My Teaching Philosophy

School ought to be a place where young minds are grown and challenged so that individuals can develop their personalities and dreams. Students deserve to work in an environment fostering learning, respect and growth. I aim to create a classroom where I can have an effect on students’ lives for good. I hope to be a positive influence in the lives of students and I believe this begins with creating a good environment for learning. I agree with the expression that it is nearly impossible to say what I will really be like as a teacher until I actually get out there and begin working in the classroom. There is a certain predetermined expectation when I enter the classroom as a practicum student or student teacher and even then, my management style is built off of that of my cooperating teacher. I do believe it is important to set goals and make plans about how to succeed. If I just wait until I arrive in the first day of class to determine my classroom management ideas I will be unprepared and chaos is likely to ensue. I hope to be able to outline my personal beliefs about management and as I move through my university experience, I will be prepared to be flexible and understanding when I actually have my own class of students.

people

do you know how many children God has?

neither do I.
I read one speculation that over 100,000,000,000 people have lived on earth. and who's to say how much longer this earth will continue to be the homes of mortals, gaining their first estate.


that's a lot of kids.


but you know, somehow, He has unconditional love for each and every one. no matter where we live, what we do, or who we are. He loves us. isn't that great to know? I'm no exception. even as one of about seven billion people alive right now, I know He loves me. and everybody else too. He loves you. the way you spend your time with your brother. or the plans you have to make the world a better place. He smiles when you do something good for someone else, and reaches out His hand to lift you when you mess up. He is proud of the things you've accomplished, and He hopes you'll go to Him when you want to do even more.

so why does it get so difficult to accept the small slice of His children he sends for me to meet? sometimes, I meet people who are different than me and it's hard to see beyond those boundaries despite the truth that what really matters is that we're both children of the Most High. isn't that what matters? and everybody is going to be unique because we're specially created to be individual. if not so the world would be awfully boring and no one would ever learn anything new. and if all we ever did was spend time with people who look and act just like us, how could we learn about ourselves? 

every experience with someone new is valuable because they have something to teach me. I can't afford to waste those opportunities by shutting my eyes and turning around when I am asked to poke my head out of my comfort zone. because what really matters is that we're all His kids. 

hearts

hearts are like brand new blobs of play-do.
I started with a very nice shade and it suited me quite well. some days it grows bigger and softer. other days it dries out a little. I try to take good care of it, though. and always put the lid back on, so my heart stays mold-able and smooth.

and sometimes, an opportunity comes to exchange a piece with someone else. and our shades compliment each other! and I can hold onto that soft piece or even fold it right in with my own. and the colors swirl together, and suddenly! joy of joys. my heart becomes a new color and a little bit of someone else becomes a part of me.

every once in a while, someone steals a piece of my heart. and that squishy mold-able piece is hardly mine anymore. it's yours.

but more often, I find myself breaking off a soft corner of my play-do and handing it over. sometimes I'll go months and months (perhaps even years...) not even remembering where I left that piece. and then, I'll come across it and, oh! you have my heart with you. you didn't even know it! I secretly slipped that soft piece into a pocket right next to yours and you--completely unaware. yet all this time, you've kept it warm. oh. how, nice.

and I don't want it back. I want you to pick it up and see it and know who it belongs to. and keep it. what would I do with it? my shade of play-do is quite different then it was the summer of my sophomore year. and so is yours; I can see it. but I think our colors would be nice together and so you should keep it. what would I do with it anyway?

sunshine

am I allowed to just post a picture or two?

I think yes.

happy June ♥

otter pops

such a sweet little thing. not even a big deal.
frozen water and high fructose corn syrup.

so far this summer I've eaten one EVERY DAY
woot.

I think the reason I love them is that when I eat one, I eat it out in the sunshine.
warm, energizing sunshine!

and even though the rest of my summer seems monotonous... at least that otter pop tastes good as the sun warms up my hair
so I'll soak it up. every ray.
I plan to take it with me for the long winter. even though at times, this time of summer seems like winter. it's not, Megan.  I have to remind myself. it's May. and smiles ought to abound. a few cirrus clouds are ok. but overcast? every day? less than ok. I don't need all those cumulonimbus clouds in my summer time.

so I think I'm going to buy a cloud vacuum.
(do they make those?)
because I don't think my soul can survive this many clouds. suffocation would not be ideal since I still have places to be and people to see. right? I do right?

maybe I will go ride my bike.

with an otter pop and a cloud vacuum.

