Recapping My Experience at the Zoo!!

I know it has been awhile since I have promised to start my blog back up but that's life for you it gets in the way sometimes! Anyways I hope you continue to stick around and read about my crazy adventures...

2 years ago when I had the privilege to work at my local zoo I never thought it would be something that I would take on and really enjoy. Being in the Education Department allowed me to combine my love of animals and kids. I established a lot of goals for myself during my time there and I successfully met each one of them. I also learned a lot about myself in that time period as well. I learned that no matter how nice someone may seem you may not always be able to trust them because they only care about themselves. Although I learned that the hard way it taught me to persevere and surround myself with people who care about me and have my best interest at heart. I also learned that sometimes you just have to face your fears. I told myself I was going to hold a snake by the end of my time there and I actually held 2! I will say I prefer holding tree snake species to ground snake species because the tree snake species just hang out and chill while the ground snake ones are all over the place!

A few other thoughts that I took away...
- Walkie Talkies are super cool and they're even better when you have a nickname or get to say super fun phrases like "Go for Rigg" or "Rodger 10/4."
- I do not like taking care of chickens. Although they are cute they are very grumpy and do not like to go back in their pen. I became and expert chicken wrangler and let me tell you those ladies are fast!
-Barn Owls rock except you have to be super quick and place their food just so. Always clean on top of their houses too because that is where they hide their food. *YUCK*
- Bobcats can be super cuddly and Silver Foxes can be extra silly
-Smooth Sided Toads have a special place in my heart!
-You never know when and where you will meet one of your best friends.
-Zoo Keepers are often silly, knowledgeable, and very caring people
-Befriend the Sheriff Officers and the Maintenance Staff and Security Guards that work there because you never know when you will need them for something and they will always have your back in any situation.
-You will own so much khaki you will not know what to do with it all!
-Get yourself a super comfortable and supportive pair of sneakers

Aside from all the silly things I learned perhaps the most important lesson for me was engaging with children and seeing the wonder in their eyes when they a neat animal fact or get to get up close to an animal for the first time. During the programs we held I could see the smiles stretch across their faces and I loved any chance I got at answering any question they had.

When my time came to a close I was super sad to leave but I came away with some amazing memories, pictures, and stories to tell.

I got to feed the giraffes almost everyday!!!!! 

Taking Selfies with a giraffe is not an easy task! 

I kinda made friends with a cow (not really she was terrifying but I just tried to keep the peace with her to save myself from getting a nasty headbutt from that large noodle of hers)

One of the snakes I held (she was a Mexican Rosy Boa which is the smallest of the boas and is a ground snake species) she was moving all the over the place. It was really weird to feel her muscles moving in my hands hence the look of panic on my face. Holding her lasted for a 5 seconds. 

I also got to hold and alligator on my last day at the zoo! It was awesome! I also thought it was neat that he inflated himself like a balloon to appear bigger than what he really is.  His name was Jeffrey and he was dropped off on the front steps of the Zoo Office as a hatchling in a cooler.

Some of the peacocks at the zoo. The standard colored ones are all named Gerald and the piebald one is named Halfsie but I decided Juan Pablo was a more fitting name for him.

 This is Muddflapp. He is a smooth sided toad and one of the oldest animals in the zoo during the time these pictures were snapped he was 16 years old, to my knowledge he is still kicking at a whopping 19! He quickly became my favorite animal in the Education department. He was the first animal I learned how to handle. He was very picky when eating with some of the other girls but I always felt accomplished that I could get him to eat!

(Photo Credit to Sarah)

Juniper the bobcat I got to take care of she was super sweet!

Miss Brynn our Silver Fox. Clearly she was the star of the department and had enough sass to make sure we never forgot it. She was so much fun to take care of and play with. FUN FACT: Foxes urine smells like a skunk. Each fox has their own distinct scent. When they want to save food they will dig a hole and bury their food and then urinate ontop of it when it covered back up, this allows them to locate it again and keep other animals away from it!
(Photo Credit to Katie)

 Below are just some more snap shots of the animals and some of the people I met!

