Teachers

Soooo.... I hate to neglect my blog for oh, so long, and then come back with THIS....but sometimes, a girl had to ramble...

I loved teaching.  I love inspiring kids.  I loved showing kids something they never understood and then watching that 'ah-ha' moment once I explained it (after seventeen tries in seven different ways).  I love reaching that kid...that ONE kid that just couldn't be reached by anyone else.  As a matter of fact, let me interject here with an essay from a former 9th grade student:

 "My favorite teacher I ever had is Mrs. Marsh.  She was one of the few teachers that actually cared about kids' grades.  She was very concerned that some other kids and I were getting bad grades so early in the year.  She took us out in the hall and gave us a talk about how we can bring our grades up, and by this time I was being a pain in the butt and not listening to her talk because I really didn't care.

"Later on I skipped school with my friend, and Mrs. Marsh got really mad and none of my other teachers even talked to me about it or even noticed that I missed; that showed me that she gave a crap about me.  Later on she got it through my thick skull that school is very important and so studied for my next test as hard as I could.  I got one of the highest scores in my class.  Now ever since that happened I have been trying as hard as I can to get better grades in English and all my other classes.  That is why I think of Mrs. Marsh as my most memorable teacher."

So, ten (plus) years later, I'm sitting here on the side of the MOM with a kid in school that isn't really a perfect fit in the cookie cutter mold that we (as teachers) would like them to be.  I NEVER thought I would be on this side.  I loved school.  I was "good" at school.  I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Utah and kind of eased my way through.  But I happen to have this (pretty fabulous) daughter who doesn't fit the mold.  She's probably kind of hard to teach....never for behavior, but just for academic, and understanding.  And fourth grade has hit us.  We (thought we) were blessed with TWO teachers in fourth grade (so one HAS to be good right?), but (NO!) cursed with both teachers who see only INSIDE the box.  But guess what?  There are fabulous minds that think outside of the box. 

Dave and I sat in an hour and a half conference yesterday and listened to them go on and on about standardized test scores and such, and how every other teacher had just inflated her grades so she was actually doing bad all along, but those teachers just inflated her grades to pretend she wasn't.  However, I think they forgot that THIS mom had spent some time in the school and watched teachers from Mrs. Hardin (bringing in every parent in whatever career just in case any kid in her class hadn't been exposed to it and might actually like to learn more about it) to Mrs. Parker (finding a book for EVERY SINGLE KID that he/she would LIKE to read and learn about), to Ms. Crimminger who instead of just learning the states had them try foods from every state so they would never forget...(King Cake from Louisiana, anyone?  How about pickles with ice cream?)  To Ms. Eichorn in third grade who made cookies in the shape of South Carolina to learn climates, mountain ranges, rivers. lakes, and counties. 

So this year my kid (my artistic, hands-on, visual learner) gets stuck with the two teachers that do every. single. thing.  straight. from. the. book.  BUT WAIT, "we do flash cards" (straight.from.the.book).  BUT WAIT, "we do note taking" (straight.from.the.book.)  Well, guess what?  You have now missed every kid in your class who just plain doesn't learn that way.  And you can spin it however you like....the other teachers were just "INFLATING" their grades, but guess what?  They were just teaching to different learning styles.  And (gasp!) using differing test taking strategies.

I have felt very strongly that if you don't have the PASSION, then you shouldn't be a teacher.  So, I had this incredible passion as a teacher, and I was good.  I gave it everything I had.  But after I had my own kids, I lost my passion.  AND THAT'S WHY I DON'T TEACH SCHOOL ANYMORE.  Because if you aren't willing to reach them all, then you should do something else. 

Don't blame it on other teachers who are willing to go outside the box to reach the kids that are also out there.  Because, now as a mom, and as a former teacher, I KNOW where you are coming from, and I am counting my blessings for that one good teacher out of FOUR that we have this year.  And I'm really grateful that as hard (and yes, as annoying as it sometimes was) that I went outside the box to get the kids that were out there.  Because, they are fabulous kids.  And they ARE worth it.

Yesterday's Adventure

I ran out of gas yesterday on the side of a highway about 50 feet from a gas station.  It was quite the adventure to cross the highway with the girls and figure it out.  I guess when the gas gauge stops counting miles left and just says "low fuel" you really do need to fill up.  It was quite an adventure.