BFF's

I know. memes aren't exactly classy, or even original, for that matter. but this explains exactly how I feel about leaving USU for nearly four (4) months. 

cuatro. 

veir. 

quatre. 

FOUR. 

it will be approximately 100 days or 2400 hours.

that's a long time.

sigh. well. so what, right? work your butt off and just have a sweet summer time! 

oh yeah. except that one important bit

summer time = best friends. 

mejores amigos. 

besten freunden. 

meilleurs amis.

awwh. I miss them already. they're the ones that bring sunshine to my life and keep me going. they know when I need a hug. when the going gets rough they are always right there. I always know who to laugh with. the most beautiful of people adorn my days with bright eyes and cheerful smiles.

everytime someone from home asks, "how was college?" 

I can always answer, "I met some of my best friends. 

Wonderful people; all of them."

love.

I wrote about it once already... but my world is filled with love! how can I not express my feelings on the subject?

sometimes, I think I know what love is.
I see my little brother and how glad he is to have me home and I know I love him.

my mom hugs me tight before I leave for school again. I know she loves me.

my best friend gives me a ride and I don't want to get out of the car. I certainly love her.

a mother cradles her baby. that's the deepest love I think I've seen on earth.

my Father in Heaven blesses me daily even when I feel I don't deserve it.

He loves me the most.

He loves unconditionally.

for eternity.

this weekend, I glimpsed that eternity in someone else's eyes.

sealed for eternity, the happy couple couldn't have been happier!

although I was not able to attend the ceremony, the Spirit was so strong among those who had attended. 

she was beautiful.

he was handsome as ever.

and they were filled with love.

the most eternal, deep, pure love

everyone smiled all day long and I couldn't help but be so happy for them!

they deserve every blessing.

how thankful I was to catch a glance of that beauty.

there is nothing more beautiful than being dedicated to the one you love and to the Lord.

through this union, blessings from heaven cannot be held back!

Congratulations, you two love birds. ♥

up

heads up!
time to wake up
what's up?
it came up...
this is up to you
hey. speak up!
call you up
warm up
stir up some trouble!
I'm mixed up...
dress-ups
take up space
time's up
crack up

look up

in conference last October, Carl B. Cook of the Seventy spoke about the concept of looking up! he told a story about how one day, as he was leaving the church office building, his burdens felt especially heavy. he studied the floor as he traveled down on the elevator. stopping on the way down, someone joined him, also leaving the building. asking Elder Cook what could be so interesting on the floor, he recognized the voice of the prophet. so naturally, he looked up and tried to lighten his countenance. but the prophet, of course, had noticed his gloominess. he smiled at Elder Cook and remarked, pointing heavenward,

"It is better to look up!"

between last October and now, I have probably heard reference to this talk five or six times. and each time, I make a resolution to direct my gaze toward heaven. and may I tell you... I have tried it. this works, every time.

somehow, lifting my head and taking in a new breath just invigorates me. when I'm outside, I can see the tops of the mountains and the clouds in the sky. this reminds me of the love my Heavenly
 Father has for me, and for each person I associate with. every day is a beautiful one. and as you look up, greet it and thank your Father for blessing you. remember how much love He has. and enjoy it.

be thankful for each day.
and remember, "it is better to look up!"

dreams that can come true

do you realize how many ads I've seen for Disneyland in the last few days doing research? 

about a million. 

guess how many times they make me smile...

about a million and a half.

I think most people figure I just talk about it like it's another nice vacation.

what they don't understand is that my heart is here! 

honestly. this really is one of the happiest places on earth, for me.

I am at least 72 times happier when I'm in Disneyland

and it's not that I can't be happy without it!

oh, no. not at all.

but I do love being there.

and I miss it. ever so much, right now.

but don't you worry.

I have this piggy.

he's fabulous.

and he's very good at holding loose change.

I give him all my coins

and someday? we're going.

we'll go to Disneyland and it will be spectacular and glorious.

because I'm not Snow White. I don' just wish down a well.

(ok so I do my fair share of wishing)

but I know. I understand.

"work will win when wishy washy wishing won't"

this is true!

if you want something, you gotta work for it. 

so that's what I'm doing.

just you wait. (:

here I come, Main Street USA.

light up those lights because I'm on my way.

imagination

you be the scallywag and I'll be the captain...
and pretend I had a map and a parrot called Prattle.
and pretend you wanted to know what the treasure was
and I wouldn't tell you.
oh and we have to say "yarr!" alot.

