I can hardly believe I am writing this, but I am! I finished my first year of teaching! It was a wonderful year, full of challenges, new experiences, and wonderful memories. I'm so thankful for all the opportunities I've been given this year. I never would have thought last year at this time that I would be sitting on a couch in my own apartment reflecting on my first year of teaching in Arizona. But God works in amazing ways and he brought me a job and a wonderful roommate and amazing coworkers and a great group of kids to spend a year with. I've learned so much about teaching and about myself.
Packing up my classroom was a little sad; I'm going to miss going to school everyday! I really enjoy my job; I love waking up everyday to go to school and help my students learn about their world. There are mornings when I would rather be sleeping, but seeing the joy on a student's face when they finally understand something, or when they can answer multiplcation facts makes up for all late nights and early mornings :) I'm excited to have some time off for the summer though- it will be nice to relax for a bit and go back to Minnesota to visit everyone and get out of this heat :) I'm also looking forward to having some time to relax and do something like scrapbooking and reading books, just for fun :) Plus, with how hot it is here, the pool is always a good option! Hope all of your summers are starting off well :)
Friday, June 3, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Adventure #29: Ahhhh...Its All Done...Well Almost :)
Oh what a week! Last night was the long awaited musical, Aladdin Jr. The kids did an AMAZING job!!!! We put so much work into the sets and the costumes and the programs and the tickets and the kids worked so hard on their lines and dancing and singing. And it all came together and turned out wonderfully! I am so proud of all the kids... they did such an amazing job! Everyone was blown away by how well they did and how well everything turned out! I realized as I was driving home last night that I completely forgot to take any pictures! Hopefully I can find some from someone :)
And I just finished posting my last grades for the year! Its so crazy to think that the year is almost over! We have to go back for a day and a half next week and I still have to pack up my classroom, but its definitely winding down. It feels good to be almost done, but its so crazy at the same time. I can't believe I've almost made it through my first year of teaching. Its one of those things you know will happen eventually, but when it comes you can hardly believe its here! I feel like this year has flown by...so many things have happened and I've learned so much and grown so much! Its been an amazing year and I'm so thankful for all the people I've met and gotten to know and all the experiences I've had!
I'm sad for the school year to be over and for my kids to leave my classroom for the last time! They've become a part of my life and it will be strange not to see them everyday and hear their stories and see their smiling little faces. But I'm excited for the summer too and excited to see what God has in store for me next year! There are many more adventures to come and I can't wait to see what they will be :)
And I just finished posting my last grades for the year! Its so crazy to think that the year is almost over! We have to go back for a day and a half next week and I still have to pack up my classroom, but its definitely winding down. It feels good to be almost done, but its so crazy at the same time. I can't believe I've almost made it through my first year of teaching. Its one of those things you know will happen eventually, but when it comes you can hardly believe its here! I feel like this year has flown by...so many things have happened and I've learned so much and grown so much! Its been an amazing year and I'm so thankful for all the people I've met and gotten to know and all the experiences I've had!
I'm sad for the school year to be over and for my kids to leave my classroom for the last time! They've become a part of my life and it will be strange not to see them everyday and hear their stories and see their smiling little faces. But I'm excited for the summer too and excited to see what God has in store for me next year! There are many more adventures to come and I can't wait to see what they will be :)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Adventure #28: School Spirit Week
This week is School Spirit Week- the kids get to dress up everyday in different themes. I loved these days when I was little- and I still do!!
Monday: Crazy Color Day!!
Tuesday: Red, White, and Blue Day! My partner in crime was home sick today :( So no picture with her, but here are the super cool new wrist bands from Legacy Traditional School!!
Wednesday: Career Day! I already get to dress up for the career of my dreams everyday, so Ashley and I did a little brainstorming and decided that when we were 6 like our students, we always thought it would be really cool to be Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen! So that's exactly what we did :)
Thursday: Western Day! My favorite cowgirl- and the winner of the dress-up contest for the day :)
Friday: 80's day/Field day/Half-day!! It was a busy day- field day in the morning which meant chasing 24 1st graders from one side of the school to the other in the hot Arizona sun then wrapping it all up with a trip down the waterslide- no black eye this time thankfully! Then we had a little extra time since it was a half day so Ashley and I painted the townspeople booths for the musical :)
Monday: Crazy Color Day!!
