Wacky Wednesday.

So I decided to create Wacky Wednesday to my blog as something to keep me blogging, even if it is something small...these may be quotes I found inspirational, etc, experiences i've had in the week, a talk about a book i've read/reading, something funny, basically anything I find that may be fun/interesting to share. a little snippet into my life if you will....

today, confessions

1. I am addicted to burt's bees lip balm

2. I don't get my hair cut regularly, i don't even know what regular is. is that bad?

3. compliments, kind words, about anything make my day. even if it's "I like the color of your braces" it's amazing what kind words can do for people.

4. I look at facebook before email or the bible some days. (oops)

5. Random moments are a constant in my life.

6. I love laughing a being silly. not acting your age is the best. thing. ever.

Andi/Andrea :)

Times they are a changin'

Yes, I did just quote Bob Dylan.

so a lot changes in a couple of months. It's amazing, really, once you stop and think about it....

My beloved Curves in Silverton closed for business. I was a member for 7 years and I absolutely LOVED it. Instead of trying to find another location that I loved as much (not likely, i'm picky and VERY stubborn) I joined Wellspring Fitness Center in Woodburn. It's where my mom works and it's actually A LOT cheaper than anywhere else. (I am also very frugal...aka "cheap". there, I said it lol!) I literally cried when I found out it was closed. it's like losing a friend and let me tell you, it changed me whole day today. I didn't have to go to curves by a certain time. weird. Yes, I know, Woodburn IS a half hour away, but it's what I decided to do and I think I'll be better off in the end :)

I got 3 sub jobs in the past month. No, it doesn't SOUND like a lot, but it's a really good start. considering about 2 months ago I was getting NOTHING...and I was added on to the sub list at Butte Creek School, The place I did my student teaching at. My first job there is on April 6th for a half day with 1st graders in my first mentor teachers classroom. I am so excited to go back! :) yay!!!

I applied for a fourth grade teaching position in Beaverton at a private school. I will hear from the principal in April and that will be my very first interview! yippee!! :) at this point, my attitude is if I get hired, great, If not...meh! it will be GREAT experience as far as interviews go and what to expect.

That's all for now in my world.

Andi :)

change...a natural part of life

Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.

There are a lot of changes coming up in my life that will be physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging. No, i'm not talking about just the teaching aspect of my life. yes of course that is one part of it, but there are some decisions that I have made with my family by me that will change my life in the long run for the better. I am not going to tell you what these decisions are on blogger, but I will tell you that it will be good and I think it's something that I have needed to do as an individual for a LONG time. I have my family's support and love. that's really all I need. I finally figured out that I need to do something for ME. Yup, i'm going to be selfish and worry about ME ME ME for a while.

no matter what, I will always be the person I am right now. My personality is NOT going to change. My family and I won't let it. I need to refocus a little and get back to perspective. All I CAN promise is that it's going to make me feel better.

As scared as I am, I am also really excited. I have so many emotions going through me right now, that I can't begin to describe them. I cry sometimes and I don't know why..sometimes because that's all I know how to deal with a million different emotions going through me at the same time. please pray for me. change isn't easy for anyone, especially humans. we are creatures of habit. :)

Love,

Andrea

stories of a sub

so as most of you know, my first sub job was at a small private school in woodburn. What I didn't know at the time was that my mom works with a parent of a student who is in the third grade. My mom told me this the night I got home and I was nervous because I knew there would be some sort of review of me and I was hoping it would be a good one. Fast forward to today.

the little girl came in the door on Friday and told her mom "we had the best sub EVER today!! She was smart, funny, nice and pretty." when my mom told me this I was completely happy. I feel like I nailed my very first sub job and it can only go up from here. :)

I uploaded the pictures above because to me, those quotes are what teaching is all about. Even as a sub, you need to show the students you care about them and will keep them safe and happy in the absence of their teacher.

It's official!

I have officially registered at WESD as a sub in Silver Falls!