[there is something to be said about the ability to imagine. (: mmhmmm. who needs to be in childhood to fantasize?]
not me.

pretend I am all grown up and I have to do hard stuff.
and pretend you were my best friend.
and we had to figure stuff out. 

and it wasn't always as good as we wanted.
but pretend that we had a lot of faith, trust 

(and even a little pixie dust)
so we kept going!

and every day would be an adventure.

you & me, we don't know the answers.

but it's ok, because we know that no matter what,

life is good.

and we're super lucky to be living a good life.

and we loved the adventures.

trust

"Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes,

for the present time,

the design of your God concerning those things

which shall come hereafter,

and the glory which shall follow

after much tribulation"

--Doctrine & Covenants 58:3

  

"Trust in the Lord

with all thine heart

and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him

and He shall direct thy paths."

--Proverbs 3:5-6

  

"Seek not to counsel the Lord...

[You] know that He counseleth

in wisdom and in justice and in great mercy..."

--Jacob 4:9-10

it all sounds so straightforward and easy.

just trust the Lord.

remember that Heavenly Father knows best.

align your will with His.

God loves you and wants to bless you.

sure, I know this. I do. I can say from experience that all this is true. our Father really does know us personally and He sees things we cannot. His perspective is infinitely more expansive. He would never direct us to paths contrary to the ultimate reward we seek. as His child, His work and His glory is to bring me back to live with Him. He wishes me to have joy in this life.

so why would it have to be so hard?

that's where trust comes in. sometimes we can only see so far down the path. I love to see my steps, but how much improved can my journey be if I let Him lead me? it is unbelievably difficult to hand over my life. I would so much like to tell the Lord, "looky here. this is what I like and I think it's pretty dynamite. don't you think you can work that into your eternal scheme? I'm happy right now. promise." I know what happy is, don't I? I can tell when I'm enjoying life. but sometimes...there must be an alternate happiness. because I cannot always have what I want.

it's hard. and initially I really really don't have any desire to yield. but deep down...I know that I can't be happy without choosing His way. He knows me better, and he can see my whole journey: start to finish.

so I'm going to have to trust. it might be bumpy. it might tear my heart in two pieces. but I know. I know that He knows.
and I have to trust.

love

for who, being loved, is poor?

-Oscar Wilde

So many people in this beautiful world fill me with gratitude and love! 
and I can hardly feel poor or lonely.

♥ Katie is always there to talk to and snuggle with.

♥ Carson never fails to make me smile and feel important.

♥ My momma give me confidence that I can succeed.

♥ Jared calls me for help on a project.

♥ My dad reminds me that he loves me just when I need it.

♥ Kaylee and Celicia work together with me.

♥ Jonathon gives the most fantastic hugs.

♥ CJ reminds me chivalry still exists.

♥ Melinda creates and shares beauty.

♥ James Morrison fills my room with music.

♥ Jess remains my best friend, time and time again.

♥ Amber prompts me to think deeper about life.
 

oh. and of course.

The Savior died for me and continues to guide my life in His paths. He knows it's hard for me. He understands my confusion and my hesitance to do difficult things. All the same, He knows best and if I have the courage to do what I know I must, He will bless me. I love to see my path, but it's best to let Him lead me on. Taking faith, only success can be the result.

so life is sweet. it's good. and I'm blessed, so very blessed!

and I'm glad we have a whole day, twenty four hours to recognize and express love. ♥

happy valentine's day, people.

my Father

The photos in the magazines

Don't dictate who I'm supposed to be

The world can't recognize, all that I am inside

But I know in His eyes,

I am a part of the bigger picture.

 There's so much more to me

He helps me see that I have so much to offer

I am His daughter

He loves me the way I am,

He's my strength when I stand

He is my King, and my Father,

I am His daughter.

this is for you.

turns out my dream is to be part of the Disney team. at least for a part of my life... I want it badly. but it's easy to lose hope in this dream because it seem sort of far-fetched, right?
maybe even a little child-ish.

today as I was browsing weheartit.com I found this drawing.
it was meant for me and I knew it right away. (: yep.
mickey mouse had a message for me!

thankful

some days we forget 
to look around us
some days we can't see 
the joy that surrounds us
so caught up inside ourselves
we take when we should give

there's so much to be thankful for...


