Ahead of the Game!

Last year and the year before, I remember seriously STRESSING out on the Thursday before school started about having things ready for Meet the Teacher night. But this year, here I am, a week and a half before Meet the Teacher night, with a room ready to go. #notsohumblebrag

I know you people don't want to hear about it, but I'm pleased. I plan on spending this week enjoying my last week of summer while exploring some center ideas and such from my bed or couch. I'll get back in my room next week when we have breaks from staff development to get some other things done.

My room has a lot of what I've done before, but I did change a few things up. Check it out, friends! :)

Time Flies

I guess I blinked or slept a little because all of a sudden I'm finding myself beginning my THIRD year of teaching. I can't really believe it myself, but ready or not- we're starting the cycle all over again. And THIS year, I'm going to have my act together. :)

I blogged my first year until about February, and somehow I totally missed all of my second year. That's probably for the best anyways. My personal life was filled with challenges. Luckily, I was blessed with the most perfect boyfriend a girl could ask for, Jason, who showed up just in time to be my strength when things weren't going quite as planned. A new school year is beginning and I have high expectations all the way around. I hope to pick the blogging back up this year so that I have a way to document the funny, sweet, and challenging moments I experience with my adorable darlin's and my super awesome new teammates throughout the school year. We'll see what my schedule allows.

This crazy adventure started 4 years ago when I began my student teaching. I student taught 1st and 3rd graders for a full year and fell head over heels in love with 3rd graders. I was lucky enough to be hired on in Grand Prairie after graduation and taught 3rd grade at Eisenhower for the 2010-2011 school year. I was on a departmentalized team and taught math/science to 40 wonderful boys and girls that will always hold a special place in my heart as my first babies. I taught 3rd grade again at Eisenhower for the 2011-2012 school year, but this time I was self contained and taught the whole kit and kaboodle to 19 spunky sweethearts. This, my friends, is my THIRD year in THIRD grade at Eisenhower and I can not tell you how good it feels to be a third year teacher. I also feel blessed to still be at Eisenhower in the same room I started in. People have been shuffled and moved all around me and I've already seen so many people I love and adore come and go. Getting to stay put has made each year just a little bit easier.

I've spent the week working in my room and it's basically ready to go. I've never felt so prepared and I can't help but hope that this is a preview of how this year will pan out. I have pictures to share soon! :)

My team is beyond amazing and deserve a whole post of their own. That'll be next!

I can't wait to use this blog to journal memories I want to have for a lifetime. I'll try to keep them coming. <3

Cabin Fever

Originally, I was scheduled to go to a training (Capturing Kid's Hearts) on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.  3 days worth of substitutes had me extremely stressed out and overwhelmed.  That is a LOT to plan for and with the groups of kids this substitute would have to deal with, as much as I love them, I was afraid the sub wouldn't make it past day 1.  Besides the planning and concerns of missing 3 days, I was, in fact, looking forward to the workshop.  Some of the teachers on my team were going with me, along with Emily and Sarah, it was bound to be a wonderful learning opportunity, and a 3 day break from the classroom would definitely benefit me. I was at school until about 8:30pm Friday night working on plans and copies and knew I would be there late Monday night organizing as well.  However, on Monday afternoon, I received an email from the district explaining that that the training was cancelled due to possible inclement weather. 

I didn't know whether to be excited or bummed.  This meant I wouldn't have to stay late on Monday organizing any more or pray 3 extras prayers nightly for my poor substitute, but I was also looking forward to the training and spending some time with some of my teacher friends. 

As it turns out, the "possible inclement weather" turned into actual inclement weather late Monday night/early Tuesday morning.  At about 5am, school was officially cancelled for the day.  I spent Tuesday being lazy with my roommates.  I got all of my papers graded and my room cleaned.  We watched TV, played some games, shared some good roommate talks, and Sara made us chili for dinner.  Before we knew it, we were receiving phone calls to inform of us school cancelling again on Wednesday.

Wednesday was even lazier.  We ordered pizza and sat around.  We had some more roommate quality time and began to think probably a little too much.  I entered some of my data into spreadsheets and Emily got some grades entered.  Sara made dinner again and then we received ANOTHER phone call to inform us of school being cancelled again on Thursday. 

