Hello! This is a really quick note to validate my existence and say hi. It's been a crazy last few weeks, I've completely lost all balance in my life... it's ridiculous what the university is having us do, and only to be made better by our accredidation institution coming in in a few weeks. "Pile it on, they'll look more intelligent and prepared that way!" Oh well, one bite at a time. I just finished Block classes with my crazy professor Margo and am excited to get back into the schools full time. I was going slightly insane there; well, not slightly, completely. Anyway, gotta get back to work and try and hammer some stuff out before I leave tomorrow for Payton's first birthday! YAY! So stoked :) will sadly be bringing work with me but the change of scenary will be much appreciated, especially with the foot or more of snow that was dumped on us out of nowhere the other night. Okay, off I go. Love you all, you're in my thoughts.
Peace and love,
Chels
Friday, February 25, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
*Bang* Starts the Race
Why howdy there! How y'all doin'? Okay, I'm done being a yokel... hope you're all wonderful and happy! Life in Spokane is pretty phenomenal as well; overwhelming, but great :)
I had no idea student teaching would be like this. NO idea. The past two days they've basically just been sitting us down telling us preCISEly how we are going to die in the next few weeks. They keep prefacing it with, "this is why Whitworth grads are so sought after!", to which I respond, "yeah, if you can find them in the dark room they're still hiding in". But that's okay! I just keep telling myself, "the past 17 years of my education have worked up to this moment right here, there's nothing more idiotic than giving up now." I guess I'll fight for it.
You're probably asking yourself what they're making us all do. To be completely honest, I don't know. I can't list it out, it's too overwhelming and my mind won't let me wrap around it. Oh well, we'll let Future Chelsea worry about it. One step at a time...
This past week, I spent Monday and Tuesday in my classroom and started my Whitworth Block schedule on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Basically we're in the schools for a little while and then they pull us out for the last few days of the next three weeks and sit us down in seminars for 7 hours. I've been learning quite a bit about classroom management, assessment and etc. through it, but I'd rather be in my class with my kiddos :) Mr. Gamon's not very happy about it either. We mesh so well, we've already kind of become a team. But it's what has to happen! I've been trying to plug away at assignments and big certification junk, but have found that I can't stay up past 10pm. And I still haven't learned that homework can't always be done at night (thanks to my unstoppable coma) and that I should probably take care of the important stuff before catching up with friends. It's been so wonderful seeing everyone after my trip though; have really been trying to invest in the quality relationships I've built over the last few months and years.
We started the pilot for the TPA (I call it the Toilet Paper Association... really means Teacher Pedagogy Assessment)... can't remember if I told you, but I'm helping Whitworth pilot a new certification assessment that'll be used by everyone in the state next year. Myself and two other education nerds decided to head it up (I was actually volunteered by a professor... can't figure out if that professor did it because she likes me or because she hates me. I'm thinking the latter). Sadly, we've already lost one to stress, so it's just me and the other secondary science person in the program! It'll be a lot of work and a lot of collaboration with the School of Education's professors, but it's said to be a good preparation for becoming Nationally Board Certified. So good juju vibes about that would be much appreciated :)
Everything is awesome though! Sorry, don't mean this to be a doomsday blog... I've truly never been happier :) been working hard, sleeping hard, waking up to work harder, and so on. Oh, and don't forget the amazing food here in the states. I've been spending my free time (aka time I force myself to stop and breathe) looking at pictures and videos from Kazakhstan. I miss it so much, it's nuts. I think it's finally hit me that I'm not there and, even if I go back, it'll never be the same experience or situation again. But I've loved reliving it through the memories and pictures... that and all the friends I'm reconnecting with want to hear the stories so I'm in heaven!
So yes, everything's plugging along. Next weekend Richard and I will be heading over to Gig Harbor to celebrate PAYTON'S FIRST BIRTHDAY WOOT! with the family :) and the weekend after that, I guess I'll be flying down to Oregon to party on the REAL birthday. I'm excited :) and then, when I get back, my unit will be due and I'll be expected to teach it full time at Northwood. Eek. So incredibly happy though :)
Anyway, I love you all and can't wait to see you soon. Prayers going out to you all for health and happiness.
