thank you fellow teachers.

I finished week two. it felt long at the time...but looking back, that was quick!

It was a mixture of fun and frustrating. I felt like it was more of a "daily grind" feel than the first week. I felt like I was pushing through material more than simply getting to know the students. I didn't like that as much. I felt like there were moments I was trying harder to fight the students and control the students than to be with the students learning and teaching together as a team. So that was frustrating. But as the week went on. I lightened up. I decided to quit fighting, and quit trying to do it all right, and simply do the best I could. I decided it was far more important to be a positive force in the students' lives than a controlling force. So that was my focus" to support the students." It was NOT perfect right away. And it still is a uphill battle. But, it certainly is better for everyone in the classroom. So that is what I am doing- supporting the students. Perhaps if I support them, they will support me in return? :) Still though, I feel a little be like this from time to time!....

I live with another first grade teacher here and two other student teachers. I am surrounded by teaching pretty much constantly. Obviously, when I am at school teaching is my life. I am at school at least 6 days a week. When I come home I am greeted by teachers. When I am at the AC (the store) I encounter many teachers. When I go to church, other teachers are at church. When I go for a run, other teachers are running, or berry picking, or walking. ...this is a gift from God...at least right now. You see, part of the reason I moved here was to commit myself to teaching. Back home I could teach all day, and play all night. I could easily leave the school and never think of it again until I had to be there again. I have distractions at home- tons of friends, tons of activities, and a plethora of other activities I could commit myself to. But here...there is not a lot. Except teachers. And when we get together, we talk teaching. We agonize over our tough kids, we laugh about the funny moments, we dread and dream about the year to come. We help each other on the hard days, and congratulate each other on the rather creative and outstanding moments. We giggle in the hallways as we overhear each other disciplining kids, or cheering them on. We roll our eyes at each other when the "too talkative" kids won't leave one of us alone. And at recess, we laugh about the moments that kept us going through the day.

Then when the day is done I am given a chance to connect with all the people back home I am missing. And low and behold, all of them are supporting me too! I can't thank everyone enough. It seems every corner I turn there is another person shooting advice, tips, support emails and always giving me a chance to further reflect and grow as a teacher. To all of the teachers back in Colorado, the ones I graduated with, the ones who taught me, and the ones who simply want to help. Thank you! You're support is valuable and appreciated.

Being a first year teacher. I couldn't possibly love and need this more. Sometimes I wonder what the hell I am doing in that classroom. Or ask myself "WHY DIDN"T COLLEGE PREPARE FOR THIS!?!?" or "What happens when your behavior system doesn't work!?!? What then?" But then, I hear the same questions asked from my colleagues and friends. I am able to vent about my struggles and hear constant suggestions on how to improve my teaching...I even get to give some advice out myself! I find myself in a constant state of reflection on my teaching. And I don't think I could become a successful teacher without this right now.

So to fellow teachers and supporters. THANK YOU. :)

surival of the fittest.

I made it through my first week. My last blog was written on Tuesday during the week- when all was happy and glorious. Turns out, that was the honeymoon stage. By Friday, I was barely standing. Don't get me wrong, I still love teaching, and my class. But good Lord, my classroom has become a test of my strength- it is survival of the fittest. May the strongest win...that's the students. They are relentless in their quest to defeat me. They have chosen one path- the loud, running, jumping, climbing, fidgeting, breaking things, defying path.

Now it is still clear that they want to learn. And when I come up with brilliant ideas to keep them from spinning cicrles around the room and get them engaged it is wonderful. But it can wear a girl out to keep that up from 9-3:30 5 days a week.

You see, in the summer here kids do whatever they want, whenever they want. The sun is always shining so the parents let them play during all hours of the night. They eat when they want, sleep when they want, play when they want. They pretty much are their own bosses. It works great for the summer. But then school begins...and the kids do NOT want to go to sleep, or listen to directions, or be told where to go. And why would they? They just had 3 months of complete freedom from rules. If I was a kid here, I would have a hard time adjusting back into school as well. After all I spend all day telling them where to be, how to be there, and when to be there. Recess is their escape from classroom expectations, but it is short lived.

They really do try. And they really do want to do well in school and listen to the teachers around them. But they are six- and sometimes that is tough for them. So for now I am keeping my expectations high, and attempting to stay strong and consistent. For if I don't, by December my classroom will not be run by me, but rather my students. So these first few weeks will be an adjustment for all of us. But I think we might make it there in time.

