Provo Peaks Pumas!

I am officially a student teacher in Mrs. Comin's 5th grade class.  And I absolutely love it.  And I love Jason Afton Crofts.  But that has nothing to do with this post :)

It's amazing how much has happened in just the last few weeks since finding out about my student teaching assignment.  I've already had my first observation, and I have another one this upcoming week.  And then the week after that is my Teacher Work Sample...it never ends...but I really am loving every day of this experience!  The kids in my class are wonderful.  Provo Peaks is a Title I school, and my classroom is an EMITS classroom- all about technology.  Every student has a MAC computer in front of them and they complete just about everything on the computer.  It's taken some adjusting, but I know I'll see the benefits of it.  It's just different from what I've known and observed- especially in New Zealand!

I want to use my blog as a way to reflect on my student teaching experience.  And especially my observations.  This first lesson Beth observed me on was about probability- listing outcomes on a tree diagram.  And it went really well.  The kids were little angels for me; it earned them 5 marbles :)

Beth was SO comforting.  She came in and told me that she is here to support me, and for me to not be nervous or worry at all.  And it felt so genuine and sincere.  Afterwards, she had many kind things to share with me about my teaching, and also some suggestions.  I need to tweak my LO and BO a little bit, but I knew that was coming...I've been a little out of practice with the whole writing formal lesson plans thing...  She also told me to think about interventions...like giving the kids a signal of when/when not to spin their spinner.  I know I need to think more about the details of the lesson, like how I am going to transition them, especially when they have their own spinners that they just want to play with during the lesson.  I also need to remember to use the wording and language that the kids will be seeing on the worksheet/book work in the future.  Otherwise they don't really understand what to do.

This semester is going to be crazy...but I'm grateful for this opportunity I have to student teach, and also the opportunity I have to be working in the Relief Society.  What a wonderful way to end my BYU career :)  It's hard to believe that graduation is in almost 3 months...it's exciting though!

Bring it on, 2012!

December 31, 2011 already?? After seeing everyone's Facebook statuses all about their years, I decided that I also want to reflect on my year.  First of all, this Christmas break has been wonderful.  I miss Jason Afton Crofts, but being with family is so great.  Kaley and I fly back to Utah on Tuesday, January 3, 2012.  On January 3, 2011, I flew to Los Angeles, then on to New Zealand, sitting between Diana and Katie, 2 of my very best friends from our study abroad.  We made the 12 hour flight, landing in Auckland, NZ on January 5th.  So I didn't have a January 4th this year!  Crazy!  January 3rd this year will be very different, as I am heading back to Provo.  But I am so excited to see Jason :) And to begin my student teaching experience in Provo School District.  If only I knew more about where I will be placed...

As I think about this year and the many experiences that I had, and changes that occurred, I know that I have grown so much.  I don't know exactly how 2012 will be able to top 2011, but I am excited to see what will happen :)

January 2011:  Began my New Zealand adventure!  See NZ blog. haha.  In January we spent three weeks taking classes at the Lincoln Ward building.  I began so many new friendships, figured out the bus system, began cooking lessons with Alice :), went to the Chinese New Year festival, One Tree Hill, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Kelly Tarlton's, learned how to quill, had a pet mouse for a little while :), witnessed my first touch rugby game...most of all, started to fall in love with New Zealand.

February 2011: Made Valentine sugar cookies with Noah, experienced the Chinese Lantern Festival in Auckland, hiked Rangitoto, began teaching at Pomaria Primary School, experienced my first Powhiri!  But before all that...I traveled to Queenstown and Christchurch!  And went skydiving AND bungee jumping.  SO much fun.  Queenstown is the most beautiful place, and I would love to go back someday.  I will never forget biking around the lake, Milford Sound...even our hostel- base X :)

March 2011: Said goodbye to Mrs. Stockenstroom's Room 4 Year 2/3 classroom.  Rotorua.  Wellington- my first train ride (12 hours back to Auckland- but so fun!). Bay of Islands.  Running with Allie.  Cape Rienga! Fed a baby lamb.  Going to the Hamilton NZ temple.  Zorbing! Singing Te Aroha while black water rafting! Man, I am so lucky...as I am reading back through my NZ blog, my heart aches!  I miss it so much. 

April 2011:  Finished up our trip to the Northland...we said goodbye to James, our wonderful tour guide.  Shed many tears leaving our motel in the Bay of Islands.  It was the last time we would all be together.  I sent a postcard home from the northernmost mail box in New Zealand! Katie and I said goodbye to our NZ mom, Alice.  I love and miss Alice so much.  I just wish NZ wasn't so far away!  I lived April 9th twice as I flew back to the United States.  I also cracked down on eating right, working out, and loosing the weight I had gained while I gorged myself with NZ treats and Alice's wonderful cooking for 3 months :)  I had the opportunity to help out with the opening day of the Atlanta Temple Open house.  I love our church so much!  I know that it is true.  The spirit felt that day at the temple was so wonderful.  I am looking forward to the day I get to enter the temple and make covenants with my Heavenly Father and be sealed for eternity to my husband! 

