A Blog of Thanks

Carl and I were talking the other day about how you should be thankful every day of your life, and unfortuantly I am guilty of not always counting my blessings. However, because of this day of thanks I dedicate this post a few of the MANY things I am grateful for.

1. My loving husband, Carl. I would not be this happy if it were not for him! I grateful I am to be eternally his!

2. I love my family more than anything. My dad, my mom, Ashley, Allan, Annie, Angela, Autumn, Aaron, Amelia... they bring so much goodness to my life.

3. Breakfast. I will always be grateful for this beautiful meal that begins each day. Erin Stolworthy can tell you what number that is on my list ;)
4. What is life without good friends. I have been so blessed to meet so many wonderful people throughout my life and continue to stay close to a few of them.

5. I am so thankful for the restored gospel and my membership to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its standards and teachings are what make me who I am today; as well, it continues to change me into a better person.

6. Okay, this is a bit silly, but I am grateful for small, cute things--puppies, babies, mini bottles of ketchup--they light up my day. There is something about itty bitty things that make me smile.

7. I am grateful for humor. Though I am not a funny person, I love a good joke, a silly dance, or a witty remark. Laughter will always be a part of my world.

8. A good education and soon a degree & teaching certificate! I finished all the requirements for graduation last week with my student teaching and will receive my certification at the end of December. I am so thrilled to be a college graduate.

Of course, Carl and I had to make "thankful turkeys." I know, so 3rd grade, but we had a good time ;)

The Beginning of the End

Today was my last day of student teaching at Pyle Middle School. I would go so far to say that it was the best 13 weeks of my 4-year college education because I was able to learn so much about teaching and about myself. There's only so much you can do in a college classroom, though I did apply many of tools and principles learned there. While in the classroom I was able to learn what kind of teacher I am--what my strengths and weaknesses are--and how I interact with colleagues and students. Even though I am pleased with what I accomplished during these past 13 weeks, I know what I need to improve on and how to take it to the next level when I have my own classroom.

My students were simply amazing. They were so sweet, very polite and usually eager to learn. I was fortuante enough to have advanced 8th graders, so as a whole they like to do well in class! Each class had a unique personality to it and I always tried to adapt my lesson plans to what they would respond well to. I couldn't resist taking a picture of three of my classes :) They were the best thing that has happened to me in my very limited teaching career. I can only hope for classes like these in my future!



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