Today has been a really good Sunday. I always love Fast and Testimony Sunday's. My day started out early with Welfare Meeting. This was a new experience for me and I really had no idea what I was doing. To help the matters, I was the only member of the Presidency there...not exactly ideal. Next week is our Ward Conference and to put things mildly, I didn't know nearly as much as I should have. However, this was just another one of those "Don't Panic, it's ok." situations. No matter how badly I screw up, the Lord is always there to compensate for the rest of it.
I also attended the CES broadcast tonight. I have two things to say about this. The first is on the actual broadcast itself. The second on the people attending the broadcast.
Elder Ballard had a fantastic message that I so needed to hear. I love the way the Lord always knows exactly what we need to hear and finds a way to tell us. I would also like to mention the 1000+ choir from the Logan Institute did an amazing job! They looked and sounded fantastic!! It was so exciting to see people I knew singing.
Now, considering the broadcast was held at the Marriot Center on the BYU campus you would think the people attending would know how to behave and act properly. Then again, this is Provo and the people here continue to amaze me. I was always taught that when an apostle or other general authority is in the building you stand when they enter and leave the room. You also wait for them to leave before you do so. When half the congregation stands and leaves before Elder Ballard stood up, I thought I was going to die! Really!?! Come on! Is having so much access to general authorities diminishing the respect you have for them? Do you not realize that he is an Apostle of the Lord and deserves the utmost respect we can give? I was SO embarrassed for those people.
I love Sunday's that leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the next week...and with my upcoming week, I'm going to need it. Parent teacher conferences here I come!
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Fall Days
Can you say crazy?!? That is the word that describes life right now!
School is going really well. I love the kids I have and I love the other teachers I work with. There are obviously some students that are, lets say...more difficult, but most of them don't come from very good homes and school is the only semi-positive thing in their lives. Most of them are just adorable and so cute. I have quickly found that being a teacher makes for some long days, but I am also finding that they are totally worth it.
I have been slightly roped into a new technology program called eMINTS. By December, I will have a computer for every other student in my class (2 students per computer). I have training two times a month and those days are especially long. However, there are 3 other teachers from my school doing it with me, so it is good for getting to know them outside of school.
To make life as a first year teacher even crazier than normal, I have been called as the 1st Counselor in one of the Relief Society's in my ward. I wasn't so sure about it at first because I have never had a calling in any part of Relief Society before and I have NO idea what I am doing. However, the other girls in the presidency are great and we have fantastic ladies in our ward. It has been really good for social reasons as well. I am getting to know a lot of people.
I've lived in Provo now for almost 3 months and I can officially say, most people are crazy...everything you hear about Provo, well, it's true. Here are some things I have learned:
1. Don't go to the temple on a Saturday morning for baptisms- it takes you over 3 hours.
2. Wal-Mart is the official place for PDA. Really, I don't care if you are engaged, married, or pregnant and I especially don't want to see it while grocery shopping.
3. Leaving the "Just Married" decorations on your car for over two weeks=tacky!
4. Please don't assume that because I have graduated and am working I have served a mission and gone through the temple... and no, there is nothing wrong with me because of that.
5 (and most important). Yes, I live in Provo. N,o I do not like BYU. In fact, I will cheer against them any chance I get. I wear my Aggie apparel proudly and will happily admit to standing in line for hours to see USU beat BYU.
School is going really well. I love the kids I have and I love the other teachers I work with. There are obviously some students that are, lets say...more difficult, but most of them don't come from very good homes and school is the only semi-positive thing in their lives. Most of them are just adorable and so cute. I have quickly found that being a teacher makes for some long days, but I am also finding that they are totally worth it.
I have been slightly roped into a new technology program called eMINTS. By December, I will have a computer for every other student in my class (2 students per computer). I have training two times a month and those days are especially long. However, there are 3 other teachers from my school doing it with me, so it is good for getting to know them outside of school.
To make life as a first year teacher even crazier than normal, I have been called as the 1st Counselor in one of the Relief Society's in my ward. I wasn't so sure about it at first because I have never had a calling in any part of Relief Society before and I have NO idea what I am doing. However, the other girls in the presidency are great and we have fantastic ladies in our ward. It has been really good for social reasons as well. I am getting to know a lot of people.
I've lived in Provo now for almost 3 months and I can officially say, most people are crazy...everything you hear about Provo, well, it's true. Here are some things I have learned:
1. Don't go to the temple on a Saturday morning for baptisms- it takes you over 3 hours.
2. Wal-Mart is the official place for PDA. Really, I don't care if you are engaged, married, or pregnant and I especially don't want to see it while grocery shopping.
3. Leaving the "Just Married" decorations on your car for over two weeks=tacky!
4. Please don't assume that because I have graduated and am working I have served a mission and gone through the temple... and no, there is nothing wrong with me because of that.
5 (and most important). Yes, I live in Provo. N,o I do not like BYU. In fact, I will cheer against them any chance I get. I wear my Aggie apparel proudly and will happily admit to standing in line for hours to see USU beat BYU.
