I have been teaching 2nd grade for the past two months. My class has it challenges, but they are hilarious at the same time. I know that Heavenly Father gave me these students to learn from them and to be able to grow as they are growing.
Here are some funny things they have told me:
"I can't go to trunk or treat because my mom is going to the Temple."
A girl walks out of the bathroom, "I have diarrhea."
"Can we sing, 'Families Can Be Together Forever?"
"The only reason adults get married is to have kids."
"You don't have kids? You aren't married, well you better get on that!"
After we enter our classroom from the morning ceremony, "Is it time to go home yet?"
The best one yet: A girl was handed this note from a boy in the class
"Dear B,
I am not your friend.
Your friend,
J"
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Summer Adventures
This summer I was gone for a whole month, traveling the country, literally!
I first went to Houston, Texas to visit my friends Brianne and Steph that I met at BYU. We went and toured the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory, ate a Mexican resturant, got introduced to green sauce (it is amazing!!! and I miss it!), had some Texas BBQ and enjoyed the humidity(not!), and saw some policemen wearing cowboy hats!
Sorry there are no pictures from this adventure :(
Then I was home for 2 days and my parents and I went to New Mexico for the annual Buxton Family Reunion. We drove the lovely 9 1/2 hours to Albuquerque.
Day 1 of the Reunion
We first drove to the site of where the first atomic bomb was set off. From there we went to Lincoln County, NM and saw where Smokey the Bear was found and the town that Billy the Kid was from. Then we went to Rosewell, NM. There was a space/alien museum, but I skipped that part and walked the 5 blocks to Dairy Queen with some of my aunts and uncles. Let me tell you it was at least 110 degrees outside so it felt like 22 blocks as my uncle puts it! We then went to Carlsbad to watch the bats fly out of the Carlsbad Caverns, it was an amazing sight. However we weren't allowed to take any pictures of it.
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| At the Smokey the Bear Museum |
Day 2
The second day we went to the caverns at Carlsbad and hiked down 750 feet to the main floor. Walked around the "Big Room" as they called it for another mile and that was a small part of the cavern there are several floors that are not allowed for the public to see. It was impressive and I would love to go to that again.
Once we were all out of the cavern we drove to Cloudcroft, NM and stayed in a haunted lodge.
Day 3
We went and visited White Sands National Park. It was tons of white sand dunes everywhere. We got plastic discs and flew down the dunes there. But it was super hot!
Day 4
We went and visited the VLA (Very Large Array) out of Socorro, NM. There wasn't much out there and your could buy some of the satellite dishes for about a million dollars if you wanted to.
Day 5
We drove back to Las Vegas. It was a very long drive again across New Mexico and Arizona.
We were then home for a couple of days and then for the 4th of July we went up to Gunnison, Utah for the 4th of July. While we were up there, a man in the town discovered a tow truck in his parent's backyard and turned it into Mater in honor of the movie Cars 2 that was showing in the theater. So Matt and I went and took pictures by it, because let's be honest we are kids at heart!
Our last trip of our month of adventure was to Portland, Oregon for my cousin's wedding. It was a cool off for us. It only got up to 70 degrees. We were able to go exploring Oregon City, the first city past the Rocky Mountains. We also were able to visit the Portland Temple which is very similar to the Las Vegas Temple. It was a great vacation!
Friday, April 1, 2011
So I Got my Dream Job
Here is the story on how I landed my job in Las Vegas:
On March 18th, BYU held a Teacher Fair where tons of schools and districts come and recruit teachers to come work for them. Before I went to the fair I said a little prayer to Heavenly Father to help me and guide me to where I needed to be and to make the most of this experience. I went to the fair that day only knowing that the majority of the schools and districts would be from Utah. I was only going to for the experience to see what free stuff I could get as well. Well I ran into one of my friends there and she told me that she saw a school from Las Vegas. I didn't believe her for about 5 seconds and then she told me again so I went on a hunt to find this school and talk to them. I finally found the booth after searching high and low for the school. I went up to the booth and told the man my name and then he asked where I was from and I said Las Vegas. He immediately offered me an interview with the principal at 2:00 pm that day and was ecstatic that I was from Las Vegas and I knew the area where the school would be (it is a brand new charter school that is opening up in the Northwest part of the valley).
I went into the interview and answered the best that I could and then the principal and I talked for a bit about Las Vegas and she told me that I would know on April 8th if I got the job. I left the interview feeling good and then I went on my merry way.
During the next week I could not get the interview out of my mind. I sent the principal a thank you for interviewing me as well as my resume and letters of recommendations.
Finally, on Saturday, March 26th the principal gave me a call. She and I talked for a bit and then she told me that she wanted me on her team and what grade I would like to teach. I was dumbfounded. First off, she wasn't supposed to tell me if I got the job for another 2 weeks. Second, no one ever gets to pick the grade that you want to teach, you usually get assigned to teach a certain grade and you better be happy with it. Her and I again talked about the lower grades and what they were like and which one I would like better to teach. I choose to teach 2nd grade. We talked a bit more, hung up the phone and I sat there and I cried. These days no one really graduates from college with a job, let alone your dream job (I have always wanted to come back to Las Vegas and teach 2nd or 3rd grade.) I am so grateful for the promptings to interview with this school and those that helped me get to the place that I am at right now. Right now I just need to finish student teaching (5 more days!!!) and then I can start planning my dream job!
