! During the first two weeks, I am supposed to keep a journal. I came home every day with good intentions to write, but was so tired, all I could do was make dinner and go to bed. Finally by Thursday I had a little extra energy and Friday was a bit better than that. I've been assured by the first grade teachers that they feel the same way the first week of school until they get back into the swing.

Mrs. Grim is amazing! She has taught first kindergarten and first grade for twelve years. She is full of interesting facts that she's picked up along the way. She works with the Occupational, physical, and speech therapist to implement new findings in the classroom. Ok, I just typed this really long example and then erased it. Suffice it to say that the information is fascinating! I can't believe how similar our lives are, down to living in the same area and our kids attending the same elementary school!

The team of first grade teachers are great, too! They eat lunch together every day. One in particular is really great. Mrs. Ortega is a first year teacher that ALWAYS has a smile on her face and something kind to say. She's not only learning the ropes as a teacher, but she's working on her Master's Degree, too!

I really love having Suzi close by. We don't talk often or alot, but it is comforting knowing she's right there. Our friend Tasha is also at the same school and I enjoy seeing her with the second grade students she's with.

Most of all, I have fallen for the kids! Twenty shiny-faced, loving first graders. They're just sweet. Ok, they're not sweet all the time, but they're easy to entreat and encourage and they want to do their best. I keep hoping that desire won't wain in them...or me.

Monkey Bread: The Final Chapter.

Sorry to leave you biting your nails, waiting for the next EXCITING installment of the MONKEY BREAD BAKE-OFF.

The Monkey Bread competition draws to a close as the bread comes out of the oven.



Oh! Kaitlyn's monkey break comes out a little under done. Could the apples have thrown off her game?


Side-by-side for the official judges to taste.


Suprise Monkey Bread Judge Tony McIndoo arrives!


Uncle Jeff is declared the Monkey Bread King. Kaitlyn plots how she will win next year!