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!

Gotta love them!

Today is Mother's Day and I would like to share why I love the mother's in my life.
Mama
I am blessed to have my mother as my mom. She is selfless and always thinks of others first. She will make sure I am happy before she is and I don't know why she would do this. She always has cared for me. When I was in the hospital for my back surgery, she slept in the room with me on a small cot just so she could take care of me. She always asks how my day went and will actually listen when I go on and on about what happened. I can tell her anything and joke around with her. She really is like a best friend to me. She has done so much for me and I appreciate every single thing, including carrying me around inside of her for 9 months and 2 weeks and then pushing me out. ;) She is an example of the mother, wife and Godly woman I want to be. I am so thankful for her and everything she is. When I was little, I was so attached to her that they called me her 'barnicle'. Even though I am older, I am still very attached to her. :)

This is the day I was brought home









My Grandma has been in my life since I was born and I am so fortunate to have my grandparents around since my childhood. My grandma is one of the sweetest, gentle women that I know. She always has something nice to say and is caring and selfless just like my mom. (I guess she passed it down to her) My grandma is a great cook and my favorite thing she used to make for me was butterscotch pudding. I have so many great memories with her and love her very much. She is also very patient and a prayer warrior. Here are a few pics of us..




My Nana passed away a few years ago but I still remember so much of her. She was so much fun to be around and had such a spunky personality. I still remember her laugh and how happy she was, even when she was sick. She loved her children and grandchildren so much. One person said that her only flaw was that she bragged too much about her grandchildren. :) She was a great mother to my dad, aunt and uncles and a great grandmother to me and my sisters and cousins. I am thankful to have had her in my life for so long and I look forward to seeing her again.


Sally. Sally is like an aunt to me, even though we are not related but she is also like a mom as well. She too is such a caring person that is willing to help at all times. She has been in my sisters and my lives since we were born and has been there for us always. She is part of the family and a joy to be around. She always knows what to do and how to do it. I lover her very much and wish she lived closer to us. :)


All of these women mean so much to me, taught me a lot and have been great examples of what a mother should be. I am so blessed to have them all in my life.

Atta Boy Kyle

8 months ago I met Kyle and I was hooked. This past Saturday marked the 6 month mark that we have officially been dating. I told him I wanted to do something so he planned a surprise day trip up to Big Bear to go horseback riding. I love horses so this was a very thoughtful, special gift from him. I am so thankful that I get to spend time with him and be his girlfriend. He makes me happy and I'm blessed to be with a man like him.

Miss. Clarendon

I started substitute teaching about a month ago and it has been interesting. My first day ever subbing I was placed in a 6th grade class in Rialto. I didn't know what to expect and I was excited but nervous to try and handle 6th graders.

I felt funny when I wrote my name on the board for the first time so I took a picture of it. :)



Right before I reached my classroom, the partner teacher informed me that this class was horrible and instructed me not to smile, be nice or give them an inch or they will walk right over me. So, I stood at the door with a serious face and for those of you who know me, that is hard to do. I was strick, firm and not friendly but it didn't work. They were crazy and obviously had no respect for me. It also didn't help that they kept calling me Taylor Swift and Ke$ha.(I don't see it)


Who is going to be afraid of a young blonde girl who is trying not to smile? I survived the first day but was exhausted.

This was a 2 day sub job so I was to return the next day and the teacher was shocked that I came back. Apparently subs in the past have not returned for a second round with these kids. The second day was just as bad if not worse. They were loud, ignored my commands, would not stay in their seat, asked to use the restroom ever 30 seconds and to top it off, they threw paper at me when I turned my back for 2 seconds to write on the board. This made me mad and I was thrilled when those 2 days were over.


I also did 1st grade which I thought would be fun but they were just as loud, they told on each other and would not listen when I was trying to actually teach them something. God gave me a bit of encouragement though when a little girl gave me an apple. It was very sweet. She also forgot her lunch though so I gave it back to her later in thee day.

Right now I prefer to sub in high schools because they listen to you for the most part and there is no teaching involved, just monitoring while they do their seat work. The only issue is they always ask me how old I am and the guys ask if I would ever want to date a high schooler.

Overall, I have gotten great at giving, "The Look". All I do is walk over to the student, cross my arms and stare at them. This usually works with the older students. I also find my self saying, "Really? you are really going to talk after I just told you not too?" or throwing up my arms and saying, "Seriously?"

There have been classes where I have been able to have fun with the students and joke around with them. This makes it fun and I enjoy the kids a lot more when I can be nice to them. :)

I also have subbed at Eisenhower High School which is where my dad teaches. Right when the student hear my last name they always ask, "Are you coach Clarendon's daughter?" and sometimes they ask if I am his wife and I just roll my eyes and say really??? All I do is say, "Yes, he is my dad and if you guys give me any bit of trouble he will be down here right away so i suggest you behave." This works great :)

It is funny how God will help me out just when I need it. I was just in the brink of thinking, "I really don't think I want to teach, these kids are just too much" and then the next day I subbed for a great 6th grade class in Colton. They listen to me, did their work and were respectful. It was so refreshing. I think it helped that I prayed for the class the night before and then the morning before on the way to the class.

Lots of these kids come from homes where there is a lack of love and attention. They have not been raised properly and their actions are a result of this. These students, although they are loud, obnoxious and annoying at times, really need love and someone who really cares. I hope that some day when I have my own classroom, I can love my students and how them that I do care. This will be done only with lots of help from Jesus! :)

Homework Time

Lauren here, documenting Hillary's hard work. We are here at Augies, and I am borrowing her computer because mine had a mental breakdown. She doesn't know I am posting on her blog :) Anyways, Hillary is hard at work getting her homework done. She is such a good worker. She is going to make a great teacher. I'm so glad that I have someone to share these long hours of homework time with. Uh oh, she almost just caught me. I better run. Peace & Love.

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma

Monday, March 1st was my grandma's 90th Birthday! When I said Happy Birthday to her I said, "You don't look or act 90 years old grandma!" She said she didn't feel like she was 90 and was surprised she has lasted this long. It got me thinking about how incredible the human body is. My grandmother has had the same heart, skin, bones, feet, hands and eyes that she has when she was born. That stuff is 90 years old! God made our bodies as wonderful working machine!
I love my grandma so much and I am so blessed to have her in my life.

I love it when she clasps her hands together like this when she is happy

My Favorite Super Bowl Commercial

I liked this one, maybe because it was about love and not about Doritos or Budlight.