Christmas Time! :)

Good lord, I've been so busy! I love it! From meeting the boy's family, to baking adventures, to mall craziness, to family time.....I'm exhausted! The adventures are not close to stopping though and that's okay :) 

Here is a photo recap of some fun times during this crazy week!

I've been surrounded by lovely individuals :)

Three applications to Virginia....a few more to New York....and hopefully a visit to both at the end of January! I would love traveling buddies!

I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas! My thoughts were with the families in Connecticut.

XoXo

Random Acts of Kindness

‎'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:39

Thoughts & Prayers

Must we never forget these names.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/15/sandy-hook-shooting-victims-names_n_2307354.html

Must we never forget this tragic event.

I'm writing letters to the students at Sandy Hook. Letters filled with words of encouragement. 

Please continue to pray for these individuals.

I gradumatated ;)

I am officially graduated and unemployed! ;)

I flew into Michigan on Thursday morning and it has been a whirlwind of fun since! I've been a busy girl, but now things are winding down and I am anxious to spend time with the family and with my friends. It's cold here in Michigan. I have been spoiled in North Carolina! I applied for a job in Maryland today and emailed an individual about visiting a greyhound rescue. I'm trying to put the pieces of my life together to create my 'after graduation puzzle.' Life is so exciting lately :)

Here are a few pictures of my past few days in the mitten:

I didn't take as many pictures as I wished to, but it sure was a fun past couple of days :) 

Even though student teaching is complete, I will continue to post my future adventures on this blog!

Job Positions

As I'm sitting here in my classroom listening to The Shins and waiting for my 4th hour students to arrive, I can't help but think about where I want to apply after graduation. It is a big decision and can be very stressful, as every individual knows. I feel inexperienced and unsure where to start. I've been 'offered' three positions in the NC area, but after researching the areas, I found the school districts aren't in the best shape. In one district, 60 teachers have left over the past two years and that makes me hesitant to accept any of their offers. 
Okay, so lets say that I turn down these three 'offers.' Then what? What if I fall in love with an area and they have zero positions for me? I guess I could look at the schools in the surrounding areas and commute. There is so much to consider with a teaching job. There are so many tiny factors you have to consider and like if you want a successful position. This makes me nervous and a tad stressed. 
I know I can work at multiple schools throughout my post-grad lifetime, and that's exciting, but is it bad to want my dream job right away? I tend to have unrealistic thoughts...and this is one of them! 
I guess I just need guidance right now.

End of My Student Teaching Journey

Man oh man...Friday was my last day at J.H. Rose.
There's an awful lot to say about my experience, but to sum it up, it was the most challenging, rewarding, and most beautiful experience I've ever had.
I'm so lucky and blessed....truly.
Friday was more than I ever could have expected. I was able to sit with my students and just talk. I received gifts, posters, and cards.

I knew I had to teach in order to complete my internship, but I didn't realize how much I mean to my students. Friday really showed me that through the struggles, we did bond and that I did make an impact. In fact, Friday morning a quiet student of mine approached me about a problem she was having. I feel like my journey was just beginning at J.H. Rose and I was finally finding my place.
I know the journey with J.H. Rose has ended, although I am going back Monday and Tuesday to sub, but I am taking so much good from the experience. That is all I could ask for. I'm so happy I took the leap to come to NC and put myself in a very diverse school. It has taught me many things that will carry over into the rest of my time teaching.
My students were not told I will be back Monday and Tuesday. I'm so excited to have two more days with them!

My blog will not end because my journey hasn't ended. This is just the beginning, and I can't wait to continue to record these wonderful life moments :)

Last Post-Observation Conference

Today was my last post observation conference with my University Supervisor. She has observed me six times and has visited my classroom multiple times for pre and post conferences. She has given me awesome advice, seeing how she was a teacher and assistant principal for 40 years, and she has helped me improve and work towards being an effective teacher. I'm grateful for the time I've had with her and how much she has helped me out.
As she was leaving today, she said a comment that made my heart smile. She turned to me and said, "Jodi, You should not only teach for a career, but you should teach others how to teach."
For a silly college student and beginning teacher who still has so much more to learn, this is a very heartwarming and kind comment. My student teaching experience has been filled with reminders of teaching being the correct career choice for me, but I'm pretty certain this comment set it in stone.
Thank You.