For the past few weeks I have been spending almost every minute of my free time planning Global Youth Service Day. Funny, that to plan a service project you put almost 40 hours of planning into it before you actually serve! GYSD was on Saturday and now, after weeks of running around frantically, I can finally relax....almost.
Saturday was great, we had 12 volunteers, 4 high schoolers and the rest college-aged. We started creating the community garden that Joseph Residence, a transitional housing unit for homeless families, had recently been given. It was great work. We created an herb spiral--which I plan on building in my own garden, tilled and sifted soil, and created woodchipped walkways. Overall, the day was very successful.
I came home on Saturday and felt I was on the verge of collapse. I was deliriously tired and crawled in bed to sleep for 4 hours. When I woke up I was hot, thirsty, cold, hungry, and weak. Upon looking in the mirror, I saw staring back at me a SUNBURNED face! I never get sunburned, I tan. I guess all these extra pregnancy hormones left my poor face sensitive to those UV rays...as Dale said "you look like Hamburglar". I think I was suffering a little bit from sunstroke as even after the 3 bottles of water I drank and 4 hour nap I was still thirsty and exhausted.
Nothing a little Gatorade, aloe lotion, and rest cant cure. I am still sunburned but its fading quickly.
This is just a reminder to my pregnant self that 4 hours of service work outside may be no problem for most people, but for the pregnant lady, take a break and put on some sunscreen!
Last week, Dale and I finally started documenting my growing belly. I will post pics soon, all I have to say, shorties like me, look 6 months pregnant even at 3 months. I love having a baby belly and while I gripe about pants not fitting, just having Dale rub my belly everyday is enough to remind me of how magical this whole process is.
Showing posts with label VISTA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VISTA. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
I am swamped!
After weeks of staring at my work computer counting down the hours before I could head home, I am finally busy. And by busy, I mean swamped! It appears as though all to-do lists have been lurking near by until the very last possible second when they all decided to attack me at once. Of course, this all happened two days before my site's spring break. Murphy's law: just when you think you can relax, sh** hits the fan.
I appreciate the busy work hour. I feel productive, useful, and finally feel as though I am making a difference. All those hours I spent making fliers is finally paying off as they are headed to the print shop and will be ready to mail out next week. All those days I spent trying to figure out teacher's schedules for student-led conferences finally make sense as parents are beginning to sign up for their student-led conferences. Those days spent in staff meetings, although boring, are showing their rewards as my name is remembered when I walk into the building. Those thoughts that plagued my mind, "how am I going to do this?" are gone as now, I do not have time to think, only time to act.
This week's agenda includes attending another Global Youth Service Day planning meeting, calling Moon-Randolph to confirm our site, begging the Good Food Store to donate food, stuffing 500 envelopes and mailing them to local businesses encouraging them to participate in job shadows, stuffing another 50 envelopes for parents and student-led conferences, staff meeting, going with students to the Wolf Keep, attending another staff meeting, and counting down the days to Spring Break so I can stop having nightmares about work and relax.
February always drags on even though it is the shortest month and by the time I realize it is March, April is already here. My site visit with AmeriCorps was this month and the days preceding it, I was prepared to rant about all my fears, misgivings, and frustrations. I spent an hour the night before rehearsing my thoughts and wrote a formal outline just in case I would forget anything. The morning of my site visit, my supervisor and I had a major breakthrough. I realized that all my frustrations were generally founded and understanding but I need to remember that I have only been here for 2 months and no one changed the world overnight. Somehow, my supervisor sensed my frustration and pulled me into her office minutes before the site visit to hand me a to-do list almost a page long. Finally! During my site visit, I mulled over whether I should I speak up about my frustrations or give a few more months and see which direction things go. I kept my mouth shut.
My days at Sentinel are no longer dragging on. I have so much work to do, I want an assistant VISTA. I work through lunch, avoid bathroom breaks, and rarely leave my office because I always miss an important phone call or email. Did I complain too much and now its all fighting back? I miss the days when I could check my facebook during lunch, or go get an extra cup of coffee just to pass the time. I relish those moments when my calender was empty or I could go home and sleep soundly without having those horrible work nightmares. Even though my days are busy, I still question, does it matter?
