I can't believe that I haven't written a post at all this month! I was so good at blogging once a week. Then August happened. I basically went back to work this month for the whole month since I'm new to the district. I've been a busy bee these past few weeks. This post combines my school prep and my first week of school adventures.
I always like to start the school year off with a classroom tour. Every year I change it up just a little. However, since this was a new school, it is completely different. The only similarity is the Tech decor from last year.
This is the view when you walk into the door.
My book boxes are on the floor waiting to be filled with books for my third graders!
Just a continuation from the previous picture.
Student lockers with my book display from Khols. I've never had the space to do this before.
Behind the door.
The sink area and some storage
All my most prized classroom possessions....MY BOOKS!!!
Just another view of the seating arrangements.
All of us new kids got a mentor (or in my case since I'm only new to the district and not teaching, a buddy) to help us through the year. The mentor coordinator got each of us a survival basket full of goodies. I may or may not have already eaten the candy out of mine.....
Here's a close up of what is on the paper that went with the basket explaining what each item means
I got this card in my mailbox from the sweet lady who helped me get this job. She and I go to church together, and she has known me since I was a little girl. This was so thoughtful of her to think of me and give me words of encouragement. No matter how long you've been doing this job, it's always hard to me new. One of my biggest fears going into this new position was letting everyone down who advocated for me. I want to make them (and myself) proud.
Meet "Team Fluffy" a/k/a The Third Grade Team jamming out at convocation. NISD sure knows how to put on a convocation. It was a lot of fun. The guest speaker was amazing...and I have his book!
Posing in front of our school banner.
Tiff and I on a long, hot bus ride to convocation (and coming back)
I couldn't do a back to school post without mentioning how much I'm going to miss working with these ladies. I love my new team and my new school. A part of me will always miss these ladies and all the memories we've shared (good and bad). We've been through so much together...2 babies, a miscarriage, cancer, health issues......and so much more. I don't think I've ever laughed as hard as when I'm with these 3 girls right here. All four of us are so different and bring something different to this table of friendship. I'm thankful for snap chat and text messages. I still feel like I'm with them every day. All this means is that when we get together for celebrations, we will have that much more fun and laughter.
A message to my girls from the "Dream Team":
VW, keep rockin and loving those baby sharks like only you can. You are one of the most intuitive teachers I've ever met. You really know your babies and how to help them. I love your no nonsense talk with parents and other teachers. You stick to your guns, and I admire that.
TJ, I'm so happy for you and your new position. You are going to knock it out of the park. Your passion has always been with the GT kiddos, and now you get to take them to new heights. You are a strong woman who conquers. I look forward to hearing about the differences you're going to make in all the lives you touch this year.
LAS, enjoy year 2 of being a SAM. I thought you rocked year 1 with poise and grace. I know that it wasn't easy for you. We missed you this last year. It just wasn't the same without you. Baby C is lucky to have you home with her. I love how you still have a teacher heart with C. She is going to be so ready for school when the time comes. You're a great mom, and I love watching your interactions with her on snap chat:)
All gathered together for C's 1st bday!!!
Last Thursday was "Meet the Teacher" night. I got to meet almost all of my third graders and their parents. I already had an assignment up for both my kids and their parents. I wish everyone could've seen the look on the kids' faces when I told them they had their first assignment in 3rd grade. Priceless.
Being proactive and having them sort and organize their own supplies so we didn't have to do it on the first day of school I loved the way that turned out. It was nice!
Thinking win-win this year. I started the year off by getting parents' input about what I can do to help make their kids successful in third grade. I got some great feedback.
Taking a break from school for a bit.....On top of a busy prep week back, I had another major hurdle to conquer......CG Games. The Saturday before school starts and I'm up at 5am getting ready to compete in the pouring rain. Not going to lie, I almost chickened out. Thanks to some great friends (and teammates) and a no nonsense trainer, I got myself out there and got it done. I was slow. But I finished. Just like the headband says: "not fast, but not last". Here is team "Tuff Enuff" soggy and exhausted.
The close up selfie. Robin was right, there is a great sense of pride when you complete something of this magnitude. No matter how well (or in my case, bad) you do, just going out there and doing it and finishing is an accomplishment in and of itself. The conditions were terrible, but we overcame!
Back to school.....
Overall, I'd say my first week as a third grade teacher at my new school was a success. I only had one rough day, and that was Wednesday. I've made it no secret about how much I loathe Wednesdays. I thought Friday was the best day of the week, and not just because it was the weekend. My kids were on point all day. I also got my first presents. It was completely unexpected.
A young man in my class came running up to me Friday morning with this in hand. The look of pride on his face when he presented it to me was enough to brighten anyone's day. Of course, he loved that it got a prime place in the classroom so it could be seen by all. Later in the day, he gave me a "cool rock he found" as well as multiple "I love you's".
One of my other little boys came to class late on Friday. He handed me his tardy slip then presented me with this king sized candy (my favorite). #forgiven
I go on to find out that his mom is the manager of a candy store. She informed me during pick up later that afternoon that I could expect better candy surprises later. I think it's clear I'm going to need some extra CG sessions to pay for the indulgences I'll be receiving this year.
I also got my first picture. And it was a Texas Tech picture. I gave the class some "sharpen the saw" time at the end of the day to reward them for a job well done. Some chose to play on their devices, some chose to read, some chose to write, and others chose to draw. I have 4 girls in my class this year. They got together to come up with a picture for me. I was presented with this. They said since I have these all over the room they wanted to make me a picture of it. So here you have it, the first (of many I hope) picture to go on my wall.
I also need to share about a young man in another class that has already touched my heart in so many ways. This young man reminds me of some of my friends at my other school. Just a sweet soul in need of extra love. Love which I am more than willing to give. Something to know about me, if I know of a child who has a particular struggle, I will try to become a friend/ mentor that they can come to and know they always have a positive adult in their life they can count on. I was going to make it my mission to be that for this boy. In just 4 days, this young man is coming up to me giving me fist bumps and hugs every time he sees me. He's already telling me that I'm "awesome." I wrote this boy a note letting him know that I'm here for him and that he is a leader who will do great things. I later find out that the letter meant so much to him that he carried it with him. I was in tears a couple of times this week because of this young man. Happy tears that maybe, just maybe, I can help him in some small way and to bring a sense of joy to him when he is sad. This, friends, is why I do what I do.
I can't wait to see how week 2 goes for me. I feel like I'm slowly falling into my routine. I feel productive in my new role. So far I love everything about my school, the faculty, the leadership, and the kids. I hope this feeling never goes away. Here's to a great 2016-2017 school year filled with more love and moments of joy!
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