Breaking the June Curse...

June hasn't been my month.

June has typically been hard and trying.

In June of 2012, Sienna had what should have been a two day stay at Primary Children's Medical Center to recover from a Ureter Re-implanting Surgery.  But her bladder ruptured post surgery.   She was terribly sick.  Doctors couldn't figure out why.  And after a broken-up nearly three week stay at the Children's Hospital, they diagnosed her with Pyelonephritis - (which means her kidneys were swollen, full of infection and not working properly.)

During that time, I was trying to coach my 2012 SkillsUSA Broadcasting Team and help them prepare for Nationals.  I brought Sienna with me, to practices - catheter and all.  Poor baby.  I remember ending one practice early, driving straight to the hospital, where she was again admitted for another stay.
  

She was sick.  And I was scared.

I missed my flight to Kansas City with all of the SkillsUSA competitors.  I was holding my baby in the hospital.  I flew out days later, after Sienna was home (for good this time).  I made it to Kansas City just in time to give my four students a good luck pep talk before they competed behind closed doors.

They didn't place that year.  And in the Post-Contest Meeting I wrote down everything the judges had to say.  I didn't even have a notebook.  (Great journalist, huh?!?!)  I tell you, I wasn't 100% there.  I had been sleeping on a hospital cot for 2 weeks, worrying my brains out.

So NO notebook, but I did manage to find these Holiday Inn post-its from the hotel where we were staying.  

I wrote down everything that a National Winning Team needed to know.  And once I was back in Utah, I hid these notes in my sock drawer.  I never said it out loud....maybe whispered it to my husband...but I was ready to take a team back to Kansas City...and this time, come home with a different outcome.

In March 2013, four dedicated students showcased their skills -- winning the SkillsUSA State Competition.  And the Post-It's got to come out of the sock drawer.

I worked with them on perfecting their broadcast writing, their storytelling and their believability.  Camera Cues were solid.  Team Chemistry was evident.  These are good kids.  Our Male Anchor hosted his own radio show, our Female Anchor re-wrote political and world event stories each week; not for an assignment --  just to have me correct them...so she could improve her newsworthy sense.  At State, the judges from ABC4 told me they would hire our Student Technical Director on the spot, "he was just that good." And our Floor Director, brought the team together with his accuracy in cues and his sense of humor.

They were the right group of students.  I spent the first month of summer vacation holding practices so we could fine-tune their skills.  We spent a ton of time at that school practicing!  Gracie and Sienna came with me often.  They acted as comic relief or the world's biggest distraction.  Either way, it was good practice for the students to try and keep their focus.

We were just days away from the competition, and my June Curse hit again.

I was 7-weeks-pregnant, and I lost the baby.

My doctor teetered with the idea of me leaving for a week, but finally gave me the okay to travel with the team.  I was in pain and sick the entire trip, and an emotional tornado.  But being there and focusing on the team was the best thing for me - it helped distract me from feeling sorry for myself.

OCC Girls and Advisor Chris Griesemer

The broadcasting competition lasted two days.  My team drew the 9:30 am time slot on the first day.  We were all excited about that time placement.  The morning of the competition, I did make-up for seven girls competing in 'Opening and Closing Ceremonies'.  They were darling, and definitely looked the part.  I then caught the bus from our hotel.  The convention center was a 20 minute bus ride away.  We hit traffic.  I was panicking.  I had one of the Floor Director's props.  So there I was flying off of the bus when we got there, running in my 4-inch heels across the space of two football fields.  For those of you who know me...this sounds about right....yes?  I got there with four minutes to spare.  I gave them their cards I had written for them, we huddled up, said a prayer, and they were off.

They had 2 hours to build their newscast rundown and write a 3-minute show based off of 20 Associated Press Stories.  And then they anchored, called and directed the show live.  The show had to end exactly at the 3 minute mark - one second over or under would penalize their scores.

Friday night -- Closing Ceremonies.  20,000 people in Kemper Arena.  It is so full, our team gets separated.  I end up standing at the top of the arena by my co-teacher, Dustin.

"Broadcast News Production", the announcer's voice booms.