On another note....yesterday a guy came to look at why the master shower is leaking a little.  So, after he looked, he came downstairs and said, "Ma-am, that wah-ter is a-spillin' over the lip of the base and I reckon I done figure out the prob-lem, but I need some tow-els.  Do ya-all think ya-all have some tow-els?"  I was like, "Oh, sure!  Follow me."  So we went into the laundry room and I handed him some rolled up towels that we keep in there for swim team.  He was kind of confused and then said, "Ma-am, tow-els, not tow-els."  And I was like, "Towels???"  And he said, "Ya know?  Tow-els?  Like maybe there are matching ones in the attic with the paint that the builders left?"  Me: "OH, TILES!!!!!"  Him: "Yes!  Tow-els!!!!"

I've lived in the South for almost ten years, and I still get confused sometimes.

The Hank Effect

Hank's sad eyes.  He's never really sad though; I think he just wanted a treat.

So, I haven't always been the world's biggest dog fan.  I was kind of afraid of them as a kid, and then just never really loved them.  Then this thing happened...his name is HANK.  Well, actually there were these two kids who happen to belong to me who are head over heels in LOVE with dogs, and with no more babies on the way (ever) and two kids old enough to help with a dog, Dave and I decided to adopt one.  That's when we found THE ONE.

He was a rescue mutt.  He is part everything and might be the sweetest thing ever.  I mean, he's super annoying; he jumps up on people, has two totally different ears, runs sideways, attacks the door at the slightest knock, digs holes in the backyard and jumps in our pond, BUT I love him.

So, now for the Hank Effect....  I find myself judging (yes, judging, I will admit) every person who comes in my house by how they treat my dog.  He barks initially and is absolutely annoying, but he just wants you to say hi, pet him a little and that's it.  I love when people get that.  So, when the dude came today to fix something and he said, "You need to keep your dog away while I work."  I was instantly skeptical of him.  I'll admit.  Even my kids were like, "Mom, that guy is weird."

I had a friend come over recently who didn't even say hi to me and instead knelt on the floor and started petting Hank, and I was like, "I like her...she's one awesome gal."  So, there you have it. 

It makes me wonder what people thought of me all these years that I've walked into houses and never even greeted their dog.  I kind of hope they were judging me with the same Hank Effect that I use, because I deserved it.

And when Amelia got home from the tonsil stuff, this is who she wanted to hang out with...in his bed. 

Sweet Girl

I just walked in Amelia's room (it's about 7:30 a.m. on Friday) and Amelia was just quietly laying there.  I went and layed down by her and asked her what she was thinking about.  She said, "I was just talking to Grandma."  I asked her what she was talking about and she said, "Oh, I had two questions for her.  What is her house made of?  Like is it chocolate? and I was wondering if she wanted to come get her nails done with me and Olivia today."

Drama Camp

I've spent a busy week before school starts Monday teaching drama camp to 4-12 year olds.  Since that is a HUGE age difference, I try to enlighten the older kids in the group while keeping the 4 year olds from getting paint on the walls while running around the room backwards.  So, I happened to mention famous poets and playwrites of all time to all three of them that I THOUGHT were listening.  However, I found out last night, that maybe more of them are HEARING, but not quite UNDERSTANDING this former 9th grade drama teacher. 

This was the conversation that happened on the way to gymnastics last night:

Mikayla:  So Mom, who is this Jake Spears?
Me: Jake Spears, what in the world are you talking about?
Mikayla: You know, Jake Spears, that you talked about in drama.
Me: SHAKESPEARE????
Mikayla: Yes, Jake Spears.
Amelia: Mikayla, Mom was talking about Jake Spears, who is Brittney Spears brother.
Me: GIRLS, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT ANYONE NAMED JAKE SPEARES, WHO IS NOT EVEN A REAL PERSON.  I'M TALKING ABOUT SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.  (I then proceeded with a lengthy lesson on the fabulousness of Shakespeare from the front seat of my car that I won't bore you with here and probably went right over my girls' heads, but it ended with a synopsis of Romeo and Juliet.)
Amelia: I get it!!!  So this Shake Speares is friends with Taylor Swift and they write about Romeo and Juliet together.

I give up....

Wish me luck teaching drama camp tomorrow!!!!

