Summer Reading List

Although I love a good easy read during the summer time, this year I plan on reading some of the books that I, as an English teacher, should have already read by now.  Right now, I am stuggling through reading Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.  I am on page 306 of 896, and it's finally starting to get interesting.

Next up, I plan to read As I Lay Dying by Faulkner.  In college, I took a class completely devoted to studying the books written by William Faulkner.  However, I was super busy with a huge classload, method labs, and work that semester and may have Spark Noted a few of the novels...There, I admitted it.  That's bad, isn't it?

After getting through Faulkner, I plan to read Truman Capote's In Cold Blood.  I refused to see the movie when it came out a couple of years ago because I wanted to read the book first.  However, it has been sitting neglected on my nightstand along with a couple of other books for some time now.  Hopefully, it will be moved to my shelf at at school by August. 

The Poisonwood Bible is a book that was recommended to me by Mrs. Toni Adams.  It was on the 12th grade summer reading list at WCHS in North Carolina, and I plan on finally reading it this summer.  I have heard that it is REALLY good!

The last book that I plan on reading is definitely NOT on the top 100 books list.  It is a true summer read, but I am still excited about it.  I have owned The Host by Stefanie Meyer (of Twighlight fame) for three or four years now.  Now that the film is set to come out in a few weeks, I may be finally ready to give it a shot. 

As far as devotionals go, I just finished the 7 Experiement by Jen Hatmaker, which I enjoyed.  Right now, I am reading A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.  So far, it has been both convicting and encouraging, and I really like it.  I also hope to finally read A Heart Like His, which is a devotional book by Beth Moore.  My mom gave it to me years ago, but I haven't went through it yet.  It is a close look at the life of David, and I can't wait to get started reading it!

Whew!  I have a lot of reading to do this summer!  I will let you know what I think when I finish!

Grad School Reflections

Going back to school as a working mother is probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I LOVE spending time with my boys, so giving up some of it kills me sometimes.  However, I can honestly say that I am so happy that I became a teacher.  I know that this is what God designed me to do.  I have the opportunity to work with so many wonderful kids who need someone to love and support them, which is what I get to do every day. 
With that said, I was excited to get back on track with my Master's degree now that we are feeling more settled in our new home.  This semester I took two on-campus classes and one online class.  I have to go to school every other Saturday, which means that I miss out on time spent with my guys at home.  However, over the semester I have had the opportunity to witness Sawyer and Steven become so much closer because of their Saturdays spent together.  Sawyer LOVES his daddy and I don't think he minds getting a little one-on-one time with him while I am in class. 
My first semester ended last night, and I couldn't be happier about having some time off (three whole weeks!).  I am still working, of course, but it will be nice to come home without having a running checklist of  to-do's going through my mind.  Continually remembering that this time next year I should be receiving my Master's diploma keeps me motivated to keep working hard!

Back to School :/

One of the biggest obstacles in moving back to Alabama was the fact that I had just completed my first year of grad school.  Because each state's education system is different and has its own various standards (I think that is ridiculous, but that's just me), the program for administration is different from state to state.  At first, I thought that it would be easy to transfer my credits to a university in Alabama, but it has been one of the biggest challenges I have faced.  Colleges in Alabama do not take credits from outside universities (and vice versa), so practically all of the credits that I obtained at ECU were dismissed. 

After careful consideration and research about the different programs in the state, I decided to continue pursuing my degree at the University of West Alabama.  UWA has a really good Educational Leadership program and is located only a little over an hour away from Thomasville.  My first day of class is this Saturday morning.  Steven is going to Opelika to hunt with his dad, so he is going to take Sawyer with him to stay with his mom for the morning.  I am a little nervous, but also very excited to get back on track with this degree;  If everything goes as planned, I am set to graduate next Spring 2014. My first class is School Law, which I already suffered through once at ECU.  Hopefully the second time around I will feel like an expert.   

CCHS Homecoming

This week, CCHS celebrated Homecoming week.  It was a really fun, hectic, and energetic week.  The kids got to dress out, which meant no uniforms.  I cannot explain to you how excited they were about that.  The dress up days we celebrated were Tacky Day, Breast Cancer Awareness day (wear pink), Halloween Costume Day, Twin Day, and Extreme Spirit Day. I am on the Homecoming committee, so I had to help with the attendant's float as well as sponsor a grade level.  Since I teach a lot of 9th graders, I volunteered to help with their float.  We had a lot of fun putting our float together and making our banners.  The theme of the parade this year was "Cover to Cover, We support the dogs!"  Each grade level had to choose a book, so the ninth graders picked The Hunger Games.  Our banner read, "May the odds be ever in OUR favor." On Thursday afternoon, we all stayed after to put the finishing touches on the float before the parade started at 4:30. 

