Week #1

I have successfully completed my first week of student teaching.  It was wonderful to meet the students that I have been praying for.  I have nine precious little first graders in my class.  My host teacher is a friend from college.  She has been a great help in offering experiential advice, information on the students, and what she expects from me.

Unfortunately, by Monday evening, I had picked up some kind of illness.  It is slowly but surely getting better, I think.  It has been in my head, so my ears ache, my nose throbs, my eyes hurt, my teeth hurt, and I am very dizzy a lot of the time.  The Lord has given me the strength to keep going though, and I am so thankful.  I cannot afford to miss any.  Several of the students have been in and out with sickness as well.  Please pray for health, not only for me, but for my class too!

To be honest, life has me rather overwhelmed and stressed right now, but when I take a step back and look, I am thankful for the causes of stress.  I am thankful that the Lord has carried me through four years of college, and gotten me to this point.  He has increased my work load, enabling me to accomplish each step of the way.  The requirements of student teaching will be no exception.  I am thankful for a Godly man that I love and get to marry!  The wedding plans are very stressful right now as (Praise the Lord) our wedding day is quickly approaching.  I am getting a lot of help though from several dear people, helping relieve a bit of the stresses.  I am thankful for a solid Bible church where I am able to attend, worship, and teach publicly.  Why it is so easy to lose sight of the blessing that is, I will never know.  I am thankful that I am about to graduate and will be qualified to teach.  I am thankful for the open doors that the Lord is providing.  Yes, filling out employment applications is not something I have loads of time to do, but I am thankful for how He is opening doors.  So...all in all, I am working hard to focus on the blessings behind the stresses.

The topic of future job is in the making!  I have sent a letter of interest to schools around the area that Daniel and I plan to live.  All glory to God, I have heard back from two!  Neither one was a definite, but the door was not closed for which I am thankful.  This has added more to my work load, but again, Daniel and I are thankful for the open doors and possible opportunities.

as mentioned above, Daniel and my wedding day is quickly approaching...in fact, we are down to double digits!  He is such a huge support and help as I finish up my schooling.

I hope you all have a wonderful week.  Check back next week to read how Week #2 went.  I will be teaching an art lesson, an indoor PE lesson, and creating a learning center!

entering a new phase

Student teaching orientation has come to a completion, I have said my goodbyes to my fellow teachers, and we are all about to embark on this new phase of life...student teaching.  Where has the time gone?  I know this semester will fly by, and it is my hope and prayer that I keep up with it and make the most of the time I have.  I am about to meet my first ever class and I am excited.  I know I will never class as they hold a special place in my life as my first class.  I do not know anything more then their names at this point, but by this next time next week, that will be totally different.  What an awesome responsibility God has entrusted me with, and I only pray I use this time to its fullest.

I have a few areas I will be praying for myself with, and welcome you to join me.

•  That I continually deepen my relationship with Christ, providing my students with a positive example.  I pray that they will be able to follow me as I follow Him.
•  That I keep the proper perspective that I am in the ministry of people.  The academics and tasks are important, but the people are what matter.
• That the Lord give me a genuine love for my students and host teacher.

Please also remember my fellow teachers as you remember me in prayer.  There are four other senior el Ed students doing student teaching this semester.

My goal is to update my blog weekly about life as a teacher, so check back often.  I thank you for reading and supporting me in this amazing call on my life.

Student Teaching Orientation

I have been back on campus for a week and a half and while I still marvel at the fact that I am preparing for two of my greatest dreams, I am overwhelmed by the high calling of both.

We have been spending many hours in the classroom learning the requirements we have for student teaching.  This is the most overwhelming part for me.  I am excited to teach the students and learn from my host teacher, but I am nervous about keeping organized and on top of all of the additional requirements for student teaching.  I expect this to be my busiest semester yet (which I can't imagine life being any busier then certain past semesters), but I am eager to look back on it and see how the Lord grew me and sustained me during this time.

In addition to student teaching orientation, we have been doing some PRAXIS II study sessions.  There are two parts to this test that I will take on April 13th.  I have already passed the PRAXIS I (my sophomore year), and am much more nervous about this one.  This one is the technical specialized test that determines if I become certified or not.  All prayers are needed and appreciated.

We are taking one official class as well in our time.  We are taking "Teaching PE, Health, and Safety".  I have really enjoyed this class and specifically in learning about some of the inner workings of our body.  For instance, if you want to be improving in your health and fitness, your heart rate needs to reach 65-80% of your maximum heart rate.  Want to know your maximum heart rate?  Take 220 (what it is at birth) and subtract your age.  I have enjoyed learning this but am nervous about teaching PE in the school.  There are a lot of requirements for this class which are also a bit daunting.