Learnin' in South Carolina

As all ten of you that are invited to read my blog know, my girls are one year apart in school.  When I used to blog regularly, there was something that bothered me so much one day when Amelia brought home her first grade reading book.  Then, I stopped blogging and didn't think about it again...until this last year when Mikayla was in first grade and came home with the same story in her reading book. 

It reminded me that I really wanted to blog about it back then, so I'll do it now!

Most children here know NOTHING about the Western part of the United States.  I would even dare say that most will never even visit the west in their lifetime...so when I saw how it was depicted in their first grade reading book, I was shocked!  Amelia had already PROUDLY announced to the class that she is FROM Utah, even though she only lived there until three days after her second birthday.  Well, the kids remembered that, and had LOTS of questions for her when this reading came up:

So now it's official:  every kid in Indian Land, SC (ironic name, I know) officially believes that everyone in New Mexico and Utah lives in clay homes and hogons.  And the craziest part about it is that my dear grandparents have a hogon much like this in front of their Red Canyon Indian Store (for fun), so Amelia got confused by it all and finally just told them that yes, they do indeed have hogons in Utah, and yes, people live in them.

I don't know why I don' t have a picture of it, but when they showed Las Vegas, it was a picture of a pink trailer with a hot pink flamingo in the front yard.  However, when they showed homes in the South, they were beautiful colonial homes...too funny.

Fish out of Water

Isn't it great when your kids pick up on a sport that the parents didn't participate in?  I think swim team is fabulous for the Marsh fam.  The girls are great and get better and better....but do you know what I like best????

When a random dad from the team catches the girls with SMILES like this!!!!

2010? What happened to 2009?

Okay y'all, I had every intention of keeping up on this thing, and then something got in the way...life!  Anyhow, I'm ready to update!  Are y'all ready for some Marsh Ramblings?

January 2010

Nothing exciting ever happens in January!  We flew back from Utah on New Year's Eve after watching my dearest little brother get married to perhaps the awesomest girl alive, so we couldn't even get mad that we had just flown the four of us there four months before for his homecoming.

And Amelia did turn 8 1/2....and when you have a summer birthday, that's kind of a big deal at school.

February 2010

The Marsh girls were ready to rock the night away at the big elementary school family dance.  They picked out their outfits and were ready to DANCE!  However, as soon as they saw their BFF's, the mom and dad were forgotten, and there was no "family dance" about it.

                                                                                

 March 2010

My dancers are making the BIG TIME....they audtioned for the talent show and MADE IT!  I forgot to take photos, but here are a couple of the girls I grabbed after the fact.

Okay, so I have no BFF's in SC, like I did these gals in ATL.  This was Jen's going away party...they are leaving the ATL for Amish country, PA.

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Toga Party for 8 year olds????

Of course not!  This is Thinking Day, and Troop 42 is presenting GREECE to y'all!  OPA!!!!

And seriously, the month wouldn't be complete if I didn't add the fact that I am able to accompany every field trip this year, since I moved all the dance classes to Tuesday nights, instead of a couple on Friday mornings.  This was the Columbia trip to Edventures....and it was totally Fab...just look at Mik's pose, and you know it's true! 

April 2010

The FAMILY photo!  

And yes, I did say "FAMILY."  Dave was so good at the Easter Bunny last year as the substitute, that it is forever his job....and who better to calm those kids who are scared to death???  And this year we surprised the stunned audience with a rendition of the Bunny Hop...the likes which had never been seen.

The Brownie troop was featured in the Fort Mill Times with this sunny/shady fabulous photo.

SPRING BREAK in CANCUN, baby.

The Mayan ruins were super cool   And here's to child #1 for tossing her cookies in the bus on the way there but still having a fabulous time!

Has it really been 17 years since I met this man.  Am I really that old?  We are celebrating 14 years in August...rock on!!!!

And Child #2 is just like her mom...sun and a good book, and life is good!

Mia made it all the way to Cancun when the girls were admonished to not bring any expensive items to Mexico...she was a stow-away in the luggage.

Jet ski fun on the Pacific...Mik was afraid, but was a trooper.

Marsh girls were FIRST on the dance floor....TANGO, baby.

Mikayla is 7, Baby!!!

7 years old, and a super cool pirate girl party with 16 friends.

And a super cool mom and dad....who can figure out how to do a "girly" pirate party when asked.

