For my last post of 2013, I thought I'd link up with Miss Kindergarten for her 13 in 13 linky party to share the top 13 moments from my past year.
I know, I know...it's been FOREVER since my last post. Does anyone else feel like Christmas/December/Thanksgiving/everything came and went so fast this year? I still feel like I'm recuperating from the Holiday craziness! For my last post of 2013, I thought I'd link up with Miss Kindergarten for her 13 in 13 linky party to share the top 13 moments from my past year. 2013 started off with my husband and I closing on our first home together. I am still so thankful to our fantastic family and friends who donated their Saturday to helping us move into our new home. This was my final year to coach the kids' team in the faculty vs. student basketball game. My sweet kids really got into me being their "coach," even though I know absolutely nothing about basketball, and gave a jersey with my name on the back. My family and I, along with a kiddo of mine, "ran" in The Color Run this past spring. It was so much fun spending the day in the rain together. Last year, I did the paperwork to have my Drama Club kids become part of the International Junior Thespian Society. It was the first year we had officers in Drama Club as well, and the first year that all of the eighth graders were not only involved for three years in a row, but were also my students. I was so proud watching them run the induction ceremony. They were the reason the program got to where it is today. After giving them their medals, we had a group hug/huddle, where we all cried knowing that they were going off to high school and I was moving on to another building to teach elementary school. Those kids will forever hold a special place in my heart. My last day in middle school was a difficult one. I couldn't bear to say goodbye to my students. During the last hour of the day, one of my kids brought in a piano and played a song for me. We all sat there, crying and hugging and smiling together, knowing that this was the very last moment I would be in "my" classroom. Looking back, it really was the perfect exit for me. I helped bring music and creativity into that building, and I left with my students feeling comfortable enough to be creative in their goodbye to me. In June one of my best friends and I had the journey of our life when we went to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. It wouldn't have been the same attending Space Camp without her, and it was by far the best way to kick off my summer! I have Space Camp on here twice because it was the best professional development experience I've ever had! I met teachers from all around the United States and world. I built relationships with teachers who were just as passionate about their students as I am. It was truly an experience like no other that I hope all teachers can experience during their careers. Beginning my first year as a fifth grade teacher was so exciting and terrifying all at once! I snapped this picture right before my Meet the Teacher night in August. I was so nervous that I could barely keep food down all day. The anticipation of meeting my class was so thrilling and nerve-wracking! I This summer and fall we were had so many fantastic weekends with our best friends. I don't think a weekend passed where we didn't spend a night eating sushi, playing games, or having a dance party with our favorite people. I'm already looking forward to next summer! In November, two of our best friends tied the knot and my husband and I were lucky enough to be in their bridal party! The day of their wedding was so much fun, and spending the day with them as they shared their vows was incredible. Speaking of incredible, my husband won me and my friend Amanda free tickets to see Justin Timberlake this November. I was able to relive my teenage boy-band crazed antics all over again as Mr. Suit and Tie performed. As for moment thirteen, well, I just couldn't decide on one. This year for me has been all about reflection. I've watched my former students come in and share their leadership with my current fifth graders. I've rediscovered my passion for teaching other subjects besides science and my ambition to reach all students. I've realized again how lucky I am to share a home with my wonderful, supportive husband and dog and to have fantastic friends and family nearby to laugh with. 2013 has certainly been very good to me, and I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store! :)
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To say that switching schools was difficult is an understatement. It was incredibly hard to leave the only school I ever knew behind. I left my students, my colleagues, and my first classroom behind. (I know it seems weird to include the classroom, but there is something about that first classroom that is irreplaceable).
I have gone back to visit some of my old colleagues and students a few times since making the switch. Each time, it was a very out-of-body experience. Walking through my old hallways, past my old classroom was so surreal. It even made me feel a little sick to my stomach and guilty for leaving my old students behind. In many ways, it still felt more like "my school" than my current school, since it was the only school I knew for so very long. About a month ago I had a very real reminder of one of the reasons why I left, besides for my desire to go back to elementary school. It was a tremendously heart-wrenching experience. I realized after that moment even more how thankful I am to be working in the building I am now, and working with such incredible teachers and kids every day. Then, about a week ago, I had to head back to my old school to drop off some thank you letters from my students for an old student who volunteered to come to my class and speak. When I dropped the letters off and headed back to my car, I was shocked to realize that this was the first time that my old school didn't feel like "home" anymore. It was strangely unfamiliar to me all of a sudden. I was sad, yet relieved. I couldn't wait to head to my new school home, the home I belonged to now. When I walked through my doors, greeted by my wonderful morning custodian as I am every morning at 7:00 AM, I found myself grinning a little bigger than usual. Sure, it was hard to leave everything I once knew. It was hard to leave the only school home I knew behind. But, in the end, I have a new home now. I have new adventures and endeavors (see what I did there?) to conquer. My old school and kids will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will always, always, always be there for my former kids, since they will always be my students. But I now realize that it's okay to leave my old school behind. My new school is my home now, and boy, is it pretty spectacular. :) It was time for a new look in room 224...it began with our classroom door... I decided to pay tribute to my former English teacher, who had this classic poem by Shel Silverstein posted in his classroom. We learned about poetry last week, so it was a great way to integrate some poetry in my classroom! Then we moved on to the bulletin board outside our classroom... Since we have been learning about leadership, I decided to try the "BE" bulletin board that has been circulating Pinterest for quite some time. I love it! And finally, here is my 7 Habits tree that we put up in our classroom this week! Isn't it awesome? I love the color!
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About MeTeacher of leaders. Life-long learner. Space geek. Lover of all things color-coordinated, organized, and cutesy. Categories
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September 2015
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