My Wedding: A Day in Progress

So... my fiance and I have set the date. On August 11, 2012 we will be leaving behind our lives as individuals and join ourselves together into the holy union of marriage. I am very excited to say the least. We've been putting it off for 4 years, because of school and we've finally had enough. While most brides can't wait to get the traditional wedding things out of the way, bridesmaids, maid of honor, limos, etc. I am not going to do that. I'm having a simple wedding without the hassle and annoyance of having other people involved. We aren't having bridesmaids, or groomsmen, or a flower girl, or a ring bearer, or a maid of honor, or a best man. We're not having alcohol at the reception, nor are we having music/dancing. We want it to be a simple day surrounded by the people we love and care about. We each get 25 invites, though I'm not sure I'll use all of mine.

I have already found the venue, caterer, coordinator in one person/place which makes things simple. I have already found and bought my dress, veil, shoes and bouquet. I have the invitations printed and the save the dates are on their way. So within a month of deciding a date I have everything planned. Why does it take other women so long and cause so much stress? It's just a day.

 I've already come into contact with those who think it's awful of me not to want a bridal party or some special person to take care of everything, but I don't need it. I don't want a bachelorette party, because I don't want to celebrate "the last single night of my life." If you need to celebrate being single, don't get married. No one is forcing you into it.

I do plan on following tradition and being a virgin on my wedding day, which is something many brides who have "Traditional" weddings don't seem to see as traditional. I also plan on not letting my groom see me before the ceremony.

We aren't doing the unity candle. We have opted for sand, which I already have bought alongside the pouring glasses and the glass that will set in our house for the rest of our lives.

It feels so nice to have a culminating event of our 7 year relationship be so close! I'm really excited. I know not every bride is like me or sees things the way I do, but I'm just sharing my story so if someone else out there wants a simple wedding centered around the couple they won't feel so alone. I know I have searched website after website trying to find such a woman and I have yet to find one. Maybe I'm the only one, but I want that day to be all about my fiance and me. I don't want anyone else to be the center of attention. I'm not in it for a dog and pny show. The wedding is there for people to be a part of our lives being joined by God. I can't wait!

Locks of Love

Yes, I cut off my hair! I also donated it! It feels great to get a new look, but even better to donate it to a great cause. You should think about it the next time you get your long hair cut! I haven't felt better in my life!

Curious Commentary From A Reformed Geek: What life is like without school...

What life is like without school...

A typical summer day...

A Whirlwind End...

Well, I've done it. I've finished out my last semester as an undergraduate. Sometimes at night I would pray to have an early end to the semester, and to somehow get through finals without going crazy and my prayers were unfortunately answered. Tuscaloosa was hit pretty hard by an F4 tornado last week, while I was there. I'm fortunate to be safe and sound because not everyone was so lucky. People lost homes, businesses, family members, pets, possessions, etc. While riding through on my way to move out for the semester, because classes and finals were canceled due to the damage and power outages, I saw devastation that couldn't be described in pictures or on television. It doesn't look like the city I loved and lived in for 4 years. Commencement has been pushed back to August, but I'm just proud to have the ability to go. I have a diploma. I have graduated from the university, but in an expedited manner that no one would wish.

 I'll never forget seeing it come so dangerously close to where I was on tv, (fortunately it turned from the original path which was right towards me and many other students) seeing explosions, hearing noises, crouching in the bathroom covered in pillows praying that my mom wouldn't have to come find my body. I knew things were getting pretty bad when the satellite started going in and out, then the cell phones went dead and no calls would come in or go out, then the lights went out. I thought any moment would be my last. I'm so very fortunate to be here today and am even more excited to get started on my future. I have a purpose on this earth or I wouldn't be here.

I finished my clinicals, finished my projects and other things. Summer is upon us and now I'm moving in to a new gear. I'm starting my last few years in school. I will be working towards my MA in Secondary Education: Latin. I can't wait to get even more involved in the classroom, and finally be able to get married to my fiance of ~4 years (significant other of ~7). I also plan on working out a lot this summer and get back into shape. I've been working on it this past semester, thanks to the elliptical my fiance bought me. I've lost about 5 pounds so far and hope to keep it up so I can feel better about myself.

Overall, these blogs are going to be a way to chronicle my life. Not just in Education, but also personally, because what happens in our personal lives does effect our school and work experiences. I hope you all are well and safe. Until next post, Ciao!

Praxis Passer!!!

If you click the photos they will appear bigger!

Yep! That's right! I PASSED THE PRAXIS!!! I'm so excited! The only thing that's standing in my way for certification is coursework! I'm super proud of myself and am extremely relieved to be done with all standardized testing!!!

On another note... next week will be the last week of my clinicals. I've been having a great time since the teacher has been out, because I've been kind of the main source of authority and help in the classroom. I really know this is what I want to do. There are horror stories from my classmates, but I've loved my placement and will hold this experience to the thing that helped be to solidify my belief that I will be an AMAZING teacher!

Another Reason I ❤ Teaching...

Yes, we've done it! We're #3! We've got 3rd place!!!