And when my dancers were invited to perform at the spring festival, I did not know they meant on the back of a TRUCK.  I just couldn't do it...and we settled for the road...even in Indian Land.

Giraffes Don't Dance...and Amelia's 2nd grade class is ready to rock that fact.

And Nancy IS Fancy in this 1st grade class...especially with the castle that you can't see in the background, but took lots of time on this mom's end...and very good driving skills for the dad involved who had to figure out how to transport it all.

This mom loved it when all my 1st grader really wanted to do was camp for her birthday...so we met the friends from Georgia half way and did just that...tornado warnings, down pours and all!

And the moms survived it all...maybe thanks to the stuff in the background....or maybe it was the circa 1990 sweatshirt I was wearing...who knows?

K and A are braving the rain, mud, and craziness of it all!

Or maybe it was preparing these girls for the beauty of UNPREDICTABILITY!!!! 

May 2010

And May brings dance recitals....and all that this new adventure brings!  Thank goodness for my mom and for 33 sweet girls that made the recital a GREAT success!

And this is me...pumping up my 33 dancers before the SHOW!  We're small, but oh, we're good!

And would any 1st grade school year really be complete without "CAREER DAY"?  M wants to be a make-up artist when she grows up, and so this mom had to be the person that the make up was put on.

And thank goodness for good friends that keep kids over long weekends so the parents can go to Charleston and party it up (on behalf of Tammy's birthday) with Dave's buddies since he was 10.

June 2010

And the Marsh girls are tearing it up in the pool...EAT MY BUBBLES!!!!!

And let's bring on the 2nd half...and hopefully a better blogging effort on this mom's part!

Back at it...

Has it really been almost a year? This is the problem: I'm so behind at this point, that I feel like I have to go back and document EVERYTHING, which is impossible....SO I'm going to start right now and keep this as the little journal it was intended to be and hope for the best.

Also...I set my security settings to private and I only invited ten people to read it and now I don't even remember how to change it...

So here's to the best of 2009 in photos: (and apparently I don't know how to arrange photos, so they are in reverse order:

December: My little brother's wedding--it was nice to be back in Utah and it was nice to be reminded of those vows Dave and I took 13 1/2 years ago. When Josh's new wife's dad spoke at their dinner, it took me back all those years ago because we were so much the same...no money, "college jobs" and full time students...but we were in love...and we made it work. It was a great time!

November: Doug's wedding...a great time with friends and one of the best Thanksgiving dinners I've ever had...not the food, but the people and the feelings of thankfulness.

October: I HATE for warm temperatures to go away, but we had a lot of great family time. My little dance studio is rockin'. This photo is of my jazz/hip hop class. I also teach ballet, and pre-ballet.

September: Okay, so cheerleading was fun, but do you know what was REALLY fun??? When we found out some of our games were on Tuesday nights (which is the night I teach dance) and no other mom would step in, so guess who did???? That's right...Dave did. My dear sweet, manly, hates everything girly, husband did. I love that guy.

(oops, just deleted the photo...and it's not on my laptop...I'll replace later)

August: Two photos...the first one...well, summer isn't summer without camping.

The second photo: My little brother is home from his mission (and yes, he is that tall...6"6' or so). We were so happy to be there for him. You know how you take those "mind photos" of things you never want to forget???? Well, Josh coming down the escalator after serving for two years on his mission is a mind photo I'll never forget.

July: Our Sweet Girl turned eight! We celebrated with a party at the ice skating rink....and most importantly, she found a sport that she is seriously good at...watch out Michael Phelps!

June: Edisto Island, Baby! Who know SC had so much to offer??? We met the Georgia friends, plus two nannies and vacationed for a week in a beach house....fabulous!

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May: My sweet Daisies all bridged to Brownies...and school is almost out!

April: I loved the fact that when the Easter Bunny wasn't able to make it, Dave stepped in...so this is actually a family photo.

March: Georgia friends who will drive the 4 hours to see us...and nicknamed our house "Fort Marsh" because we never needed to put on make up, go out, or even shower! We were too busy catching up and hanging out.

February: My little Daisy troop is going strong! We have a great group of girls and are meeting great friends.

January: The Utes rollin' over the Tide (but it was nice to be back in Georgia.) Funny to write that now seeing where Alabama just ended up, BUT Utah DID beat them last year.