I don't see anything wrong with writing a very cliché post about how grateful I am for EVERYTHING. you might not read it. or you might. and you'll sit there and say, yeah you and everybody else, Megs. 

but honestly. my life overflows with blessings. sometimes, the windows of my vision get foggy with trials or confusion about school or boys, however, when I take time to realize the many miracles I have encountered, the hard stuff barely matters.

many thanks to Josh Groban for pointing out our world filled with wonder!
things like warm cafés, fuzzy socks, sunshine, the gospel,
convenience of modern technology, close friends you can always return to,
learning experiences, beauty, old stuffed animals,
familiar streets to drive on, family laughter,
winnie the pooh, faith,
those who teach,
Christmas lights lining the lane,
love, music you can bust out singing to,
lotion that smells delightful, your favorite winter coat,
brothers and sisters alike, new socks,
dryers, organized file cabinets,
snugly laced up shoes,
neatly laid out websites,
smiles you recognize, hugs you're comfortable in,
dreams, Disney, post-it notes that stick,
homemade foods, parents, leaders....

you know as well as I the list could go on. this week has been a good one to heighten my awareness of how much I am blessed. foremost on brain is my family. they mean a great deal to me. this latest holiday and the time spent has helped me realize how wonderful my family is. I have best friends in my family ties. I've learned from them that it's human to judge. it happens. it takes serious assistance from a higher being to overcome this. but family is family and we love them despite troubles we may have. although it's been said many times, many ways, the older you get, the more you'll appreciate your family. I always thought that was so old news and it wouldn't happen to me. I loved my family enough just the way we were.

and then I moved out. good morning world! turns out I really need my mom and dad after all... my momma knows just was to say. my dad takes care of me and fulfills his calling of "providing" to the fullest extent. today is just packed with the typical cliché stuff...but wouldn't you know it? it's all true! I wouldn't be here without my parents (haha) and I'm ever so grateful for them. they're number one on my list.

three generations of love

autumn

on campus

in golden leaves. round rain drops. bare trees. painted on butterfly wings. smeared in a blue, blue sky. rising from a steaming cup of cocoa. in the warmth of two hands intertwined. wrapped into a long scarf. pulled on with cozy boots.

ahhh! the enchanting air of October and November fills my heart! I'm convinced that magic lives in this time of year. that brisk wind coming out of the canyon wakes me up and nudges me to pull my scarf a little tighter. sometimes it bites my nose and I just have to laugh. and when that ray of sunshine comes down on my back it is ever more delightful because of the contrast. opposition in all things... I warm my hands with warm cocoa and I just feel so romantic.

I can't explain it. everything just makes me smile and I'm so grateful for it all! huge piles of leaves all over campus call to me - "kick us around, Megan! ...Megan come play. crunch it all under your feet. pick up a few pieces of fall and tack them to your bulletin board." so much color. everywhere! it's so fantastic. the mountains are simply covered with trees changing. curbs pile up with hundreds of leaves. and I just walk around grinning...all day long.


I just thought you ought to know how much I love autumn. beautiful.

American Fork Canyon colors

con·science

the sense of what is right and wrong that governs somebody's thoughts and actions, urging him or her to do right rather than wrong

maybe it’s a little green cricket dressed smartly in a top-hat. maybe it’s two little characters lingering on the shoulders. one wears a white robe with a halo, the other carries red pitch fork and has horns. maybe it’s just human instinct.

in my opinion it’s light. the light of a higher being helping to inspire either happiness and comfort, or conflict and guilt in each of us. every human is born with a natural sense of what’s right and what’s wrong. different cultures may instill different values dependent upon social norms. as years go on, many people grow up, and certain values will change. consciences may become numb from so much neglect, while others will still remain strong, influencing characters for the better.

the question is, do we listen to this influence? from the insignificant choice of which jeans to wear to the influential decision of whether or not to study, a variety of choices need to be made each day.  luckily, we have a guide. “it works according to our faith and diligence…”

I was blessed enough to have some experiences a weekend ago that forced me to exercise my agency. choosing "the right" suddenly became harder than it had ever been. what really is right? do I know? who am I and what am I doing with my life anyway? 

sometimes...you choose before you think. and sometimes that's ok. you choose on impulse because ultimately it doesn't matter. and sometimes you leap before you look because you're scared to look or listen. I didn't take time to listen, I blindly stepped forward, shunning the little green cricket in a top hat. I'm sure he was whispering, "Megan, Megan...think! you have a brain and you have me. listen, Megan. Megan..." but somewhere inside, I already knew the consequences. so I shut my eyes and walked on, choosing my own path.

admittedly, my eternal progression didn't come to a halt. my heart was just a little wounded and confusion littered my thoughts for a few days. I became ever more aware of that light within. the flame flickered a little bit in my moment of disregard, however, I kindled with more care than ever before.