The last VISTA spent hours making brochures and this year they are sitting in a box underneath my supervisor's desk. Will my brochures find their coffin in there as well? I was rummaging through files and discovered that I am repeating a lot of the work the last VISTA did. Will my work go unnoticed in unlabeled files doomed to repeat itself for the next VISTA? Is all this work just busy work? Now, the nightmares have changed. Is my work valued? Will change be made? Will all my accomplishments find an untimely death in a computer file marked 'VISTA'?
I trust that these are normal fears and frustrations for any person in the workplace and there is probably no clear resolution. You just have to hope and have confidence that the work you are doing, no matter how small or big, is meaningful.
I appreciate the busy work hour. I feel productive, useful, and finally feel as though I am making a difference. All those hours I spent making fliers is finally paying off as they are headed to the print shop and will be ready to mail out next week. All those days I spent trying to figure out teacher's schedules for student-led conferences finally make sense as parents are beginning to sign up for their student-led conferences. Those days spent in staff meetings, although boring, are showing their rewards as my name is remembered when I walk into the building. Those thoughts that plagued my mind, "how am I going to do this?" are gone as now, I do not have time to think, only time to act.
This week's agenda includes attending another Global Youth Service Day planning meeting, calling Moon-Randolph to confirm our site, begging the Good Food Store to donate food, stuffing 500 envelopes and mailing them to local businesses encouraging them to participate in job shadows, stuffing another 50 envelopes for parents and student-led conferences, staff meeting, going with students to the Wolf Keep, attending another staff meeting, and counting down the days to Spring Break so I can stop having nightmares about work and relax.
February always drags on even though it is the shortest month and by the time I realize it is March, April is already here. My site visit with AmeriCorps was this month and the days preceding it, I was prepared to rant about all my fears, misgivings, and frustrations. I spent an hour the night before rehearsing my thoughts and wrote a formal outline just in case I would forget anything. The morning of my site visit, my supervisor and I had a major breakthrough. I realized that all my frustrations were generally founded and understanding but I need to remember that I have only been here for 2 months and no one changed the world overnight. Somehow, my supervisor sensed my frustration and pulled me into her office minutes before the site visit to hand me a to-do list almost a page long. Finally! During my site visit, I mulled over whether I should I speak up about my frustrations or give a few more months and see which direction things go. I kept my mouth shut.
My days at Sentinel are no longer dragging on. I have so much work to do, I want an assistant VISTA. I work through lunch, avoid bathroom breaks, and rarely leave my office because I always miss an important phone call or email. Did I complain too much and now its all fighting back? I miss the days when I could check my facebook during lunch, or go get an extra cup of coffee just to pass the time. I relish those moments when my calender was empty or I could go home and sleep soundly without having those horrible work nightmares. Even though my days are busy, I still question, does it matter?
The last VISTA spent hours making brochures and this year they are sitting in a box underneath my supervisor's desk. Will my brochures find their coffin in there as well? I was rummaging through files and discovered that I am repeating a lot of the work the last VISTA did. Will my work go unnoticed in unlabeled files doomed to repeat itself for the next VISTA? Is all this work just busy work? Now, the nightmares have changed. Is my work valued? Will change be made? Will all my accomplishments find an untimely death in a computer file marked 'VISTA'?
I trust that these are normal fears and frustrations for any person in the workplace and there is probably no clear resolution. You just have to hope and have confidence that the work you are doing, no matter how small or big, is meaningful.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wolf Keep
The students I work with were going on a field trip to the Wolf Keep located outside Missoula. Dale and I decided to tag along on their journey.
It was by far one of the coolest experiences I have ever shared! I dont know what I was expecting, I certainly havent spent much time with wolves. The owner started the wolf keep years ago. An girlfriend left him with her pet wolf and everyday, while stoned and drunk, the owner walked the wolf at least 4 hours a day. He walked himself sober and promised to protect wolves. Thus, the wolf keep was started.
Today, he has maybe 40 wolves (?) including a red steppenwolf. The owner, Karl, allowed us to toss hot dogs over the fence as he shared his knowledge of wolves while stoking his pipe. I never realized how amazing, yet frightening these wolves are. They act just like dogs one moment and the next are screaming and howling. We watched the wolves fight. We heard what sounded like a motorcycle in the distance and was actually just a wolf telling us to back off. Not a noise I would ever like to hear camping a night!
