GOODBYES

It all starts back to the spring/summer of 2008, I had just graduated from Oregon State and not only said goodbye to all my friends there, but had to see one of them move to Japan. One in particular that was one the closest people to me. My two best girlfriends from high school were both moving to Texas and for me that felt and still feels far. One to pursue her PhD from Baylor, the other to teach at a Catholic school in Harlington, near the boarder. While it was hard to say goodbye, I know that I'll be seeing them again real soon.

Then I moved to Utah and had an up and down year, but I eventually did meet some great people. One in particular that still to this day has shown me so much love, and so much inspiration. He captured my heart, and then I had to say goodbye to him summer of 2009 as he started a new path in his life of going to Medical School to become a doctor. If our paths are meant to cross again in the future they will. I totally believe that faith will bring us back to one another, so let's see if that does happen.

I have found myself saying goodbye to so many of my closest, dearest and best friends and it will just continue. I guess I have gotten a lot better at saying goodbye. I think to really sum it up best is through a quote by Owl City from their single Fireflies "I am weird, because I hate goodbyes and I got misty eyes as they said farewell."

Then there was my dear friend Adam, a good old Oregon boy who moved from the Rose city to one of the heartlands of the Midwest, Nebraska. As he moved for numerous reasons; a chance at to pursue a PhD and a continual of his relationship with his girlfriend. While it was really hard to say goodbye to him especially because he stopped by Salt Lake on his way out there and hung out with me for a night, it was even harder to think that I might not see him again. Adam is one friend I am unsure whether I'll see him again in life. I hope that I do, but I am unsure. Adam and I have been to the moon and back with our friendship and it is sad to think that maybe that is it. We have survived the hard, and awkard times and have come out even closer. LIke with Wilson, hopefully it is the cards to see him again as well. I am crossing my fingers!

While we probably all hate to say goodbye, it is a part of life that is constant. Now a new slew of goodbyes is in order, first to my dear friend Sean who is moving to Thailand in January. I am so excited for him though because I know he has been wrestling with this thought for months now. I know that his new life path will lead him to timeless adventures and be something that he will remember for ever. So while my eyes will be a bit misty, I know that only great opportunities, new life growth, and awesome adventures are in his future. I am confident that Sean and I will be saying hello to one another again someday. I have a good feeling about that.

Sometimes the best things about goodbyes are that I get to visit Sean and others and see all of their crazy, fun adventures as well as have some of my own! Also with goodbyes are a chance for some new hellos in the future. So while I am hate them, I do embrace and accept them.

Hopefully I will get to soon say hello again to the following people: Sarah, Adriana, David, Matt, Adam, Wilson, Leslie, Laura and Sean!

EDUCATION

So the farther I get into my Masters of Teaching program the more I realize how much work needs to be done in our country for education to advance and get better, equal for everyone. Did you know that currently 1 in 5 students in the U.S. public schools are foreign born. As we continue in the 21st century and beyond this number is most likely to increase. If that isn't enough perspective than did you know that there are 450 different written or spoken languages in our public schools. With all of this, where does our education system go from here?

The more I am learning about becoming a teacher, the more I am realizing the need for highly qualified teachers. Teaching needs to be thought of as a highly-qualified profession. If someone wants to be a doctor he or she must go to medical school, then do a few more years of residency in order to finally be a real doctor professional. If someone wants to be a lawyer, he or she must first take the LSATs and if accepted, attend law school for three years to finally get the title of lawyer. Why is it not the same way for teaching? Why is it one of the few professions that "anyone" can do it? That is the message we send: well anyone can be a teacher, truthfully NOT EVERYONE can be. Not everyone will make a qualified teacher, some people are just not meant to be a teacher. The qualifications to become a teacher should be more strict. If we could have better teachers that can differentiate lesson plans, use funds of knowledge and be able to get to know our students then our education system would be drastically better just based off that.

The more I learn, the more I see the need for reform. While my experience becoming a highly-qualified teacher has been pretty intense, it is absolutely awesome. I am learning so much and I am having the opportunity to engage in thought provoking conversations and discussions. I love this program, it let's me think outside the box.

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.