The Joys of Being a Teacher

The librarian had the students write thank you letters to all the faculty members in our school (custodians, secretaries, aides, teachers, etc.) I received one from almost all my students and here are some of my most favorite quotes (direct quotes with spelling and punctuation):

"Thank you so much for being so patcient with me in math I have always hated math & I was never good at it and all thanks to you I still am not getting very good scores but I am understanding it perfect and I'm starting to like it alot and I'm looking forward to it every day."

"Your style rocks this world."

"Thanks for helping me with my strugels."

"Thank you for spending long nights correcting our tests and homework."

(referring to what he tells his brother about me) "She is well dressed. She is fun to have with us. I wish she was my sister."

"This is like the first year I've really liked math."

"You make me laugh"

"You make stuff fun and easy."

"You've already inspired me to like math. Because last year I hated math. But you make math and other subjects fun!"

"I think your nice and you care for thoughs around you and you do whats best for every one."

"You have inspierd me someday I'll be a sixth grade teacher because of you. You make it look so easy."

"Thank you for making this year so fun and exciting and easy to under stand unlike my handwrighting right now."

"Thank you for read us good books you inspired me to read a lot more so thank you very much. You are very very smart."

"You are the best teacher ever and that makes a huge difference to make me be more nice."

"You make things organized and fun."

"I love you like a child loves spongebob."

This last one is the whole note...It was so sweet it made me cry and I just have to share the whole thing:

"Dear Miss Weathers,

I think you are the most beautiful gril. I love your smile and laugh and the only bad thing about the weekend is I won't see you for 2 days and 2 days is long for me!!! You are the best teacher in the school I was hoping that I would get you for 6th grade. Well you are the best teacher ever and I love you so much.

Love, _________ (your favorite students)"

This is what teaching is all about. Some days I wonder if I am really making a big enough difference in their lives. But when I get notes like these I know that I am doing something right. My kids are so great and they bring me so much happiness. I love what I do!

Pinterest

So there is a big hype about this "Pinterest" thing. My friend signed up for it a few weeks back and I was glancing at it with her. From those few minutes of glancing I found an awesome idea to help me organize my plethora (I just like that word) of necklaces:

$4 curtain rod + $4 shower hooks + $4 shower hooks = $12 necklace organizer.

I love it!

And...I might have spent close to an hour looking at Pinterest last night, instead of doing school work, and found more awesome ideas for things...oops.

Ouch!

At school we are learning about heat. They learn that heat can be transfered in three diffe
rent ways:

Conductions - through contact

Radiation - through air

Convection - through mixing/hot and cold cycling

I wanted to do something fun to help them remember these three things. I decided to make popcorn for them. You can make popcorn through each of the ways heat transfers:

Conduction - on the stove

Radiation - in the microwave

Convection - an air popcorn machine

I set each of these up on the table and plugged them all in. I then continue to talk to the class about how these represent each of the three heat transfers.

Touching the microwave "What kind of transfer is used to pop popcorn in the microwave?"

"Radiation!"

"Yes!"

Touching the popcorn machine "What kind is used when popping in the air-pop machine?"

"Convection!"

"Exactly!"

Reaching to touch the hot plate stove "What method is used when...AHHHHHHH!" (a yell/gasp)

Little did I know that the hot plate was left on, so when I plugged it in, it had heated up to the highest setting. It only took that microsecond of touch it to give me a nice 2nd degree burn. I immediately put cold water on it and a student went and got me a bag of ice. I continued with the lesson.

If I do not have the bag of ice on my hand, it burns! Of course it was my right hand, so it will have a few nice blisters that will make it hard to do anything with that hand.

I had to continue teaching through the day. It sure was hard to write anything on the board. I tried doing some with my left hand and eventually figured out I could write pretty good with holding the ice bag and the pen in the same hand. I didn't wa

nt to try and give a huge long math lesson so I gave a shortened version and gave them extra time to work on their assignment. One of my girls came up to me and says "I know this sounds mean, but could burn your hand every day so we can have extra time to do our math homework?" Oh thanks for the sympathy.

So here is my wound:

Fall Fun

I've had a chance to do a few fun things this fall.

Enjoying fall colors:

I have been up the Provo canyon a number of times to enjoy the beautiful fall colors. This is me, Courtney, and Maren enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Another one was this:

This is Courtney and I being scared to fly in a little 4-seater airplane. Courtney has a friend who is a pilot, owns a plane, and lives in a hangar. He was so nice to take us up for a flight over Bountiful at sunset. It was great. We weren't really scared...at least I wasn't.

Another adventure:

This is Shalene, Heather, Courtney and I getting ready to embark on a halloween voyage down the Provo River. By voyage I mean sitting on benches on a flat boat, being moved down the river by a cheesy guy pulling a rope, listening to "scary stories", looking at hand-carved jack-o-lanterns along the shore and lights in the trees. It was geared toward a younger audience, but it was a fun experience and I enjoyed it with some great ladies.

I love fall and sadly it is quickly leaving. I will sure miss you.

