Each summer comes to an end, which always means school is starting up. Also, with each year, teachers gear up for yet another promising year to inspire and educate the youth of America. I am such a teacher. Although I don't usually get much of a vacation, I plan out what I will teach the first week, what I'll wear to put my "best foot forward", and what kinds of students I'll have that will make my year either easier...or harder.
This year, I have to say, I'm not as excited. Don't get me wrong I'm glad to get back in the swing of things but I find myself completely preoccupied with other things in my life. Managing all of those "things" is going to be the biggest challenge. How do I be a great wife, mom, and teacher? And I'm sure I'm not the only one...
More than that, I see how little our job is related to inspiring and educating the youth of America. I originally got into teaching to do just that. Inspire and teach. I remember having great teachers that enjoyed teaching, thus prompting me to enjoy learning. I also remember having teachers that, over time, didn't enjoy teaching due to the "politics". In fact, I remember my junior year Spanish teacher, Ms. McKee. I was so excited to tell her that I had found my calling. I wanted to be a teacher. I didn't know exactly what kind of teacher at the time but I remember being very excited about the prospects of joining the elite group of teachers. I will never forget her response to me. "That's great! Teaching is a good job to have." Needless to say, I was a little let down by her reaction. "It's a "good" job? Why is it just a good job?", I asked. She looked straight at me and said "just the politics". At the time, I really had no idea what she meant. I'm starting my 7th year of teaching and now I understand all too well.
Like I said, I started into teaching to help the students I had in class, inspire people, educate on whatever the subject- be it school stuff, time management, respect, or just life. I had passion for it! Even in student teaching, there were days I'd leave school thinking, "This is what I was meant to do." As time as progressed, the politics of my job made me lose that passion.
Teachers have become "lower class", "babysitters", "paper pushers", and flat out disrespected. People (some people) don't look at teachers as the people that care for their students when mom and dad can't. Some people give snide remarks about how nice it must be to have summers off. Some people look at us as having very easy jobs, even when we don't judge anyone else's profession. We are looked down upon by politicians and pigeon-holed into certain duties that do not help us do our actual job. And no, I don't know many teachers that got into the profession for the money, summers off, or for a carefree, "make your own schedule" kind of job. I know teachers that got into teaching to help students- with many things. I know teachers that genuinely want to inspire and challenge our children. But rather than being given the freedom to challenge and inspire, we're told to "push the student through". We are expected to teach 30 kids in one classroom for 45 minutes- all of whom have different learning styles, needs, and abilities. We are expected to teach the students the curriculum, how to be an appropriate citizen, respect, and anything else that may come across as a new "buzz word" on Capitol Hill. We are expected to handle budgeting and working with NO money provided for our classrooms. (Yes last year I spent around $3000 of my own money to get my students doing the curriculum based projects.) We are also expected to take class and further our own educations...all while updating grades within a certain time frame, meeting the needs of any IEP or GIEP student, contacting parents, evaluating and assessing students abilities, meeting benchmarks and standards, bringing everyone to proficient or advanced on state tests, and so much more.
Our job has been changed to the point that we can't do what each teacher genuinely wants to do...TEACH.
Am I complaining about my profession? Yes a little bit, but please don't misunderstand my purpose. I truly do love my job. I love being in the classroom and seeing that student struggle and then finally "get it". It's a great feeling to know that I've taught someone something that they will carry with them through life. What I'm complaining about is all the "politics" of teaching that hinder good people and good teachers from doing what they should be doing...teaching.
So in conclusion, I'd like to ask for everyone, teacher or not, to support the education system. Not the paper pushing and politics. Support the people who truly want to teach students and work very hard (year round) to figure out new ways to do just that...teach.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Getting ahead of the game...
Some of you may know that I'm a scrapbooker. I've always enjoyed scrapbooking, card making, and creating little crafts, and after I graduated from Millersville, I joined Close to my Heart scrapbooking company to sell supplies house to house. Although the business hasn't shown to be very lucrative for me personally, it does supply my addiction.
Now that I'm becoming a momma in November, I wanted to start ahead of time when making the baby's scrapbook. I really wanted to get a good head start on things just to try and keep up. *I mean, we've been married for 3 years and I'm still working on that album.* So when creating the baby's album, I really wanted to make it special and easy to fill in as the time flies by.
I have decided to share my pictures of the album. Because we aren't telling anyone the baby's name, you won't see any names and obviously we are missing a lot of pictures but I have post-its to tell me size of the picture and the subject of those pages. Please feel free to check out what I've done and hope to keep up with as the baby grows up.
