I'm Here to TEACH!

One year ago I was anxious to begin student teaching.
Six months ago I was so thankful it was over. (I was also a college graduate!)
One month ago I accepted my first teaching job.
Three weeks ago I found a place to live.
And five days ago I moved.

Over the course of the year, my life has changed in ways I never could have imagined. This was the year that I decided I really wanted to be a teacher. This was the year that stretched me, pulled me, and twisted me in ways I never thought I'd go. And this is the year that I begin my career. After jumping through many hoops, I find myself here, in Ellinwood, KS, USA. And guess what? First graders get to call me Miss Everhart once again!

There is just something about moving to a small town and having your own place and classroom. Now I know it's not for everyone, especially the small town part, but as my friends would say, it's perfect for me. And thank goodness this town is so friendly. I have already made friends with the grocery store owner (because I went to the store the first three days I was in town). I've also met a few friendly faces at a 4th of July get together. I feel like I'm making friends, but heck, it's a slow process, because I'm still sitting here eating ice cream and blogging all by myself on a Friday night. No worries, I'm still so happy to be here.

I'm constantly reminding myself that I am here to be a teacher. However, a few weeks ago, that message wasn't so prominent in my mind. When we came to the "big city" to look for a place to live, there was one, yes, one place to live. Apartment B in the four-plex caty-corner from the Lutheran church. Now, this is no Pebblebrook (my very nice apartment in Manhattan), in fact this place was complete with fluffy brown carpet (that I described as "afro hair") and a very ugly green bathroom (Mom says it's official name is "avocado green"). In the hopes of making me a "good Lutheran," my principal suggested I take Apartment B because that was the only thing in town. So, I of course took it. I was pretty disappointed in what I would be moving into, but I just had to remind myself that "I'm moving there to teach!"

When I moved in on Monday, the "ugly bathroom" and "afro carpet" were the least of my worries, because when we walked in we had a few more problems. Let me list them; air conditioning broken, moldy fridge, dirty bathroom and kitchen, and a hand full of other tiny issues. But the biggest problem of all? EVERYONE HERE IS A KU FAN (or so it seems). Don't worry K-State friends, I will not grow weary and sway back to the crimson and blue; I bleed purple through and through (and I'm going to let everyone know)! But here I am again reminding myself that "I am here to teach!"

A part of moving to a small community is becoming a part of it. Now, on the 4th of July, I felt like I came pretty close to "becoming a part of the community" by being on the front page of the Ellinwood paper. After barely missing an old woman's head with a firework and almost catching her tree on fire, all I could say to myself was, "seriously, Andrea, this is how you make your entrance to the town?!" Thankfully, I wasn't the one to start a fire -- someone else in town got that privilege (Ellinwood knows how to do fireworks). Anyways, if you do it the right way, it's important to become a part of the community, especially as a teacher. So I will give it my best to do so.

There is a nice little Baptist church outside of town (no luck in making me a "good Lutheran," Mr. Sjogren) and in fact, I already have church buddies. Conveniently, a family friend from 4-H is from here and her parents go to church there. My friend gave me his grandparents address and so when I went for my walk tonight, I found myself at their house where they were outside. I left their house after a half-hour conversation, with one big smile on my face and a ride to church for Sunday morning. Slowly, I will become a part of this community.

I couldn't be happier to be where I'm at. I know I will have struggles that will stretched me, pulled me, and twisted me in ways I don't think I will ever go, but I'm going to give it my best shot. I will try my hardest, never give up, keep smiling, and I will teach.

As for the green bathroom, fluffy carpet, once-modly fridge, filthy apartment, and KU fans.... that will all be okay, because that's not why I'm here.

Thanks everyone for all of your support. I can't wait to begin this journey. It is my hope to keep up this blog going as the school year begins.

Below are some pictures of everything Ellinwood:

Ellinwood Grade School 

Classroom with windows! Lots of windows! That does a kid good.

My classroom full of stuff. Needs some work!

My lovely "home" for at least the next year, if not a few more.

Living room. Not to bad, eh? You hardly notice the carpet once I added in Grandma Everhart's "ugly chair."

Here's a good thing about the apartment; the kitchen (even if the counter tops, cabinets, oven, and microwave were all filthy). 

You can't even tell the shower, toilet and sink are all "avocado green." It's really growing on me, especially since I covered it up!

And here's to being an Ellinwood resident. (Happy 4th,  just a few days late). 

Until next time,

Andrea

What Now?

Well, I've been done student teaching for 19 days now and I consider today my second official day of unemployment since the holidays have now passed. In the days before official unemployment, I treated them as any other college holiday break. But now that I'm faced with official unemployment, I'm getting a little nervous of the future. Though I've completed student teaching (and since that's what this blog is for), I've decided to update anyone who chooses to read this, on my life in the past 19 days and what might be coming up in the future. Here we go...


