Growing Pains

Hey team,

Long time, no chat (which some of you may prefer)

This year has been filled with lots of changes.

Lots of positives....

• Andy and I got married October 20
• We both LOVE our jobs
• My parents bought a new house (AND THERE IS A TRAMPOLINE!!!)
• Andy's parents are renovating their house and it looks amazing!
• Andy began the baseball program at Flat Rock
• Faith took over winter track and is the head women's coach for West Henderson
• We finally got to go on our honeymoon!!

A few negatives...

• We lived in a place too long that was gouging our rent --- don't worry, we found a new place
• My Grandmother passed away right before our wedding
• Andy's Grandmother passed away in May
• Some unhealthy coping mechanisms - such as not checking my email for days
• Other personal drama

And I let all of these positives and negatives affect me. I'm a runner - so I run to get through stress, Last week was the first time I tied up my sneakers since roughly November. I binge watched the show about Carrie Bradshaw. I became a hermit without even realizing.

But I am here now - as annoying as it is - to come back better than ever. No longer will I beg for attention or jump when people say jump. I have learned a lot about myself and even better ways to take care of myself.

I cannot wait to meet my new students in August. I wish it would come sooner.

Until then, Guten Nacht 

Faith

Gratitude and Irish Feelings

Anyone who has known me for a day, a month, the past 23 years knows that:
a. I leave a small tornado of stress wherever I go
b. I have a really hard time expressing my feelings (repress, repress, repress - it's an Irish thing)
c. I like da coffee
d. Care Bears bother me on an emotional level

This year has led to many blessings I do not deserve. However, the past month has really started to take a toll on me. Graduate school has proved to be more difficult than I could have imagined and fulfilling 9,000 commitments (seriously, someone teach me the word no) has led to my well feeling a bit tapped out. 

Last night the indoor track team attended our first meet at Hickory High School. Much stress and drama led up to our first meet (the bus could get us there not home, students were dropping out due to illness and other commitments, the meet's date was changed and unchanged then changed again). I was thrilled to even be on the track. As soon as I arrived, I was given the duty of clerking - as athletes finish the race I had to record times, names, and school affiliations. 

I was in the middle of copying my 55 meter dash results (shaking was making it look like a 7 year old was writing the times) when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It turns out it was one of my athlete's parents bringing me coffee. Which you might think, "Cool. Coffee is nice." Here's the kicker: this particular athlete was not at the meet. Her mother had taken time out of her busy day to bring me coffee and check on me. 

As I looked at the parent, perplexed as to how someone could be so nice, she began to talk to me. She said, "Thank you so much for all you do. I know how tired you are, I know how much you care for my daughter, I know how much you love these kids. I love you because my daughter loves you. You have not only been her teacher, coach, and mentor - but also her older sister. And for that, I cannot thank you enough."

I stuttered to find the words without crying. I just stared at her, doing my best to stay strong, and mumble out a "Thank you." I finally started to express my gratitude and tried to tell her how much her family meant to me. Instead of listening, she smiled and said, "You have work to do," before going to sit in the stands. I was later surprised by another dear friend who has finally moved back to the area (cough, Katelin, cough). 

Our team took home second in the meet so it was a great night to be a Spartan!

As I finally got home to relax and unwind, I thought about the words of the parent. I realized how much gratitude can mean to those around you. Sure I know my kids care, but to hear a parent explicitly tell me how much I meant to their family rocked my world. You can never know how much a "Thank you" will do. Those who are appreciated always do more than expected. 

Please don't read this as "Faith tooting her own horn." That's not at all what I mean by this. Rather, try to take the time out of your day to express your gratitude to someone. Those around you may have their world rocked by two small words. 

An Open Letter to My Students that Survived my First Year

Hi all,

I am currently in the process of finishing up my last few weeks of teaching. We are in exam stress mode and you can feel the heat. I am finally finding time to reflect back on my first year. As you can see from the title, I want to mention a few things I wish I could tell my students. 


The Drama Doesn't Matter
It will all be okay. I promise. I didn't believe it when my mother said it either. Trust me, miraculously, it will be okay that you and what's-his-face did not work out. It will not matter that some girl called you a name. You will probably be best friends again tomorrow. By the same token, your teachers are not here to get involved in your drama. We've been there, done that, got the yearbook. I can promise that if you put half the worry into Math that you put into what you're wearing the movies, you will see results. Enjoy these years, they are so much fun. You will look back and tell your children about all of the shenanigans you performed in high school. So, calm down, don't freak out, and try to have a blast.


