I have four more days of work before I go to my parent's home in North Carolina. I typically go home at summer and christmas. This past summer I didn't go back and I have noticed I am extremely homesick recently. I have not lived at in North Carolina in 11 years, but it is my "Tara" (Gone with the Wind reference). I love going home, nothing beats it. I miss Krispy Kreme downtown, Goodberry's frozen custard, my home ward and those people in it, my friends and their families, John Deere gator, driving around the nieces and nephews, etc... Half of my family lives there, it is great to spend time with them, nothing but joy and chaos. I am able to decompress. I get to spend time with my parents and go the temple with them.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
School Insights
1. Note to parents from a teacher- please be aware they are good and bad teachers. We are doing our best, we are under extreme amount of pressure to be awesome no matter how many years of experience we have. 1st year teachers are supposed to be as amazing as 20 year veteran teachers. We both bring something different to the table. New teachers bring energy and new ideas, veteran teachers bring experience and wisdom. Be patient and not overly critically. I know some teachers are not perfect, but try to work with them, if possible. Teachers take work home to their families and are trying their best. I have been a consultant for some problematic teachers.
2. Note to bad teachers- Dearest crappy teacher, I work extremely hard at my job. I enjoy children most days. I don't hate them, please stop giving the good teachers a bad name. They are ways to make things work and resources out them to help you. You knew when you came into this job, you would not receive a ton of monetary compensation, maybe rethink your career choice. You will be under extreme stress by your school, district, state, and federal government to be amazing with some difficult children. Be aware that you can make or break a child with your attitude.
3. Common Core-I do support the idea of common core. I support that the country be on common ground of what skills students should be able to do by a certain age. We have tons more mobility of students then in many years in the past.
-Education is a state right and need to find a way to introduce what to teach while teaching the skills. I know many people are concerned that common core is just a government conspiracy to control what they will be teaching their children. I think that is where the importance of the state board of education needs to come in. Most states have adopted the common core and understand that it is still a state right to decide what content will be taught while teaching the skills. Common core focusing on skills student need to have.
Can this change at some point? I am not psychic. Maybe it will be manipulated in the future to be something different and I will fight it at that point.(the Constitution has changed over time, good and bad) I understand the concern of those against the common core and how the federal government has their hand in everything. I am the loudest person when it comes to education being a state right. I don't have the answer, but I am not drawing my line in the sand with the common core. I have many other issues with many other government invasions in education
2. Note to bad teachers- Dearest crappy teacher, I work extremely hard at my job. I enjoy children most days. I don't hate them, please stop giving the good teachers a bad name. They are ways to make things work and resources out them to help you. You knew when you came into this job, you would not receive a ton of monetary compensation, maybe rethink your career choice. You will be under extreme stress by your school, district, state, and federal government to be amazing with some difficult children. Be aware that you can make or break a child with your attitude.
3. Common Core-I do support the idea of common core. I support that the country be on common ground of what skills students should be able to do by a certain age. We have tons more mobility of students then in many years in the past.
-Education is a state right and need to find a way to introduce what to teach while teaching the skills. I know many people are concerned that common core is just a government conspiracy to control what they will be teaching their children. I think that is where the importance of the state board of education needs to come in. Most states have adopted the common core and understand that it is still a state right to decide what content will be taught while teaching the skills. Common core focusing on skills student need to have.
Can this change at some point? I am not psychic. Maybe it will be manipulated in the future to be something different and I will fight it at that point.(the Constitution has changed over time, good and bad) I understand the concern of those against the common core and how the federal government has their hand in everything. I am the loudest person when it comes to education being a state right. I don't have the answer, but I am not drawing my line in the sand with the common core. I have many other issues with many other government invasions in education
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Gobble, Gobble-Bring on Christmas
Yes, I was already listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. Today's post are interesting thoughts to think about. You may disagree, that is OK, it is just my opinion.
1. It doesn't bother me that Christmas commericalism starts right after Halloween. Many people believe it takes away from Thanksgiving. Personally, I believe the holidays Thanksgiving and Christmas have the same message so it doesn't bother me. We are supposed to note what we are thankful and remember the true meaning of Christmas. I think they go together enough that I don't let the world (shopping commericalism) affect my attitude about the holidays.
