I survived...

the first full week of school!  I've been really tired every night this week, but things are actually going really well!  Not to jinx anything, but the kids have been pretty good; we are moving along with the curriculum; I'm building relationships and am happy to teach some really wonderful kids.  Now, I realize we are only in week one and that things can change... but let's hope it sticks like this for a while!

One both good and bad thing are the hours I have to work.  I don't have to be at work until 8:30 (hello sleeping in!) but I don't get off until 4:30.  And, for all you teachers out there, you know you never leave at 4:30.  At least, not for the first few weeks.  So, by the time I get the kids, get home, eat dinner, bathe everybody... it's pushing 8:00!  Parker usually goes down at 7:15ish.  So, we may have to look at shifting their sleeping hours back a bit.  But, it is verrrrry nice in the morning, not being so rushed (like I did when I had to report at 7:00 AM when I taught elementary!) and actually being able to get things done in the morning.

Here are some pictures of the happenings during the first week of school!

Me and Ebony on the first day of school.  We go back 9 years together at CMS.

Our 8th grade math team planning.  Our county is all about "tweeting" (a WHOLE new world to me) and we're supposed to take pictures of all that we do.  This was one tweet by my co-worker.

Using our new curriculum- what the kids have done.  I have a color for each class, and they write down vocab words they don't know.  As they learn them, we move them over to the "Words we know" side. 

Here goes week 2!

Back in session!

School with the kids officially started yesterday, though I've already been mandatorily "back" for 2 weeks now.  I had 3 days of textbook/curriculum training, 2 days of new teacher orientation, a day "off" (last Monday, which wasn't really a day off since I worked the whole day), Tuesday through Thursday as pre-planning, and Friday as the first day of school. 

My biggest stress was getting my room set up and ready.  Once that was done, then I realized that I probably should figure out what to do when the kids actually get there.  I definitely could've used more than 3 pre-planning days, but I got it done.  At least, I got the important things done. 

Here are some pictures of my room:

A little sign I made.

I was also interviewed by the local paper as a "new" teacher to the county.

Thursday night, we had open house.  I have to admit I had some difficulty breathing right before it.  I was so nervous.  I've never started the year off with a homeroom, I haven't been in the classroom in 2 years, and I haven't been around 8th graders in 3.  All of that adds up to some nerves for me.  But... it was great!!  I got to meet most of my homeroom, I had to pronounce my last name at least 60 times, I got to meet some nice parents... it was great.  I left feeling good, but anxious about the next morning.

To summarize Friday... It was GREAT!  I couldn't have asked for a better start!  I was mentally prepared, I had enough things for the kiddos to do, I was surprisingly organized.  The kids were good- definitely have some talkers or some who I'll keep my eye on- but, they were awesome for the first day!  Here's a little activity I did:

I had 4 sheets on the board, each with a fill in the blank or question on it.  Each kid got to answer the question/statement on a sticky note.  

Math is important because... (almost everyone said something like "We use it everyday in life".

Our classroom should be ___ everyday.  Most answers were either fun, clean, or quiet.

What will Mrs. K need to do to help you this year?  I got a wide variety of answers- some as simple as "nothing" (those confident kiddos!) and others very detailed.

My goal for math this year is _____.  Most were either to get an A or to pass the CRCT in math. 

I was definitely EXHAUSTED at the end of the day and I went to bed at 8:45.  Today, I am much more energized, feeling good... but now I need to figure out all the plans for next week!  There's no turning back now!



Well, darn!

I found out some bummy news this afternoon!  I knew I had to go back to work for "new teacher orientation" next Thursday and Friday (25th and 26th).  But, I just found out that I actually have to go to a 3 day training next MONDAY, TUESDAY, and WEDNESDAY (22nd-24th), too.  So we are talking T-minus 6 days left of summer for me.  It also means having to cancel our little vacay we had scheduled for this Saturday to next Tuesday.  Big bummer!

Guess I better get my act together... no more 3 hour naps like I took today!

Big changes!

