Happiness

   "Happiness is and attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same." I chose this quote because i can reflect on it the most. This statement is so surreal and true the anyone could agree. In one of my other classes we are reading a book Called Tuesday with Morrie. Its about a man who was diagnosed with ALS and spent his days living his life to the fullest, rather than mourning his soon death. His really made my think when his stated "Once you know how to die, you learn how to live." This quote is an exact translation to the previous quote above. People need to start focusing on how to live happy lives and not dwell on the future. Life is too short to take for granted. Not only do we come off stronger but we feel stronger in a sense that we own our lives and can shape the way we want to live it in any way that fits. All it takes is the right attitude to create a life worth living. Value.

My Bucket List:

1. Finish my Last Month of High School
2. Achieve greatness in the next four years at college
3. Travel to Australia
4. Eat a Crepe along the Champs Elysees
5. Meet Leonardo Di Caprio
6. Create my own fundraiser
7. Make a name for myself
8. Get my Masters Degree
9. Climb Machu Pichu 

5 People 5 Things

1. Clean My Car
2. Complete my college scholarships
3. Finally pay for Grad night
4. Ask my date to ball
5. Finish my online history course

  This week we were given an assignment to create a word cloud based on our personality tests. Almost all my tests were right on target with the amount of words they used to express me. When creating my word cloud i decide to create in the shape of an apple due to me wanting to become a teacher. I thought it was a nice touch to the cloud!I really enjoyed taking the personality tests to help me make sure that teaching is the right job for me!

End of the Year Goal!

         I recently switched my I-Quest to teaching side-by-side with my old fifth grade teacher. Together we created a homework club that allows students to get their work done without the distractions from home. I work with three boys that struggle to succeed in their classes. My job is to work beside them and help them in any way that I can. I started this club about two weeks ago and i'm already seeing improvements. My goal is to change the way these boys act and how I can get them back on track. In order to achieve this goal i need to show that i care about their success. Prove to them that doing their work and trying will only benefit them in the future. The issue i have is if the boys don't initially finish their homework during the club i have no assurance of them getting it done at home.I just hope as the year goes on that they will learn to be proactive and that i will serve as a role model to them.

Overall Semester!

Over this past semester I had chosen Mr. Busboom as my mentor. Not only was he a former teacher of mine, but he really influenced me to become a teacher.  I spent about two to three hours a week working with Mr. Busboom in his classroom on campus. He was teaching an AP Government class during the period I would go in, so I usually just sat around and listened to his lectures. I did get the opportunity to make a lesson for his class on Campaign Finance. I have posted a link below so you can take a look at it.  

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DWNHDKkJaik9-KFnna6aFKi1TQ6DUGnY35iQYBZrN4g/edit#slide=id.p  

            In the beginning of I-Quest I was very excited to work with Mr. Busoom, not only because he was one of my favorite teachers, but also because he had quided me to become a better student. As the year went on I did not see myself participating in the class. I was mostly sitting around and it was kind of a waste of time for me. I still love history with a passion but that was not it. I really enjoyed being in the classroom environment and getting a hands on feel for teaching. Making a power point helped me as well. In contrast, I didn’t like not doing anything. I would rather be working physically with students. It didn’t help that the class I was in was the same grade as me. It also didn’t help that Mr. Busboom had an extremely busy year and was out of his class.

            For next semester I would like to change my field of interest to working with the elementary students. I love kids and I received the opportunity to help one of my former teachers last year in Careers in Teaching. I absolutely loved that course. I loved working with the kids and connecting with them. I think going back will give me a better feel of what grade level I would prefer to teach. I don’t want to give up my passion for teaching and this class made it possible for me. I will never forget taking this class or regret it because it not only did it give me a chance to explore outside the classroom but it was a class that I actually wanted to be in and learn from.

John Morton Blum

This week in I-Quest we were given an assignment to find a famous person dead/alive in our field to research. Since I am studying to become a history teacher i thought who better then John Morton Blum. His was a famous historian at Yale University, the author of many historical novels, and an expert in 1920's America. I chose him because he stood out to me. He doesnt necessarily study the field of history i want to teach but he knew how to work his audience and his students. People looked up to him and he inspires me to strive for my goal of becoming a history professor. I want to know his background and where he came from. What drove him to become a historian and how he touched the lives of people around him. He just recently died on October 17, 2011, yet he left behind a wonderful reputation. I want to be able to leave that kind of past behind after i teach. That all anyone can ask for after chasing their dream.