Snow day!

These snow days in Alaska are MUCH different than those in Wisconsin.  Being snowed in is what we do so the last thing I want to do is to be snowed in even further into my house.  Nonetheless, today is that...a snow day.  The winds are strong and the snow is coming in all directions creating a white canvas for whatever the imagination can paint.  There is nothing out there after about 15feet.

I just finished taking Moses and Aquila out for their 4x a day daily rituals and their poor faces were snow covered in the 5 minutes of being outside.  If I feel stir crazy, I can only imagine what they are feeling as well.  I sure hope there is some clear weather and a "warmish day" (some where around zero would be nice) soon, they will be on the top of the treat list for a nice long walk!

Not to worry, I do remember posting my resolutions, but like most of us we talk about them in January, think about them in February, maybe write them down in March, then possibly work on them in April...so I consider myself ahead of the game, mine are already written down!  So as far as a positive post from me to you...there is data that I HAVE made educational improvements with these students.  I may be a first year teacher, I may not know all the ins and outs, but I do know kids and I care about them greatly, which is now showing in their improvements.  This is why I became a teacher, this is why I love what I do!

Smiles from the Midwest soon to grow in size!

This weekend, I am flying HOME!  For quite sometime I have been calling where I am living home, and for many reasons it still has the potential of being such.  There are great people here in the village, I have a pleasant group of students with a very diverse personality spectrum, the winter is much more tolerable than I had imagined, the housing is nice and new, I have roommate/colleagues who are great people that share interests and plenty of fun nights with me...for all those reasons I don't mind calling this a home of mine.  But, for a very big reason, "home" will always be where my family is...they are irreplaceable by other people or even experiences.  I can't wait for the next few days to pass right on by so I can be back there to recharge a piece of who I am.  My friends and family are a HUGE part of me and who I am.  I can say I feel myself getting lost a little without that physical support and presence from those who I have known and trusted for years.  On the flip-side, I do look forward to my return to finish out the year.  My students will greatly benefit upon my return after recharging my batteries, clearing my head, and looking at a fresh start to the year, and second semester.

In-light of the new year approaching, I figured I would close this blog with a jump start on this whole resolution thing that will need to be looked at in a few weeks.
Not in any particular order:
1.  Post my pictures and update the blog from fun events when first arriving in Alaska
2.  Update blog with fun stories weekly on a minimum basis, the interaction I get from you all reading is rewarding and creates a motive to continue with a smile.
3.  Remind myself daily of who I am, what I am capable of, and where I want to be in my life.  This is a step I chose to take and I will make sure it is a valuable one so in the face of a new position whenever and wherever that may be, I can use this experience as a prelude to a great career.

Happy Sunday before Thanksgiving

As I sit here on my couch with my feet up (currently on my lesson plan book) and the puppies sleeping in a collective clump, I am looking forward to the break coming up.  School has been a trying experience so far and I do hope with the adjustments I have made, it will go better in weeks to come.  I no longer want to wish for Friday to come, instead I would like to be pleasantly surprised that the week has come to a close and the weekend is already there.

Last night the group here in Kipnuk brought in Sunday playing games.  We were up until 3am (like many weekend nights) and last night we played one of my favorites, "Stone Age".  I have been so blessed to be placed with a group of colleagues who I get along with so well!  We are able to have a good time, with fun conversations over board games (which seems to be a common interest). 

As I come to a close with this short message to all of you, I am ready for the week.  It will be a short week with a long break to recharge my batteries and get geared up for all the loose ends to be tied up by December 16th.

No Goodbyes, See you Soons!

I wrote the following today in a meeting and I thought it was something more people would like to hear...

Chapter 3: No Goodbyes, See You Soons!

The month of July was filled with checklists and plans to fulfill.  Much of my time was spent with friends and family who I would not be seeing again until December.  This adventure is the only time I have fully been away from my physical support system.  I knew I would be ok and I would make it just fine.  My parents and siblings did well with raising a strong and sensible person.  At 30, this is one of the tests in my life, survival while meeting ALL new people.  My support will always be there, so I made sure while seeing people for the last time in July, there were no goodbyes.  Goodbye is when people will not be seen again, so I said, "see you soon", as in see you as soon as I get back.  You are important to me, you are in my life for good.