Lexington the Lion! 

A Grant's Zebra...I believe this is the male Sarge!

Rocky the Tiger. Rocky has since passed away! Rest in Peace! 

Mork and Annie the River Otters. FUN FACT: Only Sea Otters hold hands so they do not drift away from each other when they are sleeping!

Tank-Lin! (Photo Credit to Katie)

When you just know you are a super handsome bird!!

This is Hugo. She is currently the oldest Barn Owl in Captivity! She is in her 20s and still as sassy as ever! 

The amazing ladies I got to work with!

 I hope you all enjoyed my recap of my time at the zoo. This is just a glimpse at some of the things I got to do. Working with the kids, volunteers, staff, and animals was an amazing experience. I would have loved to stayed working there, sadly it was not in the cards for me. I continue to use the knowledge and skills that I have gained during my time in my current job! If you are ever in Cape May, New Jersey and are looking for something to do I highly suggest you check out the Cape May County Park & Zoo!!! It will be an experience you won't want to miss! 

Stop the Roller Coaster I want to get off...

So what have I been doing for the last 2 years you ask??? More like what have I not been doing! Last time I posted I had just started working at the Cape May County Zoo in their education department's zoo camp. Long story short they asked me to stay on for the full 6 month position and it was awesome! I did accomplish ALL of my goals! I held 2 snakes (pictures will be posted at a later date for those of you who don't believe me!!!!) Like I said it was a great experience and I was sad to see it end but it was time for me to move on...although one of the BEST things to come out of that experience was that I met one of my very best friends there and I CANNOT wait to be in her wedding next month!!! I am so glad we just looked at each other and were like "yeah we're best friends now!"Anyways after that experience I found myself back at the daycare...I was a maternity sub but it did not happen the way I was told it was going to but that's an entirely different story. I worked at that place off and one for almost 10 years and let me tell you as much as I LOVED the kids going to work everyday was not fun for me at all! I could not wait to leave that place at the end of the day and I was counting down the hours until I could go home as soon as I got there each day! Not very fun for a job. Thankfully my dream job (well the stepping stone to eventually achieve my dream job) opened up and I applied.

After a phone interview, an in person interview, and a presentation I GOT THE JOB!!!! It was even more special to me because the job was in my home county! So I started there last October it was a learning curve for me because I now had to be the 4-H Staff member instead of the 4-H member but I have accomplished a lot. I survived my first fair no problem and I have taken on some new leadership roles within the state. I am excited to see what the next year has in store for me. I have even started pursuing my Master's Degree so that I may continue on and achieve my dreams of becoming a 4-H Agent someday.

The past year has been pretty crazy I have gone through a roller coaster of emotions and ups and downs long the way and I have wanted to get off a couple of times but I am glad I stayed on! I am on my way to Making the Best Better One Day at a Time!

I am back...for real this time!

The last time I posted something on my blog was about 2 years ago!!! I thought I was going to keep up with it then but life got in the way and it did not happen. As I was reading through my old blog posts for inspiration for one of my graduate classes a light bulb went off in my head. I was trying too hard on what to write about and that is why I hit a dead end before. What does that mean? From here on out my blog is going to be fun things...different things I have learned along the way in the past few years since I was in college, the fun things I do, the antics that go on in the world of 4-H, funny stories, basically it is just going to be what happens in my life and what I learn from it! Blogging is a great way to document things and ideas and look back on them in the future. If no one reads it that's okay I am doing it for myself! So if you are a reader of my blog THANK YOU!!!

Alright people buckle up it's going to be a bumpy ride....

I'm back....

It's been a little over a year since I have posted my last blog post. Well I'm back and better than ever only this time I'll be writing on my adventures as a zoo camp counselor!!! This summer I will be educating various age groups of children on different types of zoo animals, conservation practices, and about the environment (my dream job!!) 

