2nd Rate Placement

A year ago today I started student teaching.  I was nervous.  I was in a student teaching center that I didn't want to be in in the first place and then this placement was given to me after the first one failed.  Clearly it didn't seem like God was listening to my prayers that I had been praying to Him asking Him to take me back home to Sigourney.

I was warmly welcomed and overwhelmed by the newness of it all.  I met so many new people that it took me a couple of weeks to remember them all.  I also met Dustin that day.  Honestly, I thought his name was Justin until a few days before he asked me out.

As my time wore on in 3rd grade some days were better than others.  That happens no matter what your situation is.  Dustin and I were flirting in the halls and talking after school.  Finally after 3 weeks of talking to Whit about the cute janitor at school, he got up the nerve to ask me out.  We were both nervous.  We joke about it now.  He was tired of getting shot down, I had never been asked out in this straightforward of a manner.

As I got closer to the kids, Dustin and I got closer too.  Early on I decided that my 2nd rate placement wasn't as bad as I feared it would be, and I cried when it was done.

I can't even begin to count up how many prayers really were answered by me being in that placement.  I had been praying over my placements for months.  God saved me from a lot when the first placement fell through.  He gave me soooooo many learning experiences with my 3rd graders, and I also met my soon to be husband, who I had been praying for for a very, very long time.

I've told Dustin many times how I wasn't even supposed to be at that school.  I should have never of met him.  He just keeps telling me, "Thank God you came."  And I do, very often thank God for that turn of events that I didn't understand a year ago.

In Limbo

I'm sitting at school torn.  I'm torn because I absolutely love what I'm doing.  I love the fact that I'm subbing and gaining more teaching experience and spending more time with the kiddos that I love.  I love the fact that I will be spending my last summer before the start of my career at home.  I'll spend plenty of time at Gramps and Grammy's.  She's been working on a list for me.  Mom has too...  I'll be driving back and forth to visit Dustin and he'll be driving back and forth to visit me.  I'll be in the kitchen, at my sewing machine, and outside...I'll probably pick and eat my fair share of berries like usual.  I'll be teaching Ruby a new trick or two.  I'll be working in the garden and growing flowers.  I'll be sleeping in.

Friday started staff training at camp.  Every day since then, I've been thinking, "If I was at camp right now, this is what I'd be doing."  I'd be doing team building, getting to know new staff, being goofy with Lu Bird, Tums, and Gwen, I'd be all but unplugged from Facebook and my phone, I'd be sending snail mail and spending time with my Bible and journal on a bench next to the crick watching the water flow.

I'm just ready to stop moving.  I love camp, but I'm glad to not be moving weekly and not be living out of a suitcase for the summer.  With the moving topic, I know I'll be moving in August.  I've already been going through my stuff and organizing in ready anticipation.  I just want to be somewhere with a little more permanence than knowing I'll have to pack up and move again in a matter of days, weeks, or months.

Right now, I don't feel like the 'lives in' category on Facebook really pertains to me.

Extended Stay

Last week was bliss.  I was home.  I cleaned, sorted, got rid of so many things from my room.  I baked, wandered around outside with Ruby, and sat at my sewing machine.  All this to distract me as I waited for phone calls about interviews.

Wednesday I got a call about an interview for Thursday.

Thursday I got a call from the principal at the school I just left.  He said that my mentor teacher would be out for the rest of the year and was wondering if I could get my license soon and be willing to take over for her for the rest of the school year.

Is that really a question?

I started making calls as soon as I could so I could get back to that classroom of kids as soon as I could.  They all wanted me to stay anyway, so why not give them a fake out of about 2 weeks and show up again?  :)

As of Monday afternoon, I am a licensed practitioner in the state of Iowa!!!  What a great feeling that is to know that all the classes, field experiences, late night homework, big tests, student teaching, and the writing of my TWS are worth it!

I started today instead of yesterday because I had 2 interviews yesterday.  I think they went well and I'll know by the end of the week.

When I came back today, it was like I hadn't left at all.  Some of the students didn't even acknowledge my prior absence and greeted me like I had been there the whole time.  Others came in with exclamations of seeing me again.  Over and over I explained that I would be staying just a little while longer.  7 more days and I will really have to leave.  But until June 3rd, I'm thankful for God's provision with a job that I love.

