1. What grade (and in which school) will you be teaching? I will be teaching 4th grade at Foothills Elementary in Salem, Ut.
2. What is your favorite children's book? It’s hard to pick just one. The first chapter books I read to my oldest son were the Deltora Quest books by Emily Rhoda. My son was in second grade, he is 16 now. I asked if I could take the books for my classroom library, he said only if he gets them back. They are still his favorite books and mine also because we share memories together. One of my favorite picture books is No Matter What by Debi Gliori. When my nephews were 7 and 6 they came here from Germany to visit their dad, my brother. My brother left them with me so he could go to California to meet his new girlfriend’s family. I could tell the boys were scared, confused and home sick. Every night we cuddled up on the couch and I read them this book. Then we would talk about how their mom could see the same moon and stars they were looking at and that she loved and missed them very much. These boys are now 17 and 16. I will always have fond memories of that summer and our time on the couch with books.
3. If you watch TV, what shows do you most enjoy? I hate to admit it but I am a T.V junkie. I watch as much T.V as I read. There are so many shows I really enjoy but if I had to choose just one it would probably be Gilmore Girls. After 7 seasons it is now in reruns. I think it is the one show that I have seen each episode about 3 or 4 times. I just ordered all 7 seasons on DVD, my mother’s day gift to myself. I love the show because of the relationship between the mothers and daughters in the show.
4. What movie affected you enough that you'd be willing to see it again? I have seen Pride and Prejudice over 20 times but it has to be the A&E version with Collin Firth. Not just because he is cute but because of all the versions I have seen this one sticks most true to the book. I love the development of the characters in the story and I enjoy the acting. Right before the birth of my last child I bought the videos, there are 6 that are about 45 minutes each. Any time the baby needed to nurse I would pop one in. Each one was the perfect amount of time for a nursing session. I am so familiar with the move now that I will put one in when I am cleaning and just need some back ground noise.
5. What are you really good at? I am a great cook. I love trying new recipes and making up my own. I just hate cleaning up after words.
6. What is a talent you wish you had? I wish I could play the piano, but it is never too late. I also wish I could find great bargains at garage sales and turn somebody else’s old junk into something beautiful.
7. Tell me your background in sports and/or athletics. I never really liked or did sports in school, a matter of fact I would try and find ways to get out of PE. But I enjoyed playing basketball, softball and volleyball on my church team. Today I still like playing those same sports with my family, along with badminton. I teach a water aerobics class and an Aqua Zumba class at the Springville City Pool. I am also certified to teach Zumba and ZumbaTomics but I have never taught these classes. When I have time I like to take Zumba classes from other people. I also enjoy walking and hiking but not running.
8. Tell me your background in visual arts, dance & drama. When I was in elementary I loved my art class. Recently I went through an old box and found some of my projects, I was pretty good, but this was a talent I didn’t nurture so I no longer have any artistic abilities. I do encourage my children to develop their talents in art. All 3 of them are very talented but youngest is amazing. I have taken dance lessons from the time I was in 4th grade until I got married at the age of 24. I was on the Ballroom dance team at Ricks College and then after my mission I was on the Folk dance team at Weber State. Dance is a part of my very sole. The first play I ever auditioned for was Oliver Twist when I was in 7th grade and never stopped I was in every play and musical from 7th – 12th grades. I loved being on stage. I haven’t done it for so long I don’t know if I have a talent for it any longer or not. When I am done with school and have the next Praxis out of the way I want to try out for Payson city’s yearly musical.
9. What is your musical background? (Lessons? Singing? Instrument? Read music? Enjoy listening to music? What kinds?) I started to learn to play the violin when I was in 4th grade but by 6th I dropped it because orchestra was during lunch recess and I wanted to go outside and play. In 7th grade I started playing the flute. I played the flute until the summer before 10th grade. That’s when we were required to be in marching band. Every day in the summer we had to go to the school to learn to march and do our formations. Have you ever been to Iowa in July? It is hot, humid and miserable. I dropped it and tried out for show choir instead. I have always been in choir. The first time I ever sang a solo was in 6th grade. Our music teacher had a talent show at the end of the school year. The first and second place winners from each class then performed at the end of the year awards assembly. I was one of them. I continued choir all the way through third semester of college, the first time around. I have been in regular choirs, show choirs, and treble choirs. My junior year of high school I started competing in pageants so I took some private voice lessons. Even with all this music back ground I struggle to read music. I was just released as our ward choir director. Very few people came to choir and rumors got back to me that it was because the director was me and they didn’t feel like I could do a good enough job. The week after I was released the choir doubled. It really hurt my feelings. Even though I love to sing I am struggling with even wanting to go to church choir any more.
I love to listen to all genres of music. On my IPod I have everything from rock to pop to country, to classical, big band, Latin, African and music from India. I love music and I plan on making it a part of my classroom.
10. What would you be doing this summer, if you were not going to be an intern? I started back to school the summer of 2009 and have been going full time ever since. I don’t remember what life was like before summer school. I think I would get my flower beds and garden under control again. They look terrible. I would also deep clean the house including cleaning out all the closets, drawers and cupboards. I would also repaint all the rooms, but most of all I would spend as much time with my kids as possible. You know you have been too busy when your kid’s share their Christmas lists with you on Google docs because you are on our computer so much that’s the only way they know you will see it. You also know you are too busy when your youngest tries to get you to read with her by saying “Mom will you practice your running records on me tonight.” My oldest son graduates from high school the same time I graduate from college. I have told the kids we will take a big family vacation next summer.
11. What would you like me to know about you that I haven't asked? I use to speak fluent French. I still speak it just not fluently. Once or twice a year my husband and I take the kids to Temple Square in Salt Lake. I enjoy finding the French speaking missionaries and striking up a conversation. I plan on incorporating some French and also some simple Spanish into my classroom routine.
Lisa, it is fun to read about you. I can hear your own, unique voice in your writing. I was touched by how books and reading them with children made such a difference for all of you. Your description of how life as a mother has had to blend with your life as a student. I know that journey well. It sounds like you are handling it wonderfully! Two of my daughters had the opportunity to learn a little bit of French in their elementary school years. They loved it, and still some up with a phrase now and then. Thanks for sharing! 4 points
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