Tuesday, August 3, 2010

A New Adventure

I have a confession.

I love to teach. Absolutely love it. I love the preparation. I love the challenge of defining and refining a topic, creating something new and personal from the information I find.

Most of all, I love teaching others what I've learned. I love seeing the light in their eyes when they hear something new. I love watching them jot down insight and knowledge. I LOVE it.

I'm weird, I know.
Most people freak out when they're asked to teach a class. Not me.

Until now.

I was just asked to teach an adult Institute of Religion class every Thursday from 9-10:30. That's right. Ninety minutes every week. Do you know how much preparation time that is? What a commitment that is?  The idea is overwhelming.

It wouldn't be true if I said I wasn't excited about this new challenge. All the new cool things I'll be learning. All the books and knowledge and nuggets of wisdom out there, waiting for me to discover.

I am currently petitioning to get a nursery provided for this class. But those in charge don't know if there's going to be enough demand to warrant the headache that accompanies a nursery. My question is this: For those of you living in the area with preschool-age kids, would you attend this religion class? Would you use the nursery? Do you know anyone else who would need nursery? And would you be willing to work in a co-op nursery a few times?

I feel really strongly about this. Drop me a note and let me know.
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14 comments:

  1. It's absolutely clear that you get your love of teaching from your Dad and not from me.

    You have to have a nursery... I hope it works out.

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  2. How can I learn this from you? I love the preparing and learning, and the actual teaching isn't too bad, it's the countdown that kills me everytime. I dread it so much-I need lessons from you on that!

    Can't help with the nursery dilemma-I'm right with you that it's essential, but am not in the target demographic for the question. What are you planning to do with your sweet Eve during class?

    I'll watch her as long as I can still come to class :)

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  3. First, who I am... I've been blog stalking you for a while now, I found you either through the Wests or Crandalls (yes, I'm a 12th warder) I've just never commented because I feel weird leaving comments when I don't have a blog for you to come check me out. Anyways, Yes, please, please please get a nursery. How can stay at home mommies come without a nursery?! I would totally do a co-op with the other mom's being in the nursery. I've got a 4 yr old and a 4 month old and I want to go to an institute class!

    Now totally random...I love beets too! :) Yes, I've been stalking you that long!

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  4. First, let me say that you are an incredible teacher, Jenny. One of the only things I was the teensiest bit sad about when I got called into Nursery is that I would miss your Relief Society lessons. :)

    And I'm not a Mom, but I'm thinking now, a couple years down the road, I definitely would be interested in helping out at a Nursery so that other moms could learn. That's one of the ways women can strengthen each other in the gospel, isn't it? Heck, I'd love to help out now if I could. Nursery is the best calling in the world. :)

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  5. Not in the demographic, your area, even your country - just wanted to say that this is a wonderful opportunity - you can do it! My experience in adult ed was 2 X prep to 1 class. The second part of this wonderful opportunity is the possibility of making a difference for the young mums who might not be able to attend without childcare. Not everyone has a grandma/nanny/neighbour who can help out, but everyone should have a chance to attend if they really want to.

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  6. If it didn't overlap preschool, I would definitely be there and would definitely work in the co-op nursery!

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  7. I think a nursery is a GREAT idea. I know there are mothers in my ward who would use it, and I bet there are plenty where you live, too.

    You will be a wonderful institute teacher. I taught the YA institute once, and it was so much fun. I had an excuse to study the Book of Mormon all the time, and (as often happens) I learned more than I taught.

    I wish I could come and learn from you!

    =)

    PS. My RS lesson Sunday is on the Lord's covenant people. I'm a bit overwhelmed.

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  8. Wow, teaching! That's amazing! I can never get the courage to stand in front of a group of people and impart wisdom to them. It's just too terrifying. I would totally sign up for your class just to see how you teach :)

    I would love to have a nursery available to me. It's just so much more convenient especially if I were to take that class. It wouldn't make sense to drop E off at a real nursery just for that 90 minutes. I also wouldn't mind co-oping a nursery too.

    I do hope you get that nursery :)

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  9. if i was living in arizona i would personally volunteer to head up the nursery so people could learn from you! i think it's a great idea!

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  10. Will you share your new found wisdom nuggets? Pretty please with a cherry on top? And yes to all of the a fore mentioned nursery items if you can wrangle up the help. Maybe give it a test run for a few weeks and see what happens.

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  11. I've always had too many naptime conflicts to attend even though I would love too. Can't say that 9am will work out for me again but I can always be your nursery for you if you can't one to work out:)

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  12. Yes, yes, yes. My stake refuses to have a nursery. Remember the great institute and nursery that we had with Marva? That was the best. She let everyone participate in the nursery, even women who didn't have a child in there. I'm convinced that is the only way to make it work and it lets mom's know that they are welcome. I'm definitely feeling a cold shoulder from my own stake. I still have Zan at home on Thursdays so I'll be there. I feel strongly about this too. Let me know when it starts.

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  13. ONE. I ABSOLUTELY want to come to your institute class. I would LOVE to have a nursery, as I have 3 hood rats taht requrie attention.

    TWO. I would be terrified to teach any form of institute.

    THREE: Your orange shirt looked adorable. Sorry you didn't have kids come to your classes and you had plane delays. But glad you got A LOT of fun stuff shopping, that has to count for something.

    Greer was AWESOME! I feel like I'll never be able to catch up on all the blogf raeding that needs to be done.

    Oh wait...you found me a student? Do tell!

    Anyway..love you and miss you!

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  14. I attended a morning mommie institute and a nursery was necessity. We co-oped and then when the nursery grew large we were asked to donate a few dollars to pay someone to help out. Add up $2 for each kid and it ends up to be good money.

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