With all the debates going on about wolf delisting it was interesting to engage with wolves first hand and gain the perspective of someone who works with wolves daily. It will be interesting to see how their presence in Montana changes over the years as the subject continues to be debated.
I will attach some photos soon!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Work is going...but..ssssllloooowwwlly
I have been at my placement site for almost 2 months now and while I wasn’t planning on a whirlwind plan of change I was at least hoping for a little more action. I have a great long list of things I am supposed to accomplish but little can actually get done because teachers are impossible to find, my supervisor always in meetings or at conferences, and our principle is currently interviewing for a position in Bozeman. I work well with little supervision but when all the questions I have can only be answered by the above mentioned people, sometimes getting an answer takes 5 days.
I got tired of waiting around so I started creating work for myself. I am working on developing student-led conferences which will not actually be taking place until October. In the mean time, I have developed research packets, created brochures, informational postcards, and watched videos of student-led conferences taking place. Teachers are fussy about participating in student-led conferences mainly because they don’t have much information or a venue to address questions and concerns. My hope is to use all these resources to hold a forum to discuss conferences so that teachers may have questions answered and understand how conferences work. When it comes time to implement these conferences in October, teachers will already have an idea of what takes place and conferences can begin with few complications.
That is what I did last week.
Throughout the month, I have been working on the job shadowing program. I feel so much concern for this program because it is so important and few people want to deal with it. I have mentioned before that the job shadowing program will not exist without a VISTA in place and addressing capacity building is difficult because teachers and staff are already extremely busy.
Last month, I spent the majority of time brainstorming and researching effective job shadow programs. I met with other high school teachers who use our job shadow database and ultimately, our frustrating conclusion, is that the database and job shadow program needs to be completely renovated.
The database is 10 years old, extremely out of date, and hard to use. Students have to sign a million forms before participating and these forms were created in 1988. Most of the businesses that are listed in the database are out of business or retired. Teachers don’t want to make 10 calls to find only 1 still exists. However, the database is an excellent resource and could be effective if redesigned but it would cost thousands of dollars and thousands of hours of time. After assessing the needs of teachers, staff, and students and understanding the complications we have decided to start from scratch. Working with other high schools will minimize the workload and using mailings to assess the entire community interests will be a better way of targeting community members rather than calling the already existing 3245 members in the old database.
I love movement and change but I am impatient like so many other visionaries. I know what I am supposed to do but the steps seem so far away. I get frustrated when at the end of the day all I have done is called 10 community members and sent a few emails. I have to stop and remember that it cant all be done in one day, one week, or one month. My site has three years left on their grant so any work I complete is useful and one step closer to our goal.
I got tired of waiting around so I started creating work for myself. I am working on developing student-led conferences which will not actually be taking place until October. In the mean time, I have developed research packets, created brochures, informational postcards, and watched videos of student-led conferences taking place. Teachers are fussy about participating in student-led conferences mainly because they don’t have much information or a venue to address questions and concerns. My hope is to use all these resources to hold a forum to discuss conferences so that teachers may have questions answered and understand how conferences work. When it comes time to implement these conferences in October, teachers will already have an idea of what takes place and conferences can begin with few complications.
That is what I did last week.
Throughout the month, I have been working on the job shadowing program. I feel so much concern for this program because it is so important and few people want to deal with it. I have mentioned before that the job shadowing program will not exist without a VISTA in place and addressing capacity building is difficult because teachers and staff are already extremely busy.
Last month, I spent the majority of time brainstorming and researching effective job shadow programs. I met with other high school teachers who use our job shadow database and ultimately, our frustrating conclusion, is that the database and job shadow program needs to be completely renovated.
The database is 10 years old, extremely out of date, and hard to use. Students have to sign a million forms before participating and these forms were created in 1988. Most of the businesses that are listed in the database are out of business or retired. Teachers don’t want to make 10 calls to find only 1 still exists. However, the database is an excellent resource and could be effective if redesigned but it would cost thousands of dollars and thousands of hours of time. After assessing the needs of teachers, staff, and students and understanding the complications we have decided to start from scratch. Working with other high schools will minimize the workload and using mailings to assess the entire community interests will be a better way of targeting community members rather than calling the already existing 3245 members in the old database.
