So today in 7th grade History, we discussed the differences between the real Pocahontas and the Disney version. One of the differences we discussed was her physical appearance. We looked at a picture from the Disney movie next to a painting done of her when she actually lived. This took me on a rabbit trail about "real beauty." I gave them a whole schpeel (sp?) about how girls don't really have waists that a guy can put his hands fully around and still have their thumbs touching (real scene from Aladdin). I also talked about how tough it is as girls to grow up with those movies because it shows us a false view of beauty. We talked about how a girl/woman's heart is so much more precious to God--and therefore, should be to everyone else--than what she looks like.
Not sure if that was an appropriate conversation or not, but I thought it was important to address. Think I'll get any parent calls about it?
I was very passionate in my speech. It's a personal pet peeve of mine...for obvious reasons...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Amazing Community
Ok, so I just have to brag on my co-workers and a few others for a moment here.
First of all, my room is in the basement. The basement flooded a few weeks ago, and so my classroom was thrashed. While everyone else was working on getting their classrooms set up, I wasn't even able to get into mine (carpet was being put in, paint was going on the walls, baseboards were being glued on). Therefore, I was WAY far behind. The day that my bulletin boards were put on the walls, five elementary teachers showed up in my room to cover the boards and put up borders. I didn't do anything and it was all done within an hour. Alone, it would have taken me at least 3 hours. Later that same day, a sweet lady who teaches here part time came and asked if she could treat all of the new middle school teachers to lunch at a local restaurant.
Second, I was feeling very overwhelmed by the novel I was supposed to start with the 6th graders. It's a horrible book and I was so overwhelmed. I went to one of the teachers here who used to teach my subjects. She was so supportive and said that she would back me if the superintendent asked her opinion. I talked to my boss about my struggles with this book. He talked through several options with me, none of which I thought would work. So, he and I went up to this teacher's room to ask her opinion. She said that she agreed with me that a different book should be chosen. My superintendent said, "Ok. I trust you both. Do whatever works for your kids." This means that I have to do a lot of last minute planning, but I still felt so supported.
Third, yesterday I visited a baptist church up here. There I met a sweet young girl (23 years old, married with a one-year old) who asked me to come sit with her during the service. She had to leave early because her daughter was making a ton of noise trying to fight off sleep :). Before she left, she got my name and number. At the time, I thought, "Well, that was nice of her. Maybe I'll hear from her and we could do coffee or something." Fast forward 24 hours to today. I get a call from her asking if she can bring the baby and help me in my classroom. She even offered to bring lunch and/or any supplies I might need. She stayed for a few hours and helped me sooo much! She's even going to find a table they have stored away for me to use up in the front of my classroom! Oh, and she said that she and her husband would be happy to store my tires for me when I have to switch to studded tires for the winter.
Lastly, out of the four teachers at the middle school level, three of us are brand new. I just met Matt and Rachel--the other two new teachers--a week ago. Already, we are so tight and they are going to be amazing friends. Matt invited me to dinner at his house last week and Rachel and I did pedicures and dinner on Saturday. They are absolutely amazing. God has truly had His hand in the three of us being placed here. They are fun, sweet, helpful and just absolutely precious. Matt's family has practically adopted me (inviting me to dinner anytime I want a home cooked meal, coming with me to Costco to find the best deal for a TV and wireless router, etc.). And even Rachel's husband has made it a point to try to introduce me to new people.
Overall, I honestly feel like this town/school has made the conscious decision to adopt me! I haven't felt homesick at all yet and I just feel like the people here are absolutely incredible. They are so sweet and supportive. Hopefully that won't wear off once I'm no longer considered the "new teacher." God is so good and the community of believers up here has definitely been an amazing reflection of Him. Thank you Kalispell and Stillwater Christian School!!
First of all, my room is in the basement. The basement flooded a few weeks ago, and so my classroom was thrashed. While everyone else was working on getting their classrooms set up, I wasn't even able to get into mine (carpet was being put in, paint was going on the walls, baseboards were being glued on). Therefore, I was WAY far behind. The day that my bulletin boards were put on the walls, five elementary teachers showed up in my room to cover the boards and put up borders. I didn't do anything and it was all done within an hour. Alone, it would have taken me at least 3 hours. Later that same day, a sweet lady who teaches here part time came and asked if she could treat all of the new middle school teachers to lunch at a local restaurant.
Second, I was feeling very overwhelmed by the novel I was supposed to start with the 6th graders. It's a horrible book and I was so overwhelmed. I went to one of the teachers here who used to teach my subjects. She was so supportive and said that she would back me if the superintendent asked her opinion. I talked to my boss about my struggles with this book. He talked through several options with me, none of which I thought would work. So, he and I went up to this teacher's room to ask her opinion. She said that she agreed with me that a different book should be chosen. My superintendent said, "Ok. I trust you both. Do whatever works for your kids." This means that I have to do a lot of last minute planning, but I still felt so supported.
Third, yesterday I visited a baptist church up here. There I met a sweet young girl (23 years old, married with a one-year old) who asked me to come sit with her during the service. She had to leave early because her daughter was making a ton of noise trying to fight off sleep :). Before she left, she got my name and number. At the time, I thought, "Well, that was nice of her. Maybe I'll hear from her and we could do coffee or something." Fast forward 24 hours to today. I get a call from her asking if she can bring the baby and help me in my classroom. She even offered to bring lunch and/or any supplies I might need. She stayed for a few hours and helped me sooo much! She's even going to find a table they have stored away for me to use up in the front of my classroom! Oh, and she said that she and her husband would be happy to store my tires for me when I have to switch to studded tires for the winter.
Lastly, out of the four teachers at the middle school level, three of us are brand new. I just met Matt and Rachel--the other two new teachers--a week ago. Already, we are so tight and they are going to be amazing friends. Matt invited me to dinner at his house last week and Rachel and I did pedicures and dinner on Saturday. They are absolutely amazing. God has truly had His hand in the three of us being placed here. They are fun, sweet, helpful and just absolutely precious. Matt's family has practically adopted me (inviting me to dinner anytime I want a home cooked meal, coming with me to Costco to find the best deal for a TV and wireless router, etc.). And even Rachel's husband has made it a point to try to introduce me to new people.
Overall, I honestly feel like this town/school has made the conscious decision to adopt me! I haven't felt homesick at all yet and I just feel like the people here are absolutely incredible. They are so sweet and supportive. Hopefully that won't wear off once I'm no longer considered the "new teacher." God is so good and the community of believers up here has definitely been an amazing reflection of Him. Thank you Kalispell and Stillwater Christian School!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
I'm Drowning!!
So here I am beginning my second full week here in Montana. It was great at first, but now that the real lesson planning has begun, I feel like I'm drowning. I have two grade levels, two subjects each. Plus a 7th grade skills class (geography, vocab, spelling, maybe some math facts...not sure yet) and an activity period every Friday for the whole middle school. Oh, and did I mention that my school doesn't believe in using textbooks? So I am having to do all of my own research on everything from the fall of Rome to exploration of the western hemisphere!
How in the world am I supposed to get all of this done and ready for the kids? Not to mention figuring out homework assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, fun activities. I don't know what the heck I am doing and I'm not sure that I'll be ready for the kids on the first few days of school--let alone the first quarter!!
AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
How in the world am I supposed to get all of this done and ready for the kids? Not to mention figuring out homework assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, fun activities. I don't know what the heck I am doing and I'm not sure that I'll be ready for the kids on the first few days of school--let alone the first quarter!!
AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!
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