Journal 1

Welcome to Tammy's Blog!!

Hello, 442 Class!

My name is Tammy Earnhardt, and I was born in Long Beach, California. I currently live in Temecula where I have been managing and serving tables at Ruby’s Diner for the past 8 years. I completed my Business Degree at CSUSM two years ago, and have yet to find a job which I find rewarding. I have always loved the idea of teaching, and I am excited to get started. I think teaching will be a great fit for my personality.

Growing up, I attended 6 different schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade. My early years were spent in a private, Christian school in Downey, California called Brethren Elementary. In 5th grade my family moved to Seal Beach. Wow, going from a sweet little Christian school to McGaugh Elementary, was a major culture shock at 10 years old! I am thankful that I attended the Christian school at such a young age. It gave me the foundations of my faith, which is the center of my life… but I’m glad I left when I did. I needed to be mainstreamed in the “real world”.

From 5th to 10th grade, I attended schools in the Los Alamitos Unified School District. I went to McAuliffe Middle school in 6th and 7th grade; Then, I finished middle school at Oak. Ours was the first graduating eighth grade class of the new school. Los Al High was fun. It was the sort of school where child actors attended, because it was known for their OCSHA Program. Hence, I went to school with Jodi Sweetin (Stephanie from Full House), and Allison Mack (Smallville). Michael Fishman (DJ from Roseanne) was in my 9th grade History class. When I was 16 we moved to Temecula, where I finished out High School at Chaparral. Again, I was the first graduating class of a new school… Go Class of 2000!!

My first experience with computers that I can recall would be in 3rd grade. I remember sitting in our tiny computer lab with about 6 huge Apple computers. The font on the screen was green or multicolored against a black background. The time was spent mainly learning proper key strokes. Then in 5th grade, I began to go through this “all I want to do is play computer games” phase. I had little fairy tale games and detective games that consumed a lot of my time. But, once summer came, I was ready for the pool! Some of my grammar school assignments required looking up information in an encyclopedia. We had about a 20 book collection in our study at home, and I would rummage through the numbered books searching for the desired materials. Then, we got a CD-ROM called Encarta Encyclopedia. Well, I thought this was really cool because I didn’t have to sit on the floor with a pile of books around me. I was not introduced to the internet until 7th grade. I was impressed to find that there was a world of information huger that the Encarta.

Although I started on a Mac, I would consider myself a PC person, because that is what I have been using for the past 10 years. While completing my undergraduate education, I was constantly on PowerPoint, Mirosoft Word and the Internet. However, during the two years after I graduated, I did not use the computer nearly as much... maybe once a week to check my myspace and for occasional job searches. Yet, now that I am in school again I am on my computer daily, checking emails and completing assignments.

I chose to complete the credential program, here at CSUSM because I finished my undergrad here, and I was happy with my instructors. With that said, I did not read the College of Ed’s Mission Statement until after I applied to the program. The word in the Mission Statement that spoke to me most is “commitment”. CSUSM instructors are committed to their students, as well as to their profession. As a CSUSM Alumni, this was something that definitely rang true for me. Further, I am confidant that CSUSM will provide me with the best possible education to be committed to my future students.