Student Teaching Starts!

I met my master teacher on Monday of this week. We started Staff Development Days yesterday. I am getting so excited to meet the third graders that will be walking through Mr. C's and my door (I'm even going to have a sign on the door that says, "Mrs. Perdue"- yes!) on September 3rd. Staff Development Days have been interesting. There's a lot I'm learning and excited about. There's also a bit of tedious tasks and discussions that seem pointless. All of the staff have been really welcoming and helpful, and my fears of being the outsider 'new-kid-on-the-block' are quickly dissipating. As I have been sitting in the meetings and trying to take everything in, I keep thinking to myself, "Why did I not do this four years ago!?!?". Well, it may have been something more like three or two and a half years ago, but still... I have really found something that I love, I'm really good at (well, will be eventually :-)), and will provide for my family. I am on information-overload, but one of the biggest things I've seen at these staff in-service days is the importance of parent involvement. My mom always helped in my classes and my parents were always advocates for my education. Not every kid has that. I of course can't give names or full details, but my heart broke when I saw that one student was absent for almost half of the entire school year last year. The notes indicated that the parents were not involved and did not take the child's education seriously. Parent involvement is key. I will be 110% involved in Belle's education. Moreover, I want to try to reach those parents and students that don't understand this crucial element or just don't care. I'm not fully sure how to do this... I have some ideas. I also realize that reaching each and every person is not realistic. I will make a difference in many people's lives.

The Cornelio Circle of Trust

I just love my family. I really do. We are far from perfect, but I feel so blessed to be in the family that I'm in. This post is dedicated to Dad and Shannon.

Last night, we had a birthday party for my dad at my parent's house. We had Karaoke, Texas Hold 'Em, and a lot of good food. It was a blast. I love the 'get-togethers' that happen at my parent's place because there's always awesome food, great people, and good music. As I was looking around at the people that came to the party I was reminded of how many people are woven into my parent's lives, and in turn, my life. My dad and I have not always seen eye to eye, and there's been a lot of misunderstandings between us throughout my childhood and adolescence. However, I am so happy to say that my dad and I now have a good relationship it is so fun to share friends and good times together. Happy Birthday Dad!

In other news, my sister Shannon and I have become a lot closer over the past two years. Shannon came to work at The Shed Shop in August 2006 right before I had Belle and we've had the chance to work together for almost two years. I am so proud of who Shannon is and who she's becoming. I have learned so much more about her past (the years we didn't talk all of the time) and her heart over these two years and will always treasure this season of life we had together. On my last day of work- make that the last couple weeks of work, we both cried a few times and reminisced on how much we've done together. Shannon has so much God-given talent it's almost ridiculous. She has a great memory, learns things really fast, and knows a lot about a lot of things. I am so happy to see her happy and I know that this year is going to be a really special one for Shannon. I'm getting really excited for her and Eddie's wedding this spring... Recycling Shannon's words pertaining to my last day at The Shed Shop, "It will be a day of celebration!"

An Amazing Day

This past Sunday- August 11th, 2008- was an amazing day. I got to see my dear friend, Shaya Kahali, get baptized. It was a bit surreal. I have been praying that Shaya would come to have a personal relationship with God since we were in high school. Shaya shared with the entire Crossroads service that she knows God has been pursuing her for all of these years, she believes that Jesus Christ died for her sins, and that she wants to have a relationship with God from now through eternity. While Shaya was sharing, I had one of those smiles that made my mouth feel like it was going to rip. Simultaneously, I had tears welling in my eyes and thought I was going to start bawling hysterically with overwhelming joy a few times.

When I got home after the baptisms on Sunday, I resurrected some of my old journals and found prayers for Shaya's life dating back to my early college days. God is truly incredible. He answers prayer. He uses the most unlikely situations and times to remind us of His faithfulness. After more than 10 years for praying for Shaya, I have seen God do awesome things in her life. Sunday was an amazing day-- one of the best days of my life.

Meet Mrs. Perdue

The time has come...I am going to be a teacher. I will really be Mrs. Perdue. I am still semi-crossing my fingers that I will get an internship (a.k.a. a paid job versus being some other teacher's indentured servant), although I am simply excited to get into the classroom. Right now, I'm slated to student teach 3rd grade at an elementary school in northern Fremont and then either Kindergarten or 1st grade at an elementary school in the Mission district of Fremont. After that, I'll have my credential and will be an official teacher in the beautiful State of California.

When I went to get my undergrad at UCSB, I had no idea what I wanted to do job-wise. For awhile, I thought I wanted to be an accountant and so I majored in Business Economics and Communication. I loved my time in college. I met amazing friends, and fell more in love with Jesus. I did not, however, figure out what job would suit me best. Jackson and I met right after college, and I knew immediately that my priorities were (1) God, (2) Jackson, and then (3) Job. I quit my crazy commute/work overtime-all-the-time job with the promise of high pay to keep those priorities true to real life. I have officially been working at The Shed Shop (5 minute commute, 8:30-5 not-so-much-overtime) for four years. I've learned a lot in the past four years. I will save my pearls of wisdom for a future post, but I will say now that I am so happy that I am able to enter the teaching world this fall. I love teaching. I have yet to be a classroom for a full semester (well, more than one day a week), but I know it's what I am supposed to do. Next to God and my wonderful family, I truly believe that I am meant to be a teacher. I love working with kids, I'm super organized, and love learning. I am even more ecstatic that Jackson is going to be a teacher, too. This year will be rough. One of us or both of us may not have a full time position (paid job). We'll both be finishing class work and jumping through the hoops of being the 'newbie' teacher. Regardless of how tough it will be, we both can now see light at the end of the tunnel. Summers together as a family... Janelle not working every Saturday... Doing something that we're passionate about and love... Being home earlier in the evening...Having a pretty good salary and retirement situation... On July 10, 2004 I became Mrs. Perdue. Now, I'll be hearing that title more often!

I get 16 more years!

I can't believe that Belle is going to be 2 years old this October (actually in exactly 2 months today). I can't. In the same breath, I can't remember not having Belle in my life. She is a treasure. She has brought more joy to Jackson's and my life than we can begin to convey. Today, Jackson emailed me an article with a simple warning stating, "Read this and you will cry". He was right. I did cry.

The article is written by a mother whose daughter has just gone to college. She talks about how she misses her daughter, things will never be the same, and that she has had the privilege to pray for, live with, and enjoy her daughter for the time that God granted (18 years in her case). After I shed my tears, I felt happy because I still have 16 years of wonderful experiences with my sweet baby girl. Also, I have 2 whole months until she's a 2 years old! Here's the article:
https://internetmonk.com/archive/58612