In my days of "break" I went back to good ole Gypsum. Unfortunately I wasn't there much because we always had something to do. If we weren't in Salina shopping, we were somewhere else shopping. We made a trip to Wichita and KC as well as about 1598 trips to Salina. We did our usual holiday traditions: Christmas Eve Church at First Baptist in Salina, Christmas light looking, Georgetown Santa's, etc., etc. I made a big purchase as well: a new Canon Rebel T2i. I love it. If I'm ambitious enough I will do what I've always wanted to do: start a business. I also made time for some baking. It's not the holidays without some baking. I made the annual Cromwell Family Poppy Seed Loaf. My grandma and mom would make about 50 loaves a year and deliver them to friends and family, so I like to keep up the traditions, however I only got 17 loaves made. Even the batter is good. :)

Here's the recipe:


3 c flour   

1 1/2 tsp salt     

1 1/2 Tbsp poppy seed

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

2 1/4 c sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 c milk

1 c oil (i usually just use 3/4 c)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 tsp almond flavor

1 1/2 tsp butter flavor

Blend dry ingredients with fork.  Mix eggs, milk, oil and flavorings;  add to dry ingredients.  Beat for 2 minutes.  Pour into greased and floured pans.  Bake 1 hr at 350.

Glaze topping:

1/2 tsp butter flavor

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp almond flavor

3/4 c brown sugar

1/4 c orange juice

1 stick butter

While loaves are hot, poke with fork.  Pour glaze over loaves.  Cool.  Remove from pans.

I also got very domestic and decided to teach myself how to do the lattice top to a pie. It's a smidge tricky, but not too bad. Kind of fun actually. Here you go...

1. Start with a pie crust. I like to use the Jiffy crust where you just add about 4 tsp. of water. That's the best I think. Unless you're super domestic and make your own. Lay it out and cut about 1 inch strips. I used a ruler to measure out - but you don't have to. (See the upper left of this picture for the example)


2. (Refer to the same picture for this step) Start by doing about two or three strips going the same way. Use every other strip to lay across the pie going the same way. I started with three (they are the ones going horizontal in the picture). Then using the strips that you skipped, lace them with the others, only going the other direction (they're the ones  going vertical in the picture).


3. Keep doing this for all of the pie. HINT: keep your scrap dough if you have any. You might need to make additional strips.


4. Once the lattice top is finished, go ahead and edge the pie like normal. This is a bit tricky. I just kind of folded the edge under.

5. It takes a bit of practice - but not to bad! Once you've done all that, top it with some sugar and put foil around the edges (remove for the last fifteen minutes) and stick it in the oven! Easy!


If you have scrap dough, just make some dodgers! It's what my grandma always did. Lay out the extra dough, coat on some melted butter and pour on the cinnamon and sugar. Bake for about 8 minutes. Oh yum!

And those are the things I like to do the most. :) If you need help with the lattice top see this YouTube video!

The Endings

As you can imagine, so much has happened since I last posted. I tackled my last observations, two portfolios, graduated, and wrapped up the last crazy week of student teaching. It is such a wonderful feeling to be finished with it all. I can remember the first weeks and thinking about how 1) student teaching would probably never end, 2) student teaching would probably kill me. To my surprise, I did make it to the end, and I did not die.

I happily walked across the stage on December 10th to accept my very fake diploma. Nonetheless, it was somewhat a feeling of accomplishment. Honestly, once I received that folder with the fake diploma, I was ready to get the heck out of there. Thank goodness I was sitting by my good friend, Catherine for graduation - otherwise I wouldn't have made it. I admit, it was a long and boring ceremony and we mostly giggled the entire time - like good teachers would do. After graduation, my family and friends gathered at the Alumni Center for some grub. It made me realize just how fortunate I am to have such wonderful friends and family - thanks to you all!

Unfortunately, or fortunately (however you look at it) I was scheduled to go back to student teaching an extra week since I received my special education endorsement (they want you to get as much time in the classroom as possible). In that week (remember, it was AFTER graduation), I had two formal observations, needed to complete and submit my special education portfolio, and bake/get gifts together. Talk about stress! Let's just say that a week ago today, I was a hot mess. Now that I've made it to the end, you can only imagine what I've done.... NOTHING. Well, I've done a few things here and there. Some Christmas shopping, cooking, and serious cleaning, but that's it. And it feels so good. Sleeping until after 10 am, staying up until after 12 am, watching movies all the time, baking like a little homemaker, and shopping like I've made money the last four months. Life is good. And better yet? Christmas is in a few days.

Below are a few pictures of all the random things that have happened in my last weeks of student teaching.

 The dreadful portfolio that was FINALLY completed after some serious procrastination. This was only the first portfolio. I had another one for special ed. No worries, I procrastinated on that one even more. 