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Parent Teacher Conferences
It's days like this that my job absolutely sucks. Especially my teaching position right now. I am technically a full time teacher and therefore required to be present at parent teacher conferences. Problem is, I don't have my own students to see. I have 10 students from two different classrooms. So at the moment, I am sitting in a rock hard, little person chair in the hallway between the two classrooms waiting for students to show up. There really is no schedule, they just come whenever. I wait for my students to come, go into the conference, sit there pretty much silently, and then return to my chair in the hallway. At least the parents get to see me. Although, most of them look at me with disdain and I can practically hear the worrisome thoughts and the get the "you're so young and new" look. Most of them don't understand that even though I don't have my own class, I am NOT an aide or a paraprofessional. I AM a highly qualified, certified, legit teacher that knows what she is doing. It's ok that I haven't taught for twenty years, in fact that may make me better...
Needless to say, I am bored out of my mind and really wish I had brought a book with me or something to do. I can't even be in my room to work on things in there...
Needless to say, I am bored out of my mind and really wish I had brought a book with me or something to do. I can't even be in my room to work on things in there...
Monday, August 16, 2010
Teachers make the worst students
Today was my first official day as an employee of the Provo City School District. I have my first "teacher class." Today's lesson was Literacy Development and Small group management. The first two hours (of seven) were very educational. I learned how to use my teacher's manual and basal reading program to its full educational potential (not necessarily what they lay out in the book). The program they use is very similar to what is used in Logan School District.
However, the next 5 hours proceeded to be a waste of time. It was a testament that Utah State provides their education majors with the finest education in the state. Everything that was taught, which it seemed most did not know, was a review for me. Most of it I had learned as early as Level II at USU. For the first time, I truly appreciate the education I received.
As I sat in this giant room looking around, I realized teachers make THE WORST students! Have are texting, the other have are on their computers fooling around. Very few of us were actually paying attention. I could hear several side conversations going on. How many of us would actually put up with that in our classrooms? Not one of us, that's how many! (Although, I do have to admit, I was one of those texting, and occasionally talking :)
Now there are just 2 more days of this and I can get back in my classroom! 7 more days til the kids come!
However, the next 5 hours proceeded to be a waste of time. It was a testament that Utah State provides their education majors with the finest education in the state. Everything that was taught, which it seemed most did not know, was a review for me. Most of it I had learned as early as Level II at USU. For the first time, I truly appreciate the education I received.
As I sat in this giant room looking around, I realized teachers make THE WORST students! Have are texting, the other have are on their computers fooling around. Very few of us were actually paying attention. I could hear several side conversations going on. How many of us would actually put up with that in our classrooms? Not one of us, that's how many! (Although, I do have to admit, I was one of those texting, and occasionally talking :)
Now there are just 2 more days of this and I can get back in my classroom! 7 more days til the kids come!
Sunday, August 08, 2010
On My Own...
It has been a crazy couple of weeks. It seems like nothing happened all summer and then everything happened at once.
Not quite two weeks ago, life got turned upside down. My grandpa has been sick for a long time. Last September the doctors told him he had two weeks to live. Being the man he was, he did all he could to prove them wrong. Tuesday, July 27th, he fell in his living room and broke his hip. Because his health was bad anyway, they could not operate. After three days in the hospital, we moved him home and he passed away 8 hours later, surrounded by family. The next couple of days were hectic. The funeral was Thursday, Aug 5th in Tooele. He was a man that loved fishing, hunting, flying RC airplanes, and fixing anything he could get his hands on.
In the midst of all of that, my family helped me move to Provo. We spent two days moving all my boxes and furniture to Provo, one day unpacking, and one day setting up and decorating. We have made 5 trips to Provo in 7 days. Crazy, I know. My mom and sister came and stayed the night with me this weekend. I loved having them here and really appreciated all their help in setting up my new apartment. Now that most of it is set up, I can focus on my classroom. I have to get it all set up this coming week. I start teacher classes on the 16th and school starts on the 24th. It is coming way too fast!
I have to admit that I am scared to death. This is the fist time I will be truly on my own. I have no roommates, no family, and no hardly anyone in Provo. I guess everyone has to do it sometime.
Not quite two weeks ago, life got turned upside down. My grandpa has been sick for a long time. Last September the doctors told him he had two weeks to live. Being the man he was, he did all he could to prove them wrong. Tuesday, July 27th, he fell in his living room and broke his hip. Because his health was bad anyway, they could not operate. After three days in the hospital, we moved him home and he passed away 8 hours later, surrounded by family. The next couple of days were hectic. The funeral was Thursday, Aug 5th in Tooele. He was a man that loved fishing, hunting, flying RC airplanes, and fixing anything he could get his hands on.
In the midst of all of that, my family helped me move to Provo. We spent two days moving all my boxes and furniture to Provo, one day unpacking, and one day setting up and decorating. We have made 5 trips to Provo in 7 days. Crazy, I know. My mom and sister came and stayed the night with me this weekend. I loved having them here and really appreciated all their help in setting up my new apartment. Now that most of it is set up, I can focus on my classroom. I have to get it all set up this coming week. I start teacher classes on the 16th and school starts on the 24th. It is coming way too fast!