I love movement and change but I am impatient like so many other visionaries. I know what I am supposed to do but the steps seem so far away. I get frustrated when at the end of the day all I have done is called 10 community members and sent a few emails. I have to stop and remember that it cant all be done in one day, one week, or one month. My site has three years left on their grant so any work I complete is useful and one step closer to our goal.
Friday, January 23, 2009
In the battlefield
Part of my position at Sentinel High School includes implementing what is called student-led conferences. Student-led conferences (SLC) are similar to parent-teacher conferences however they differ in that the conference is prepared by the student and led by the student. SLC's are becoming extremely popular all across the nation's schools, however, some teachers are still extremely resistant to the idea of SLC. Take my school for example.
Yesterday, I sat through three different team meetings. Each one led to the same conclusion: teachers dont like SLC and are concerned about compensation and time that SLC costs. Now Missoula County Public Schools has not required parent-teacher conferences since the 1950's and their new superintendent is now requiring conferences again. I tried getting research about both the advantages and disadvantages of SLC. Here are some of the highlights.
1.) We all like to think that our students will talk to parents and teachers when they know they are struggling. However, students are afraid of disappointing and SLC provide a safe environment in which to openly and honestly discuss their schoolwork.
I sat in on a SLC yesterday and was extremely impressed. The girl was a freshman and she prepared for the conference by putting together a portfolio of work (both good and bad), attendence records, behavior records, grades, and goals. Most of the conference went well, but I could sense the tension when it came to talking about grades. Her cheeks became red, tears dwelled in her eyes, and nervous laughter eminated from her throat. She stayed confident and pulled together and told her parents that she had an F in one class and three C's in the others. Not only did she reveal her grades, which most parents should by now know that students will do whatever it takes to hide their grades, but she revealed why. She explained some challenges, strenghts, and strategies for improving grades. Which leads me to my next point.
2.) SLC hold students accountable for the grades. It encourages students to empower their education and become reflective on their skills, abilities, and goals.
This particular student said she would need help from her parents. She wanted them to set aside a family hour to study and work together. She also said she wanted to get a job shadow in a social work office so she could learn more about how to plan for her future.
3.) SLC also allow parents to listen to their students and witness them in a leadership role as students prepare and lead conferences by themselves. While this may cause some tension initially it generally allows parents and students to begin effective communication essentially improving their relationship.
I know we all like to think that our relationship with students is already good, SLC provides again a safe place for parents to express their concern.
There are so many other advantages that I could list but the consesus is SLC conferences are a good thing. It allows parents and students to engage in open and honest dialogue. SLC hold students accountable for their own education and allow students to set goals beyond their classroom. Students are able to develop strategies and reflect on how to be successful--those skills are probably the most essential to becoming successful in college (and it took me a few years to finally understand!)
The disadvantages of SLC were few and far between and could easily be resolved.
1.) Parents dont have time to attend conferences during the day. I read so many blogs that were written by complaining parents saying they cant make time in their work week to come to SLC. I am sorry to have little sympathy for this one. You decided to have kids, you have to make time for them. However, for those that have unforgiving bosses, SLC can be held in the morning before most work hours start, in the afternoon, of maybe depending on some teachers flexibility on evenings and weekends.
2.) Teachers complain about not having enough time. I sat in on a team meeting and all of the teachers agreed that they were maxed out and didnt have time to implement SLC. SLC require that students do most of the preparing. Each conferences takes 20 minutes and teachers are already given PIR days for exactly this purpose. In some schools, teachers held conferences after noon on a Monday and were given Friday off in exchange.
3.) Some complain the SLC take away time from the students learning in classes and preparation for standards-based tests. After a few years of participating in SLC students will be more effective learners performing better on tests than they would have just learning in class. SLC require strategy, goal setting, and reflection, skills often forgotten in the classroom.
The bottom-line, which may be harsh, is that those in opposition to SLC are more concerned about their self interest. What about the needs of the students? If SLC are really more effective for students than do them, we are educators and parents and our students interest must be put before ours.
