Monday, June 15, 2015

Our Story

I met my husband in high school, when I was 16 and he was 15. We quickly became friends and spent most of our free time together. At first, he was only a friend, and initially I thought he would be good match for my sister, but he asked me out instead!

We were always together at school! 

We dated for a year and a half in high school until graduation. After graduation, we decided that the best thing for us would be to part ways. We both wanted to enjoy college, Edgar stayed in Mexico, and I moved to Texas, so it made sense at the time.

High School Graduation - 2010

Well, we both dated other people, but didn't find what we were looking for in a long-term relationship. So in early December 2012, we reconnected on Facebook. We spent hours texting, chatting, Skyping and Facetiming. Finally, at a Christmas party, we met face to face. 

By the end of that party, I knew that one day, I would marry Edgar. I went to Mexico again at New Years and we had our first date. We talked about life and our goals and agreed that we would only pursue a relationship if we both wanted it to end in marriage. By the time Edgar dropped me off, we were sure. Over the next year, we took every opportunity to call, chat with, and visit each other.

Edgar liked to take pictures of us Skyping...

Then... On December 14, 2013, Edgar proposed to me! He had talked with my father previously, and our families were on board. So, he called our friends, and got their help to plan the most amazing proposal! He even got my family to Mexico without me knowing! The proposal was followed by a surprise engagement party. I was so fortunate for find an amazing man who worked so hard to make me happy.

It took him a while, but he finally got down on one knee!

In the next year, we both graduated from college, I moved to Mexico, and we both started our first years as teachers. And on December 19, 2014, we got married! It was without a doubt the best day of our lives! We had such an amazing day celebrating with our friends and family. 

Our wedding day was the perfect beginning to our fairy tale!

Now, we've been married almost six months, and it has been quite the adventure. We're still getting used to our new schedule and each other's annoying habits... We've had some rough days, but we love each other and every day we renew our promise to be faithful and true. Now that we are together, we look forward to see what life brings our way! 

Our family of four! 

Sunday, May 17, 2015

5 Things I Learned my First Year Teaching

This year is my first year as a homeroom teacher. In college, I worked as a teaching assistant and as a substitute teacher... but this year was different. I had my own wonderful group of 24 students! Yes, this year has been quite challenging, but now that I'm getting to the end of it, I think that the students taught me as much, if not more, than I taught them.

5 Things I Learned my First Year of Teaching

1. It's okay to not know everything.  

I teach three subjects, two of which I don't feel prepared for, most of the time. At the beginning of the year, I would try to come up with an answer so I didn't look bad.  Now I encourage my students to take charge of their learning. They are probably tired of hearing me say, "Google it!" But whenever someone has a question, that is my answer. Of course I follow it up with, "If you can't find the answer, come talk to me and I'll help you find it." Not only is it good way for the students to practice their internet search skills, but it gives me time to come up with the correct answer!


2. Students expect to be entertained. 

I work at a 1:1 school, which basically means that the students are required to come to school with a Macbook Pro; 1 computer per 1 student. While this can often be a great benefit in class, it can also make teaching difficult. Gone are the days when kids got distracted looking out the window or reading novels in class... Now they are playing video games, Skyping and watching Netflix while I'm trying to teach the lesson! (Yes, these things are all against the rules, but I've caught students doing all of them.) If my lesson is interesting enough, I may only have one or two students off task, but when I'm teaching a routine lesson about analogies, for example, it's hard to keep even the majority of the group focused. The best thing I've found so far for keeping them interested is Kahoot! So the lesson is, entertainment helps students stay focused, lectures do not!


3. Class discussions are the new lectures.

If you were to pop into my classroom and see that we weren't using our laptops, you'd most likely find us in the middle of a class discussion. Students love to share their opinions and explain their point view on issues. Many times, when I don't want to use technology, yet don't want to lecture, I'll give students a short prompt, let them think/research about it and then have a discussion. Something I think that the majority of the learning in my classroom happens during this discussions! Not only do the students get a chance to really talk about the topic, but I get to learn more about their worldview which allows me to make my classes more relevant to their lives.

4. A good teaching team can make all the difference. 

When the year began, I tried to focus on creating relationships with all of the other 7th grade teachers at school. Well, I learned pretty quickly that this was not a good idea... Some of the teachers and I just didn't get along, and that's ok. Find a team that you can work with and stick with them! They are the ones who will back you up in sticky situations and help you tricky things like classroom management!


5. If Plan A didn't work, don't be afraid to try Plan B!

I'm a planner. I like to plan things. I often have difficulties adapting to changes in plans... This mindset had to change. At the beginning of the year, I had grand plans about the programs and websites that the students would use to make beautiful online portfolios of their work, and then I met the students. They didn't know how to use most of the technology I had planned to use, and I couldn't make that my focus... So I had to switch directions. Instead of making digital art, they drew pictures.. Instead of using Wix to create sites from the ground up, we used Google Sites to create simple, functional websites. Adapt, adapt, adapt... and the students will adapt with you! It's ok to experiment, after all, you get to start all over again next year!


As you can see, my first year of teaching has been full of trial and error, and of course mistakes... But I've also learned a lot and grown personally and professionally. I can't wait for the chance to start clean next year! Do you have any funny stories about your first year teaching? Any advice for a first year (or almost second year) teacher?? Leave your comments below! :) I look forward to reading your stories and advice!

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Life in México

Life has been full of twists and turns for me. As a TCK (third culture kid), I spent my teenage years in three countries on two continents. But when it was time to go to college, I chose to study in my passport country (where I was born!). Texas State University became my new home and in 2014 I graduated with my BA in Spanish Literature. After graduation, I moved to Monterrey, México to embark on my next adventure.

My family at my graduation from Texas State! 

Now, exactly one year after graduation, I am happily married to the love of my life, Edgar. During the week, I am a 7th grade Language Arts teacher at a local private school. On the weekends, my husband and I work with the children's ministry at our church. Our life is far from perfect, but we live every day in the hope and renewal that we find in God.
My husband and I on our wedding day!

In December, I began my journey as a wife, and now I'm ready to take the next step... It's time to focus on being a better wife, and more importantly, a faithful follower of Jesus. I know this will happen little by little, and I hope you will join me in this process! 

My goal for the month of June: Write a blog post at least once a week. 

That sounds like a good way to get started!