Tuesday: Red, White, and Blue Day! My partner in crime was home sick today :( So no picture with her, but here are the super cool new wrist bands from Legacy Traditional School!!
Wednesday: Career Day! I already get to dress up for the career of my dreams everyday, so Ashley and I did a little brainstorming and decided that when we were 6 like our students, we always thought it would be really cool to be Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen! So that's exactly what we did :)
Thursday: Western Day! My favorite cowgirl- and the winner of the dress-up contest for the day :)
Friday: 80's day/Field day/Half-day!! It was a busy day- field day in the morning which meant chasing 24 1st graders from one side of the school to the other in the hot Arizona sun then wrapping it all up with a trip down the waterslide- no black eye this time thankfully! Then we had a little extra time since it was a half day so Ashley and I painted the townspeople booths for the musical :)
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Adventure #27: Aladdin Sets and Easter Pizza!
Number of meetings about the musical/set this week: 4
Number of 2 x 4's bought at Lowe's: 58
Number of screws, nuts and bolts bought: probably 100s
Number of cardboard tubes painted: 4
Number of backdrop frames constructed: 6
Number of staples put into canvas: probably 100s
Number of hours spent in a parent's garage and driveway builing a set: 8
Number of trips to Lowe's this weekend alone: 8
Having the backdrops ready to paint and lined up in the gym: priceless
It was a long weekend of set building! Ashley and I were a little concerned about how we were going to get the set together as we really had no idea how to do it. We do not have any power tools, or any idea how to use them and we had an idea of what we wanted to construct but no idea how to actually build it. But thankfully there are a few wonderful parents at our school who took their Friday night/Saturday to guide us. We built 6 beautiful frames that will be used as backdrops for our play. We are so proud of them and so happy with how they turned out! I'll have to take a picture of them now that we have canvas on them and they stand up nicely- they look awesome! It was a long weekend, but it was so worth it to have that weight lifted off our shoulders. One thing crossed off the checklist, only a couple 100 more to go :)
Happy Easter, by the way! It was a little bittersweet to celebrate it today. This is the first real holiday I have spent away from my family since moving down here and it was a little sad. I missed hanging out with my family eating and enjoying their company and of course watching (okay participating in) the Easter egg hunt and the hunt for Easter baskets on Sunday morning. But we made the best of it! Ashley made a wonderful homemade pizza and we decided to start our own traditions. This is the part of being a grown up that is a little scary and weird, but its good to! All a part of growing up! I hope you all had a wonderful day enjoying Easter with your family and remembering the wonderful gift Jesus gave us so many years ago when He died on the cross and then defeated death and the grave so we could be forgiven of our sins and spend eternity with Him in heaven!
Number of 2 x 4's bought at Lowe's: 58
Number of screws, nuts and bolts bought: probably 100s
Number of cardboard tubes painted: 4
Number of backdrop frames constructed: 6
Number of staples put into canvas: probably 100s
Number of hours spent in a parent's garage and driveway builing a set: 8
Number of trips to Lowe's this weekend alone: 8
Having the backdrops ready to paint and lined up in the gym: priceless
It was a long weekend of set building! Ashley and I were a little concerned about how we were going to get the set together as we really had no idea how to do it. We do not have any power tools, or any idea how to use them and we had an idea of what we wanted to construct but no idea how to actually build it. But thankfully there are a few wonderful parents at our school who took their Friday night/Saturday to guide us. We built 6 beautiful frames that will be used as backdrops for our play. We are so proud of them and so happy with how they turned out! I'll have to take a picture of them now that we have canvas on them and they stand up nicely- they look awesome! It was a long weekend, but it was so worth it to have that weight lifted off our shoulders. One thing crossed off the checklist, only a couple 100 more to go :)
Happy Easter, by the way! It was a little bittersweet to celebrate it today. This is the first real holiday I have spent away from my family since moving down here and it was a little sad. I missed hanging out with my family eating and enjoying their company and of course watching (okay participating in) the Easter egg hunt and the hunt for Easter baskets on Sunday morning. But we made the best of it! Ashley made a wonderful homemade pizza and we decided to start our own traditions. This is the part of being a grown up that is a little scary and weird, but its good to! All a part of growing up! I hope you all had a wonderful day enjoying Easter with your family and remembering the wonderful gift Jesus gave us so many years ago when He died on the cross and then defeated death and the grave so we could be forgiven of our sins and spend eternity with Him in heaven!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Adventure #26: The Things That Make Me Smile :)
This week was a good week. It went by quickly- they all do it seems like. The weather was goregous at the beginning of the week and has gotten a little chiller towards the end of the week, but its kind of nice to have a change. My kids were awesome, especially the second half of this week. They got their work done and did it quietly and the first time they were asked :) And as I thought about all this, I thought about all the things that have made me smile this week- some of them are big, some are little, but everyone has brought joy to my life. So I thought I'd share a glimpse with you!
