I am full of thanks for this fall, which has been a time of growth and meaningful work for me.
I began the school year teaching in third grade with 31 students. After 3-4 weeks, the principal and superintendent made the decision to split the class.
They pulled a teacher from kindergarten and then I had only 15 students to teach. It was the right decision, but it took a couple of weeks for that transition to settle and for class to run smoothly.
Then in November, the principal came to me and the other third grade teacher and asked if we would consider making a switch where I would teach English Language Arts to both classes of third grade and my team teacher would teach math to both classes. We made that change after Veterans Day.
Again, it was a good change. I feared that the transition would be difficult, but it was a smoother transition than the split earlier in the year, and it was validating to be asked to teach the reading lessons- it shows the confidence that the administration has in me.
Each day teaching tests me to the limit of my ability. I second-guess my choices frequently. I want so badly to do what is best for my students.
I am rarely confident that what I’m doing is best, but it is the best I know how to do.
Every day has frustration and discouragement within it- but at the same time, every day has tiny victories, and I love the work.
Friday before the Veteran’s Marathon, we got to take the elementary kids over to the tribal park for a little run.
It was a fun afternoon.
My sister and her husband moved to Monument Valley, and she is teaching math at the high school. She has been my walking buddy all fall. (As well as who I go to when I’m out of corn starch and when I don’t know how to solve a problem in my classroom.)
On November 15th, we did a four-mile Fun Run loop around the West Mitten — part of the Veterans Marathon weekend races. It was the first time either of us had run a race as adults. We had numbers pinned to us and a free t-shirt, and everything. We were very proud of ourselves for finishing that four miles in an hour and 20 minutes.
My parents and my little brother, Sammy, visited us the next weekend. Sammy flew home to Missouri on Tuesday, but Mom and Dad stayed through Thanksgiving. It was delightful to have them here. Benji, Gwendolyn, and Renata came down from Rexburg. The moment they walked through the door, the house felt happier and warmer.
Wednesday, the boys hiked to Teardrop Arch
Thursday:
Amanda and I tried very hard not to cook too much food, but despite our efforts to hold back and despite the fact that we last minute invited four missionaries and a single guy from the ward, we still ate that Thanksgiving food for two days.
On Friday, we took Mom and Dad on the 17 mile slow, bumpy drive around the tribal park.
Then we drove over Monument Valley Pass and up the road a little to Forest Gump Hill. We bought lots of jewelry from the Navajo ladies with tables, too.
While we were bumping around the tribal park, the resident Major took the college kids on a 5.5 mile hike along the rim of the valley (Sentinal Mesa Trail) and then down around the West Mitton (Wildcat Trail).
The girls and I tried out those Korean collagen masks while we watched “Running Brave” the Billy Mills story. Verdict on the masks after one try: meh. Mary Kay is better.
I am especially grateful today for the opportunity to be a teacher and for time to spend with my family.
We have entered the Advent season. This is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a time to remember how the earth yearned for the coming Christ before His birth, and a time to feel our own yearning for His coming again. As we each do our part to build Zion in our hearts and homes, and in our community, we can hasten His coming. I pray this Advent season brings you peace and joy in the hope of Christ.
❤️ GlowWorm
Marvelous Pigs in Satin 