 

There were A LOT of people out in the streets cheering and catching candy.  After the parade was over, we made our way back to the stadium for the Powder Puff football game.  It was really cute, and the students seemed to have a great time. 

Steven picked up Sawyer and brought him out to the game.  My husband is a good sport.

This picture cracks me up!  Sarah's daughter, Addie, wanted to hold "Baby Sawler" during the game.  I think Sawyer was a little unsure. 

On Friday, we had a big pep rally during fourth block, which was hilarious because the students played games and participated in relays.  That afternoon, I helped Sarah get all the attendants to their pictures and to the stadium.  At halftime we got all the girls lined up and ready to walk across the field.  They were all beautiful and everyone involved seemed to really enjoy themselves. 

I for one was so happy to see all the spirit and feel the fun and energetic atmosphere throughout the week!  Can't wait until next year!

CCHS Football

Steven and I went to the CCHS football game this Saturday night to watch the Clarke County Bulldogs play the T.R. Miller (somethings-Tigers, I think).  We decided to eat beforehand at Gene & Ellen's in downtown Grove Hill, which is just this quaint little hamburger stand. It was greasy and delicious as was expected.  Sawyer loved watching all the people and looking at all the colors, but wasn't very interested in the action on the field.  He loves music though, so he was at full attention during the band's performance at half time. 



watching the band

He must have used up all his energy though because he fell asleep sitting up in my lap in the middle of the third quarter.  We had a great time, but left a little early due to our sleepy little one. So far, CCHS has won all of our regional games, which makes teaching on Friday really fun and exciting because everyone is generally in such a good mood.  Here's to making it to playoffs!

Master's Degree

Since I began teaching, I have always wondererd what I wanted to get my Master's degree in because although I love what I do, I know that I will not be able to do it forever.  After much thought and consideration, I decided that I wanted to go into administration.  The thing is, I don't really have a desire to be a prinicipal (as of now, who knows what time will bring), but I do know that I want to allow myself the oppertunity to experience life outside the classroom.

Around December, I submitted my application and all other required materials to East Carolina University, which is located about 45 minutes away from my house here in North Carolina.  ECU offers a cohort program that meets once a week and then completes the rest of the projects and assignments online.  I have never wanted to be a pirate so badly before...After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, I got a call on Friday morning letting me know that I was accepted into the Educational Administration and Leadership program.  I was ecstatic, but also overwhelmed because I found out only a month ago that I am expecting a baby in December.  But hey, if my mom can go back to school with four kids while working too, I should be able to handle it with one, right? (prayers please!) 

We have our first orientation meeting on June 6th and then we will start classes closer to the end of the month.  It all seems to be happening so fast, but the quicker I can get through this program the better!  Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!

and Scene...

Christmas break is finally here! Headed to the movies (in the middle of the flippin' day) to see a film with the Cannon girls!?!  What What!?  Two weeks of relaxation, family, food, and fun await me. Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

Workin' for the Weekend

These days, I feel like I am doing just that...I try to tell myself, "Don't wish your life away," but with every new Monday, I find myself trying to push through and make it until Friday. Here lately, I keep repeating over and over again in my mind, "Christmas break, Christmas Break, Christmas break..."

This semester has been a challenge, to say the least. Don't get me wrong, I love my school, and I adore all of my co-workers, but I have never felt so stressed out and physically exhausted in all my life. There has been a lot going on in and out of school, which has me turning gray before my time. Steven and I spent afternoons looking at house after house, until we finally found the right one. For the past month and a half, we have been slowly but surely putting things away, and making this house feel more like a home. It has been fun, but draining, and I think it had started to affect my attitude--a lot.

For one thing, it wasn't easy leaving the comfort and security that I felt at Opelika High. While there, I developed friendships that were so deep. During my first year, Kirstin, Summer, Bryan, and I were inseperable. We would sit in my room during planning and just talk, laugh, and share about our lives, our students, and ourselves. (Maybe that's why I always had to stay late that year). They became my family during my time at OHS. Every time I think about them, I smile and remember all the great talks, laughs, and rants we shared.