Peace and love,
Chels
I had no idea student teaching would be like this. NO idea. The past two days they've basically just been sitting us down telling us preCISEly how we are going to die in the next few weeks. They keep prefacing it with, "this is why Whitworth grads are so sought after!", to which I respond, "yeah, if you can find them in the dark room they're still hiding in". But that's okay! I just keep telling myself, "the past 17 years of my education have worked up to this moment right here, there's nothing more idiotic than giving up now." I guess I'll fight for it.
You're probably asking yourself what they're making us all do. To be completely honest, I don't know. I can't list it out, it's too overwhelming and my mind won't let me wrap around it. Oh well, we'll let Future Chelsea worry about it. One step at a time...
This past week, I spent Monday and Tuesday in my classroom and started my Whitworth Block schedule on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Basically we're in the schools for a little while and then they pull us out for the last few days of the next three weeks and sit us down in seminars for 7 hours. I've been learning quite a bit about classroom management, assessment and etc. through it, but I'd rather be in my class with my kiddos :) Mr. Gamon's not very happy about it either. We mesh so well, we've already kind of become a team. But it's what has to happen! I've been trying to plug away at assignments and big certification junk, but have found that I can't stay up past 10pm. And I still haven't learned that homework can't always be done at night (thanks to my unstoppable coma) and that I should probably take care of the important stuff before catching up with friends. It's been so wonderful seeing everyone after my trip though; have really been trying to invest in the quality relationships I've built over the last few months and years.
We started the pilot for the TPA (I call it the Toilet Paper Association... really means Teacher Pedagogy Assessment)... can't remember if I told you, but I'm helping Whitworth pilot a new certification assessment that'll be used by everyone in the state next year. Myself and two other education nerds decided to head it up (I was actually volunteered by a professor... can't figure out if that professor did it because she likes me or because she hates me. I'm thinking the latter). Sadly, we've already lost one to stress, so it's just me and the other secondary science person in the program! It'll be a lot of work and a lot of collaboration with the School of Education's professors, but it's said to be a good preparation for becoming Nationally Board Certified. So good juju vibes about that would be much appreciated :)
Everything is awesome though! Sorry, don't mean this to be a doomsday blog... I've truly never been happier :) been working hard, sleeping hard, waking up to work harder, and so on. Oh, and don't forget the amazing food here in the states. I've been spending my free time (aka time I force myself to stop and breathe) looking at pictures and videos from Kazakhstan. I miss it so much, it's nuts. I think it's finally hit me that I'm not there and, even if I go back, it'll never be the same experience or situation again. But I've loved reliving it through the memories and pictures... that and all the friends I'm reconnecting with want to hear the stories so I'm in heaven!
So yes, everything's plugging along. Next weekend Richard and I will be heading over to Gig Harbor to celebrate PAYTON'S FIRST BIRTHDAY WOOT! with the family :) and the weekend after that, I guess I'll be flying down to Oregon to party on the REAL birthday. I'm excited :) and then, when I get back, my unit will be due and I'll be expected to teach it full time at Northwood. Eek. So incredibly happy though :)
Anyway, I love you all and can't wait to see you soon. Prayers going out to you all for health and happiness.
Peace and love,
Chels
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Back to Reality
So I'm sure you all figured, but I made it home safe and sound from Kazakhstan after a quick 20 hours of travel :) I'm still slightly jetlagged but have been attempting to kick it prematurely... the reason I'm doing so is also the reason why it's not happening. I started student teaching this past Monday; it's already quite the trip! I'm so thankful for all my experiences in Kazakhstan, I feel as though it was the perfect preparation for this journey. I'm already in love with and building rapport with my students which is a huge blessing, and my relationship with my mentor teacher Dave is growing every day. I honestly couldn't be happier :) between school, three hour seminars most days afterward, choir taking up some time, jetlag and a massive portfolio (don't even get me started about how ridiculous it is... basically had less than a week to do it and it turned out being over 50 pages) I've had quite the week. I've never been so happy though. I know every step towards my goal of having my own classroom will be completely worth it! In the future lies more seminars and junk, job-searching and applications (CRAZY) and making plans for when I graduate college and have to grow up. Should be fun. I'll keep you posted :)
Hope you're all well! I missed being close to y'all, hope I can see you guys soon.
Peace and love,
Chels
P.S. I can't post this to Facebook because I want to be a good guardian of my students, but I trust you all and want to share this with you... the picture below is of me with my classroom of 7 year olds :) can't begin to tell you how much I miss them.
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