As you can see, I wanted to get ahead. I used primarily Close to my Heart products because I have so much of their stuff. I've put post-its on the album to tell me what size pictures I need, where I need to journal, and if there are any other decorative items that should be included. I will certainly keep everyone updated on any other crafty things I decide to make and will update you on the progress once our little guy shows up.
Now here's my plug for the business...If you like what you see and just don't have the time, I'm more than happy to create a similar layout for you. Send me pictures and choose your papers/colors, I'll gladly create an album custom for you. You can email me, text, call, FB, whatever...I love to do this (in case you couldn't tell) so if I can help you get started, let me know! You can also check out the cool stuff Close to my Heart has to offer at www.closetomyheart.com. Check out the new Cricut cartridges and any new paper you'd like in your album. Hope to talk to you soon!!! Enjoy!
Now that I'm becoming a momma in November, I wanted to start ahead of time when making the baby's scrapbook. I really wanted to get a good head start on things just to try and keep up. *I mean, we've been married for 3 years and I'm still working on that album.* So when creating the baby's album, I really wanted to make it special and easy to fill in as the time flies by.
I have decided to share my pictures of the album. Because we aren't telling anyone the baby's name, you won't see any names and obviously we are missing a lot of pictures but I have post-its to tell me size of the picture and the subject of those pages. Please feel free to check out what I've done and hope to keep up with as the baby grows up.
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| Opening Page |
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| Pg Test and Bump Pics |
 |
| 13 Week Ultrasound |
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| 19 Week Ultrasound |
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| Baby Room and Shower |
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| First Pics |
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| Going Home |
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| First Weeks |
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| Firsts at Home |
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| First Thanksgiving |
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| First Christmas |
 |
| January 2012 |
 |
| February 2012 |
 |
| March 2012 |
 |
| April 2012 |
 |
| May 2012 |
 |
| June 2012 |
 |
| July 2012 |
 |
| First Beach Trip |
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| August 2012 |
 |
| September 2012 |
 |
| October 2012 |
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| November 2012 |
 |
| 1st Birthday |
 |
| 1st Birthday/Halloween |
 |
| December/Christmas 2012 |
As you can see, I wanted to get ahead. I used primarily Close to my Heart products because I have so much of their stuff. I've put post-its on the album to tell me what size pictures I need, where I need to journal, and if there are any other decorative items that should be included. I will certainly keep everyone updated on any other crafty things I decide to make and will update you on the progress once our little guy shows up.
Now here's my plug for the business...If you like what you see and just don't have the time, I'm more than happy to create a similar layout for you. Send me pictures and choose your papers/colors, I'll gladly create an album custom for you. You can email me, text, call, FB, whatever...I love to do this (in case you couldn't tell) so if I can help you get started, let me know! You can also check out the cool stuff Close to my Heart has to offer at www.closetomyheart.com. Check out the new Cricut cartridges and any new paper you'd like in your album. Hope to talk to you soon!!! Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
new appreciation for my parents...
*Disclaimer: This isn't a post putting down those that do not want to be parents. That is your personal choice and I completely support your decision to not have children. I, on the other hand, have always wanted children. This is where I am right now and, no matter your feelings on children, you should still appreciate the people that decided to have/keep you.*
With the next few months and the inevitable arrival of my first born, I've taken up a few new "mom" things- some instinctively. Of course my nesting habits have intensified (by 100% as Noah would agree), but beyond that, I've become much more of a "housewife"-- whatever that may mean. For me, it means cleaning until I can't think of anything else to clean, making scrapbooks, learning how to sew (made curtains, a nursing cover, and I'm working on a few rompers for the little guy), planning for the future, saving money on things I'd normally snatch up (even when NOT on sale), and in general being completely consumed with the thought of having the responsibility (and strength) to raise another human being.
In all those changes and whirlwinds, I've grown to have a completely new found appreciation for my parents and the hardest job they could have ever had to do. Looking back over my 28 years, I remember saying SO many times- "I will never be like my parents!" Well I'm happy to say, I was wrong. I am becoming more and more like my parents- in a good way.
My father is the strong, silent type that thinks before he speaks so that he doesn't say something that he will eventually regret. He was the one that when I screwed up only had to say "I'm very disappointed" and my whole world would come crashing down. He's a spiritual role model and cares deeply for his family, even when he doesn't voice it. I remember one time as a child, I had terrible nightmares. An ongoing problem, I woke my parents every night being afraid of whatever I had dreamt about. My father, after multiple nights of no sleep, came to my room with his Bible. Instead of trying to force me to sleep or getting angry with me, he simply read me Bible verses from the book of Psalms. I'm not saying I was "healed" from nightmares or anything but I don't remember ever waking up in the middle of the night again after that night. Those verses are still something I read over for inspiration and reassurance. I find myself hoping to have his strength and willpower to think before speaking and raise my child to know the difference between right and wrong.