Beautiful flowers delivered to school- causing some fascinating conversations with my kids :) Thanks Travis!
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My crazy, amazing roommate- who got ENGAGED on Tuesday! I'm so happy for her and Steve and a little sad that we don't get to be roommates any more, but trying not to think about that part and focus on the exciting parts- like helping plan her wedding :)
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Random conversations about life with my kids. Sometimes they come up and ask me the most random questions or just want to chat- I treasure these moments!
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Watching all my students sprawled out on the grass reading books with their fourth grade buddies. Listening to them laugh and enjoy the sun and a chance to do something a little bit different is something that never fails to bring a smile to my face!
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Having a sleepover with a friend. I'm 21 and have a job and an apartment and bills to pay, but there's nothing like a sleepover-hanging out with friends, eating good food, staying up late talking in bed about this that and the other thing! Becca- you're welcome anytime! :)
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Ice cream with two cuties. Joey is the son of one of our secretaries and we took his sister and Lexi and one of the other staff kid girls out for ice cream last week. Today was his turn and he and Reese kind of secretly like each other- it was adorable to watch them interact. And how can you not smile at an ice cream covered face :)
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Life isn't always wonderful. There are days where I am exhausted and have a million and a half things to do and a half hour to do them in. But when I stop and look around me, I am so blessed. I have a family and friends that love me. I have a job that I love going to everyday. I have a car and clothes and food. I see the sun shine almost everyday. So many things, big and small, that make me smile :)
Beautiful flowers delivered to school- causing some fascinating conversations with my kids :) Thanks Travis!
******************************************************************
My crazy, amazing roommate- who got ENGAGED on Tuesday! I'm so happy for her and Steve and a little sad that we don't get to be roommates any more, but trying not to think about that part and focus on the exciting parts- like helping plan her wedding :)
*******************************************************************
Random conversations about life with my kids. Sometimes they come up and ask me the most random questions or just want to chat- I treasure these moments!
******************************************************************
Watching all my students sprawled out on the grass reading books with their fourth grade buddies. Listening to them laugh and enjoy the sun and a chance to do something a little bit different is something that never fails to bring a smile to my face!
******************************************************************
Having a sleepover with a friend. I'm 21 and have a job and an apartment and bills to pay, but there's nothing like a sleepover-hanging out with friends, eating good food, staying up late talking in bed about this that and the other thing! Becca- you're welcome anytime! :)
*******************************************************************
Ice cream with two cuties. Joey is the son of one of our secretaries and we took his sister and Lexi and one of the other staff kid girls out for ice cream last week. Today was his turn and he and Reese kind of secretly like each other- it was adorable to watch them interact. And how can you not smile at an ice cream covered face :)
*******************************************************************
Life isn't always wonderful. There are days where I am exhausted and have a million and a half things to do and a half hour to do them in. But when I stop and look around me, I am so blessed. I have a family and friends that love me. I have a job that I love going to everyday. I have a car and clothes and food. I see the sun shine almost everyday. So many things, big and small, that make me smile :)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Adventure #25: The Reason I'm Doing This!
This morning I was pulling my kids homework out of their folders and I came across a note from one of my students. It said: "to Teacher: from: Jordan Thanks Miss Parkinson for teaching me times. Watch! 5x9=45 6x5=30"
The other day we learned how to multiply by 5! The kids were so excited- they feel so grown up being able to do their times facts. And it was so wonderful to see them being so excited. Its a simple thing, just being able to mulitply by 5, but it means so much to them. They feel so proud that they can do this.