Thank you Heavenly Father for helping me that day at the Teacher Fair, during my interview and the important phone call! I can't wait to start teaching 2nd grade at Somerset Academy of Las Vegas in August!!
On March 18th, BYU held a Teacher Fair where tons of schools and districts come and recruit teachers to come work for them. Before I went to the fair I said a little prayer to Heavenly Father to help me and guide me to where I needed to be and to make the most of this experience. I went to the fair that day only knowing that the majority of the schools and districts would be from Utah. I was only going to for the experience to see what free stuff I could get as well. Well I ran into one of my friends there and she told me that she saw a school from Las Vegas. I didn't believe her for about 5 seconds and then she told me again so I went on a hunt to find this school and talk to them. I finally found the booth after searching high and low for the school. I went up to the booth and told the man my name and then he asked where I was from and I said Las Vegas. He immediately offered me an interview with the principal at 2:00 pm that day and was ecstatic that I was from Las Vegas and I knew the area where the school would be (it is a brand new charter school that is opening up in the Northwest part of the valley).
I went into the interview and answered the best that I could and then the principal and I talked for a bit about Las Vegas and she told me that I would know on April 8th if I got the job. I left the interview feeling good and then I went on my merry way.
During the next week I could not get the interview out of my mind. I sent the principal a thank you for interviewing me as well as my resume and letters of recommendations.
Finally, on Saturday, March 26th the principal gave me a call. She and I talked for a bit and then she told me that she wanted me on her team and what grade I would like to teach. I was dumbfounded. First off, she wasn't supposed to tell me if I got the job for another 2 weeks. Second, no one ever gets to pick the grade that you want to teach, you usually get assigned to teach a certain grade and you better be happy with it. Her and I again talked about the lower grades and what they were like and which one I would like better to teach. I choose to teach 2nd grade. We talked a bit more, hung up the phone and I sat there and I cried. These days no one really graduates from college with a job, let alone your dream job (I have always wanted to come back to Las Vegas and teach 2nd or 3rd grade.) I am so grateful for the promptings to interview with this school and those that helped me get to the place that I am at right now. Right now I just need to finish student teaching (5 more days!!!) and then I can start planning my dream job!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Student Teaching
So these past few weeks I have been student teaching in the Jordan School District at Riverton Elementary. I was in a first grade class with 22 kids and loved them all to death. Today was my last day in that class and I about cried when I left they hugged me to death, "kidnapped" me and told me that I was not allowed to leave. I wanted to stay so badly but I couldn't because it was time to go. Before I left my students gave me some notes and I would like to share them with you.
First off, I on the front of a card was this:
First off, I on the front of a card was this:
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| Miss Buxton is Missing!! |
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Dear Blank Please Blank
I found this note today on this website. I think it describes how I feel about snow.
Sincerely, frustrated student.
Dear snow,
Unless you are enough to get me out of school, then we have nothing to say to each other.
Sincerely, frustrated student.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2010: What I learned and I experienced
2010 is a year that I will never forget. It had its ups and downs and lefts and rights.
In January, I started the second semester of the Elementary Education program at BYU. I also celebrated my 21st birthday by going to in-n-out at midnight, breakfast in bed, and a cupcake party where we made over 320 cupcakes!
In February,my roommates Cami and Kirsten along with my brothers Matt and Jeff and I went down to Las Vegas for President's Day Weekend. We went to the Strip, shopping at the Outlets, and visited the beautiful Las Vegas Temple. It a crazy weekend, but I loved it because it was warm and I was with people that I loved.
In March, I started my first practicum for the Elementary Education program. I was in a first grade at an elementary school in American Fork, Ut. Those kids taught me so much! They taught me to love others unconditionally, to respect myself, and how to keep trying, even if something is really hard.
In April, I did not pack up and leave like most BYU students. I decided to stay for Spring Term to play, work, and take classes. It was an amazing experience because I got to meet so many people and just have fun while I was at BYU and not stress about classes 24/7.
In May, I joined my ward's kickball team and we made it to the finals! Wahoo! I also got to spend some time at my aunt and uncle's house in Gunnison, Utah going four-wheeling and helping clean out my grandparent's freezer that had stopped working a few days earlier.
In June, I moved back to Las Vegas and said good-bye to my brother Jeff because he left on a LDS mission to Scotland. I also started working for the 4th summer in a row, at Bernhard and Williams Photography.
In July, I spent most of the month with my brother Corey. When I was not working, I was spending my time with him. However, he died suddenly on July 22nd and that has forever changed me as a person. I have learned to get to know everyone around me because everyone has a story that they want to share and everyone is different and that is okay. My brother was a friend to all no matter what shape, color, or size. That is what I am trying to do and I am sorry if I have ever offended you or anybody, so I am sorry, but I am trying to be better and love everyone!