Well, folks... changes keep life exciting, right?  Actually, I'm hoping this one dulls life down a bit.

After a lot of thought, prayer, and discussions with loved ones, I decided, back in April, not to sign my contract in the county where I currently teach.  I have absolutely loved my job- I have been out of the classroom for two years in a leadership role.  It has given me so much perspective on things in education.  I have been able to support three schools, 11 special education teachers, 3 speech pathologists, work with 3 sets of administrators, work with the kids, and also work with county office personnel.  It's been a great experience.

Do you hear the "but" coming? ;)  But... it's been a real challenge for me lately.  My days are meeting after meeting after meeting.  Meetings, as you all know, will last until necessary.  It called for a long, somewhat unpredictable day.  This was difficult with Stephen traveling so much, and having the three little ones at daycare.  Also, it called for trouble when I had a sick child, and I had to cancel all the meetings that were scheduled for that day.  Not a good feeling.  Lots of frustration.  It was also difficult to balance the almost "24/7" feel of my job.  Teachers and administrators called/texted/emailed me at night, on weekends, on days I took off with a sick child.  It was hard to take a break from it, and it caused some anxiety of having to get back in a timely manner.  (This wasn't the expectation, but I just had the personal feeling that I needed to get back ASAP).

My thought process all started when one day, when Taylor had a fever... my first thought wasn't on Taylor... it was, "Oh no, what meetings do I need to reschedule for today?"  I got to thinking long and hard after that point about what I needed to do for next year.  That just wasn't right.

So, I weighed my options.

1.  I could go to the classroom in the current county I am in. 
2.  I could stay home.
3.  I could apply for another job in another county.

Then I made a pros and cons list.

1.  I have learned that I am not cut out for teaching elementary.  God bless those people who can.  I don't have the patience.  As cute as the kids are, they are very needy.  I do better with a higher level of independence in my students.  So, I knew I didn't want to go back to elementary.  If I went to middle school, which is where my heart is for teaching, I'd be starting all over in Rockdale.  Completely new.  Not knowing other teachers, administration, etc.

2.  Staying at home would be nice in some ways.  However, I really enjoy working.  As stressful as it can be, I love it.  Also, Sydney and Taylor are in great situations with their daycare.  They have their friends there, they learn so much.  Parker could totally be pulled out and not even notice, but it wouldn't make sense for me to stay home and just keep him. 

3.  I could apply for another job.  This was my main focus.  And the only place I was interested in- my old middle school.  While I was still figuring out what to do, I made a trip over there after my work day ended (they were still in school) and talked to my old principal about any possible options for next year. 

Long story very short, he worked me in!!!  I got a job back there!!!  And I am SO excited... I loved that place and am glad to be going back somewhere familiar, somewhere I know I love.  I will be teaching Title Math, which is a class taught during connections classes for kids who are struggling in math.  I know that the classroom has stressors of its own, but I think that, at this time of my life, it will better suit me.

I'm thinking back to my 5 years in Newton, and my 3 years in Rockdale.  I thought- what if I had never left Newton?  How different would things be?  But, I wouldn't change a thing in my journey.  I know that I would have regretted not taking a chance at the offer to teach elementary school in Rockdale.  I would have always been thinking... what if?  And, my experience in Rockdale led to an awesome position that taught me so much. 

And now, I'm getting to go back to the school that I love.  Yes, I missed out on 3 year's worth of experiences there.  But, I built some really great relationships in Rockdale, I learned a TON, I met some wonderful students and parents, and now I can return back to a place with warmth and friendships.  I really am very blessed.  I feel like I have two great educational communities surrounding me.

And, I have to say... after a few days being officially "done", my headaches of stress are gone. 

Here's to my new adventure!

Touching

This story brings tears to my eyes... I think, as educators, we get so caught up in what we *have* to do that we forget the real meaning and purpose of teaching children.  Also, you never really know what someone is going through.  I think it's important we all remember that.

Touching hearts.

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."



"Believe in Angels, then return the favor."