Spring Is Here!

After a long, cold, Rexburg winter, it seems only natural to worship the first rays of warm sun to grace our presence each spring. When the sun is out and the snow begins to melt, 43 degrees has never felt so warm and beautiful. Today, however, it got to a scorching 63 degrees! We had to take advantage of this beautiful Easter weather. Becca and Stu came over for Easter dinner, and then we threw a frisbee around at the nature park and we fed the ducks. It was so fun and so refreshing!

I LOVE SPRINGTIME! 

We also carved our initials into a tree... is that bad? We had never done that before. It was fun! Here are some photos. We are wearing jackets because the sun was going down and getting a little chilly, but the weather really was very nice.

Confessions of a Teacher in a Lockdown

The terrible tragedy that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School occurred on the very same day that I graduated with my degree in Elementary Education. That event was probably the saddest thing I have ever heard about since.... like... 9/11/01. It really affected me. I shed many, many tears for those children and their families and the teachers at that school. I cannot fathom what that must have been like. Ever since that day, I have wondered what it would have been like to be in that position. As a teacher. At that school. Seeing those little faces and knowing that all of them were looking to me to be their hero.

If you weren't already aware, schools now practice lockdowns. This is when the principal gets on the intercom, says lockdown, and all the students gather silently in the corner of the classroom. The teachers are in charge of getting the lights turned off, locking the doors, and keeping the children quiet and calm. The good news is that teachers are informed before a lockdown drill takes place so that they do not panic. I have been informed about all the lockdowns I have had during the time I have been teaching, but since I am not a full time teacher, I get that news from the actual classroom teachers. Unfortunately, today I was not informed that we were going to have a lockdown drill. The other teachers knew, but I did not.

As soon as I heard "Lockdown! Lockdown! Lockdown!" over the intercom, I immediately realized I did not have a key to the classroom I am in. I used to teach on the stage, and I have a key to that, but I just recently started teaching in the classroom. So yes. No key. In a lockdown. I think it is real... not good. So I turn off the lights, tell the kids to go sit down in the corner, and I sit next to the door, hanging onto the door handle. A couple seconds later, I realized this was a dumb idea. I am sure I will not be able to hold back a crazed gunman. So I have the students sneak through the cubby area to the next classroom over. We are safe. Behind locked doors, at least. It didn't take me long after we were all seated to realize that it was a drill. They always go around and bang on the windows and jiggle the door handles when it is a drill, and I assumed a gunman wouldn't have chosen those same tactics. I was definitely relieved.

Being in that situation, however, really gave me a chance to think about how I would react in an actual lockdown situation. When I was hanging onto that door handle, I knew exactly what I would do if someone tried to enter. I would tackle him. (or her). I would run straight at him, full speed, wrap my arms around him, and tackle him to the ground. I would probably bite, kick, and punch. I would die, yes, but I know that would have been my reaction. I already had my mind made before I realized I would need to make a decision like that.

Anyway. It was definitely a scary, interesting experience. But, today was a great day, because I didn't have to tackle any gunmen at school!

Valentines for My Kids

I just realized that I forgot to share with my blog friends the Valentine's I gave to my cute 4th and 6th grade students. I just printed out a bunch of hearts on red and white paper, put a couple hole punches in them, and then inserted a glow stick! Personally, I think they are so cute, and a great, cheap alternative to candy :)... Plus. they LOVED them! 

PS: I got the glow sticks in packs of 10 from the dollar store :) 

Computer Programming

In case you didn't know, my husband is going to school to be a computer scientist. He is SUPER good with computers. Bryce always has been such a natural. He is absolutely amazing. He spends hours of his day every day programming..... but honestly I never really understood what he was doing. Whenever I look at the screen and at what he is doing, it just looks like a mess of numbers and symbols. It looks like a completely different language (which it pretty much is).
Here is an example: (You will probably have to click on the picture and make it bigger to really see.)

Here is my cute husband working on his latest project. He is creating and programming a game boy, pretty much. One step of his project is to create an alphabet library.... meaning he has to create every letter using code so that it shows up on the little LCD screen near the bottom of the photo. 

I have always thought it was cool that he programs computers and stuff... but honestly, like I said, I had no idea what that even entails. So, Bryce decided to give me a mini lesson! I got to help create some of the letters in his program.... It was actually a lot of fun! I created the "K", "L", "M", and "N". After I created those letters, Bryce said, "Good Job, Honey! You are now a computer programmer!" Haha. Yah. Right. But it was still super fun!
And now I kind of understand what it means to write code! 

*****Kind Of*****

Bryce is almost finished creating all his letters (right now he working on "x"). But here is a sample of what shows up on his LCD screen when we write a message using the font he created.

 (Bryce says "the font WE created"). 

Not My Will, But Thine.

Sometimes in life, we want things that Heavenly Father doesn't really have in our plan. Sometimes we get our hopes up for things that won't happen, because Heavenly Father has a different idea for us. I learned that a little better this week.

