Can I just tell you how AMAZING the football game was this afternoon?
BYU beat UCLA
59-0
And I was there. I loved it. Go Cougars.
BYU beat UCLA
59-0
And I was there. I loved it. Go Cougars.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Some Thoughts on Education
I work at a high school. I absolutely LOVE my job and this year I have a classroom!!! Yay! no more traveling room to room!
This is a picture of my sweet calendar invention that takes up a whole wall in my room. Having used it for a couple weeks, it works really nicely, if I do say so myself!
But more importantly than the calendar hanging on my wall are the things I'm learning as I work in the field of education. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a "teacher meeting." (joy of joys) It was a special training to teach teachers how to create a cookie cutter classroom that would somehow accommodate the needs of every student. Boy howdy, do I have quite the opinion on that training.
Reader BEWARE. I'm about the vent.
I understand the idea behind the training. In a class full of students with differing strengths and abilities, one might struggle to meet all intellectual needs. It is important to challenge those that need challenged and assist those who need assistance. I appreciated this part of the training... but here are the things I took away from our meeting that day:
1. TOO MANY people teach to the test! The woman that 'trained' us kept answering all questions and concerns with regards to the UBSQT (a Utah standardized test). It was as though she felt that it was the end-all say-all to all educational issues. And it made me SICK. Education is more than passing a state-mandated test. It's more than passing a class, or even getting an "A." It's about learning and developing and creating a wealth of information and knowledge that will help in life experiences for decades to come.
Education is NOT about filling in bubbles on a scantron after twelve years of schooling. Education IS about learning to THINK critically, SYNTHESIZE information, APPLY principles learned, EXPERIENCE growth, and form OPINIONS independent of society.
I wish someone would teach all the state employees with Ph.D's that life is more than bubble sheets and report cards.
2. One can go through years and years of schooling, specifically learning about education or even special education, and still no absolutely NOTHING about teaching a special education student. Okay, so maybe she does know something... but she was teaching us all the wrong things. For example:
Did you know that after years of working with special education children, it's still possible to think of them as "low-level" or "low-IQ?" And what's worse... did you know that someone with a Ph.D. and years of experience can and will label special education children as such? And the same 'highly educated' person will say that there is no way possible that many of these students will ever get a better job than the local Jiffy Lube?
I wanted to punch her in the face. The students to whom she was referring definitely have their own sets of challenges. But they're not lower level. They are at a different level. They have different strengths. These students may not be ready to learn advanced Calculus at a breakneck speed, but they are certainly capable of holding a job requiring more skill than flipping hamburgers. My students struggle with academics, but they try. And I'd like to see all of the accelerated students show as much love and dedication to others as the special ed students do. I'd like to see someone who can complete a chemistry problem in their sleep doodle with greater skill than Van Gogh. My students may have a hard time capturing their thoughts on paper, but I'll be darned if the next Steven Spielberg doesn't walk through my classroom doors everyday.
3. No matter how well and efficiently I do my job, there are still other teachers that ignore all of my efforts, and ask stupid questions that have already been answered. Go figure.
On a slightly happier note: Thank you, Mrs. Fairchild, for reading that note and putting forth the effort to help those students that struggle to be successful in an academic setting.
This is a picture of my sweet calendar invention that takes up a whole wall in my room. Having used it for a couple weeks, it works really nicely, if I do say so myself!
But more importantly than the calendar hanging on my wall are the things I'm learning as I work in the field of education. Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a "teacher meeting." (joy of joys) It was a special training to teach teachers how to create a cookie cutter classroom that would somehow accommodate the needs of every student. Boy howdy, do I have quite the opinion on that training.
Reader BEWARE. I'm about the vent.
I understand the idea behind the training. In a class full of students with differing strengths and abilities, one might struggle to meet all intellectual needs. It is important to challenge those that need challenged and assist those who need assistance. I appreciated this part of the training... but here are the things I took away from our meeting that day:
1. TOO MANY people teach to the test! The woman that 'trained' us kept answering all questions and concerns with regards to the UBSQT (a Utah standardized test). It was as though she felt that it was the end-all say-all to all educational issues. And it made me SICK. Education is more than passing a state-mandated test. It's more than passing a class, or even getting an "A." It's about learning and developing and creating a wealth of information and knowledge that will help in life experiences for decades to come.
Education is NOT about filling in bubbles on a scantron after twelve years of schooling. Education IS about learning to THINK critically, SYNTHESIZE information, APPLY principles learned, EXPERIENCE growth, and form OPINIONS independent of society.
I wish someone would teach all the state employees with Ph.D's that life is more than bubble sheets and report cards.