***I sat through several staff meetings where that was the bottom line. Teachers were concerned about pay and time. I always grew up believing that teaching is a selfless profession and that there will always be sacrafices to be made. It appears however that some teachers dont feel this way. The longterm goal is common: we all want our students to succeed. If this a more effective means of doing so, then worry about compensation later.
Yesterday, I sat through three different team meetings. Each one led to the same conclusion: teachers dont like SLC and are concerned about compensation and time that SLC costs. Now Missoula County Public Schools has not required parent-teacher conferences since the 1950's and their new superintendent is now requiring conferences again. I tried getting research about both the advantages and disadvantages of SLC. Here are some of the highlights.
1.) We all like to think that our students will talk to parents and teachers when they know they are struggling. However, students are afraid of disappointing and SLC provide a safe environment in which to openly and honestly discuss their schoolwork.
I sat in on a SLC yesterday and was extremely impressed. The girl was a freshman and she prepared for the conference by putting together a portfolio of work (both good and bad), attendence records, behavior records, grades, and goals. Most of the conference went well, but I could sense the tension when it came to talking about grades. Her cheeks became red, tears dwelled in her eyes, and nervous laughter eminated from her throat. She stayed confident and pulled together and told her parents that she had an F in one class and three C's in the others. Not only did she reveal her grades, which most parents should by now know that students will do whatever it takes to hide their grades, but she revealed why. She explained some challenges, strenghts, and strategies for improving grades. Which leads me to my next point.
2.) SLC hold students accountable for the grades. It encourages students to empower their education and become reflective on their skills, abilities, and goals.
This particular student said she would need help from her parents. She wanted them to set aside a family hour to study and work together. She also said she wanted to get a job shadow in a social work office so she could learn more about how to plan for her future.
3.) SLC also allow parents to listen to their students and witness them in a leadership role as students prepare and lead conferences by themselves. While this may cause some tension initially it generally allows parents and students to begin effective communication essentially improving their relationship.
I know we all like to think that our relationship with students is already good, SLC provides again a safe place for parents to express their concern.
There are so many other advantages that I could list but the consesus is SLC conferences are a good thing. It allows parents and students to engage in open and honest dialogue. SLC hold students accountable for their own education and allow students to set goals beyond their classroom. Students are able to develop strategies and reflect on how to be successful--those skills are probably the most essential to becoming successful in college (and it took me a few years to finally understand!)
The disadvantages of SLC were few and far between and could easily be resolved.
1.) Parents dont have time to attend conferences during the day. I read so many blogs that were written by complaining parents saying they cant make time in their work week to come to SLC. I am sorry to have little sympathy for this one. You decided to have kids, you have to make time for them. However, for those that have unforgiving bosses, SLC can be held in the morning before most work hours start, in the afternoon, of maybe depending on some teachers flexibility on evenings and weekends.
2.) Teachers complain about not having enough time. I sat in on a team meeting and all of the teachers agreed that they were maxed out and didnt have time to implement SLC. SLC require that students do most of the preparing. Each conferences takes 20 minutes and teachers are already given PIR days for exactly this purpose. In some schools, teachers held conferences after noon on a Monday and were given Friday off in exchange.
3.) Some complain the SLC take away time from the students learning in classes and preparation for standards-based tests. After a few years of participating in SLC students will be more effective learners performing better on tests than they would have just learning in class. SLC require strategy, goal setting, and reflection, skills often forgotten in the classroom.
The bottom-line, which may be harsh, is that those in opposition to SLC are more concerned about their self interest. What about the needs of the students? If SLC are really more effective for students than do them, we are educators and parents and our students interest must be put before ours.
***I sat through several staff meetings where that was the bottom line. Teachers were concerned about pay and time. I always grew up believing that teaching is a selfless profession and that there will always be sacrafices to be made. It appears however that some teachers dont feel this way. The longterm goal is common: we all want our students to succeed. If this a more effective means of doing so, then worry about compensation later.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Inauguration Elation
I started my first day at Sentinel High School on Tuesday. The day was busy as I was shuffled from one staff meeting to another, meeting people whose names I have already forgotten.