"Here we go", I think to myself.
"Bronze Medal -  Washington."

"Okay....come on....come on....they deserve this," I am saying under my breath.
"Silver Medal - Delaware."  

My heart sinks.  Florida has won this competition for the past FIVE years.  And it looks like their winning streak is about to continue.

"Gold Medal - UTAH"

It is as if time stood still.  And then I start screaming....and screaming some more...and crying.

It is one of the most authentic moments in my life.  So pure.  So unexpected.

Not unexpected because Matt, Krista, Chase and Bailey didn't deserve the title.  Because trust me they do, and their scores prove it.   But because how often can you say you've been a part of a National Championship?!?!

It's like I won Miss America -- only BETTER because seeing the unbelievable excitement on these four student's faces, quadrupled my joy.

Look at them!  Students who put their minds to something positive and made it happen.  Lehi High School has never won a National Gold Medal in any of the 98 SkillsUSA competitions.  These four students brought home the Gold

...and they broke my June Curse. 

**National Champions**

By winning Gold, this team won the 10-thousand dollar EZNews Software Program for Lehi High School.

Krista Hintze who just started her Freshman Year at BYU.  She has declared her major as Broadcast Journalism.  She will be fabulous!

During the week, we spent a great deal of time walking around Downtown Kansas City.  It's a beautiful city.  Here we are having a "Brittany Pose-Off".  Apparently, I have a certain "pose" I strike in pictures.  Everyone did a "BTait" pose for this one.  What do you think?  Who won?

Here's a story to restore your faith in humanity.  Before I flew out for Kansas City, my husband said to me, "Hey Brittany, try to not lose our camera this year at the competition...okay?"  I have a bit of a history misplacing our camera.  And this year was no exception.  Before Closing Ceremonies, I realized I didn't have the camera.  I searched EVERYWHERE, called every place of business we had visited. It was MISSING.  I had to tell Jody that his crazy wife had indeed done the very thing he asked me not to do.

Fast-Forward 7 weeks.  I get a letter in the mail from a Nadine Russell in Clinton, Missouri.  She's writing me to tell me she has my camera.  Nadine was one of the bus drivers who drove the Utah Schools around at Nationals.  She found the camera on her bus - scrolled through the pictures and wrote, "I recognized you in the pictures as the lady that ALWAYS wore the high heels on the bus."  

Nadine didn't know my name, what school I was from, or anything about me....(other than the high heels.)  She did some serious investigation - running into numerous blockstops.  But she found me.  Isn't that so nice?!?!  Nadine is a friend for life.  What a lovely lady with a good heart.  Thanks to Nadine, we have our camera back.

**The Entire Lehi High School Crew**

This is my co-teacher, Dustin.  He invited me into his well-estabilished classroom more than two years ago.  It's safe to say I shook up the routine with my quizzes on attribution, news judgement and the journalism inverted pyramid.  We both have different methods; but the whole 'fire and ice' thing really worked out.  It's been such a wonderful experience to be an educator, and I am thankful Dustin believed enough in me to let me teach along side of him.     



At the annual national-level SkillsUSA Championships, more than 5,900 students competed in 98 occupational and leadership skill areas.  The organization has 13,000 school chapters.  




This event is larger than life!! 

Sweet Success

If You're Happy and You Know it...Jump for Joy.

Summer brings so many fun things.  And a 

Backyard Barbecue with Friends

...always tops the list!  We get the families together, the kids play, the husbands grill, and us girls chat, laugh and bust out our veteran cheerleading skills.

Look at these girls!  They are the most genuine, kindhearted, funny, and lovely girls.  We've all been friends since high school.  We have lived through crazy boyfriends, bad hairstyles, heartbreak, joyous surprise and everything in between.  I admire these women.  They have all had their individual trials, and they have triumphed through them with grace.  We don't see each other often enough, but I am thankful for their presence in my life.

Cute Annika and Hair Face

Cute Annika and oh...there I am!

Annika and I both cheered back in the day.  The technique may be a bit off...but we certainly still have the pizazz and energy.  

