Update on Life!

I realize that I haven’t been able to write in quite a while. As you may have guessed, I have been rather busy here in Phoenix. I have spent the last four weeks teaching first graders in South Phoenix. I have been very busy with tons of lesson planning…all of which is literally backwards from the way that I have always lesson planned. While I was a little taken aback by having to write lessons in this format, I realize now that this has greatly helped me in my approach to mastery of subject objectives. This has greatly helped me to focus on the end progress I want my students to make out of every lesson and plan purposefully to ensure my students have the best choice of gaining mastery over what I am teaching them.

I feel that I have been challenged in more ways that I can count here. First of all there is the blasted heat. All of those that told me that it is “dry” clearly haven’t had to truck their bottom across ASU’s campus for sessions. I am so not “dry” when I get to my destination! And I never thought I would hear myself say “Oh, it wasn’t too bad today. It was only 108.” Really!?!? Only 108 degrees?!?! My grandma Pat laughed as I told her this.

Another challenge has been sharing a classroom with 3 other corp members but luckily I had an awesome collaborative group to share this experience with. Shout out to Scott, Audrey and Hannah. I honestly wasn’t looking forward to teaching with three other people but it turned out to be a great experience where I greatly had to increase my collaboration and communication skills…our students success was a direct link to this. I have always known that collaboration is key as a special education teacher. I mean, I have done tons of this during my student teaching. But it is a whole new ball game with four direct teachers working in the same classroom.

And the last one I will mention is being away from home. So far away. It is almost hard to believe that I have been out here almost a month and a half. There have been times when it has dragged on slower than molasses but also times when I can’t believe how fast the day or week has gone. I miss my friends and family so much but on the same token I really think this is something that I should do for myself and more importantly for my students. I will do my best to visit home as much as possible but I think that some friends and family also plan on coming out here J.

I was able to go to the Grand Canyon this past weekend and it was so much fun! I never thought that I would be so in awe of a giant hole in the ground. But it is in fact so much more than that. When I walked up to the ledge and looked over the canyon the first time, it took my breath away. The colors and depth were incredible. Better than what I could have imagined. I hiked the South Rim with a few friends. I even was a little daring and climbed down further from the walkway and dangled my feet over the edge. I would say don’t tell my Mom but she already knows… Hahaha! I am so glad I went there and I look forward to going back to hike a different area and possibly even raft the Colorado River!

Today is actually my last day of summer school teaching. I start training for my school tomorrow! Woohoo! I am super ready to start having instruction and training on things that are specific to my school and my students. I also have full time training for the following two weeks and then students start on August 1^st! Whoa it is hard to believe it is finally here! I have been working so hard for the last 5 years to reach this point. I am looking forward to setting up my classroom and making it feel like the warm, welcoming classroom community I want it to be.

My parents are currently on their way to AZ! I am so pumped for them to be here! They are going to help me get all settled in my new apartment. Which by the way I am really excited about- I am living with Kristi and I am beyond excited and looking forward to this!

I am planning on adding more posts to my blog but I am still going to be super busy. But I want to make sure all of you stay up to date with my live out here!

As always, please keep the prayers coming my way for guidance, peace, energy and dedication to my cause. I love you all!

In Phoenix

I flew into Phoenix this past Monday and have survived my first week!

I was able to visit my new school and classroom on Monday. It was such an incredible feeling walking into my first classroom. MY CLASSROOM. I am so excited to decorate and have it feel comfy. But more importantly, I am looking forward to the little kiddos coming in to create our classroom community. The school campus is adorable and I am in the Hummingbird Building...I mean, how cute is that!?!?!? I signed my contract yesterday and it was such a surreal moment. Finally this is here! Finally it is MY classroom.

TFA is great. There is such a phenomenal group of people here who are dedicated to bridging the achievement gap that is present in our education system. This is truly a group that will do great things.

