Transformation of my name

Starting my sophomore year in college, I always went by "Miss Cellar" to the students in my student teaching field experiences.

When I got my big girl job, I was called "Amy" by my students. Most of the teachers in Shishmaref go by their first name. I am totally fine with it.

By 3rd or 4th quarter last year, a few kiddos had started to call me "Ame". Nothing like informality, huh? It's cute and I wasn't opposed to it. They can call me "Ame" and still respect me.

Well, here we are in the middle of 2nd quarter this year. Seth has already started calling me "Ame". I noticed yesterday on our way to lunch when he said "It's windy out, huh Ame?"

I do have nicknames for my kiddos too. Last year I had Ida-bug and Katie-bug. Whenever I see Ida's grandpa he calls me Amy-bug. I had Frank the tank last year too. Vivian was Schmivian.  Carter, who I had last year and this year, started as Tarter and transformer to Tarter Sauce. This year not many kids have nicknames yet. I do have Yosie Rosie, Sefers and Landon-boo. Sometimes I'll call kiddos by their first and middle name though. When Carter isn't Tarter Sauce he is usually Carter Norman or just Carter Norm.

I just love those kiddos though, even if they do call me Ame!

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Kids Say the Craziest Things

This week, the speech pathologist was visiting Shishmaref. Unfortunately, we don't have one on site full time, but she makes it out every month or two for a week. Since she is not here all the time, I like to learn as much as I can from her while she is here. She wanted to pull my three kiddos who receive speech services and do some informal observations to check on their progress. I went with her as she pulled the kiddos, so I could see the kind of things she works on with them.

We had one little boy in the back room with us, and we were showing him some photo cards. One was a picture of a boat. This was the conversation we had:

Speech Path: What is this a picture of?
Student: A boat!
SP: What do we do with it?
Student: Uhhh....
SP: What is a boat for?
Student: hmmm...
SP: Does your dad have a boat?
Student: Yeah!
SP: Does he go hunting?
Student: Yeah!
SP: Does he hunt for seals?
Student: Yeah!
SP: Does he hunt for walrus?
Student: Yeah!
SP: Does he hunt for moose?
Student: Yeah!
SP: Does he hunt for caribou?
Student: Yeah! I eat caribou!
Amy: Yeah, you eat caribou! I bet you eat all of those things. What is your favorite of those to eat?
Student: Hot Cheetos.
SP and Amy: hahahahahahahahaha!

I couldn't stop laughing, and I had to write it down so I wouldn't forget. Isn't that just great?

Also this week, there were some funny things happening in the Dramatic Play Lab. There is a chalkboard on the wall in the dramatic play lab. The kiddos enjoy writing their names on the board and the letters we're learning. We use the board for the theme of the week also. For example, we made a menu on the board when we were learning about food. The kiddos like to play school in dramatic play also. I was working with some students at the Writing Lab, which gave me a good view of Dramatic Play Lab. One little girl was standing at the board and had other kiddos sitting on the floor. She said "Okay kids! Criss-cross applesause, hands in your lab, bubble in your mouth! Don't mess up!" I don't know where the "Don't mess up!" came from, but she was so funny. Then she called the kids to the board one at a time to "spell their name". Then they all recited "Penny, Nickel, Dime", the little rhyme we do at the beginning of Rhyme Time everyday. Finally, she gave them all a five minute warning, which I always do when it is close to clean up time, so that no one is surprised that it is time to move on to our next activity.

I just love my students!

Typical Sunday

During the weekends, I tend to have some regular visitors. Lots of kiddos will stop by while playing out, but I have 5 or 6 boys who will call ahead of time, and their parents will drop them off for the afternoon or evening. Today, it is just Raymond and Frank. Frank is a former student of mine. He is 5 and in Kindergarten. Raymond is his brother, 6 years old, and in first grade. I just love them!

I am alive!

I haven't blogged in months. I have been meaning to. However, to be completely honest, when I am not going home until 7 or 8 at night, I usually don't want to stick around at school any longer so that I can post.

Here I am, though! Saturday night, at school.  I was skyping with a friend and then doing a little bit of school work, and I was thinking "I should totally blog". I think I will make my grandparents happy!

