I can't believe I haven't blogged in 2 weeks! I even missed my first "What's Up Wednesday?" post. I wrote it down to do it. When it came down to it, I was just too busy and didn't feel like it. Every time I thought about sitting down to write, I just talked myself out of it and wanted to do something else instead. Don't even get me started on what I've been reading (or not reading). Since school has started, I've been a whirlwind of crazy. I mean, WOW! I don't think I've ever been so busy this time of year. My new job has me working hard. Here's the secret.....I love it. I'm loving my new job!!! It is so much hard work with high expectations, but it is so worth it. In just 3 weeks, I already feel like a better teacher. I've learned so much since starting to work for Northwest. The support that you get in this district is amazing. The academic coaches are there whenever you need them and always willing to help. I've had the head of the Math department in my room observing. Yesterday, I had the head of the Language Arts department in my room observing. The principal has been in my room 2 or 3 times and the AP has been in there once. It's only been 3 weeks of school. I'm definitely not used to having people watch me so much. I mean, last year no one came into my room. I'm loving all the feedback I'm getting through this process. I know some people freak out when someone comes in to watch them. I welcome it. I need the feedback. How else am I supposed to grow and challenge myself if no one tells me what I need to work on? Also, it's nice to get pats on the back when I do something awesome.
It's been very important to me to work hard and challenge myself in this new role. If someone speaks for me and gives me a recommendation, I want to do that person proud. It is important to me that I don't disappoint myself or the person who put my name forth. I have really felt that I've needed a challenge lately. I felt stagnant in my other place. Like I just wasn't doing what I needed to do, and I didn't know how to change it. It's no secret that I've been trying to move to another district over these last several years. I truly believe I'm exactly where God wants me to be. I feel like I'm a good fit in my new school. And a good fit in third grade.
Can we just stop and talk about how much I LOVE third grade! My class is amazing. I love those kids. They keep me on my toes and make me happy and proud at the same time! I love getting to teach them every day. I especially love that I get to help shape them into leaders. I'm loving the leadership that I'm seeing in these sweet children. I love the interactions that I get to have with these older kids. It's so different from first grade. The discussions we have! Their ideas! The way they think and reason! I was so hoping that I would love third grade as much as I thought I would. So far, I am not disappointed. These kids are sweet. I still get hugs and pictures. I get notes. I even get candy and other treats. The other day, one of my kids bought me a pointer from the book fair! I have another student who brings me candy every week (when your mom is the GM of a candy store....) and he brought me donuts this week, too. This was so not the week to skip CG! All this to say, in case I haven't made my point yet, I love my class!
I also love the school. The staff is amazing. The administration has a vast wealth of knowledge and ways to support you. I've already mentioned how much I love the feedback. I'm new, and there are so many people willing to help and answer questions. The ladies in the front office are AMAZING! The girls on my team are super nice! I just love how everyone works together. I also like the way the school is run. The procedures that are in place are great for a girl like me! It's like a well-oiled machine.
I got to go to a training on Wednesday that was so beneficial. I was hesitant at first because I didn't want to leave my kids when we had so much work to do. However, the training ended up being well worth my time. I spent the whole day learning Language Arts stuff (that's my true love). I got to observe a whole Language Arts block from 2 outstanding teachers in the district. I left feeling like I learned so much. I also left feeling like there were a couple of lessons I needed to re-teach. I saw how they fit grammar into their block, too. I struggle with that. The way they made it work was totally doable. Guess who's going to start doing that this coming week? Already on it!
In other news......I've been sick this past week. Labor Day weekend was not so fun for me. I was running a fever and had a terrible hacking cough (which I'm still hanging on to). I didn't workout at all this week. You know, my lungs just wouldn't cooperate. I'm ready to be back for my favorite week of camp this week: strength and agility. Oh, how I love to lift me some weights!
Also, I miss my friends! I miss the twins. I'm so glad that I'm having lunch with them tomorrow. We are picking up our monthly Sunday lunch dates again. Uncle Julio's here we come! I need me some twin time! I miss my Thread Gang! We've been snapping everyday, but I still miss seeing their faces everyday. I can't wait until November when we all get to hang out and go to Magnolia Market and other shennanigans. It's so weird not working with them anymore. But it's also fun to hear about their new work lives.
I've updated my Motherhood blog. It's been a few months since I've made a post. Here's the newest post: That First Positive
