Hi All,
Welcome to Block II. You will begin an amazing journey where Every Moment Counts as we discover child development and special needs for the Fall 2009 semester. Each Tuesday I will add a post to this blog for you to respond to. Please respond to the post prior to our face to face meetings on Thursdays from 1:00-3:50 p.m. in Tech 214.
For your first response introduce yourself, share a time in your life where you learned how to do something for the first time. How did it made you feel, was this important to learn, has it helped you today?
Remember to bring a copy of the syllabus, curriculum map, and textbooks to our first class meeting on Thursday, August 27th
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Hello All,
ReplyDeleteI am Professor Debra Pratt and in 1999 I learned how to adopt children from Ukraine. I chose to do an independent adoption which meant I did not have an adoption agency representing me. This was really frightening to me and something I thought I would never be able to accomplish. For 9 months I researched everything I could on adoption and the process for how to adopt from Ukraine. My reason not to use an adoption agency was because the government in Ukraine frowned upon adoption agencies. Their philosophy at the time was they did not want anyone to make money off of the children of Ukraine. They viewed an adoption agency as a middle man who made a profit off of their children. I think learning how to do this made me a stronger, more confident person who has experienced that you can do anything you set your mind to do. Today I have a beautiful set of twins named Lilianna (Lily) and Vladimir (Ladd)who were adopted 8 years ago from Ukaine and I cannot imagine life without them.
We started an adoption ministry after the SCC concert. We have some friends who have adopted from the Ukraine and would like to again, but it is so expensive. Do you think it can still be done without an agency?
ReplyDeleteHi..I am Holly Koski. I am excited to be in Block 2 with the rest of you! I look forward to meeting the people that I do not know yet. I hope this will be a great semester for us all!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about a time when I first learned
something for the first time and the first thing that popped in my head was when I first started driving. Boy oh boy was I scared. I remember going to driver's ed and the first time I got in the car to drive. There were two other students in the car with me and the driver instructor who liked to scare me when I was driving. "Why do you keep riding the brake," he would say.
I never had experience driving and the first time I got on a busy road, I got scared but yet was excited to learn. I remember one time when I was driving I went on a one way road that was going the opposite direction. It was a learning experience. After driver's ed was over, I was more confident in driving and more aware of what to expect when I'm in control of the vechicle.
It has been a teaching lession until this day. I remember hearing in driver's ed that driving is a symbol of independence and freedom. When you drive, you have to be responsible and use good judgement. This has stuck with me since. I am well aware of my surroundings and having the freedom to drive has taught me to be more responsible. I do not want to injure an innocent person due to mistakes that can be avoided on the road. Learning how to drive is very important because it teaches you how to be responsible, to use good judgement and good skill.
I will never forget my first accident due to a guy who was not paying attention. Good thing I was not hurt. I also learned that no matter how responsible you think you are, you are still putting yourself in danger when you drive. The reason is because some people can not handle the responsibilty of driving.
Sometimes I wonder how people get their drivers license :)
Hello! I'm Nicole Kaufman and I am so excited to be back in school and in block 2.
ReplyDeleteWhen my dad was around, he taught me many life lessons. One that I feel is very important is how to manage my money. I remember when I had my very first job at Cold Stone Creamery. I would get my paycheck and feel as though I had to spend it all right away. My dad would always say, "If you want something, wait a week or two and if you still want it, then go out and buy it." I always just thought, "Sure, whatever." Then, I actually tried it. I wanted to buy a new cell phone, even though I already had one. I went to the store and had my 'dream' phone picked out. Then I thought, "Well, if I buy this phone, it won't leave me with very much money left over." So, I decided to wait two weeks. I left the store a little angry at myself for having left without my new phone. As the days went on though, I kept thinking, "I didn't really even need that phone. The one that I have is perfectly fine." Of course, I never admitted that to my dad. It made me feel good in the long- run to know that I had the self control and patience that I needed when spending money. Along with this, he taught me how to balance a checkbook. I think that learning how to manage my money and balancing a checkbook are 2 important things in life. Now, I always think long and hard before I buy something. Just the other day, I was at Target with a buggy full of things. Then, I decided to put mnore than half of the stuff back because I didn't really need it. If my dad never taught me the vital lesson of managing my money, I'd probably never have any money because I'd spend all of it!
