Hello everyone,

This is what we have been waiting for all semester long, which is finals week.

I have two final exams this Tuesday. My physical geology exam is going to be held in the HBT building, instead of the MSC building since the construction workers need to work on that building. It will be interesting taking an exam in a different classroom and building. The rock exam should good pretty well for myself and I'm wanting to end up with an 'A' or 'B' in the class as my final grade. I have enjoyed learning about various things about rocks, and other things like volcanoes, types of quartz, completing lab packets, going on a field trip, taking exams, and taking the class with a friend and fellow Phi Theta Kappa member all made it for an interesting class.

My math final I'm not really looking forward to. I've done everything that I can this semester to help ensure that I'll get at least a 'C' in the class, but it looks like I'll have to re-take it again. But that's ok, since math is my weakness subject and having a learning difference in math makes learning, understanding, and mastering the subject difficult for me. 

My goal is to graduate in 2013 and to have a gpa that I can be proud of. Even if I can't apply for the Jack Kent Cook Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, at least I can be aware of that scholarship. 

I'm not sure if I will attend the pancake breakfast final event on Monday. If I do go, it will be a first time event for me. I'll be sure to bring my study materials for studying for the two finals that I have, and try to visit with people that I know as well.

It has been a great experience being able to be an ECC blogger this year. I'd like to say thank you to both Dr. Katie Storey and Ambeth Maurer for allowing me to have another year of blogging, I have really enjoyed being able to share my experience as an ECC student with other ECC students.

Have a great week and best of luck with your final exams.

Hello everyone,

This semester has really flown by. It's one more week of the semester before finals week. I have not attended the pancake breakfast since I've been a student at ECC but I might consider attending it before I graduate & transfer from ECC.

I have enjoyed my physical geology(GEO 112) class this semester. I've learned a lot about rocks that I didn't know before I took the class. I had to go on a required field trip as part of the class, and I did enjoy myself on the trip and got to see some neat rocks. I'm pretty sure that I'll get an 'A' or 'B' for my final grade in the class.

I have not enjoyed taking math 097 this semester. This class has been a difficult course for myself. I've asked my instructor on what I can do, I've gotten help from other students, I've gone to the tutoring center, and completed all the extra credit possible. My goal is to get a 'C' in math 097 since math is my weakness subject and that even though i have a learning difference in math I don't let that stop me from working hard to pass math.

One I pass math 97, I can math 110 in the fall & math 113 in the spring. I need to take two math classes so I can complete my AA degree requirements and get the teaching classes completed. Once I have completed both math 110 & math 113 then I am done with taking college level math classes for both the associate & bachelor's degree levels.

Later on I'll work towards obtaining a master's degree in education.

Have a great day everyone.

Hello everyone,

I've had a wonderful time in Nashville, TN for the Phi Theta Kappa annual conferce. I can't wait to attend the conference next year at San Jose, CA.

I'm trying to decide which two schools I should transfer to once I'm completed my associate degree to complete my bachelor's degree.  I've been able to narrow down my transfer schools from eight to two, they are NIU & Roosevelt. The reason why I've decided between those two is that, 1. they are both close to home. 2. They have strong programs for being a special education major 3. The teacher education programs are NCATE accredicated. 4. They are well priced. 5. I feel like I could get a good education at either school. 6. They both offer the aproval in early childhood special education, which I need to have if I want to be able to teach early childhood education special needs students in a public school setting. 

I've been so focused on wanting to transfer to NIU that I might end up transfering there but it's always good to have another school to look at as well. I'm pretty sure that I'll apply to both NIU & Roosevelt when I get ready to transfer. I'm going to list both schools on my FASFA form.

I think that where I end up transfering to could be based on which shcool gives me more money to attend the campus. 

The end of the semster is upon us. I've enjoyed taking GLY 112 this semester. I've learned quite a bit about rocks that I didn't know before I took the class. i'm sure that I'll get up with an 'A' or 'B' as a final grade and will have completed the lab & physical science requirement.

My math class is another story. I've done everything that I can to pass the class with a 'C'. I've gone to the tutoring center for help, I've gotten help from fellow students, I've spoken to my instuctor on what I can do & I've asked for extra credit chances. I'm hoping to get that 'C' in math 97 so that I can take math 110 in the fall & then math 113 in the spring.

I still have to take the TAP test; it used to be called the basic skills test. It's a state requirement that I pass the test to get into the college of education. Then later on I'll have to take more exams to get my teaching lincese.

My goal is to complete the AA degree & graduate in spring 2013. That way when I attend the Phi Theta Kappa annual convenction in the spring, it's a graduation present to me. I'd transfer to a four year school to complete a bachelor's degree in special education in the fall 2013.

Once my bachelor's degree is completed, I'd look for work as a special education teacher at the pre K though third grade level.

I'll get a master's degree in education later on but I'd like for where ever I'm working at to help pay for it.

I've been thinking if I'd like to work in high education but I don't think that field would be a good fit for myself, even though I do know quite a bit of some aspects of the field.

Once I become an alumi of Phi Theta Kappa, I'll still find ways to help give back to the honor society which has given me so much. Maybe one day I'll make a planned gift,  or start a scholarship, but I could end up doing all two of those things. To myself my Phi Theta Kappa membership has meant so much to me that I'm truly grateful for being given the chance to become a member of the honor society, that I feel it's fitting that I help out the honor society in some small way. Maybe one day I'll be able to make a visit to Phi Theta Kappa HQ one day that would be nice.

Have a great weekend.

Have an awesome day of awesomeness.