1. I will get my badge in two weeks

2. I can start subbing in silverton (butte creek) by friday-that's when i'll be "ready to go"

3. I finally got another call for a sub job in salem. I will be teaching 4th grade at St. Joseph's next week! :)

It took a while to start getting calls and for things to start looking up, but it finally happened. I guess what they say is right: good things come to those who wait. :) It's hard to wait, but having put my life in God's hands, I know that I am going to be ok. This adventure is proof of that. God provides and he has had this all planned for me from the very beginning. I can't even imagine what he has in store for me later down the road. Thank you again for all of your support. I Love you guys a lot. I know I say it a lot, but it's true. Without my wonderful family and friends, I don't think I would be able to stay positive and focused.

~Andi~

Lady Gaga - Born This Way (Cover) by Peter Hollens

Born this way. Operation Beautiful

I love this song. I'm not a huge fan of Lady Gaga, but the lyrics of her newest song are very touching. I don't think it's very often that people are told they are beautiful. We are all beautiful in our own way. I don't normally do this, but go to www.operationbeautiful.com and learn about this amazing movement.

Lyrics to "Born this way" by Lady Gaga

[Intro]

It doesn't matter if you love him,
Or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
'cause you were born this way, baby

[Verse 1]
My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars

She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir

"there's nothin wrong with lovin who you are"
She said, "'cause he made you perfect, babe"

"so hold your head up girl and you'll go far,
Listen to me when I say"


[Chorus]
I'm beautiful in my way
'cause god makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way

[Post-chorus]
Ooo there ain't no other way
Baby I was born this way
Baby I was born this way
Ooo there ain't no other way
Baby I was born-
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way

Don't be a drag - just be a queen
Don't be a drag - just be a queen
Don't be a drag - just be a queen
Don't be!


[Verse 2]
Give yourself prudence
And love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice your truth

In the religion of the insecure
I must be myself, respect my youth

A different lover is not a sin
Believe capital h-i-m (hey hey hey)
I love my life I love this record and
Mi amore vole fe yah (love needs faith)

first sub job down, hopefully many more to come!

I FINALLY got my first sub job yesterday and it went so incredibly well. I subbed in a 3rd grade classroom at St. Luke Catholic School in Woodburn and let me tell you it was so different than public school that I spent almost the whole day adjusting to differences. They are good differences, not bad...just VERY different from how the public schools are run. Oh and did I mention that the teacher I subbed for used to work at St. Stephens in Portland (where I went K-8) so she has known me since I was probably 12 or 13. Again, awesome and strange at the same time.

Here are a list of what I experienced yesterday that I thought was really cool:

1. Morning Prayer/Pledge of Allegiance with the word "God" in it. now there's something that doesn't happen too often in public school. it was sweet, I guess each grade takes turns leading prayer and the pledge each week. so for example, one week,the 2nd graders will do it, the next week, the 3rd graders will and so on and then they will start all over again. I haven't had morning prayer since I was in private school so it was especially nice to see/be a part of.

2. the involvement of other teachers and aides. I am not saying that other teachers and teachers aides are not involved in public school because they are. I guess it's just different in private school because the class sizes are 18 versus 29 or so in a public. yes, the class size for 3rd grade was 18 at St. Lukes. I felt like I was hardly teaching. I was! it was just that the aides got right in there and it made my job a lot easier.

3. the politeness of these kids. holy moly! whatever I did, these kids were right there with me. very flexible to routine, helpful to a T and very patient. not to mention sweet and funny. again, not saying that the kids in public school are not polite or anything, these kids were just not going to try anything funny with a sub. they were probably warned.

4. word got out that this was my first sub job ever (only with the teachers) and pretty soon, I had teachers coming in whenever they had a break and asking me if I was ok and telling me that if i needed them, they were right next door or across the hall. The principal even came in to see how everything was going and see how i was. it was sweet, but i guess i am used to seeing no teachers coming in and checking on the sub until lunch time in the staff room. I felt very nurtured in that school. I would definitely return.