Hello! I'm Jennifer Fase and am returning to PNC again! I'm married and have 3 children; ages 10, 5, and 2.
ReplyDeleteIn 1983, I learned how to direct a children's choir. I was only 8 years old; but, I learned how to lead a choir from a child's perspective. In high school I learned how to read music; but, I have discovered that the most important factors in leading a children's choir are the ones I learned as an 8 year old: how to sing, to swing my arm to the beat, and to make goofy faces so that they will smile while they sing.
Learning how to lead a choir was important because I now lead our church's children's choir: the "Love Notes Choir." It makes me feel important knowing that I am introducing children to their first taste of singing in a group, participating in dramas, and singing their first solos. I also look forward to someday handing my directorship down to one of my former choir participants.
Hello! I'm Kelly Puett and I'm very excited about getting back into the swing of things when it comes to school.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 19 I got my first apartment and it taught me about responsibility and maturity. I learned that if I wanted to buy groceries, I'd have to stop going to the movies all the time. If I wanted to cook said groceries I'd have to wash the dishes. If I didn't wash the dishes, things would start to get funky and smell and no one would want to come over, haha. So, I learned that my apartment was a reflection of myself, and I didn't want to be seen as a smelly slob, so I learned to discipline myself and hunker down and clean and keep things nice. Even though it's not my favorite thing about being on my own, I do love that I've learned that lesson and that I'm prepared for years of the same to come. :)
Hi Everyone!! I am looking forward to a great semester as well. My name is Christine and I have two children, my first is 18 months and my second is 8 days old.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 16 I got my first job. I use to have my mother drive me back and forth to work. Not only did she drive me but everyday she asked for gas money, which was like 3-5 dollars.I new I needed my own car and quick. I began saving money before I new it I had saved $500.00. I always wanted a new Monte Carlo,but I couldn't afford one nor did I have any credit. I began looking for used cars but all were out of my price range that I wanted. I decided I would get a cheap car that my friends would make fun of but at least it would get me from point a to point b.
I bought that Ford Tempo for $500.00 even though my friends made fun of me. I appriciated that car and took care of it. I learned that if you take care of something it tends to last longer. I felt great to know that I worked for my own car and unlike a lot of my friends whos parents had bought theres.
A few years later I saved and built my credit up and bought me a Monte Carlo. I hated to get read of the Tempo but the transmition went out in it. It took care of me for 3 years. But after everything, still today anything I have worked for or have I take care of and appriciate. A great life lesson learned.
Hi. I am Sarah Redmond. I hope everyone had a good summer. In the spring, my dad taught me how to drive his tractor. It is an antique tractor my grandpa restored and gave to my dad to work on their horse farm. I have no clue how to drive anything that's not automatic, so I was afraid I would do something wrong and break it. My dad talked me through it and I was able to drive it with no problem. I do not know how to do much when it comes to chores in the barn, so it was nice being able to help my dad. Even though learning how to drive a tractor is not that big of a deal or even a skill that I needed to have, overcoming my nervousness and trying something new was the important part of the experience. I think that is a good life lesson- try new things, even if you feel like you may not succeed because it feels good when you do succeed!
ReplyDeleteHello everyone! My name is Holli Piers. I am looking forward to being in Block 2 with everyone.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I learned how to swim. I do not mean just staying above the water, but swimming competitively. I was only four years old when I joined a swim team and I began to race other children in my age group. I was extremely nervous, but I knew that I had to get over my fear. My first race, where I learned how to race competitively, I got last place. It was good for me because I learned that I would not always be the fastest and the one to get first place. Knowing that I finished the race made me feel so proud, and I was proud of myself because I accomplished something that I had never done before.