2. One can go through years and years of schooling, specifically learning about education or even special education, and still no absolutely NOTHING about teaching a special education student. Okay, so maybe she does know something... but she was teaching us all the wrong things. For example:
Did you know that after years of working with special education children, it's still possible to think of them as "low-level" or "low-IQ?" And what's worse... did you know that someone with a Ph.D. and years of experience can and will label special education children as such? And the same 'highly educated' person will say that there is no way possible that many of these students will ever get a better job than the local Jiffy Lube?
I wanted to punch her in the face. The students to whom she was referring definitely have their own sets of challenges. But they're not lower level. They are at a different level. They have different strengths. These students may not be ready to learn advanced Calculus at a breakneck speed, but they are certainly capable of holding a job requiring more skill than flipping hamburgers. My students struggle with academics, but they try. And I'd like to see all of the accelerated students show as much love and dedication to others as the special ed students do. I'd like to see someone who can complete a chemistry problem in their sleep doodle with greater skill than Van Gogh. My students may have a hard time capturing their thoughts on paper, but I'll be darned if the next Steven Spielberg doesn't walk through my classroom doors everyday.
3. No matter how well and efficiently I do my job, there are still other teachers that ignore all of my efforts, and ask stupid questions that have already been answered. Go figure.
On a slightly happier note: Thank you, Mrs. Fairchild, for reading that note and putting forth the effort to help those students that struggle to be successful in an academic setting.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Home Again... er Back in Provo.
After an extended stay in good old Boise, Idaho, I'm back once again in Provo, Utah. I really really really loved all the time I got to spend in Boise and I'm going to dreadfully miss everyone! But now I'm in Provo and I've resolved myself to enjoy life a little more this year... I start back up at work on Monday and school starts in just a few short weeks. I'm a little bit nervous, but mostly excited... Bring on the adventures!!!
Monday, July 14, 2008
A Little Light Surgery
I had a tiny surgery on my toes today. I had yeast growing in/on/under/around my two big toe nails and it was becoming rather difficult to wear closed-toed shoes or even socks. I went to the doctor and he removed the toe nails and killed the nail beds so they shouldn't grow back.
After the procedure, I got wrapped up in bright green bandages and sent home. As of right now, the numbing medicine is still in effect and I have yet to experience the less-than-pleasant regaining of feeling in my toes. My mommy also got a foot-shaped sucker (also pictured) since i couldn't have one myself.
After the procedure, I got wrapped up in bright green bandages and sent home. As of right now, the numbing medicine is still in effect and I have yet to experience the less-than-pleasant regaining of feeling in my toes. My mommy also got a foot-shaped sucker (also pictured) since i couldn't have one myself.
Kinda Like a Ladybug Picnic
Since I'm home for a few weeks, I'm not working down in Utah, so I decided to call up the owner of a local ice cream shop where I used to work and see if I could get a few hours a week decorating cakes. Thankfully, she agreed to as many hours as I would like, so this past week I went in and started working on some cakes. I was afraid I might be a little bit rusty since it's been about a year since I was whipping out 15-20 cakes/day. I was kind of looking forward to slapping together a couple easy cakes when I discovered that the first customer of the day had requested a lady bug cake! After a little bit of time and a lot of smeared frosting, this is my finished work of art!
I forgot how much I love decorating cakes! I've noticed that older women often have specific hobbies that they enjoy more than others. Some women knit. Others crochet. Some garden. many sew. Some paint or draw. I've decided that I think I'd like to decorate cakes until the day I die... That and I'd like to collect clocks.
I forgot how much I love decorating cakes! I've noticed that older women often have specific hobbies that they enjoy more than others. Some women knit. Others crochet. Some garden. many sew. Some paint or draw. I've decided that I think I'd like to decorate cakes until the day I die... That and I'd like to collect clocks.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The Shocking Story of the Two Front Teeth
Recently I haven't been feeling very well, so I decided to come home to Boise for the next month and a week or so. My mom is such a sweetheart. She flew to Salt Lake, where I picked her up from the airport and she drove my car all the way home. Thanks Mom! I owe you one...