Please take some time to pray for my mentor teacher though.  She's had to undergo some surgery and will be in the hospital for about the next week.

Hakuna Matata

I foreshadowed to me being an emotional wreck this week, and it has rang true.  Honestly, I've cried every day about something.  I've cried because I don't want student teaching to end, in a way.  I'm going to miss these kids like it's nobody's business!  I've cried because I want to go home.  Don't get me wrong, I love living with the Abrahamson's and appreciate all they've done for me, but I'm ready to live with my own mom and dad, play with my dog and wander around back behind again.

This week was interesting and I have felt like I've been all over the place!  I haven't been teaching and so after weeks of that, I just hardly knew what to do with myself.  I have been observing in other schools and classrooms, so I hardly knew what my kids have been doing.  I also had an afternoon where I went back to the school where I had an interview.  I'm also ended this week on Thursday instead of Friday.

On Tuesday, I went to the high school to observe.  One of the students had a soundtrack for The Lion King.  Naturally, I was singing along with him!  Then Hakuna Matata came on.  That song is true in the sense that we shouldn't worry, but in the bigger sense that we shouldn't worry because God has things taken care of and we need to trust in Him.  At this point, I was trying to make a decision about a job offer.

I was able to go to the high school where I was offered a position.  The building reminded me a little of my high school with the rich history of the building itself.  The principal gave me more of a tour and then he left me with the lady who I would be replacing.  It was so good to talk to her and get a sense of her job and the role they were asking me to fill.  After a long talk with her and a sinking feeling that this was not what I wanted, she took me to the SCI room.  My mood totally changed and I was happy in that room.  My heart is in SCI.  I knew then that I could not take this job.  I did ask for a little more time to think and pray before giving a final decision.

As I was on my way out, the lady I had been with for the past half hour came back to me.  She grabbed my hand and said, "I noticed you had the word 'pray' on your bracelet.  That's all you need to do right now.  He has the answer."  WOW!  Seriously!?  How incredible is that?!  As I left fighting tears, I couldn't wait to get to my car to really cry and pray.  As I went to Dustin's house, I continued to cry and pray and realized that I would have to turn down the position.

After praying, I felt more at peace about my decision and was able to talk to Whit, Dustin, and my parents about my decision.  After continued prayer, I feel more renewed in the job search.  And in the wise words of my friend Alison, "Well at least you know that there are people out there that will hire you." 

So now, I'm back to filling out applications and sending out resumes.  And all the while, I'm praying and saying, "Hakuna Matata," because, after all, it means no worries.

if it is teaching...

The last 2 months have been quite an adventure being at the junior high level.  I love this age a lot, but then I remember how I was just beginning my awkward stage.  The kids at this level are able to have deeper conversations...sometimes.  Other times, it's great to laugh and talk about the goofy things that happen to them and to me when I was that age.

Yesterday, I had an interview for a Special Education position at the high school level.  I have never had any field experiences involving high school students.  One of the questions they asked me was what my biggest challenge would be if I got this position.  I honestly stated my lack of experience at the high school level.

I feel like, overall, the interview went well.  I answered all the questions after a slight pause.  I answered all the questions with confidence and truthfully.  I didn't feel nervous at all.  I was given a tour and met the very nice secretary who welcomed me warmly.  The building is old and new and reminds me slightly of high school.

Throughout my interview, I referred back to my current student teaching placement.  I referenced my students and the various things I do for them on a daily basis as well as the gains they have made in my time there.

Thursday is going to be so bittersweet.  Thursday will be the last day that I will banter back and forth with one of my students about who needs to "Watch it!"  Thursday will be the last day one of my students will ask me if we're cooking that day.  Thursday will be the last day I will be able to tease one of my students about his dislike for George Strait music.  I joke with him and tell him he's going to come asking someone to play it on Friday after I'm gone.

Never did I think that I wanted to be a teacher until my senior year of high school.  Now, I wouldn't have it any other way.

We have different gifts according to the grace given us. ...if it is teaching, let him teach... 

-Romans 12:6-7

April 2013

I have seriously been lacking in the blogging area lately.  With spring reluctantly arriving, my fingers want to dig into the dirt and grow something rather than type away at the keyboard.  And then again, how on Earth can it be the night before May 1st?!

