Blogs : Destiny Woodbury

Ya knooo...

Thanks to everyone for your the comments and suggestions so far. I really listened to them and will use each of your suggestions. Thanks so much!

Outdoor Track & Field is about to begin... Oh am I so excited. I just have been practicing everyday, working on the little things, and getting pumped up to run!  Our first meet is on March 24^th at Northeastern University. It will most likely be cold like it always is. I think everyone dreads going to that meet. I’m just excited to have the opportunity to run. YAY!

Wednesday at practice, we did baton passes for the 4x100 Relay. I haven’t ran it in 2 years because I red-shirted. So, it felt really go to just have the opportunity to run on the team again. My passes to my teammate went really well. We didn't have any issues at all. Very happy about the first day of baton passes.

The 400... I love this race. Outdoor especially. I'm so anxious to run it. I’m so nervous that I won’t know how to run it because I haven’t ran it in so long. Haha. I know Ill probably be ok. I’ll most likely run the 400 at Charlotte at our 2^nd meet on March 31^st.

I just want to have a great outdoor season and end my collegiate season off right. Everyday when I go to practice, I think to myself, I have to stay focused and make every practice count. I’m so ready!

What’s been going on with me since I last wrote... 

Well, I've been getting things ready for my big move to Houston, Texas! I'm very nervous, but I’m very excited. I've never been to Texas before in my life. I'm moving there to teach Middle school Science and to continue competing. I’m very happy to run in hot weather, because I'm so sick of this Rhode Island weather... DANG! It’s been so cold here. Like 20 Degrees. It was 7 degrees yesterday with a wind chill... not cool at all. I will not miss this weather when I move.

Ok so back to Texas. I applied to Teach For America and I got accepted!!! I'm very excited. Being a teacher is like being a coach of a sports team. A caring coach sees the strengths and weaknesses of each player and tries to build those strengths and lessen those weaknesses. In practice, coaches stand back and watch the action, giving advice on what the players should do next, but knowing that the players make their own game-time decisions. Coaches honestly point out things that can be done better and praise things that are done well. Coaches listen to their players and earn players' trust. They give their players a place to turn when things get tough. Teachers do the same things: develop a child's strengths, share a child's interests, offer advice and support, give praise, listen and be a friend.  As a future teacher, I plan to do the same. I believe that I can contribute to the students that this program targets because I have been through the same issues that are currently going through. Being taken away from my mother at the age of six by DCYF, not having a father around, coping with the death of my mother before entering high school, taking care of my brother and sister at the age of six, living in a shelter and eating at soup kitchens are obstacles that I went through as a child. There were two paths for me to take: to give up or to use all those trials and tribulations to push me to reach my goals and help inspire others. I took the positive route and I believe that I can now help other teenagers achieve their goals as well.

My experiences with working with students have given me insight to responsibilities, hard work, and devotion that are necessary to successfully take on a role in working with children and successfully acquiring relationships build upon respect with the parents and guardians of the children and the children themselves. I believe that my experiences have provided me with such a valuable opportunity to see into many of the important and necessary aspects that one must attain in becoming a successful educator and positive role model for children. I believe that all of my experiences correspond well with the Teach For America Program because it demonstrates my responsibilities that I have developed and enhanced in working with children. I believe that my experiences in working with children additionally display my personal commitment to my passion for developing professional growth in the career as a future educator. I wanted to join the Teach For America program because I want to feel that feeling that you get when you help a child. It’s rewarding and it’s a feeling that you will never forget. Being able to apply to participate in this program is an honor. Hopefully, I will impact another teenager’s life by showing them that just because you had a rough past or you have a rough present, doesn’t mean you can’t have a bright future. I could just work at a chemistry company and make lots of money, but that's not what I want to do right now. I believe that helping students out and being a role model to them is more important than money. I could work at a chemistry company later on in life. Right now, I feel that I can relate to students better because we are close in age. Plus, if I could help someone out by teaching, I would rather go for that. This experience would be so much more rewarding and its a feeling that no one will ever take away from me.

The one thing that I will never fail to remember about my experience is when I taught a girl named Memorie the alphabet. She struggled the whole time because she had a speech problem, where you could not hear what she said clearly. So I took it upon myself and challenged myself that I will help this little girl learn the alphabet. Each day, I would teach her a new letter and have some words that started with that letter and, at the end of the day, I would have her enumerate how much of the alphabet she knew. This process took the whole year, but I knew that I couldn't give up on her. One day, she came up to me and said, “Miss Destiny, Can I show you something?” I replied, “Sure, show me Memorie.” She sung the whole alphabet to me. When she sung it to me, I cried because I realized that I not only accomplish my goal of teaching her the alphabet, but I became an influence in her life. This is one of the many reason why I want to become a teacher.

Some of the things I’m trying to figure out are if I should drive all the way to Texas or get my jeep shipped. I’m thinking about shipping it. There is NO way I could drive to Texas. I definitely wouldn’t make it. Haha. Also, I have to look for apartments. I have no idea what area I want to live in. Therefore, if anyone have any suggestions, comments, or if you know anything about Houston, Texas, let me know!!!

Well, it’s NCAA weekend!!! YAY! Can’t wait to see all the results! One of my teammates qualified for the  Men's 200. I'm praying that he does well. GOOO RHODY!!! Also, good luck to all my Trackshark Fam who have qualified. I'm so proud of all of you : ) Kick some BOOTYCHEEKS!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

**Quote of the Week**

Sometimes you have to forget what you [WANT] && Remember what you [DESERVE]

Untitled Comment

12:00 AM, March 10, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Again, best of fortunes to you in Houston. Do you intend to continue competing and/or coaching?

TRAINING

2:01 AM, March 10, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Texas. I love it. I spent 3 mos. there training one winter. My pulse went down under 30. I overtrained, though so I was always tired. That's why I was there, though. During competition, you must avoid overtraining. It'll flatten your efforts. If you're toeing off correctly your heels will release outward. Not dragging behind you. quicker turnover. longer stride.
Its the correct neuromuscular response-reflex. So, it doesn't take practice. It just takes doing.