Admission into Masters Program!!!

Becky, McKenzie, Cael, and Me... Chevak Wrestling Invitational 2009

Guitar Lesson #1... a bit of a challenge for me... 

Well, it is official! I have been accepted into UAF's masters in Cross-Cultural Education program and I couldn't be more excited! The entire program focuses on teaching Alaska Native students in rural AK. It is perfect for me! I have not yet set up a course plan in stone, but I am hoping to graduate in 2012 if I take things nice and easy (that's 1-2 courses a semester). Not sure of a lot of things, but when it comes to school I have goals and dreams and I like to make them come true :)

As Thanksgiving is fast approaching, I was thinking about how fast this school year seems to be flying by. This time last year I had a lot more photos, but many of my experiences last year were new and needed to be documented! lol 

This year I suppose I have been focusing a lot on my professional development so that I can be an even better teacher for the students of Chevak. It has been great having a thematic reading program this year and seeing my students grow. I just began an Alaska Reading Course last month and it is absolutely wonderful! There are so many skills and so much knowledge being given to us, I am falling even more in love with literacy! :) I just want to continuously grow for myself and for my students. 

I am very excited to announce that I will be speaking at the 2010 Anchorage Association of Education for Young Children Conference to be held in Anchorage in February. This year's theme is "Changing One Child at a Time" and my topic will be sharing tools for successful classroom management. I will be speaking in a two-hour slot so please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I love public speaking, but this will be my first time presenting on my own and I really want to impart knowledge that will truly benefit those in attendance. 

Though the first half of the school year seems to have flown by, I am getting VERY excited for Christmas vacation so that I can be with my friends and family. I cannot wait to spend time with them! My siblings and I will be doing something new this year (possibly a new tradition)... we have the opportunity to help serve at Bean's Cafe on Christmas Eve and I just think this will be such a humbling and beautiful experience. I love my family so much and I love to serve others in need. What a perfect way to spend the morning of Christmas Eve!

I am now beginning to dream up what vacation I might be able to take myself on next summer.. the wheels are turnin'... 

Stay Warm, 

Misty

My baby brother visited me in October! So, so thankful!

Late October, just after the freeze.