May 2011:  I turned 21! I spent spring term in Provo, attending classes.  I celebrated my birthday going to watch the midnight premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides with my wonderful friend Sarah and some other friends from our ward.  We even snuck my strawberry birthday cake Sarah made into the movie theater- that was an experience :)  One of the classes I took was PETE 212- Teaching Elementary PE.  It was such a fun class. And because of that class, I got my job for fall semester, which was such a blessing.  That class was also the last time I would be taking a class with Abby.  It was so bittersweet having spring term end, because that meant Abby was moving out and getting ready for her wedding.  She has been my best friend since we started living with each other fall of 2009.  I was SO happy for her and Korbin, but also so sad that I wouldn't be seeing her as often.  But I was so excited for my summer ahead. During May, Mekelle, Kyle and I took our last trip together up to Boise to visit Grandma and Grandpa.  Kyle and Mekelle packed up and moved away from Provo to head to Alabama.  Kyle graduated, and I shed many tears imagining not having them in Provo with me anymore.  Ever since I started at BYU, Mekelle and Kyle were a huge part of my life.  But life goes on...Kyle is loving medical school at UAB, and Mekelle loves her dream job.

June 2011:  Spring term ended, and I headed home to begin my summer being a counselor for Especially For Youth!  What an incredible experience.  My first two weeks were the two sessions at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia.  Being a counselor was an absolute dream come true.  I loved my years of experience as an EFY participant, and being a counselor was even better.  I spent those few weeks bearing testimony of this wonderful gospel that I love so much.  Each day I was teaching the gospel, and also being taught the gospel from the devotionals, classes, and the youth that I worked with. It was in those few weeks that I really thought about how amazing it would be to serve a mission.  Every day would be about bearing testimony and teaching the gospel.  What could be better?  It's hard right now having the option to go, along with so many other great options.  I don't know exactly how I feel about serving a mission right NOW, but I do know that one day I will.  And I can still teach the gospel and have missionary experiences without the name tag :)  We'll see though!  I also would love to start teaching elementary school after I graduate in April.

July 2011:  My best friend's wedding!  Abby was a gorgeous bride, and it was so much fun being a part of the wedding.  AND Michael Ann McKinlay flew to Atlanta for the weekend!  The week after the wedding, dad took us all down to Florida for a few days.  Running on the beach, laying out and taking naps, reading...that was such a fun weekend.  And it was the last time I would spend time with Mekelle and Kyle until Christmas.  But we had a blast!  After the beach I flew back out to Provo and spent a few days there before driving up to Rexburg to begin my three weeks of EFY at BYU-Idaho.  The youth there were so incredible.  I am so grateful I had the chance to be a counselor there for all three weeks.  

August 2011:  Until August 13th I was up in Rexburg, Idaho.  After EFY ended I drove to Boise and spent almost two weeks there with Grandma and Grandpa. Kaley flew in a spent a few days in Boise until we drove down to Provo to get her all moved in and ready to begin her BYU experience.  She auditioned for the ballet program, and made the top Theater Ballet team!  She's an incredible dancer.  I'm so grateful she decided to come to BYU!  I also began my final semester of BYU classes.  And I had the best schedule- work Mon-Thursday 8-12, and no class or work on Friday.  It was amazing.  Friday became my temple day!  It was such a blessing to go to the temple each week.  And I really loved being on campus one last semester.  I loved my Church history class and Anatomy!  I thought I was crazy taking Human Anatomy when I didn't even need to, but it was probably one of the best decisions I have made!

September 2011: School...work...gym...family...Brandon turned 15!  Katie and I went to the Rascal Flatts concert in West Valley- they will always be one of my favorites.  Kaley participate in her first dance performance- World of Dance.  I began attending my last season of football games as a BYU student!

October 2011:  New Zealand reunion! It was wonderful having ALL 16 of us together again, along with Dr. J and Linda.  I am so grateful I had the opportunity to go to NZ.  I also ran my Half Marathon #5!! That was exciting.  It was Sarah's first!  And I have a new PR- 1:46!  I was definitely happy about that.  It wasn't the same crossing the finish line without Mekelle, but it still felt pretty good :)  

  

November 2011:  Island Park with Jason and his family...such a fun weekend.  I'm so upset I didn't take any pictures!  Thanksgiving in Boise with Mom and Brandon, along with Ramon, Kiera, and cute little Beaumont Brahms :) Also, mom, Brandon, and I experience our first ride in a police car! haha

December 2011:  What a wonderful month!  First of all, I LOVE the holiday season.  After Halloween, it's the best time of the year.  Nothing is better than Christmas music on the radio and seeing all the Christmas lights around.  I just love it.  Getting tickets to the Christmas devotional was so awesome too!  And getting to go with Jason was even better.  I feel so lucky!  Telling people that I am dating one of my best friends that I have known for over 3 years now is pretty great :)   I also finished up classes at BYU!  It was bittersweet walking home from campus for the last time.  I can't wait for student teaching though!  I also had a bridal shower for Katie, who was married to Alex Jones on December 22nd.  I'm so happy for her!

It was wonderful spending Christmas with all of my family!  I love them so much.  How is it that 2 weeks can go by soooo slow while in school, and then again go by like a blink of an eye when I'm with my family? Oh well, I'm so grateful for the time I've had with them.  

Happy New Year!!!