Finally, we are also going through CPR and first aid training.  I have already taken both last year with being an RA but it expires this year (2 year certification), so it was good timing.  I feel like I am catching on to the CPR much better this year, but hope and pray I never actually have to use it.  They have just recently gotten new dummies for the CPR that are more life like in the "feel".  It is much more difficult on these new ones.  My palms and wrists are literally bruised and my arms very sore.  I am thankful for this training though and feel so much more comfortable with it this year.

So there you have it.  My life is kept fairly busy with the above.  When not in one of these, I am usually sitting on my bed working on my e-portfolio, or reading Called to Teach.

How are wedding plans coming alone? you may ask.  The bridesmaid's dresses have been ordered and shipped.  I am just praying fervently that they are right, fit, and everything works out with them.  We also hired a photographer over Christmas break, excited to have them capture our special day!  There is a bit of stuff we will be working on in the near future, life just has a way of being insane.

I hope this update finds you doing well, and refreshed in the Lord.  Feel free to drop me a note or give me a call, I would love to hear from you!

what a high calling

It's Saturday morning and so I allowed my body to sleep in...my eyes open and it is 8:11.  Thankful for God's provision in housing for this semester. I have a bed to sleep in and a roof over my head.  I decided to get some reading done.  For student teaching orientation, we are reading a book by Kenneth O. Gangel titled, Called to Teach.   All you teacher friends out there, I highly suggest this book. It takes a biblical approach on our role as a teacher.

While reading, I am overwhelmed by God's goodness.  When I step back and look at my life, I see clearly that I am actively working on two of my biggest dreams in life: [a] to become a teacher, and [b] to become a wife.  Such a high calling in both of these dreams, but I feel (without any doubt in my mind) that this is a call of God on my life.  I have no words to describe the emotions that go into this.

When this all boils down, my high callings have a huge affect on people.  In reading this book, I am continually reminded of how much more is involved with being a teacher beyond teaching academics.  I am a model to them day in and day out and whether I like it or not, they will be imitating me.  What kind of person will I be for them to imitate?  My heart desire is for my students to become more like Christ.  I need to not just be a good moral person for them to follow, but to be a reflection of Christ Himself for my students to imitate. I am reminded of  1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, as I am also of Christ."

This requires work...hard work.  A lot boils down to my personal relationship with Christ.  It has to be real and genuine.  This is so partially so my students will have a relationship with Christ as their teacher does (or better), but also so that when they imitate me, they are imitating Christ.  I do know though that I will never be a fully accurate image of Christ, so I pray that I will have humility to admit to my students that I am far from perfect and do not give an accurate image of Christ and they must therefore spend their energy ultimately imitating Christ, not me.

As a future wife I am first of all overjoyed with God's generosity in allowing me to enter into such a relationship.  Already I am learning so much more about Christ through my relationship with my fiancé.  May our relationship be a reflection of Christ and the love He has for His bride.

Neither of these tasks will be easy, but I am doing my best to first and foremost work and deepen my relationship with Christ.  I am secondly working on what I can do to prepare: read books, talk to others who have been through it, and pray for wisdom in both situations.  I ask that you join me in praying for these two exciting dreams ahead of me. I praise the Lord for how HE has directed me in this journey and brought me to this preparation phase of my life towards two of my greatest dreams!

come and gone

[all photo credit goes to my Mom]

Christmas break has come and gone.  Where it has gone, I have not the faintest idea.  Lord willing, I catch a flight out of Burlington this evening down to Charlotte.  This break has been quite eventful starting with a few days with that amazing fiance of mine (no pictures on this computer), and then up here for the remainder.  

Of course we had to get some Christmas baking in for the ambiance of Christmas.  Almond sugar cookies were the cookie of choice.  While we ladies baked, Dad worked his magic making Mom's kitchen beautiful. For those of you who do not know, my Dad is a contractor and my parents are building their home.  We have been in the house over 10 years, and it is a slow process, but the kitchen getting done has been HUGE!

 We celebrated our family Christmas on the 25th.  Here is our family shot for this year.  I am adding to the family next year...with a husband!

I loved the wifely/housekeeping gifts I got this year.  My mom made this apron with no specific pattern.  The neckline is adjustable and the apron is reversible.  The colors are perfect for our upcoming kitchen.  Mom, you are wonderful!

On the 29th, my sister (Maid of Honor) and mom had planned a bridal shower.  They went all out and made it an extra special time.  There was a blizzard that morning, but even with the weather conditions, we had 32 ladies out.  What an honor!  

 My mom made the cake (amazing, yet again), prepared several sweet breads (with the addition of an Aloha bread from my Grandma), crackers, cheese, grapes, carrots, broccoli and lemonade (provided by a dear lady at our church). Mom did a fabulous job preparing and planning the finger foods out. 

 Sarah was our lovely host who had prepared several fun activities and games.  She put a lot of time into it, making it such a special time.  Thanks, Sis!

