stand close together.

I grew up in a wonderfully unique environment, although I didn’t always see it as awesome.

My home school district was often called the “black hole” by the students. We’d say: “once you enter West Valley you never move out.” Most people move away after graduation, but somehow you get sucked back in...growing up I didn’t know that it was cause of the unique sense of community we have. It’s like a country song: “Everyone knows everybody, and everybody calls ya friend.”

You’re always welcome to contribute-no matter how small and your problems no matter how daunting become everyone’s. In that environment you can achieve! our weaknesses were strengthened and our strengths were encouraged and appreciated. No one was ever forgotten. We would rally together for small victories, and mourn together over the tragedies.

Growing up there my idea of family wasn’t just blood or people who live in your house. Rather it is a family community.

In a community, the individual matters and is respected almost more than the group as a whole. At BYU, I’ve tried to re-create the same sense of community.

Study Groups. Meet at my apartment, making them dinner, and trying to get to know the individual more than the study materials.

Roommate Dinners. After all if you’re gonna live with them they should be your momentary family.

Volunteering.

BYU does a great job of collecting the world’s brightest students, which at times can make me feel rather dim. Yet, when I volunteer, perhaps I’m helping others where they can’t help themselves. We strengthen each other by the simple things, and I think Heavenly Father wants us to become strong family like communities because after all we are all His children.

whats the situation?

as i continue to work with the firsties, its was interesting to see how i use situational leadership methods naturally and how i can continue to improve in the service i am giving.

when working with these young ones i often need to take on a directing role. i tell them how reading assignments and games should be done and supervise them closely.

as the individual students improve in their readings, i let them suggest which educational game would like to play most, and i choose one that will best help them. its fun to watch them at work and achieve, but i always let them know i'm willing to help and coach them.

nothing brings greater joy than to see the little firsties take reading upon themselves. we assign them books to work on and training words to learn, but in the end all we can do is support them and i hope they will want to practice their words at home.

the best part of working with them is when we can turn their learning completely over to them. we delegate spelling and sentence assignments that each student needs to complete but it is entirely up to them what they will write and if they need to ask for help.

gotta love reading

i'm starting a very promising book called:

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

and it's all small stuff

i'm hoping to learn how to better manage my life

da firsties

you gotta love first graders. they are just starting out on their "educational adventure" with their whole heart, mind, and eyes willing to learn. their joy of learning and simple excitements really help put life into perspective. like: a cold snowy day that isn't wretched, it's wonderful! or how determined they are to become better. as i work with these awesome human beings, i just hope and pray that somehow i can help them even half as much as they unknowingly bless my life.

seriously, every week i can't wait to go volunteer at the elementary school. it's such a privilege to work with Mrs. Ord's class and especially with four first graders i get to work closely with. these four have reading challenges; phonics, comprehension, etc. don't come easy for them, but that's what makes them so cool. they work hard for their education... something i've never done. they are an inspiration. every time they learn a new word or finish a new book, i see their faces light up and know i'm helping make a difference. there is nothing greater than helping first graders see their potential.