Demystifying the Mormons

I think it is part of my calling in life to demystify who Mormons are.  Actually, I don't think it is, I know it is.  Coming into TFA, I spent a lot of time thinking about the relationships I would build with my students, but didn't realize that I would be forging such deep friendships among my fellow TFA corps members.  From day 1, I have felt like I have a huge stamp on my forehead that says "MORMON".  I couldn't hide it in conversations, even if I wanted to, because the first two questions people would ask are "Where are you from?" and "Where did you go to school?"  "I'm originally from California but now my family lives in Utah...and I went to BYU..."  Without even trying, the conversation would undoubtedly turn to being about BYU or Mormons or friends they had who are Mormon or missions or any number of other topics.  Sometimes I feel bad thinking that everybody must be sick of hearing from me by now, but the questions keep coming and I keep answering.

Seriously though, there is so much pure curiosity about my religion.  It's so mysterious to so many people, and I think a lot of that is due to the fact that too many Mormons have been trying to beat around the bush for too long about who we are.  That doesn't help!  I just give it to them straight.  That's the best way to go.  I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with the words to say to be able to articulate what I believe.  I'm also grateful to my new friends here for allowing me to be so open about what I believe and for supporting my resolve to not compromise my standards.  The conversation lines are open, and it is a blessing knowing that my new friends trust me enough to ask me  absolutely anything they are curious to know.

So, if you are one of my TFA friends, or any other friend who has curiosities about Mormons, please ask me.  I will give it to you straight.  Let me help you demystify it.  If you are curious to know more after that, I'd be glad to help you even more (or you can go to www.mormon.org).  But if not, it's not a big deal, I'm still your friend.  Just know that the invitation is always open.

One of the Kids

Sometimes, I feel like a little kid.  I mean, come on, I'm a grown up professional?  with a real job?  moving into a real house of my own?  Yeah, it's a little hard for me to comprehend.  I'm a teacher!  I won't necessarily say that I'm a full-fledged teacher yet, because my hand is basically being held through this entire TFA process and the paychecks don't start coming until September BUT! a teacher nonetheless.

Remember when teachers used to say, "Well, when you're a teacher, then you can do whatever you want" (like stand on the desk or make the rules or whatever).  That day has come :)

I still use little plastic tile manipulatives to figure out math problems, I like it when people tell me I'm doing a good job, I love writing on whiteboards, I get on the big yellow school bus every morning with my red lunchpail in hand, I love stickers (especially "teacher stickers"), and I loved it when one of the staff members, modeling a reward technique we can do with our students, made a positive phone call home to my mom.

It's a good thing I'm a teacher.  When I'm with my kids, I feel right at home.

Some things never change.