They say good things come to those who wait!! I got a First Grade teaching position at Telesis Preparatory Academy! I am signing my contract on Thursday, and get to start working in my room!! I have been so richly blessed, especially as of late. It seems like the Lord never stops blessing me! I am in no way complaining, I just hope I keep up on my end! Pictures of my room will follow as soon as I get all set up! Thank you to everyone who has always had faith in me. To everyone who encouraged me, and told me to never give up. I have been blessed with amazing family, and friends! I know there are a lot of people who are still searching for jobs, all I can say is that when it comes you realize it was worth the wait!!Wednesday, July 29, 2009
First Grade!
They say good things come to those who wait!! I got a First Grade teaching position at Telesis Preparatory Academy! I am signing my contract on Thursday, and get to start working in my room!! I have been so richly blessed, especially as of late. It seems like the Lord never stops blessing me! I am in no way complaining, I just hope I keep up on my end! Pictures of my room will follow as soon as I get all set up! Thank you to everyone who has always had faith in me. To everyone who encouraged me, and told me to never give up. I have been blessed with amazing family, and friends! I know there are a lot of people who are still searching for jobs, all I can say is that when it comes you realize it was worth the wait!!
WICKED AWESOME!!!
Yes! That's right! I went to see WICKED! It was AMAZING!!!! I have never seen anything so cool in my LIFE! I had never seen a professional production before, and it took my breath away! The cast was incredible. I was awe struck by their voices and the clarity and feeling of the whole show! I will definitely go again someday, and I would recommend it to ALL!
Mesa and Baby Paxton!!
Whilest in Mesa, Pam and I decided to have a photo shoot with Lil' Paxton. He is the CUTEST thing!! We had a lot of fun!!
I also had a great time going to Allison's bridal shower, but I have been forbidden to post any pictures, so I guess you just have you use your imagination!!
I Love to See the Temple....
I went to the temple on July 11, 2009. I can't even begin to express my love for the temple. Not only are the blessings and opportunities incredible, but being inside the temple is the most peaceful feeling there is. I have heard this statement said many times throughout my life, and while I was in the temple I kept waiting for this overwhelming feeling to come, and then I realized...."Hey, this is IT!" I love the way you are completely taken out of the world. Your mind dwells on peace, love, calmness and serenity. I have never loved any place as much as I love the temple.
I was blessed to have family and friends attend my endowment session. It was a truly memorable day!
I was blessed to have family and friends attend my endowment session. It was a truly memorable day!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
NAU Graduation!
Graduation was INCREDIBLE!!! I had decided A LONG time ago that I wasn't going to walk. But luckily, I know some AMAZING people who encouraged me to go ahead and do it and I couldn't be happier!!! It was such an awesome experience! I got to see great friends, and experience something that really is quite a big deal. I don't think I give myself enough credit for what I have accomplished and I really should! The feeling is indescribable!! I am so blessed to have 2 amazing sisters who spent Friday and Saturday with me in Flag, and we had a blast. I don't take enough time to tell my sisters how much they mean to me and I really should! We are very lucky to have each other! I will never forget the sacrifices they made to be with me. It meant the world to me to have them there!!
I also had 2 very special people come up just for me and my graduation. The Openshaws! They are as close to family as you can get without being related! They will never truly know how much it meant to me to have them there! Brother and Sister Openshaw have truly been like another set of parents to me and I couldn't have been any prouder than to share my graduation with them!
I also got to see some super amazing people that I have the privilege to meet, both at EAC and NAU!
Courtney Bond
Olivia
Adrianna Curtis Willis
Diana Pacheco
Renee Gallegos
Emma Purdue and Danielle Washburn
Desiree Villalobos Layton
Student Teaching
Since I last posted a LOT has happened. I finished my student teaching!! Woo-hoo!! It was one of the most difficult, but most rewarding things I have ever done. It was worth the hardwork, the hearth ache, the trauma, the germs, the confusion, the stress, the feelings of inadequacy but most of all the end result which was gaining amazing friendships with amazing people, and falling in love with 20 third graders!
