Process
State of Consideration - September/October
At this moment in time, I would like make regalia for my PEX artifact. This would include a ribbon skirt, moccasins, and a belt. This would be an awesome celebration for me and this regalia would be made for this special occasion.
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State of Consideration - November
So, I had big plans and didn't realize how much extra time it would take to complete these all. I have decided to ONLY make moccasins as my time is consumed between teaching and school work. I'm okay with this because everything will work out the way it is supposed to. I have started working on beading my moccasins. This will take the longest. I worked on it the whole time in the car on the way to and from Las Vegas, NV. So far I've been working on it about 16 hours (8 hours there, 8 hours back) and I'm only halfway done with the first pair. I love this.
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State of Consideration - December
I can't believe it's already December. I am still working on my moccasins, little by little in the spare time I have when I am not at seminars or teaching. This is more time consuming than I imagined. Overall, I made good progress and finished beading both sides of the moccasins. I was able to sew them together in one day. It feels lovely to finally be finished!
Who am I as a Teacher?
My name is Tori Archuleta. I am a first generation college student who is currently in my last semester of college as a student teacher. Or.. well.. I’m supposed to be a Fort Lewis College student teacher. However, I feel like I am someone who likes a challenge and decided to go for the Ignacio Middle School Sixth Grade Math Teacher position. This experience has taught me so much.
As a teacher, I am patient and caring. I’m stern but kind. I feel like a natural. Someone who has been teaching for years. Even though, I’ve really only been teaching for two months. I wasn’t always sure where the teaching road would take me. I had planned on working at the elementary school in the lower grades before deciding to give the middle school a try.
Working in a Middle school has taught me a lot. I’ve learned to be more patient and that directions need to be posted and directly talked about. I learned that the students are socially behind but are working hard to get where they need to be. I learned a lot about who I am and what I do/don’t like as a teacher.
As a teacher, I am someone who loves when the students work together and keep their voices to a minimum. I love to hear about what my students have done during the weekend and what they are looking forward to participate in throughout the week. I love when they come to me for their fundraisers and when students share a piece of their stories with me. I love that students have expressed that my classroom feels like a home and that they look forward to coming to my class. I love that even on the hard, dark, and gloomy days, there is almost always something bright that happened. Each day is different. We can’t dwell on the day before or the week before because we can always make up for it and try again the next day. A growth mindset is really important and we have to work hard to train our month to look at the positives while acknowledging the negatives without dwelling on them too long.
As a teacher, I am not someone who will tolerate bullying, harassment, name calling, or negative self talk. I do not want to see my students upset in class or moving around the desks without talking to me first. I don’t like when the students talk back or doesn’t use proper manners like please, thank you, or say good morning.
One of the best parts about being a teacher is seeing a student’s light bulb turn on with a new concept or something they have been struggling with finally clicks. I live for those ah-ha moments.
Another great part about teaching is all the things they can’t really prepare you for in college, like parent-teacher conferences, or how to put data into spreadsheets that make the most sense, or the days where it’s overwhelming. This is the challenge that is part of what defines me as a teacher. That great challenge that you have a chance to work on each day. I could do it over and over again in a heartbeat.
Presentation Plan - PEX 2021
I. A Mile in my Moccasins
II. I'm not sure what kind of media to use.
III. I am hoping to invoke feelings of pride, happiness, sadness, wonder, and patience. I hope that by the end of my presentation my audience will have walked just a little bit in my moccasins and can relate or understand what I have been through to get to where I am today.
IV. I am working on constructing beaded moccasins and a ribbon skirt. I am going to create an authentic artifact that symbolizes a big milestone in my life. I also want to create moccasins because when I graduated from high school, I made me a pair of high top moccasins. I feel like it's only right to make me a pair of low top, beaded moccasins to symbolize my growth and maturity into a woman.
V. Steps
a. Introduction - First, I am going to introduce the idea of the moccasins. What do they mean, what is the significance of the moccasin to the Ute people, Why have I chose the colors/pattern I have. Then, I am going to go into my purpose of the low top moccasin (similar to what I have said in IV). I feel like it's only right to explain why I chose to make the artifacts I did.
b. Art of Creating the Artifact -
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You have to measure, draw, and cut out your moccasins. Before going into College, you have to try different things to see what profession you want to go into. For example, trade school or college are options.
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Then, you have to create your design and get the supplies. Similar to this, you have to apply to schools and go through the different classes specific to your major (or design)
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Start your beading first. There is going to be many bumps in the road and you are going to make mistakes. Some you can undo, some are just a part of the process. (Explain the significance of the spirit bead). Much like this beading process, you will be faced with unexpected events in life but no matter what you have to keep going. Undo and retry where you can, move on where you have to. (Life events in relation to the rows of beads: death of uncle, COVID-19, moving into a new house, working many jobs. etc.). Another thing this relates to is Immersion I. Talk about Towaoc Experience, JOM Tutor.
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Move on to beading the other side of the moccasins. This really relates to the idea of Immersion II. You have another try to fix any mistakes you made or can try a new technique for your beading. This one often looks better than the first one.
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Then, you move on to your sewing. This process is long, tedious, and is the core of holding your moccasins together. This part is closely related with student teaching.
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Attaching the Tongue to the Moccasin. Applying for your license at the State Level, also passing the PRAXIS tests, etc.
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Final Product - Admiration of all the work that was put in. This is my favorite part. After many hours, days, weeks, maybe even months, you are able to stand back and look at everything you have created with your own two hands. This part is directly related with Graduation day and the big presentation.
X. At the end, I am going to ask a question my audience to think about what they have created with their own two hands. Is it something they are proud of? Would anyone like to share?
VI. Use of statement, "Who am I as a teacher? Talk about the qualities that it takes to be a teacher and talk about how they are similar to the qualities needed to create beadwork, ribbon skirts, and moccasins. (Possibly talk about the idea of being comfortable with culture and how did I get to that spot in my life. Influenced by my father who was a great coach.)