Even in all the chaos, I still made time to watch the inauguration. We snuck into an American History class that had an HD projector highly suitable for our viewing needs. During the inauguration, I teared (just a little), laughed, and became extremely frustrated. A couple of bothersome things happened:
1.) The kids that belonged in this class, SENIORS, mind you, had their heads on the desk the whole time. I can understand why as my years in high school were not the most politically involved, however, I was still respectful, interested, and thoughtful about politics. These kids were not the slightest bit interested in what was going on. To make matters worse, they were disruptive--talking in the back of the classroom, throwing pencils across the desk, just general annoyances but nonetheless disruptive. These are the same kids that I am supposed to be working with as part of my AmeriCorps position.
2.) I was extremely moved when Joe Biden took his oath of office. It was the same oath that I took to become part of AmeriCorps. Saying those words in the governor's office made an impact but seeing the vice president take the same oath reinforced my beliefs, mission, and commitment to the AmeriCorps program.
Even in all the chaos, I still made time to watch the inauguration. We snuck into an American History class that had an HD projector highly suitable for our viewing needs. During the inauguration, I teared (just a little), laughed, and became extremely frustrated. A couple of bothersome things happened:
1.) The kids that belonged in this class, SENIORS, mind you, had their heads on the desk the whole time. I can understand why as my years in high school were not the most politically involved, however, I was still respectful, interested, and thoughtful about politics. These kids were not the slightest bit interested in what was going on. To make matters worse, they were disruptive--talking in the back of the classroom, throwing pencils across the desk, just general annoyances but nonetheless disruptive. These are the same kids that I am supposed to be working with as part of my AmeriCorps position.
2.) I was extremely moved when Joe Biden took his oath of office. It was the same oath that I took to become part of AmeriCorps. Saying those words in the governor's office made an impact but seeing the vice president take the same oath reinforced my beliefs, mission, and commitment to the AmeriCorps program.
"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign, and domestic;
That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
That I take this obligation freely and without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;
And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.
So help me God."
3.) Obama is such a wonderful speaker, one that inspires those to tune in and listen closely. Looking around the room at other teachers and seeing their faces, small rivers running down their faces and glowing of hope and pride, I couldn't help but become tearful myself. Tuesday was a historical day, but not because of race, religion, or income. Tuesday showed for the first time what democracy is, it showed how to inspire people to empower their voices and become participants in their politics, and showed what happens when millions stand together for something they believe in: change.
My day in the office ended smoothly. I am starting my term with AmeriCorps during a dynamic and hopeful change for America, hopefully by the end of next year my service will be reflective of a year of great change.
Friday, January 16, 2009
VISTA Update
After three days of working on my fluorescent conference room tan, I am pleased to announce that I am OFFICIALLY an AmeriCorps VISTA member.
We had an official swearing-in at the Governor's office in Helena on Thursday. Let me add, only in Montana will you find lobbyists in blue jeans, governor's dogs roaming the office, and a room full of trophy heads.
For those of you unfamiliar with AmeriCorps, it is essentially the domestic PeaceCorps and my particular branch, VISTA targets social justice issues, especially those dealing with poverty. Montana Campus Compact who are partnered with AmeriCorps work on building civic engagement of college students within their communities. Currently, I feel like I have the longest job title ever as I am an AmeriCorps VISTA member working with Montana Campus Compact through my work at Sentinel High School.....whew, what a mouthful.
Anyways, I am very eager to start working on Tuesday as I will be helping those plan for life after high school (ie college/career counseling) in addition to other duties like increasing civic engagement and parent involvement. For those of you who know my background, interests, and experience, this job could not be any more perfect. (Go educational equality....WOOT!!!)
At training I was so suprised to meet so many people from all over: Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia.....etc. Being a west-coaster I have never really had interaction with anyone beyond the Mississippi. Meeting all those new faces and new cultures was completely eye-opening and I hope that throughout this year of service I will learn more about Southern etiquette.
VISTA provides tons of training and benefits and the next few months will be hectic but rewarding (especially if you are a conference junkie like me!) We are headed to Helena for a community building training in February and then Fairmont Hot Springs in March and then Bozeman in April. Whew!
