Got a Job!

Well, it is official...I got a job back at Claggett Creek Middle School!  It became official yesterday, but I will be a full-time employee as the Library Media Specialist.  Although it is not a classroom teaching position, I am so looking forward to spending time with the students and staff that I got to know last year. 

It amazes me how God knows the plan, and when I left there in June I wasn't sure if I would even have a job come September, let alone a job where I get to make an impact in the lives of students each day.  Excited for what's to come, and thankful for what Jason and I have been blessed with for this coming school year.

Last Day of School...of Claggett

5th/10th Period: English 7

Student's Notes to Me :)

These mean so much to me...

The reason why I teach...

Well, today was my last day of students at Claggett Creek...and my last full day there as a teacher.  It's amazing to think that this year went by so fast, and how much we were able to accomplish.  I know that my students learned a lot, but I also learned so much.  What a learning experience to come into a position at the beginning of November....to classes with no structure...no assignments...and then came me....someone who is a planner and likes to think of creative projects and assignments.  Needless to say, I think I was somewhat of a shock to my students at the beginning.

2nd/7th Period: Read 180

3rd/9th Period: English 7 (only half the class :)

Love spending time with this group :)

But we got used to each other, worked with each other, and by the end of the year it was hard to see them go.  I am so proud of all that they have accomplished and the strengths that they have been able to build upon.  As a teacher it would be easy to say you judge your success based on grades or test scores...which my students excelled :)...but for me how I judge my student's success on how they are doing compared to where they started, not just academically but personally.  Going on that criteria, this year was a landslide success. I am so proud of them, and know this year impacted their lives...which is why I love teaching in the first place.

Today is bittersweet though...as of now, I do not have a teaching job for the next school year, even though I am loved and appreciated my my administration and staff.  It makes it harder leaving for the summer knowing that once again my future is unknown.  I have learned so much, and have made some great friends in the teachers I had the privilege of working alongside.  We will see what the future brings...here are some pics of what we participated in after-school today :)

 

Claggett Creek Middle School: Mrs. Bernard 2010-2011 :)

New Stage

I am officially a teacher at Claggett Creek Middle School!  The position that I got in November was extended until the end of the year.  I have been hired as an employee of the district, which is great because hopefully that will mean that I will have a position in the coming school year.  I just had my last day as a barista at Starbucks last Saturday.  It was a bittersweet thing leaving, but it was something that I am grateful to close as a chapter in my life. It was a great job, and I learned a lot, but making coffee doesn't fulfill me like impacting and changing lives like teaching does.  As of right now though, I am so thankful for the job that I was given, and look forward to the coming year with the students that I have in my classroom.

Christmas Morning 2010

Jason just started his master's in special education at Portland State University.  He is taking two classes for the next two terms (one in Portland, one online).  This summer he will be going to school closer to full-time up in Portland, then it is just two more terms and he will have his endorsement.  I am so proud of him for going back and re-starting and re-focusing on something that he may have never seen coming.  I am so thankful for his hard work, and the desire that he has to take care of his family.  I know that if he becomes a special ed teacher, or a regular classroom teacher, he will make a huge positive impact on the kids that will be lucky enough to have a him as their teacher.

Other than my new job, and Jason going back to school we have been staying busy.  We got to spend a lot of time with friends and family, and with the new direction in both our lives it looks like we will get to do that more often now.

Last Look at Christmas 2010 :)

That's all for now :)

New JOB!!!

I have a new job!  I was officially hired last week, and today was my third day of teaching at Claggett Creek Middle School in Keizer.  I am so thankful for this opportunity, and although the last week has been crazy busy, and everyday comes with new challenges, I am so thankful.  I am hired at this point up to winter break, with the possibility that the job could be extended to the end of the school year.  Only time will tell, but for right now, I am a TEACHER :).

Here is a picture of the school...if you look to the third story on the top far right side, that is my classroom. :)  I have been working during my prep and before and after-school getting the classroom to feel like my own.  The teacher that was in there left a little over a month ago, so the room was in chaos to say the least.  I was told to box up and remove anything that I wanted, and to think of the room as my own...so I have been, which I love :)  I redid the bulletin boards today (I put some pictures of my classroom below), and plan on organizing some more.  The learning curve has been pretty steep...conferences are in less than two weeks, so I have been attempting to get some grades for the students...it's a lot of work, but it is so comforting to know that I will be there tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after...

Board all about me :)

Room 300

Jason is also getting started on his new journey...this Wednesday he has his interview at Portland State University for the Special Education program.  If he gets in, he will start classes in January, and will complete the program the following summer.  It is a program designed for teachers that are working already to add the endorsement.  When he is done with the program he will only need a few more credit hours to complete his master's.

So excited to get out on the ice!

Serious.

Jason and I have also been busy helping out with the middle school youth group at our church this year.  We are working with students that go to Judson and Walker.  I am diffidently getting my fill of middle school :)  We call the small groups D-Teams ) devotional teams. My D-Team got to go to the pumpkin patch together.  They crack me up, and have such amazing hearts that desire to please and serve.  We also went "Broom-Balling" with the mid-high up in Portland on the ice!  That was a lot of fun...I was shocked that I didn't fall the whole time :)

Not serious.

Judson/Walker D-Team

Cuddle time :)

Needless to say, we are so thankful for where we are, and are looking forward to what is going to come in the future. :)