User talk:Afett001

Hi Afett001, Ahh...a fellow Winchester individual. I actually spent ten years of my life in the Shenandoah Valley. All of my high school years and then community college at Lord Fairfax. I came to Virginia Beach to attend ODU. It wasn't too far away from my family, but just far enough. Oh...and who could forget the beach? That was definitely a plus. I hope you are enjoying the beautiful mountains though. I always enjoyed being able to get lost on any of the side roads down route 50, 522, or even route 7. You don't realize how important wide-open spaces are until you don't have them anymore. There are not too many places to get lost in VA Beach. Maybe pungo...? I'm sure that area has grown a lot though. In the now eight years I have been away, I hear it has changed tremendously. I hope not too much. I don't get to visit that area too often anymore, as my parents have moved to Richmond and the rest of my family is in Western, MD. However, I will be driving through there over the weekend to visit my grandfather. I'll tell you, every October I miss those mountains. I miss skyline drive and even tacky apple blossom festival. I certainly miss the Long Branch hot air balloon and wine festival. If you haven't done that...I highly recommend it. I miss Sweet Caroline's, Brewbakers, and even Coalie Harry's for after work drinks with friends. I miss that old town feel that has live bands on weekends. I'm assuming none of this has changed, but perhaps it has. Nonetheless, I also love the beach. Wouldn't trade it either. I think it's funny that we never truly appreciate where we live until we are gone. Anywho...enough of the nostalgia...

I too ended up in a career that wasn't my passion. I am now happily pursuing my prek-6 licensure and would love to eventually finish my masters in school counseling. I think that teachers today face one of the most challenging, yet rewarding careers. We have opportunities to provide equality in our classrooms. We have opportunities to appreciate and respect the diversity of all our students. I'm with you...I believe that all elementary grades would be fine to teach, but I really love third grade. Fourth grade and fifth grade would be more preferable than the earlier years. I want to work with children who still love their teachers, but are secure enough and curious enough to explore their own curiosities. Well...take care, good luck, and have a wonderful summer. Autumn Abitt002 (talk) 22:16, 27 May 2009 (UTC)

Hello. My name is Heather. I couldn't help but respond to your page because we share the same views. I am amazed that some people don't encourage group work. I am like you...it enables students to feed off of each other and see things in different perspectives. I couldn't agree with you more about patience. As an educator you must possess patience; if not, lord help ya!! Not all students are sweet and behave well. Believe me I know all about those don't listen, talk out of turn, yell at ya type of students. They can be very hard to deal with sometimes. However if we have patience it makes it easier, but then their are some that just can't be tamed and for those we have alternative school.:) Good luck with class and I hope you enjoy your career as an educator. Hcomb003 (talk) 15:21, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

Hola Anakristen, beautiful name by the way. My name is Bianca. I could not help not to write on your page. As I read the information you wrote about yourself, I was intrigued on how much you have done in such a short life. You seem like a very hard working and nice loving person as well, I can imagine the chaos in the house with so many people and pets. As you, I love being around children. They always seem to light up the room but as I read your educational philosophy I had to strongly disagree with a specific point. Yes, teachers are great role models for students. They teach them to be not only good learners but they also instill basic positive personal experiences in their younger years. We are all entitled to our own opinion with that said I cannot help to understand why you believe that English is the only language that should be taught in school. Teachers not only should be able to handle diversity but they should also be diverse as well. I am not saying that all teachers should know more than one language but they should promote to students learning another language because of the benefits. This world has become so small, mixed and competitive especially in the job market. Having more than one language regardless of which one, it is such a privilege a benefit to students in their future. I love how you said that lecture lessons that are enforced by group activities reinforce a subject matter. I think this is true in every way and that some teachers don’t do it enough. Students benefit so much from other students when they are engaged in group projects. Different skills and ideas can be learned from others, this helps them not only learn how to work with other people but to develop a larger range of problem solving since they learn more and more with each project they are assigned.Bpenn005 (talk) 17:18, 30 May 2009 (UTC)

Hello Anakristen! I have lived in Virginia for several years, but I have never been to northern Virginia. Although I do not have six cats, I do have a German Shepherd, so my own house does not have too many dull moments either. My degree is also for PreK-6, and I would prefer to teach fourth or fifth grade. I would not have a problem teaching 6th grade, however that is my limit, because I could never see myself teaching middle school or high school. Good instructional strategies are also essential in a classroom; even though student will constantly need your guidance as a teacher, it is good to teach them methods where they can solve problems on their own. This is especially true for special needs students, who need as much confidence and independence as they can receive. Adart001 (talk) 20:25, 31 May 2009 (UTC)

Hello Anakristen, I had the privelege of reading your author page. I see that you have had a remarkable background in just the few years you've been out of high school. I can appreciate how you started a career as a banker. This gave you experience in a particular field, but now after some other experiences, you feel that teaching is right for you. I would like to congratulate you on finding a career path that you feel fits your interests and personal mission. I wish you all the best as you contine to pursue this track of work....I have zero dogs and cats, and so if and when I decided to get one or more such pets, I will contact you for some input. Thanks. Michael Mbrowder (talk) 01:42, 14 June 2009 (UTC)