5. uniforms! aahhh. that definitely brought me back to my days at St. Stephens. we wore uniforms and we only had one or two "free dress days" a month and it was a huge deal for us. basically, we wouldn't have to wear uniforms those days and we could wear what we called "normal clothes" haha! :) within appropriate dress code of course ;)

after my day in woodburn, I went to the Silver Falls School District office and got paperwork for becoming a building sub for Butte Creek (where I did all my student teaching). so Monday or Tuesday (depending if I get called or not) I have to go in and turn it in, bring in my license so they can make a copy of it for file purposes and see if I have to go to WESD for other things. once that is done, hopefully i can start subbing for butte creek. :) I can't wait.

the last thing I did was go to seven brides brewing to meet my first mentor teacher to pick up a letter of recommendation from her and have a drink of course. we talked and caught up and it was really nice because we ran into a history teacher from high school (for me) he wasn't my teacher, but he was always super nice and he coached my brother in football. turns out he loves my family. as do I :) it felt weird to say "us" teachers. It put it in perspective that I am a teacher now. life is good. I know things have been really rocky for me, but this is the first time in a long time that I feel like I really am going to be ok from here on out. :)

Andrea

Sunday School sillyness

So for those of you who don't know, I teach Sunday school at my church every week and I have the most precious group. They are a K-1 mix. I didn't know if I would like this age group, but I have fallen in love with it. They are so much fun and say the funniest things. Of course they drive us nuts, but part of teaching is patience and going nuts :) I wouldn't trade it for the world.

my favorite part (and my brother's too) is coming home and telling all of the stories from just that ONE HOUR of sunday school. YES. there are a lot of things that can go from ordinary to hilarious in a matter of seconds. so I will share with you some of my favorite quotes/conversations from these kids.

1. student: can you adopt a squirrel?

me: no, that's not legal

student: oh. that's too bad. I've always wanted to pet a squirrel

2. student: you are too old to have braces! :)

3. student: my sister drives a blue slug-a-bug. watch out if you see her!

4. me: what might we need god's protection from?

student 1: the devil!!

student 2: a banana!!

me: the devil yes, absolutely, but I don't think a banana.

student 3: but the devil could disguise himself as a banana, so a banana COULD be evil!!

*at that point the rest of the class, the other teacher and I started laughing*

5. student: God loves us! he even LIKES us

6. student: God thinks we're special. (pause) my brothers are pretty special...*different context here lol he went on to explain the kind of "special" he meant.*

that's all I can think of for now. I will post more WHEN they say other things. it's not a matter of IF. :)

God Bless!

~Andi

It's about time! overwhelming joy!

I just got word that I may be able to be the building sub at the school where I did my student teaching. My mentor teacher called the district office and they said that the principal has to call to request me, then it's off to the D.O for procedure ( I imagine paperwork) and then I can actually WORK! and by work, I mean TEACH! YIPPEE. I want nothing more than to be back in a classroom. the place I called my home for a year.

Basically, I have signed up on sublists of private schools in the area (salem, gervais, stayton and woodburn) that is 8 to be exact and another one that I will work on getting on in salem so that will be 9 and maybe even 10 SOON!!. PRAYERS PLEASE!!

anywaaayyyy, i am off topic right now, but I have had no calls so far and it's been emotional to say the least. one day, i'm really hopeful, other days, i just want to give up and I cry and turn into a crazy person, then it's back to elated joy and things hopefully "looking up." bottom line, it's difficult to stay positive and motivated at such a hard time/transition in my life as well as the economy. My hope is that I will get on this building list and get work. I know the staff and I was told that they would be happy to request me to sub if they had the chance to. also, a couple of staff members have asked for me to sub. one was in the middle school ( and I did my teaching in the elementary wing) i think that says a lot. another was in the elementary wing and it's basically been them advocating for me to come and sub. Today I was informed by my first mentor teacher that it's possible to become a building sub for B.C. :) I am soooo excited and beyond happy :) Keep those prayers coming, folks. thank you for all your support too. I love you guys.

~Andi~

Think Teachers are Paid too much?

I've seen this before, but it never gets old:

Are you sick of highly paid teachers?

Teachers' hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It's time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - babysit! We can get that for less than minimum wage.

That's right. Let's give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan-- that equals 6 1/2 hours).

Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day...maybe 30? So that's $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.

However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations. LET'S SEE....

That's $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).

What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master's degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour.

That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year. Wait a minute -- there's something wrong here!

There sure is! The average teacher's salary (nation wide) is $50,000 (it's only $35,000 in Oregon, btw). $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours =

$1.42 per hour per student--a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!)

WHAT A DEAL!!!!