I believe that learning to swim was very important for me, because I went on to being a memeber of the swim team until high school and then I joined the high school team; not only that but my first job was a lifeguard and for the past three years I have been giving children private swim lessons. Being on the swim team made me a better person because I learned teamwork, responsibility, a great work ethic, and I learned that you do not always have to be on top to succeed.
Hi. I'm Samantha Schultz. I'm excited to be in block 2 with everyone!
ReplyDeleteBuying my car is the first thing that popped into my mind. I bought it a year ago, a 2008 Mazda 3, and it was an experience. There is so much paper work you have to fill out and thats when you figure out how much your payments are going to be, which is what I learned to deal with on my own. I was working part time, thankfully I'm full time now, and was getting paid min. wage. I had other bills to pay for as well, and it was tough at first. I learned how to manage my money well in order to deal with the car payment every month, as well as the rest of the bills I had to pay. I think that it's very, very important to manage your money wisely, because if you don't, you will end up being in serious debt.
When I made the first payment on my car, I felt excited. Even though I was spending money, I was buying my own car. I think learning to buy something big like buying a car is important because it helps you manage money and get used to paying a bill every month. Sooner or later, if not so already, we all will be on our own and paying a house payment and so on. It's helped me realize how to save and manage money, and I am thankful for my parents for teaching me how to do that the right way.
Hi, I'm Dana Dalton. I'm looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone.
ReplyDeleteI remember way back when I was very little and my mom was teaching me how to tie shoes. I was four at this point and she told me that she was not going to let me where shoes that did not have laces anymore. She told me that I needed to learn so she taught me the rhyme "over, under, around the tree..." and so on. I worked for, what seemed like, forever in my child eyes. I sat down in front of my dad's work boots and tried and tried. I had given up over and over and my mom told me that I couldn't have shoes until I got it. A complete and total lie, but it worked. Finally, it got to the point that I was just playing with the laces and my mom went back to her work at the kitchen table. My dad walked through the door, home from work, and I looked up to say "Hi Dad" and as I did I pulled on the laces which usually fell apart when I did, but instead they came together in a bow. I screamed "Mom I did it. I did it." I was so proud of myself and when I started kindergarten I was the only one who knew how to tie shoes and had to help the other kids. I thought I was so cool.
Hi, I'm Tera Nelson and I'm excited to be in Block 2 with everyone!
ReplyDeleteTwo summers ago I learned how to ride a motorcycle. A summer before that my mom learned to ride. She started riding on her husband's (my step dad) Harley after he passed away from cancer. Riding his bike was something he really enjoyed. I think that for him, the freedom he felt on his bike was a way of enjoying the last few years of his life. My mom was really hurt by his death, obviously, and she mourned for a long time. My mom is much more wild and adventurous than I am, whereas I am more reserved. When she learned to ride she just jumped right on his bike and took off without showing any signs of fear. So I think that my stepdad inspired her to ride a motorcycle, so that she could feel some kind of spiritual connection with him, and both my mother and stepdad inspired me to learn how to ride.
My mom, being the wild woman that she is, talked me into buying a bike with some of the leftover financial aid money that I had, haha. So I bought a 2004 Honda Shadow. I was pretty scared, but I at least knew how to shift gears since my car is a stick shift. Anyways, I fell off of my bike going around the corner in the neighborhood. I wasn't going very fast, but I had a few scratches and the idea of crashing on a busy road really freaked me out. But I overcame my fear because I knew it was important to my mom.
