The Next Chapter: The Gunks: Graduation

Saturday, May 16, 2015

A Graduate School Journey's End

My Science Methods Family!

Some of the Teton Science Schools Graduates

It is crazy to believe that after deciding to give up the complacency of having a job, having some feeling of settlement, and a huge family and community of friends surrounding you, the decision of journeying back to school for graduate school has come to an end. For the past two years, I have learned so much about myself on so many intimate, personal, emotional, and physical levels. I have met a variety of people, co-workers, faculty, fellow grads, classmates, and students that have helped shape who I am, what I want to be, where I want to be, and what I want to be doing with my life. The feelings I have experienced to go back to school has been all across the spectrum, but I think no matter the outcome of situations, opportunities, and encounters, I believe they were all incredibly beneficial on the growth I have had within myself.

This morning, my parents and Marc were able to watch me cross the stage at UWyoming's College of Education and be hooded for my successes and hard work for my Masters of Science in Natural Science Education. I have never felt so proud of myself for biting the bullet and completely focusing on this goal (even when there were days I would sit on my couch in tears thinking this would not be possible). And when I thought that my year with the Teton Science Schools had gone by fast, the past 9-months in Laramie, WY have gone by much faster.

I am incredibly excited and slightly terrified about what my future has in store for me. But I am confident that I can take what I have learned and experienced the past two years and morph and adapt to whatever comes my way.

TheChristyBel

Being Hooded By My Chair, Dr. Andrea Burrows!

Some of the Most Wonderful Friends
to Have During Your Graduate School Journey!

Marc & I
Incredibly Happy to Finally Be a Master!

I Wouldn't Be Here Without Her
My Chair, Dr. Andrea Burrows

One of My Strong Support Systems
Dr. Ana Houseal

Of Course, a Graduation Summit Pose!
In Front of the Dinosaur!

I am soooooo Thankful for My Parents to be Here!

Friday, August 1, 2014

Graduating the Grad Program

So the day finally came - where we finish the graduate program and officially graduate! It's a bittersweet for me; excited to be done year one of graduate school, thrilled to have finished the Grad Program, but really sad to be leaving the Tetons. But 11-months of never-ending lesson plans, sleepless nights over Ecological Inquiry, living out of a suitcase for 4-weeks during outreach, and exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has been a wonderful experience and adventure in the life of theChristyBel.

Unfortunately, my parents and family were not able to make the journey to the Forever West for graduation, but luckily, Mandy's mom adopted myself and Dani so we could have a parent supporting us on our day of celebrating. Thanks to Sharon for taking lots of photos to capture the moment so we can share it with our loved ones who were not able to be there. I really appreciate it! Best Second Mom Ever!

Enjoy some of the photos of the celebrating, dinner, and celebration!