I'll be working for the Cape May County Park & Zoo in their Paws and Claws Education Center! My first day was last Friday after completing a county training on OSHA standards and some other fun topics. Once I met the people I will be working with I knew this was where I was supposed to be. Fast forward past the introductions and now we get into the fun part playing with the animals!! We have all different types like an adorable lion maned rabbit named Nigel, two small parrots names lunar and eclipse, and a pearl ring necked tangerine turtle dove named Sandy, who likes to fly up and sit on your head, we have way more than that but I'll save that for another day! 

I have so many ideas and thoughts swirling around my head about this summer that I cannot possiblely get them all down now but I did  want to write down my personal goals for this summer....

1. Hold a snake before summer is over (if we're lucky I'll pet one but I've been told we have some nice snakes....if that can even be a true statement?!)

2. Expand my knowledge on wildlife and animals as well as conservatArion and habitats

3. Expand my classroom management knowledge and skills in a nontraditional educational environment 

4. Have as much fun as I possibly can with the animals and the kids that will be participating in the camp 

Stay tuned for next week's refraction of our crash course in animal handling! 

Getting Closer to Closing one Chapter and beginning another:

Over these past 15 weeks I feel that I grown so much. I walked into Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School feeling nervous and not sure what to expect from this experience. I had so many questions running through my mind, “are the students going to like me?” “How am I going to do this?” I had so many thoughts buzzing around my head. When I first started teaching I was nervous and I fumbled a lot with my lessons. As the days passed I became more comfortable and everything seemed to start coming a little more natural to me.

I began to shift the focus of my lessons onto wildlife and environmental sciences, something that I am so passionate about. I also made sure that incorporated “Place Based Education” in my lessons as well. I felt like I took my students on a journey about what was around us, here, in New Jersey. We talked about native and invasive species, reptiles, mammals, birds, insects, and so much more. As we talked about our “place” our New Jersey, I realized just how much I knew and could tell my students. Talking about wildlife and the environment came so naturally to me. It was really amazing to know the feeling of being able to answer a challenging question that a student had.

I also had my struggles with my student teaching experience as well. In the beginning I would only teach to one side of the room. It was the weirdest thing and I have no idea why I would do it. It took a lot for me to work on that skill and I was finally able to correct it. Classroom management was also an area that I know I personally struggled with; I struggled constantly with the question “is that something I should correct?” I was so thankful that Dr. McLean helped me work on that skill as well. I know that I still need some work on it but I know it will come with time. I worked hard on my lesson plans to make sure that they were the best they could be. Sometimes my lessons could have been better and if I had the chance to do them over again I would change some things to make it more concise and there were lessons where I could have added more interactive pieces.  Lastly one thing that I know I need to continue working on is making that meaningful connection to real life for my students. I could tell that I hit the nail on the head with some lessons and not so much with others. I also think that the more I “practice” the more this will come naturally and the more I teach the easier this will become for me to incorporate as well.

The top 10 things I will take away from this experience and some advice to future student teachers:

1.       Lecture, although easiest, may not be your best friend…especially with middle schoolers.

2.      Be prepared for whatever students say, sometimes they will say the weirdest things and sometimes you just have to go with it (unless it inappropriate!)

3.      Students really enjoy youtube clips that go along with what you are teaching. Even if it is a 30 second clip that depicts what you are talking about, the information will stick with them much more.

4.      You will really get to know your FFA members, they will be the students that you will connect with first because you see them most often

5.      Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and do something BOLD and CREATIVE in one of your lessons, maybe it’s a game, new type of lecture, notes, etc. make it different

6.      Students would rather have interactive lessons; get them out of their seats and moving around…sitting is BORING!

7.      Sometimes you just have to laugh  with your students

8.     Own up to your mistakes!

9.      Get involved with the school. Participate in spirit weeks, pep rallies, assemblies, and go to some activities that your students are involved in, help out with the committees your teacher is involved with. It will make your time more fun.