Not Much Updating...Starting Anew

I realized today that I have yet to post anything in the year of 2011. I thought at least one post would be good. Bulleted version of my life over the past year and a half:

• Taught 6th grade at Westfield Elementary in Alpine, UT
• Moved into a house with my sister Angela
• Lost a close friend of mine
• Gained many new friends
• Enjoyed a whole summer off (no EFY)
• Took a trip to California with friends
• Gained a new niece and nephew
• Tried to get a job in Arizona with no luck
• Got a job at Eaglecrest Elementary in Lehi, UT teaching 6th grade

I think those are the most important things.

So where my life is now....I am living in southwest Provo with Angela. I am teaching at Eaglecrest and I love my kiddos. Yes I have had my fair share of drama to deal with and issues to solve, but overal they are awesome kids and soooo much fun! I love going to school every day (most days). It is a nice change. I haven't liked my class this much for a few years.

I will see if my blog stays updated, but no promises...I'll do my best :)

A Short Update

Where has life brought me in the last few months you ask? Lots of places.

Life was crazy at the end of the school year. Long story short...I quit my job and am returning to school in the fall. The details are still in the works, but the plan is to take courses to get a math endorsement and try my hand at teaching Jr. High math classes. I am feeling good about the decisions and hopefully it all works out. I had a few moments where I realized I won't be at my school next year and won't have a class at all and it brought tears to my eyes. Mt. Loafer Elementary is my teaching home. I did my student teaching there along with my first three years of teaching. It was hard to leave. I also just love having "my kids". I think it is something I need in my life. A group of kids that partially rely on me for knowledge and growth. It will be hard not having that.

We had lots of fun activities at the end of the year and I made sure to enjoy every minute. We had a wonderful graduation program and I sent my kids on their way to conquer Jr. High. I had a bunch of bawling girls and lots of kids ready to get out of there. The last day of school was bitter sweet. I got lots of hugs from my girls along with some "I love you Miss Weathers". I had to talk some boys into giving me a high five (which they have refused to do all year). It was a good end to the year. I actually got a facebook message from a student of mine. I don't add students as friends on facebook for obvious reason, but this girl got on her brothers account, looked me up, and sent me a message. All she pretty much wanted to tell me is that she missed me so much. I love getting notes like that. She has to be one of my favorite students I have ever had. That is if I had favorites :)

The day after school my sister Kim and I headed to Texas. We took two days to travel and I spent a few days there. We went to Six Flags, swam at the pool, shopped, watched movies, ate out, and tried to survive the heat and humidity. There was a really cool lightning storm there the day before I left.

After Texas I flew out to Indiana to visit my sister and her three kids. I have only been here for two days and will be here for 5 more. So far we went to the mall, played outside, watched movies, and had a lemonade stand. It's fun being here to play and help out. The kids are adorable (when they aren't grumpy) and I'm excited for the adventures we will still have.

Next stop is Houston, Texas where my best friend/roommate Samantha gets married. My friends keep doing that on me! I'm way excited for her and I'm excited to get to be there. Another stop in Texas!

I'm enjoying my travels and look forward to a few weeks off when I get home to relax along with finishing moving out of my classroom and possibly moving out of my apartment into the house my sister bought. We shall see if that happens.

Well, there is a short update for any who care. there will be more to come.

What??

A comment I overhead from one of my students today:

"Nothing is impossible. Heavenly Father could rip off both your arms!"

Okay...what!?

Oh sixth-graders.

Teachers are suppose to teach?

Over the past 6-7 weeks I have had a student teacher in my classroom. Being what is called a "BYU cooperating school" we receive many student teachers, interns, and cohort students from BYU. Last year I had a cohort (a step bellow a student teacher) and this year they decided to give me a student teacher. There are ups and downs to having a student teacher, but the last few weeks have definitely been an up. I spent the first few weeks, modeling for her, helping her plan lessons, observing her teaching, giving her pointers, etc. Then near the end of student teaching (the past few weeks) she is suppose to completely take over the class as though it is her own. They encourage me, the actual teacher, to stay out of the classroom as much as possible. This is for a number of reasons. One is that we just can't help ourselves in there and must manage the students and correct them. They want to student teacher to have to deal with ALL problems that occur in a classroom. Also, from my experience being a student teacher, you can act more yourself and do your own thing when there isn't someone in there watching you. So what have I been doing the past few weeks since I am not in the classroom? Nothing! Okay, not quite nothing. Being in my third year of teaching I have to turn in a "portfolio" in order to receive a level two liscence and continue teaching. This is what I have been doing a lot of the time. I have also graded assignments and project, created a classroom blog, made classroom signs, and wasted perhaps a little too much time doing things not really even related to school at all. The other teacher and I have set up office in a vacant room between our two classrooms. Here is what it looks like:
Ah yes, a wonderful work area. You can see the set of electric pianos in the back that were taken out of the piano lab we use to have here (they are for sale if anyone would like one). So, my portfolio is due at the end of this week and it is just about finished. I however, have a hard time working on it for a long time. I will work on it for a while, then take a break, then go back to it, then take a break, and on and on. Tomorrow I start teaching a few lessons and will be back in the classroom completely by next week. I have sure enjoyed this time away from teaching, but I'll be glad to be back with the students again. Wish me luck!