In August, I moved back to Provo for my senior year at BYU. It was about the hardest thing I ever had to do because I went from being at home where people understood or was conscious of what I was going through to barely anything at all. I also left my parents constant and they were one of the greatest strengths during this time.
In September, I went to several outdoor concerts in Provo onto of a rooftop of a parking garage. They were amazing and were something I needed to get me out of the house and meet new people.
In October, my brother Matt and I were able to go home for a weekend. It was something that we both needed. I was able to get recharged for the rest of the semester and to be at home, which is always amazing.
In November, I started my second practicum, this time in Orem, Utah in a 5th grade class. This class came from homes that were broken (single parents, poor, parents using drugs, neglecting their children). It became very evident through the month that I was there. The students were struggling and just did not show any respect to any adult. It was heart wrenching, but made me appreciative of where I grew up and the parents that I have. I also was able to go home Thanksgiving and during the break, my family was able to do the Temple work for my brother Corey. I was not able to be in the session because I am not endowed, but I was able to do baptisms for the dead and I knew Corey was there that day because I felt him all around me.
In December, I sat through my last class at BYU and took my last set of finals! It was an odd feeling to be done with those feelings because those things were a part of my life for so long. Matt and I were able to come home for Christmas and we were able to talk to my brother Jeff for 2 hours over Skype. It was so neat to see him and talk him because I miss talking to him on a daily basis. Further, my mom and several ladies in my home ward took my brothers' shirts and made them into quilts for myself, Matt, Jeff, and my parents. Those quilts will always be precious to me because I have part of Corey with me.
2010 was a great year and I learned and experienced a lot. Those experiences have made me a better person and I hope I can always remember the lessons that I have learned.
In January, I started the second semester of the Elementary Education program at BYU. I also celebrated my 21st birthday by going to in-n-out at midnight, breakfast in bed, and a cupcake party where we made over 320 cupcakes!
In February,my roommates Cami and Kirsten along with my brothers Matt and Jeff and I went down to Las Vegas for President's Day Weekend. We went to the Strip, shopping at the Outlets, and visited the beautiful Las Vegas Temple. It a crazy weekend, but I loved it because it was warm and I was with people that I loved.
In March, I started my first practicum for the Elementary Education program. I was in a first grade at an elementary school in American Fork, Ut. Those kids taught me so much! They taught me to love others unconditionally, to respect myself, and how to keep trying, even if something is really hard.
In April, I did not pack up and leave like most BYU students. I decided to stay for Spring Term to play, work, and take classes. It was an amazing experience because I got to meet so many people and just have fun while I was at BYU and not stress about classes 24/7.
In May, I joined my ward's kickball team and we made it to the finals! Wahoo! I also got to spend some time at my aunt and uncle's house in Gunnison, Utah going four-wheeling and helping clean out my grandparent's freezer that had stopped working a few days earlier.
In June, I moved back to Las Vegas and said good-bye to my brother Jeff because he left on a LDS mission to Scotland. I also started working for the 4th summer in a row, at Bernhard and Williams Photography.
In July, I spent most of the month with my brother Corey. When I was not working, I was spending my time with him. However, he died suddenly on July 22nd and that has forever changed me as a person. I have learned to get to know everyone around me because everyone has a story that they want to share and everyone is different and that is okay. My brother was a friend to all no matter what shape, color, or size. That is what I am trying to do and I am sorry if I have ever offended you or anybody, so I am sorry, but I am trying to be better and love everyone!
In August, I moved back to Provo for my senior year at BYU. It was about the hardest thing I ever had to do because I went from being at home where people understood or was conscious of what I was going through to barely anything at all. I also left my parents constant and they were one of the greatest strengths during this time.
In September, I went to several outdoor concerts in Provo onto of a rooftop of a parking garage. They were amazing and were something I needed to get me out of the house and meet new people.
In October, my brother Matt and I were able to go home for a weekend. It was something that we both needed. I was able to get recharged for the rest of the semester and to be at home, which is always amazing.
In November, I started my second practicum, this time in Orem, Utah in a 5th grade class. This class came from homes that were broken (single parents, poor, parents using drugs, neglecting their children). It became very evident through the month that I was there. The students were struggling and just did not show any respect to any adult. It was heart wrenching, but made me appreciative of where I grew up and the parents that I have. I also was able to go home Thanksgiving and during the break, my family was able to do the Temple work for my brother Corey. I was not able to be in the session because I am not endowed, but I was able to do baptisms for the dead and I knew Corey was there that day because I felt him all around me.
In December, I sat through my last class at BYU and took my last set of finals! It was an odd feeling to be done with those feelings because those things were a part of my life for so long. Matt and I were able to come home for Christmas and we were able to talk to my brother Jeff for 2 hours over Skype. It was so neat to see him and talk him because I miss talking to him on a daily basis. Further, my mom and several ladies in my home ward took my brothers' shirts and made them into quilts for myself, Matt, Jeff, and my parents. Those quilts will always be precious to me because I have part of Corey with me.
2010 was a great year and I learned and experienced a lot. Those experiences have made me a better person and I hope I can always remember the lessons that I have learned.
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