Work Has Begun

Photo: baby bobcat at DeYoung Family Zoo up north

Well, I officially started work on August 13th by spending time in my classroom and then off to Unalakleet. We had a short inservice but I had a blast seeing old friends and learning how to be a better teacher. Every year all the 17 schools in Bering Strait District come to Unalakleet to sleep, shower, and learn. Nothing like a cold shower to wake you up in the morning because so many people are taking showers. It's a true experience also when you are sleeping on air matresses with about 12 other people in the room.

I didn't need to go to the reading training since this will be my 4th year teaching it. I went to Unit planning instead but I never created a unit because my units are already created for me. Instead, the Kindergarten teachers and I colloborated with each other on how to do the curriculum a different way but still teach the objective. This has been my biggest challenge of making the curriculum my own and not being so "in the box". So for example to review the sounds one of the teachers thought of doing hopscotch with a few of the sounds we have learned. I'm so thankful for those teachers who helped me to expand my ideas on how to teach the curriculum. We also came up with different activities teachers could do to for each of the new Kindergarten standards we have to teach. Then we posted these ideas on WIKI, which is a resource site for other people not in the district or anywhere to look at also.

I also did a 4.5 mile run/walk while I was in Unalakleet. ran for about 45 minutes of it and fast walked for the rest. A truck took us up and away from the village and then we raced back. Well, I didn't really feel I was racing but I was trying to beat some people in front of me for motivation. I was really proud when my time was 50:22. I couldn't believe I could do it! I was really enjoyed the challenge but not so much the soreness a couple days later when I could hardly get up from a chair or sit on the toilet.

It was great to see past teachers I used to work with and my mentor that I had for two years. She continues to mentor me and I love coming to her with my questions and advice but more importantly she is a great Christian friend who reminds me of God's faithfulness and goodness. It was nice to take walks on the beach with another new friend I met last year. There was so little time to sit down and talk to other people. I hope in October to get more time to do that.

I also had to go to the clinic while I was in Unalakleet also. I thought I might have an ear infection because my ear was red and hurting really bad along with a shooting pain on the left side of head (same side as ear ache). I did not have ear infection or a strep but got some ear drops that have been working nice and a hot pad.

I am excited for school to start and I believe I have Tuesday ready to go. I'm not looking forward to the rest of the planning I have to do for the year. It takes so long! Bye for now!