I have been back in Shishmaref since the middle of August. Colleen and I moved to the house next door, and we're enjoying it. Not having buckets under the sink, and having a shower are fabulous things - not to mention the spacious kitchen. I have two curtains hanging in place of doors for my bedroom, however. I might be getting doors this coming week though. Hopefully. The district carpenter is scheduled to come, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

School is good, but busy. This year's class has 19 little munchkins. They are a good group, but a little more high maintenance than last year's group. I am enjoying them, though. They are starting to get adjusted to the routines of school and I am seeing a lot of improvements with them! It should be a good year.

Shishmaref lost Steve and Angie to Brevig Mission this year. They are missed for sure. We did get two new teaching couples this year. Jack and Barbra are the new 3rd grade and K-1 teacher, respectively. They are from the Sacramento area of California. I had dinner with them earlier this week and had a really good time. Kiley and Kevin are the new Elementary Special Ed. and Jr. High/HS Social Studies teachers, respectively. I am loving them! They are from Indianapolis. I was supposed to get together with them this past summer, but my surgery put a damper on that plan. They are really fun, and we spend quite a bit of time together.

I coached cross country again this year. I had a much bigger team than last year. It was really fun, and there are a lot of really talented runners in Shishmaref. I hope to have even more on the team next year, and hopefully some of the veteran runners will have even more success.

I got new glasses this week. The frames are not much different, but kind of a brownish pink. they have butterflies on the side. They are Juicy Couture... ooohh la la.

My perscription is actually weaker. My first pair of glasses was a year ago. They said that because my eyes were finally able to relax, they got better. I did get scolded though - the eye doctor said I need to wear them all the time, especially when I am on the computer. So I am trying to remember them everyday.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so I am looking forward to that. Also, I decided to go home to Ohio for Christmas and I was able to buy a ticket thanks to a little bit of help from my dad. So, I am looking forward to that too - only 6 weeks away!

Hope that you enjoyed an update of my life, the past 3 months at least!

Time Flies

I am finally healing.

I had surgery on June 25th - 12 days ago. My wounds are healing, it no longer hurts when I breathe, and I can sleep in a bed again. I have been off pain meds for a few days and I can drink and drive again (obviously not at the same time - one or the other).

I do get sore when I am active, and I am much more tired than usual. So, I am still trying to take it easy.

I went back to work tonight. The swim meet was at the Woodland pool. I just sat and was the "card lady" for the meet. I figure I'll be able to do swim practice again now too. Tomorrow is my follow-up doctor's appointment, so I will ask then about being in the pool. That will be my determining factor for whether I can do any private swimming lessons. We shall see! I figure he might want all my incisions healed before I expose them to the toxins of a public pool.

I can't believe how fast time has gone. I basically have no time left in Ohio.

Here is my basic schedule for the rest of my time:
Now through July 15th - Ohio
July 16th - head to Buffalo, New York
July 17th - Ashley and Darryl's wedding
July 18th through 20th - Visiting Great Aunt Dottie in Peru, Vermont
July 20th through 22nd - Visit family outside of Boston
July 22nd and 23rd - Visit Courtney in Connecticut
July 24 and 25th - Ohio
July 26th through August 1st - Atlanta
August 1st through 6th - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
August 6th through 10th - Anchorage, Alaska
August 10th through 12th - Unalakleet, Alaska
August 13th - arrive in Shishmaref, Alaska!

So, I only have a few days left in Ohio, basically. I need to see people and do tons of packing. Pack food to send up, basic household items, plus clothes and such. I have tons of teaching supplies I need to go through and organize and ship up also. I am starting to stress out about how little time I have left.

Hopefully I can get some stuff done tomorrow and Friday, before I go down to visit Theresa and Justin in Columbus on Saturday for the weekend. Wish me luck!

Change of Plans

I am having a good time here in Ohio! I arrived on May 23rd and have been pretty busy since I have been here.

I had 2 bachelorette parties (Theresa's and Lisa's), 2 weddings, coaching swim team, family visiting from out of state, my 23rd birthday, and my sister received her Ph. D.. I have visited lots of family and friends and got to go shopping and eat out. I have been able to swim again and it felt good to be back in the pool swimming laps!