Did I mention the benefits???? AmeriCorps works with the University of Montana so that members can get GRADUATE credit for their year of service. In addition, to health coverage, rellocation expenses, awesome VISTA t-shirts, they encouraged us to apply for public assistance. Dale (currently unemployed) and I qualified for $350 a month for groceries. I guess thats how they make up only dispersing $833 a month for my glorious position.
That was probably way more information than you wanted but I am just trying to encourage all my friends to join VISTA and come to Montana. Besides what could better than serving your country in the form of working towards social justice.....yes, I am also a social justice junkie being as I went to a jesuit school.
I hope that explains a little why Dale and I up and moved 428 miles away to Montana. Any questions let me know!
We had an official swearing-in at the Governor's office in Helena on Thursday. Let me add, only in Montana will you find lobbyists in blue jeans, governor's dogs roaming the office, and a room full of trophy heads.
For those of you unfamiliar with AmeriCorps, it is essentially the domestic PeaceCorps and my particular branch, VISTA targets social justice issues, especially those dealing with poverty. Montana Campus Compact who are partnered with AmeriCorps work on building civic engagement of college students within their communities. Currently, I feel like I have the longest job title ever as I am an AmeriCorps VISTA member working with Montana Campus Compact through my work at Sentinel High School.....whew, what a mouthful.
Anyways, I am very eager to start working on Tuesday as I will be helping those plan for life after high school (ie college/career counseling) in addition to other duties like increasing civic engagement and parent involvement. For those of you who know my background, interests, and experience, this job could not be any more perfect. (Go educational equality....WOOT!!!)
At training I was so suprised to meet so many people from all over: Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia.....etc. Being a west-coaster I have never really had interaction with anyone beyond the Mississippi. Meeting all those new faces and new cultures was completely eye-opening and I hope that throughout this year of service I will learn more about Southern etiquette.
VISTA provides tons of training and benefits and the next few months will be hectic but rewarding (especially if you are a conference junkie like me!) We are headed to Helena for a community building training in February and then Fairmont Hot Springs in March and then Bozeman in April. Whew!
Did I mention the benefits???? AmeriCorps works with the University of Montana so that members can get GRADUATE credit for their year of service. In addition, to health coverage, rellocation expenses, awesome VISTA t-shirts, they encouraged us to apply for public assistance. Dale (currently unemployed) and I qualified for $350 a month for groceries. I guess thats how they make up only dispersing $833 a month for my glorious position.
That was probably way more information than you wanted but I am just trying to encourage all my friends to join VISTA and come to Montana. Besides what could better than serving your country in the form of working towards social justice.....yes, I am also a social justice junkie being as I went to a jesuit school.
I hope that explains a little why Dale and I up and moved 428 miles away to Montana. Any questions let me know!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Married in Montana
Well, Dale and I survived the winter driving to our new home in Missoula. It wasn't so bad--if you have 4-wheel drive and dont mind driving on 3 inches of ice!
What is even more amazing about our drive was the 59 inches of snow we passed in Spokane and our cats that managed to break out of their respective boxes only to peer out the window in fear, amazement, I am not sure??? In any case, we are glad to be safe and have all feet on the ground, albeit snow covered.
I head to my training in Helena on Tuesday for three informative and inspiring days of AmeriCorps training. After all the orders of where to hang curtain rods and mirrors, I think Dale is looking forward to a little peace and quiet with me away.
Until then, we will enjoy setting up our new home, which is spacious and bright compared to our cave in Seattle. Plus, it has the added benefit of making chores easy and joyful with a dishwasher and washer/dryer. Who ever thought life would get easier in the cold country?
Hope all of you had a happy new year!
What is even more amazing about our drive was the 59 inches of snow we passed in Spokane and our cats that managed to break out of their respective boxes only to peer out the window in fear, amazement, I am not sure??? In any case, we are glad to be safe and have all feet on the ground, albeit snow covered.
I head to my training in Helena on Tuesday for three informative and inspiring days of AmeriCorps training. After all the orders of where to hang curtain rods and mirrors, I think Dale is looking forward to a little peace and quiet with me away.
Until then, we will enjoy setting up our new home, which is spacious and bright compared to our cave in Seattle. Plus, it has the added benefit of making chores easy and joyful with a dishwasher and washer/dryer. Who ever thought life would get easier in the cold country?
Hope all of you had a happy new year!
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