so maybe, all I want to say is listen to that cricket.
weigh the options presented by the characters on either shoulder.
feel that light.
 pay attention to your feelings and let them be guided by that Spirit.
He's watching out for you, and He can see the big picture, so His opinion will always be superior.

tears

crying seems to serve countless purposes.

we cry when we experience physical pain.
losing a loved one makes us cry.
too much stress brings tears.
lack of sleep; the same.
sometimes we cry out of joy.
eyes well up when the Spirit is especially strong.
that salty water can even just refresh the eyes.
we know crying will invoke pity.
when life gets hard, tears express frustration.

but true sobbing? it seems to only come when the heart aches. when the pain is deep inside the soul. love hurts; and it makes us cry. those warm droplets seem to express the pain better than any words; written or spoken.

and yet, we still bother to love. at the risk of getting hurt. is it worth it? often, the argument to go on loving would seem irrational. and maybe that's what love is. irrational. no matter how ridiculous it may seem from the outside, we seek it regardless.

pain throws your heart to the ground...
but I know the heart of life is good ♥

in love, we find happiness and fulfillment. it brings out the best in us. the sun shines down on us and smiles surface so much easier! we desire more to serve those we love because we know it will make them happy. but when it could end up hurting so badly? why keep up?

because "men are that they might have joy!" rejoice. love anyway. celebrate the wonderful gem of love. yes, it's ok to cry when it hurts, but remember why you loved.
be grateful for the capacity to love.
       and to cry.
love to that full capacity.
       and cry your hardest when you need to.

good thing I got sick.

ironic, right? who in their right mind blesses the day they fell ill with a head-cold? I do. I've discovered so many wonderful things through my sickness. sitting in my room for the past 36 hours made me very aware of a few things.

1. getting smacked across the face by a wake up call isn't always very fun. but sometimes, if a lifestyle needs tweaking, an incapacitating cold might be necessary to point that out.

2. certain people are strategically placed for a reason. sometimes it's best to simply sit back and be grateful for dear friends. and if it brings tears, let the tears come.

3. God's power on Earth is real. He desires to bless His children if they will only allow Him to reach into their lives.

4. there is no one more special than a mommy. she knows precisely what to say and how to take care of her children.

I know that I know how to take care of my body. I just have to step up and do it.
My friends are the best. They visit me, and play card games with me, and give me hugs despite the slight risk.
Thank goodness for the worthy men that hold the priesthood and utilize that power to bless my life.
I love my mommy and  I'm so grateful for her constant care, even one hundred miles away.

I'm just grateful. So grateful that someone who knows better than I do is watching out for me, always.

brains for breakfast

I feel awkward about starting the blog; posting a real post. I don't know where to start.
so. I'm going to start in the middle. right now, today.
zombies. that's what I've been thinking about.

the prowl began Monday morning. you think I'm kidding. I'm not. ok. so they're not real zombies. about eight-hundred people signed up to play an epic game of tag. humans armed with nerf guns fought off brain-hungry zombies looking to tag them.

a sudden change overcame campus. no, brains weren't really being eaten. astounding things started happening, however. the first encounter I had changed my status to zombie. that's what happens. you don't exactly get a second chance. I started running, realizing that this zombie was desperate to tag me. I was just another number to him. a statistic that no one would ever look at. kill number 3? 4? who knows. he was so intent on getting to me and once he did tag me, he smugly demanded my identity so he could claim the victory. c'est la vie. or rather ... c'est la mort. and so began my life as a zombie.

how is this a blessing anyway? well I promise it's there. secretly. I began to notice how little things can alter a friendship in a blink of an eye. suddenly, I wasn't invited to dinner because I was considered a "threat." in the game. I was a threat. real conversations ceased, because all we knew how to talk about was the game. story after story. each encounter had to sound more exciting than the last. I hated that. the adrenaline of running away exhilarated everyone. a new drug. (we don't even do drugs...) having died early, I simply sat back and watched my friends die off, one by one caught by the growing horde of zombies. I became an apathetic zombie, sickened by the serious comments about how one friend intended to kill another. real friendship didn't cease but the different dimensions of friends were certainly confusing... it's so interesting how a simple game can have such an astounding psychological effect!

I'm just grateful for real life. how sweet it is to be blessed with a real personality, with real friends, and my own train of thoughts and motivations. I am me and I wouldn't want it any differently. I know it's all fake, but the realities of it are a little frightening; they're intriguing.