And that's why I wanted to be a teacher; that's why I wake up incredibly early every morning to go teach them. To see the light in their ideas when they understand a new concept; to see the excited face of a kid who finally gets a hard problem they've been trying to master; to see the smile of a kid who just got 100% on their spelling test for the first time.
And all the days aren't always peachy. There are days when I come home exhausted and worn out from a long day of trying everything under the sun to get my kids to stop talking and listen for two minutes so I can teach them something. They fight with each other and whine and cry and it becomes a long and frustrating day sometimes.
But the little moments like the note in the homework folder, or my kids sprawled out all over the room reading books, or doing an art project with them, or laughing and playing on the playground. All those good moments outweigh the long days and frustrating times. And that is why I wake up every morning and go into work; those good moments are the reason I'm doing this :)
The other day we learned how to multiply by 5! The kids were so excited- they feel so grown up being able to do their times facts. And it was so wonderful to see them being so excited. Its a simple thing, just being able to mulitply by 5, but it means so much to them. They feel so proud that they can do this.
And that's why I wanted to be a teacher; that's why I wake up incredibly early every morning to go teach them. To see the light in their ideas when they understand a new concept; to see the excited face of a kid who finally gets a hard problem they've been trying to master; to see the smile of a kid who just got 100% on their spelling test for the first time.
And all the days aren't always peachy. There are days when I come home exhausted and worn out from a long day of trying everything under the sun to get my kids to stop talking and listen for two minutes so I can teach them something. They fight with each other and whine and cry and it becomes a long and frustrating day sometimes.
But the little moments like the note in the homework folder, or my kids sprawled out all over the room reading books, or doing an art project with them, or laughing and playing on the playground. All those good moments outweigh the long days and frustrating times. And that is why I wake up every morning and go into work; those good moments are the reason I'm doing this :)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Adventure #24: March Madness
I do not follow basketball closely at all, but somehow I find that this title is almost always fitting to this month! I cannot believe that this coming Friday will be the start of another month- I don't know where the weeks fly away to :) Anyway, here's what I've been up to!
The beginning of March was filled with looking forward to spring break and getting ready for student led conferences. Conferences were actually really fun to do; the spring conferences at our school are student led so I didn't have to do too much during the actual conference which was nice! Before conferences I put together portfolios of my students work throughout the year! During the conferences the kids took their parents on a tour of the room and then showed off their portfolio. It was so fun to see how proud they were of their room and of their work! It was amazing to see how far they have all come! I am so proud of each and every one of them and how far they have come so far this year! It is incredible to look back to the things we were doing at the beginning of the year compared to what we are working on now! At the beginning of the year my kids could barely write sentences or do addition facts and now they are writing stories and doing addition and subtraction and even multiplication facts! Its amazing to see how much they can grow in less than a year!
After conferences came spring break! I was very ready for a break from school and very ready to relax and spend some time by my pool! And while I did get to do a little of that, my spring break looked a little different than I expected. My grandpa, who we always called Boompa, passed away the Wednesday before break. He was diagnosed with cancer about a month before and declined really quickly. So instead of my family coming here to visit me as they had planned, we all flew down to Texas for the funeral and to help clean out the house. I was a little bummed that my family could not come here to see my apartment and classroom and everything, but I'm so thankful I was able to be there to support my dad and the rest of my family! It was wonderful to see my immediate family as well as many aunts and uncles and cousins I hadn't seen in a long time! It was sad to realize and think about the fact that both of my grandparents on that side are now gone, but I know that they are both in a better place now! They are reunited once again at the foot of our Lord Jesus and I am so thankful I can take peace and comfort in knowing that I will see them again someday!
All the "big" cousins at the funeral: Megan, Amy, Dianne,Sarah, Me, Janna, and Jonathan
The funeral was on Saturday and we took Sunday off and went to the beach with some of our cousins. It was fun to play in the sand and see the little kids enjoy the ocean! Then we spent several days cleaning out and organizing my grandparents house. Its amazing how much stuff you can collect over a lifetime :) I flew back to Arizona on Wednesday afternoon and the rest of my family left on Thursday driving my dad's new truck and a u-haul trailer full of treasures back to Minnesota. I was able to spend a few days by the pool and hanging out with friends here. I even went hiking with the Light girls one morning! All in all, although it wasn't the spring break I was expecting, it was still a good one!