2. Stores opening on Thanksgiving. It seems that many people decided to make a huge deal about some stores opening on Thanksgiving evening instead of at midnight. Wal-mart already was open so nothing as changed. I personally enjoy that stores varied their opening times to make the craziness more safe. I hate getting up or staying up late, so it didn't bother me as much as others. I know people have to work and be away from their families, but they get time and half when they work holidays. I think it is benefit some families who are trying to make ends meet. Just make sure you are spending time with your family and not letting the commericalism and excitement pull you away from what is really important. I am not huge Black Friday person, I hate crowds. Sometimes, I have gone out and sometimes, I stay home and read a book.
3. I love this season, as I become extremely homesick. I grateful to notice those blessings in my life. I have great family, extended family, friends, awesome job, cool house, great ward, etc... Thank you to all my facebook friends for sharing their days of gratitude.
1. It doesn't bother me that Christmas commericalism starts right after Halloween. Many people believe it takes away from Thanksgiving. Personally, I believe the holidays Thanksgiving and Christmas have the same message so it doesn't bother me. We are supposed to note what we are thankful and remember the true meaning of Christmas. I think they go together enough that I don't let the world (shopping commericalism) affect my attitude about the holidays.
2. Stores opening on Thanksgiving. It seems that many people decided to make a huge deal about some stores opening on Thanksgiving evening instead of at midnight. Wal-mart already was open so nothing as changed. I personally enjoy that stores varied their opening times to make the craziness more safe. I hate getting up or staying up late, so it didn't bother me as much as others. I know people have to work and be away from their families, but they get time and half when they work holidays. I think it is benefit some families who are trying to make ends meet. Just make sure you are spending time with your family and not letting the commericalism and excitement pull you away from what is really important. I am not huge Black Friday person, I hate crowds. Sometimes, I have gone out and sometimes, I stay home and read a book.
3. I love this season, as I become extremely homesick. I grateful to notice those blessings in my life. I have great family, extended family, friends, awesome job, cool house, great ward, etc... Thank you to all my facebook friends for sharing their days of gratitude.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
School-1st quarter complete
The 1st quarter has come and gone for me this year. I have been teaching ESL and reading classes as always. Many people ask what I do at school, well, below is one of my responsibilities.
I have had a new position at school. I am the ALP (alternative language program) Lead. It means I am in charge of all the students in my school that qualify for ESL (English as a second language) services. At some schools, this is a small group of students, not for me. When I was first given the list, the man said "Wow! You have a big list." I have learned it is the largest for junior highs in our district which means maybe the largest in the state or second largest. I monitor 600 students, 200 students have tested out of the program. I will note that our school has 850 students. It leaves 400 students who are my main concern. 10 students are ESL level I, (no speaking English), they have been in the country about one year or less. 10 students are level II (3 years in America), 200 students are Level III, most of these students are verbally proficient, but struggle with reading and writing in English. It is hard because many students are not literate in their first language or have whole in their education experience. I will also include that many of these students (100) have IEP (individualized Education Plans) and receive special education services. Can you imagine trying to learn two languages and have processing difficulties? There are about 200 students that are Level $ and 5. They receive limited services, aka they need to have one teacher that is ESL endorsed (which at our school is 3/4 of the faculty).
I also help lead the reading dept. We test every student who enters our school (about 5 new students every week throughout the year). We decide if they need extra help in reading and place them in the appropriate reading class. We have 3 leveled reading class. This does not include special education services. I constantly use data making sure students are placed in the correct classes. If students show they are fluent readers and comprehenders over the 6th grade, we don't require a reading class. I teach 80 students, plus 240 students also in other teacher's reading classes. Yes, about 320 students are reading below the 6th grade level.
I will add that I love my job. It is hard and exhausting, but I love it.
I have had a new position at school. I am the ALP (alternative language program) Lead. It means I am in charge of all the students in my school that qualify for ESL (English as a second language) services. At some schools, this is a small group of students, not for me. When I was first given the list, the man said "Wow! You have a big list." I have learned it is the largest for junior highs in our district which means maybe the largest in the state or second largest. I monitor 600 students, 200 students have tested out of the program. I will note that our school has 850 students. It leaves 400 students who are my main concern. 10 students are ESL level I, (no speaking English), they have been in the country about one year or less. 10 students are level II (3 years in America), 200 students are Level III, most of these students are verbally proficient, but struggle with reading and writing in English. It is hard because many students are not literate in their first language or have whole in their education experience. I will also include that many of these students (100) have IEP (individualized Education Plans) and receive special education services. Can you imagine trying to learn two languages and have processing difficulties? There are about 200 students that are Level $ and 5. They receive limited services, aka they need to have one teacher that is ESL endorsed (which at our school is 3/4 of the faculty).