Hello everyone,

This week I had the pleasure of listening to some ECC students on a pannel give a talk about diversity and why it is important to be aware of what is going on your community, state, and in the world. I thought that what the students had to say was good to hear and it made me think about how I can get even more involved with my school community, the community in which I live in, and how I can help out other people on a global scale.

In other news, I made this week's Phi Theta Kappa wall of fame. Thank You to the Rho Kappa officers for the nomatation, it means a lot to me. Thank You for taking the time to include my story in the latest Scatter Kindness newsletter and giving me a peace, love, Phi Theta Kappa sticker and a Phi Theta Kappa pen. I didn't own those items from the PTK store yet.

i had a blast with Rho Kappa last weekend, visiting Nashville, TN. It was really fun being able to spend time in a new city at my 2nd international conference. I was able to meet author, Isa Adney and get a signed copy of her book, "Community College Success". She was interested in hearing my experiences with being a member of Phi Theta Kappa. I also discovered that Nutella makes for a really good sandwich along with peanut butter or jelly.

The educational forms and being able to see members from other chapters from the U.S. and around the world was great. My highlights of the trip was being able to see and meet the 2011-2012 International Officer team, listening to Dr. Katie Storey give a presentation about how to use technology like google docs to help make member meetings better, and being able to see  a cool picture of Michael Storey & Dr. Rod Risley (the excutive director;which is basically the CEO) wear the same pair of shoes during the Hallmark Gala event. If you want to hear the Dr. Rod Risley shoe story, you should go to an international conference. The story is a really interesting one & I never get tired of hearing it. 

Thank You to everyone that came to Nashville, TN last weekend. I hope that y'all had as much fun as I did. I hope to see you come next year to San Jose, Califorina. I can't wait to go to San Jose, California next year for the next international conference. Maybe I'll get a chance to learn to surf or swim in an ocean while I'm out there.

If you get a chance to travel with an ECC club or group, please take the chance, and go traveling with ECC. You will have so much fun traveling and being able to meet new people and make friends. Plus another reason why it's good to travel while you attend ECC is that  chances are that you might be busy when you get to the university or college for your bachelor's degree and won't have time to do any traveling.

Have an awesome day of awesomeness.

Hello everyone,

It's saturday and I'm in Nashville, TN for the Phi Theta Kappa annual conference this weekend.

I'm enjoying my time at the conference and it's been great to travel with my chapter. I really enjoy attending the general sessions and seeing all of the other fellow phi theta kappa members. 

I purchased the book, 'Community College Success' by Isa Adney who happens to be a first generation college student, an alum of Phi Theta Kappa, and a winner of the Jack Kent Cook Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

I was able to share with Isa a little bit of my story of attending community college & being a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She was kind enough to sign my copy of her book and let me have a neat glow in the dark wristband. Isa has a blog were she writes articles about how to be successful in community college, and gives encouragement to current community college students. Thank You Isa for coming to Nashville, it was great to meet you.

I also have enjoyed meeting the 2011-2012 International Officers; Danielle & Esteban. I didn't get to meet Sarah and Tameka who were also IO. I have seen another IO quite a bit & gotten hugs from him.
I did get to see Dr. Rod Risley the excutive director (which is basically the CEO) of Phi Theta Kapa in person. But I didn't get a chance to meet him yet. Hopefully one day I can meet him and visit Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters in Jackson, MS. 

If you have the chance to attend a Phi Theta Kappa annual convenction, please go. It is a wonderful experience & you get to see and learn so much from your fellow Phi Theta Kappa members and from the staff that works hard to put educational forms together. 

I've gone to Seattle last year & now Nashville this year. Next year I will go to California.

I am very grateful for being able to attend 2 annual convenctions with my chapter and I will miss being able to travel with Rho Kappa once I'm an alumi of Phi Theta Kappa.

have a great weekend everyone. 

 Hello,

Today is Tuesday. I get to blog today since I'll be in Nashville, TN for the Phi Theta Kappa annual convenction this Saturday.

I'm going to the 94th annual Phi Theta Kappa international convenction this Wed-Sunday in Nashville, TN. I'm really excited to go to my 2nd international conference. I went to Seattle, WA last year and had a great time. I'm really looking forward to seeing new things, meetings lots of new people, seeing people that I saw last year, being able to vote for the 5 new international officers,  eating yummy food, learning alot at the educatioan forms that I get to attend, spending time in a new city and having fun with my chapter, Rho Kappa.

The educational form that I'm most excited about is the one for competive edge members & the form has to do with a total money makeover. After that form is over with there is a networking oppuinity with Phi Theta Kappa headquarters staff, the presentor and the current International Officer Team.

We leave for Nashville early tommorrow morning and we are driving.
I'm most likely going to sleep on the drive there but will probably be talking on way back to Illinois on Sunday.

I'm really grateful for the oppunity to travel with Rho Kappa and I will be taking lots of pictures and doing a follow up blog once I return.

Hello everyone,

I want to let you know that April is national autism awareness month. 

The Centers of Disease Controll(CDC), says that autism now affects 

1 in 88 children in the U.S. The CDC stated that in 2007, autism affected 1in 150 kids.

 I think that while autism awareness is important, that April should be autism action awareness month. The reason why I think that is because action can get people donate money to autism research. To myself the reason  why that autism awareness is so important is because I have worked with young children who have various forms of autism ranging from mild, moderate to severe autism at a summer camp for preschool children who have special needs. There were also children at the summer day camp that had other types of disabilities. I had a great experience at the summer day camp and it was what started my goal of wanting to become a special education teacher.

I wish that more people would be willing to donate money to autism research.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.