Halloween.

The things we do to keep our students happy.

shirtless dave.

It's a new trend among my students to decorate their Westridge Wildcat folders.

Today, one came in with this beauty:

I am speechless.

teaching teaching teaching ramble ramble ramble.

Do you remember this poem from last year?


Here are just a few gems that came out of the mouths of babes today:


"You are like, really pretty." - random 4th grader at recess
"You have really good, clear skin" - one of my own chilluns in the middle of a math lesson
"Your hair smells awesome!!!" - random 3rd grade boy in Tier 2 LA
"Here is an apple Miss Stutz," (stops and thinks). "Umm, nevermind." (goes and puts it back in his lunchbox). - little hooligan punk


Whatever. I got two more apples today anyway.

"Good teaching is 1/4 preparation and 3/4 pure theater." -Gail Godwin

the graduated working girl.

"Have you ever worked really hard for something you really wanted and then didn't get it? Me too."


That was the beginning of an entry I was hesitant to post last week. I was hesitant for a broad spectrum of reasons. It was going to be cryptic and I wasn't going to actually address the real situation, and it probably would've sounded like I was dying or grieving or something of the sort. Which was not my aim. But recent events allow me to be straight forward.

I didn't get a job I really wanted. I went through two grueling interviews (they drilled me hard) and an observation in which my students didn't perform their best, and I didn't perform my best because I was frustrated with them. I had nailed the interview process but bombed the observation. The job wasn't mine, and I knew it. I received a phone call two days later informing me that they couldn't "think of any reason not to hire you, but we had to select someone else. But before you get off the phone, there is a real chance another position might open soon and we'd really like you to apply; please please apply."

I wasn't heartbroken. I had already emotionally prepared to be turned down. But I was still disappointed because after my beautiful Franklin Elementary (which doesn't have enough students enrolled to let me stay), this was my next favorite option.

I continued to apply to schools I really had no desire to teach at, and even for some part-time positions. More interviews. More observations. More jobs I didn't want. I even turned a couple down that just didn't feel right.

Somehow I've lived an extremely blessed life. If I work hard, I almost always get what I'm working for. How snobby does that sound? I'm sort of a control freak and handing my life over can be really hard for me, but that week and a half made it easy to think, "Well, the Lord has my path ready for me and I won't worry about it. Because whatever comes comes for a reason." There was no way to have any control, so it was almost a relief to just let Him handle it. And He did.

He let me stress and worry until I learned to trust His plan and relax. He let me learn that you can't always get what you want, and you have to keep working hard anyway. And when I'd been refined, He blessed me.




It's a good thing I didn't publish that post last week. Monday night the principal of the job I really wanted and got turned down called me three times. I finally was able to answer, and he said, "A third grade position has opened up and I want you to have it."

You're reading the words of the brand new 3rd grade teacher for Westridge Elementary in Provo School District! And now I can breathe easier.

five minutes.

If you are studying to become a teacher, I strongly suggest any book by Ron Clark.  He is a fantastic teacher with so much experience to share, and he has changed my outlook and given me so many ideas for this profession (I know, people say this kind of stuff all the time, but I'm serious!).

Anyway, he writes about his sixth grade teacher who had them write in their journals everyday, even if it was just for five minutes.  They were to write about how they were feeling that day and anything that was on their mind, and he says that journal is one of the biggest treasures he has.  He wishes he would have done it every year.

I decided to incorporate this into my classroom.  Oh how I would LOVE to see into my own fourth grade mind!  Some of the boys think it is corny, but they are the ones who write the most! Writing is a huge struggle for my students, and thus the least favorite part of the day for all of us.  I am hoping that these five minutes of freedom will give writing a better rep in their minds.  Three-fourths of my class absolutely LOVE journal time now (Yanni plays over the speakers, who wouldn't love it?).  And you should have seen the excitement on their faces when I told them they could write in Spanish once a week.

I take these five minutes to write in my own journal.  It is a different book than my real journal, but it is where I write my thoughts on teaching - my worries, fears, and celebrations during my first year.  I am hoping it is as therapeutic for my students as it is for me.




"Get a good notebook, a good book that will last through time and into eternity for the angels to look upon. Begin today and write in it your goings and your comings, your deeper thoughts, your achievements, and your failures, your associations and your triumphs, your impressions and your testimonies." -Spencer W. Kimball

Valentine's Day

My loving mother pointed out all my spelling errors in my Christchurch post yesterday. I would like to apologize for not making sense.  I fixed them. Just know that I wrote that about five minutes before the school bell rang so I didn't check for errors. And I'm usually an error-checking-crazy-person.

I know, I am REALLY behind on blogging. Like really. Most people blog about Valentine's day like, that night, but I decided to keep you waiting for a week. I had about 30+ valentine's. Jealous?

Ok, ok, most of them were between the ages of 9-10. And by most I mean all, but I loved it! I tried to think of something cheap but out-of-the-ordinary for my students.  I saw Crush sodas on the blog eighteen25 and thought it was genius! Luckily, I found enough packs at KMart (which I never, ever go to so that was a blessing), wrapped them up in Valentine cellophane, and hand-made (YES!) a bunch of silly hearts to personalize them. They were a hit!

Teachers, I recommend it for next year.  In return, I received a chocolate apple, a huge Hershey's kiss, 3 chocolate roses, one real rose, boxes of chocolates, and a ridiculous amount of off-brand candy taped to puppy dog valentine's.  Chili flavored suckers are really, really weird.

That night we had some of our favorite friends over and made home-made pizza and cookies. It was such a fun night! We forgot to take pictures though, sorry.

More to come!

the difference between boys and girls.

Martha Stewart Garland

"This is me in 100 Years."

or...