There's Something Special About Sisters

Sienna -  Brown-Eyed Girl, Always on the Go, Sleeps with 'My Little Ponies', Pudgy Hands, Long Eye Lashes, Loves Dresses, Daddy's Girl, Sings 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' like a Champ, Visits 'Time Out' Often, Will Melt Your Heart, Adores Airplanes, Loves trips to the Dentist, Fireworks and Splashing in the Tub. 

 

Gracie - Always has a Question, Crystal Blue Eyes, Fascinated by Snakes and Lizards, Vivid Imagination, Loves her Family and Miss Molly, Performer, Finger Paint Artist, Social Butterfly, Vegetable Lover, Makes us Laugh, Kind to her Sister, Wants to Eat Candy Canes all Year Round and a Blonde Beauty.      

Will You Marry Me...all over again?!?

 

We Jumped in with Both Feet...Again...Eight Years Later!  

 

In May, Jody and I traveled down to St. George for a weekend getaway.  I had surprised him with Brian Regan Tickets back at Christmas Time, and the Event was this weekend in May.  Jody loves Brian Regan's humor, and we were really excited to see him live at the Tuacahn Amphitheater.

We had a nice drive down to St. George.  No Screaming Children.  No "She's putting the pony toy in her mouth...She's ruining my life!"  No "I love you mommy and daddy."  It was quiet.  We missed the girls, and found that even though they weren't with us...our conversation was full of stories about them and how they make us smile.

I insisted we stop in Beaver to get a snapshot in the GiANt rocking chair.  The man taking our picture, looks so happy in the reflection.  See, everyone was having a good time. 

Southern Utah really is Beautiful.  And Greg and Irene have a lovely little house down there.  It makes it convenient and comfortable to visit. 

I offered to take pictures of Jody with the gorgeous scenery.  He wasn't interested.  :)

 



Brian Regan was funny!  We had good seats; 4th row.  I was laughing so hard. the man in front of us kept turning around and staring at me.  We had a great time! 

After the show, Jody said he wanted to show me something.  We drove up to an overlook of the city.  It was beautiful.  The weather was perfect.  Jody had packed some camping chairs in the back of the trunk.  We sat down and took in the sights.  We could see the St. George LDS Temple in the distance. 

We talked and talked, and everything felt right. 

I was wearing Jody's sweatshirt. 

Jody took my hand. 

We reminisced about when we were newlyweds.  We had little money.  But Jody was working for SkyWest at the time.  So we would fly stand-by and take short 36-hour trips to places we otherwise could never afford to go.  It was just the two of us.  And most of the time, we stayed in the cheapest motels we could find or slept in the rental car.  But it was fun.  It was a time full of adventure and learning about each other. 

While we reflected back on those times, Jody took my hand and told me, "I have learned over the years, that no matter where we are....as long as we are together, I know I will be happy." 

And I was thinking, "I feel the same way.  I feel blessed."

And then he got down on one knee.  He pulled a ring box out of his pocket.  I couldn't believe what was inside.  A replica of my original wedding ring.  It looked just like the one he put on my finger when he proposed on Halloween back in 2004.  Just like the one I was wearing in the hospital when Gracie was born in 2007.  But months later that ring was stolen.  It vanished.  And although it was just an object, I have always felt terrible and so saddened that it's gone. 

Jody had been working for months with designers to make this new ring look just like the original.  I couldn't believe it.  I was so genuinely surprised and happy at his loving gesture!!   

I was talking to a co-worker the other day.  He just married his sweetheart four months ago.  He asked me what the greatest thing is about being married for EIGHT years.  The answer is easy:  After years of marriage with Jody, I am constantly having aahh--haa moments, where I smile to myself and say,

"Wow.  I married the right man." 

                   or

"Just more proof, that my decision to marry him was the BEST decision I have ever made."

These thoughts come to me usually when Gracie and Sienna are squealing with joy during a piggy-back ride on Jody's back, or when he brings home pizza because he knows it's been a rough day and he doesn't want me to stress about cooking dinner, or when I see him dedicate hours of training because he wants to give my brother Michael a chance he's never had....a chance to get out of his wheelchair and take part in a triathlon.   

