Happy 2012
Students and Friends!
Be safe and healthy and keep on reading.
Breath in, Breath out, Move on
And that is just want I did, moved on to 4th Grade at Hanna Ranch Elementary. 24 energetic boys, 8 smart girls. My tolerance for noise just went up but enjoying the energy and teaching them what it's like to respect one another. We are a "Bully Free Zone" and a "Learners Only Classroom". I can thank my time as a substitute teacher, in so many different schools, which taught me to be a better teacher. Field trips, guest speakers and learning from each other is just the start of a big and bold new year. Bring it on 4th graders!
Summertime and the feelin' is easy...
So the song goes. Trying to enjoy it but life has ways of reminding you that there are things to do. So I'm trying to do it all. Looking forward to a few beach days, hiking the Marin open space and getting back to teaching in August.
Three of my third graders emailed me this Summer. I promised I would email them back, which I did but by now I'm sure they are out playing soccer, swimming and hopefully reading. Challenging, interesting and educational are the three words I would use to describe this school year. My first graders were so smart and they remember "everything" just as my third graders do. They call me "teacher". If we could all just hang onto that 6 year old energy and enthusiasm, this world would be a better place. There is not a day that goes by that I don't smile and laugh with my students. I have yet to wake up and
not want to go to work, this I am very fortunate to say.
I'm a teacher. Here's how it all happened:
I'll try to make this short...I was laid off for the first time in my life on Friday, April 3, 2009, from a long career in advertising. Shocking, I know, to get laid off from an advertising position in this economy. A blessing in disguise? Absolutely. So another chapter of my life has begun and its a good one. A teacher, married to a wonderfully supportive man with a great family, living in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Spring Already
Can't believe its Springtime. You'd never know it by all the rain. If my third graders can't play at recess I think we will all go nuts. Looking forward to getting past their state testing in May and visiting Green Gulch Zen Center with the entire class. I have introduced a little bit of yoga into my class and of course they can't get enough "om" . I have some great writers and artists in my class. Oh yes, and then there are the soccer players.
Feb. 2011
Just said good-bye to a great group of first graders that I spent the last four months teaching. It was challenging, fun and most of all rewarding. I look forward to my next class but I will be wondering how James and Ellyn are doing. I'll be thinking about Ella and Miles and Annalisa and Sam. This list goes on. I will be thinking about all of them and as they will be in my hearts forever. I came into this long-term sub position knowing that the teacher will be back but secretly I was hoping "maybe not". She came back and I wish her all the best as I do for all of the students.
Nov. 2010
Wow, I'm teaching first grade in Novato. So far its a long term sub position which may or may not end right before Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the experience and will make the teacher transition as easy for the students as possible. I've grown attached to all of their little personalities but am focusing on what I need to do to teach them the first part of first grade. The first grade team of teachers are amazing and I have learned so much from them. They will be etched in my mind for years to come. Off to Huntington Beach for sun, surf and turkey for Thanksgiving.
August 2010
Back from Alaska, a much deserved adventure and a great time with family.
A week goes by, I get a call on Monday, set up a classroom on Tuesday and started teaching on Wednesday. It' was great teaching experience in Petaluma, CA but unfortunately it was only a temporary teaching assignment. I taught like it was "my" class because that is the only way I know how. Tried not to get too attached but if you know me like I know me, I still wonder how the second graders are doing.
June
2010 Completed my student teaching, graduated, substituted
for the past 2 months and can now say "I am a teacher." It took a long
time and a super long path but I am here, where I want to me. I am now searching and applying, keeping my
chin and while mentally preparing for my first job in the field of education, wherever that may be.
My favorite people in the whole world
(L to R: Brother, sis-in-law, me, husband)
Here's how it all started
May
2009 ~ Moving forward,I had
made the decision to go back to school to get my K-6 Teaching
Credential. With 2 months of studying, I passed the CSET, the CA
Subject Exam for Teachers. From the look of the test, you'd think that I
was going to teach college students. From algebraic equations to the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, I studied for two months and didn't feel
confident about the July 18th test date but as it turned out I
passed. I started school that summer at Dominican University in San
Rafael, CA. First class: English Language Development. Good class,
pregnant instructor.
August 24th 2009 I
started my first of two full time semesters. 4 classes per week with 12
hours a week (Mon-Tues-Wed 8am-noon) of student observation in Mrs.
Jensen's second grade classroom ~ Valley Vista Elementary School. in
Petaluma, CA. Observing is not the word here, it has been trial by
fire, as Mrs. Jensen has asked me to help lead a group of 16 second
graders in writing and reading projects. The kids are great and I am
completely loving it. Can you say e-x-h-a-u-s-t-i-n-g, and this is just
the beginning. I'm sure I will get use to it (I have.) Did I mention how much Sandra Larsen taught me? Another amazing teacher that I learned so much from.
January 2010...Student teaching full time
with a great bunch of second graders. This hands on experience is what
all new teacher need. I have taken over lessons most days and will be
student teaching solo starting in February. I know they like me by all
the birthday cards they made for me and hugs that I get everyday. I am
teaching them just as much as they are teaching me. Nine weeks of
second grade than six weeks in sixth grade coming soon.
March
2010... Just completed 12 weeks in second grade (that's
twenty-two 7 and 8 year olds), collaborated with other teachers,
implemented instruction, managed the classroom, teaching the children
and loving every minute of it. I start my day by teaching them the
pledge in sign language, of course, I had to learn it first. The
students taught me just as much as I taught them and I am forever grateful. Now, its on to six-weeks of 6th grade. Getting 27 students
ready for middle school was not an easy task but I loved it, them, the whole experience. I will never forget students like Brandon, Brenda, Tania and James or Mrs. D. who taught be to take control. "You aren't here to entertain, you are here to teach" she told me.
My past professional life had been in advertising, communications, creative services, relationship building and selling my products & services. Keeping my clients up to date with current industry news and information has also been a big part of my professional career. I have experience with trade shows, sales or all kinds as well as presenting my ideas and products to large groups of buyers. I have worked with Nordstrom and Macy to mom & pop shops in small town America to small and large advertising agencies around the country. It was all good but was time to move on.
I am glad to have had the experience in the business world and hopefully this will help me in my golden years when we open our cute little B&B somewhere along the west coast, high in the mountains, overlooking the desert. :)
I hope you enjoy reading about me. In addition, my hobbies include photography, knitting, yoga, hiking, traveling, wine tasting, reading and first and foremost, my family.
Updated January 2, 2012