If you are still feeling down on yourself (even after my whole spiel yesterday), just happen to have one of your favorite (shh) students be charming and flattering enough to write you a "poem" like this during his free writing time:

Translation:

Dear Miss Stutz,

You are the spin in the world. You are so pretty.

Every kid we want you to be the teacher because you are so pretty.

You are the nicest teacher in the world.

That's why you are the best teacher in the school.

Everyone loves you.

When you smile you look so pretty and you are so funny to play with.

Self-esteem?

Yah, through the roof.

4th grade boys give the best compliments.

This morning I walked into another fourth grade class and one of the students looked at me and said "Miss Stuuuuutz, I like it." "You like what?" "You look pimpin'!"

I smiled and told them that was a ridiculous thing to tell a teacher, but two other boys continued to repeat the phrase until I left the room cracking up!

My own boys (students, not children, ahem) flatter me to get what they want.
"Miss Stutz, you have a beautiful singing voice.  Can I use the sharpies on your desk?"
"Miss Stutz, I like your new shoes.  Can we play a game?"

They used the sharpies... and then we played 'peanut butter race'.

the hardest things bring the greatest joy.

I know in real life I talk about teaching, a LOT (in fact it’s all I talk about,  poor roommates).  But other than the first day of school, I haven’t really filled in the blog world.

It is the hardest thing I have ever done.  I’m not being very successful at keeping my life balanced.  There are days when I just want to sleep in and dream away about my students chaotically running in circles around the classroom because I didn’t show up.  There are days when I come home and cry because I can’t get it all done.  There are days when I feel failure because student #14 just cannot figure out simple division.  And there are nights where I toss and turn, worrying about whether or not my students got dinner that night, if they are in bed before I am, and if they will come the next morning safe and healthy.

I work at the most at-risk school in the district.  Even though it is in Provo, Utah, many consider it an inner-city school because of the socioeconomic status of most the students.  Most of my students’ parents don’t speak my language and both work full-time jobs (or 2 or 3).  Most of my students have an ESL status, and don’t understand academic English.  Most of my fourth graders are on a second grade reading level.  Many of them still can’t add.

Amidst all these setbacks, I am absolutely in LOVE with teaching. I have twenty-one beautiful students and I know them better than I thought I would.  They have such a desire to listen and to learn.  They each live a much harder life than I did as a nine-year-old, but they are so strong.  Going to work is a struggle, but as soon as the bell rings and I know they will be running in to show me their new Silly Bandz or tell me they forgot their homework, I get so excited.  I love to teach, and I love to see their faces light up when they understand a new concept.  I love their jokes and their notes to “Miss Stutz the bestest ticher ever” and their laughter when “the bestest ticher ever” does something really crazy (that I would never do in front of adults).  They truly have infinite love.

I don’t plan on teaching for 30 years, but I know that for right now this is what I am supposed to be doing and this is where I’m meant to be.  I’m growing in ways I didn’t know I could.

Halloween Dance Party!!

fourth grade. again.

Today as I sat at my desk and looked up from my planning, there were papers and pencils on all the desks, and backpacks hanging in the back of the room. My students were at lunch, and I was working away on what we would do next.

Wait.. my students?

They are coming back in 15 minutes? You mean, this isn't just the classroom I've been decorating and setting up and cleaning out for the past two months?

No. It is the classroom I will teach and learn in for the next ten months. Today was my first day of teaching. By myself. All day long.

And I LIVED TO TELL THE TALE! It wasn't nearly as hectic as I thought it would be. Sure, I made some some stuff up and pretended to know things I didn't, but overall I felt prepared enough to manage and teach my students. And I LOVE my students. I have been blessed with an awesome mentor and facilitator, and friends and family who want to help and hear all about it! What a support team.

I am where I am supposed to be. And I am grateful to know it.

Love,

Miss Stutz (for real this time)

p.s. Sorry for the poor quality pictures, I was tired and my camera was on manual. I'll try to get some better ones soon!

yes indeedy.

Hello everyone.

This morning I went to my future classroom.

Because I'm going to be a 4th grade teacher next year.

IT WAS AWESOME!

Booyah.

Just can't get enough.

My students are still in school, so I took the opportunity during my day off (of vacations) to run back to my beloved Pomaria and surprise my kiddos. I snuck into the back of the classroom and looked around until I heard, "HI MISS STUZ!" and half the class swarmed me! It was enough to make me tear up instantly!

"I missed you!" "Are you back forever?" "Miss Stutz, I couldn't sleep the night you left." "I thought you were gone!" "Did you come all the way back from Texas?" "I missed you Miss. So much." My precious Room 4.

I told them all about Rotorua and apologized to Miss Snow for creating mass chaos in the classroom. I went to lunch with all of them and they were so excited to take more pictures! I had taught them all how to use my Nikon and they couldn't wait for another turn!

After lunch I go to read them one last book, promised I would skype with them, and snuck right back out that back door. My heart was full of love and attachment, and aching from goodbyes and distance. Oh, how I've fallen in love. I won't forget what I've learned from these sweet souls. I sure wish this place was closer to Texas.

Pomaria Primary School.

March 22, 2010

WOOWEE! Today was my last legitimate observation at school, and it went really well! Every week that I've been in the schools, my instructor has come in to observe me at work teaching the students. There are 26 criterion that I have to hit in about twenty minutes every time, so it is quite a stressful thing. But my scores have gotten progressively better and I am excited to be done! For my last lesson, I took my class to a big empty room to make mini pizzas! They LOVED it! We had so much fun and the pizzas turned out delicious. I love these kids, I am so not ready to leave them!

Later in the afternoon, we went outside for some more sport. I believe the game this time was kickball (a little more manageable than cricket).

What a beautiful day at Pomaria.