Jamie

Shall we start with a story? Picture an elementary aged girl. She's 9 years old. She has followed her older - normal - sister through school, and her older behaviorally challenged brother. This year she has an ex-special education teacher that also had her brother. For some reason she cannot fathom she is not succeeding. School becomes a place of torment for her where no matter how hard she pushes to do well, she fails. She is constantly reminded of her brother's shortfalls in school and told how much like him she is. Her grades sink as does her interest in any academic studies. Lets skip the next details to the next year. Fourth grade starts much the same. Once again she has a past teacher of her older brothers. However, this one is different. Rather than belittle and remind this girl of how much she is like her brother she is pushed to be her own individual. Her grades continue to suffer but slowly her attitudes start to change. This teacher has introduced her to a whole new world of books beyond "see spot run." Then the cumulative day comes. A report card is sent home whereon the girl has been given a D. When she opens that card and sees that letter a change happens. Even as the tears course down her face she makes a commitment to push forward in her education to the stars. The behavioral problems decrease dramatically and stop completely after a visit to the principal's office. Swing into the rest of her life, The next year, fifth grade, she once again has a teacher familiar with her older brother. This time though, the teachers team-teach so she is only under the influence of this one teacher for two hours of the day. Her grades climb to steady A's, with the occasional B in math. The course remains steady throughout her public school days. A few more facts from the past- 1. Graduated with a 4.1 GPA, 11th in her class. 2. Graduated with 21 college credits. 3. Passed the AP Psychology and AP World History Exams. 4. Received a 26 on her ACT. 5. Accepted early to Brigham Young University. 6. Maintained a 3.7 GPA throughout college. 7. Graduated in 2010. Now this girl is faced with her life's decision- to become a teacher. This girl is me. This blog is about my struggle to become a better teacher. To never become my third grade teacher and strive to become my fourth. Follow me in this adventure in learning.