My mother is a more vocal person (that's where I get it). I'm not saying this as a bad thing- what I'm saying is that my mother has taught me to speak up for myself. I see my mother as a very strong person. She handles things in such a way that is beyond what I see other people doing. When some people would give up, my mom continues to push through- making a way for things to be better. When we were growing up, I remember my mom "doing it all". She worked a full time job (factory work nonetheless), picked us up from the sitter, came home, made dinner, cleaned the house, took care of us, cleaned up dinner, got us ready for bed, and (I imagine) continued to work after we were asleep. She is super woman. There was nothing she couldn't figure out. If you couldn't get a knot out of your shoelace (which always strikes me as impossible), she did it in a matter of seconds- while making dinner and talking on the phone. When you can't find your retainer first thing in the morning and you've searched high and low- mom goes to your room, lifts your pillow, and there it is! Or when your heart was broken, mom always knew how to comfort you. It is like mom's have an extra sense- not sure what to call it but there never seemed to be something that she couldn't fix. Even now, she is the one I go to when I have a question about something. So far today, I've asked her at least 10 questions about how to cut this pattern, how to cook that meal, etc. I only hope I inherit that extra sense for my children-- and become super woman mom.
By no means am I saying I've always agreed with my parents or even respected them every second. I know that sounds awful but when we are "growing up", we know it all. It isn't until we are older, more mature people that we actually see the sacrifices our parents willingly faced for us- even when we were totally rotten to them. I am already seeing how people change when having a child. Noah and I have always known parenthood would be in our future together. We both know the sacrifices going into the world of parenting- financially, emotionally, physically, etc. I can't explain why specifically we want children, I just know that we love each other so much that we want to start a family. Hopefully someday, our children will be writing about how much they appreciate us and what we were willing to do for them because I am finally seeing how difficult of a job parenting actually is- So thank you mom and dad. There is no way I could ever thank you for everything you've done for me and continue to do. I love you both very much and am very excited for you to be amazing grandparents- just as you were parents to me. Thank you.
With the next few months and the inevitable arrival of my first born, I've taken up a few new "mom" things- some instinctively. Of course my nesting habits have intensified (by 100% as Noah would agree), but beyond that, I've become much more of a "housewife"-- whatever that may mean. For me, it means cleaning until I can't think of anything else to clean, making scrapbooks, learning how to sew (made curtains, a nursing cover, and I'm working on a few rompers for the little guy), planning for the future, saving money on things I'd normally snatch up (even when NOT on sale), and in general being completely consumed with the thought of having the responsibility (and strength) to raise another human being.
In all those changes and whirlwinds, I've grown to have a completely new found appreciation for my parents and the hardest job they could have ever had to do. Looking back over my 28 years, I remember saying SO many times- "I will never be like my parents!" Well I'm happy to say, I was wrong. I am becoming more and more like my parents- in a good way.
My father is the strong, silent type that thinks before he speaks so that he doesn't say something that he will eventually regret. He was the one that when I screwed up only had to say "I'm very disappointed" and my whole world would come crashing down. He's a spiritual role model and cares deeply for his family, even when he doesn't voice it. I remember one time as a child, I had terrible nightmares. An ongoing problem, I woke my parents every night being afraid of whatever I had dreamt about. My father, after multiple nights of no sleep, came to my room with his Bible. Instead of trying to force me to sleep or getting angry with me, he simply read me Bible verses from the book of Psalms. I'm not saying I was "healed" from nightmares or anything but I don't remember ever waking up in the middle of the night again after that night. Those verses are still something I read over for inspiration and reassurance. I find myself hoping to have his strength and willpower to think before speaking and raise my child to know the difference between right and wrong.
My mother is a more vocal person (that's where I get it). I'm not saying this as a bad thing- what I'm saying is that my mother has taught me to speak up for myself. I see my mother as a very strong person. She handles things in such a way that is beyond what I see other people doing. When some people would give up, my mom continues to push through- making a way for things to be better. When we were growing up, I remember my mom "doing it all". She worked a full time job (factory work nonetheless), picked us up from the sitter, came home, made dinner, cleaned the house, took care of us, cleaned up dinner, got us ready for bed, and (I imagine) continued to work after we were asleep. She is super woman. There was nothing she couldn't figure out. If you couldn't get a knot out of your shoelace (which always strikes me as impossible), she did it in a matter of seconds- while making dinner and talking on the phone. When you can't find your retainer first thing in the morning and you've searched high and low- mom goes to your room, lifts your pillow, and there it is! Or when your heart was broken, mom always knew how to comfort you. It is like mom's have an extra sense- not sure what to call it but there never seemed to be something that she couldn't fix. Even now, she is the one I go to when I have a question about something. So far today, I've asked her at least 10 questions about how to cut this pattern, how to cook that meal, etc. I only hope I inherit that extra sense for my children-- and become super woman mom.By no means am I saying I've always agreed with my parents or even respected them every second. I know that sounds awful but when we are "growing up", we know it all. It isn't until we are older, more mature people that we actually see the sacrifices our parents willingly faced for us- even when we were totally rotten to them. I am already seeing how people change when having a child. Noah and I have always known parenthood would be in our future together. We both know the sacrifices going into the world of parenting- financially, emotionally, physically, etc. I can't explain why specifically we want children, I just know that we love each other so much that we want to start a family. Hopefully someday, our children will be writing about how much they appreciate us and what we were willing to do for them because I am finally seeing how difficult of a job parenting actually is- So thank you mom and dad. There is no way I could ever thank you for everything you've done for me and continue to do. I love you both very much and am very excited for you to be amazing grandparents- just as you were parents to me. Thank you.
