About me

My name is Christie and I finally committed to getting my second degree. I grew up in Nampa and came to BSU right after high school. I loved my art classes, so I pursued a B.F.A. in art metals and sculpture. Everything was great, my classes were amazing, and I enjoyed the whole experience. I graduated in December 2005, went to Hawaii for a week in January, and came back to the exact same life I had before my degree. I got into a show here and there, but I wasn't really interested in a career as an artist. I liked the process of making art more than the task of finding and entering shows to make a name for myself in the art community. After I realized that, I needed a new goal so I committed myself to earning enough money to go to Australia for four months with my roommate. I focused my attention on that goal and I achieved it. Australia was amazing, but when I returned I was in the same position as before-a degree in hand but no real direction.

During my first degree I had given thought to changing my major to elementary art education, but jobs as art teachers are few and far between and it seems to be one of the first places funding is cut. I started thinking about teaching again last year because I always end up being the trainer wherever I work. I easily understand what is expected of me and I'm able to communicate that to new people in a clear and direct way. I love helping people succeed and seeing that "aha" moment in them, so why not do it for a career?

I spent time last semester in a first grade classroom and in a fifth grade classroom. I would love to focus on the younger grades because reading is such an important element of their education. I love to read and I think the process of teaching kids to read is fascinating. They get such enjoyment and pride out of being able to read things for themselves. My first couple years in elementary I had fantastic teachers who encouraged and inspired me to want to read well. Reading is a very important part of life, and I would like to pass that on to my students.

As for some background information, I am a stressed out disaster. I got married in May in Hawaii, which was relaxing and wonderful. I have a reception soon which I still have to plan for, I'm taking four summer classes, and I'm working about 30 hours a week. I still love to have fun and be outdoors when at all possible. I enjoy hiking, camping, rock climbing, knitting, sewing, and relaxing. I plan on doing all of these things in the two weeks between the end of my summer classes and the beginning of fall classes. I will graduate in May 2010 and have three months of glorious freedom before returning to my current state of a stressed out disaster as a first year teacher.