New beginnings...

My apologies for the lack of posts!! The summer came and went so quickly...

Visiting Japan was absolutely a blessing! It was amazing to have the opportunity to travel and network with many great people.

Yes, the school year has started over here at TIUA/ Willamette University in Salem, Oregon... We are moving into our third week of classes tomorrow!! Who would have thought?

I am co-teaching Vocabulary Building Strategies, and Volunteerism with a Focus on Teen Pregnancy. I am working with two amazing mentor teachers from TIUA, and I am very lucky to have such wonderful mentors that are so great! The past few weeks have been a big adjustment to working with Japanese students, working with mentor teachers, learning about campus-life, getting used to my work schedule, and of course the great balancing act between work and life outside of work!  I am fortunate to live close to work and I can commute with ease. Very very lucky... I am learning a lot from my coworkers, mentor teachers, students, and administrative staff! Everyone is very helpful and want us to get a good experience working at TIUA.  I think that the experience for the fall semester is worth all the work!!! There are still some unknowns, but I have faith that all will work out... it always does... [7amdolah]

Let the countdown to Japan begin!

COUNTDOWN CLOCK WIDGET

transition phase

Here is a snapshot of my trifold from the Teacher Research Symposium! It was quite the day. It was wonderful to hear and learn about what others saw in their teaching practices. I found it beneficial to hear from my classmates and what they tried in their classrooms. :)

My oldest sister is now a doctor of pharmacy! She graduated June 8th from University of Washington in Seattle. It was quite the joyous event. Four years of studying is quite the endeavor! Congrats Cheryl!

My last day with my middle school students was on Wednesday, June 13th. It was great to send off the kids for summer. They were totally ready for the end, and so was I!! haha. It was a great experience working with these kiddos, and I am looking for a way to continue working with them in the fall school year on top of working at Tokyo International University of America (TIUA).

Speaking about TIUA, we had our first official meeting yesterday. I gave them all the paperwork, they gave us all these handouts to look at. I got to meet my whole team in one setting, which was great!  We have another meeting on Tuesday afternoon before we fly out Thursday to Tokyo. :)

Final Conference DONE!

Hey there world!

I have just completed my final conference for getting my teaching license!!!  :D It feels amazing to be on the homestretch.

The only few things left to do are...

1. Teacher Prospectus Paper
2. Teacher Research Symposium
3. Edit Work Sample
4. ML Language Arts Test

I have a job lined up right after finishing school, and it is fantastic to believe that my goals and dreams are coming true... if only my body was not feeling weak and sick. I woke up this morning heavily congested. I tried to wash it all out when I took a shower, but no good.  It has stayed all day.  I took ibuprofen in the morning, and this afternoon I took Advil.  Still feeling the pain... Hopefully, I will be better tomorrow. I have my test!

Anyhoo... that is what is happening in my little world. :)

peace.

Dreams do Come True!

It has been a few weeks since I have blogged about my teaching journey... It does not mean it has been uneventful... It actually has been FULL of many things...

Since the end of the last post, I finished my Work Sample, went to the ALL-District Track Meet to support my kiddos, I had my 6th Formal Observation, I accepted the Global Teaching Fellow job at TIUA, I was called for another teaching job position and had to decline, I went to the Oregon Coast for a friend's Bridal/ Bachelorette Party, my boyfriend Graduated with his MBA, I completed my last Methods course, I found a roommate for August, and I am packing for my trip to Cabo San Lucas for my friend's wedding!!!

Many, many great things are happening, and more will be happening as well... Last night I took a moment to think about my journey thus far, and I have accomplished a lot for my 25 years on the earth.  Sometimes I think I should be doing more!!! I guess that is my spirit of adventure talking... since I have already traveled to 18 countries, accepted a job right after Graduate School, and I will be going to live in Japan for 2 years starting March 2013.  oh my...

I am continually humbled by the graciousness of the path that has led me through all the ups and downs,  and twists and turns. I am ready to continue this journey of life full of passion and desire to be a better teacher, be the best human being possible, and to be a content, grateful, strong woman full of peace and love.

Last Day of 5th Quarter!

Today was the last day of the 5th 6 weeks of the school year.  Tomorrow is grading day/ professional development day.  We had a "Carnival" today for the students.  They had a choice of attending different activities throughout the school... except the students who had to attend study hall because of their grades.  It was a bit chaotic having students run around the school with no accountability of being anywhere.  I roamed around the school a little to see the activities in action.  It seemed like majority of the students were in the gym for the dance, and I did not want to go in there so I walked by it. haha... I had to break up one couple sucking each other faces during 4th period in the hall. haha.  It was quite awkward, and please don't do that in school!!! Especially in the halls... so awkward to see middle schoolers making out... O_O"    I was shocked... It looked so weird. I yelled, "Stop it, [student's name] Go to class!!!" Yes, I knew the boy kissing the girl. hahaha. 

Anyhoo.... on another note!  Teaching has been going well.  I am going to have new seats starting next week, and will use a new system for students participating during the Warm-Up.  I have everything ready today for Monday, which is nice not to worry about during the weekend.  50 more days until Graduation!!! Just keep swimming...

School/Facility Visit!!!

This morning I went to visit MacLaren in Woodburn.  It is a correctional facility for youth, and I went to visit because I applied for a math position at the school in the facility.  It was quite the experience.  I worked in a correctional facility before, but this was different.  The were younger, and held here for hard crimes from all over Oregon.  I met with the Principal, and he showed me around the grounds and we chatted about the "students."  It was interesting... They application process ends this Friday, and then they will hold interviews the first week of May... I think it was interesting to see how the education is handled in the facility for the youth to attain their high school diplomas and some their college degrees.

interview. :O'

Yesterday evening I had my interview for being a Global Teaching Fellow in Tokyo, Japan.  I was very nervous.  I had 6 people interview me!  It was a round table interview, and they all asked me one question. It was a bit intimidating, but I think I did okay...  They said they will contact those who interviewed in about two weeks to inform us of the school's decision.  They will pass on the recommended candidates to Tokyo International University, and hopefully will hear back soon!  After hearing more about the program, and what I will do... I was getting more excited about this opportunity.  Before I was thinking if it is a good idea to stay in the U.S. and get my teaching experience built up here.... NOW I am all on board to go on this next adventure...