Where have I been??

Well, I feel like I should blow the ‘dust’ off of my blog and start to attempt to write again. I haven’t posted anything for almost a year! That alone should show how busy I have been. I thought that since some things are starting to kind of slow down for me, I should take some time to write about what I have been doing.

Last August, I started my first session of my student teaching for my Multiple-Subject Credential. I was placed in a 3rd grade class in highland where I taught for 9 weeks under the supervision of a master teacher. I went into it not too excited because I was totally burned out from subbing in difficult classes and sick of going to school but it turned out to be an amazing experience. My master teacher, Marsha was wonderful and we became friends quickly! The kids were so cute and at the perfect age to teach. I loved teaching 3rd grade because they were young enough that I could be silly with them, read stories and motivate them with simple games but old enough to where they could do independent work and discover on their own. I loved teaching the kids and thinking of new and creative ways to teach them information. They were sure sweet and when I left, I was blessed with a wonderful rolling cart full of school supplies for my future classroom along with lots of handmade cards saying how much they would miss me and liked me as a teacher. God gave me this little boost I needed by giving me this class to teach.
Here is my cart they gave me!


Two days after I finished with my 3rd graders, I was sent to teach kindergarten for another 9 weeks. KINDERGARTEN! When I originally decided to become a teacher, I thought I would only want to teach kindergarten or 1st grade but after subbing and doing my first session of student teaching, I found out that I work well with the older kids. So, the news about being in a kindergarten class was a little stressful. I found out that my master teacher was the mother of a good friend of mine from elementary school so it was fun to work with her. Kindergarten is difficult today because the kids are so little and they are held to such high learning standards. I feel like their little brains are not developed enough to take on such difficult tasks but I guess it is good that they are being pushed. Kindergarten is not all about arts and crafts, nap time, snack and finger painting. These little 4 years old are learning how to read and write!

It was difficult at times to try and keep 24 kids sitting ‘criss-cross-apple-sauce’(Indian Style)for any amount of time but I grew to love their happy, sweet faces. They are so innocent and cheerful and it is uplifting to be around them, even though at times it can be a bit chaotic. The things they said were adorable and there is nothing like having a little kid come sprinting across the playground, with Peanut Butter and Jelly on their face, just to give you a big hug.
Here is a picture of the cute book they gave me!


Here is a picture of 2 of the pages they made. The one of the left says that she likes my earings and the one on the right said I had long hair and wore make-up!



So I finished my credential which means I am able to teach grades K-6 but since there are no jobs available, I am subbing. I have been getting quite a few jobs at Eisenhower, the high school where my dad, brother-in-law Ryan, and boyfriend Kyle all work. I like working there for many reasons but the number one reason is that all the kids know not to mess with me because I am Coach Clarendon’s daughter. When I write my name on the board and they see the word ‘Clarendon’, they know not to mess with me because if they mess with me, they mess with Clarendon. It works out great for me!
Here he is...


Now I am currently working on my Masters in Education and will be graduate May 7th but my final research paper will not be due till June 14th. I am so close to completing this long journey and I can’t wait! No more class and no more homework will be such an amazing feeling!