Monday, August 1, 2011
In remembrance...
Ten years ago today, I lost a very close friend suddenly. Kenny and I were great friends in high school, skipping class and study hall to walk the hallways and chat, writing notes with song lyrics (mostly Sublime lyrics) back and forth for years. Soon after graduation we became more than just friends. He was one of a kind and certainly a very special person to me. It was a great friendship and relationship that was cut short that summer. After my birthday, he went with friends to the beach and was caught in a rip tide...I will remember the sequence of that day forever.
The weeks following the funeral were a blur and soon I was off to college. Luckily I had a wonderful roomate, Lauren, to help me through the rough times. I'm not totally sure how I made it through those first few years but I will say this, after 10 years, I have finally gotten a little insight into losing someone so special.
Things may not get easier with time but I have figured a few things out. I used to think that if God took him for a reason, that it should be shown to me so I wouldn't be so mad all the time. Turns out I didn't have to be because I had enough right in front of me.
In Kenny's last letter to me, he wrote "Garth Brooks is a smart man. "Our lives are better left to chance, I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance." Kaylia, I had always had respect for you and credit you for the complete u-turn I made."
At the time, I just thought it was a very sweet letter to write to a good friend and that I would remember how important I was to him for a long time. However, after ten years, I've realized that I am the one that should have thanked him.
Having Kenny taken so suddenly and at such a young age was by far the hardest thing I've had to overcome and continue to battle. He was very special and a great friend, but had I not lost him the way I did, I know I wouldn't have the life I have. Sure, there have been some very tough times with me not wanting to move on, going through therapy to handle issues that were out of hand, and trying to find the courage to move on. But now, after what should seem like a long time, I realize that I couldn't control things then and I need to accept the fact that I was so lucky to the time with him that I did. Had I not had him in my life, I wouldn't know how lucky I truly am.
So thank you Kenny. You are forever missed and loved by so many people. You were very special to many and we will never forget it. So in true K/K tradition, here is those all important song lyrics...
The weeks following the funeral were a blur and soon I was off to college. Luckily I had a wonderful roomate, Lauren, to help me through the rough times. I'm not totally sure how I made it through those first few years but I will say this, after 10 years, I have finally gotten a little insight into losing someone so special.Things may not get easier with time but I have figured a few things out. I used to think that if God took him for a reason, that it should be shown to me so I wouldn't be so mad all the time. Turns out I didn't have to be because I had enough right in front of me.
In Kenny's last letter to me, he wrote "Garth Brooks is a smart man. "Our lives are better left to chance, I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance." Kaylia, I had always had respect for you and credit you for the complete u-turn I made."
At the time, I just thought it was a very sweet letter to write to a good friend and that I would remember how important I was to him for a long time. However, after ten years, I've realized that I am the one that should have thanked him.
Having Kenny taken so suddenly and at such a young age was by far the hardest thing I've had to overcome and continue to battle. He was very special and a great friend, but had I not lost him the way I did, I know I wouldn't have the life I have. Sure, there have been some very tough times with me not wanting to move on, going through therapy to handle issues that were out of hand, and trying to find the courage to move on. But now, after what should seem like a long time, I realize that I couldn't control things then and I need to accept the fact that I was so lucky to the time with him that I did. Had I not had him in my life, I wouldn't know how lucky I truly am.
So thank you Kenny. You are forever missed and loved by so many people. You were very special to many and we will never forget it. So in true K/K tradition, here is those all important song lyrics...
Looking back on the memory of the dance we shared beneath the stars above,
for a moment, all the world was right, how could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye?
And now I'm glad I didn't know the way it all would end, the way it all would go.
Our lives are better left to chance, I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance.
Forever missed #56
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.
-Matthew 5:16
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