ABCDEFG....what a year this will be!!

Between the combined excitement that happened Saturday and today, there is no doubt in my mind I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing (teaching) and am exactly where I'm suppose to be.  


Saturday...my adventure began to find a daily lesson planner specific to a classroom teacher.  Now, I really didn't think this would be hard to find.  I began my search at Target, moved to Barnes and Noble, and then headed over to Office Max.  I started to think this may be harder than I thought.  I went to Staples and then decided to try the ABC and Toy Zone store (in Miracle Mile) as a last attempt. I walked towards the back of the store where I saw the sign hanging that was titled "teacher supplies" thinking please please please have one. NOT ONLY did I find a daily lesson planner, but I found my new favorite place.  If my dear fiancee wasn't in the store with me I would have been there till it closed and spent way more money than I have....and I don't even have my own classroom yet!!! I have now announced that if anyone feels the need to show me how much they love me...a gift card to there will do just fine ;) Now, Patrick did not get the same joy I did walking around this store so I can only assume that elementary teachers are their own special kind of people who find great joy in the craziest of places. Yup....I do believe I'm proud to be one of them!!


Today....The first day of my year of student teaching (with a few breaks in the middle).  Let's just say they do it different here in the cities....AND I LIKE IT!!  Students are held to an insane standard, but it works. My class is filled with more cuteness than one would see in a newborn puppy cage.  Each one excited to learn.  Now, are some filled with more energy than others? Yes.  But, like my teacher says...We'll work with ya! At the end of the day my teacher turned to me and said, "I like this combination the two of us have.  This is going to be a good year."  Music to my ears people!!!  Maybe there is hope for me yet...


At church Sunday the last thing Pastor said stuck with me the most..."Commit yourself to a life of obedience not perfection, giving yourself the best life possible."  As a PERFECT perfectionist (haha) I must remember to be obedient above all.  I know not every day is going to be as great as today, but days like today remind me that being obedient pays off in the end.  God wants me here, in this school, with this teacher, and with each one of these precious children.   


I can't wait to see where this year will take me!

I will survive...just another song title for ya

Well it finally has come people....FRIDAY. It may come as a surprise, but despite the facts that my cooperating teacher's (CT) neighbor got murdered, children around the school are not to go outside due to numerous shootings, and the near 70% rate of families that came to open house were in need of an interpreter I not only survived my first week in Urban block, but I think some people may even like me!!! 


I may actually be beginning to settle into this whole urban school thing.  I could not be blessed to be in a better school I am sure. I'm not worried at all to start the school year Monday because of the amazing faculty that provide a great deal of support to all of us student teachers in the building.  I have to admit open house on Thursday evening caught me by surprise and brought me into a world much different from where I grew up, but it was great! 


Today I had to come back to St Cloud for student teaching orientation.  Patrick came up with me to get his radio meter filled back up, and as we entered St Cloud we both mentioned how natural feeling it was to come back.  I'm itching to be done with school, but I can't let myself forget how much fun I have had in this great college town.  Now, as I began orientation I remembered quickly why I want to be done.  I mean seriously if one has to be reminded that many times to dress appropriately, be kind, and be informed of the point of co-teaching....then they might not be cut out for the job.  Oh well it was a great excuse to see some special friends :) 


So, this has been me informing you that I survived the first week.  Let's just hope I have the same great news for you all at the end of next week.  ;) 

got to start somewhere...

Well I guess since I'm starting this new crazy adventure there is no better time to jump on this blogging bandwagon.  I entitled my blog...What was I thinking.  Now if you're a country music fan you would know that this is the song title from a song by Dierks Bentley, but I don't mean this title in the same way as him so it doesn't matter if you know or not.  In early spring when we (education students) had to decide about what we wanted to do come fall I got this crazy idea that I wanted to teach in Minneapolis.  What possibly made me think this was a great idea you might ask....I'm still working on that.  Now, what I didn't think about is that I'm at heart I country girl not minding too much to live in the middle of corn fields.  The crazy drivers, fast highways, enough exit signs to make one dizzy, not knowing a single person in the area, and high crime/murder rate has my blood pressure going through the clouds.  WHAT WAS I THINKING?! And, to top if all off in two weeks I'm kinda homeless at least in the cities area. God's still working on that one.


I feel like the older I get the more I get these crazy ideas. Math Minor?...OF COURSE!  I still can't believe I made it through that minor. First time leaving the country go with less than a handful of people I know and go half way across the world?...SURE! However, one thing that follows through is that God has always helped me through and in the end I'm always happy I made that choice.  I think the crazier the idea, the happier I am in the end.  So, although I am sure this is the craziest, scariest, loneliest thing I have ever done yet I'm sure God has a plan.


Proof: I met my teacher for the first time today.  I come to find out he's 4 for 4 on his student teachers finding jobs.  Since I know that one of those 4 was just his student teacher last year I'm thinking I'm pretty lucky to be in his room.  I can't lie, he's as opposite of me as they come, but he's all around a nice guy and I can just tell he's a great teacher. 


Well this is the end of the beginning of my first post.  I have no idea how many of you will actually be interested in taking time to read this, but I get now how therapeutic it is to pretend like I'm sharing this with many.  


HoPe YoU EnJoYeD!!