Life as a Teacher

It's not easy, but totally worth it. Sorry I have been missing in bloggy land. I have been trying to keep up with my favorite blogs, but forgetting to update and post to my own. 2 weeks ago I was really sick, like couldn't get out of bed sick. With a lot of medicine, cough drops and vitamin C, I survived lol. It was only a bad cold. :/

Well, Friday I stayed at school until 6:30. I got so much done and felt great when I left.

I was also told Friday that one of my favorite students had moved away, yet again. He was homeless and my principal told me, that's probably why he hasn't been to school in 4 days. I almost cried! He was just a great kid with so much potential. I guess I might have to get used to it being in the area that I teach in.

Anyways, I said yes....to be one of my best friends bridesmaid in her wedding! I am so excited and can't wait. This will be my first wedding that I'm in and she is such a sweetheart. I am so happy for her! I already have my dress and booked the hotel. It's not until July 2013. That's ok :)

In other news, I have been baking and cooking A LOT lately. And so far, everything has turned out great! I made this awesome taco chili, banana bread bars and chicken stroganoff in the crock pot! I can make grocery last a life time because every recipe I make is for like 4-6 people. Well, living alone I eat them for lunch and dinner so often.

Also, my mom and sister are coming into town next weekend and I couldn't be more excited!!! I was really missing home this past week, so the timing is perfect. Then, at the end of October, The Boy is coming! I never thought it would happen with his work schedule and everything. But, this time, the flight is booked and I am one happy girl!

My boys. I miss them a whole lot!

I miss them so much that I almost adopted this lil guy last weekend at PetSmart. My better judgement said not to, but it took everything in me to not! 

Yes, I'm still lonely. And still trying to figure out how to balance my 'me time' with 'work time'. Right now, it's 90% work and 10% play. I wouldn't really call it play, but more running errands, grocery shopping, paying bills, Pinteresting and cooking.

Well, I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Things I Have Learned During the First Months of Teaching

I have already learned an abundant amount during these past couple weeks. But, for my memory and hopefully many years to come in the classroom, I can look back on this as just the beginning.

Things I have learned in my first few weeks of teaching:

1. No matter how bad the previous day was, the next morning I always have 18 smiling children excited to see me and come to school AND that truly makes my day! :)

2. Hugs and praise are more powerful than I ever thought possibly!

3. Candy can get my children to do anything---now my goal is to get them to do it for the grade and not the candy. (It's trickier than you might think lol)

4. Children are a product of their home-life. Without getting into the details; if the parents can't read basic site words, or solve basic addition problems, than the child has little or no help at home with homework. It makes my job more important, because it is my job, duty and honor (REALLY!) to make sure that child does better than their parent did.

5. A team of teachers working together can get a whole lot more accomplished than that one teacher who works by themselves. (More on that later) --- I LOVE MY TEAM!!! :) -Pictures to come later

6. Whole Brain Teaching is a fun and exciting way to get your children involved in all aspects of your classroom. But, it takes time for them (and myself) to get use to the routine and procedures of it! 

7. Whoever said teachers and school staff don't gossip is lying!! It can be hurtful because now I never know who is saying stuff about me; I just choose to not think about it! But, I do catch myself saying stuff as well, and I'm really trying hard not too and maybe it's just the after effect of spending 7 hours with six year olds! lol

8. I do have a 'mean' or 'you know what you did' teacher look. I swear I thought I never had one, but I have 'that' look AND 'that' voice too! (Hey, it needs to be spoken more than once in awhile!)

9. Behavior charts are a MUST for those bad habits or behaviors that need to be broken. They have saved my sanity!

10. Crying children and untied shoes are a daily occurrence in my classroom.

11. Paperclips, a laminator, Velcro dots/strips and sticky tack are a teacher’s best friend!

12. In these past 7 weeks, I’ve solidified the fact that this is what I want to be doing for the next 50 years! The only thing I am unsure of is, if I want to teach 1st grade for the rest of my career. We'll see...

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I know mine is! :)

I'm Alive and Well

I promise!

**Long post-sorry- I have a lot to catch y'all up on :)

(Still missing home and these 2 people- The Boy and my Sister!!)

This beginning of the year stuff has really taken up 100% of my time. It has been a crazy few weeks and luckily for me (and I'm sure my students as well) it is really leveling out and calming down. We are getting into a routine and schedule and my kids respond wonderfully to that. Thank goodness!!

All five of us 1st grade teachers and ALL of our students on the 1st day of school!

I also felt so disorganized that it was stressing me out!! I felt disorganized in my classroom, at my desk, in my lesson plans AND my apartment, which I spend very little time these days anyways. I spent everyday this week after school working in my classroom until 5:30 or 6. I needed to and my room needed some fixing and organizing!

(This is why I love teaching. Cute writing like this!)

We are entering our 5th (or 6th) week of school and my classroom is finally coming together! :) Pictures to come soon. Along with all the other posts I have planned!

(Silly faces on picture day!)

What I've learned these past 5 weeks in teaching...coming soon...

(Nothing better than a care/I miss you package from The Boy!) :Insert super happy face here:

TOTALLY RANDOM: I need help finding a shirt that goes with this skirt. Any ideas? It's like a light navy blue, about knee length and 3 levels of staggered ruffles. It's been hard because of the ruffles, but it's super cute and I got it on sale at the OpryMall

PS. I have said yes......


...I'll leave you with that!