Last Day of Student Teaching with my 3rd graders

This has been a very emotional day for me. I knew it would be extremely hard to say goodbye to these wonderful third graders that have impacted my life in so many ways. When I walked into the classroom this morning, I had a present and a book waiting on my table. My mentor teacher gave me a pink and green lunchbox and notepad for next year. My third graders made me a book and each of them wrote me a letter on how I have impacted their lives this semester. It means the world to me that my platform had such a big impact on their lives through some of the letters they wrote me about "EveryONE Counts". Here are a few of my letters they wrote me from my book they made me. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! 

EveryONE Counts!

EveryONE Counts!

Today, I had the opportunity to speak to my 3rd grade students that I have been student teaching all semester about my platform! The students haven't seen me with my crown on, so at the end of the day when I put on my crown they asked me if I was a princess! I explained to the students that I hold the title Greater Miss Camden and that I will be competing at Miss Arkansas this summer. I explained to students that my job is to educate and speak to children and adults about my platform, "EveryONE Counts". They were so excited and eager to learn more about how to make everyone feel like they matter each and every single day. We talked about disabilities, mental and physical differences, and about bullying. By the end of the lesson, the students quickly realized they had more in common with their own classmates than they thought. They all shared personal experiences and different ways they can help others. They all received an "EveryONE Counts" bracelet and pledged to make a difference. So now their bracelet reminds them to make everyone feel like they matter every single day because EveryONE Counts!!!

Passing out their EveryONE Counts Bracelets

1,2,3... EVERYONE COUNTS!

Bracelets

They loved their bracelets!

Who Counts??? ....EVERYONE COUNTS!!

Friends since kindergarten!

During my Spring Break I went home for a few days and had the chance to eat lunch with a good friend! Her name is Emily and we have been friends since kindergarten. We also went to an Aaron Carter and Dream Street concert together when we were in the 6th grade. Even though we are older now, we still like to sing to Dream Street every time we ride in a vehicle together!

Kappa Delta Pi

I was inducted tonight into an International Honor Society for education majors. Kappa Delta Pi is only open to twenty percent of those entering the education field. I feel very honored to be selected on my scholarly achievement to Kappa Delta Pi as an Early Childhood Education major at the University of Central Arkansas. Below are some pictures from the induction ceremony!

 

My induction certificate with my name on it! 

My best friend, Danika, and me after the ceremony 

Three early childhood education majors 

Receiving my Certificates

Trey Throws the First Pitch!

Trey Hickey that has been battling leukemia got to come and throw the first pitch at the UCA Baseball game on March 4, 2012. 

Miss Greater Camden

On February 25th I was crowned as Miss Greater Camden! It's such a honor to represent my hometown and give back to the community where I have so many wonderful memories! I plan on educating our youth and public more about children with disabilities and my platform "EveryONE Counts". This summer I will be competing in Miss Arkansas in July and I'm so excited! Here are some pictures from the pageant and my new little sister queen that will also be competing in Miss Arkansas' Outstanding Teen. I'm extremely blessed and look forward to this exciting journey!

It's the little things we do for others!

Today I was looking around Best Buy and I saw a little boy in a wheel chair playing the Wii. I casually walked by him and noticed he was playing Mario Brothers. His dad was busy looking for something and he yelled "Dad, whats Mario saying on this game?" (text was popping up on the screen that he couldn't read yet on the game) I automatically started reading what Mario was saying and he just looked up at me and smiled! Then his dad came up and helped him with the rest of the game. It's the little things we do for others that mean the most in life. I love helping children, even if it is something as small as this! It makes my day to know that I could help a child in some way!