Low:

• My time is winding down at my second placement.  It has literally flown by and I now only have 7 teaching days left!
• My car air conditioning needs recharged.  It was a long, hot drive back from the Twin Cities last weekend.  Just ask Dustin.
• Lu canceled her Netflix.  Just when I was almost done with Brothers & Sisters.

High:

• I have had great weekends this whole month!  The first one was spent with Whit having best friend time, the second one was spent at home with the niece and nephew for their birthdays, one was spent in Brandon and Iowa City, and last weekend was in the Twin Cities.  Great times were had!  :)

• I have had a wonderful time in my second placement!  I love the students, teachers, paras, and the random things that happen.  Like Duck Dynasty Day!  :)

• So far, I have sent out exactly 1 application for teaching positions.  I sent it yesterday.  I received a call to have an interview today.  I have an interview on Thursday!  Pray for me please?

What a crazy month before a summer of unknowns.  Some answers are slowly coming, but a lot of things are still up in the air.  Just knowing that God is always faithful keeps me hopeful.

Commonalities

Finding that common ground.  Pick up on commonalities.  Common, common, common.  This thought has been drilled into my head in my years at UNI.  Bill, last semester, was the main driller.  Whenever I hear the word, I hear it in his voice.  Seriously.  

Never in my whole life did I think that the common ground with my students would be as easy as princess stickers, talking about the day to day, high fives and Mario.

I seriously love these students so much!  I mean, how many people can say they have made cupcakes with a student who is blind?  Or dirt cups for that matter?  I love what I do!  I love the people I work with!  They make every day just a little bit better than it already was.

Yesterday one of my students was asking me about what radio station I listen to.  I told him I listen to country and Christian music.  He is the soft rock kind of guy so he was a little disgusted with my answer.  Somehow, the conversation got turned to George Strait.  Go figure since he is my FAVORITE!  I like to consider myself a George Strait Junkie of sorts!  :)  Anyway, Evelyn is one of the sweet paraprofessionals that I work with.  She's kind of like my grandma at school.  She was saying something about having George Strait records that she'd have to look for.  The subject changed and I never gave it another thought.

Today in the hub-bub of the morning, Evelyn came in and handed me a flat bag.  I opened it to 2 George Strait records!  She told me I could keep them!  I geeked really badly!  It was all I talked about today!  I annoyed my students a little when they didn't know who he was and I played some tunes for them.  I didn't care!  I was too stinking happy!  Evelyn found that common ground with me, and look at where we are now!  It's huge when you can find something that really connects with a person.  Finding common ground with one of my girls was as simple as offering her princess stickers, but it's been a little slow up until about Tuesday.

Ah, common ground!  :)

You Just Have To...

I have been embarrassingly behind on blogging lately.  So much has been going on since I last blogged!  I've sat down to write a couple of times over the past month and then I would get distracted by a more pressing need.  So, for this blog, I will attempt to catch up on the past month and all its happenings.

I couldn't be happier with my second student teaching placement.  I started after a mere 4 days of saying goodbye to my 3rd graders.  That first day was practical culture shock.  Instead of there being more students than teachers, it's the other way around.  Instead of my name being said, yelled, uttered multiple times in a half hour span, I could go for half hours without hearing my name.  Instead of a stuck to schedule, there is a roll with the punches atmosphere.  I don't think I can express how happy and free I feel in this room.  I take over next week completely.  I've been getting along so well with each of the students.  And I need to get red pants for Red Pant Wednesday!

And I have a desk.

With a yellow rain boots pot with a plant.

AHHHH!!!!  

:)

My boyfriend and I have been dating for 2 whole months.  The time has simply flown by!  He's come home with my twice and loves hanging out with my family.  We love playing cards and just last night, he beat me for the first time in Rummy.  Dustin is a country boy through and through.  He's convinced I need to get a gun and go hunting with him this year.  He loves fishing...and he enjoys catching more than me...

Bella, his dog, is super jealous.  She's had him all to herself for her whole doggie life.  But that problem is now solved since he took her into his parent's house to stay. 

And then there's Benji.  Ya know, that sweet and innocent Yorkie that guards the Abrahamson house?  The only reason he's so 'sweet' is because he ate 1 1/2 Scratch cupcakes.  Yep.  The cupcakes I got for Dustin and I.  One that he special requested.  Benji got them and took one to hide for later.  We aren't on sweet terms right now.

