The World Around me is ALIVE & Beautiful!!

In 2 short class periods in this class, the way I see the world has changed completely. Instead of being a passerby in the world around me, I am drinking in the world around me....even the tiniest of little details. I am painting mental pictures and appreciating the smallest specks which I previously would have been either oblivious to or just slightly taken notice of. For example, on my walk to the education building this morning, I saw a hill on campus that was covered in snow. I have seen that same hill covered in snow for the last week or so. It hasn't changed since I saw it yesterday. However, instead of seeing that same hill covered in snow, I saw that hill blanketed in white perfection, unblemished, untouched, as a white canvas waiting and anticipating the brush strokes of color from an artist's hand.

A similar example: I was rushing from the free parking lot to the education building in hopes of being a minute or 2 early instead of right on time. As I jogged, like I usually do, instead of just being aware that I was jogging and a little huffy, I noticed that my feet shuffled along the ground as a train chugging along the tracks. And my heavy breaths were visible in the cool, crisp air, puffing from my mouth as smoke puffing out from the train pipe.

A teacher who can change a students perspective and bring to color a world that they were previously just walking through and not soaking in, IS AMAZING and talented and is a treasure to her students. I am so grateful to be in Nancy Peterson's class, for the experiences she shares, the excitement she brings to the subject and for her passion. And to those former students who chose to focus on her imperfections and personally attacked her in the evaluations, SHAME ON YOU!!! And what a loss for you, you silly geese! (Geese because like the obnoxious, honking geese you see at a pond when you go to feed ducks, they are never satisfied!)

Back to School!

Well, I am glad our first week back to school is a short one. It takes me some getting used to after a break. And, even though it was only 3 weeks, I had the pounding, annoying, painful 1st day of school headache. So far, the teachers are great! Which isn't all that uncommon in the UVU Education program. All of my teachers in the program have been great! Many have been incredibly awesome! I hope to be that kind of teacher to my students one day.

One reason I wanted to write was because of a story our Language Arts teacher shared with us. She called in Patty's story. It was the story of a brilliant little girl full of creative thought and ability even before starting kindergarten. However, after 2 months into Kindergarten, she struggled to write a sentence. The reason being that her teacher's had tested her according to the district program and followed the recommended assignments, the majority of which were way below her level. They beat the creatively and brilliance right out of her by not "knowing" her abilities and her talents. It was very sad to me and has stuck with me! Perhaps because I have a little girl of my own who I think is quite brilliant, and can imagine how tragic it would be if the same thing happened to her.

I am excited for this semester and what we will learn. I would also be lying it I weren't a bit nervous and apprehensive about the work that lies ahead.