Last Day at Preschool

Today was my last day working with my preschoolers. I can't believe it came so fast! It seems like I just started. I will truly miss working at that school and with everyone there. It was a great experience and I am so thankful for the opportunity.

Today was a 'typical' day in class. We read a story, did 'centers' with paint, some with cutting and gluing, and the kids favorites: blocks and home living. Then we had a special snack time for my goodbye - cookies and capri suns :) Each kid gave me a handmade card that they were all so proud of. I even got some amazing gifts from the staff, my teacher, and some of the students. I was overwhelmed with how loving and generous everyone was. Again, I am so thankful for everyone there and my experience.

At the end of the day when it was time to say goodbye, each kid came up to me and hugged me goodbye. That is when the tears started coming. Some of the girls hugged me so tight and would say, 'I love you Mrs. Luster'. I tried to hold it in until I got into the car and then I cried the whole way home. I miss all those little sweet peas!

Teaching

Back in September I was blessed to start a job that involved something I am actually interested in - kids! My good friend Emma was talking to me about her mom working as a preschool director for a school in Anthem, AZ. Her parents had just moved out here and her mom was getting settled into her new position. I started out by helping Nancy with odd end jobs to help her out and then when school started I became a teachers aide. At first I was moved around between 4 preschool classes and then they decided to keep me in one class all the time.

The teacher's name is Megan and she is very fun to work with. We have 19 four year olds Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It's been really fun and entertaining to say the least :) It's such a fun age, kids really do say the craziest things! After that class is over I work in what's called the extended care class for an additional hour or so. That class is the 2 year old class as well as a hand full of 3's and 4's that stay all afternoon. I work during the transition phase, lunch and recess. Working with 2's is much different then working with 4's! They are very cute and fun yet uncontrollable at the same time :) It sure makes having only 1 of my own sound like a cinch! :)

The school I work for is Called North Valley Christian Academy. It's a newer school and the building I work in is very nice. Here's a pictures of my classroom. Megan is asking the kiddos what they think Thanksgiving means. Most of the answers were food related, a couple mac and cheese answers, hah :)

I try and remember some of the projects we do, for future reference :) Like these cute little apples the kids made at the beginning of the year:

We have a Christmas play coming up in a few weeks and the one thing about teaching young ones is all the songs that get stuck in your head! Songs to welcome them in the morning, songs for cleaning up, songs for prayer, etc. One of the Christmas songs caught on with Levi and now I've heard him sing it a few times, haha.

"Come on, come on ring those bells, light the Christmas tree! Jesus is the king, born for you and me!"

Now he just needs to learn the hand signals and sign language ;)

Slater Builders Inc

When I graduated Vanguard University in 2005, I didn't know what I wanted career-wise. I was working part time for a company called Slater Builders since the middle of 2003. Their a construction company that does smaller end commercial projects. I was assisting the CFO in the accounting department doing odd end jobs. I was offered a full time position when I graduated and since I didn't know what direction I wanted to go in, I took the job. Well, 6 1/2 years later I was still there. It was a great first time job but difficult at the same time. Being stuck in a small cubicle for 8-9 hours a day with little interaction with other people can get very old, and quickly. I am so used to being busy and being outside and working with people, that it was very difficult to do my job, especially something I wasn't passionate about. The people I worked with were great, very supportive and lots of fun. I was blessed to have that kind of support in the work place, the job itself, however, just wasn't something I wanted a career in.

Now that Levi and I have moved, I've obviously quit my job. It was a bitter sweet goodbye. Change is hard (for me anyways!) and this was my first 'real' job, and my life has been planned around if for so many years. But it is time for me to move on and experience new things. There are so many other things that I am passionate about that I am excited that I have the opportunity to explore those passions. I feel like the sky is the limit now and I can really start getting into the things I love. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me!