20 Things You NEED TO KNOW about Kristen RIGHT NOW

After a long hiatus, I have returned into the light. And, with this return is some amazing news. Here are the 20 things you should know about Kristen RIGHT NOW! (in no particular order)

1) I just accepted a job as Program Director for Teach for America working in Phoenix!!!! WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!! I'm going to be supporting about 20-30 first and second year teachers helping them in the process to becoming highly effective in the classroom. While this is a tall order, I couldn't be more excited. The program team in Phoenix is incredible and I can't wait to work with all of them.

2) I will be working, also for TFA, at the Summer Institute (June 6 - July 18th). Here, I'll be helping incoming corps members learn how to be teachers... do I see a trend... maybe!!!

3) I am getting ready to leave for a Semi-Final Co-Ed softball game with all my best friends!!! Hopefully we win :)

4) I went to Vegas two weekends ago to play in a soccer tournament with more of my friends! We didn't play super well and thus did not win the tournament unfortunately. But, we had a great time and hit the strip pretty hard the first night!

5) I have officially finished my Arizona State University Master's in Education program. I graduate next Friday from the College of Teacher Education and Leadership... whoooooot!

6) I have a TFA Alumni induction celebration this Friday which I am very excited for.

7) I am renting a pontoon boat on Saguaro Lake with my friends on Saturday to celebrate it basically being summer in Phoenix now.

8) I only have 3 weeks of teaching left.

9) I had an amazing time when Grandpa and Georgette came down to visit. I went golfing with Grandpa twice (once I beat him by one stroke, the next game he beat me by one stroke so now we're even) :) We had fun hanging out with Georgette's family and eating some great Lebanese food!

10) I am still in the running for the Sue Lehmann Excellence in Teaching Award given to an exemplary second year TFA corps member chosen from the entire pool of TFA teachers across the nation (A SUPER BIG DEAL) :) :) I think I find out at the end of May if I get it or not, I'll definitely try to keep everyone more updated.

11) I went camping last weekend at Christopher Creek which is just past Payson Arizona. Interesting thing about Payson, Arizona is that they are not on the same time-zone as the rest of Arizona. The Navajo Nation follows the mountain time zone. So, needless to say, I was SUPER confused when it only took an hour to drive there even though it was much further away. Pictures to come from this camping extravaganza!

12) I still have a beast of a dog who seems to keep growing (yikes!). He thoroughly enjoyed the camping trip and slept all day Sunday (I should go camping more often)!

13) I am currently looking to move into a house. I am pretty picky though when it comes to living arrangements: I want a pool, a back yard, and cheap rent... think I can find that???

14) I have not had time to blog because I've been going crazy with stuff from school (end of the year celebrations with 8th graders, Science Fair with both my 7th and 8th graders, trip to the water part, trip to the science center... eesh... it's been crazy), stuff in preparation for my summer job (conference calls, pre-work, videos to watch, interviews to critique), and now I my new job has some crazy pre-work stuff to do to!!! AHHHHH. Oh, and not to mention that I have been working with TFA to get the first Unit plan done for the incoming science corps members next year.

15) Did I mention I'm psyched for my new job?

16) I am still playing soccer. Outdoor season is done for the summer but I am still playing indoor twice a week - which looks like it's going to have to be trimmed down to once a week during the summer because of my jobs.

17) I have SO much going on, I'm not sure when I'm going to make it up to Washington, but I'm hoping in August... I know it seems like a long time, but it will fly by before we all know it.

18) I am bummed about not being able to come to leadership camp this year :-( but this is not something I could maneuver around. I am hoping a one year hiatus will not affect future years at camp.

19) I AM SO EXCITED for Lauren to come down next Tuesday and Mom and Dad to come down next Thursday! There are no words to express my elation.

20) I have to go now because my softball game starts in 30 minutes and my friend Jackie is coming to pick me up to go play. In case you want to cheer for us... our team name is:

HERE COME THE RUNS!!!!

Thanks for reading and sending you all my love!