On another note. I had a good weekend. Not work free. But mostly relaxing. I went for a long training run-16 miles yesterday! My knees hurt. I also met some new friends who work at the hospital and we ate at a restaurant! That was thrilling- it was called Bayside. It is one of two in town that you can sit down at. It was pricey, but really fun to go out and do something out of the house.

AND the past two nights I have gone to bed after midnight or around midnight. Both nights- I saw the moon! And it was dark! That is the first time I have seen the dark since I left Colorado. From here on out it will be short lived- the light. They said it won't be long before I will watch the sunset right after school- and then I won't ever watch the sun set. From the time they start losing daylight they lose about 8 minutes a day..so even when I got here the sun was up for a much longer time. As it gets closer to winter, and to December and January they will start losing 10 minutes of light a day. But then, after January, we will begin gaining daylight quickly again at 10 minutes more a day and then 8 minutes more a day until again in June it is always light. I am learning quickly to not watch the sun for a clock like I can in Colorado. I need to actually watch the clock because the late night hours can really creep up on you before you know it when the sun is still bright as day at 11pm.

I am beginning to miss home. Especially with the start of football season. Ha. Weird, right? Watching football reminds me of home and Sunday afternoons with Kevin. It reminds me of going to Broncos games and autumn. Autumn won't really exist here. There are no trees to lose their leaves. That very specific smell in the air in Colorado during autumn won't be here. BUT there will be lots of costumes and "The Dance" (a party thrown at the Lions club here every now and again...I hear it can be quite outrageous). I can probably carve a pumpkin (for a price!) and I will even get trick-or-treaters. AND it will be snowy, which is JUST like home at Halloween. So, I suppose it won't be all that different, after all. :)

being a teacher

i love this...being a teacher that is. i have never worked so hard my whole life. last night, on my walk home from school, i calculated my number of physical hours at the school for work since i got here. In 8 days I had physically been at the school working for about 84 hours. but the great news is..i really think i am getting a handle on this teaching thing. and i sure do enjoy it.

the first five minutes was painful. so awkward..maybe not for the kids. but for me it was. but i got back into the swing of things. and we have had so much fun already. today we added dramatic gestures to a story read aloud, we marched around the room like a train. we danced to our clean-up music. we sorted insects and dinosuars and frogs. we played "magic ball" to get to know each other. we made a list of class rules: 1.be safe. 2.be kind. 3.be respectful. 4.be ready to learn.5. be happy. SMILE:)....they helped me with this. but the last rule was all on their own. its fabulous......but not everything is. after all, at any given point i have three to four kids rolling off their chairs and laying on the ground, flipping over in their chairs, getting up and trying to use the smart board instead of allowing me to, crying, running in circles, and punching their neighbor. and then i tell them they are not following our class rules. and suddenly they begin to learn again. we don't have recess until it is almost time to go home. and that kills them! and me! but we have made due thus far. we are already getting through the curriculum more smoothly than i expected to. and we are beginning to grow quite a bond as a classroom, regardless of how new it is. we work together so far. and we have a system that is beginning to arise- one that works for all of us. its not perfect- and sometimes its not pretty. but it is wonderful all the same. :)

and. it has been raining all day. its muddy. i wore my winter coat today. and i was cold at recess...i might need to do some shopping soon...REI lookout!

p.s. pictures to come on facebook! i promise! by the weekend.

OH BOY!

I can't believe I have only been here something like eight days. It feels like a month already....on a side note to those back home: I am sorry I have not been in much contact thus far. I really do intend on calling you. I have been at school for like 12 hours every day this week (including this weekend!) and just have not been able to call afterward cause the time difference...but I really do intend on calling everyone as soon as things settle down...


Speaking of settling down? When will that be!?! Tomorrow is the first day of my teaching career...as far as actual teaching goes. I am a bit nervous..and feel slightly unprepared...well, really unprepared. My classroom so far looks like it is mostly put together..kinda. But my brain. that is not put together in the least. My lesson plans exist. in some form...but like that will follow through. It will be an interesting day. But one to remember I am certain...Thank goodness for my co-workers though. Everyone is so kind and helpful and fun. Without them I would not have made it this long. They are all always helping me and working with me and inviting me to the events and such. I am so very thankful for them..