The Cake
My kids threw me a surprise party on my last day (Friday May 8, 2009) They made me banners and brought in goodies and gave me the cutest canvas bag that had all their hand prints and names on it! I love it!!
After school Mrs. Page had me walk with her to the lounge. I was kinda confused but I went with it. She called Mary (the school secretary) to make "the announcement." Mary got on the loud speaker and said, "I would like to remind everyone today is Kaighty's last day of student teaching. We welcome you all to the lounge to celebrate." It was so unexpected and so awesome!! I got SO much stuff!! It was incredible! I can't wait to get a classroom and go to town decorating. They also got me an awesome cake!!
I cannot find adequate enough words to describe what the last 4 months have meant to me. I have grown and learned SO much. I may not have originally liked my situation, but persistence proved to be key. I am so blessed to have worked with Mrs. Page, and the great staff at Blake Primary School. It was an incredible journey and I am forever grateful that I was able to complete it in my home town! Thank you to everyone involved! You are marvelous!!
The Cake
Mrs. Tammy Page
Mrs. Janet Carlson
Monday, February 23, 2009
I did it!!
I PASSED THE AEPA!!! Woooo-hooooo!!! I am sooooooo thankful it is over! Thank you to everyone who believed in me and supported me!! I know I didn't do it alone! A LOT of praying went into this endeavor and I am so grateful I accomplished my goal!!! For all of you who are wondering what the AEPA is...it is the Arizona Educators Proficiency Assessment. Which means after I graduate and send my papers into the state I will be a full fledged teacher!!! It is a HUGE accomplishment and I am more than STOKED!!! YEAH!!!!!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Can You See Friday Yet?
This is a picture I received from Becca a while back. I put it as my desktop background on my school computer and the kids just love it! And so do I!! It's awesome because she LOVES giraffes, and I LOVE zebras, and teachers LOVE the sanctuary of Friday!!!
February 16-20, 2009
This week I have really come into my own. I am using skills I have learned, and seeking advice when I need it. Confidence is one of the greatest tools I have. I am enjoying planning all day (except for writing) and really feeling like the class is my own. There can be times when I think I might like to do things a little differently and I tuck those ideas away for my future classroom. I am becoming well acquainted with the staff and school and am loving the freedom it gives me. I am learning to find a balance between serious teacher talk, and candid talks with the students. It is helping the class run more smoothly.
What I have learned this week:
It is important for students to know what really matters. This allows them to not stress about trivial things. I am learning that the classroom should be a place for joyful learning. We don't always have to be absolutely quiet and uptight. Children learn better when they are relaxed and feel safe and accepted. As I give the students more respect and consideration they give the same to me. I have really enjoyed learning about each and every student. Each one has something to bring to the class. Their personalities have brightened my life and I am learning to take something from every experience. Up to this point I have been teaching with my head, and this week I realized that I need to teach with my head AND my heart. I am continually amazed at just how much I am taking from this experience. It is awesome!
Kaighty
What I have learned this week:
It is important for students to know what really matters. This allows them to not stress about trivial things. I am learning that the classroom should be a place for joyful learning. We don't always have to be absolutely quiet and uptight. Children learn better when they are relaxed and feel safe and accepted. As I give the students more respect and consideration they give the same to me. I have really enjoyed learning about each and every student. Each one has something to bring to the class. Their personalities have brightened my life and I am learning to take something from every experience. Up to this point I have been teaching with my head, and this week I realized that I need to teach with my head AND my heart. I am continually amazed at just how much I am taking from this experience. It is awesome!
Kaighty
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Student Teaching
I kow I haven't update in a VERY long time. I think it is about time I give some reflection on my student teaching. It has been challenging and amazing all at the same time. I have been keeping a weekly journal for NAU and I am going to share it with you here!