 We had a fun time with my Mom's extended family, though missing my Uncle Dan.

 Much to our "kind of" surprise, Uncle Dan showed up!  I say kind of because he is the king of surprises, so to an extent it is not a surprise, haha.  It was so good to have him, his friend, and his new little puppy with us.

 Actually before the family all came, Dad finished his masterpiece...my Mom's kitchen.  Watching him work on this gave me a new appreciation for his carpentry.  He is truly an artist and very talented at what he does. Fun to see my Dad's talent put into and area of the home my Mom spends so much time fulfilling one of her many talents!

So there it is, my Christmas is a semi nut shell.  Praying flights cooperate so that I am able to get down to Charlotte tomorrow to travel back to school tomorrow.  My last semester is here and I am ready for the learning experience I know student teaching will be.

it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

I love college, but as hard as they try, it never quite feels like Christmas while at college.  I had the privilege of taking my exams early (because they were "in the drawer" to "take on your own time"), and so I was done academically by Friday mid-afternoon.  It was an amazing feeling.  My academic semesters are done and behind me-yikes!  Where has the time gone?  Because I am moving, I had to be checked out completely from my room by Saturday, so to add to the end-of-the-semester craziness, I was working on packing and moving.  I took a much needed break Friday night to go to the home of a couple from my church with some other college students and had a splendid time.  One thing I have been most blessed by during my college days is dear people willing to open their home and hearts to us college students.  Thankfully Daniel helped me move a bunch of stuff while he was on campus on Tuesday.  Saturday, I cleaned my room until it sparkled, and was checked out by mid-afternoon.

Saturday evening I drove in the pouring rain south to spend a few days with Daniel.  I expected to have to wander around Wal-Mart for some time until Daniel got off work, but as I walked into the store he was told he was able to go home, so I left and picked him up.  Sappy as it may be, it was so good to see him, even if we had just seen each other on Saturday.  We were able to go to church together on Sunday.  Monday afternoon we drove to Virginia in time to go to the Christmas cantata that his mom was singing in at the church his parents have been serving with.  The cantata was wonderful.  They did a special 'tribute' to the ones affected by the Newtown shooting.  The cantata's theme was "Peace on Earth" as we were challenged to think of peace as the presence of God.  Daniel's sister came over Tuesday and enjoyed a day all together.  

Wednesday morning, Daniel and I went back where I caught a flight home.  I was able to catch both flights which was a huge answer to prayer.  Grandpa and Grandma picked me up at the airport, and we went shopping before heading home.  It was so good to be home.

Being both with my family and future family has helped it feel like Christmas.  Seeing the home decorated Christmas trees, with the Christmas treats and sounds have been such a warm feeling.  Mom and I have some good time of visiting today as I am amazed at the woman I have been able to grow up under.  She has been baking cinnamon rolls all day using my Grandma Hewitt's recipe, how special.  My sister and I have had some good time tonight, and Dad has provided many laughs for us girls tonight.  We tell him frequently how privileged he is to live with all girls!

On a sober note, my heart aches for those connected and involved with the Newtown school shooting.  I may not yet be a teacher but my heart is already a teacher's heart.  Daniel and I had just been talking days before the shooting about how as a teacher, I will do whatever it takes to protect my children if a situation similar to this arose.  Having this situation come brought the reality to heart and mind.  I find my eyes continually welling up with tears as I think of these families now without their dear children for Christmas, and the rest of their years growing up.  As a teacher, how do you move on and teach when you have heard and seen this horrific shooting?  It is only by the grace of God that we can wake up to a new day and breathe, knowing that God is still on the throne.  This situation hits close to my heart, and I will remember 12.14.12, and ask that you do the same.  Remember all involved and pray that through this terrible situation, that they be drawn to the Lord.

I have only watched The Voice a few times, but I appreciate their tribute...

this time next week...

...I will be done with my semester, heading to North Caroline to spend a few days with that sweet man I get to marry.  I can hardly believe that my last academic semester is almost behind me.  Where did my college time go?  I have one week left of dorm life.  The Lord has been gracious in His providing for me.  I will be sharing an apartment next semester with a friend of mine.  She is on staff here at ABC and she too is engaged to get married on June 1st.  I think this will work out quite well.

Lord willing, this time next week all of my school work for this semester will be done and of the past.  I still have to revise a lesson plan, create a unit plan, take three exams, pack, and move.  Daniel will be here on Tuesday for us to do a pre-marital counseling session and then he has ever so kindly offered to help me move.  I won't move everything on Tuesday, but hopefully everything that I don't need in the next week will be moved to the apartment then.