I think this is probably about the time we started to lose our minds.  We watched a few movies on Thursday, played some more games, ordered Jason's Deli for lunch, and once again, thought WAY too much about our lives.  We got brave enough (or stupid enough) to go to Target Thursday afternoon.  It was wonderful to get out for a little while, but one trip out and we were exhausted.  I don't know how we're ever going to be able to go back to school. We bought stuff to make bacon and waffles while we were out and Emily and I took our turn making dinner. Hah.  We got our call much earlier on Thursday about school being cancelled yet again. 

As everyone in the state already noticed, it started snowing hard at about midnight.  After watching it for a little while, I finally decided to go to sleep.  Of course, at about that time, Sara woke up and realized it was snowing and came to tell me about it.  I couldn't fall back asleep, so I decided I definitely needed to go outside and play.  The roommates joined me and we had a grand ol time at about 1am Friday morning.  :)

Today, Friday, is snow day #4 and I'm very ready to get out and do something.  I'm definitely a lounge around kind of girl, but just knowing that I CAN'T get out makes it so much worse.  Cabin fever is legit.

(I stole this from a friend.)

Another day or two or three of laziness and then hopefully we can all head back to school on Monday. :/  Is it summer yet?



Influenza

It started out as a cough.  I was coughing for a good week.  My throat didn't hurt, my nose wasn't runny, but the cough was terrible.

I went to Austin for a Kilgo workshop on Tuesday night/all day Wednesday, and the cough got worse.  I felt miserable Wednesday night and all day at school Thursday.  I planned on coming straight to the apartment and going to sleep early, but I had to go by my parents to get my school shirt to wear on Friday.  Unintentionally, I fell asleep on my bed at my parents in tears because of how miserable I felt with my school clothes, coat, purse, ID, and shoes all still on.

On Friday morning, I tossed the idea of putting in for a sub around many many times because I still felt awful.  I didn't have anything ready for a sub in my room, so I decided that I needed to go to school to at least see what I had going on.  I made some math packets, talked to my secretary, and she got me a sub by 11. Thank goodness.

I came home to my apartment to sleep my life away, and discovered I had a temperature of 102.  :/

When my sweet, loving, wonderful, amazing roommates came home, they made me go/took me to Care Now.  They did a flu test on me that came back positive. :( They gave me lots of prescriptions that I went and got filled.

$90.00 later, I woke up Saturday morning feeling SO much better.  Still not 100%, but the fever and headache and terrible cough were gone.  Just a snotty nose and a little cough.

Unfortunately, now one of my sweet, loving, wonderful, amazing roommates is sick, too.

The highlights of being around my little pumpkins all day every day! :)

We are a Family

Coming back from the holiday break, I was so anxious to see all of my sweet boys and girls.  I knew one had transfered, but other than that, I was ready to see all 18 precious faces.

There was one student in particular that I was more than ready to see. On the Friday before the break, he talked to me some about his home situation and broke down in tears.  It's so hard to hear a student tell you some of the things they are going through.  I sent him down to talk to the counselor that day, but hated to say goodbye that afternoon.  School, as tough and chaotic as it may be some days, is a safe haven for some of these kids.  I take my job as a teacher very seriously, but I also know that some kids just need a place to get away. 


That student didn't show up on the Monday we returned to school.  I was upset and worried.  I talk to his brother and sister's teachers too, and neither one of his siblings were at school. I was crushed.

I had 2 other students not show up as well, but I was aware of their situations and knew they were just out sick. 

I also got a new student that day.  He fits in with our close knit family very well. :)

To make a long story short, after much prayer and some tears, when that sweet boy walked through my door Tuesday morning, tears of joy fell from my face. 

This class really is like a family.  They mean so much to me and I have no doubt that I'll remember this first group of boys and girls forever. :)

Heroes!

I passed out today at school.

There was a health screening blood test thingmajig going on at our school this morning, and Emily, my BFF, was the one responsible for getting people signed up and such.  Despite my fear of needles, I decided that I would sign up to have blood taken because I'm such a great friend. (HAH.)  I told everyone I was super nervous, but they didn't really understand.  I'm a pretty brave girl.  I'd jump out of a plane.  I've bungee jumped.  And I'd rather do that 30 more times than have blood taken. 

