Updates

First off-
I am happy to say that it is the weekend-I am ready for my nap at around 2:30 : ). I have been busy this week with many appointments with local schools and agencies. I have learned quite a bit about my community and it is helping me relate my degree with what other professional are doing with theirs.

I met up with the health teacher, social worker,school counselor and the home economic teacher at a local middle school. The health teacher was very informative on the amount of information that she presented to her class. She teaches comprehensive material while adding the influence of abstinence into her curriculum. I believe that this is necessary because due to the law children are not allowed to participate in sex and it is "illegal" until they are 16. I also think that it is important to instill abstinence while giving them options for various life choices. She also stressed to me that her passion was to encourage confidence in her students and to teach them dynamics on healthy relationships. I will be observing the class later next week and will take some notes on her teaching styles. I was very impressed to say the least and it gave me more of insight of how the public schools go about teaching human sexuality.

The counselor is a phenomenal lady at this school and she truly has been one of my favorites since I have known her. She has given me the opportunity to help lead weekly discussions on their anti-bullying segment with their students at the middle school. I get weekly topics to discuss with them and I get to freely choose how I would like to deliver the message. I am just so thankful to be a part of this because it is what I want to do in the future! Being able to get out there and teach a variety of people and students is truly a blessing and it is my future in the making.

The social worker has given me advice on the field of counseling/therapy. She gave me information that I will forever keep with me in mind when I am getting my education in Marriage and Family Therapy. I learned quite a bit when we met and she has dealt with many situations and issues that everyone is facing today. It was great to see the different kinds of work that she has to do in the local school and it is an inspiration!

The home economic teacher gives a class on caregiving and she had asked me to put a panel together for teen pregnancy. This can be a challenge because I have to research some individuals and ask if they are comfortable with sharing their experience when having to take care of baby while at a young age. She also asked me to maybe teach a segment of healthy relationships to her class as well. I told her that I would have to sit in and observe to see how the class is arranged but it is such a great opportunity to be a part of!

I finally decided on the school that I will be attending. It was difficult to ponder but with the past week, with the individuals that I surround myself with I have decided to leave my hometown and to venture to Friends University. It was a long process with 2 school visists, transcripts, a 14 page essay, 5 rec letters and the final interview for me to KNOW that this is where I BELONG.

So thats everything updated. Now I am impatiently waiting for graduation and the end of summer to start my new life. ; )