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!