So, the weather has been unusually great here. Like I mean, perfect. It’s been in the seventies and eighties for the last 2 weeks. And you know what that means? Time for some water fun! I went up to Heise with Melissa B. and her roommate and had a great time. It was super sunny with a slight breeze. And I got one of the worst sunburns I’ve ever had. Yep. It’s summer. Can’t wait for the Fourth of July. That’s in 4 days. Reasons I’m excited: 1) No school, 2) No work, 3) Family. If this could just be the rhythm of my life, I would be happy.
So, I have to take these classes called Idaho Literacy Comprehension (parts I, II, III). And basically they want you to know how to teach kids how to read. And then at the end of the semester, they give you this state test and you have to pass with a 70% or higher. Well, I got a 92% on Standard 1, and now I have to take the second and third in two weeks. But let me tell you a little about this class I’m in this semester. At midterms, we had a guy from Mesa, AZ take out over the class. We’re thinking “What’s so great about this guy?” His name is Mike Oliver, and he is the principal at Zaharis Elementary in Mesa. But that’s not all he is. He’s basically the coolest person alive. And let me tell you why. He has this philosophy that we can take the books from all around us, and LEARN FROM THEM. Weird, huh? He’s like pioneering this whole new idea. Well, not really. At least, he shouldn’t have to. In my opinion there are two types of books: those with substance and those with fluff. I think that pretty much says it all. There are books (not text books, mind you) that you can actually learn valuable life lessons from. Who’d a thunk it?? How do we find these books you ask? You look past J.K. Rowling and Suzanne Collins to find Pam Muñoz Ryan and Kate DiCamillo. You READ them, not with the intention of being entertained, but with the intention of learning something. Look online, ask a reader, do something to find these pearls among swine (ok, maybe not that dramatic. I do enjoy me some Harry Potter and want to read the Hunger Games series this summer).
Ok, getting off my soapbox now. But I really believe what Brother Oliver is trying to do here. It is all so clear in my mind. Yes, it does require a little more effort from his employees (AKA your child’s teacher) but don’t you want that for your kids? I do. And I want to be able to give that to kids that might not get it at home.
There’s one thing about being a teacher. You don’t do it because it pays well, or has good hours, or it’s easy (and it always makes me sad to see someone skipping out on their classes where attendance is not required. Hello, I don’t want you teaching my children!). Teaching is hard work. It’s emotionally demanding. Physically tiring. Mentally stretching. It takes a special person to be a teacher. The Savior Himself was the Master Teacher. Teachers do it because they love filling young minds with new knowledge and watching it grow.
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