January 12-16, 2009
I have had a great week. I am so enjoying getting to know the children. Observing the students has given me a very unique perspective. I am able tosee the inner workings of the classroom. I have to luxury of noticing whomight be an instigator, who needs a little more help and who needs a gentle push in the right direction. I have enjoyed helping Mrs. Page with classroom maintenance. I am becoming familiar with her computerized grade book as well as attendance, lunch policies, and classroom routines, procedures andschedules. This week I have been able to read to the students from their read aloud book after lunch recess. The students get so excited and enthralled with the story; they always want “one more chapter”. I have enjoyed planning my lessons for reading for the week. I am very grateful toMrs. Page she has been an amazing guide. At first I was nervous to just jump in, but she held my hand through the first couple of ideas and let me go. I have enjoyed bouncing ideas back and forth and am looking forward to teaching reading next week.
What I learned this week:
Student teaching thus far has been a great experience. I have learned a lotabout myself as well as navigating around a school as a teacher. I havestarted reading aloud to the class, and have learned that the studentsreally enjoy that. Inflection is a big part of reading aloud and drawing thestudents’ attention. At first I was nervous because I haven’t read aloud ina while, but I found my rhythm rather quickly. I have also learned thatteaching is a journey and experience, and no matter if you are a brand newteacher, or a veteran teacher, it is awesome to share ideas. During myplanning of my reading lesson (I am teaching context clues) I asked Mrs.Page if she had an overhead of the story so that I could model for thestudents how we might look for context clues. She really liked my idea andit made me feel like I really have something to bring to the table. I thinkthe most important thing I learned this week is that I am prepared, and Ishouldn’t be afraid to be creative, I just have to have confidence.
January 20-23, 2009
This was my first week actually teaching. I taught whole group reading inthe afternoons following lunch and recess. I had a difficult first day. Mrs.Page was out of town due to her son having a Dr.'s appt. so I was in theclassroom with a sub. I can see that the students not only act verydifferently when a sub is in the room, but also have a hard time adjustingafter a long weekend. My second day of teaching was MUCH better. I haveenjoyed very much teaching the students. The week has been very successful.I have been a bit stressed as this is my first week to teach; I have beenstudying for the AEPA and am taking both the professional knowledge andsubject knowledge tests tomorrow. I have also been busy working on my 7 steplesson plan for your upcoming visit, and working on ideas for my task streamassignment. It has been hectic!What I learned this week:
Most of the time when kids misbehave it has nothing to do with theteacher. I have learned that I will never know exactly what a student isdealing with at home, and I can never judge their attitude based solely onwhat happens at school. Students for the most part want structure anddiscipline. I have learned that there will sometimes be students who makeyou want to pull out your hair, but as long as you are consistent, fair, andhave their best interest at heart they will come around. I have learned thatalthough you may have a bad day, you get back up on the horse, and the nextday can't be nearly as bad as the day before. I am really enjoying coming upwith ideas and activities to do with the students. My first week I was verynervous about making my lesson plans and felt that my ideas weren't going towork, but this week has showed me that I do have good ideas and there willbe times when what you plan doesn't work, but you just modify and try itagain, or in a different way.
January 26-28, 2009
This week has been challenging. I have been sick with a cold so I have dealt with losing my voice and my hearing hasn’t been as keen as usual. I have enjoyed taking on another subject. It allows me to spend more time in front of the kids and they are starting to see me more as one of their teachers. I get frustrated sometimes because I feel like I am not being as effective as I would like to be. I think I am being a little too hard on myself and I think my sickness has something to do with it. I have felt like I need to run everything past Mrs. Page, but have come to realize that I need to just go with my gut and she will let me know if I need to change or fix something.
What I learned this week:
I have learned that sometimes it is important to just take the reins and run with it. I have relied on Mrs. Page to help me with ideas, but I am realizing that this is my time to come up with ideas. I am also learning that over planning is good, but there are going to be a lot of times that I can’t get to everything in a day and I need to not beat myself up about it. Time management will need to be the next thing I really focus on. I am starting to gain more respect from the students, and as long as I stay consistent they are responding to me in a positive way. It is sometimes hard for me to be “mean" but as several teachers have told me it is important for the student to have structure and become familiar with procedures and respect for others.