I also help lead the reading dept. We test every student who enters our school (about 5 new students every week throughout the year). We decide if they need extra help in reading and place them in the appropriate reading class. We have 3 leveled reading class. This does not include special education services. I constantly use data making sure students are placed in the correct classes. If students show they are fluent readers and comprehenders over the 6th grade, we don't require a reading class. I teach 80 students, plus 240 students also in other teacher's reading classes. Yes, about 320 students are reading below the 6th grade level.
I will add that I love my job. It is hard and exhausting, but I love it.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Parent Teacher Conferences
Another successfull parent teacher conference! It is a stressful, fun time. I get to meet parents of most of my students. I am honest with the parents about their children's progress and behavior in my class. I highlight the strengths and weakness. Typically, the past 4 years, I have had low percentages of attendance. 25% to 40%. This time, I had over 50% attendance. It was so exciting to meet so many parents. It is exhausting to talk for 3 hours straight with so many people two nights in a row. It makes for a long day-12 hours, two days in a row.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Brutal Honesty
I have slowed down blogging this past year, not because I don't have anything to write or I have been too busy to stop and write, it has been because I was not sure the world was ready to hear what I had to say. I am done hiding my feelings. I want to let go and move forward.
School- It has been a difficult hard ride the past 3 years. I found myself ready for new opportunities and jumped in head first. I found myself trying to solve everyone's problems and save the school. I found myself in the middle of a growing crisis. Us vs. Them mentality. I understood both sides, I had friends on both sides. The first year, it almost broke me mentally and emotionally. I found that I had to stop going to the lunch room. I was tired of listening to both sides complain about everything. change is hard, YES, but it is how we handle it. I spent the next two years, protecting myself from emotionally taking on people's concerns. I hide in my room, I avoided the faculty lunch room. I kept myself busy doing my job as a teacher. I came to accept that I can only invite people to change and not force them to do anything. I stopped saying yes to everything and thinking everything was my fault when it didn't work. I stopped worrying what people thought I was doing or saying or anything. I was not picking sides, I was the middle ground, like it or not. I found that my positivity increased and I was able to manage crisis way better than anything in the past. The sad part is that in the process, I felt I had lost some friends. This year I am starting fresh and so is my school. We don't have the 9th graders anymore, some teachers have moved schools and others took the opportunity to start fresh another school. We have 14 new teachers to the school, (1/3 of the staff). I am excited about the new school year, but also sad that I am missing some great friends/co-workers.
Personal Life- In the same time period of the past 3-4 years. I have bought a new home. I was not planning on this huge life change, but the situations seem to push me in that direction. As I reflected, the previous roommates had bullied me and I had allowed it to occur because I wanted to protect the friendship. Unfortunately, my reaction only made things worse. Hence the strong desire to buy a new house and start fresh. I was allowing everything people emotionally threw at me to affect me. I took everything personally. DARK PLACE! I started to close in and start evaluating my friendships. I noticed that I was a good friend to others, but didn't receive what I needed in return. aka my expectations were different. Those friendships I valued were actually hurting me and feeding my insecurities. I started to noticed that people had been projecting their own insecurities on me. It wasn't me, it was them. LOL! So I started attending a family ward and worked on myself. As I became more self-aware, things got better. I was happier and content with my life choices. I was able to make new friendships and have clear defined boundaries and expectations. The most frustrating thing for me is that those "friends" that weren't honest with me could possibly be justifying their actions because the spirit told them. The spirit guides you through to those choices, but you pick how those choices are played out. The Spirit doesn't tell you to lie or hide the truth. I have been in similar situations before and the outcome was different because my friends were honest with me and we were able to work through the difficulties. Yes, I am still friends with those friends. It actually made our friendship stronger.
Lessons Learned- I have learned that honesty is extremely important to me in my friendships. It is the one thing that seems to hurt me the most. My family has always been honest with each other, sometimes it can be hard to hear, but that is life. True friends are ones who tell you the truth even when it can be difficult. The next difficult thing has been learning how to be Christ-like to those that did lie to you. I think about Joseph Smith, he had close friends that betrayed him. It hurts when it happens to you, but what is the next step?
1. Forgive them-check
2. Avoid them
2. Pretend it didn't happen (although, then they think it was ok to treat you as such)
4. Try to save friendship, but this means you have to talk with them, when they are still in denial they did anything wrong.
