Welcome to "I Think I Can..." my blog dedicated to my journey towards teacher re-certification and re-entry into the education work place.
I am currently a stay-at-home mom to three precious kiddos.
Mary Catherine is eight (soon to be nine) and entering into 3rd Grade. She's sassy and spunky...a lover of tap and ballet...and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up (didn't we all???!!!). She's pining to live on a farm and we are hoping to make that dream come true. She's a strong student and a great mama's helper with her little brothers. She just completed her first year in 4-H and plans to show her newly acquired sewing skills in the clothing construction competition.
Benjamin is our sweet middle child. He is all boy, six years old, and entering into 1st Grade. When he grows up he wants to be a police officer. This causes his fire-fighting father great angst. (There's a perpetual debate over who has the "cooler" job between the blue and the red! LOL) Ben also participated in 4-H this past school year, but his real passion is T-Ball!
And finally, I'd like to introduce our youngest...Luke. He is rough and tough and can hold his own at age two! He almost shares a birthday with his big sister so we celebrate the double trouble the first week of August. Unlike his big brother, Luke definitely wants to be a fire fighter when he grows up. (He wears the plastic fire helmet every.single.day.)
"The Fire Fighter"
Chris, AKA "the Fire Fighter" and I have been married for nearly 20 years. He is currently a Fire Captain with a big suburban fire department and recently received his 25-year pin! (Yup, he was just a babe when he made the recruit class.) Since we were married before the digital age, I'm including a photo of a photo from our wedding album! LOL
"The Teacher"
I am currently a stay-at-home mom, but preparing to re-enter the work force this Fall. I am going through the formal interview process with my local Archdiocese to obtain a position as a Resource Room Specialist. I am also contemplating a return to graduate school for a SPED endorsement. I currently hold a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction, but allowed my Kansas teaching license to expire while staying at home. Since I need a minimum of six graduate hours to re-certify, and I've felt a calling to Special Education, I'm researching grad school options and programs.
Previous to answering to the call of mom, I taught 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades in the regular ed classroom for a large suburban school district. I spent four years in a Title 1 building where I really honed my skills and discovered my passion for working with both ESL and special needs learners. I was also blessed to experience the opportunity of opening a brand new elementary building. To this day, I have maintained connections with the incredible staff, parents, and students of RW Elementary School!
When it was time to educate our own children, my husband and I thought long and hard about our decision. It was a difficult choice (emotionally and financially) to put our children in parochial school when we have such fantastic public school options where we live. But, for our family, faith-based education played a significant role in our decision. My husband and I are both Catholic school graduates. And so, for now, I've decided to pursue employment within the Catholic school system.
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| Mommy and Daddy with Mary Catherine on her First Holy Communion (April 2013) |
Again, welcome! I invite you to follow along as "I Think I can..." make a difference in the lives of some very special learners!
Hugs!