Take a Chance
You cannot tell me that you will not succeed if you have not tried. Do you think that Thomas Edison created the light bulb in one try?! No. He didn't. Anything worth having takes some hard work. Do not assume that you cannot do Math. Obviously, you can. You have grown so much this year. You are straight up killin' it. Do not go into your math class next year and assume that you will not be able to keep up with your classmates. Take a chance, apply some effort, and you will be amazed where you can go. Take some chances in the outside world too. Go be a lifeguard (as long as you know how to swim. If you don't know how to swim, please consider a different opportunity). Work hard this summer and come back with so many life skills it's crazy. Have some fun this summer too. Go out on the lake (life jacket if you can't swim) and make new friends. You can never have too many friends. 


I Worked Hard for You
Regardless of popular belief, I want you to succeed. You are all such amazing young people. You will conquer the world and a half. These standardized tests that are judging your growth as a student are crap. If I could shred them all, I would. I taught you what I thought I was supposed to teach you. If it was not on the test, then I am sorry. I have been at school every morning at 6:30 and I don't leave until 4 or 4:30 every afternoon. I have stood and graded your papers at a kitchen counter with friends over. I have been online at 3 in the morning looking up innovative ways to teach limits. I want you to learn to love math. I have had so much fun teaching you. Any time I can jump on desks and lay on the floor to discuss angles of elevation/depression, it is a good day. I want you to understand Math. That is what I am here for. Hopefully I succeeded. 


Thank You
This has been the best year of my life -- professionally and personally. I have grown so much as a teacher. Don't worry, I know that I have much to improve on. In those first few months, I was not sure that I would survive. I called my mother crying about how teaching was not the right career path for me. I emailed my old professor and asked him about coming back to Graduate school. Now, look where we are. I call my mother excited about your two point growth on our NCFEs. I tell my boyfriend about my 1000th marriage proposal. You make me laugh, cry, whine, scream, and lose my mind every day. I appreciate you sticking with me through the times that I was not so good at classroom management and gave you the silent treatment. I am grateful when you point out that I made a mistake on a math problem (although it probably doesn't seem like it). I am so grateful to call you my students.


Obviously, this year was a whirlwind. I cannot believe we are at the end of it. I am finishing my first year of teaching and looking forward to many more. Thank you to all who have stuck with me throughout this year. I could not have survived without you. 

Cheers,
Faith

We Were Made to Thrive

As I begin the post most of you have been waiting on, I am anxious. Many of you have approached me with the saying, 

"I would be tired all the time"

or

"Don't you just want to quit one job and focus on the other?"

Here's the best response I have, 

"Yes I'm tired. But I've been tired for 21 years, so why end a winning streak?"

and

"No. I don't want to quit either job. I love both jobs I have. I absolutely love teaching and Outback has been part of my life for approximately one forever. Both of my jobs are one of the few reasons I'm still sane. Which is strange to say. But it's the truth. I love working all the time. Staying busy is how I can keep my mind working and stay sharp. Plus, I can afford my expensive habits (like Vineyard Vines Clothing)."

That being said, I have truly been overwhelmed at the number of people who are on my team. I cannot count the number of encouraging texts, messages, emails, and phone calls that I have received from people wishing me well. So thank you all. 

My first year of teaching has been so much fun so far. My kids are absolutely hilarious and I love having their different attitudes combined into one classroom. I teach one honors math class and two academic classes. This has given me a wonderful opportunity to get to know students from different backgrounds and understand how they learn. I've discovered hearing, "I DON'T HATE MATH THAT MUCH ANYMORE," makes me very happy. Most of my Math 2 classes absolutely despised math upon entering my classroom. Now, they have math a little less. My Pre-Calculus students have nicknamed me "Fay-Fay" which they shout every time they see me. A few of my students have asked for recommendations for jobs and college applications. It is nice to know that they value my opinion. 

My school has been incredible. The administrators have been overwhelmingly supportive toward me and my fellow beginning teachers. The math department works together on everything and we even try to coordinate giving the same tests. I was not expecting this incredible fellowship and encouragement that I have found at SCHS. Just today, we had a pep rally for "Friday Night Frenzy." The entire school dressed in total pink for support of breast cancer research (since tomorrow night is our "Pink Out" game). It was incredible to see staff and students alike support such a worthy cause. 