All of my plans are on hold right now though. Since I have been home, I had 4 "episodes" and felt really, really sick. Last Sunday night, into Monday morning, it was so bad, I thought I was having a heart attack or something. It was my stomach, my chest, just everywhere. My mom took me to the emergency room, where an ultrasound was done, revealing that I had gall stones. I met with a surgeon later that afternoon and had my gall bladder removed on Friday. They did 5 little cuts and pulled it out through my bellybutton. All the bandages are still on, so I don't know what any of this looks like. It was a two hour surgery.

So, the day after the surgery I was supposed to go to Lisa and Tom's wedding, but I just couldn't. I couldn't move on my own. I couldn't have rode in the car or made it from the parking lot to the church. I know that she understands, but I am really upset about it. People have been posting pictures on Facebook, and there were so many Delta Zeta sisters there, and it makes me really sad that I didn't get to see them all.

This coming weekend, my plan was to go to Minnesota to see Justine and Trent get married. I just don't think I can do it. I can't lift more than 10 pounds for at least 2 weeks. I would need to get a lot of help with my luggage - getting it to the airport in a taxi, checked at the airport, into a taxi, into the hotel. Even if I could figure out how to manage that, I think I would have a hard time sitting on an airplane, and walking through the airport and getting to the wedding. I know Justine understands, but it is still really disappointing. My summer plans have definitely changed.

Today, 3 days after the surgery, I can get out of the chair by myself and walk around a bit. But even with the percocet, I am very sore. I can't drive as long as I am on the medication. So, I am kind of confined to the house. I have been reading, watching movies, and trying to relax.

Visitors are welcome! Come see me!

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school for my children. The big school goes until next Thursday, but the lil' guys are done now. It was sad. The saddest part was when I read a book to them for the last time and we talked about the books that they liked the most from this year.

I don't really have time to be sad though. My next 6 days of work will be spent trading classrooms in the ECE building, helping in Kate's class, organizing stuff, running Prom, ECE graduation and who knows what else. In the evenings, I will be packing and moving next door.

We're moving because the house next door has become available and it has a kitchen that more than one person can stand in and a kitchen table - two things our current house lacks. Our house doesn't even have a place for a kitchen table. Also, the drains in that house don't freeze for some reason, so when we do the dishes, the dish water actually goes into pipes instead of 5 gallon buckets under the sink that we have to dump outside (and be careful not to overflow).

I hope to post more soon, to update everyone on all the fun stuff I have been doing, but life is crazy.

Iditarod 2010

I have been meaning to post about Iditarod, but I hadn't uploaded my pictures to my computer yet. The post would not be complete without photos. I finally uploaded so enjoy!

The Iditarod Ceremonial start in Anchorage was Saturday, March 6th. The actual start was Sunday, March 7th in Willow Lake. Lance Mackey won his 4th straight Iditarod on Tuesday, March 16th around 3 PM. 

Shishmaref got off early from school on Wednesday, March 17th and we had no school on Thursday or Friday that week (some spring break, huh?). So Wednesday evening I headed into Nome. 23 mushers made it into the finish line before we arrived.

I stayed with 2 other teachers, Bea and Sue. We stayed at the Polar Arms in a suite. Let's say that it is a little less than classy, but it was cheap! Haha! It actually wasn't as bad as I was expecting, but I definitely wasn't going to take a soak in the bathtub like I would've if I was staying at the Aurora. 

Front Street runs parallel to the ocean and is basically the main street in Nome. The finish line is on Front Street. The mushers are out on the ice and then once they pass Subway, they come up onto the street and into the shoot. They have a big wooden arch in the middle of the street. During non-Iditarod time, it just sits all lonely in on the side of the street.

Our room at the Polar Arms looked right over Front Street. We could see mushers come in from our window. It was kind of nice. Here is the Jamaican musher coming down Front Street. This photo was taken from our window.

There are lots of fun things about Iditarod weeks in Nome that make it fun. Obviously, Iditarod. Mushers coming in, seeing the dogs, meeting the mushers, etc.. Also, a huge basketball tournament at the rec center. There were several Shishmaref teams entered and a huge Shish cheering section, so it was fun to go to the games. Also, bars and restaurants expect lots of extra people in town, so they have special events, extended hours, and other stuff. It's always a treat to be in Nome (2 grocery stores with things you expect your average grocery store to have, restaurants, adult beverages), but during Iditarod, it's even better.

