Gluten Free Or Bust! July 2013

My sister, Jessica was diagnosed with celiac disease years ago. She has learned how to eat gluten free and manage her lifestyle. For her birthday this year she asked us to go get blood work done to see if we too were affected by celiac disease. I went in, not thinking I would actually have celiac, however, I tested positive. I haven't had a scope done yet-- to see the damage wheat has or has not done on my stomach. Since Tuesday, July 8th, I've been gluten free. I have a new hobby now. I've been obsessed with learning everything I can about celiac disease and eating gluten free. Russ has been incredibly supportive in all of this. He keeps a positive attitude about trying new things and changing our meal habits. My Grandmother pointed this irony out to me--my husband is a baker at great harvest, and I can't have wheat. :)

The Transfer

This past school year I had incredible opportunities at work. I was able to work as a dual immersion teacher in third grade, in Ogden City. I shared two incredible classes with the other dual immersion teacher. Dan taught in Spanish and I taught in English. Half way through the day- we switched and taught the other class. Dual immersion is an interesting opportunity for students to learn a second language. I enjoyed the students and the challenge of two classes. I don't know how secondary ed teachers teach 7 or 8 classes! I can barely handle two. :) This school year I got to attend a "Data Driven Instruction" conference in Arizona. I went with our principal, teaching coach, and a sixth grade teacher from our school. This was an excellent conference. I came to understand the importance of data and students actually taking ownership of their own data. Using information students give us to guide our instruction can be extremely effective. I know I learned things at this conference that will positively affect my teaching forever. Not only did we learn a lot, but we had an extreme amount of fun in Phoenix. I came back to school energized and looking forward to being a "changee" in my school- promoting data driven instruction. I saw my future as staying in Ogden City, staying with the dual immersion program, and doing all I could for my students. Data driven instruction isn't a program. Its a strategy to enable teachers to scientifically identify what has been taught effectively and what is lacking. This year I also was taking classes to obtain my ESL endorsement. In Ogden School District, it is a requirement to obtain the ESL endorsement before the end of your third year with the district. I was lucky. I took classes with some of my best friends. It was an incredible amount of work, but with the support of each other, our principal, and our professors we made it through. In my head I knew what my students needed from me for a successful school year. The frustrating part of knowing what the students needed, was that I never measured up. I could work 10-12 hours a day and not catch up on all that was required of me. I felt that I knew WHAT my students needed-- I just didn't have the ability to know HOW do give all that they required for reaching grade level. This year had some incredible learning opportunities for me. One of the most important things I learned was that sometimes the plans we have for ourselves need to be reevaluated. Russ and I reevaluated. We prayed and explored options. I counseled with other teachers and even a few administrators. I researched other districts and decided to apply at Davis School District. Shortly after, I was offered a position teaching first grade at South Clearfield Elementary. The decision to leave Ogden City was not easy. I love the students in O-town. My fellow teachers have become some of my dearest friends. However, a wise administrator told me, "There are children everywhere who will need you." "You can make a difference where ever you are." I agree with this statement. I know that I am doing what is best for me and for my family. I need to be at a place where I know I can do a good job and then come home and be a wife and hopefully someday a mom. Many teachers at T.O. Smith were able to figure out how to juggle home and family life, but it was something I never mastered. I know that going to a different district doesn't immediately dissolve problems. I am sure juggling home and family with school will always be tricky. Teachers always have "more to do." I am looking forward to this new opportunity to teach first grade. I have met two of my fellow first grade teachers. They are incredible, like most teachers I get to work with. It has already been a lot of work to move my classroom from Ogden to Clearfield. (Thank you Russ and Spencer!) First grade has been a favorite of mine since student teaching. I will miss my friends and the amazing students at T.O. Smith, but I know I did what is best for me and I am looking forward to the 2013/2014 school year. :)