HI, This is my new blog spot.
Here is a brief Sketch.
I’ve had a fun and interesting life since graduating from Capital. I went to Boise state and earned my elementary ed degree, making Dean’s Highest Honor List a couple of times. I then was hired by Parma and taught first grade for 3 years. During that time I met my husband, Carlos. He graduated from Borah, served a mission in Florida and had returned and was going to school at Boise State.
After he graduated he got a job in Rupert, so we moved and liked it, and have been here ever since.
After my children were born I decided to be a stay at home momma, but never could just sit and do nothing, so my dad and my hubby built a room on the back of the house that I used to teach kindergarten and dance.
Eventually the district decided to put kindergarten in public school and my job as a teacher vanished. I was offered a job at that time with the district, but I still had kids at home and didn’t want to commit to the time it takes to be a good teacher.
Several kids in our neighborhood were unable to attend school and I was hired for them, and others. I really enjoyed that and it kept me home or close to home yet occupied.
I next did a little substitute teaching, and at the beginning of the school year a special ed class had no teacher so I was asked to sub and the next thing I knew the principal called me up and informed me I was hired as a special ed teacher. I had not applied and had no big interest in it, but I soon became infatuated with the kids and I thoroughly enjoy it. It has been eleven years and I still love it. I went back and got my masters in Special Education graduating with highest honors. I teach 6-8 grade reading, English, math, science, social studies, art, home ec, shop, sign language and anything else that needs taught, so teaching is never a dull moment.
Carlos and I had 5 children. The first one died soon after birth. He was profoundly retarded and we asked that no heroic means be taken to keep him alive. It was hard, but a decision I haven’t regretted. Next was a girl, then two boys followed by a bonus, another girl.
Seresa is married, lives in Burley and has provided me with 3 1/2 grandkids. Her husband brought into the marriage three more kids and they are older and have kids themselves so I sort of have 3 more step grand kids and 3 1/2 great step grand kids.
My second son, Josh, is in security in the military. The Navy has treated him well. He spent three years or so stationed in Hawaii so I had to go see him twice there. Then he spent three years in Misawa, Japan. Of course I had to visit there also. I went two summers ago, then when his wife announced she was pregnant I started saving up to go again and went last summer. Now he is in D.C. and has an adorable daughter.
Sam is my third son and he is going to CSI. He will graduate as a nurse in December, then plans to pursue advanced studies. He is also married, and has a son named Job.
My baby, Alyssa, is 18 and is planning a career in medicine. She is the assistant manager at our local Subway sandwich shop.
Over the years we had several Indian Placement Students and many exchange students. I was able to visit 3 of them when I went to Japan and that was awesome.
Some other jobs I’ve had include a counselor for exchange students, librarian, a youth companion for troubled youth, life guard, camp cook at a Boy Scout camp, program director at a Cub Scout Camp and a developmental specialist.
I’ve also volunteered a lot and have held a plethora of Scout positions including Day Camp director, district commissioner, and den mom. I have the district Award of Merit award, the On My Honor award and the Silver Beaver. I’ve been to Wood badge and have my beads. If you are a scouter that all makes sense, if you’re not, don’t worry about it, just figure I am devoted.
I’ve been involved in a good number of plays over the years and still enjoy dabbling. Mostly I do choreography and I love to make dancing happen.
I am now teaching course 13 in Sunday School
Carlos works at the Idaho Youth Ranch and is a Scout Cub Master. He is running for city council. He is or has been on several boards over the years including the Professional Standards Commission.
I was privileged to go to Israel this year to witness my nephew’s graduation from Ben Gurion Medical School and toured a bit. It was one of the more awesome experiences of my life.
This summer I was able to take the practitioner training in Neuro linguistics at the University of Santa Cruz in California. I have been fascinated by the power of the human mind to learn, to change, and to heal. It was the most mentally fascinating thing I have ever done and I am applying my learnings in my classroom writing a curriculum and articles on NLP application in education. My work has not gone unnoticed. The National Education Association has offered me a $2000. scholarship to help defray the cost of the masters in NLP. I am now doing some NLP life coaching and it is fulfilling.
And there it is, my life in a few paragraphs. Share with me yours and let me enjoy the adventures you have experiences through your eyes.