Keeping it Real...

through a series of confessions: 

There are 18 days left of school. 

Confession: I'm excited (for day number 18). 

In the next 18 days we will have Junior Achievement Day, Field Day, Teacher Appreciation Month, SST's, retention meetings, two benchmark tests, planning for next year, and packing. 

Don't be confused. I am NOT packing this year to go somewhere else. That's right, for the first time in my 7-year teaching career, I get to stay put. I get to know that I am staying before contracts ever come out. I get to teach the same grade for more than one year in a row. For any of you who have followed my story, this is miraculous and amazing all rolled into one. 

my first year - kindergarten 

my second year - kindergarten (diff. school)

third year - student teaching

student teaching, diff. school

fourth year - subbing; long term-subbing (not pictured)

fifth year - 1st grade

six year - EIP 1st & 2nd grades (not pictured)

seventh year - 2nd grade

Confession: It's going to be exhausting. 

Bring it on! I'm ready. My kids and I have had fun this year and we have all grown a lot - especially me, their teacher. 

I've learned a lot. I learned about the teacher I am and the teacher I want to be. I've learned that there are some co-workers and coaches who will help us get there. I've learned that there are some, who unfortunately, will set up road blocks. I've learned to keep my eyes open, my ears clear, my mouth closed, my head held high, and my ideas flowing. I'm thankful for the people who have taught me to stand on my own - whether I got hurt in the process, or I laughed every step of the way. It's the co-workers who you come to find are true or false friends that get us to where we are. I'll keep the true ones. Unfortunately, they are far and few between. At the end of the day though, I'm there for the kids. 

Confession: Teaching is hard. Not every day goes as planned, and let's be honest, we don't have a plan for every day. 

After 162 days of school, you can still give a vocabulary test for 5 words, have a word bank at the bottom, read each sentence aloud, and when you pick up the papers there is a child's whose it blank. Why? "I didn't know the answers." 

As you discuss Cause & Effect and have an awesome lesson planned incorporating technology, tying in The Lorax and Earth Day and yet you ask, "How can we look for Cause and Effect when reading?" and a students says: "Well if you are reading and turn the page really fast you can get a paper cut, so reading caused the paper cut." Have you missed the boat? 

Confession: Somedays you just have to laugh. In fact, almost every day you have to laugh. 

Confession: Teacher Appreciation at my school starts this coming week and I could not be more excited. I live for Teacher Appreciation - not for me, but so that I can have the opportunity to thank the co-workers who have taught me to keep it real and be the teacher I am. 

I've got some fun cooked up and can't wait to share. 

You've been so kind and generous

For your kindness, I'm in debt to you

For your selflessness - my admiration

Lessons Learned: 

keep it real

sometimes keeping it real goes wrong

laugh

be honest

appreciate