Biggest Blessings so Far

Sooooo much has happened since my last post a few weeks ago:

1.  One of my students was dismissed from my Red Cloud.  We've worked very hard with this student all year long, but ultimately he kept making bad choices (throwing things, hitting people) and had to be sent to a different school.  In the end while I'm sad that he's gone, it's the best option for the rest of the kids in my class.  When one student consistently runs around the classroom, defies authority at every chance, and throws chairs/stools/benches every day it is very dangerous in a classroom setting.  Last week was the first week that he was gone.  It has made me into a happier and more effective teacher.

2.  Last Sunday, one of my students invited me over for Indian tacos which is a big deal around here.  Her grandma told me that she tried to call me at 9:30 the night before and started crying when her mom wouldn't let her.  This is a student that I have grown very close to this year.  Her grandpa died last year.  She was his whole world and it is still a difficult process to go through.  I think I've grown so close to her because my grammy died when I was in kindergarten second semester.  I would cry every day and my teacher would put me in time out.  She never asked me what was wrong to get to the root of the problem.  There are some days where this student just can't handle the world- she cries, stumbles around, and simply can't tell me what's wrong.  I know what's wrong without her having to say a word.  She feels that hole which is missing from her heart.  I get her.  Her family was amazing.  Dinner turned into the dad asking me to come with him to a sweat and a ceremony with the whole family.  It was the best blessing I've had this semester.  All of my hard work has paid off.  At least one family can see how much I truly love their child.

3.  Last night I went to a ceremony for Rosa's family.  Whenever we go to a ceremony with them I feel like a part of their family too.  Because of their hospitality South Dakota has become "home" to me and I couldn't be more grateful.  Next weekend Rosa's aunt, Teresa, will show several volunteers how to make a star quilt. 

4.  This week one of my camp friends will be in Oglala for a mission trip.  Next weekend another friend comes to visit all weekend.  The next weekend my parents come to visit and I can't wait! 

Well, I'm off to church soon.  Later today, Erin and I are going over to the first grade teacher's house to spend the day/night.  Miss Stacy's family all does rodeo so we get to ride horses and learn how to rope.  Here comes another busy month!

Puppy Soup, Ceremonies, and Dinosaurs

This weekend I had the opportunity to go to two ceremonies, one on Friday night and the other last night.  There was a small group of us went on Friday even though our friend Rosa didn't go.  It was exactly what I found out that I needed and especially last night's ceremony.  Last night I noticed that the rattle was right above me from the noise and felt a hand on my shoulder.  It was what the Lakota people call a spirit.  The spirit gave me a sense of relief.

On Saturday during the morning and afternoon, we celebrated my friends birthday.  We went to an awesome coffee shop and then to a park with huge ceramic dinosaurs.  This weekend was amazing with being in the local community from the ceremonies to Rosa's brother's birthday and then hanging out with the volunteers.  I'll fill you guys in on school stuff sometime this week when I have time.

Frustration Meets Results

The end of January left me frustrated with school and community.  I didn't feel comfortable with certain things that were amidst.  Now, I've put myself in uncomfortable situations where I have had to be a grown up about things and face my fears head on.  Due to numerous serious conversations with two particular friends here I have seen a drastic change in the way that I view my life here.

Last weekend a few of us went to a Lakota sweat over at a medicine man's house.  We were invited by the family that we prayed for. Never have I ever felt so a part of a family like this.  The next day we went to one of the girls birthday parties.  I have two of her cousins and all of the aunts were there.  It was awesome because I had never been to a little kid party as an adult.  I'm finally being supported by the administration about one of my students.  It makes me feel like the rest of this year will be okay.

Tomorrow we leave for retreat with all of the volunteers, all 20 of us.  A couple of weeks ago, I did NOT want to go.  But now, I feel a lot more comfortable with my own house community and other friendships.  I feel like I'm a part of the bigger community-the Lakota community.  Now I can teach better, relax in my house, and pour my heart into what I came here to do.  Maybe part of this is because I finally had my camp interview with very good results.  We'll just have to wait and see what God has in store :)

God Works Part II

God does Work.