Now, I am a pretty good rider. I still get a little scared of highways and semi trucks, but I figure that's normal. When my mom and I go out for rides together, I feel that we have a sort of mother-daughter bonding, and I love the adrenaline rush I get on my bike. Plus, of course, I am reminded of my stepdad. Learning to ride has helped me to be more of a risk-taker, which is not such a bad thing, and I feel like our family is closer when we ride together! :)
Hello, I am Jenelle Meiss. I am a single mother of two amazing sons. My oldest is almost 16 and my youngest is 9. I have learned many things in life but the most important thing I have learned to do is how to be a single parent and fulfull the role of both mom and dad. Seven years ago, I was put in a situation that I never thought I would be in. I meant my vows for better or for worse however my ex didn't feel the same way. I was suddenly faced with raising two children on my own. My children's father chooses not to be a part of their lives (his loss) but that left me with the task of trying to fill the role of both mom and dad. I have realized that I can't be both but my love is enough to fill that void. At first I was embarassed and ashamed and extremely devasted but I realized that I needed to pull it together for my children. The statistics about students in single parent homes in regards to their success in school was discouraging to me. I have always consider my children's education to be of the utmost importance. My sons do not fit into the mold of the single parent home. Both of my sons are honor students and are extremely well-behaved and well-mannered. I worried about them and the effects that their dad's lack of interest would have on them. I have done my best to make sure they know that they are loved, they are smart and they can do anything they want to do. I have learned that being a single parent isn't the situation that I would have wanted for myself and my children but that with alot of patience and dedication it can be rewarding. This experience has made me a stronger person and it gave me the incentive to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher. My goal is to continue to guide my children to success, become an educator and make my children proud.
ReplyDeleteHi! My name is Katie Gonzalez and I'm so excited to finally be in Block 2. I read everyone's comments and I really could not think of anything. However, since we have started a new school year, it reminded me of when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I loved school. I loved my friends, not so much the homework, but I loved the excitement of school. My only problem was learning to overcome my fears on my way to school. Every morning I would work myself up and get really nervous. I would get so nervous that I would make myself sick every morning. This happened all the way up to the end of sixth grade unfortunately.
After years of me continuing this routine I finally stopped. I don't really know how I stopped but I was no longer scared right before school. My excitement overcame my fear and I learned that its ok to be scared. Everyone is scared when they don't know anyone. We're all the same at first.I went to school from then on feeling excited and proud.
To this day I still get nervous, but I am way more excited than anything else.
Hi, my name is Elisa Boscaccy. I'm very excited to be in block 2 and get to know everyone.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up my family moved around a lot. By the time I was in high school I had changed schools six times. The first couple of moves were the hardest but after a while it became easier. Through all the moves I learned how to be very, very flexible and adapt quickly to whatever is thrown at me.
Truthfully, I was (almost) never happy about moving and leaving all my friends, but I think the experience was beneficial. Given that my chosen career is teaching, I think the ability to quickly adapt to a new situation or a quick change of plans will help me. In addition, I think the experience made me a stronger person. It's not always easy to make new friends or change schools, and having successfully done so several times has given me confidence in myself. While my situation wasn't ideal, I’m grateful that I got to live in all the different places, experience many different schools, and meet so many different people.
Hi, my name is Mallorie Schoon. I'm looking forward to our first class together on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteBesides babysitting, I had my first real job the summer before I started high school. There was around ten of us who deroged in the corn and soybean fields. We walked up and down the fields hoeing weeds and volunteer corn. We would start around 6:00 in the morning so we could stop by 3:00 in the afternoon. There were always good parts and not very fun parts to it. We were working with our friends and making seven dollars an hour (which seemed like fortune at that time). A down part was the corn rash, and sun burns that came with it.
All of us really learned what it was like to be committed to a job. We all had an important role to each other. If there were three people missing, we would be working longer days, and if you missed so many (unexcused) you would be fired. It was about respect for our boss, and each other. There are so many assignments now that require groups to work together. Three people missing from the group would add work and time to the individuals of the group. My first job is what really pointed out to me how important each person's role is when it comes to work.
