Tootsie Rolls are a Food Group Too!

y'all might think im oozing with motivation and inspiration and words of wisdom on life. but here's the simple truth. teacher boot camp is kicking my ass.

i sleep an average of 4 hours per night. i am currently incapable of conversing about life beyond my students. and pacing the classroom aisle is my sole form of physical exercise. on top of it all, i have failed horribly at balancing that food-pyramid-thing! my teacher diet consists of water. crackers. (low fat ones!) and BIG BAGS of chocolate.

my garbage can reveals all...

"There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest potential." - Rusty Berkus-

photo by jen newlin bell

a few souls on this earth have mysteriously walked into my life, challenging me and encouraging my big dreams. i know i am here to return the favor.

"When I grow up I want to be a lawyr. I want to be a lawyr beccuse I love solving problems. Many people think im dome but I know im not. My teacher taught how to never give up. If I want to be some body I know to belive my self. If you put your self down you will be down. My teacher know im smart. Her name is ms. Newlin."

By Curtina Napier. 5th grade. Atlanta, Georgia.

Teaching For America

'ONE DAY, ALL CHILDREN IN THIS NATION WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTAIN AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION'

working with Teach for America is an absolutely staggering experience. i am inspired to invest my life in this mission. i am proud of my work that will be closing our country's achievement gap. i am fulfilled as i live each day with purpose.

on monday I will officially be a 5th grade, summer school teacher for Atlanta public schools. (this is only 5weeks of training before my real classroom experience back in Phoenix.) i look forward to my first day with both optimism and insecurity...

Gideons Elementary is located in Atlanta, in an area described as the 'hood'. the school building is enclosed with chain link fence and barbed wire. there are frequent drug busts around the neighborhood and 90% of the children receive free meal plans at school. im so lucky to have 12 of these scholarly children in MY classroom on monday!! i spent all day preparing, making dozens of posters and visuals for this room that has no resources. im working hard to create a bright, positive classroom culture where my kids will be challenged to learn . (my established color scheme happens to be green + yellow. go ducks!)

a disheveled, yet proud teacher i am

Crazy Creature

i met my first scorpion tonight!
he lived on the outside of my brother's house. yes, jason got to him so quickly that we now speak of his life in the past tense. what a fascinating desert creature:

Do Not Climb Mountains in Extreme Heat

i have learned my lesson NOT to ignore friendly suggestions such as this.

my first climbling attempt was on a small Phoenix mountain called Camelback. The hike was tough, but seemed super rigorous under 105 degree heat. my head was pounding and i was somewhat concerned about cardiac arrest. i came home dehydrated and suffering from heat exhaustion. 'welcome to arizona' they told me... i spent the rest of that day tucked in the bed of my air conditioned hotel room.

two days later i tried again. this time it was Bell Rock in the beautiful city of Sedona. (2hrs from Phoenix- I'll take you all there when you come visit.) The scenery was stunning and the energy was vibrant! Bell Rock is a supposed VORTEX: an area of enhanced linear energy flow. Many say the climb up the rock will enhance spiritual awareness and offer healing experiences. i needed some healing help after developing a heat rash from that climb :)


Sedona: Bell Rock

Phoenix: Camelback Mt.

The Grand Canyon State

ahhh. a sigh of relief as i've finally arrived in Arizona! I dreamt about taking this picture at my new state border... Mom swore it'd be impossible since we'd fly by that sign at 80mph, but she made it happen anyway. large trucks only breifly endangered our lives as we captured the shot.

so the drive was way too long. the gas way too expensive. and the desert too damn hot. but i can't help smiling inside, knowing i share this place with the magnificent saugaro cactus and the world's cutest nephews!!