Community Connections

ValleyTrading Post- Waterflow

This was a very neat experience to visit the Trading Post. I remember going there a couple times when I was younger with my Grandma, but I definitely did not know that "anglo" people owned it. I was impressed that it was a gas station, food store, feed store, mutton store, animal supply store, and a living space too! Mr. Bradshaw was generous for giving us a "behind the scenes" tour. Im glad we did the experience of hearing his wonderful stories and seeing what was all involved at that Trading Post. I did buy a few "Blow Pops", unfortunately, the lollipops tasted the way the inside of the feed store smelt. :)

Indian Center- Farmington

I didnt know what to expect when we were told to meet at the Indian Center. I was surprised to see it as a cafeteria, a hangout place and so much more. I think I wouldve got more out of this place if we wouldve heard the lady talk to us when we got there rather than when we were already past our class time and ready to go. I feel like if she wouldve talked to us when our class started, we couldve got a tour and got a chance to hear more about it and ask questions. I like having our classes in different spots, it is a nice experience!

Teach the Children & La Michocana- Farmington

I love Teach The Children! It has so much to offer and very valuable resources and materials! I went there for the first time last semester and I probably spent almost an hour just simply walking around and seeing what they have to offer. Its nice to know that Mr. Dobey is there to help us whenever we need assistance or if we have questions or if we just need to use the back room to let some steam off. It was very thoughtful and generous of him to give us all a catalog and a notepad! I really enjoyed this "field trip" because its was nice to know more about the store that I will be going to a lot from here on out.

We ran across the street to enjoy FRESH NO PRESERVATIVES icecream made with REAL fruit from La Michocana! Their icecream is delicious! I work right next door to them so I often slip out and grab a popsicle, icream, nachos, or chips. I liked having our "wrap up" here because it was a relaxed location and we just had a casual conversation about our Chautauqua characters. It was nice to hear who/what everyone else is thinking on becoming because honestly, I was curious!

ENLACE-Farmington(SanJuanBLVD)

I learned that I was saying the name wrong. It is pronounced like: in-los-ay. I had no idea what this place was. I would drive down that street and see that building and I was always curious to what it was and what they did and now I know. That facility is filled with smiling people who are there to help others and be a resource to people. They are here for the people in our community to lend out a helping hand. They are wonderful people who want to see minorities succeed and become the best they can be so they are there to assist people of all ages. It is amazing all the activity that goes on there. There are people constantly going in and out. I'm really glad we went here for a field trip because I was always curious about the place, but didnt have the guts to stop in and say "What is this place?"

Special Preschool- Farmington (Country Club)

This was a really neat experience! I havent been in a preschool setting since I was in preschool a LONG time ago. This school seems like a really great school for the students because of the ratio of students to teachers, manipulatives, program, and so much more. After class was over, one of the teachers kept talking and showing Cammie equiptment there at the school and shared stories. She showed us the tricycle carosaul thing on the playground, the corn pile (which feels really neat), homemade tunnels and cars from cardboard boxes. It was nice to see that they have special classrooms for the hearing impaired and that they have a variety of students. Im really glad we got to go there today because I always hear "Special Preschool" because the doctor I work for, his wife works there and his granddaughter was a role model student there. So now I got to see what it is like.

Farmington Museum- Farmington (Main Street)
I havent been to the museum since I was really little for the dinosaur exhibit so it was a great experience to go back and see it. My favorite part was definitely the "behind the scenes" tour because it was hands on learning. They have so many beautiful artifacts and it was fun to explore! It was such a great opportunity! The museum part was interesting too especially since there were worksheets to correlate with it so we had to listen and pay attention. I wish we would have had time to go through the museum at a slower pace so we could enjoy it because it was a little bit rushed. But other than that, I really liked this field trip because of the fact it was so hands on.

Farmington Public Library

Surprisingly, I liked the library field trip because I learned that there is a "Southwest Room" and I also learned information I didn't know before. It was neat to see the unique door in the childrens section and the mini theater. I go to the library every now and then, but I usually have my focus and go in get what I need and leave. Taking this field trip allowed me to relax and observe the surrounding beautiful sculptures and colors and books.

E3 Childrens Museum- Farmington (Orchard St.)

This place was AWESOME!!! Im not just saying that because it was the place Cammie and I picked, but it really was a neat experience to go to a museum that I do not remember going to when I was younger. I had no idea that they offer resource materials for teachers in Math and Science. It was a lot of fun to play too especially when we all ran through the noodles in a line. :). The masking tape art project was way cool and something I dont see often. I wish we wouldve had more time to explore the different projects Kelly had to offer and to play with the toys.

Emerson Gallery & AshKiis Navajo Grill (Downtown Farmington)

The Emerson Gallery was a neat place to visit because I have never been there and he has such beautiful artwork! I really liked the calm music they played too. There were a few painitings I would love to have if I was Rich :) It was nice to see that a native American had done so well that he is able to open a gallery and allow others to come and have a peek.

The Ashkiis navajo grill was quite tasty! I learned that Ashkii means young boy. I learned that there is a such thing as "Navajo Pizza" (delicous!). I also learned that they are going to try to open an Ashkii in ABQ within the next two years. It was fun to sit and talk with my classmates and enjoy tasty food. The owner and her son also came and talked to us for a bit which was very nice of them. They encouraged us to learn about their culture so we know more when we have students in our class so we can better understand them.