District 20 offers an amazing and unique opportunity just for 4th graders in the district. It is called the School in the Woods and it is a school only for the fourth grade. It is held in a nearby forest. The kids basically still do math, reading, writing, science, but the also get to do so much more. They spend most of their day exploring the outdoors. They have archery, weather stations, astronomy, gardens, etc. They even get to go on an overnight camping trip in August. It is such a neat school. The school only accepts 78 students each year. You have to fill out an application and then wait to hear if your child gets in. Ashlyn wanted to apply, but we explained to her due to the popularity she was not likely to get in. We were all ecstatic when we heard she had gotten in! We went to a meeting this Saturday and got to see the school. It is so incredible. Ashlyn is a little nervous as she doesn't know anyone, but I know she will quickly make friends and will have an absolutely unforgettable 4th grade year. Ashlyn will go The School in the Woods for the 4th grade, and then she will go back to her elementary school for 5th grade. I will hopefully be doing lots of updating this year with her adventures at her new school!
I am taking on a new school adventure as well . I am doing something I absolutely never thought I would do: I am going back to school! For the last three years I have been working as a reading tutor to kids who are significantly behind in reading. I absolutely love my job and I can say it is one of the most rewarding experiences ever. I have become absolutely passionate about teaching reading. Most days I can't believe I get paid to do what I do. I love my kids, but most of them really, really struggle with reading. We work hard and I have taken a lot of training on reading. I still have these kids each year that reading just does not click with them. I have often suspected dyslexia with most of them . Unfortunately, dyslexia is an area where so little is done in public schools. Legislation is hopefully changing and these kids will get the specialized training they so desperately need. To truly help a dyslexic student, a great deal of highly specialized training is needed and there are so few teachers and therapists who have been trained.
I received an email at work this year about a program that Colorado College offers that deals with becoming a licensed reading interventionist focusing on dyslexia. I was immediately intrigued and decided to attend the required informational meeting. I learned a great deal at that meeting and knew immediately that I needed to be a part of this cutting edge program. Yet, I still wasn't sure if I wanted to go back to school. I decided I would just apply and see what happened. I quickly had to get together my application, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. About a month later, I received the letter that I had gotten in. I was very happy and knew that this was a sign that I needed to be part of this incredible program. I truly feel like this is my calling in life.
I will attend school for the first 3 weeks of June. I will attend workshops throughout the school year, then go back to class next summer. The program is three years long and in the end I will receive another master's degree along with a lot of accreditations in reading instruction. It is a great program because the bulk of it occurs during the summer, so I can still tutor during the year. I am nervous, yet so very excited for this new adventure in life. I am really hoping it opens a lot of doors for me. Most importantly, I am hoping to really change more kids lives. Life is about to get super crazy and busy for me, but I am ready for the challenge. Plus, I am a nerd and love to learn so I am super excited to learn everything there is to know about reading. I know this is what I need to be doing and I am very happy about that.
I really feel like we have had an abundance of blessings lately. I am so thankful and grateful for them all.
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| Ashlyn at her new school |
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| The outdoor classroom where some classes are held. How cool is that? |
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| Such incredible surroundings |
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