Angleman Syndrome

The main reason I chose to be a Special Educator is because of the experiences I had with a girl my age who has Angleman Syndrome. From the time I was in 1st grade until I graduated from high school I was able to work with this special girl. She would always brighten my day and still does when I think about her. People with Angleman Syndrome are special people. There is just something about them that makes you happy. In September I started working with a little boy who has Angleman Syndrome and he is the sweetest boy ever. I could be having the worst day and the moment I see Zachary it all goes away. I love to hear him laugh and see him smile. On May 15th Jared and I will be participating in a walk for Angelman Syndrome. I am excited to be able to give back (at least attempt) to these amazing people. For more on the walk and about Zachary go here. I know this post doesn't even come close to show how special these people are to me, but at least it is a start.

JOB!

I am going to be a teacher in the Cache School District! I am so excited! I received a phone call yesterday telling me that they wanted to offer me a job. I will either be working at a Post High setting or at Spring Creek Middle School in Providence. As I learn more I will keep you all informed.

Accomplishments

Today I received my cap and gown. I can't believe I will be graduating from college in less than two months. I don't think it will hit me until it actually has happens. I have a interview on Monday for a severe teaching position in the Cache District. I'm anxious to see how it goes and am hoping to hear from more districts.

Things at the preschool are going great! I love the kids and and people I work with. I am learning a lot about how to be a teacher and what teaching style best fits me.

Not many people know, but I have been doing weight watchers since the end of January. I am happy to say that I have lost 9 pounds since starting (hopefully it will be 10 this week). I feel great and it is such a great feeling to actually see results. I also ran 1.5 miles on the treadmill tonight. For me this is huge! I have have never ran that far without stopping. For those of you who know me I am not a runner, I leave that to my sister Stacey. Hopefully I will continue working on my running and learn to enjoy it. :)

Another accomplishment.....Spring break is in a week and a half!!!! After that I only have 3 weeks left of student teaching!

Go Aggies! Go Aggies! Hey! Hey! Hey!

Yes my Aggies are playing tomorrow, and I will be watching. I only wish I could be in Spokane to watch it in person. Go Aggies!

Aggie Basketball

On March 6, the Aggies regular season came to end. I have to admit I was pretty bummed because basketball has been the thing to get me through the last 4 winters in Logan. This game was also my last game I would attend as a student at Utah State University. Luckily Jared still has a couple more years so I will be able to get a spouse pass and still attend the games. :) It was a blow out against New Mexico State, unfortunately we were unable to beat the New Mexico Aggies in the WAC tournament. The Aggies are going dancing in the NCAA tournament and will be playing the Texas Aggies this Friday. Jared and I will be cheering on the Aggies and be hoping for a win.

These are just a couple of pictures from the game. We sat by Travis and Brit at every game so we had to have a picture of them :) I know my eyes are closed but it works. :)

Wild Bill has also kept me entertained at basketball games. He has made it big nationally and is making all of us Aggies fans proud.

Life has been going well for us. Jared has spring break this week and unfortunately I have school. My spring break will be the first week of April. I am really enjoying being at the preschool. The kids are so much fun and keep me on my toes. Yesterday was my first day of fully taking over the classroom and it has been going well. I get along with the aides in the classroom and my cooperating teacher. Jared is enjoying his new job. He is able to do a lot from home which means we are able to see each other more often.

Today was my birthday. I'm the big 22 now. Jared and I went out to dinner and then did a little shopping. It was nice just to spend some time together and not have to be doing anything major.

My new favorite month!

So March is my new favorite month, well at least until the next month comes along. The weather is slowly starting to warm up and the snow is slowly melting away. I am so excited for the warmer weather and green grass. I miss being able to go outside just to relax. Monday was my last day at Logan High. I learned a lot while being at that placement and hopefully it made me a better teacher. I met a lot of neat people and taught amazing students. Next Friday it is the junior prom and they take the students to that so Jared and I will be joining them. I will also be subbing a little for the aides when they are gone on Fridays so I will still be able to spend some time with the students. On Tuesday I attended a placement workshop and was able to be interviewed with Special Ed District Coordinators. I interviewed with Box Elder, Cache, Logan, and Morgan School Districts. I am currently filling out applications so hopefully I will be hearing back from these school districts about jobs. Wednesday I started at the preschool at Canyon Elementary School in Hyrum. So far I am loving it. I just love being around little kids. The teacher is amazing and I hope I can learn a lot from her. The next 7 weeks will keep me busy. I will be in charge of planning large and small group activities. There are 30 kids between 2 classes so the days are always crazy, but I guess that means there is never a dull moment. :) Jared just started a new job. He is a technical writer for a professor in the Geology department. I am not sure all that he will be doing, but I know he will enjoy it. He will continue working at JC Penney's 1 day a week. School is keeping him busy, but I know he is enjoying his classes. I am sad to say that on Saturday it is the last Aggie basketball game before the tournaments start. Luckily Jared will still be going to school next season so I will be able to get a spouse pass, but it still won't be the same. Life is going great. We are so blessed and are grateful for all of our blessings!

SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD!

Do me a favor...

Young people around the country are taking a stand and raising awareness of the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the words “retard” or “retarded” and are helping encourage Americans to think before they speak.

Help eliminate the demeaning use of the R-word(retard) –a common taunt used to make fun of others. Often unwittingly, the word is used to denote behavior that is clumsy and even hopeless...

BUT WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR NOT, THE WORD CONJURES UP A PAINFUL STEREOTYPE OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. IT HURTS. EVEN IF YOU DON'T MEAN IT THAT WAY.

On or before March 3, visit www.r-word.org and make your pledge to not use the R-word.

I never realized how much I used the r-word until I started paying attention to it. It is such a demeaning and disrespectful word, please help and eliminate the use of the r-word and spread the word to end the word.