What a day! :)

So today I had my first formal observation scheduled by my principal.  Even though there was a storm arriving by lunch time, my observation time was kept as scheduled.  The kids of course were acting like any student on a potential half day or holiday (hard to contain and listen).  I did what I could, as I do each day, and taught my lesson.  I am feeling indifferent to the success of it so either way I guess I will be in-touch with the high-points that are discussed with me next week.

As the kids were secretly hoping school was dismissed at an early lunch time because of hurricane force winds and whiteout blizzard conditions.  I gladly accepted the 1/2 free day, took the kids to lunch and off to home I went.  I relaxed a little and it was so nice to spend that brief time for myself.  However, after supper, I was ready to head over to the school.  The school is the highest point in the village and most of the community members are staying the night in the gym.  The feeling of guilt was overwhelming so my roommate (yes, I have one now that not a four legged friend) and I went over to interact with the community.

Following my own rules set for myself this week, I went to have a positive interaction with my students and community members.  We brought a couple card games to the gym and there I sat with 4-8 kids playing UNO for almost an hour.  We had a lot of fun and hopefully it broke up the night a little for the kids.

As far as the weather, nothing major is coming from the sky and hasn't for a few hours now, but the river is flooding and we are getting the extra water this way.  There was a flood in 1974 that was huge, but this one that hit Kipnuk today is worse.  I am ok here in teacher housing and the community members are safe at school.  They are just stuck in a gym with a lot of people and the lights on (can't turn them off because that is how the generator gains power)

I came to Alaska to make a difference and positively impact other people.  Tonight by going to the gym I was able to interact with the kids even more and also a few parents.  The feeling of being here during somewhat crisis was an experience inside itself.  The village held itself together and all seems fine in Kipnuk.

Fulfilling Requirements

I have decided that while here in Alaska I have a huge task set in front of me and the best part is I am setting the rules of my success or failure.  There are times that people will come down on me due to misunderstandings or even one or more of my faults, but even their negativity cannot keep me from succeeding.  I am a dedicated teacher who loves to teach and I am making the conscience effort now to do all that I can to fulfill the reason I traveled practically out of the country and away from all the people I know and care about.

So the list:

• Make a positive impact on as many children and community members as possible - such as choosing to do open gym on Saturday.  I will never want to give away the feeling of how great it felt to be the provider of all the laughter and smiles the Saturday mornings in the gym!
• Get closer from a "good" teacher to a "great" teacher - I know I am capable of many things and all that is requested whether is is asinine or not will improve my skills as long as my attitude towards and approach to is positive.
• Have a life outside of the school building - I am doing well with game nights and dinners with my colleagues but I do need to extend this to community involvement.  There is open gym on Fridays and even if I go for just an hour it is something to interact with other Adults here in Kipnuk.
• Even though the term and process is cliche, "finding myself" would also be ideal - I need to dedicate more time everyday for me.  Just me.  This can be reading, working out, cooking, or even picking back up one of the random crafts I have done in my past.  While having "me time," I will be able to put thought into where I am, what I want, and where I want to go.

So at this point I will return to the lesson plans and move forward towards tomorrow.  This week's focus will be as many positive impacts I can provide to as many as I can reach.

I attached a picture of two very positive and healthy decisions I have made since I arrived.  They are troopers even though they didn't last as long as I did tonight planning lessons.  They are still right here and supporting!

Lemons in Mud

I have been stuck in some negative mud and I try to get away but it is finding me even in my secret hiding places.  It isn't fair for me or all of you that care about me to retreat so I will do my best to stop.  I don't plan on spilling out all the negatives because the positives (the students and my personal satisfaction while teaching them) is far better than anything.  I am doing fine and making some great progress with my class.  They are good kids and work through all that they have been given to try their best.  I even had over half my class visit me for Halloween treats tonight!  I am glad I went into teaching and will get past the non-teaching issues soon enough.  Also, I am thankful for the many conversations I have had with people back at home as well as the care packages.  The fruit, student gifts (they are loving the gum, pencils, trinkets), puppy treats, and all the goodies for me as well, are well received.  The care for us definitely makes the trip!  So again thank you.

There is a lot that can be said by avoiding sharing the "down" parts of life but being so far away it isn't fair to hide them either as that causes acts of retreat.  I will do my best to keep in touch as I said good or bad...so until next time (hope I will post much sooner than the last one)...