5. Move forward with no ill will-working on it
Number 5 is hard because you move forward while still dealing with the hurt. You have to mourn the loss of friendship. You don't get your moment where you freak out at them and tell them how you really feel. You may never receive an apology. You will nice and friendly, but you may be distant mentally and emotionally. This is hard.
Last Thoughts-This is not the first time I have been hurt by my "friends". I am sure some of my friends who have hurt me in the past and present will be reading this. The truth hurts. In reality, they didn't meet my expectations to be my friend. As I move forward, I am trying not to judge those people. (occasionally, those thoughts plagued my mind). They did what they did. Therefore, I am focusing on how I react and move forward.
School- It has been a difficult hard ride the past 3 years. I found myself ready for new opportunities and jumped in head first. I found myself trying to solve everyone's problems and save the school. I found myself in the middle of a growing crisis. Us vs. Them mentality. I understood both sides, I had friends on both sides. The first year, it almost broke me mentally and emotionally. I found that I had to stop going to the lunch room. I was tired of listening to both sides complain about everything. change is hard, YES, but it is how we handle it. I spent the next two years, protecting myself from emotionally taking on people's concerns. I hide in my room, I avoided the faculty lunch room. I kept myself busy doing my job as a teacher. I came to accept that I can only invite people to change and not force them to do anything. I stopped saying yes to everything and thinking everything was my fault when it didn't work. I stopped worrying what people thought I was doing or saying or anything. I was not picking sides, I was the middle ground, like it or not. I found that my positivity increased and I was able to manage crisis way better than anything in the past. The sad part is that in the process, I felt I had lost some friends. This year I am starting fresh and so is my school. We don't have the 9th graders anymore, some teachers have moved schools and others took the opportunity to start fresh another school. We have 14 new teachers to the school, (1/3 of the staff). I am excited about the new school year, but also sad that I am missing some great friends/co-workers.
Personal Life- In the same time period of the past 3-4 years. I have bought a new home. I was not planning on this huge life change, but the situations seem to push me in that direction. As I reflected, the previous roommates had bullied me and I had allowed it to occur because I wanted to protect the friendship. Unfortunately, my reaction only made things worse. Hence the strong desire to buy a new house and start fresh. I was allowing everything people emotionally threw at me to affect me. I took everything personally. DARK PLACE! I started to close in and start evaluating my friendships. I noticed that I was a good friend to others, but didn't receive what I needed in return. aka my expectations were different. Those friendships I valued were actually hurting me and feeding my insecurities. I started to noticed that people had been projecting their own insecurities on me. It wasn't me, it was them. LOL! So I started attending a family ward and worked on myself. As I became more self-aware, things got better. I was happier and content with my life choices. I was able to make new friendships and have clear defined boundaries and expectations. The most frustrating thing for me is that those "friends" that weren't honest with me could possibly be justifying their actions because the spirit told them. The spirit guides you through to those choices, but you pick how those choices are played out. The Spirit doesn't tell you to lie or hide the truth. I have been in similar situations before and the outcome was different because my friends were honest with me and we were able to work through the difficulties. Yes, I am still friends with those friends. It actually made our friendship stronger.
Lessons Learned- I have learned that honesty is extremely important to me in my friendships. It is the one thing that seems to hurt me the most. My family has always been honest with each other, sometimes it can be hard to hear, but that is life. True friends are ones who tell you the truth even when it can be difficult. The next difficult thing has been learning how to be Christ-like to those that did lie to you. I think about Joseph Smith, he had close friends that betrayed him. It hurts when it happens to you, but what is the next step?
1. Forgive them-check
2. Avoid them
2. Pretend it didn't happen (although, then they think it was ok to treat you as such)
4. Try to save friendship, but this means you have to talk with them, when they are still in denial they did anything wrong.
5. Move forward with no ill will-working on it
Number 5 is hard because you move forward while still dealing with the hurt. You have to mourn the loss of friendship. You don't get your moment where you freak out at them and tell them how you really feel. You may never receive an apology. You will nice and friendly, but you may be distant mentally and emotionally. This is hard.