Janna's adorable daughter Karys enjoying the beach for the first time!
The expert sandcastle builders: Megan, Jonathan, and his sweet little girl Jaydn.
Me and the hiking divas, Lexi and Reese, at Piccacho Peak
The first week back to school was a little rough. My kids seemed to have forgotten many of the routines and procedures in all their fun over spring break :) But it was still wonderful to see them again and to be back doing what I love to do! And by Friday I think my kids had things figured out again!
Ashley and I are busily making preparations for the Aladdin Jr. Musical our drama club is putting on the end of May. There seems to be something new to do popping up at least once a week, but it is coming together! Our drama kids are wonderful and I am looking forward to seeing what a wonderful job they will do!
I hope you are all doing well and that spring is starting to poke its head out for you :) I promise I will blog again soon...at least I will try my best! Love you all!
The beginning of March was filled with looking forward to spring break and getting ready for student led conferences. Conferences were actually really fun to do; the spring conferences at our school are student led so I didn't have to do too much during the actual conference which was nice! Before conferences I put together portfolios of my students work throughout the year! During the conferences the kids took their parents on a tour of the room and then showed off their portfolio. It was so fun to see how proud they were of their room and of their work! It was amazing to see how far they have all come! I am so proud of each and every one of them and how far they have come so far this year! It is incredible to look back to the things we were doing at the beginning of the year compared to what we are working on now! At the beginning of the year my kids could barely write sentences or do addition facts and now they are writing stories and doing addition and subtraction and even multiplication facts! Its amazing to see how much they can grow in less than a year!
After conferences came spring break! I was very ready for a break from school and very ready to relax and spend some time by my pool! And while I did get to do a little of that, my spring break looked a little different than I expected. My grandpa, who we always called Boompa, passed away the Wednesday before break. He was diagnosed with cancer about a month before and declined really quickly. So instead of my family coming here to visit me as they had planned, we all flew down to Texas for the funeral and to help clean out the house. I was a little bummed that my family could not come here to see my apartment and classroom and everything, but I'm so thankful I was able to be there to support my dad and the rest of my family! It was wonderful to see my immediate family as well as many aunts and uncles and cousins I hadn't seen in a long time! It was sad to realize and think about the fact that both of my grandparents on that side are now gone, but I know that they are both in a better place now! They are reunited once again at the foot of our Lord Jesus and I am so thankful I can take peace and comfort in knowing that I will see them again someday!
All the "big" cousins at the funeral: Megan, Amy, Dianne,Sarah, Me, Janna, and JonathanThe funeral was on Saturday and we took Sunday off and went to the beach with some of our cousins. It was fun to play in the sand and see the little kids enjoy the ocean! Then we spent several days cleaning out and organizing my grandparents house. Its amazing how much stuff you can collect over a lifetime :) I flew back to Arizona on Wednesday afternoon and the rest of my family left on Thursday driving my dad's new truck and a u-haul trailer full of treasures back to Minnesota. I was able to spend a few days by the pool and hanging out with friends here. I even went hiking with the Light girls one morning! All in all, although it wasn't the spring break I was expecting, it was still a good one!
Janna's adorable daughter Karys enjoying the beach for the first time!
The expert sandcastle builders: Megan, Jonathan, and his sweet little girl Jaydn.
Me and the hiking divas, Lexi and Reese, at Piccacho Peak The first week back to school was a little rough. My kids seemed to have forgotten many of the routines and procedures in all their fun over spring break :) But it was still wonderful to see them again and to be back doing what I love to do! And by Friday I think my kids had things figured out again!
Ashley and I are busily making preparations for the Aladdin Jr. Musical our drama club is putting on the end of May. There seems to be something new to do popping up at least once a week, but it is coming together! Our drama kids are wonderful and I am looking forward to seeing what a wonderful job they will do!
I hope you are all doing well and that spring is starting to poke its head out for you :) I promise I will blog again soon...at least I will try my best! Love you all!
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