Anyways, after spending the last four days in bed, I was finally feeling a little better today, so I decided to venture out on a grocery shopping trip with my mommy. We had a lot of fun and made a day of it. I ended the day with a pair of jeans, some capris, a t-shirt, some camis and an adorable green dress... oh yeah and numb front teeth. Here's the story:
Mom and I were standing in line at Costco. Luckily, the store wasn't terribly busy, seeing as it was a Wednesday afternoon, and the line wasn't too terribly long. Now for those of you that don't know my mother or me, and for those of you that know me but have not seen me around my mother, I must warn you. We have a good time. We are a little crazy. We might, by some stretch of the imagination, be considered weirdies But we love it. Anyways, as we were standing there in line, we started singing the song from The Lion King where Timon and Pumba are hula dancing. And we sang it in parts. Sorta. After letting out a fabulous "OY!" at the end, my mother complemented my OY-ing abilities and said we made a good team. Apparently I took this as a cue to bite her arm. Now let me tell you, I wasn't really gonna chomp down hard and leave a scar, I was just going to give it a little nibble, just for fun. I leaned down to place my teeth against her skin and ZAP !!! An electric shock went from the cart, through her finger, out her arm and onto my teeth. Let me tell you what, it startled me and tingled worse that your foot falling asleep and I was certain my two front teeth were going to turn grey! I felt like a rabbit having a root canal. It was quite the experience and I guess I learned not to bite my mom's arm at Costco anymore!
Anyways, after spending the last four days in bed, I was finally feeling a little better today, so I decided to venture out on a grocery shopping trip with my mommy. We had a lot of fun and made a day of it. I ended the day with a pair of jeans, some capris, a t-shirt, some camis and an adorable green dress... oh yeah and numb front teeth. Here's the story:
Mom and I were standing in line at Costco. Luckily, the store wasn't terribly busy, seeing as it was a Wednesday afternoon, and the line wasn't too terribly long. Now for those of you that don't know my mother or me, and for those of you that know me but have not seen me around my mother, I must warn you. We have a good time. We are a little crazy. We might, by some stretch of the imagination, be considered weirdies But we love it. Anyways, as we were standing there in line, we started singing the song from The Lion King where Timon and Pumba are hula dancing. And we sang it in parts. Sorta. After letting out a fabulous "OY!" at the end, my mother complemented my OY-ing abilities and said we made a good team. Apparently I took this as a cue to bite her arm. Now let me tell you, I wasn't really gonna chomp down hard and leave a scar, I was just going to give it a little nibble, just for fun. I leaned down to place my teeth against her skin and ZAP !!! An electric shock went from the cart, through her finger, out her arm and onto my teeth. Let me tell you what, it startled me and tingled worse that your foot falling asleep and I was certain my two front teeth were going to turn grey! I felt like a rabbit having a root canal. It was quite the experience and I guess I learned not to bite my mom's arm at Costco anymore!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
My Argentine Friend
I've determined that Argentines have the biggest hearts.
While working at the high school this week, I was in charge of assembling some "easy-to-assemble" cabinets to store some office supplies. As it turns out, these "easy-to-assemble" cabinets were not so easy to assemble. I'm no stranger to putting furniture together from a box, but I was struggling big time!
Well the school hires a janitorial service to come in and clean and it just so happened that as I was worrying about that dang blasted cabinet, the janitors (An Argentine man and his teenage son) were cleaning the school. The man, named Marcelo, came up to me and offered to help. Together, we figured out how to complete the cabinet. It took us almost three hours! I still had one cabinet to go, but Marcelo and his son had to get on to their next cleaning appointment.
Marcelo volunteered to come back the next morning and help me put together the remaining cabinet. I told him I was sure I could find someone else (like the science teacher) to come help me since he lives in Eagle Mountain (about 25 minutes away), but he insisted. I wasn't going to turn down some much needed help, so I agreed.
I brought him some cookies the next day, but I will never cease to be amazed at how charitable that man is. After we put together the second cabinet, he helped me move some furniture and as he left, he gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him if I needed any help moving something heavy or building anything else. What a nice man! And what a true example of Christ!
While working at the high school this week, I was in charge of assembling some "easy-to-assemble" cabinets to store some office supplies. As it turns out, these "easy-to-assemble" cabinets were not so easy to assemble. I'm no stranger to putting furniture together from a box, but I was struggling big time!
Well the school hires a janitorial service to come in and clean and it just so happened that as I was worrying about that dang blasted cabinet, the janitors (An Argentine man and his teenage son) were cleaning the school. The man, named Marcelo, came up to me and offered to help. Together, we figured out how to complete the cabinet. It took us almost three hours! I still had one cabinet to go, but Marcelo and his son had to get on to their next cleaning appointment.
Marcelo volunteered to come back the next morning and help me put together the remaining cabinet. I told him I was sure I could find someone else (like the science teacher) to come help me since he lives in Eagle Mountain (about 25 minutes away), but he insisted. I wasn't going to turn down some much needed help, so I agreed.
I brought him some cookies the next day, but I will never cease to be amazed at how charitable that man is. After we put together the second cabinet, he helped me move some furniture and as he left, he gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him if I needed any help moving something heavy or building anything else. What a nice man! And what a true example of Christ!
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