I am enjoying the Phoenix area. It is pretty hot here and lots of sun. But no worries, it is a dry heat! Haha but when you are hoofing it across campus you still break a sweat!
I am looking for an apartment and hope to find something small and affordable that is a good part of town. Keep saying prayers for me. I miss home, family and friends like crazy but I am so thankful that I have been given this opportunity.
I hope to write more soon. But I am super tired after a long, but great week. Thanks again to all of you for your support and prayers. I am so thankful for all of you :)

One more week until takeoff!

It is only one more week until I take off on a jet plane to AZ. It is kinda funny how it was only 6 months ago that I found out I was accepted into the program and placed in Phoenix. I felt like it would take forever for this to get here, but time sure did zoom by and here I am. This is my last week of student teaching. I have my last undergrad class tomorrow. More goodbyes.

Which by the way, I'm not very good at saying goodbye to people. I've been on quite the rollercoaster of emotions these last few weeks as I prepare to move.
I went to the graduation ceremony of a very close friend last Friday and as I was about to leave, it really hit both of us. We realized this was the last time we would see each other for who knows how long, the tears began. We have been close friends for the last 4 years and lived across from each other for the last year. But we both knew that we need to be excited for the adventures to come and remember that a friendship like ours is the kind that lasts. So while we will be miles apart, that is ok because when we do see each other, it will be that much sweeter.

On to some much more cheerful news!!! I was notified through TFA that an elementary school had reviewed my resume and wanted me to submit the online application and possibly I would get an interview. I applied...which took 2 and a half hours! I got a phone call from the principal at Desert Garden Elementary school in Glendale, AZ (which is a few miles outside Phoenix) and she offered me a position as a K-3 cross-categorical Special Education teacher!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
I am so excited for this! I will finally have my own classroom! From the sounds of it, I will have a pretty nice classroom (with its own bathroom!!!) and I will even have a Smartboard. Which this is something I am really excited about because I have learned how to make lessons for the Smartboard. If you aren't aware of what this is, thats ok. A Smartboard in an interactive whiteboard that is run through a computer. I can create all sorts of activities and such for my students to learn. Coolest thing ever! I'm so happy I will be teaching the little ones too! I have tons of books for little kids. Oh and I have this neat idea of having small reading bins around the classroom that contain a book and a character from the book (so like a stuffed caterpillar for the Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar book).
Plus I have all sorts of adorable classroom decorations that will be perfect for little kiddos! Woohoo am I excited to decorate and set up the classroom!
And since I know where I will be teaching I can start looking for apartments in the area. I am getting all of my stuff sorted and ready to move. Just like my classroom, I am looking forward to decorating my new place. I just got an adorable new bed set! Hahahaha oh the little things that put a smile on my face.

I will keep all of you updated as much as possible. Keep the prayers coming as well :)  

A few more weeks....

Hello everyone!
I have my flight booked and I will be leaving for AZ on June 6th! My super awesome Grandma is also going out there and will help me get to where I need to go. I am so excited but I am also growing more and more nervous about this transition in my life.
This is my last night in my apartment at Grand Valley. It is a bittersweet feeling. I am ready for the next adventure in my life but this has also been my home for the last 5 years. This is the closing of one chapter of my life and beginning of a new one. It is hard to think that me and my closest friends will not be coming back in the fall for training. It is weird not being a RA anymore or working at the front desk. But all good things must come to an end I suppose. I will hold dearly all of the memories I made with the amazing people I met at GV and all of the opportunities I was given.
So now I am finishing up my last two weeks of student teaching...and of course tackling those last few projects and assignments I have for my last undergrad class. I am trying to keep only positive thoughts as I transition to the next phase of my life and take on my new adventure. While there may be times when I feel a little overwhelmed or unsure, I know that my God will provide and I trust the plan he has for my life.
Thanks again for following my blog and my experience :)