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ReplyDeleteHello to you all! My name is Michelle Sickles and I am really looking forward to the Block II experience with all of your familiar faces, as well as the new ones!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that came to my mind was my having to learn how to be a fulltime student as well as mom and wife. I am a nontraditional student who did not take my education seriously the first time around. I had other priorities and truly did not know what I wanted to do with my life. After getting married, having two children, several different careers; including personal banker, audiological assistant, and owning my own catering business it occurred to me that I had known all along what I wanted to be when I grew up. The timing to do it was just not right for me at the time!
I have never been one to sit idle for long. I have been very blessed to be able to stay at home with both of our children (Maddisyn -8 years old and Dylan – 3 years old). I began working in my daughter’s classroom when she was in kindergarten and became more active in the school and coaching athletics and it occurred to me that I would love to do this for the rest of my life! I have had to learn how to juggle my family and school, making a promise to myself that I would not let my education short my kids out of having the mom they were used to having; this has proven to be difficult at times. I have had to learn to let go of the idea that my house has to be clean at all times, that dinner does not have to be prepared according to a cookbook, (chicken nuggets are all right occasionally!) and that there are times when I have to ask for help whether it be from my husband, friends, or another family member.
I was so afraid that going back to school would have a negative effect on our kids. We had a difficult time having children and I wanted to make sure that they knew how much they were loved and that they were my number one priority! While they are truly number one priority, I have learned that it is okay to have a second and third. By going back to school my daughter sees my dedication to my education and provides her with a role model to let her know that she can truly do ANYTHING if she puts her mind to it. It is truly rewarding to have the satisfaction in knowing that while my kids grow older I will still have an identity of my own, one that both I and they can be proud of. Even though my daughter’s choices will change over the years, I am proud to say that instead of wanting to be a ballerina/ cowgirl when she grows up, she now wants to be a mom and a teacher!
Hi everyone! My name is Laura Gamble and I am a transfer student from Purdue's main campus. I am really excited to be here and to start this next step in my schooling.
ReplyDeleteI live on a dairy farm with 4 other brothers and sisters and my parents. I was the 4th out of us 5 so whenever it came to doing any work on the farm I tended to get more of the simplier jobs, like feeding the milk calves. When I was about 12 my brother finall taught me how to use our skid loader. He figured I might as well learn how to use it because then I would be able to help out more often and do different jobs. It didn't take me long to catch on and before I knew it I was wanting to use it all the time and to help out whenever I could.
As I got older I got more work to do. I know freely get in the skid loader to accomplish any task I feel is necessary to get done and what would be helpful to the others. My brothers and parents put in a lot of hard work throughout the day so I like to be able to pitch in when I can. It is hard to be of help when you do not know how to run the machinery so I am grateful my brother taught me how.
Now that I have moved back home after being at Purdue for two years, I have been given a rather full time job working on the farm. Learning how to use the skid loaders years ago was a start and now that I am older, more mature, and very capable of handling any of the jobs my brothers can do, they have agreed to help me learn. Learning how to use the skid loader was a base and now I can use it to do different jobs such as loading feed into the mixer to feed the cows with everyday.
I am very thankful for the learning experience of the skid loader but also for all the things I have learned on the farm. Growing up on a family farm where you are expected to contribute to it because you are apart of the family has really helped to shape the person I am. I've learned that you have to work for what you want and you have to appreciate the time and effort that goes into it as well. I think the whole expereince of growing up on a farm has also made me a responsible young adult that is ready for the real world on my own. I am thankful everyday for the life I have had and all the things I have learned along the way!