I was able to see Jani Lippert last week.  Oh man, did I miss that girl!  It was so good to get a hug from her!  It was great to catch up a little bit in the gas station parking lot.  She brought me a portfolio that I was badly in need of because not only do I have to do the whole teaching thing, but I have to do the portfolios and other assignments for seminar.

Did I mention that I'm starting to look for real jobs now?  Holy cow!  I'm trying to find something up this way.  There are a few openings, and there is so much to get done for the application process.  Dustin came over last week to help me look and I was stressing out a little bit.  After a good dose of prayer, I was able to sleep that night.  I know that God will open the door I need to walk through.

Well, you should all know by now that my best friend is getting married in November.  We got her dress, and so with my precious few weekends that I have left, we spent Saturday looking for my dress.  The first one I tried on was the one!  I can't wait to wear it at her wedding!  No pictures because the dress was the wrong color, and it was a size too small, but look for them in November.

Before the kids even left today, my teacher told me to get ready because I was leaving as soon as the kids left.  She was too.  

"It's too nice to sit in here and work.  Sometimes you just have to do that for yourself."

So I sit on the deck getting ready to work on lesson plans and portfolios.  At least I'm outside, right?

February 2013

This one's a day late.  I kind of forgot that February ends at 28...  This month has flown by!  And with it has gone 4 weeks of student teaching!  It's incredible how fast the time has flown and to think of all the great and unexpected things that happened this month!

Low:

• I got stuck twice in one morning in the snow...I don't really want to talk about it...
• Some of those days of being fully in charge were rough.
• When some of my students said they hated me...I know they don't, but the fact that they even said it digs under my skin a little bit.

High:

• I was fully in charge for 2 weeks!  It was incredible!  It really gave me some great insight as to the teaching field.  It was exhausting, but completely worth it!  :)
• I got asked out on a date...and now we've been on 4 total!  He's coming home to meet my parents in a couple of weeks.  No pictures yet, but he did bring me this lovely bouquet of flowers on Valentine's day!  :)

• I have Skyped with so many friends this month!  I love it!  I miss them so much and it's so nice to be able to 'see' them and have the chance to catch up with them all!
• Not only was I able to help surprise Grammy for her 80th birthday, but Abbey and Tim were there too!!  It was so great to see my big sister!  :)
• Wedding dress shopping with Whit was so much fun!!  A tear jerking trip for sure, but it was FANTASTIC!!  :)

February, you were pretty great!  I have seen so many prayers be answered this month, and extensions to those answers.  I'm just so stinking blessed that sometimes it hardly seems real and it seems more like a dream than anything!

Favorite photo of the month!  :)

The Downhill Slide

This week was my 7th week in my first placement.  Holy cow!!  This week was a little on the boring side because I didn't always know what to do with myself.  This week I wasn't teaching full time and I had more time to work individually with kids, but I just didn't always know what to do during large group lessons.  On the upside, I started taking my laptop and since I don't have internet access, I was able to get so much done on my TWS!  :)

Today was a great day!  Yesterday I was told to bring my snow gear because we would be having a sledding party with those students who had been bringing their reading logs back.  I was looking forward to it ALLLLLLLLL day long!

Finally, the time came!  Students were sent to go read, and those who were involved in the party got dressed.  The students were a little surprised that I was going outside too.  They couldn't believe that I owned a pair of snowpants.  They giggled a little at my boots, but that's okay.  They are a farm girl's best accessory after all!  :)

We went outside and as soon as we hit the snow, the requests came.  

"Miss Strupp, will you sled with me??????"

"Miss Strupp, will you push us?????"

Over and over again I heard those phrases, and I didn't mind one bit!  I thoroughly enjoyed myself!  Up and down the hill I went.  I constitute the sledding adventure as my work out for the day.  When I pushed them, I laid out completely on my belly to give them the best push I could.  I was completely covered in snow and it was completely wonderful!  I loved hearing the laughter as we slid across the top of the snow, and to hear their giggles as they wiped out was20 minutes of bliss later we had to go back in.  The time flew, just as the past 7 weeks has gone.  I can't believe that I am leaving next Friday.  I know that I will be bawling like a little baby that last day.  There will be 22 sad, sad kiddos, and 2 sad, sad teachers.  Can't time just slow down a tiny bit?