I'm not gonna lie, it's been a little tough learning the ropes at the new school, but I am beginning to feel more and more at home. My co-workers at West Craven High have taken me in, and make me feel so welcome. I find myself looking forward to lunch every day because I get to share a laugh with some of the most down-to-earth and funniest women I have ever met.

With all the different things going on these days, I had started to lose sight of the reason that I chose teaching. Last week, I hit a brick wall. I felt like I had been grading research papers every night for a month (which is actually correct) because I told the students I would allow them to revise their papers before I gave them their final grade. I was exhausted, and to be honest, I was tired of teaching, reading, grading, talking, explaining...you name it, I was tired of it. And then, yesterday, something happened that put a smile on my face and made me literally tear up while sitting behind my desk. As the bell rang, and the students filed out of the classroom, a student who started the semester out with a bad attitude, who didn't try at all, and who frankly seemed to care less, came up to my podium with a Christmas card in his hand.

(Quick backstory: About a month into the semester, I sat this kid down, and we had a heart to heart. I asked him why he didn't seem to care about my class. He explained that he didn't think he was smart enough to pass, so he didn't think there was any point in trying. He went on the say that his mom worked two jobs just to keep food on the table, and that he had been thinking about quitting school to help out with money. From that moment on, I tried to make it a point to encourage him in some way every day. And slowly but surely, he started doing his work and even stayed after school for extra help. By the end of the first nine weeks, he had a 90 average, and had quickly became one of my favorite students.)

As he handed me the card, he sheepishly said, "Thanks, Mrs. Meadows, for everything," and walked out. I went over, sat down in my desk, and opened the card. On the inside he had written, "Thank you for believing in me, Mrs. Meadows. You may be the first person who ever has. Have a great Christmas."

I literally choked up. That is why I teach. That is why I grade, explain, answer questions, read, listen, and answer the same question again. It is for one moment like that...one moment that I feel like I impacted someone. That card meant to world to me, and it has made this tough semester seem like a joy.

xoxo,
Ashley

Graduation Project Presentations

Tonight and tomorrow night the senior English students will present their graduation research projects to a group of teachers, parents, and community members which will be the last step of this seemingly endless process. I am supposed to judge tonight and be in charge of a holding room tomorrow night. Since I have never done this before, I honestly don't know what to expect. I know that most of the students work really hard on their papers and projects throughout junior and senior year, so I am sure they will be happy when this is all over. I know I will ;)

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

"Lean On Me"

In honor of Iron Bowl week, I'm going to share a few of my favorite Auburn moments of the 2010 season, both on and off the field.

Saturday School

Growing up, I always heard threats about having to go to school on Saturday if we were out for too many weather days. Well, here I am...age 26...in school...at 7:30 in the morning...on a Saturday. Boo.

Steven is sleeping soundly at home.

I am pretty jealous if you couldn't tell.

MAT Test

If you have a minute, please say a prayer for me this afternoon. I am taking the MAT test in order to get into graduate school. I have applied at East Carolina University, but first, I have to do well enough on this test to get in to the program. Hopefully, it won't be too hard since I studied a good bit. If all works out, I will start my master's in school administration this summer!!!

The Real Cam Newton

Cam started mentoring four boys back in August and consistently makes himself a part of their lives.
"All I do is READ, READ, READ no matter what..."

Workshop

Yesterday, three of my co-workers and I went to an ESL workshop at the board of education. Although you never know what you are going to get when you sign up for one of those things, I thoroughly enjoyed my day. The speaker was entertaining, friendly, and approachable. I learned a lot about what I need to do differently to be a more effective teacher to my ESL (English as a Second Language) students.

I also got to hang out with some pretty cool people. It is so great to move to a new place and find people that make you feel so welcome. We got to do a good bit of group work and were treated to an hour and a half lunch break! It was a really fun day! Now back to the real world...

xoxo,
Ashley

Game Day in Auburn

I am so excited about Game Day in AU tomorrow! Even though I won't be there physically, I will be able to see our beautiful campus and all the excited students throughout the day. I know that everyone down there is so so pumped for the big day. I even told my students in NC about it. They are going to watch, and hopefully, learn more about the most beautiful village on the plains. I have all sorts of AU memorabilia posted around my classroom (provided so kindly by Betsy and Michael). A lot of my students have been asking me what's so special about Auburn. I am quick to answer, "What's not special about Auburn? It's beautiful, the weather is awesome (I ususally leave out the part about the pollen), the people are courteous and friendly (family, if you will), and the atmosphere is second to none!" I think I may have a few converts in the making. War Eagle from North Carolina!

xoxo,
Ashley

Early Release

Our school releases at 1:00 this afternoon, which means it still counts as a full day (we don't have to make it up).