10.  HAVE FUN! Your experience is what you make of it, make it positive, make it real, and enjoy it while it lasts because it will be over quickly!

I think that my student teaching experience has opened my eyes to the world of FFA as well. Having not had the chance to be in an agriculture program I was only able to see the world of agriculture education from the 4-H standpoint growing up. Everything I have learned about FFA I have learned in college. I did not even know what it was until I walked into my AEE 100 class fall semester Junior year. I knew FFA existed but I had no idea what they did or how important they were to the agriculture industry. Through my experience I have been able to work with some amazing dedicated students. They welcomed me with open arms, allowed me to help them and work hand in hand to complete their goals for the year. I was able to help with fundraising, CDE events, and SAE visits; it really gave me a chance to get my feet wet and get a taste of everything FFA. I think I have made an impact on them because they have been threatening to not let me leave, throw me in the closet, and they also promised to “feed and water me,” and they keep asking me if I am going to come back. I cannot help but smile. It is amazing how much you can help a student in such a short time working with them.

I also have to say a HUGE thank you to Dr. McLean. She has been such an amazing mentor throughout this whole experience. She has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, provided me with constructive and positive feedback, and helped me to become a part of the Northern Burlington Middle School family. We have had so many laughs and a lot of fun while on FFA trips and in the classroom each day. I am so thankful that NBC was suggested to me last year as a potential place to student teach. I feel like it was the perfect fit for me. I also want to say thank you to Mrs. Sankey-Rice. She has been such a great University Supervisor she has also made such a great mentor for me as well, giving me great suggestions and making sure I was on track. Finally, I have to thank Dr. Foster and Dr. Ewing for all of their support and providing me with the experience of a lifetime over the past 2 years. All of my supervisors, mentors, and professors have really pushed me and made me reach higher for my goals. They have made me determined to succeed. I feel like I truly have been provided with an experience that no one else will ever get to have in another college Agriculture Education program. I have been able to travel to different places, attend different conferences, and do things that I never thought I would get to do in college.

My time as an undergrad is rapidly coming to a close. As I take off the cap and gown and put on the alumni hat I will always remember the values and information that I have gained over my last 4 years. I am leaving college as a totally different person than I was 4 years ago. I have had so many experiences that have shaped me and mold me and help me discover what I want to do. Although I will not be going into the classroom right away, I will be finding the perfect classroom for me eventually. Right now I think that my classroom needs to be nontraditional because I want to bring those extra skills and information to my future classroom students some day. I also think that grad school may be in my future as well. As this chapter closes and I begin another one, I can only hope that the next adventure will be as great as this one has been. I feel so blessed to call everyone I have met in my major a friend and a colleague. I know that we will all find “adventure out there…somewhere, someday, somehow.” As I walk across the stage on May 11th, I know that looking back all of the hard work, determination, and stressful hours of preparation will have all been worth

"We got ya Miss Rigg!"

As the week comes to a close, so does my time at Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School. I have been tossing around a lot emotions because I am really going to miss all of the students and faculty who have been so welcoming to me these past few weeks.

Just when I thought I was not going to see the FFA members again and was coming to terms for saying goodbye to them as I passed them in the hallway, they decided to pull the wool over my eyes. 

Our 7th grade vice president asked me to help her develop a blog, as she is trying to attend Jr. National Young Leaders Conference. As I was explaining the process of blogging and how blogger works I took a look at her blog and thought it was really odd that everything was already set up and looked great. I thought "maybe she is just making sure it is correct." Then Dr. McLean came into the room and said she needed my help with one of the projects we did in class that day. Now I was really confused but followed any ways. As soon as I walked into the room I was startled by chorus of "SURPRISES" being yelled.