Stop

"Do I have 22 kids?"

"I still have _____ minutes left.  What am I going to have them do?"

"What are they doing!?"

"Where did _______ go?"

This week has been my second full week being in charge.  What a week it has been!  The kids have been testing me.  The end of last week was AWFUL as far as behavior goes.  The start of this week was interesting, but it has been getting a lot better.  I love all 22 of those kids, but some of them can be MEAN!  One of the boys had one of the sweetest girls in tears one day.  

And then they have those absolutely adorable, why can't you be like this all the time, moments.  Those moments where one comes up to hug you after a small group lesson.  Those moments where they're talking to each other and saying that I'm an awesome teacher.  Those moments where they want me to sit by them at lunch.  Those moments where they come in all excited in the morning to tell me a story.  Those moments where they really get something I was teaching them.  Those moments where they are fascinated with some ridiculous story I share about a random moment in my life.  Those moments where they say something so ridiculous or unexpected that I just can't help but laugh with them.

Today was a little crazy, but not as crazy as the previous days had been.  Which that in itself is something just short of a miracle since all week they were set on no school on Friday due to the impending snow storm.  I honestly don't think I heard more than 3 kids talking about it all day.  They listened really well.  They transitioned quickly.  They did pretty good on their math test.  

They still had me on my toes all day long.  I felt like I was running around all day.  I was even in a hurry to get home because of the storm.  My body was busy all day long.  My hands were always doing something.  My eyes were always looking at something.  I got home and I didn't want to do anything.  I stood and looked out my window at the falling snow.  I just stood there, completely motionless.

I finally stopped.

I finally stopped talking, looking around, moving, correcting, teaching, driving, walking.  

I just stood motionless.  And boy, did it feel good.  Just to stand there and marvel in the falling snow.  Just to marvel in the Creator who sends that snow to Earth.  Just to be.

Happy Tears

If you know me at all, you will know that I frequently use this term at camp.  I used it more so as a camper than a counselor, but I still use it on a regular basis.  Tonight I was driving home from seminar in Marshalltown.  I was tired.  I was ready for bed.  I was ready to get out of my teacher clothes and ready to get into a hot shower and big, comfy pajamas.  Every now and then I just need a good cry.  I knew I had one coming on for a while, and tonight it came on pretty strong.

I bawled happy tears as I drove home.  I shut off the radio and just let the tears and the words flow.  I can't get over how amazing student teaching is going and how I have seen God answer my early prayers about my placements.  These kids have made their way deep into my heart and I love them all so much.  Even when they don't listen.  Even when they all ask me the same question...too many times.  Even when they don't do their work.

I love them.

I love that each and every day they come in excited to see me.  I love that they love to read to me and listen to me read.  I love that they sell me Girl Scout cookies.  I love that they ask about my quilt, my cows, my dog, my life.  I love that they notice my jewelry and that they love to hear a story connected to certain pieces.  I love that they want me to come to their spring program.  I love that the girls waddle behind me every day after lunch because I told them I felt like a momma duck walking them back from lunch.  I love that we can joke, laugh, talk, and accept one another.

I cried happy tears for being able to know each and every kid.  I cried tears of heartbreak thinking about their home lives.  I cried tears of heartbreak thinking about how different my 3rd grade life was compared to theirs.  They have such different situations going on.  I cried thinking about my last week.  Yeah, I know that it is still 4 1/2 weeks away, but I'm already dreading having to say goodbye to these 22 children.

Black Snowpants

Week 3 had its ups and downs to be sure.  By the end of the week, I had 2 snow days and two 2-hour delays.  I had 2 boys crying on Thursday.  I had 2 cold feet by the time I made it to school every day.  I had 22 students who love having a Mr. Potato Head in the room, and I had a chance to go home for the weekend.

Monday was scheduled to be a 2-hour delay.  I was on my way to school when I got a text saying school was closed.  Back home I went and spent the day on the couch continuing to recover from a cold and indulging in Disney movies with my best friend.