"Third place in what?" you may ask. Well, a recent survey has found teachers to have the 3rd happiest career! Below is the snippet I got from yahoo news! I know I am happy when teaching about what I love. I think that's one of the most important requirements of a job: it has to be doing something you love. Let's give each other a smile and a big hug since we're so happy!!



The text reads : "Educators are responsible for helping kids grow into smart, productive adults. Of all of the employees surveyed, they value their daily tasks -- working with children -- more than anyone"

My First Latin Lesson!

Well, today was it, my first Latin lesson as a teacher. It was just a short-mini lesson, but the teacher said she loved my powerpoint, my use of images and videos, and the way I took the students imput! She said there was NOTHING that could be improved upon and asked me for the powerpoint to use in future lessons. I am reaclly excited to share this video!



Also, the powerpoint I used can be viewed below, because I don't think you can see it too clearly from the video. The room was dark so the students could see.

Latin is awesome!

View more presentations from Shauna McDaniel.

The video I used can be seen here : How Latin Became French

Personal Creed Project

I just finished my CSE 390 Personal Creed final project. We were tasked with creating something other than a lecture to tell the class about what makes us who we are as well as what forms what we believe. I decided to make a cartoon using GoAnimate. I hope you guys enjoy it!





On another note... tomorrow I will be teaching my first lesson! I'm doing it on Rome and how Latin became French! I'm super excited and super nervous! I'll post the video when I get home tomorrow!

Docendo Discimus!

Today I was able to impart knowledge a bout Latin to the French class I'm observing. It was extremely exciting. It felt as though I were a bottle about to explode and when I was able to finally tell a whole class of attentive students about Latin and have them eager to learn the pressure was lifted. I loved every minute of it! It wasn't much, but they were having problems and complaining about genders in French words.I told them of all the different ways Latin tortures we classicists with genders. Sometimes the neuter looks like the feminine, sometimes the masculine and feminine were exactly the same with a neuter variant, sometimes there were words that followed no rules. I think they were excited they didn't have to worry about that, but I explained it wasn't too hard. Especially with the devices we Latin teachers have to help us and students remember the many, many, MANY different Latin endings! I can't wait until I actually get to teach an entire lesson about Latin! YAY!!!

Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!

Yesterday was Mardi Gras, or in English "Fat Tuesday." I was able to witness students enjoying themselves in class, while the teacher connected modern festivities to the material they were learning for class. We had many, many king cakes, threw moon pies, and listened to Cajun-French music. The kids had a great time, and seemed to really enjoy the class. If a professor takes the time to plan out fun activites and takes advantage of holidays, and technology the classroom will be an awesome place to be. The teacher found many videos online to share with the kids, they also watched a short tv show that was like "Friends" except it was geared towards high school students and of course it was in French. A little cool thing I learned is that Bon Temps means "good times." I'm a big True Blood fan, and think it's cute that the name of the town is "good times." Another connection to the modern world for me!!

I'm really excited about teaching my class at the end of this month. I'm going to lecture about how Latin became French. I'm currently working on finding interesting material to show the class, as well as lots of information to put on a hand-out. Spring break is going to be my time to get together my material and create my lesson plan. I might even post the video of my lesson on here!

My overall lesson this week is that incorporating modern festivities and ongoings in your material is really important for keeping your students connected by letting them know what they're learning IS relevant. Also, the way to students' hearts is through their stomachs!

The Daily Show - Crisis in Dairyland - Message for Teachers
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

I came across this last night on The Daily Show. I found this extremely entertaining and think that it's fitting for the way we teachers are treated. I'm going into this field, not because I'm making a ton of money but because I want to help the future of America. I do think a pay raise is fair seeing that we educate those who end up making six figures or more. I just love Jon Stewart and his witty sarcasm!

It also turns out I will not be graduating in 2012 as expected. I found out yesterday that I'm required to finish all of my graduate school Latin courses. There is only 1 offered per semester and I need 4. I'm thinking about taking one this summer, but finding $1200 to pay for it is a whole other issue. I am also planning on taking an independent study course in the Spring of 2012 so I can start my methods in the Fall of 2012, which leads to my internship in the Spring 2013! Financing is another bump in the road, but I plan on dealing with it and getting through! I'm not going to let something like money put to shame all of my efforts and years of work!

Can we do it?

This week has been a very busy one for me. I've been trying to complete all of my practicum hours as the RISE center so I can start my clinicals with gusto and 3 hour increments. Between work, classes and student teaching life is busy. I feel as though I've stretched my self too thin! I have advising Monday, and will know what my graduate school schedule will be! I'm really excited! Also, two weeks from Saturday (March 12) I will be taking the Latin Praxis. I'm really nervous and really excited! If I do really well and pass it this will be my last standardized test! I tend to freeze and panic on standardized tests, so we'll see how it goes!

This Is Why They Call It Service LEARNING

Today when I walked into RISE I was nervous. Not nervous because I would be dealing with special needs 2-year-olds, but nervous because I would be dealing with 2-year-olds in general. I'm really afraid to be around kids, because I feel like they're so fragile and that anything I say or do will irreparably break them physically or emotionally.

