Tender Mercies

Today, it was one of my students’ birthdays. He has Aspberger's and Autism, two social and learning disorders. Honestly, he's pretty...entertaining. The other day, he caught my attention after (in a loud, nasally voice...in the middle of my lecture), "I'm going to throw up!" I said, "____, what's wrong?" He replied, "I just ate my pencil and I'm going to throw up." I replied, "Hurry and run to the bathroom." I don't want to. I haven't in years." Ok...okk....

The other day, he kept saying things and I couldn't hold in my laughter. I honestly had to leave the room. And, of course, all the students knew exactly what I was doing. Anyways, it was his birthday today and I allowed them to work in partners if I assigned them. He always requests this one student. I know this student, a pretty popular guy, would rather not work with him, but he is so good to him. Today, another good kid in the class asked this student to be his partner and rudely said no. I told him he should and that this student was being so nice to ask him on his birthday. Anyways, he started to throw a fit. So this kid that he usually asks made eye contact with me and gave me a nod. I put them together. What good kids.

Honestly, I'm in a pretty bad part of kid and lots of them are pretty rough. It's really good to see when they show each other that they care for each other even when it is not convenient.

I recognize this is so poorly written, I'm just trying to leave their names out of it. You understand :)

Grandpa

Last night, while I was out, I kept receiving phone calls like crazy from my family. Eventually, I looked at my phone and realized that it was my family. As soon as I was dropped off, I made a call home and learned that my grandpa had died. I don't have much time now to write how much he meant to me, but here are two things I remember most. I'll add more later.

One of my favorite memories is when Grandpa used to send us his "Math Tests" in the mail. Living across the country in Georgia, I guess he had to make sure we were receiving quality education. He would mail us large white sheets of folded up, butcher paper full of math problems. We were to fill out the problems and mail them back to us. He taught me the importance of doing well in school and always gave us incentives to do better.

The thing I remember most about grandpa is how proud he was of me, of us all. Over the phone, he always told me how proud he was--for going to college, for being involved, for making car payments, for going to church--I knew I was doing what was right when I received his sincere validation. I am grateful for the humility and charity he showed us all. I have learned to be a better person by watching his example. I am proud he was my grandpa.

I'm glad I know that he will be with my grandma for eternity and that, from above, they are routing for me...and the Mariners ;)

I love you, Grandpa.

Classroom Quotes

I never wanted to be this way, but here I am, talking about nothing but school. Reading through an old journal yesterday, I realized that I wish I wrote down stories and events in my life. Well, these aren't stories, but funny quotes.

Ms. A: (discussing the five themes of geography, movement being one of them). Call out every mode of transportation you've ever traveled on.
Student: Car, boat, train
Student: plane, skateboard
Student: My mom.
Me: What?! How? Piggy back ride?
Class: (laughter)
Student: No. She carried me around for 9 months. That counts right?
Me: Sure, I guess!

In the crowded hall.
Student: Ms. Anderson, I'm your favorite student, aren't I?
Student: No! I am, huh, Ms. Anderson?
Me: Oh, you both are. Cop out answer, right?
Student: No I am!
Student: But I know all the states and capitals.

Yes, yes she does. Oh the joys of middle school...

A Few Things I'm Grateful for this Week...

I have now been teaching middle school for a little over two weeks. I am loving it, but realizing how time and mostly time consuming it is. I really am grateful for my experiences in DC because I know they prepared me to be an effective teacher here. Though, I'm not going to lie, I really, really miss them. I love everything about DC and need to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. I wish these decisions were more simple, but I know everything will work out how they should. Middle school is hard. I'm not used to this whole baby sitting thing. And, I'm not going to lie, I feel like they should know what continents are in the ninth grade...But, we'll just start from square one and get them where they need to be.

Side note--In class Thursday we were discussing the Five Themes of Geography. One of the themes is movement. For a starter I asked them to write down every mode of transportation they have ever been on. After listing car, plane, bike, skate board, horse, this one kid said, "what about my mom? She carried me around for 9 months." I was dying laughing.

