Online Communities Post I- Groups I Have Joined!

I joined: http://www.teachade.com/.  

Within this website, I joined the group called MindUp.  I picked this group because it presented work in areas which I have not before interacted, such as: research in "cognitive neuroscience, evidence-based classroom pedagogy" and SEL which is social and emotional learning and presents teachers with methods and strategies of implementing "positive psychology."  Their aim is to develop emotional balance and cultivate well-being within the life of the student that will have long-term results in regards to the functions of the brain and emotional outcomes.  This group also introduced me to the entity of CASEL, which is Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning.  I feel all of these things are important for educators, because as such, we are not simply in a classroom to present facts and encourage creative thinking, but we are - along with the Holy Spirit-  also in the lives of each student to produce life-change.
On the more "hands-on" side, this site is lousy with resources.  That is winning!

I joined www.proteacher.net

I have read several threads of conversations posted by "Future Teachers" like me and also from seasoned educators.  There are many threads of conversations and several groups that I cannot wait to get into!  Upon initial interaction with this website, I have read through posts from those who are about to enter into their internship (which is fast-approaching for myself), from those who are needing help during their Masters program (which I am likewise looking into and have been for quite some time), and posts from those who have ideas on how to better incorporate multicultural education, taking the "us and the "them" aspect of a culturally-diverse classroom and creating a unit of students who see themselves as a WE classroom. 
So far I have joined the groups Miltiage Classrooms, Early Childhood Study Group, and International Teachers.

!_CONGRATULATIONS_!

You have found my blog!  The stars aligned just perfectly, the good Lord set destiny in motion, and YOU, my friend,  are in for a ride.  ;)   

    As E.E. Cummings wrote, "I believe that 'yes' is the only living thing."  

 Live life vibrantly and embrace what is before you and innovate what has yet to come about in your life. Be an active member of what God has given to you!  

  I graduated from Family of Faith high school in 2010 as valedictorian. 
  I currently attend Family of Faith College and am in my fourth of five years
 working towards a BA in Ministry and a BA in Education.  

I leave the country often and teach abroad in the summers between school semesters.
  My heart lies in missions and in teaching in different countries. 

     I love God and people and desire that every person know that Jesus came for them and 
     that they ARE important, 
     that they do have PURPOSE, and 
     that they are WANTED.

I enjoy the sunrise and the sunset, especially from the window seat of a plane, from the beach of an ocean, or from the top of a mountain.  God has blessed me with His never-ending love that is felt every day.  Things I enjoy are: traveling, drinking coffee, and laughing, especially with good friends. 

I am unsatisfied staying in one place so luckily I serve a God who uses His people and takes them everywhere!

Some of my best friends and some Japanese students I taught in the summer of 2013!