Of course I got off work late and missed my bus so I had to trudge my way across campus to the building. I was late. I'm one who when they're late they feel as though they've committed a felony. I walk in expecting to be lectured or given the cold-shoulder, but I'm congenially escorted to my room which is filled with 13 kids and 5 adults. I'm thrown into action. I go and sit amongst the kids in a circle and we read a book, (I can't really divulge too too much because that would be a breach of my confidentiality contract)we play, we eat, we nap, I leave.

After leaving there I was sure of 3 things: #1 Secondary Education is the place for me, #2 Inclusion is the best thing for Special Education students, #3 I can't wait to have kids of my own.

Let me expand on these 3 things...

Firstly, without a doubt secondary education is the place I'm meant to be. I feel I can connect better on a scholarly level with kids grades 6-12. Also, not too many elementary schools have Latin, so I'm going to aim where I can find a job.

Secondly, inclusion is awesome. It teaches two different lessons at the same time. The special education children are able to have profound social experiences with "normal" kids that help them show improvement in their development, while the "normal" kids are able to connect to a special education student and learn that there aren't really very many differences between them. I know when I was in school we never had special needs kids in our classrooms, which made them a commodity. I think introducing special needs kids in the classroom helps kids learn that picking on someone who is different in any way is wrong, that everyone is ultimately the same inside even if we learn/look/dress/speak/express ourselves differently.

Lastly, I've always been kind of afraid that I would be a horrible parent. Mainly because I poked my brother's soft spot when he was a baby. I know that's a silly thing to base an entire fear over, but I can't help but feel bad. I think I'm mainly afraid that in some way I'm going to emotionally scar the kid or break it when I pick it up. I pretty much see children as living porcelain dolls. Being in class today and connecting with those kids help me learn that I will be a good mother. No one spontaneously burst into flame when I touched them and no one burst out crying when I played with them. I think this service learning assignment has helped me come in contact with tat mother inside me and I'm so very excited to one day have a family of my own, which I don't think I'll break.

I can't wait to go back next week and see the little kids again. I know the second time will be a ton better, because I won't be as nervous.

Just Chugging Along.

Today is my first day working at RISE. I'll be working with 2 year olds. Some are special needs and some are regular students. I'm really excited about working here. I hope they allow me to get my 10 hours done sooner than expected, because my clinicals are going to take up quite some time. I'm just excited to be working with these kids, and have heard that it's a really fun experience!



Speaking of fun... yesterday during service learning I couldn't have been prouder. The students in my Social Studies class told me they wish I was their permanent teacher, which made me happy. Also, last week there were two students who didn't really want to work and were really closed off. Yesterday, however, they both saw me and got out their textbooks! They were really smart too! I actually feel like I made a difference, and helped them apply themselves. I had a great time in my afternoon tutoring too (I think my group had the most fun!)




On another note... my TEP (Teacher Education Program) interview was yesterday! It went really well I think, though I was somewhat confused by his graduate assistant. She seemed somewhat flustered, because she was late and didn't really make sense when asking me questions. It was also really awkward, because my advisor/interviewer asked her to introduce herself, but she never did. I know I should've taken the initiative and said my name, but I didn't want to fluster her even more. She asked some question about ESL students and I answered in the best way I could. Fortunately while I was there my advisor said he would recommend me for the second round of the Fellowship process. I'm rather excited! Maybe I'll get it this time!

Bonjour Français!

Since there are so few places that are teaching Latin nowadays for my clinicals I have been placed teaching High School French! I'm actually pretty nervous seeing as how I've never taken one day of French in my life. I will be required to teach a lesson to the class, which means I'm hoping it will be a lecture about French history in English! We'll see how everything goes for this girl who knows Latin, Greek and Italian in a French classroom!!

My First Time

Hi blogosphere! This is my first post on my first personal blog! I'm really excited to be sharing my experiences with you. This blog is basically going to be me talking about my life as a teacher in training, and maybe occasional exciting news from my non-professional life. In the fall I'll start getting my Alternative Masters in Secondary Education: Latin, and am excitedly exploring the world of service learning and clinical experiences as we speak (or type!). I'll know where I'm placed for my clinicals this afternoon, and am really excited. So far I'm doing service learning with an 8th grade Social Studies class and a 7th grade after-school SAT prep class. I'm also working with 2 year olds at a special education center on my campus. I've always wanted to be a teacher and nothing is more satisfying than going into the classrooms this semester and feeling a sense of belonging there. I know for certain that this is my calling. Next step: getting funding for graduate school,YIKES!

I haven't been too lucky in my search for fellowships/assistantships. My first assistantship position fell through, though I'm not too sure how adamant the professor was for me to get it, and my fellowship fell through. I've applied for 3 other assistantships and will apply for my fourth and final assistantship this week. I hope something comes up, because I've been booted from on-campus living and can't afford an apartment. I'm probably going to be living at home and driving the 3 total hour trip here and back every day.

I'll be sure to keep you guys updated to what is going on!