I'm grateful for my 280 students :) I'll let you know when I learn all of their names.
I'm grateful for the BYU football team. Last Saturday, at 2 AM we went and met the team as they returned from their victory in Texas against Oklahoma. It was a HUGE UPSET. I loved seeing them. They were flattered to have thousands of their fellow students there, yet they seemed humbled...and TIRED. It was a really cool experience. And a great thing to rub in my students faces as about 90% of them hate BYU.
I'm grateful for my brother, Sheldon! I got to see him last weekend on his way up to college. Wow. I can't believe it. Sheldon, my little brother, is in college. My parents are officially empty nesters. I wonder what in the world they will do? Weird.
I'm grateful for the men and women who work for and fight for our nation. I can't believe it was eight years ago that I sat in my 9th grade first period. I remember the day pretty clearly, and I'm sad that my students, who are now the same age I was, don't fully remember the day or the significance of the events of September 11, 2001. I'm so lucky to be an American. I'm blessed.
Last Saturday, when I entered the temple, I was told by a male temple worker, not much older than myself, that there was a two hour wait. He apologized and I continued to enter the temple. Anyways, as I was sitting, waiting (for two hours ;)) I just thought about what a huge sacrifice he was making. He was there for much longer than two hours and he worked weekly. I'm grateful for those who work at the temple to allow us to stop by whenever we can. He was the one making the sacrifice. I'm sure he's been blessed for it. I'm grateful for his example :)

PS--I just discovered this whole bolding thing. It's a marvelous invention.

Miss Anderson?

Well, it turns out I'm a teacher. The first day was really hard, but since then it has gotten infinitely better. Honestly, I think I was just shocked from the transition between my seniors in DC to my middle schoolers now. I have to be at the school at 6:55, so I'm leaving Provo pretty early. I know I need to move to SLC but it's just a huge move. Mainly because I don't know anyone in Salt Lake and I'm not familiar with the area and good wards and fun places to move.

Here are some pictures of my classroom. When I moved in it was trashed. I'm getting proud :) Now, if I only had a projector or, even better, air conditioning...



So, yes, this is my new life. I feel like I understand why my teachers were always crazy...they were just frazzled and now I think I'm going to become that way. I love teaching and I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually.

Middle School, here I come!

Counselor Week

I'm just rushing trying to get caught up on things. Here are a few pictures from my counselor week! It was a great week--best of the summer. How could it not be with these beautiful girls?
My great co-counselors bought mouth guards so I wouldn't feel as awkward. Thanks guys...
I love Jess.
My beautiful girls.

And the handsome guys...
The guys also bought mouth guards. How funny...
They rapped. How cute.

Last Few Weeks of Summer

Well, it's official! I'm done with EFY. Here is a highlight reel of 4 or so weeks of summer. Tommorrow, I become, Miss. Anderson. Oh, wow...
We went our friend Mandy's cabin in Preston, Idaho. That's right--home of Napoleon Dynamite. We fought a forest fire after church, roasted marshmallows, ate tons, and visited a rope swing. It was great. We were so spoiled.
It is tradition that I feed Megan french toast sticks Saturday morning. We spilled a bit on John and were trying to help him out. Whoops.

Brother and Sister Bacon and the team of EFY Rexburg 7

Glen and I--One of my best friends. We worked together last summer in Provo.

Crazy Counselors

These girls challenged me to an Oreo eating contest. I told them I was at a disadvantage because of my retainer. They went and got theirs. It was a bonding experience.

Brendan, Courtney, and Summer

The Oreo eating contest in action. I just love them.

At the Demolition Derby in Ogden, Brad won a contest and got to dance with Ms. Weber. It was magical.

I felt like I was back in the South. So entertaining!!!

Yes--we wore the Polos...

The yarn web of love. We did this on Janelle's last Thursday night. You know the drill--you tell someone what you love about them and then toss the yarn. It was a two hour fest of love. I miss them already...

The girls in front of the temple on our bonding night.
The team, minus brad. And yes, I am trying to put my retainer down Brendan's throat. I wonder why he had a problem with that?

The pretend picture.

Brendan's birthday :)