8th Grade Science Quiz

In my college level science class I took a quiz that they give to 8th graders. I got a 53%! I was shocked by the amount of things I have forgotten and the number of questions I couldn't begin to answer. Some words and concepts were familiar but I didn't know the answers! Our professor warned us it would be like this and she made the point that many teachers do not make you think deeper and help you keep that information in your mind to recall later. We memorize note cards, vocabulary, formulas, and other things until the final test and then it is like the slate is wiped clean. Taking that quiz made me realize how much harder I need to work in my studies to really understand things and not just memorize them. Now I understand why there is the game show "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?"

Celebration Remembered

At 5 years old I was running across a small field scoring goals and pushing girls around. Soccer was my new favorite thing and I played every year from then on until i graduated high school. So, as you can assume, i spent a lot of time at the soccer fields. I can recall almost every season at those fields, but there was one specific day I remember the most. A day that my family and I went, not for soccer, but to fly kites, pass the ball around, and throw a Frisbee. The sun was out and there was not a single cloud around. We left our shoes at the fence and ran through the thick, soft grass that would leave imprints of where we stepped before like memory foam. Hours went by with no worries, no negative thoughts or energy. I celebrate that time and those fields because it was the last place that I could be a care free, responsibility free, happy, child.

It All Started July 7th, 1994

 My name, as you know, is Jessie Willett. I am a 20 year old college student studying Elementary Education, specifically mathematics. Crazy I know, but there is something about having a certain way to do something and plans to follow that I love. Oh and the kids of course! Its my third year of college and I am less than thrilled to say I probably have another two years under my belt easy.
I am a middle child of three with a 22 year old sister, Adrianna, and a 16 year old brother, Nathan. My mother's name is Barb and she works two jobs to supports herself and my younger brother down in Gaylord, MI (my home town). She is a nurse and works as a gas station attendant. My sister moved out about two years ago and has gone from Florida, to North Dakota, and has recently set up camp in West Virginia.
Things for our family became difficult about 7 years ago when my father suddenly passed away. I was what they call a "daddy's girl" and I lost a lot of myself that day. I played soccer for 13 years. My love for soccer died off when i lost my number one support system and so did my grades and my dedication for almost everything. I focus a lot now on finishing my education and trying to be a good role model for my younger brother. Nathan does not have a father to discipline, mentor, or to be there for him to teach him manly things. I will not be able to do any of those things as well as my dad could have, but I like to think I am doing something for him.
To try and find myself again I decided to take a semester and go abroad!I left my family, my friends, my boyfriend, and my comfort zone on January 11th of 2014 for the great Italia!  I found myself in Rome trying to make my way to the necessary train through all the cigarette smoke and shouting. I had never thought I would find myself in such an amazing and historical place. It is exactly like the pictures in books and images on TV. My fellow travelers welcomed me with hugs and enthusiastic "hellos" and right away I knew it was where I needed to be. From that moment on I was changed. I speak more, I laugh more, I enjoy more, and I want to start to learn more. I miss the people I spent four months traveling with and I plan to make trips in the future to see everyone of them! However, now that I am back in Marquette, Michigan I am ready to get back to work.

My Family (left to right: Adriana, Mom, Nathan, me)

My plans are to teach somewhere between Kindergarten and 2nd grade somewhere warm and exciting! My real dream is to teach all around the world! I also want a family and a home so I do not think that will be much of a reality for me. Some day though, you never know where you are going to end up!

My Boyfriend of over 2 years(:

The old team

#1 dad

The Italian Crew!

Rome, Italy: the Colosseum