Gratitude of Change

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude." -Thomas S. Monson.

This week was full of changes.
I have been teaching 6th grade for 5 years now. I know the inside and outside of the grade. I love 12 year old's and I understand them.
Canyon Crest, where I work, is going through many changes. We are loosing teachers because of the economy and millions of dollars in budget cuts. Therefore we have lost quality teachers this year. The 5th grade team of teachers consists of 2 interns, and 1 veteran teacher...they are all leaving. Which leaves the 5th grade empty. This past Tuesday my principal asked me to change grades.

I will be teaching 5th grade next year. I am going to be teaching a new curriculum, in a new classroom, with an intern from UVU, mentoring and teaching the intern how to teach, and hopefully enriching the lives of 10 and 11 year old's.

At first I was really upset about the thought of having to change grades. But after much thought, prayers, and many conversations with Will this past week I must conclude that I am excited to be moving to 5th grade. I am ready for the challenge, for the change, for the blessing of having a job, for finally stepping out of my comfort zone, and for helping the 5th grade ROCK! Because I have to be honest if I am going to go to a new grade, I am going to make sure that it is awesome!

My only worry now is...moving my classroom, learning a new curriculum, and having some time to relax this summer.

My Favorite: William

Thank you William for coming into my classroom every Friday and spending time with my kids.
Thank you for bringing comics into the world of 6th graders.
Thank you for enriching the lives of the twenty-three 6th graders who I love and adore.
Thank you for creating monster stuffed animals and bringing them in to show my class.
Thank you for creating crazy bonus questions on their spelling test.

"If you could draw any monster what would it look like?"

Thank you for loving me the way you do. Thank you for making me smile. Thank you for telling me I am beautiful even on the really hard days. Thank you for being my biggest fan.

Thank you Will, you are my favorite.

(Pictures to come)

My Favorites

This year my class is a blessing in my life.
They make me smile, they make me happy on the cloudiest days, they know how to totally get me off topic when I am teaching, they know what to say when I am getting upset at them, they really are my saving grace this school year.
Thank you Mrs. Strong's Class of 2010 - you are truly one of a kind!

I know that you are not supposed to have a favorite class but...all rules are meant to be broken right?

California Orange Dreaming

The last month has gone by so fast that I have not even had time to sit down and post some really happy moments.
Will and I traveled to California over President's Day Holiday Weekend. We only told Rebecca we were coming so the whole trip was a huge SURPRISE to everyone. It was such a wonderful weekend and just what the doctor ordered for Will and I. We both honestly can't wait to live in California on a permanent basis.

I also learned over this trip what a true California Orange tastes like. And now I am addicted and consider myself an Orange snob! I never have liked oranges, but right fresh off the tree, you have to be a crazy person not to enjoy their sweet smooth wonderful taste.