February 2-6, 2009
This week has been AMAZING!! I have been really wondering if teaching is what I want to do, and this week reminded me what I have been working for, for so long. I had some lessons that I was really excited about, and really good participation from the kids. They are finally starting to see me as a teacher, their teacher. So I have a lot more authority and acceptance now. I have loved coming to school everyday and making lesson plans, handouts and worksheets. I am realizing that even though at times it is difficult I really do love it. I have a renewed excitement and a new exuberance. It’s been a great week!
What I learned this week:
Parent teacher conferences really aren’t that scary!! This was a shock to me. I anticipated things going badly with at least some parents, but we had 18 out of 19 parents show up and it was awesome! I love teaching! I “knew” I loved it, but I have never taught close to all day everyday. I am amazed at the feeling I get when I teach! It is incredible! I really feel as though I am making an impact. I love when Mrs. Page gets excited about my ideas. It makes me feel like a legitimate teacher. She values what I do and that makes me feel like I am growing ten fold. It has been a week of adventure and discovery!
February 9-13, 2009
This week was one to test my patience. I am realizing that the students react directly to my mood, volume and demeanor. It is incredible how changing just one thing makes the class behave different. This week I have taken over math which leaves only 2 subjects left for me to take on. I I have come to realize that week long lesson plans for so many subjects can sometimes be easier to plan for. It helps me allot time for each and every topic, so I know just how much time I need for each. I love teaching math! The kids have really been into it as well. It is such a hands on subject and the kids really get involved. It's been great.
What I learned this week:
A full moon and or air pressures make or break your kids! It is a crazy phenomenon, but it is REALLY happens! This week I was blessed with encountering both things at once! That made the week....LOUD! I have learned that you will never get the kids to "stop talking" you must DIRECT their talking. "Turn to your shoulder buddy and tell them what line of symmetry means." This allows the students to get talk, but it is useful and increases learning. I have learned that if I want the volume of the kids to go down I must speak softer. I set the tone, they follow. It has been an awesome week of learning and testing myself. Bring on the rest!
January 12-16, 2009
I have had a great week. I am so enjoying getting to know the children. Observing the students has given me a very unique perspective. I am able tosee the inner workings of the classroom. I have to luxury of noticing whomight be an instigator, who needs a little more help and who needs a gentle push in the right direction. I have enjoyed helping Mrs. Page with classroom maintenance. I am becoming familiar with her computerized grade book as well as attendance, lunch policies, and classroom routines, procedures andschedules. This week I have been able to read to the students from their read aloud book after lunch recess. The students get so excited and enthralled with the story; they always want “one more chapter”. I have enjoyed planning my lessons for reading for the week. I am very grateful toMrs. Page she has been an amazing guide. At first I was nervous to just jump in, but she held my hand through the first couple of ideas and let me go. I have enjoyed bouncing ideas back and forth and am looking forward to teaching reading next week.
What I learned this week:
Student teaching thus far has been a great experience. I have learned a lotabout myself as well as navigating around a school as a teacher. I havestarted reading aloud to the class, and have learned that the studentsreally enjoy that. Inflection is a big part of reading aloud and drawing thestudents’ attention. At first I was nervous because I haven’t read aloud ina while, but I found my rhythm rather quickly. I have also learned thatteaching is a journey and experience, and no matter if you are a brand newteacher, or a veteran teacher, it is awesome to share ideas. During myplanning of my reading lesson (I am teaching context clues) I asked Mrs.Page if she had an overhead of the story so that I could model for thestudents how we might look for context clues. She really liked my idea andit made me feel like I really have something to bring to the table. I thinkthe most important thing I learned this week is that I am prepared, and Ishouldn’t be afraid to be creative, I just have to have confidence.