The current plan right now is to spend a few days with Daniel, and a day with him and his family.  Please be in prayer as we will be trying to do some planning for our future [scouting out some Christian schools I may be able to teach at, possible housing, etc.].  The Lord knows, and we are simply praying that we have the wisdom and direction.  On Monday, he and I will travel to Virginia to celebrate Christmas.  On Wednesday, I will fly home for Christmas break.  I have some lofty ideas for Christmas break, and am scared I am setting myself up for failure.  I have lots I would like to do, while also hoping to have a very restful break.  All prayers appreciated.

Loving the Christmas season, but not totally feeling it yet.  I think that will change once I am with the ones I love [that is not to say I don't love the people here, but Christmas is a time for family {and my future family}].  I trust you are having a lovely Christmas season remembering the ultimate gift we received over two thousand years ago.  Joy and Peace to you.

a week and a half left

This week is half over.  I don't know if that makes me happy for scared.  I have a week and a half to finish all work, take exams, and completely pack and clean my room....yikes.  Praise the Lord for working housing out for me to stay next semester where I will have a kitchen.  I am excited to continue to watch Him work in this situation.  I have been working on several end-of-the-semester projects, and this week has been focused mainly on my science teaching.  I am teaching a unit on simple machines to a class of twenty fourth graders.  A specific prayer request related to that would be that the Lord give me wisdom with classroom management.  I have two students who are constantly bickering and causing major distractions.  I have tried separating them, and they start it with the next.  We aren't even talking quiet distractions, these are yelling distractions calling all students' attention.  I don't want to give up on them, but they are not catching much of the lesson, and neither are their classmates because of these two.  I have had a lot of fun teaching though and while this week has been exhausting with it [and I was just telling Daniel today how ready I was for this to be done], I do realize my love for teaching when I am with the kids.  College has been wonderful and taught me so much, but I am ready to get out on the field and be with the precious children.

I still have two days left to this week, and am eager to see what I can get accomplished.  I have two big assignments due next week that will grab the majority of my attention, but I am ready to work hard on them, and then have them done.  I should be able to relax some over Christmas break, and I am so thankful.  My body this week, especially, has really felt the absolute exhaustion that college brings.  This semester has been exhausting emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  The countdown is six more class days, a study day, and three weekend days, and I am off for the semester.  All prayers appreciated.

pictures...

Break was a wonderful time, but between the trip back down and the stresses of the remaining projects to do before the end of the semester, I no longer felt the rest and relaxation of break.  I went into it though knowing there were only three weeks.  That brought mixed feelings, for sure.

Here are a few pictures from break that I took.

My darling mother really struggles with keeping her eyes open for pictures, this is like our tenth try. 

 Scott was not thrilled to have me taking his picture.

 Be jealous...my Mom made a pumpkin white chocolate cheese cake.

 Don't forget the football.

I finally feel "caught up" and like I can breathe again.  This weekend, there was a lot going on, on top of lots of work I really needed to get done.  The work went quicker then I expected, allowing me to get caught up and get a tiny bit ahead.  Wing decorations were this past weekend and my wing decorated with the theme "Over the River and Through the Woods" with a holler theme.  Here are some pictures from our wing.

For wing decorations, they open the dorms for everyone to view after the Christmas concert on Saturday night and on Sunday night.  We had lots of visitors.

Another thing I have been working on is my behavior system.  I did a movie theme and each student goes through a warning system depending on the color they have.  Like for example if they do something that needs it, I will tell them to "take a card" where they switch it to the next color, and each color has a different discipline.  I won't bog you down with all of the details.  But here are some pictures...

 So thankful for the helpful tools my sweet fiance has given throughout the years: a Cricut and laminator...both such huge elementary education helps.

Some fun happy news:

• While on break, I went dress shopping with my mom and sister and I got my dress.
• The other day while getting ready to leave an observation, two of the students began begging that I not leave and said "Miss Hewitt, please don't leave, you bring fun to this room".  I was touched both by their sentiment and their choice of words.
• Today, my housing arrangements were finalized for next semester.  Praising the Lord and looking forward to seeing how He provides the details related.

Anyways...I am going to get back to work.  I have less then two weeks here before break, and lots to do.  Gotta get back to crossing things off the list.

explanation

I just wanted to offer my readers a quick explanation.  It has been a few weeks since I have posted because a] life has been busy, and b] because I had several fun pictures to upload and when I went to do it, I got a notification that I had used up all of my space.  Curpooey.  I could not figure out how to delete old pictures for the life of me.  Thankfully I have a super awesome and smart fiance who ever so nonchalantly suggested "try this...". Whala...it works.

All that being said, if you go back to old posts, expect entries to talk about pictures that aren't actually there. It is not your mind going bad [though it could potentially be that too].  I am sorry I was unable to keep them there, but I was unwilling to pay money to put pictures on my blog, sorry folks.

So alas, there is an elaborate explanation for a simple problem you probably would not have even noticed, had I not said anything, haha.