This was all taking place in the library, and when I finally got the courage to go up to THE chair, everyone giggled at how nervous and silly I was acting.  The nurse (I guess that's what we could call her) couldn't get a vein in my left arm (because I was so stressed) so she tried my right.  Mrs. Hernandez, one of my teammates, was sitting next to me and started up a conversation in the hopes to get my mind off of what was really happening.  It hurt.  I cringed.  And then she was done.  I was so relieved.  ...Until she said that she hadn't gotten any blood and would have to try the other arm. :/

She poked the other arm.  It hurt. I cringed.  She was done. And then I got VERY lightheaded.  Emily was standing next to me at this point and everyone commented on how pale I looked.  I insisted that I needed to leave the room and that I needed a drink.  I got up and started to walk out of the library (no idea where I thought I was going).  Emily and Mrs.Hernandez were on either side of me (thank God), and before I made it to the nurses office, I had completely blacked out and my legs had gone out from underneath me.  They carried me to a cot in the nurses office where they found me an apple juice.

Emily and Mrs. Hernandez were my heroes today. :) Thank goodness they were there to catch me as I went down. 

As soon as I was down, I felt much better. I ate cheese-its and drank water all morning. My head hurt for most of the day, but I taught all the way through.  The fun really never ends.  Just another good story to tell.

Looking Back...

I have learned and experienced and grown more this year than ever before.  An unbelievable amount of changes happened throughout the year, and I wouldn't live a single day differently.  I am beyond grateful for every person that played a part in making 2010 so unforgettable.  I thought I'd reminisce and share a few of the things that brought 2010 to life. 

JANUARY-
- Began full time student teaching and worked with some awesome people in Grapevine
- Fell in love with teaching 3rd graders
- Took and passed both of my certification exams

FEBRUARY-
- Got my Valentine back

MARCH-
- Celebrated 3 years with Scott Preston
- Started my student teaching in 1st grade

APRIL-
- Finished my student teaching
- Did some running

MAY-
- GRADUATED from the University of North Texas!
- Found out I was going to be a Godmother :)
- Took a trip to Schlitterbahn with Texas and Olive-  The beginning of a wonderful friendship.
- Went to see Avenue Q with Scott
- I went back to work at Stevens Ranch for another exciting (to say the least) summer.

JUNE-
- I was HIRED by Grand Prairie ISD as a 3rd grade teacher at Eisenhower Elementary!!
- Turned 23 :/
- Aunt Diane came from Missouri to visit and I met my new Uncle for the first time
- Went bungee jumping for the first time! A check off my bucket list. Thanks, Scotty.
- Megan got engaged and asked me to be a bridesmaid

JULY-
- Spent the month with many campers whom I love and adore 
- Decided I would not return to camp for summer 2011 and had an emotional last few weeks of camp

AUGUST-
- Finished my summer at Stevens
- Started new teacher training with GPISD
- BOUGHT A CAR!
- Met and fell in love with my sweet third graders!
- Met some amazing coworkers.  So thankful for people like Emily, Sarah, Lisa, and Misti!

SEPTEMBER-
- My precious Godson, Jaxon Kane, was born!
- Lisa Saldivar joined our 3rd grade team (and saved my life!)
- Texas got engaged and asked me to be a bridesmaid

OCTOBER-
- Decided the key to happiness was to part ways with Scotty
- Cut my hair off
- Got myself an iPhone  :)

NOVEMBER-
-Took a trip to visit my BFF, Jordan Avery, in Austin! (and maybe had a little TOO much fun. hahaha)

DECEMBER-
- Went back to camp to help with an event
- Had fun programs, field trips, parties, and celebrations with my sweet third graders
- Went back to camp AGAIN for a fabulous staff retreat with the KD dream team
- Signed a lease for a brand new apartment with Sara and Emily! (and Oscar and Vegas!)

So many highs and lows, but it couldn't have played out any better.  Thank you to everyone that supported and challenged me this year. You will always have a special place in my heart. :) Happy New Year!