School Update

I've officially completed two terms of grad school and am about to start my

third term.  This school works off the quarters system where each fall and

spring class lasts 8 weeks, and each summer course lasts 6 weeks.  I

actually really enjoy this set-up.  It is fast paced, and then it's done.

Between the summer and first fall term, I had a one week break.  Then

between the first fall term and the second fall term I had an official one

week break (which I'm finishing up this week), but since I finished all

assignments and exams a week early, I actually got to have a two week break

which was nice.  I didn't know what to do with my free time, though, so I

ended up going to bed early on the nights when Aaron plays computer games.

I initially signed up for three courses for the second fall term, but I

realized that was probably too much to handle, so I cut it down to two

classes.  Then, as a family of 5, we really needed a different vehicle and

purchased a used van (it was part of the Corporate Fleet for Toyota and was

used as their courtesy vehicle).  We plan to pay it off at the beginning of

the year since we hate car payments, but until that time comes, I reduced my

class load to one class until the van is paid off.  That way, I can pay for

school with less than one paycheck, and save the rest to build back up our

savings account (where we took our down payment from).  I anticipate taking

just one class for the first spring term, and then take two or three classes

for the second spring term once we don't have a van payment anymore.

All of the classes have been so interesting thus far and have all

reconfirmed my desire to become a teacher.  I've always loved learning and

loved being a student, so it's super fun for me to absorb knowledge and find

it interesting along the way!  I did sign up for a class in the first fall

term that was a follow up to the technology class I took in the summer.

However, I found out that I couldn't actually take the follow-up class until

I'm an intern in charge of a classroom since the follow-up class requires a

project where I'd actually have to submit copies of students' work

showcasing a technology app I incorporated into a lesson plan.  The

professor was super helpful and tried to create a work-around so that I

could take the class immediately following the first technology class, but

the head of the department said I'd have to wait until I was in an actual

classroom.  So... this class will be put off until my very last term when I

have to intern at a school. I'm a little bit bummed because I'm in a program

designed for those who achieved their bachelor degree in something other

than education.  So it's a tad frustrating to be in a program to become a

teacher and have to take a class that requires one to be in a classroom

actually teaching.  The two don't go hand in hand since I don't have a

classroom, and even my advisor was confused as to why the class was

structured that way, but it'll all work out in the end.

I've found a few tricks along the way to help me out financially a bit.

I've rented books on amazon for two courses-one during the summer term, and

one for the class that will start next week.  Renting books on amazon is

awesome!  You can typically rent them for half the price off or more, and

you can keep them til the end of the term.  Once you take the book to a UPS

store to mail it back and it's scanned in by the UPS worker, you are

released from all obligations to buy the book.  If you need an extension for

some reason, you pay a minimal fee and get to keep the book a bit longer.  I

haven't had to do that, and since the "return by" dates are usually 10 days

after the term has ended, I haven't had an issue getting the book back on

time, and I don't anticipate an issue this time.  Renting (and even buying)

from Amazon is way cheaper than getting the books through the university

bookstore.  I've had to buy two books so far (since they came with

electronic access codes and I was never sure ahead of time if I needed the

codes for the classes).  I will most likely sell these on Amazon since I

didn't use the access code for either class, and maybe someone else can

benefit from that.

Usually the syllabi for the classes are available the week before classes

start-typically by the Friday of the week prior to the class start date.  My

pattern so far has been to look at the syllabus and get super overwhelmed

and wonder how in the world I'm going to be able to do the work/projects,

and then I relax and get it all done. The classes-two in particular-have

pulled me out of my comfort zone, but I've made it through!  I'm very

blessed and grateful for my tech-savvy husband, and also for my tech-savvy

neighbor/associate pastor.  My husband and my neighbor have both helped me

navigate some tricky (to me) technological processes and I'm so so grateful

for their help!

Since I've reduced my class load per term, I'm not going to finish as

quickly as I wanted to, but as long as God gives me the stamina to press

forward in my current job and gives me the ability to keep earning a

paycheck here, then I know it'll be okay.  I dream about the day that I

finish with school and get to begin interviewing for a teaching position.  I

dream harder about being a teacher and getting to create the loving

classroom environment that I want to establish.  I dream the most hard,

though, about being home with my kids in the summertime and winter break.

Those memories that will be made are going to be priceless.  It's a long

road ahead of me to get there, but I'm so looking forward to it!

Until Next Time,

Much love, Reba