I will admit that I really did not know what was going on for a few seconds there and it took me awhile to process that the FFA chapter was throwing me a surprise going away party. They really got me good! We had some refreshments and also played a few games. All of the members that were present also signed a card for me!

It was a great way to get to say goodbye to most of the FFA members. They really made my experience at NBCRMS memorable and they were such a joy to work with. They are some of the hardest working students I have ever met. I know they will all go far as they continue on with FFA in high school. 

Shout out to ALL of you awesome Middle School FFAers! Good luck in all your future endeavors! Thank you for making my student teaching experience awesome and welcoming me with open arms into your chapter! You made my first experience with FFA a really great one! 

Whoa it's really coming to a close...

The past week and few days have really been a whirlwind of chaos.

My time with 7th grade was coming to a close and I honestly have no idea where the time has gone. We rounded out class with an "Ag Products Day." I had the students bring in food or other products and tell the class how it was ag related and then we celebrated our products by enjoying them in class and watching live bird camera feeds. We also had some fun with a game of camouflage and predators it was out of the Project Wild book that we got at pre student teaching orientation, it was called "The Thicket Game" and the students LOVED it, they said that was the best game they have played so far, besides Archie Bunker's Neighborhood.  The students really enjoyed the end of class and I really enjoyed my time with them. I also got to see Dr. McLean introduce the new section of 7th graders which was interesting because I got to compare the differences between our approaches. I was very happy with the way I managed the class and really learned a lot from that experience. I am glad I was able to navigate my way through the quarter class with the help of Dr. McLean. 

In CASE AFNR we finished our birdhouses!! I was very impressed with some of the students' birdhouses that they developed for extra credit. We even decided to display the birdhouses in the showcase for everyone to see. All in all I was very proud of how their projects turned out! The students really liked our "Birdhouse Oscars" that we created and they will be getting their certificates for the categories they won this upcoming week. We are now going to be working on land and how land is divided up. I know that I need to work on making that connection stronger as to why it is important. This is something that I have been struggling with however, I have seen some improvement with it. I think that this will come with time.

My time with my 8th grade Agriscience class has also come to a close. I really enjoyed this class because I really got to tap into the wildlife and environmental aspect of agriculture which I am so passionate about. I took the students out the Ecology Center and they LOVED it. We saw a Redheaded Woodpecker and also a Cooper's Hawk. The students were filled with questions about "what type of animal that is" or "what type of tree that was." I was so proud of myself because I was able to answer their questions and I loved being able to show them everything that we have been talking about in a real life setting. I really think that this was that "aha moment" for me. I felt like I was really in my element and cannot wait to pursue a career with a nature center or a zoo. I really want that experience to bring to the classroom in a few years when I really am ready for that traditional teaching job. All in all I thought Ag 8 went really well. There were a few things I would have changed looking back, as far as time goes with different activities or maybe changing how I did something.

I really hope I made an impact on my 7th and 8th grade students because they have really helped me to make this experience really rewarding and great for me. I am ready to finish up my experience with the CASE class. I think that this will be a great way for me to finish strong! I really do not want this experience to end but I know all good things have to come to an end eventually. I will be taking in these last few days and making sure I really use them to the fullest. So here is to the last few days I know they will be jammed packed full and I am more than excited for it!

In other miscellaneous things that have gone on:

The Environmental and Natural Resources Team did extremely well!! I am so proud of them! They were 4th overall and they all placed in top 20 two placed in the top 10!!! Way to go Middle Schoolers! It was a great day I had the privilege of proctoring the written exam with Dr. McLean, we had a lot of fun!

I also had the chance to visit Sean at his cooperating school in Elizabethtown! I picked the right day to visit because they were starting small gas engines which is my favorite part of ag mechanics! Sean did an awesome job! I really enjoyed watching him help his students and teach them about the 3-4-5 triangle! It was a really great day to see some of the differences between his school and my school and the program differences as well. I really enjoyed it!

Inspirational Quote of the Week: