What now?!

That is what I have been wondering....what now? I'm a college graduate. I am excited, nervous, anxious, all these emotions mixed into one. I just want my own classroom, but I know I will be subbing and doing other work while I am waiting for my very first job. I hope that comes sooner rather than later.

I am so blessed to have an amazing support system consisting of family and friends who have guided me and encouraged me on this emotional roller coaster of a journey. Thank you to all of you who have been there for me even when I am not the easiest to be around at times. I will keep you posted on my adventures. all my love!!

Andi

Sunday School

I am now teaching Sunday school in a kindergarten, first grade blend. I am really happy I decided to do it because it has brought me closer to God and it's given me excellent opportunities to practice and gain experience in my chosen profession. My passion of teaching.

I have been going to church more regularly and find myself moved by the homily no matter who is giving it. I want to take this time to reflect on the past three weeks of homilies.

1-2. Religion is a way to grow together. take apart the word religion in Latin and it means to bind together. So why is it that it is also something that divides people and causes friendships to end. Religion should be what allows us to talk about our differences and accept them as well as one another for who we are, not to bring each other down. We are all God's children and he loves us for who we are. It's as easy as that. Hate and intolerance does not fit into that equation. If we are calling ourselves christians, shouldn't we act like it??

3. Not only are we in a war overseas, but here, in America, we are fighting a cultural war. the music industry, the internet, etc, are portraying women as objects, therefore lessers of men and using violence to make money. What is this society coming to? I don't understand. We need to stand up against these evils in our society and become closer to God. Our relationship with God is strained by pornography, violence and objectifying women. It's also damaging to relationships with others.

I have grown into a better person. I have become closer with God and Jesus. I went through a lot of hurtful things a couple of years ago with friends and people who I thought cared about me. They were involved in the church so I took it out on the church and I pulled away from my religion. Religion is so important. I learned that Jesus was right there waiting for me to come back when I was ready. I know I was wrong to pull away from the most important thing in my life, but it was necessary for me to realize how truly important my faith is. If you are reading this, you may be thinking "well, duh Andrea." and I understand why. But try and see it through my eyes. When you get hurt or are scared, don't you push away the people who love you the most? I do. Not proud to admit it, but I'm human and I make mistakes and I learn from them.

Hanging in there

It's been tough and it is the most emotional rollercoaster of a term than I thought it would be. It's all worth it though when I get to have fun teaching and witness several lightbulb moments in one day. this is a challenging class...so many strong personalities, but they are sweet, funny and smart kids too. I take over for three weeks starting late october or early november (i don't have my schedule with me). I am excited and now that I have started my work sample, i feel more at home and have a routine to when i am teaching them. I am still learning. that is the great thing about teaching. sure it wears you out and it takes serious endurance, but how many people can go to work everyday and say they made a difference in a child's life? not many. God is good :)

week 3 of the 2010-2011 school year!!!

*4th graders=amazing!! sure they can be a bit of a challenge at times and they like to push it, but it's all worth it. Today I witnessed what we teachers call a "light bulb moment." let me tell you, they are the BEST moments! for those of you non teachers out there, basically, it's when you see a child's face light up after he/she finally understands something that they NEVER understood or caught on to before. best high in the world and what i live for. :)

* I start my work sample and 3 week full time teaching on Tuesday the 21st...yes of this month. I will be doing my work sample in ESOL format and teaching State government. It will have an "andrea twist" on the curriculum. gotta make it fun for those kiddos if you want them to learn!! :) :)

*only 3 more months until graduation :) yay!!! then on to subbing and searching for a full time 'gig'

*I have my service learning project all planned and ready to go too!! I will start it in november, it will be a writer's workshop, writing letters to troops overseas in afghanistan. I am so excited for this and i think it will be a wonderful experience for all involved :)

that's all for now!

Andrea

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

I am a horrible blogger...well, back to school! term 4...holy moly! I cannot believe I graduate in December!! It will come quick and will be bitter sweet. This term I have 4th grade so I'm pretty stoked about that. I did most of my practicum with 4th graders :). tomorrow is the district meeting....not really sure what to expect so i'm excited/nervous/dunno...I'm on a roller coaster of emotions right now. I was missing my grandmother a lot on monday....she passed three years ago and i guess some years/days are harder than others. i know she is always with me, but i think that the fact i am graduating this year, i'm missing her more than ever...i REALLY wanted her to witness me graduating from college. i know she would be proud of me...so this song from lady antebellum has been playing in my head for the past couple days:
Lyrics to Never Alone :
(feat. Jim Brickman)

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
May you always have plenty
The glass never empty
Know in your belly
You're never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
As every year passes
They mean more than gold
May you win and stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You're never alone

Chorus: Never alone
Never alone
I'll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn't goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

I have to be honest
As much as I wanted
I'm not gonna promise that cold winds won't blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

Chorus

My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you're never alone

So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You're never alone

.....anyway....I am back at Butte Creek which is wonderful because I love it there. the staff is soooo nice and I am familiar with the school, etc. I have a wonderful mentor teacher too. I think this will be a great year! :) I have a feeling I will be a hermit until at least thanksgiving...at most, graduation day :) prayers are welcome! i will need them. I'll try and keep you all posted. much love.
~Andi~ <3

Life's Mountains....

Mountains by Lonestar

Lucinda Jones working at the IHOP:
Ten years worth of bacon, eggs, and tears.
She's waited on every creed and color
While waiting on this day to get here.
Graveyard shifts, two bit tips,
Making every quarter count.
It's worth it all to see her son in that cap and gown.

There are times in life when you gotta crawl,
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no one else,
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walk-in's easy when the road is flat
Them danged 'ole hills will get you every time.
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb

Private Bobby Dunn came back from the war,
Lost his leg but they couldn't take his will.
Hell bent to run in that local marathon.
He trained through the endless pain and pills
It hurt so bad that sometimes he just had to cry.
He didn't stop until he crossed that finish line.

There are times in life when you gotta crawl,
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no one else,
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walk-in's easy when the road is flat
Them danged 'ole hills will get you every time.
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb

This world ain't fair
It can knock you on your butt
You can just lie there or you can get back up
You gotta get back up

There are times in life when you gotta crawl,
Lose your grip, trip and fall
When you can't lean on no one else,
That's when you find yourself
I've been around and I've noticed that
Walk-in's easy when the road is flat
Them danged 'ole hills will get you every time.
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb
Yeah, oh

*there are songs that make us think about our lives and how everything works out when you don't think they will. lately i've been climbing those mountains in life and this song hit me like a ton of bricks when i heard it. I started crying. I love how music can evoke such deep feelings. a couple years ago, i broke away from my church because i was angry with what a couple of people said/did. since then i realized that i was angry, which i had a right to be, but i was angry for the wrong reasons and taking it out on the wrong people and group. my faith is so important to me...it shouldn't have come down to what other people think or say about it. I LOVE GOD and there is NO ONE who can change that.

A recent favorite song...

I'm posting the lyrics to the song "chicken fried" because it has so many significant meanings in my life. I love this song and it makes me happy :) :)

Chicken Fried lyrics

You know I like my a chicken fried
Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up

Well I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia pine
And that’s home you know
With sweet tea pecan pie and homemade wine
Where the peaches grow
And my house it’s not much to talk about
But it’s filled with love that’s grown in southern ground
And a little bit of chicken fried

Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
you know I like the sunrise
To see the love in my woman’s eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother’s love

And its funny how it’s the little things in life that mean the most
Not where you live, what you drive or the price tag on your clothes
There’s no dollar sign on a piece of mind this I’ve come to know
So if you agree have a drink with me
Raise your glasses for a toast
To a little bit of chicken fried

Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
You know I like the sunrise
To see the love in my woman’s eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother’s love

I thank God for my life
For the stars and stripes
May freedom forever fly, let it ring.
Salute the ones who died
And the ones that gave their lives
So we don’t have to sacrifice
All the things we love
Like our chicken fried

Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
You know I like the sunrise
To see the love in my woman’s eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother’s love

You know I like chicken fried
Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
You know I like the sunrise
To see the love in my woman’s eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother’s love

Summertime and the living's easy...well, kind of ;)

alright, so I am officially DONE with school. I don't have any summer courses so that means i get a real summer this year. I will be returning to Butte Creek in the fall to do my full time student teaching with a fourth grade class.

Plans for the summer include: vacation bible school in July ( I am teaching crafts), maybe a couple of beach trips with family and friends, reading for luxury :) AND of course, "housekeeping" needs (dentist appointments, eye doctor, meetings, car check-ups) you know, the stuff i didn't get around to because of the ed. program ;).

Congratulations to all of the graduates in my life. sorry i couldn't be there for all of them, but know that i'm proud of all of you! :)

much love and peace out!

Andrea

Almost Done with term 3 of student teaching...

So term three is winding down...finally!! these past few months have been so busy and intense that at times I felt like I was going insane. One minute, I was happy and the next, I was extremely stressed out and ready to break down.

Today I went on a field trip with my 2nd graders. We went to the high school in Silverton where they taught the kids where their food comes from. The kids had a great time. :) Sad thing is that today was my last "official" day of student teaching. I felt so loved. I even had a parent write a card to me. I wasn't expecting that at all. I guess it just feels good to be recognized and appreciated outside of the classroom. I know I have said this before, but I can't believe how blessed I have been with having really supportive parents. wow!

My mentor teacher and I are going to plan a party after I get done with finals so I can come back and say a real good bye to the kiddos before the summer :). I will be returning to Butte Creek in the fall for my last term. I will be with 4th graders. I couldn't be more happy!

That's all for now!

Andrea

Much needed update

Hey Guys!

Sorry it's been forever. I've been so busy with school and life in general that I haven't had the time to write in my blog. So all went well with the three lesson unit last term. I got great feedback from my supervisor and mentor teacher and the kids LOVED it. I got comments like "this is fun" "It's fun when you teach" and "can we do this all the time?" needless to say, I felt pretty darn good about my teaching abilities and those kids went from knowing absolutely nothing on the topic of communities to either 86% to 100% learning gain! pretty cool :)

Now it's third term and I am about to start my big work sample about insects. The kids know a little bit more about this because they had a first grade teacher who taught them briefly, but I have a lot of material to cover. I'm pretty sure they kids will learn a lot during this unit as well. It's such a high interest topic, it shouldn't be too hard to keep them on task. I have been so fortunate to be in the placement I am in...wonderful school, mentor teacher, staff, supervisor, class and on top of that, i have a wonderful support system at home and WOU. :)

There will be an update sooner than this one was to the last blog entry ;)

Term 2 is underway...

So I just started term 2 of the ed. program and I am still crazy about my class. I have learned so much already and I have come to realize that I am truly blessed at how many wonderful people I have in my life willing to help me with anything now. My mentor teacher is amazing and truly supportive, the 2nd graders I am with are just a riot and probably the sweetest kids I have ever met.
This has been an incredibly difficult journey and it's stressful at times, but I never doubt the reason I am going into teaching when I get into that classroom. Teaching is my calling and my passion. I love it.
This term has been busy already. We are supposed to do a mini work sample (3 lessons in a week) in our classrooms. I have chosen the topic of communities in social studies and have a really good idea of what i want to do and how i'm going to do it. As soon as i know more, i will let you all know.
Thank you again to all of you for your support. I'll let you know how things go as soon as I have more underway as far as teaching goes :) love you all!
Andi