January 20-23, 2009
This was my first week actually teaching. I taught whole group reading inthe afternoons following lunch and recess. I had a difficult first day. Mrs.Page was out of town due to her son having a Dr.'s appt. so I was in theclassroom with a sub. I can see that the students not only act verydifferently when a sub is in the room, but also have a hard time adjustingafter a long weekend. My second day of teaching was MUCH better. I haveenjoyed very much teaching the students. The week has been very successful.I have been a bit stressed as this is my first week to teach; I have beenstudying for the AEPA and am taking both the professional knowledge andsubject knowledge tests tomorrow. I have also been busy working on my 7 steplesson plan for your upcoming visit, and working on ideas for my task streamassignment. It has been hectic!What I learned this week:
Most of the time when kids misbehave it has nothing to do with theteacher. I have learned that I will never know exactly what a student isdealing with at home, and I can never judge their attitude based solely onwhat happens at school. Students for the most part want structure anddiscipline. I have learned that there will sometimes be students who makeyou want to pull out your hair, but as long as you are consistent, fair, andhave their best interest at heart they will come around. I have learned thatalthough you may have a bad day, you get back up on the horse, and the nextday can't be nearly as bad as the day before. I am really enjoying coming upwith ideas and activities to do with the students. My first week I was verynervous about making my lesson plans and felt that my ideas weren't going towork, but this week has showed me that I do have good ideas and there willbe times when what you plan doesn't work, but you just modify and try itagain, or in a different way.
January 26-28, 2009
This week has been challenging. I have been sick with a cold so I have dealt with losing my voice and my hearing hasn’t been as keen as usual. I have enjoyed taking on another subject. It allows me to spend more time in front of the kids and they are starting to see me more as one of their teachers. I get frustrated sometimes because I feel like I am not being as effective as I would like to be. I think I am being a little too hard on myself and I think my sickness has something to do with it. I have felt like I need to run everything past Mrs. Page, but have come to realize that I need to just go with my gut and she will let me know if I need to change or fix something.
What I learned this week:
I have learned that sometimes it is important to just take the reins and run with it. I have relied on Mrs. Page to help me with ideas, but I am realizing that this is my time to come up with ideas. I am also learning that over planning is good, but there are going to be a lot of times that I can’t get to everything in a day and I need to not beat myself up about it. Time management will need to be the next thing I really focus on. I am starting to gain more respect from the students, and as long as I stay consistent they are responding to me in a positive way. It is sometimes hard for me to be “mean" but as several teachers have told me it is important for the student to have structure and become familiar with procedures and respect for others.
February 2-6, 2009
This week has been AMAZING!! I have been really wondering if teaching is what I want to do, and this week reminded me what I have been working for, for so long. I had some lessons that I was really excited about, and really good participation from the kids. They are finally starting to see me as a teacher, their teacher. So I have a lot more authority and acceptance now. I have loved coming to school everyday and making lesson plans, handouts and worksheets. I am realizing that even though at times it is difficult I really do love it. I have a renewed excitement and a new exuberance. It’s been a great week!
What I learned this week:
Parent teacher conferences really aren’t that scary!! This was a shock to me. I anticipated things going badly with at least some parents, but we had 18 out of 19 parents show up and it was awesome! I love teaching! I “knew” I loved it, but I have never taught close to all day everyday. I am amazed at the feeling I get when I teach! It is incredible! I really feel as though I am making an impact. I love when Mrs. Page gets excited about my ideas. It makes me feel like a legitimate teacher. She values what I do and that makes me feel like I am growing ten fold. It has been a week of adventure and discovery!
February 9-13, 2009
This week was one to test my patience. I am realizing that the students react directly to my mood, volume and demeanor. It is incredible how changing just one thing makes the class behave different. This week I have taken over math which leaves only 2 subjects left for me to take on. I I have come to realize that week long lesson plans for so many subjects can sometimes be easier to plan for. It helps me allot time for each and every topic, so I know just how much time I need for each. I love teaching math! The kids have really been into it as well. It is such a hands on subject and the kids really get involved. It's been great.
What I learned this week:
A full moon and or air pressures make or break your kids! It is a crazy phenomenon, but it is REALLY happens! This week I was blessed with encountering both things at once! That made the week....LOUD! I have learned that you will never get the kids to "stop talking" you must DIRECT their talking. "Turn to your shoulder buddy and tell them what line of symmetry means." This allows the students to get talk, but it is useful and increases learning. I have learned that if I want the volume of the kids to go down I must speak softer. I set the tone, they follow. It has been an awesome week of learning and testing myself. Bring on the rest!
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