I am so pumped.

Steven is so jealous.

I love being a teacher :)

xoxo,
Ashley

My First Week at WCHS

I have had a great experience, so far, at WCHS. The teachers came back to school on the 19th, so we had four days to get everything ready for the students who returned on the 25th (Wednesday). I met so many nice people, who have been so warm and helpful to me. I feel so blessed to be able to work with so many friendly people.

Okay, so I admit it...I thought transitioning to another states course of study and teaching a different grade wouldn't be too much for me to handle. I arrogantly thought, "Oh, I've been doing this for three and a half years. I can figure all of this out in no time." Couln't have been more wrong. EVERYTHING is different from Alabama. The books they teach are different, the Writing Assessment test is different, and their expectations are very different. I spent the better part of last week at the school trying to figure out my curriculum and make a 90 day plan to turn in to administration. Now that it is almost completed, I feel much better about what I'm doing and SOOOO much more prepared.

I finally met my students on Wednesday, and I have to say, I am very pleased with everyone in my class. I mean, of course there are always going to be a few "Chatty Cathys", but all in all, they were very well behaved. I am looking forward to getting to know them much better over the coming months.

Steven and I went to our first WCHS Eagle football game with Emily and Brandon. We had a lot of fun hanging out and talking with them and all of my new teacher friends, but we got killed by New Bern High. New Bern High is a bigger school and in a different conference, but the rivalry is still bitter (much like my alma mater, LCHS vs. Hatton game). I felt bad for the boys and coaches because they really wanted to beat New Bern...there's always next year.

Overall, great week at WCHS! I'm excited about the rest of the semester!

Dear OHS

How do I miss thee? Let me count the ways.

First and foremost, I miss all of the friends that made my time at OHS so fun. There was a comfort level between us that is incomparable. I miss sitting around the lunch table with all of my people (i.e. Summer, Kirstin, Bryan, Jason, Sarah, and John) and laughing endlessly about one thing or another (one of the plusses to teaching high school students is the endless amount of stories). I miss the first few days of school before the students arrive that I get to hang out with all of peers, even if that means we have to go to workshops. I miss going to Cottage Cafe, Jim Bobs, or Mandarin at lunchtime and coming in five minutes late. I miss Dr. Rogers standing in the back of the room because he can't sit still. I miss all the inside jokes Kirstin, Summer, Jamie, and I shared throughout the entirety of the workshops. I even miss rolling my eyes at all the new theories and work we find out we have to do for school improvement...

Secondly, I miss my students. I think I should write a book. A book that only includes funny stories that I have experienced while teaching. I have only been teaching for three years, and I already feel like I have enough for a good start. Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think that I had the best group of kids each semester. Even the rough ones...I'm pretty sure I learned more from them than so many of the good ones. There were days that I would walk into my classroom and feel terrible, and then one student would give me a compliment or say something funny and my day would change completely. I will always remember my students at OHS. They are very special to me.

Lastly, I am going to miss all the sports and clubs I got to attend or be a part of throughout the years. I love OHS football games. I smile just thinking about being at one of them. It was always fun to sit with close friends and watch the games. The atmosphere was always very energetic. One club I am going to miss is FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). The students who faithfully attended this meeting every Friday morning were like lights in a world of darkness. Just to see there smiling upbeat faces meant the world to me, and always seemed to make my day go a little better. Jamie and Kyle always did an excellent job with this club, and I learned so much about boldness and perseverance from these two amazing Christian examples. Finally, although I never thought I would say this, I am going to miss Diamond Darlings and OHS baseball games. I believe I have sat at more OHS games than any one person should, although when you have a friend with you, it really is a lot of fun. My first two years, I had Kirstin by my side. One or both of us was always there. We always had a ton of fun and laughed hysterically about things happening at school or in our personal lives. Last year, Kirstin opted to coach soccer, so Summer joined the Diamond Darling team. Although I always felt unorganized, it was always fun to hang with Summer and the girls at the games.

For all of these reasons and many more, I will miss OHS with all my heart. There were so many people there that I learned something from in one way or the other. Thanks for all the good times. Much love.