 The people who pushed me along the way this semester! Couldn't have done it without them. Shout out to Liz, Sha-ree', Lynn (Clinical Instructor), and Olivia.

 Christmas at Ware Elementary is kind of a big deal. We all stayed after school one night to decorate the hallways with butcher paper. This is just one tiny section of the hallway that a group of ladies did. Isn't it amazing? Butcher paper, that's it. 

 A highlight of my semester: Mrs. Claus (my mom, shhh) came to see my first graders!! 

AND... graduation! What a wonderful day. :)

I am so grateful to have completed student teaching. I have gone through so many challenges but have had so many good times. I love the teachers, staff, and students I've met along the way. I love the experience and the learning that I have taken on. And mostly, I love Ware Elementary.

Thanks to everyone who has pushed me on my way. And to think, someday I will be a teacher! (I can't wait)

To close with a quote: "Promise me you'll always remember... you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."


So long,

Miss Everhart

I Miss You Too

Many times this week I have been reminded about how quickly this semester has flown by. I think about that first intern meeting we had at Ware, the first time I awkwardly met the students, and how I thought it was such a big deal the first time I taught three lessons in one day. Nearly four months have past and I am now approaching my graduation. I seriously can't believe how quickly this as come and gone. I have accomplished a lot, learned a heck of a lot more, and mostly, I have enjoyed every bit of my experience. 

I wanted to write this quick update since I am down to the final days. We graduate Saturday (3 days, 12 hours, and about 10 minutes from now), but I still have to return the following week. All of the other interns are done this Friday, but I, along with the other two special ed "endorsies" stay an extra week. It's killing me really; knowing that everyone else is practically done and I still have loads to do. I can't really complain though, I'm the one who procrastinated. (In fact, I don't even have time to by blogging). I've decided that out of the fifty-ish elementary ed graduates, I am the last one to complete everything. In the next week-ish I have three more formal observations, lessons to write, and one portfolio to complete. People keep telling me to get to work, but I'm not worried, it will all get done eventually! My carefree attitude obviously has no worries. 

As I'm closing in on my final days I'm getting more and more excited each day. I absolutely love Ware, the teachers, and especially the students, but I'm ready for this chapter of my life to come to an end. Today as I was walking in the hall, one of my first graders came up to me lost. I knew exactly where he needed to be so I walked him to that spot. As we walked, he held my hand and turned to me in his quiet, soft voice, "you know Miss Everhart, I miss you." It's those kind of things that make you know that all of the hard work, late nights, lack of sleep, and tears were all worth it in the end. Even in the most frustrating of days (like today), you know that it's all worth it.

I've wished these days away for so long, but now that they are limited, things change a bit. I do want the end to come, but don't ever want to forget every memory that I've made along the way. 

Ya'll (yea, I say that now; even when I teach) probably won't hear back from me until after I'm done on December 16th. Take care. 

Until next time, 

Miss Everhart

So Close

I just realized not long ago that I hadn't blogged in quite some time. Going on almost four weeks without blogging seems crazy to me. I figured you all needed an update in the wonderful world of student teaching. A lot has happened - but the best of all is that I graduate in... 22 days, 15 hours, and 59 minutes. Not that I'm counting down or anything. I'll tell you what, I sure have loved student teaching, but I sure has heck need to graduate soon! Thank goodness it's coming sooner rather than later. I just can't believe how quickly time flies!

Tomorrow I will complete my fifth (yes, FIFTH) week in my special education placement. It is different but it is great. I am learning quite a bit every day. It's very interesting to me how first and third grades can be so different. And it's been great to see the many different ways that teachers teach too.

In the mornings just like usual we teach a reading class. This class is a mix of second and third graders. They can be rather frustrating just because they don't open their ears and listen. They are funny and very special kiddos. In the mornings now I do a pull out of three kids from a third grade class to work on vocabulary. That has been a fun challenge because of their characteristics and I have loved spending that time with them. In the afternoon we do the routine math and writing team teaching blocks. This past week I prepared a lesson on fractured fairy tales (what I would call fairy tale spin-offs). They came up with some pretty silly and hilarious stories!

The thing that is so different from general ed is that in special ed your time is far less structured. You have to be flexible and ready to jump around where ever you're needed. Instead of routine tasks, you do little things that no one thinks of. And you always have to be prepared for whatever.

Outside of school some fun things have been happening too. I went to the KSU career fair last week and got my networking on. I had so much fun chatting with districts and getting pumped up for finding a job. Last weekend I was fortunate enough to go on a weekend vacation getaway to Gulf Shores, AL. We left Friday and came back Sunday. We walked on the beach, went to a baptism in the gulf, and ate all the best seafood. It was such a blessing that I could escape the world of student teaching for just a few days. And the weather was AMAZING! Far better than Kansas that's for sure.