The same goes for everyone in the community here. I don't know that I have ever felt this welcomed. It started right off the plane last saturday with the big dinner of Pike. Then on Sunday the berry picking. Then Monday night, for my 22 birthday (WOAH!) a couple teachers made me ice cream cake and we celebrated. Then on Thursday I was invited to a dinner (I unfortunately could not attend due to work), and Friday we had game night at our house with members of the Baptist church. Then Saturday we had a BBQ after work at a 2nd grade teachers house. Then tonight my roommates made a big dinner and the neighbors came over..for a town with little for entertainment there certainly is a lot to do. But I enjoy it. And I enjoy them.

SO. On to tomorrow!! I hope it goes well. Wish me luck!

Running in the Arctic

Today I went for a long run.
This included an 8 mile loop on a curving road through the arctic tundra..at roughly 8pm...in shining daylight.
..my run concluded with an ice bath in the arctic lagoon behind my apartment.

...can't do that just anywhere. 

Thus Far

Woah. Where to begin?

I left Colorado on August 5 for Alaska…and that was the last time I ever saw the sky anything but light.  It is sunny about 20 hours a day right now.

Thank goodness my sister, Veronica, joined me on the trip here. She kept telling people it was for “emotional support.” That kept pissing me off…I had decided it was for fun- and fun alone.

We had a great time in Anchorage. We went to a furrier and tried on fur coats, and we did the tourist thing through the shops. We ate at a sweet café, Snow City Café. We played around and enjoyed each other’s company. It was so nice to have that time.

Then we got to Kotzebue. The first night was a blur. We got off the plane where the school district had a big sign and about a third of the plane went there for their ride. Veronica and I went to Dave Mason. He is the Middle High School principal here in Kotzebue. He took us home to his wife Linda Mason. I was to be staying with them; either temporarily or permanently was not determined. After I had just enough time to put my luggage down on the bedroom floor I was rushed off to The West House. The West House is one of the larger houses in town. The West family was making Pike for dinner. And that is was we ate, with about twenty other teachers and such from the area. That was fun, and overwhelming right off the plane.

That night I was offered a place to live in teacher housing with two student teachers, another 1^st grade teacher and two little kids (Fiona and Skyler).  SWEET..so add that to the list of thigns to do (move, find a bed..etc.). Then I went to bed at the Masons, at about midnight to a light sky. Then I woke up on Sunday morning for some berry picking on the tundra with some teachers I had met the night before. It was really cool to be out on the tundra. It is like walking on a giant sponge., literally. And there are berries and other plant life everywhere. We picked tons of delicious blueberries. They were so fresh and yummy! Colorado blueberries will never be the same to me. About half way through the berry picking I realized why Veronica came along—“emotional support.” It hit me. I am here to stay.

Sunday was mostly a day to “get settled.” Mostly that just meant I got really scared and wandered around town and from motion to motion wondering what this year would bring.

I spent the rest of Sunday walking town, watching football and eating free food from the school while I played on my new MacBook the school gave me while I am here. I started to feel better. Then on Monday I was given my classroom, my schedule, my classlist, and a lot of inservice information. This was followed by a group of teachers from a surrounding village armed with air mattresses and sleeping bags. They will be sleeping in my classroom all week for the district inservice and thus I cannot set up my classroom. I am forced to sit and think about how much I could be doing, but can’t. The good news is that I have a few giant Teachers Edition textbooks to read through in the next week, a new apartment to move into, a P.O. Box to get, an Alaskan I.D. to get and a lot of phone calls to return that I can work on until the teachers get out of my classroom.

Some background knowledge on my district- the Northwest Arctic Borough School District. This is a district in Northwest Alaska. It is comprised of 11 different villages, or 10 villages and one “town.” The town is my town, Kotzebue. It is the largest and has a bank, two stores, three restaurants, a DMV, a handful of apartment complexes, a few houses, a lot more trailer and mobile homes and a national forest (one tree!). It also has an airport where all ten villages must first fly to in order to later go to Anchorage, Fairbanks, or anywhere really, including the inservice. So for the district inservice the week before school starts each village flies in every teacher and sends them to Kotzebue school(s). They sleep on air mattresses in the classrooms and from there we inservice. It is kinda fun. We get free breakfast, lunch and dinner all week from the school and snacks during break times!

All this free stuff and fun inservice does not make us new teachers feel less overwhelmed. It makes us more overwhelmed. I am scared to death. How the heck do I do this? Not only am I living north of the arctic circle, away from friends and family and daylight- I also have to teach 1^st grade!?! YIKES! This will certainly be an adventure.