"The Boy"

Well...I guess I should introduce "the boy". After Christmas break I started dating this young man. Things are going well. His name is Micah Massey. He grew up in Las Vegas but his family now lives in St. George. We met each other back in the fall of 2006 when we were in the same ward in Glenwood Apartments. We have stayed in contact with each other over the past few years and just decided we were meant to be together...err...something. I just wanted to introduce him and show you a picture of us. That's all!

This was on Valentine's Day northwest of Salt Lake

Thoughts from school

Well, it's a teacher work day and I am not in the mood to work right now, so I thought I'd write a few thoughts. This year has been an interesting one. We went from three 6th grade teachers to two. Giving me 33 students in my class. I had to get rid of my teacher desk, kidney table, and reading corner in order to fit all the desks in my classroom. That is just the beginning of my interesting year. I am not completely loving my class this year as I did last year. I have tried to really pinpoint what it is that is making it this way and I have come up with a few reasons. One is the personalities of the kids. Last year I had such funny and sweet kids. They were bright and knew when it was time to work. This year I have some kids with great personalities and they are mostly sweet and funny, but something is just off. I think it is there ability to recognize when it is time to be serious and get to work. This is also the first year I have students that I feel really don't like me. I mean, I won't say that I am so wonderful that everyone loves me. But, I have never felt that I student just flat out didn't like me. I get that this year. It's hard for me. I also have realized that these students are as close and friendly with each other as my class last year was. I think the class size has a lot to do with that. But there are so many in my class that just flat out don't like each other. You would also think it was the end of the world if I paired up boys and girls. Last year my boys and girls were friends and would hang out together. I loved it! Before you start judging me as a teacher, understand that I am trying to make this a great year. I have a positive attitude and I treat these students much the same as I treated my students last year. But I am not absolutely loving coming to school everyday. I honestly loved being at school last year (of course I had my days). It has been hard for me to really get over this and try to enjoy the year as much as possible. It is a work in progress.

Another thing that has been hard for me this year is some of the issues my students are dealing with. If you don't know, the school I work at is in a middle to upper class area. It is about 99% Mormon families. Most of these kids have very structured and supportive family lives. I had a student last year whose parents had trouble with the law and that was hard to deal with. This year however, I have had other issues. Back in October one of my students found out her mom had brain cancer. That is a hard thing for a 12 year-old girl. I have talked with the dad a few times (who is a doctor) and from what I can pick up from what he says, things aren't going too well. She is in her 2nd round of chemo and it is pretty miserable for her. The parents are trying to not pull the kids into it too much and make them worried. Every time I ask this girl how her mom is doing she says "she's good". I hear they have given her not much longer to live. It just breaks my heart. I have another student who lost his dad in a car accident over Christmas break. He is one of 2 sons in the family, him being the oldest of the two. How hard would it be to loose your dad at such a critical time in his life. These are the years that dad's build their sons into who they are going to be. There are scouting trips, sports games, man-to-man talks, and teaching him the ways of the world. I was completely heart broken when I heard the news. It was then very difficult for me to figure out what I was going to say and do for this boy. If it was one of the girls in my class I would probably have taken her in my arms and cried (which I pretty much did when my girl found out her mom had cancer). With this boy it is different. He's a 12-year old boy who doesn't let his feelings show. I did after about a week of being back in class have a little chat with him. I got all teary eyed and just let him know I was hurting for him and that I really cared about him. That if he ever needed anything to let me know and I would be there for him. He seemed to really appreciate it. These are two very difficult situations for me. I get very emotionally involved and attached to people and situations. My heart goes out of them and I want to do anything and everything I can to be there for them and help them. I don't know if I am doing enough. We'll see how things play out.

It has also been an interesting journey with it being my 3rd year of teaching. My teaching license expires this year and I have to do a handful of things to renew it. Being the procrastinator that I am, I have put it all off. It is now down to about a month when it is all due and I have only touched the surface of it. Along with that, they now trust me with a student teacher. She came into my classroom the week after Christmas break and will be here until the end of February. As I am trying to get my things squared away with renewing my license I am also trying to help her with her teacher work sample and all the things she has to do to receive her first license. Things have just been a little crazy.

In all, this year has been an adventure. It is halfway over, which seems very weird. As crazy as it can get and as much as a suffer through some days, I absolutely love what I do. I wouldn't have it any other way. The classroom is where I belong. I love interacting with children (more so pre-teens with me) and just watching them learn and grow and let their personalities shine. I love knowing that I might have some kind of impact on their life and will hopefully be remembered years down the road. This is what I am suppose to do. I just hope that I can do it to the best of my ability. To make every day and every year count. To find that one child who really needs me and make a difference in their life. I am often afraid that I am not doing all that I can. In a meeting today we read this quote:

"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." - Goethe

It is so true. I just hope I am that teacher that makes life joyous not miserable, that inspires and does not torture, and heals not hurts. I want to help make this kids into the people they can become.