It's been awhile but here are some blessings in my life lately:

-Being invited to two Lakota ceremonies by a local family

-Getting a package from my parents today which included cookies from my dad and silly song cd's from my mom for my kids

-Getting an email from a student's parent which said, " Abby, I know that this is your first year teaching kindergarten, and I know that dealing with my son has taught you a lot this year especially as your first year, but I wanted to say thank you for all that you do."  It's amazing how a year long struggle can be so prosperous.  This is why I am here.

-After getting this email, one of my kids came over during nap time, put his head on my lap and promptly fell asleep for a whole 25 minutes 

-Getting an email from camp saying thanks for donating money to a scholarship camper and being able to express how much I love Camp T

-Truly intentional talks with people in my community that make my heart happy


The last month I've realized more and more how God has shown himself in my life.  I have people that truly and deeply care about my well being.  My kids talk about God a lot and it's amazing how beautiful our "God talks" continue to be.  One of the student's parents invited me to be a part of a local Lakota ceremony this weekend.  I'm excited to get myself out of my comfort zone and explore the Lakota culture.  Camp has come back into my life with completing my application for my fourth summer and being able to help send a child to camp for the first year ever.  In that way my life has come full circle.  I continue to be amazed at how fruitful my life here as a single person has become. This semester so far has brought healing, a new confidence in my abilities, and my love for teaching constantly growing until I think that I will burst.

Too many people grow up. That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up. They forget. -Walt Disney

Class is back in session.

Have I told you lately how much I love my kids? Well, I do, a ton.

They are simply wonderful. One of my more rambunctious kids was gone today.  It made me really appreciate how much my students have changed behavior wise over one whole semester.  This morning I had to do a ton of testing while my aides taught.   It was fun too to see how far my aides have come teaching this past semester.  It's crazy how much kindergarten students learn over the span of five months.  My kids now know geometry, how to write numbers 1-20, over twenty "sight" words, and can now sound out consonant vowel consonant words by blending.  Their brains begin to adapt into massive learning sponges.  I. love. it.

I've really begun to like teaching kindergarten, as much as I hate to say that.  I always swore that I would stay far away from this grade since my mom has taught it for over twenty five years out in Indiana.  But, the kids make me want to stay in this grade and at RC forever.  I'm already starting to miss my students for next year.  They can't leave my class.  I'll miss them too much. 

I Teach Because

The other day I started reading Teach for America blogs again.  One of them was from a kindergarten teacher who talked about the slump that she was in.  One of her students was frustrated when he couldn't draw his 3 the right way.  In her haste to help the teacher said, "It's not that you can't, you just can't YET." That's how I feel a lot of the time with my kids.  Last week one of my professors gave me some books on classroom management and a curriculum called Tribes.  It's about splitting the class into smaller groups to teach them the value of a hidden curriculum with ideas on different weekly life skills such as cooperation and responsibility.  Each day we will do a community circle with a new activity. To say I'm excited would be an understatement.  I can't wait to get back and redo my entire classroom with more kinder friendly ideas!

I titled this post for a reason so here's my recent list.

I teach because.....

these kids are lovable and capable.
these kids make everything in life seem so much better.
these kids come in barely knowing their alphabet and leave kindergarten knowing how to read.
these kids are the future of their community.

Me and some of my kids ice skating the day that I left :)

One of my kids and my favorite third grade teacher, Miss Claire, sneaking into the picture

 POTHOLDER HEADBANDS!

This is the dog that Claire and I somewhat adopted a for couple of weeks while we waited for a volunteer to take her home for Christmas.  Well, Claire kept her for most of the time and I babysat when she was otherwise occupied :)  We named her Weekend since she originally was supposed to be a weekend dog, but this puppy definitely stole our hearts along the way.

Changes at Home

The last week at home has been.....different.

Parents are going through a rough patch.  My sister is now engaged.  Yes, I'm happy for her.  But, it's not just any guy.  It's the same guy she dated for two years in high school.  It's the same guy who told my sister that I was mad at her because I "wasn't as pretty as her."  A lot happened during their relationship that caused me not to like him six years ago.  Now, he has a five year old of his own from a previous relationship.  My mom has told me that this guy has changed a lot and that I need to be nice of him.  Does she not remember six years ago when she chased him from our house?  Well, I do.  Maybe people can change.  I know that it's Christmas Eve.  While I'm grateful for a ton of stuff in my life, I'm way worried about this new change for our family.