I have to admit that I am scared to death. This is the fist time I will be truly on my own. I have no roommates, no family, and no hardly anyone in Provo. I guess everyone has to do it sometime.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Sorry If You Don't Already Know...
So I found out that a lot of people don't know and for that I am sorry... I have a teaching job in Provo for the 2010-2011 school year. It is a 3/4 time position teaching 4th grade reading and 6th grade math. I am really excited for it. It is so much better than the thought of ending up in Blanding. Now I am just trying to find a place to live when I get there!!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Getting a Job
Obviously, I am really bad at this whole blogging thing. Sorry it's been so long between all my posts. Life is totally crazy. I thought things might slow down a little after graduation but if anything else they have only gone haywire.
So, I graduated from college a little over a week ago. Crazy!!! I cannot believe it. I don't think it has really sunk in that I am done. I'm not going back. Moving out was like a whirlwind. I didn't want to leave. I don't feel ready to grow up and start a career, but I guess we all have to sometime.
With the graduation thing, I have had to start trying to find a job teaching somewhere in the state of Utah. Naturally I applied everywhere and anywhere. Like they say, "Each time you file an application, your odds go up." The one place I wasn't serious about was the one place that has actually offered me a job. I have had an official job offer in San Juan School District to teach at Blanding Elementary in Blanding, UT. They also offered my best friend Molly a position. Because Blanding is hours from anywhere worth mentioning, part of the agreement before hand was to go and visit the grand town. Sadly enough, I fell in love with it...the school, the staff, the town, but it is still 4 hours from the closest town with a Wal-Mart. I still don't know what to do about it. A lot of it still depends on my other offers (if and when they come).
I interview at Provost Elementary in Provo on Monday and loved it. Everything, there is no but about it, this is the job I want. (ok, the only bad thing about it is it is in Provo...close to BYU...I don't know how I feel about that...I may need to learn how to be nice to them...) The principal said they would know by Friday. I am really nervous and really excited all at the same time.
Now comes this clincher...I have to let Blanding know tomorrow...I won't hear back from Provo until Friday. I am going in blind. I don't really want to move to Blanding, but I could. I could be happy there and teach there. If it turned out horrible, I would do it for a year and leave. However, what if I accept in Blanding and end up getting an offer from the place I really want to be? I have never prayed so hard, so long in my entire life. This decision could change my life (either way). I really, really don't know what to do, but will have to decide in the next 18 hours.
So, now that you are caught up there, I am living in Tooele for the summer. (Hey, no rent, no food bill). I can tell its going to be a long summer...I have been independent for a long time to be living at home again. But, it is going to be good to spend the time with my family and siblings...especially to be close to my grandpa.
Hopefully, I can be better at posting here in the near future and can keep everyone updated better. Love ya all!!
So, I graduated from college a little over a week ago. Crazy!!! I cannot believe it. I don't think it has really sunk in that I am done. I'm not going back. Moving out was like a whirlwind. I didn't want to leave. I don't feel ready to grow up and start a career, but I guess we all have to sometime.
With the graduation thing, I have had to start trying to find a job teaching somewhere in the state of Utah. Naturally I applied everywhere and anywhere. Like they say, "Each time you file an application, your odds go up." The one place I wasn't serious about was the one place that has actually offered me a job. I have had an official job offer in San Juan School District to teach at Blanding Elementary in Blanding, UT. They also offered my best friend Molly a position. Because Blanding is hours from anywhere worth mentioning, part of the agreement before hand was to go and visit the grand town. Sadly enough, I fell in love with it...the school, the staff, the town, but it is still 4 hours from the closest town with a Wal-Mart. I still don't know what to do about it. A lot of it still depends on my other offers (if and when they come).
I interview at Provost Elementary in Provo on Monday and loved it. Everything, there is no but about it, this is the job I want. (ok, the only bad thing about it is it is in Provo...close to BYU...I don't know how I feel about that...I may need to learn how to be nice to them...) The principal said they would know by Friday. I am really nervous and really excited all at the same time.
Now comes this clincher...I have to let Blanding know tomorrow...I won't hear back from Provo until Friday. I am going in blind. I don't really want to move to Blanding, but I could. I could be happy there and teach there. If it turned out horrible, I would do it for a year and leave. However, what if I accept in Blanding and end up getting an offer from the place I really want to be? I have never prayed so hard, so long in my entire life. This decision could change my life (either way). I really, really don't know what to do, but will have to decide in the next 18 hours.
So, now that you are caught up there, I am living in Tooele for the summer. (Hey, no rent, no food bill). I can tell its going to be a long summer...I have been independent for a long time to be living at home again. But, it is going to be good to spend the time with my family and siblings...especially to be close to my grandpa.
Hopefully, I can be better at posting here in the near future and can keep everyone updated better. Love ya all!!
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