Life is good over all but I just can't wait to graduate. Three weeks from Saturday. Here we go!!

Before I sign off here are some things I've been learning...

• Kids are GREAT no matter what!
• Don't be afraid of any situation or any kid or any behavior. Just tackle it with the best strategy or idea you've got. It might not work, but at least you tried. 
• Third grade special ed is the place to be! We order chinese every week. Oh, and Mrs. K (one of the PARAs) brings us surprise Starbucks!

So long for now!

Until next time, 

Miss Everhart (or now I'm being called Miss Loveheart)

Feels Like Christmas

Typically, I spend my Thursday nights writing all of the lessons that I procrastinated on for that week. Since their due Friday, I always put them off until the last minute. However, this Thursday night, I'm doing nothing... and loving it.

We had parent teacher conferences 4-8 pm Monday-Wednesday after a full day of school  - so after working those long days, we got today and tomorrow off! Today honestly felt like Christmas once it had arrived. I have been looking forward to these two days for ever. I even got to sleep twelve hours last night. When does that ever happen?!

The last couple of weeks have been a little different. Since I made the switch to special ed, I haven't had much to do since I was just observing and getting used to the change. This break has been amazing. I go to school late (7:45 am; late to me), leave at 4:00, and spend the rest of my night doing... nothing! I even got in the habit of going to bed at 9:00 pm. How about that?! However, those lazy days are limited. I have been in my new placement for two weeks, which means I have to start teaching again soon - I've use up my "observation" days. So very soon I will be back to the grind.

For an update on my new placement in 3rd grade special ed: it's new; it's different. That's all I can really say. I like the change, but it's just so different from 1st grade. Amazing how everything can be so different in just two school years. The kids are more grown up and don't really care about you like the first graders do. The curriculum is so different too. And of course, the teachers and paras are new to me also. It's been an interesting two weeks of transitioning, but it's been good so far.

Being away from my first graders has made me realize that I need to be a teacher! If you know me well enough, you know that I have never been sold on being a teacher, but finally I have convinced myself that that's what I want (for at least a year)! In fact, I've slowly started the job search process. Instead of joking my Uncle Jay that I would come home to farm for him, I decided to start the slow process of finding a job. I frequently get freaked out about finding a job, which is why I am taking it slowly. Today I bought resume paper. That was a big step for me! There is a job fair at K-State in a couple of weeks, so I will roam around that for a bit. Then I imagine I will postpone the search until February-ish or until districts start posting jobs for the fall. For those of you that are curious, I plan to sub in the spring semester. I might even do some subbing at my old stomping grounds - Southeast.

Like I said, I was able to sit in on many conferences this week. Since I know my first graders so well, I got to go back to those conferences. I was reminded how much I love those kids. They still say and do the silliest things, and they still tick you off too. Either way, they are great kids who always put a smile on your face. In fact, I see them about once a day, but whenever I see them, they bombard me with hugs. One day, I was literally hugged by 26 children at once. I felt so bad because they were in the middle of PE - I was such a distraction as I simply walked through the hall - but I loved it anyway.

Each day I get closer to graduating. We're coming close to a month. Thank goodness! I never thought I would wish to graduate, but I seriously could not go any longer. I have to get a diploma - and soon! December 10th could not get here soon enough.

Here is my list of things that I have learned lately:

• When you leave 1st grade with Mrs. K and Mrs. S you eat just a bit healthier. No coke and no chocolate for me anymore. :) Good thing too. I used to eat like 300 Reese's cups a day.
• But when you leave 1st grade, you miss everyone. It's been one of those things that you don't realize how great it is until it's gone. 
• Everyone has their own teaching style. You may have to work with some styles that you don't necessarily like, but that's okay. There are many ways to teach; but no matter what, just do your thing. 

That's all for now. I sure hope that third graders get funnier, because I need some laughs to share on here. 

Until next time, 

Miss Everhart (third graders call me Miss Hart too and I'm okay with it)

PS: Go K-State!! :)

Hey Third Grade!

This won't be an exciting blog - but I just wanted to let you all know that I have officially made the switch from first grade to special ed third grade. Life is much different on the other side of the school. I've gone from teaching the same kids, in the same room, with the same routine every day to now never teaching in the same room, running all over, and working with different students.

The first day was alright. I felt like I belonged down the hall in first grade - but that's only because everything in third grade is new. New teachers, new paras, new kids, new materials. I was also reminded that I need to practice some serious subtraction so I can quickly check the students' work.

As I get the hang of things I will tell more on here, but for now, everything is so new. I hope I get the hang of it. And I hope that the next eight weeks flies by.

As always, the kids are a hoot. One kid looked at me and said, "you're pretty.... can you help me?" Haha what a great way to ask for help.

Until next time,

Miss Everhart