My name is Meghan Moriarty, I am a single mother of 3 beautiful children. I am an extreme animal lover as well. I am excited to be in Block II and am looking forward to future. When I was younger, I use to drive with my mom back an forth to work alot. She took US 30 to Merrillville, and on the side where Sportmart use to be, Carpetland was right next to it. I would stare at the big red glowing sign every day trying to read it. I would sound it out, but never could quite get it. I never asked my mom because I wanted to figure it out myself. Then I learned to read. I remember the day I figure out that word and truly read it. I was so excited and proud of myself to be able to read the big red sign (Carpetland). The feelings from that memory live with me to this day. Learning how to read was very important to me. I struggled in the beginning, and was never in the colored groups that excelled in reading. But I loved reading and kept practicing. I think reading is a huge foundation for life. It is an important life skill, that everybody should know. Reading can help you succeed and move forward in life. It can also be a vacation to someones mind, like reading a good book. It can take a person places that they never dreamed of. Reading brought me back to school, wanting to better myself and wanting to open other childrens minds to learning to read. Reading is a life skill that has helped me achieve my dreams and become who I am today.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Sammy Danielson. I'm very excited about being in Block II. I am a junior. I did my first two years at the main campus in West Lafayette. I discovered through substitute teaching in LaPorte that I fell in love with LaPorte's Elementary School Corporation. I then made the decision to finish my college career at PNC. I have not regretted my decision. I am lucky enough to go to school full time and to substitute during the week.
ReplyDeleteSomething that I learned from a professor that I had earlier told me that teaching is messy. I didn't really grasp that concept till I started subbing. What he meant by that is nothing ever runs as perfect as you want or planned it to be. You always have to plan a back up route. Once I realized this, I was able to a better substitute teacher but that also helped me plan out my own lesson plans in the future.
My name is Alayna Linsemeyer. I am 20 years old and in Block II.
ReplyDeleteOne very important thing I vividly remember learning is how to drive when I was 15 years old. I was so ready to do it, though. I had my mom take me out for the first time and she was...I guess you could say neurotic (haha)...her baby was driving, and everything was a big deal. 'You're going too fast!', 'You didn't stop quick enough!', 'Use your turn signal!'...Alright, time to switch to dad. Much better. I would like to think I was a natural at learning how to drive.
It was so freeing and I felt awesome that I finally had this independence. I no longer had to depend on my parents or sister for a ride.
Learning how to drive was extremely important to learn, especially where we live. It's not easy to use public transportation in this area. Driving is something I do everyday and I will continue to do so until I am physically unable, and I am glad I have the opportunity to do so.
Hello everyone! My name is John Selman, and I am 21 years old. I enjoy golfing, baseball, and going to the beach, or what we have of a beach around here haha. I grew up as a kid on the coasts, living in Florida, Virginia, and California.
ReplyDeleteSo this brings me to the first time I learned how to SkimBoard. It wasn't like a special person tough me how to do this, but that's why I think I remember it like yesterday. I was only 8 years old. I was walking along the beach when I came along a kid with this crazy looking mini surf board. And then, I saw him take off running down the beach and toss the board down on the shallowest water. Once at top speed, he jumped on the board doing 360's and jumping the small waves. Soon after seeing this, I had to ask him to try it. He then showed me the basics, and since then my basic skills have incredible improved from falling every time to doing the same tricks my teacher did.
It was great feelings to have a person I’ve never met teach me something so fun. I thought this was important to learn because it is always nice to have something fun you enjoy to do.
It has taught me that you can always do something with what you have. You don't always get to have the best equipment, but you can still have fun and work with the equipment you get. I learned this because my parents would never spend the money for the best SkimBoards, so I had to use the 5 dollar boars that barely floated. But overall, it made me find the best out of everything by not always having the best.
Hi my name is Ashley Mains. I am really excited for this semester! I hope to get to know you all.
ReplyDeleteWhen thinking about something that I learned how to do... There are so many, but I would have to say this past summer I went to Columbus, Ohio to learn how to be a Military Police Officer. I have been in the National Guard for 7 1/2 years. I learned how to use different weapons, write traffic tickets, direct traffic, building searches and so many more cool things. The thing that I learned from all of this training was I am a strong person and I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it and really try and I was so proud of myself for accomplishing all that I did!!! So what this has taught me for the future is, push myself to do my best!