Overall, I cannot say enough about how lucky I am to have found a school like South. The staff here is truly amazing and I am met with encouragement at every bump in the road. It is nice to have folks around you who want you to succeed.

As far as the growing-up component of the real world, I now have a little house that I rent. It is the cutest thing since sliced bread and I love it. I am still trying to remember all of the bills I have to pay (which is why auto-pay is AWESOME), but I am enjoying learning how to budget. The biggest thing I forget is food (which is nothing new). I now have a note on my fridge for every Monday that asks me if I remembered to go get groceries. So I will only starve until Monday. 

Also, STRANGER DANGER. I almost attached the poor UPS man a few weeks ago with an apple corer because I was not expecting him. Plus, what UPS man comes at 8:00 p.m. on a Tuesday?! But, he was very kind. I get the feeling it was the first time a young woman attempted to attack him with an apple corer. 

I have not yet found a church family in Lenoir, but I have been trying to keep my with my Faith. I took the K-Love 21 day challenge and have been amazed by how positively I am approaching everything. As many of you saw, I titled this post, "We were made to thrive." And it's true. God makes us so we can succeed doing what makes us happy. The Lord is the only reason I am able to do everything I am doing and continue to do.

I really do appreciate everyone's kindness during the past 10 weeks. I am loving every second of the real world. Although I am overwhelmed, I am so incredibly lucky to have people surround me that truly do care. I know I will get the hang of time management some day. Come visit me at the old Outback one day. I will be happy to see you!

Tschücss!

Faith

Hey Ms. Miller

Howdy howdy,

I know that I have been unable to keep up with this blog throughout my time student teaching, but I figured I'd post as my time comes to an end. Needless to say, upon my return from Germany, I hit the ground running. I have not had much breathing time since February 15, but it has been completely worth it. This has been the craziest time of my life, but God has guided my family and I through it.

During my time student teaching, I taught three variations of Algebra 2. My students are amazing and I cannot imagine doing anything but teaching for my career. The most rewarding part has been getting to know the students. My kids are wonderful and genuinely care about each other. There have been mornings where getting up to my alarm at 5 a.m. might have killed me (or so I thought). Those mornings are when my first period kids walk in and say "Hey Ms. Miller! I drove past Outback last night and thought about you!" or "Every time I hear 'Let it Go' on the radio it reminds me of you." 

It is so easy to get drawn into a negative attitude as an educator. With all of the budget cuts, Common Core craziness, parent interference, and teacher evaluations, it is hard to see the upside to becoming a teacher. However, my students have made my life so much better. I cannot imagine waking up May 8th and not driving to school to teach all day. It was hard enough to give back first period this week. 

I have made so many memories I will never forget this semester. I have discovered my classroom management style and how I want to be seen as an educator. I have messed up many more times than I can count, but I have given my all every day. I hope my students remember me in a positive way and will keep up with me after I've left. I cannot say I made an impact on every student, but I felt as though I changed some of their lives for the better. And that's more than good enough for me. 

Til next time,
Faith

And Then There Was One

Guten tag!

I hope you're enjoying your week! It's almost Friday! Sorry for not posting recently. We've been kind of busy. As I said on my Facebook, please keep my family in your prayers. On Saturday at Sam's Club, my mom was suddenly overwhelmed by extreme pain in her back. Since then the pain has been incredible, allowing for no comfort during her day to day life. She did not teach at school this week per doctors orders. If the pain does not subside by tomorrow, an MRI will occur on Monday. If it does, she will begin physical therapy on Monday. The doctors have said she may be out of school for up to a month. If you know anything about my mother, you know that she loves her students. This will be a very difficult undertaking for the Main Millers. Roo (Elijah) was sent home from school on Tuesday and diagnosed with Strep. He had strep the day I left for Germany, so this is the second time in a month. He returned to school today, so he is hopefully feeling better. Thank you to all who have made meals, watched the boys, taken mom places, and gone above and beyond for our family. You have no idea how much it means to us. 

We have been teaching more and more classes at our schools this week. Although I am not completely used to the way German schools are run, I am getting somewhat better. Our students have a very funny view of America, but they all want to visit NYC or LA someday. When I asked if they wanted to visit NC, they all looked away and said no. :) We are currently working on their story-writing skills since their state exam is only a month and a half away. I am loving every second of it!

