Rebecca says she never has been good at remembering dates, times, and places as it is just "stuff" to her, so she gave a quick picture of what she has loved as a teacher for the last 18 years. She came into Carbon School District and worked at the Lighthouse for 2 years. She then began working at Mont Harmon Jr. High and worked as the FACS teacher, a position she held for 16 years. What she loved best:
· She loved the excitement of the new year starting. She says it hits you about 2 weeks before school starts. She can’t pass the aisle at Walmart that has all the new school supplies without buying some stuff. Colored pencils, colored markers, fresh erasers, hand pencil sharpeners. She loved them
· Loves the smell of newly sharpened pencils as you are getting your first days planned out.
· Always loved the smell and feel the warmth of papers just printed off the copy machine.
· Loved having her whiteboard freshly written on with the plans for the week. Made her feel organized.
· Loved the first 2 weeks of school, kids are glad to be there, she was happy to be there, new classes, fresh ideas.
· Loved talking to her co-workers at lunch, and after school. It was always fun to get advice on how to deal with “that kid, who is driving me crazy”. Makes you feel like you have a friend who gets it.
· Loved FCCLA club. It was fun to be with the kids. They give you energy, and so much love. Students have always made her feel like she was important to them. She states they were always important to her. Plus, they are just fun to be around and made her laugh. She had Star Event kids every year that really went out of their way to do a great project and did amazing at competitions. Carbon has always done awesome at FCCLA events. She had students go to Nationals every year. This year she took 14 students to State and 9 of them qualified for Nationals. She is so proud of them. She says we have amazing kids here in Carbon! She would take any FCCLA student anywhere with pride. They know how to act and be responsible. They are just good. She has loved that.
· She loved seeing the students at the cake contest! So many great talented kids. The cakes have been awesome. It was just fun.
· She has loved the Dutch Oven Contest. She gives a big shout out to Mr. and Mrs. Thayn for being so awesome. Taught the kids so much. It has been so fun and a great way to end the year.
· She has loved teaching sewing the most. For many years she taught every 7th grader at Mont Harmon how to sew. With 16 years that is a lot of students. She isn’t sure if they remember how to sew, but we tried. Lots of times she would hear, Mrs. V, “I asked my Parents for a sewing machine for Christmas”. How cool that was!
· She tried to teach real life skills like cooking an egg. Talking in front of a group of peers. Working with others. Figuring out solutions to problems. Cleaning a kitchen. All good stuff.
· She learned to appreciate the teachers she worked with who have a passion for teaching and are so good at it. So many great teachers have shown her the way and kept her going when it was hard.
During her time teaching she got a divorce, was a single mom. (she was Mrs. Larson at the Lighthouse and the first little bit at Mont Harmon). She found a true love and married Bill VandeSluis, and became Mrs. V. Three months into their marriage he had a massive stroke and the past 12 years was spent as a care giver. She had cancer, survived that. She had 3 sisters pass away from cancer over the years. Then her Bill passed away last May. She says through it all God sent angels to watch over her. She says most of her peers are part of that angel group that was there for her. She had a great Ward, great friends, great students, a faculty and staff that supported her and helped every day. She sends many thanks for showing her the way and keeping her going. She will miss you all very much. She says Thank you.
Carbon School District wishes her well as she embarks on a new journey! Thank you for your service to the students of the district.