Tuesday was the only full day of the week.  The kids were wound for sound and we all were anticipating a snow day for Wednesday with the impending storm.  I currently despise indoor recess.  Those kids need to get out and throw some snowballs.  They need to be building forts in the mounds of snow that has been removed from the blacktop.  They need to have fun outside and scream and yell and do kid things instead of being inside playing with Legos and Twister and stuff.  Tuesday I implemented a new behavior management plan with the help of Mr. Potato Head.  So far, it's doing pretty well.

Wednesday was a snow day.  So much snow!!!  Whit and I had the slowest/longest Lord of the Rings marathon.  We had to take plenty of pauses since everyone was home and there was a lot of activity.  We had to help in the snow removal so we got outside for a little while.  Lynnae and I got to throwing some snowballs, and she was pretty close to getting put face first into a snow pile!

Thursday was a 2-hour delay.  They were wound for sound.  Again.  After lunch, one of the boys slipped on some snow pants and hurt his foot.  Those tears started pouring down.  Ms. Strupp to the rescue and I got him to calm down in right around 30 seconds.  All was right and well again.  The day went on.  My supervisor came in to observe how I was doing thus far in my experience.  It was then time to sent them home.  Getting ready to go has to be the most stressful, hectic point of the day.  I've been there 3 weeks, and I still have NO IDEA how the bus system works.  Anyway, as the students were all getting ready, one of the boys came up to me upset because he couldn't find his snow pants.  Naturally, he was looking for black ones.  EVERYONE has black ones.  I will never, ever get my kids black snow pants!  We still couldn't find them AND his bus was getting called.  The tears came and he wasn't ready to go.  Ms. Strupp to the rescue again.  After promising we would get it all sorted out the next day, he would have to go home without them that night.  I told him no tears to the reply of a couple more tears, a sniffle, and an okay.  "I can't find my boots!"  Ah, 3rd grade.  I love them all!  Teachers were given the release as soon as the kids left.  Everyone was heading into white out conditions.  It took me so long to get home!  This was my view.

Friday brought another 2-hour delay.  The roads were better as I drove to school, but I made sure to still take my time.  Friday brought my third math lesson in my gradual take over.  Friday brought more indoor recess, more squirmy children, and more fun.  The kids all love when I read.  You can hear a pin drop as I read because they are all so transfixed.  Right now, I'm reading The Trumpet of the Swan.  I am reading it a little ahead of them.  I never read this as a kid, so it's a good read right now.  I love them all, but I was ready to hit the road after school let out.  I planned with my teacher for a while after school.  I take over reading and writing next week, so I will have the mornings with me in charge.

This week has been crazy and wonderful!  So many great things happened.  These kids all keep me laughing and on my toes all day long!  It's hard to believe that I only have 5 weeks left with my wonderful 3rd graders!

 

This song basically sums up my week!  :)

January 2013

How are there only 11 months left in 2013 already??  This month has flown by, and it's hard to believe that I've been living with the Abrahamson's for nearly a month already.  Next week marks the halfway mark for my first placement of student teaching.  It has been AMAZING month full of snowstorms, school, frozen fingers and toes, friends, and another move.

Low:

• I had to leave Ruby's sad little face...
• Early bedtimes are back on my schedule.  This means that I have to watch Nashville on Thursday afternoons instead of Wednesday nights.
• The cold.  My toes and fingers barely have time to thaw before I brave the elements each time...
• My 3rd graders have nasty habits.  They don't blow their noses, and they have this obsession with sanitizer.  Needlessly to say, after doing everything in my own willpower to avoid getting sick, they got me down after week 2.
• I drank expired milk for a week without realizing it...
• I made it to Week 3 before my first name was revealed to my students.  Well, at least they don't know I'm a Katelyn and not just a Katie!  :)

High:

• I was able to spend the first couple days of the new year with 2 of my best friends in Chicago!

• Spinelli is learning her lessons!  :)

• I moved in with my second family!  :)
• Week 1 of student teaching was simply amazing!  I love what I'm doing!  It's a lot of work in front of the kids, and behind the scenes, but I'm so happy to be in 3rd grade!  :)
• Momma got GREAT news at her doctor's appointment and doesn't have to go back for a whole year!
• The week that I do have a cold, we've gotten an ice day and a snow day, so I only spent two days at school this week!  More time to recuperate!

February better be good since it's starting on a Friday and everything.