There is a great deal of uncertainty in life; curve balls and struggles that can, at times, blindside me.  But I have been blessed to have constant confirmations that he is the right choice for me. 

What a fun, thoughtful and unexpected surprise!!   

 

 

Welcome Baby Summer

Summer Jones May

7 lbs. 1 oz.

19.5 inches long

Gracie and Sienna have a new baby cousin!!  This makes seven little girl cousins on the Tait side of the family.  Jody and I were able to visit sweet little Summer and happy parents Greg and Kylene in the hospital.  They don't allow children to visit newborns in the hospital...so this was the first time my girls were able to hold Summer.  Sienna talks about Summer a lot, and how she's "Sooooo Dorble!"  {Adorable} 

Bear Hollow Graduation

Gracie finished up two years as a Bear Hollow Bear!

It's Great to be FIVE!  What a fun age.  Look at these cute kiddos just singing their hearts out! 

Gracie has loved preschool and her teacher Miss Molly.  This year, Gracie learned to write her first and last name, count to 100, read starter books & understand addition and subtraction.  She is excited for Kindergarten. 

Gracie was given the "Friend" award.  Miss Molly says she is kind and inviting to all those in her class.  

Miss Molly and Gracie

One of Gracie's favorite parts of preschool has been Music Time.  She enjoys singing.  And we enjoy watching her perform.

 

This year the curriculum was based around animals.  She made an animal puppet each week.  She came home with interesting facts that she would tell me about Viper Snakes and Iguanas.  She loves reptiles.  So it was no surprise that she chose to make an Iguana hat for her Final Preschool Performance.  Most of the other girls wanted bunny rabbits or cats...Not Gracie.  That's just not her style. 


A close second to the Iguana is the Zebra.  The Zebra was her favorite animal on the Hogle Zoo Field Trip.  She chose to paint a Zebra on her last day of preschool.  It was on display for all to see the night of Graduation. 

Bear Hollow PM Class 2012-2013

 Grandma and Papa Wiscombe and Michael came to hear Gracie sing her patriotic and animal songs! 

 Grandma and Papa Tait came too! We all enjoyed some popcorn after the performance.


  

 

Every few weeks Little Bear, the Bear Hollow Mascot, would come home with Gracie.  We got to write in his journal about our adventures with him.  This particular time, Little Bear got a bit carried away during a game of hide n'seek.   

The Adventures of Mrs. Tait

When I started teaching two years ago, I truly thought I would teach second period every day and that would be that.  Silly, right?  Teaching is 20% in-class quizzes, lectures and grading.  However, the majority of what makes a class a successful one and students better off for taking it...is what happens when Ms. or Mr. Teacher has gone home and they are PREPPING for the next big project.  It's been time consuming and enlightening.  I wouldn't change it for the world!



Two years ago, my view on education was a tainted one.   My background as a journalist had taught me Education was all about Test Scores, Teacher Protests and Overcrowded Class Sizes.  And the TV show 'Glee' showed me there would be outbursts of singing and lots of drama.  So pretty much I was ready to teach.  Ha!  (After two years, I wish there was more choreography and singing...Glee is not accurate.  At. All.)  Really though, after having an inside look at how schools function I realize our greatest problem is certainly NOT whether every student in a class can pass with a B-average to receive federal funding for the next year. We need to take a step back and focus on believing in these kids; showing them it's worth it to keep trying. Taking away their phones during class, and showing them a real world exists - they can be a part of it...in fact they can change it, for the better, if they so choose.




This is the School Studio where we broadcast a 10-minute Morning News Show, Four Days a Week.

 

I took my students on a tour of the KUTV News Studio.

Here they got a front row seat to all of the pre-production that goes into the 5 o'clock newscast. They also met some talented local celebrities, after watching them anchor the news live.



MARCH MADNESS!  March is the busiest 31 days for a Broadcasting Teacher. We kicked off the month with the •High School Broadcasting Awards• Students from schools along the Wasatch Front competed in Radio, Video and Journalism Competitions. Lehi students did well. Krista Hintze, one of my Seniors, won "Best Female Anchor".