A couple weeks ago, I was recommended by my principal and one of my college professors for a job as a 4th grade teacher. The job would have been available starting this week, due to a sudden medical retirement. Just so you know, 4th grade is my dream job. I felt like this opening was MADE for me. I had everything going for me. TONS of references, I already knew some of the kids in the class from doing my senior practicum at that school, the interview went great... he even came and observed me and that went well too! Four or five people talked to him in my behalf to basically tell him he should hire me and that I would be the one for the job.

To put it in perspective, I thought I had this job IN THE BAG! I prayed every night that things would work out. That I would receive this job offer. I really did feel good about it. I had a very peaceful feeling like the Lord knew the desires of my heart, and that He would take care of me. It was a LONG week before I would receive the phone call.

My heart was beating so fast when I answered the phone call from the principal that next week.

I was totally prepared for him to say:

"Beki we were so impressed with you! Your interview was great. You did amazing in your observation. We would love to offer you this job! What do you say?"

But the conversation turned out a little more like this:

"Beki we were so impressed with you! Your interview was great. You did amazing in your observation. However we decided to go with a different candidate."

WHAT?????

Needless to say, I was bummed. Super bummed. I cried. A lot. I wanted this job so bad.

Anyway. A few days have passed. I have come back to my senses and have realized that the Earth is still revolving and my life hasn't ended. Heavenly Father really is taking care of me. He knows I want to be a teacher SO bad. And I know he will answer that prayer eventually. He has helped me understand that I will get a job in a classroom where the students need me, and I need my students. I need to have more faith in the Lord's will. My time will come. I mean... the fact that I have had 2 mid-year interviews is pretty crazy, and I have plenty of prospects still for the fall.

Here is to being happy! I feel so blessed to have the job that I do... Even though it is only part time, I love my students and I love the people I work with... Win Win, right? I can't wait to see what the next few months bring as far as job interviews and offers go!

Ticket Miracle

To preface this story, BYU-Idaho is infamous for giving out parking tickets. You can't go in a building longer than 5 minutes without getting a ticket if you don't have a parking permit. It is amazing how ready the ticket people are to give out tickets as soon as you get out of your car.

Anyway, Monday morning, Bryce and I went to the gym. We took the Subaru like we usually do. That is our "reliable car." But when we came out (just a half hour later) I saw that I had left a light on inside the car. AND unfortunately when I tried to start it, it didn't start. :( We tried starting it for a few minutes, but nothing happened. It was weird because it really didn't seem like a dead battery to me. A few minutes after that, a man came and knocked on my window and offered to help us if we had jumper cables. We we so grateful for his offer. But, sadly, 20 minutes later, our car still wouldn't start. And the guy helping us was a mechanic! If he couldn't help us, it was hopeless. So we had to leave our car in the gym parking lot. I really didn't want to get a ticket, so I wrote this note and put it on our windshield.

I didn't really think this note would work because, like I said, BYU-Idaho is a ticket nazi. BUT IT TOTALLY WORKED! When Bryce got out of classes, he went and checked on the car, saw that there was no ticket, and surprisingly, the car started right up! We must be doing something right because that was a ticket miracle!

Team Building

Well, working with the 6th grade at Discovery Elementary School has definitely been a learning experience. A WONDERFUL learning experience, definitely, but eye opening to say the least. SO MUCH DRAMA! It is so sad, but bullying, gossiping, and lack of respect have sort of taken over the two classes. Each student is great on an individual level, but they struggle like crazy in any group setting. I won't go into detail about what really goes on in the classroom, but let me just tell you, it is crazy. I talked to my mentor teacher... the one I had as a student teacher in 4th grade at the same school. She told me that when the now 6th graders were in 4th grade (so two years ago), they were the toughest group of kids she has taught in 32 years. SO yah. It will be a good experience for me!

My mind has not stopped stewing over what I can do to help the situation. Over the weekend, it hit me.

There are two things that I love to do more than anything. That is teaching and working at the ropes course. At the ropes course (and at Badger Creek) I was trained on how to facilitate team building activities and programs. I love teaching because I feel like I can have a powerful impact and positive influence on the youth. I love team building for the same reason. Over the last few years, I have seen how team building can completely change the dynamic of a group. It can transform self-centered youth into team players and unite even the most diverse groups. Team building increases self-esteem and inspires positive change.

So this is where the gears started spinning. I sent an email out to the 6th grade teachers and to the principal of my school, offering to start an after-school team building program for the 6th grade. I explained my qualifications, even though I know they were aware that I have done team building, since the principal had previously asked me to lead a team building inservice for the faculty and staff in the fall.

THEY WERE ALL FOR IT! I was stoked! I met with the principal today to discuss how to get my ideas in motion. I can start ASAP! We also decided to expand it to the 5th grade also. So I will let you know how everything goes!