Hello!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m feeling so excited that I finally have some time to sit back, relax, blog and have some time for me, but I have to honestly say that I’m already missing my darling kinders! I just can’t help it. They really are the best.
My summer “officially” started on Monday, but between finishing packing up my classroom (moving to a new room), our district’s Summer Summit and leading/co-leading some PD, it doesn’t seem quite like it has began yet…
That is until now ๐
So, to kick off the beginning of my summer, I am linking up with Doodlebug’s Teaching for her Five for Friday linky and sharing 5 random things from my jam packed week!
Here we go!
At the end of every school year, I give my students my address so that we can write letters back and forth. This week I’ve already received 3 precious letters! This was the first that I got. It just makes my heart happy. She included a penny, pink string and a balloon of course!
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to lead a couple of sessions at our district’s Summer Summit on Math Workshop. I also had the opportunity learn from some fabulous educators in their sessions. It’s so much fun for me to collaborate and learn from other teachers and administrators! I also teamed up with our district data guru and we’ve been teaching some PD on using NWEA MAP data with math workstations and guided math. It’s amazing the conversations we can have about our teaching when just have the time for it.
It’s official! We booked our 5 year anniversary trip this week for the end of July! We are going to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic! I am soooo excited! Can’t believe we’ll be celebrating 5 years! Here’s a little peak of where we’ll be staying!
Eeeeeeek!!
Yesterday, (day 2 of my district’s Summer Summit) we were privileged to have Dave Burgess come and speak with our staff! He is the amazing author of the popular book, Teach Like a Pirate and is a high school history teacher from California. He was just incredible! I just sat there during his keynote captivated by his energy and his inspiring words! I always get this rush of excitement when I am surrounded by educators that have the same passion for teaching that I do. It seems so easy to focus on the “hard/negative” parts of our job, but when we are surrounded by people who build us up, and don’t dwell on the things we can’t change, we can accomplish so much more and be that much better for our kids. I’m learning that in order to make a change, you have to BE the change. For me that means, leading by example, and providing others with those supportive boosts they may need. We’re all a work in progress, and admitting that is half the battle ๐
Any way, back to Dave Burgess..did you know he is a magician too?! I know it’s crazy, but I was pulled “up on stage” to participate in a magic act and guess what?! He’s magical! I was part of this lock and key act and I’m telling you I just don’t know how it all happened!
Must just be magic!!
During the break, I had the opportunity to snap a pic with him and my friend Sarah who teaches 2nd grade at my school. She has that same crazy, excited energy for teaching and learning as I do, so we’re a perfect match! She’s having her first baby at the beginning of August (isn’t she adorable?!) and still gave up a couple days of her summer to grow as an educator.
That’s commitment, and I love it.
No excuses.
So back in January, I had the opportunity to travel to Atlanta, Georgia with Sarah (2nd grade teacher above!) to attend the National Educator’s Conference at The Ron Clark Academy. I’ve mentioned before that this was the most life-changing experience of my life. I have never in my life felt more like myself and more inspired. Being at RCA helped me see that I didn’t need to be embarrassed about my love and passion for teaching. I have let what others say about the time, commitment, hard work, money and passion that I put into growing my students, get to me. And to be honest, at times it has really gotten me down. I’ve realized that I can’t worry about it, AND I am making an effort to work on that. My job is to grow kids.
That’s what I do and that’s what I love doing.
I love teaching kids.
#sorrynotsorry #proudteacher ๐
Long story short, last night I received an email from RCA that included all of the pictures from my trip. I was flipping through all of them and came across a picture of myself after I had “spun” the wheel to see which house I was going to be a part of (Woo Hoo Team Amistad!). The excitement on my face was just what I needed. You see, my principal and I met today to continue planning our implementation of the “house” system that will begin in August. I needed just a little reminder of the magic that I witnessed at The Ron Clark Academy. It’s amazing what one little picture was able to do for me.
I feel energized, and excited about next school year, and it’s only the beginning of the summer!
Thanks for reading the ramblings of my crazy, yet eye opening week!
I hope your summer is off to a great start and you do all the things that make you happy!
Have a fabulous weekend!