Thursday night, the Polar Bar had a "Make Your Own Bikini Contest". No, I did not enter, but I did watch. One of the judges was Lance Mackey himself. I got my picture taken with him!

I went to lots of basketball games too. I spent a lot of my time playing with two and a half year old Loretta.

She used to cry when she saw me. A lot of small children are scared of white people because their experiences with them are people who come to the village to give them shots, or when they are really sick and need to go to Nome to be poked and prodded by white people. So, at the beginning of the year, Loretta would scream when she saw me. By November, she was starting to warm up to me. Would let me hold her and such. By February, we were good friends. About that time, we decided that she thought Amy meant "white person". Usually after we had been with her awhile, at a birthday party or something, she would call Colleen and me both Amy. Now she loves me and knows me and my name. She'll see me from across the gym and giggle and say "AMY!!!!". So cute. I just love her. Her brother Landon will be in my class next year. Anyway, pretty much all of my pictures of the basketball games were taken by Loretta.

Not bad for being 2, huh? Maybe a future photographer!


I didn't get to go to the musher meet and greet because of when my plane was leaving, but I did get to see some mushers and dog teams come in.

Jim Lanier and his team just came into the shoot.

One of Jim Lanier's dogs, anxious to get going again!

Lanier's dogs chillin' out.

Lanier being interviewed.

Tamara Rose just onto Front Street.

Tamara Rose's lead dog may take a detour at the Chinese restaurant.

Rose down Front St. to the finish line.

Tamara Rose is almost there!

Art Church, Jr. stopped right before coming on to Front Street.

Church rearranging dogs before the straightaway.

Art Church, Jr. setting up the dogs to head to the finish.

I really have no idea why he was rearranging the team now, with (probably) less than a 1/2 mile to go. But, I am not a musher, so who am I to judge?

Getting the dogs ready to go.

Art Church, Jr. and his team, almost ready to head down Front Street.

Church and his team headed down the street - finally!

 Me, waiting for one of the mushers to come into the chute. They announce over a loudspeaker when there is someone coming soon. There is also an Iditarod hotline that you can call to find out when the next musher is expected in and who it is.

Dave DeCaro and his team coming into the chute. 

DeCaro finishing.

Dave DeCaro at the arch.

One of DeCaro's dogs.

Another one of DeCaro's dogs, taking a rest after a long trip.

Dave DeCaro's team resting up while he is interviewed.

Not a good photo, but this is one of the booties from one of the paws of one of Dave DeCaro's dogs! The mushers usually pass them out the the crowd and I got one!

So, this may be the longest post ever, but it was (hopefully) worth it!

For more information about the Iditarod, visit the website: www.iditarod.com

Funny Kids

I would hate to forget some of the hilarious things that kiddos have said at school. So, I figured I should share them.

Dramatic play is one of those places that funny things happen all of the time. I think what I say in response to the children's actions kind of sum up the hilariousness.
* "Girls! We don't put babies in the oven!"
* "Frank! We don't throw bacon!"

Ida is so cute and so serious - 95% of the time. I think that is why the things that she says are so funny.

One day she was wearing animal print pants.
Here is the conversation:
Me: "Ida, I love your pants. Is that leopard print, or cheetah print."
Ida: "Cheeto kind."

Whenever the kids miss school I tell the other kids "Gee, I sure miss Nathaniel. I hope that he comes to school soon." Or I tell the kids to go to bed early so that they don't miss school, because I would miss them too much.
There was one day that my throat was getting sore, and strep throat was going around. Wilsa and I were talking about it while we were drawing with the kids. I said that I was hoping it wasn't strep because I didn't want to miss school. So Ida then said "You might miss all the friends, huh Amy?"

Abigail was sitting on my lap one day during one of our really cold spells. I said "I am tired of all of this cold." - meaning, "Can't we get some warm weather soon!!??"
Abigail looked at me and said "Well Amy, you better get yourself a warm sweater and ski pants and scarf."

I love my job.