Last Thoughts-This is not the first time I have been hurt by my "friends". I am sure some of my friends who have hurt me in the past and present will be reading this. The truth hurts. In reality, they didn't meet my expectations to be my friend. As I move forward, I am trying not to judge those people. (occasionally, those thoughts plagued my mind). They did what they did. Therefore, I am focusing on how I react and move forward.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Summer come and gone
It has an interesting summer:
-Attended Pioneer Trek with my youth
we walked 30-35 miles over 4 days (only missed 2 miles because of stomach issues)
-Family Reunion at Bear Lake
Boating, Hiked Cave (missed two family members and their families)
-House Project
Parents began adding bathroom in my home
Rid of popcorn ceiling (family round up to finish the project)
-Attended Pioneer Trek with my youth
we walked 30-35 miles over 4 days (only missed 2 miles because of stomach issues)
-Family Reunion at Bear Lake
Boating, Hiked Cave (missed two family members and their families)
-House Project
Parents began adding bathroom in my home
Rid of popcorn ceiling (family round up to finish the project)
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Happy Birthday to My Sister, Annie
Happy Birthday Annie. She turned 40 about a month ago. I finally decided to share the video.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Seagulls
Utah loves their seagulls because they saved the crops from the evil crickets or grasshoppers back in the pioneer days. I like them when I am the beach.
So I wake up and hear the seagulls and then I realize I am not at the beach.
I don't like seagulls right now.
So I wake up and hear the seagulls and then I realize I am not at the beach.
I don't like seagulls right now.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
I am famous!
An article was written about my school in City Weekly.
I am quoted in the article. Our school has under tons of pressure and changes the past few years. It has been hard for many reasons, but we are showing progress for our hard work.
I am quoted in the article. Our school has under tons of pressure and changes the past few years. It has been hard for many reasons, but we are showing progress for our hard work.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Wedding Fun
My BFF-Utah was married this weekend. I was the Maid of Honor.
 |
| Stephaine Bear and I |
Best Man and I walking down the aisle. I didn't fall.
Photo Booth Fun with Danielle, Stephanie, Joe, and myself.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Last month Highlights
I wish I had some witty thoughts and a great story, but I got nothing.
Highlights:
-The team I coached only lost one game and we are going to the quarterfinals.
-I was released and recalled to YW 1st counselor.
-I was called to Stake Mid-Singles Representative.
-Parent Teacher Conferences
-watched all 3 seasons Downton Abbey
-Got Netflix
-planning for girls camp and pioneer trek
-planning for family reunion
-Getting ready for Danielle's (best friend-Utah) wedding. I am the maid of honor, lots of responsibility-the wedding is this month
-handling all the school responsibilities that come with teaching
Highlights:
-The team I coached only lost one game and we are going to the quarterfinals.
-I was released and recalled to YW 1st counselor.
-I was called to Stake Mid-Singles Representative.
-Parent Teacher Conferences
-watched all 3 seasons Downton Abbey
-Got Netflix
-planning for girls camp and pioneer trek
-planning for family reunion
-Getting ready for Danielle's (best friend-Utah) wedding. I am the maid of honor, lots of responsibility-the wedding is this month
-handling all the school responsibilities that come with teaching
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Volleyball Tryouts Letter
Dear Volleyball Hopeful,
Today I had two hours to make a quick assessment of your skill. I watched your work ethnic during conditioning. You didn't put forth a 100%. I watch you attempt to serve the ball numerous times. Please practice more, I need my team to be able to make their serves. If you can do a simple drill and pass the volleyball, I have to let you go. I know that you think I pick only my favorites and that the only girl who I kept, you were better than her. It could have been your attitude. It is not easy for me to crush your dreams. I remember what it is like to tryout, which is why I hate tryouts because I remember too well. Please keep working hard and tryout next year.
Thanks,
Coach B.
Today I had two hours to make a quick assessment of your skill. I watched your work ethnic during conditioning. You didn't put forth a 100%. I watch you attempt to serve the ball numerous times. Please practice more, I need my team to be able to make their serves. If you can do a simple drill and pass the volleyball, I have to let you go. I know that you think I pick only my favorites and that the only girl who I kept, you were better than her. It could have been your attitude. It is not easy for me to crush your dreams. I remember what it is like to tryout, which is why I hate tryouts because I remember too well. Please keep working hard and tryout next year.
Thanks,
Coach B.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
The Price I Paid for Looking Awesome.
I learned a very important lesson while traveling through our airport security. I wear sandals because I know I have to remove my shoes, I remove my jacket and everything out of my pockets. I place my electronics in the bins properly. What I didn't realize? My new sparkle butt jeans are considered metal on the new body scanners. I was able to be patted down on my bum and my hands were tested for explosives. (Twice-on the return trip)
The price I pay to look awesome while traveling.
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