About Me

I am currently a Title I teacher at a great school in Cleveland County, Boiling Springs Elementary. I graduated in 2009 from Appalachian State University majoring in Elementary Education. I have always enjoyed working with kids. They always seem to have a strong desire to learn and I admire that.   My life has been a wonderful ride so far, and I look forward to all God has in store for me.  Below is more information about me and my not-so-ordinary life.

What I like…

Because this world has so many different opportunities and chances to have vast experiences, I like to do many things. I will limit this section, however. One aspect of my life that I like is working to stay fit. I am not perfect at it, but I do love to exercise. Running is my activity of choice, but I also enjoy playing soccer, and dancing. Exercising and keeping my body in motion is such a release during stressful times. It makes me feel fantastic! Knowing that I am trying hard to stay in shape is also a mood lifter and I feel cheerful at the conclusion of my activity.

This is me at the top of Grandfather Mountain

Another activity I enjoy doing is reading. I have so many favorite titles. One of my favorite children’s books is Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. There are bountiful opportunities for laughter throughout this book. Mo has also written a few more titles including the pigeon, which are quite humorous as well. I enjoy reading because it allows me to escape into another world. There are endless possibilities within the binds of a book. I also have a deep desire to learn more about things. Reading is a way of educating oneself through the words of another. Words can tell us so many wonderful things and can expand our minds endlessly.

This is the cover of my favorite book.

Seeing as how I have many activities I enjoy, I can not possibly leave the next one out. I have a lot of experience working with kids of all ages.  My time spent as an undergrad at ASU has provided me with some of the most meaningful and spectacular experiences that I will cherish for a long time.  Majoring in Elementary Education, being a Teaching Fellow, experiencing an Alternative Spring Break trip to Jamaica, and working at the Child Development Center in Boone have all given me opportunities to broaden my understanding of children among many ages and figure out who I am as a teacher.  I truly hope that this road I have gone down will lead me to more meaningful memories as I search for a job in the public schools.

Things I don’t like so much…

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of what I don’t like is hatred. I feel that there is an incredible abundance of this awful expression in the world today. Hatred causes people to lose things in their lives they never intended to. Hatred can rip a family apart, tear a community to shreds, and bring pain to many people’s lives. I feel there is too much hatred, and not enough forgiveness. With more forgiveness, our society would not consider many murders a day to be “the norm”.

I also do not like disrespect. This stems a bit from my dislike for hatred, but it is different as well. I have come across this lack of respect quite recently. I am quite grouchy when someone denies me consideration that should be given to everyone. Realizing that there are other people in this world that matter just as much as you do is a wonderful aspect to possess. I feel that I am considerate the majority of the time. As I have said, I am not perfect, but I try to respect the ideas, opinions, and feelings of others.

Just to step away from the common thread in this section, another thing I do not like is celery. Of course there are other vegetables that I do not like, but this one is a common one people DO like. I can remember the first time I ever had celery. I was in kindergarten and my teacher was passing out the snack and it was a piece of celery with peanut butter in the small groove. I took one bite of the green horror, and tasted the most wretched taste I had ever tasted. From that point on, I never forgot the taste and I can pick it out of any kind of food where it is present. That kindergarten day, my snack was peanut butter and a lingering foul taste.

YUCK!

One final thing I do not like is a dirty living space. Do not take this to mean I am spotless 100% of the time, because there is definitely clutter quite frequently. What I mean is dirty objects within the space I reside. I do not like to see dirty dishes in the sink for long periods of time. I do not like spills and stains around my area. I try to keep clean and organized as much as possible because I will not be able to rest until my space is somewhat neat. I am not obsessive about it, but I will not leave a stain or mess somewhere for a long period of time.

What you should know about me…

One thing you should know about me is that I am dependable.  When I am asked to do something, I do everything in my power to get it done.  I try to deliver the same response as I would want if I was to ask someone for a favor.  I feel that the Golden Rule has helped me out greatly throughout my life and it has made me a better person.  It is just something I have always lived by, and probably always will.

A second thing you should know about me is how devoted I am to the profession of teaching.  I feel that being a teacher is an especially important job to hold.  When one is a teacher, he or she can shape the minds of students, building them into successful human beings.   I feel I am very devoted to my profession.  I try to  have all my students’ best interests at heart and I wish only to help them become the best they can, and wish to be.

With my niece, Riley

You should also know that I love football season at ASU.  It is a time to get together with friends and cheer our school’s team to victory.  It gives me a great abundance of school spirit, which is a fabulous spirit to have.  Being proud of the institution that is helping you become a successful adult is a fulfilling feeling.  I also really like to watch football.  Somehow, seeing it in person makes it come alive, more so than watching it on TV.  Again, I love the pride I feel in my school and knowing that it is because of this school that I will become a great teacher.

One final thing you should know about me is that I am a caring individual.  I care deeply about my family and friends.  My mom and dad have been divorced since I was 8, but I have never felt unloved.  I feel that that is the reason I have such a big heart.  I was shown a great deal of love, and I can now give it back to others.  I have become great friends with my younger brother, whom I fought a lot with when we were little.  I have an older half-sister who now has two children of her own.    It is because all of these people have shown me such affection and have modeled great love that I can return it to those who are close to me.

How I act…

I feel I am a responsible person.  If there is something that needs to be done, I will do it.  I will take responsibility for my actions and own up to my mistakes.  This is how I learn.  Being responsible also means being mature about situations that arrise in life.  I feel that I have a good handle on how a person my age should act.

I am also very driven and motivated.  I would not have made it to college if I wasn’t.  I work hard to get the grades I get and I try my best at everything I do.  I strive to be successful in my endeavors, and when I cannot be, I learn how to make myself better.  Being driven also means that there are times I must sacrifice doing something fun for doing what I need to in order to get work finished.

As I mentioned earlier, I am very caring.  I do my best to care for everyone and try to do things for other people.  I try to keep others’ needs ahead of my own.  I try not to be selfish and if there is something someone needs, I try to get it for them.

I also act silly sometimes.  When I am with my close friends or family, I can be silly.  I try to make light of everyday situations and bring humor into my life.  If I can make someone else smile, I have made my day.  I love to make people laugh so I act goofy when I am in a happy-go-lucky mood.