Buckeye Necklaces

"Beat Michigan Week" is important for any Ohio State fan. It is the week before the Ohio State vs. Michigan football game. This past November, my class made Buckeye necklaces. Each kid got 3 buckeyes, 20 red beads, and six black or gray beads - they got to pick. They counted each bead out and then laced it onto their necklaces.

I took a lot of pictures, but all on the Head Start camera. I finally downloaded the pictures to my computer today.

Carter modeling his necklace.

 

Katie with her necklace.

  

Miss Madison

 

Vivian a.k.a Schmivian

 

Frank the tank

 

Nathaniel

 

Ida-Bug

 

Abigail a.k.a Babygail

 

Autumn

 

 Alicia

  

Victoria

 

Class picture! (missing lots of kiddos that day)

Here comes the best part!!

O!

 

H!

 

I!

 

O!

 

The kids even learned how to do it all together! So cute!

Also, I made 101 Buckeye Candies and shared them with my class and all of the other school employees! And I HATE peanut butter - so it was kind of a big deal for me to do that.

A delayed post - but I think worth it!

Signed and Mail

I signed and mailed my contract today. It is now en route to the district office in Unalakleet. I will be coming back to Shishmaref next year!

I'm taking it year by year. At this point, I feel like I still have a lot to discover and I enjoy my job and the people around me. So, I am coming back. Plus, it cost me a small fortune to move here, so another year makes it more worth it.

Maybe next year will be 2 of 2, 2 of 10, or maybe even more. Only time will tell.

My future

This morning, I was called into Steve's office. He is the principal. This isn't an often occasion, so I didn't know what was going on.

Turns out, I have been offered a contract to teach here in Shishmaref next year. I had to sign that I had received it.

I was surprised - I thought teachers who were not tenured didn't get contracts until March or so. 

I have a month to sign it and mail it to the district office in Unalakleet. I guess that is why I was thinking March - I don't have to decide until then.

I haven't signed it yet, but I am planning on it! I figure it wouldn't hurt anything to wait a week or so, right? I decided awhile ago that I was planning on coming back next year, but now that I have the contract in my hand, I don't want to be too hasty.

So, that is the news for the day, I guess.

File Folder Games

In in college, during Senior Block, all Early Childhood Education majors take a class for  each of the different content areas that we will be teaching. In the math class, we made math file folder games. We had to make five, and they had to be of one common theme. We could theme them like I did, farm, or other people did something like multiplication. They are really low cost, and an easy resource for any grade in elementary school.

However, they take forever. First you have to find the images you want to use. Then copy those images. Color them. Cut them. Glue the pieces onto the file folder. Laminate the folder and playing pieces. Then cut out the pieces - again.  In college, I had my Delta Zeta sisters to sit in the suite with me and color and cut turkeys, pigs, and corn with me.

I found some pre-made file folder games online that were already colored. So, one less step. But the cutting is still tedious. I have enlisted help from the junior high cheerleaders. Play Lady Gaga on my iPod and I can get them to help me with just about anything. I am sure that I could get my class and the kindergarten class to help also, but my OCD doesn't allow them to cut my file folder games. I am all about them cutting all kinds of projects, but not these.

So, I love these girls.

 

The group - enthused, of course. They all have a brother or sister either in my class now, or that will be next year - except for Lori. She is the 2nd youngest in her family, and Dara is in 4th grade. Mamie has a sister in my class now, and a brother that will be in my class next year. Nellie's brother is in my class now. Tammy and Jecca each have a little brother who will be in my class next year. So, I reminded them all that they are doing this not only for me, but for the tiny ones of their families. Lori is cool enough to still help, even though she has no tiny ones left in her family.

 

Tammy Jean with a snowflake.

 

Mamie with a bumblebee.

Lori with a bumblebee.

 

Jessica (aka Jecca) with some letters.

 

Nellie cutting some letters.

 

One of the finished products. This is called "Achy-Breaky Hearts". See how they are broken in the middle? The kiddos have to match the color AND the break pattern. Those white dots are velcro. The matching pieces are in a pocket in the back.

Notice the band-aid on my finger? File Folder Game battle wound. I am so used to using preschool scissors, that when I get an adult pair in my hands, things get a little out of control. 

So, this is how I spent my Saturday night. The life of a teacher, right?