Last Friday we went to an art show. Two of our wonderful buddies (Svenja and Svenja) took us to the exhibition put on by PHK. I was amazed when I saw one piece of art that looked remarkably like my thesis. It was called string art, but it looked much more like a tripartite graph to my math mind. On Saturday, Alexis and I spent the day exploring the Karlsruhe palace and parts of the city we had never seen. We also enjoyed pigging out on Burger King. By the way, German fries are way better than American fries. :) 

On Sunday, Svenja graciously agreed to take us to Dachau concentration camp near Munich. We arrived and there was snow on the ground, much like there would have been 70-80 years ago. The entire museum was quite an overwhelming experience. I left and did not really know how to process. I was freezing in my thermal pants and jacket, I cannot imagine what it was like with no shoes and a prison uniform. It is difficult to see the horrors that have occurred in this world. Seeing the concentration camp made me grateful that we live in a day and age in which this will never happen again. There is a memorial on the grounds with the words "never again" etched into it. Hopefully memorials like these can be everywhere there is injustice someday. 

After seeing Dachau, Svenja took us to Munich. We were going to eat at the Hofbrau haus (very famous). However, because of a soccer game, it was a wee bit crowded. Instead we went to another German restaurant and ate some wonderful food! Alexis and I both got the German staple of Brot and kraut while Svenja and her boyfriend got a pig's hip bone (there's a German word for it). The food was fantastic and the company even better. Alexis and myself are so lucky to have these buddies who go above and beyond for us. 

This weekend we head to Paris to see the city of love. I am so excited to eat a gross amount of French food for Jesse. One week from Saturday I will be back in the states, ready to teach some high school math.  Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and encouragement!

Tschüs,

Faith

Blessed

Hello! Or should I say...Bonjour!

I have just gotten back from an amazing day spent in Strasbourg, France. Yesterday I was feeling brave and decided to look up cheap bus tickets. Lo and behold, there was a train that would take me back and forth to France for only 12E. And who am I to ignore a great deal? I spent the rest of last night planning my day away. I was planning to see three museums, four churches, and visit a library for my dear Olivia.

However, plans always change. As I stepped off the bus and found my tram, I was planning on having a week of visits within a six hour time period. Ambitious, yes -- but anyone will tell you I walk too fast for my own good. Since I was by myself, I constantly watched for pickpockets. I'm not sure what I would have done, but I have some cardio-box routines in my arsenal. I stepped off the tram at Langstross and followed the steeple. Finally, I was at the base of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Strasbourg. This church took my breath away. I have never been in such awe. The church was constructed around 1200 and still stands as one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the world. I planned to spend about 20 minutes in the cathedral, but that turned into an hour. The stained glass had such detail. The entire church looked like it was planned by God himself. It was beautiful.

After tearing myself away from the church, I headed towards St. Pierre's. The church is closed during the winter months, but I was able to take some outdoor pictures. Since it was around 12:30, I headed off to a French bistro. I promised my dad that I would eat something French-y while in France. I was not brave enough to try the escargo listed on the menu, but I settled on a quiche that was mind-blowing. I never finish my plate in the states. I was practically licking the plate clean for these people. Plus, it was under 5E and I was stuffed to the gills.

Since my adventures were taking longer than planned, I realized I only had 3 hours left in the city before I had to catch my bus. I decided to go see the Notre-Dame museum. Within this museum, there were stone artifacts dating back to 900 and 1000 AD. There were ornate stained glass depictions of the Christ story, the original top of the cathedral, and so many more artifacts in this beautiful museum. I was distracted for 2 of my 3 hours. With one hour left, I decided to try my very first French beignet. It was a whirlwind of raspberry amazing ness. We should have these in the states. I'm not sure what it is, but they are WAY better than cream-filled donuts. After stuffing my face some more, I decided to just take the city in during my final time.

The amazing thing about Strasbourg is that the city effortlessly unties German and French culture into a beautiful place. Although the city looked like Bavaria, it had the classiness of a French town. I loved every second of my time spent in Strasbourg. I'm ready to go back. :)

Tonight I was able to Skype my wonderful roomies back in the states. It is so wonderful to have a support group to listen to your crazy stories. Even though there were much better things to do on a Saturday afternoon (like sleep), they were willing to bring me up to date on their life. I am just so lucky to have these girls. It is wonderful to see people in the states, even if only through a webcam. I love being able to stay in touch with everyone.

That's all I have for now. Au revoir!

Faith