Oh I love reflections!

Hello folks:

Wow it has been so long since I've updated my blog and I do apologize. My life has been insanely busy since the start of my master's program however, that is no excuse. Life is going great right now. I have almost survived the first month of my MAT program at Westminster College in SLC and I must say it is such a splendid program. I am engaging in the process of learning in so many new, and exciting ways. The great think about learning to become a teacher is that I can use so many of the practices in my everyday life.

Learning how to teach Elementary school math is allowing me to rethink how I problem solve everyday problems as well as those in my text book. With new ways of thinking and new processes being shown me to, is helping me in all aspects of my life! I have never been more excited to go to class and learn. This program has helped me to be more confident in the knowledge that I have, and the knowledge that I am incorporating. I feel more empowered and I have this new appreciation of learning and it is helping me to think outside the box!

This program is giving me so many opportunities to become the best teacher that I can be. It also is giving me great practice with tons of in-service opportunities in the field. Right now I am volunteering in an after-school program, as well as working with a child with disabilities one-on-one in a classroom, and lastly I am tutoring an ELL child with his English. Then to top it off, I am still an assistant swim coach for a high school. Talk about four completely different opportunities! Seriously...my life is crazy, but I am absolutely loving it.

I am growing up, and trying to take in every moment that I have in these vast opportunities. I am trying to take what I learn and apply it to all areas of my life. Next up...conflict resolution using this specific approach that I learned today.

Well till next time; may you fly high and soar large!

A pre-teacher full of gratitude

My status as a student is beginning today. This is round two of the student status because I am a "serious graduate student!" I went to orientation yesterday and this MAT program is going to be a tough one. Getting just my Elementary Education Masters isn't enough, I need to add Special Education to the mix and that my friends, is what will make this a lot tougher. I really thought about teaching Special Education and I think it's what I am supposed to do. It's my life calling and I need to follow the calling.

I think my program is going to fabulous. All my classes will be small and the professors are really there to help me succeed and become the best teacher possible. I love the Westminster College. It has such a homey, warm place to be. Everyone is so nice, so helpful and so excited for the school year. I believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and I think this also applies to teaching. I think it takes a village to teach children and I feel like I get that at Westminster. Everyone is working to help you towards your end of goal of being an amazing, highly-qualified, and well-sought out teacher.

I am excited to start this process of becoming a qualified teacher!

So today Jenna's grateful for the chance to learn how to become a qualified, confident and amazing elementary school or Special Education teacher. I am grateful to start this journey towards my future career =).

A grateful family with visits, and fun

Jenna's Grateful... for family visits! My mom has been visiting my sister and I now for a three days and it's been wonderful. I love when she comes to visit us because she makes us delicious dinners that we not only eat while she is in town, but for us to eat at later dates after she freezes it. She brings warmth into the house like hot chocolate does on a cold, stormy day. It really is so comforting to have you in our presence. To top off my mother being here was my cousin seeing my mom, sister and I for a half day despite our prior clashes with one another. She is a beautiful, intelligent, and very mature 21-year-old who can enlighten us all. My cousin had been working and interning in Washington D.C. for the entire summer and on her way home to McCall, Idaho stopped in SLC to see all of us with her boyfriend that now lives here. It was a very good visit surprisingly. I was so zealous to see her and get along with her as well. So tonight I am so grateful for great family who is always supportive, always loving and always wanting to visit you and make you dinners for future nights. Family is truly a gift all wrapped up in beautiful paper with a bow on top.

A few things to be grateful for!

Jenna's Grateful... For reasonable rent in a nice house owned by my sister. I have been struggling a bit with money lately, so it's nice to know that I am able to live in a nice place for a reasonable price. Thanks Jaron!

Is grateful for Salt Lake's summer days that are always so gorgeous, so warm, and so sunny. I haven't had a short storage of vitamin D since I've lived here do to the sunshine all year round. It's like southern California but with snow in the winter and less humidity in the summer.

Is grateful for her ability to start graduate school next Wednesday. I am so lucky, grateful and happy to know that I can afford to send myself to grad school. I was fortunate that my parents were willing to help pay for my undergraduate degree and that let me save money for graduate school. I am also grateful for governmental assistance to complete the ability to go to graduate school!

My last bit of gratitude today is towards my dogs. I am grateful for Tag and Smoot (our newest dog) because they are full of energy all the time, fun loving and are never mad at you. Actually all they want is to give you their love! Love that is always pure, always truthful and always soft.


side note...Tag is the one in the photo. He is six years old, and is one of a kind! He loves to chase birds, talk to us, chase balls, go swimming and lick off your skin!

Grateful health

Jenna's Grateful...Today I am grateful for how millions of Americans are taking a stand to show their opinion, their thoughts and their favors for or against health care reform in our country. It's so nice to see freedom of speech being displayed all across the U.S. Whether you support nationalized health care or not, people are making and taking a stand. I felt as if citizens in this country forgot what taking a stand was all about and now I see that we haven't. People of all sorts are coming together and demonstrating how they feel about this topic. Today there was a rally in Atlanta, GA. that 4.5 million people attended to get voices heard. If anything this health care talk is sparking people to action. So today, I am grateful for not only my ability to state my opinion on this very issue, and other issues, but grateful that myself and other Americans are taking a stand and telling our congressmen and women what we want and what we don't want. We are finally getting our voices heard and that my friends, is a beautiful thing!