Closer and Closer

I received my scores for the last certification test I took and I PASSED!!! So in the last year I have taken and passed all five required for my certification and to teaching in MI and AZ. It feels so great to have all of those done. One less thing to worry about.
I also finished and submitted my portfolio for my Structured English Immersion class. I just received my certificate in the mail. Check. One more thing off of my list.
I have graduation this coming week. I get to celebrate becoming teachers with all of the other people from the education program through the College of Education commencement ceremony. I am most excited for this ceremony because this is a special opportunity for me to share this special accomplishment with those that have been through the program from the very beginning with me. I also have the large commencement ceremony next Saturday. This will be such a big event because there will be over a 1,000 graduates that day!
God has blessed me so much with the experiences I have had while in college and with the incredible people he has brought into my life.
While I have mixed emotions about graduating and going into the "real world", I am so pumped for the adventure I have coming up. It will be difficult to leave Grand Valley and all those that I met there. It is a closing of a chapter in which I was active in campus life and organizations, worked at the desk and was a resident assistant. But even though I will be leaving so much behind, I have so much to look forward to...a new place to live in a new state, being the teacher in the classroom, new friends, new experiences, and a new way of living. Yes, I really have so much to look forward to.

While I have some anxiety about getting all of my stuff out to AZ, finding an apartment and figuring out what school and grade I will be teaching at, I have complete confidence that God will take care of everything and I just need to enjoy the ride. I am so lucky to have Him as my Savior!

A few steps closer....

Hello friends!
It has obviously been a little while since I have posted anything. I have a couple of pieces of good news/updates for all of you.
I took the Michigan Cognitive Impairments certification test the beginning of January. I found out this past Monday that I PASSED it!!! This was my final certification test needed for the state of Michigan and Grand Valley to receive my diploma and teaching certificate. What a relief to have that done!
For the state of Arizona I have to take a few national certification tests in order to teach. I took the national Special Education test about a month ago and found out on Tuesday that I PASSED that one as well! I had to get at least a 145/200 on the test to pass and I ended up scoring 187/200! God really was sitting right there with me when I took that test. I certainly couldn't have done it without him.
I have one more certification test to take, which is the national Elementary Education test. I take that on March 12th. Prayers for this would be greatly appreciated!
I find myself growing more and more anxious for graduation and beginning my career as a teacher. This is something that I have worked for hard for.  Thankfully things seem to be falling into place for this next journey :)
I am very happy you have chosen to follow me as I prepare and embark on this incredible opportunity. As always, prayers are greatly appreciated!

The adventure!

This is officially my first blog post...pretty excited about it! I am however even more excited about the adventure I will be sharing with you all.

I have been accepted into the Teach for America program and will be moving to Phoenix, Arizona in June 2011. I would like to give you a little insight into the program. This is a prestigious organization that picks top recent college graduates to go into the areas of greatest need in the United States. In these areas, there is an achievement gap present in the schools. An achievement gap that has been created due to the inequity present in our current school systems and society. The education that a child receives is determined by their race/ethnicity and where they are born. Basically, if a child is of a minority group and born in a low-income area, our society has deemed them undeserving of a quality education compared to students in high-income communities.

This is where TFA and the corp members come in. We go into these areas of need and give our students the greatest education we can. They deserve a great education that helps them reach their highest potential, even if the school may not have the funds that other well-funded schools have.

Overall, I believe that all children can learn and deserve the greatest education available in this great nation. It doesn't matter where they were born or what race/ethnic group they identify with. Each and every child deserves to learn in a safe and welcoming environment, be a member of a learning community, be treasured for who they are, be challenged to reach high goals, and loved as an individual.

This is why I teach and this is why I am proud to say that I am now a part of an organization that treasures the importance of education and bridging the achievement gap as much as I do.

Please go to the Teach for America website to read more about the movement: www.teachforamerica.org

I am so excited to embark on this adventure that has been given to me. While there are nervous feelings mixed in with the excited feelings, I am trusting that God has called me to this area and this is all a part of the plan he has for my life. Therefore I will approach this adventure with open arms and an open heart willing to be his hands and feet in this world.

I am happy you are willing to follow my adventure. I would love any comments you have. And more importantly I ask for prayers. Prayers for guidance, trust, patience and an open-mind. Prayers for friends and family I am moving away from. Prayers for my fellow corp members and my students.

Get ready for the adventure!!! :) :) :)