Video Production Teachers from Mountain View High School, Pleasant Grove and my Co-Teacher at Lehi facilitating the event

My dear friend, who was also one of my BYU professors, Robert Walz came and spoke as the Keynote. After a long day of competition, one of my favorite news anchors spoke to the students. 2news This Morning's Mary Nickles shared perspective and advice with these aspiring journalists. Mary is so kind & down to earth. She is genuine, accomplished, and just as charming off camera as she is when you watch her on TV. I love working with her up at KUTV.


Jody joined me for the awards ceremony and dinner. By this time, I was starting to feel a bit worn out...the sleepless nights leading up to the event started to catch up with me.

Watching the students hear their names announced as winners was awesome! And then I received the surprise of my year -- "The Utah Broadcasting Teacher of the Year Award". What an honor. I was beyond surprised. My co-teacher, Dustin Topham, wrote a letter to the Board, suggesting I be considered for the award.   I was nominated and then chosen.



In the beginning of the school year, I had a lapse in judgement. I forgot HOW BUSY March is. I signed up for every Preschool activity during the month of March: Moms and Muffins, Homework Correcting, Helping at the Lizard Show, and St. Patrick's Day Party. It was go, go, go!

Back over at Lehi High School, we prepped all month for the State SkillsUSA Competition. Each competing school can send TWO teams to State. Last year, Lehi was the only school to do that, and we took First and Second place. This year every school with the exception of North Summit and Tooele sent TWO teams. The competition was steep, and these other teams were ready to knock Lehi off of their Defending Champions Status. In fact I overheard one team walk out after they
finished anchoring/directing their show, "I think we did really good! Good enough to beat Lehi!"

                      My students were the team to beat.

It's tough sending and preparing •two• teams. You know one team will inevitably place higher than the other. So there will be broken hearts and tears from one team, and excitement and celebration from another. It was difficult to split myself last year; be there for all of them in that moment. And this year, it happened again. One of my teams took the Bronze Medal and the other Won Gold. The winners represent Utah in the Broadcast News Production Category at the SkillsUSA National Competition later this month. I was ecstatic that both teams worked hard enough to place on the podium. However, it was clear they both were competing for that top spot. I expected crying from my female students, but it broke my heart to see those 18-year-old boys choking back the tears. They watched their dream of representing the state, earning scholarships, and national exposure fade away. It hurts. And it's something I know a little about.

Every Miss America Pageant, when that epic moment arises and two women are left standing...one woman is called as Miss America, while the other is quickly ushered off to the side. The contestant soon to be forgotten is the one I watch. I know how she feels; I lived that moment. It wasn't The Miss America Pageant -- but it was on the Miss Utah Stage with nearly 60 other contestants. And now watching my students experience their own highs and lows, I can confidently say,

"Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes you won't.
I am sorry to say so but sadly it's true, that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.

Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. FAME! You'll be famous as famous can be, with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes you won't.

But will you succeed? Yes! You will indeed. Kid, you'll move mountains!"

What does Dr. Seuss teach us? Success is not determined by medals or awards. It is however, measured by showing class in disappointing situations and the ability to pick yourself back up after a devastating blow. Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom. It is not judged by a moment on a podium with a large audience watching.

It's a way of life.

Success is progression; growth to a better you.

And the Gold Medalists from Lehi; oh I am thrilled for them!!! We are prepping for Nationals which happen the end of June. These students are coachable, talented and I know they will shine on that National Stage in Kansas City.

I can't believe the year is over! Congratulations to the Class of 2013. The biggest shock of teaching - well it's this: caring about someone else's kids in a way you didn't think you could. You see, Jody and my sweet girls take up all of my heart...but these students found a way in. I received some letters from students on the last day of school. That is by far the BEST Teacher Gift ever. One letter listed some life lessons this particular student had learned from me, which she attributed was more important than journalism terms. She wrote,

"To smile even when it's hard, to show respect even when you don't like the person, to be humble even when you think you are the most qualified in the room, and that losing doesn't kill you nor stop you from trying again."

High School is a roller coaster, and it's been a thrill to say the least.  I will miss watching the Class of 2014 graduate next year, since I am not coming back to teach.  But I am thankful for the opportunity I had to be called an educator.