I Survived!!

Wow! I cannot believe how time flies! I have been away from my blogging community for quite some time.... busy with kiddos!

I just finished my first full week with 6th graders... yes I survived, yes I would do it again if I had the choice. I LOVE it! It takes a special person to teach 6th grade, they say. I say, it takes a special hero to teach Kindergarten... so we all have our super powers :)

Here are some pictures of my classroom, this was before school started so some things have been added and taken away, it is exciting all the same! (I will take updated pictures on Monday)

reading corner, small I know, but I'm new!

I have a great group of kids and I am so excited for this school year and new chapter in my life!

Blessings,

Teacher Videos... a little inspiration

So many of you have probably seen these videos already, however this first one I am going to share I saw it for the first time yesterday. I felt that it really explained what WE do for our kids. Not only does it feel real, it is honest.

I heard the other day that teachers have the most under appreciated job. But here we are, because it only takes that one kid, note, or smile to redeem it all.

Funny. True. Honest.

This next one, I am almost certain that most teachers have seen. I have seen it twice already, and I am only a first year teacher :)
It doesn't seem as "real" as the first but we all know a "Teddy", we have had an experience like the teacher in this story, maybe not in full length like this, but similar all the same.
My hope, is that one day I may be thought of as a favorite teacher, passionate for what I do, going above and beyond.

The Make A Difference Movie - The Teddy Stallard Story - by Mary Robinson Reynolds | The MasterMinding Maven® - Full Length Version

Just a little inspiration as you begin your school year :)

Blessings,

August's Currently... & The Buddy Walk!

OK...... So I TOTALLY feel out of the blogging loop... I haven't been able to look at all my wonderful blogging friends' ideas or funny comments! I have been so busy with back to school trainings... decorating... trainings.... decorating.... you get the drift.

It is offically (7 days ago) August! Which means it is time for a new Currently! I am linking up with my friend Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade who does a wonderful Currently with her cute 'stash :)

Here is mine:

ON to my Buddy Walk, something that is near and dear to my heart. You may be asking, what is a Buddy Walk? Well, it is a national event that celebrates the lives of individuals with Down Syndrome, one being my son, Gage. I am a HUGE advocate for the acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities, not just Down Syndrome. October is national Down Syndrome awareness month and this is usually when you will hear about such events like the Buddy Walk. You can find out more about it at www.buddywalk.org

This is my son's fundraising page for our local chapter of the Buddy Walk http://www.ezeventsolutions.com/fr/DSSW/2012BuddyWalk/TheGaginators

I encourage you to find a local chapter and join a walk in October, support a great cause and an incredible group of people! 

If I weren't in such a rush this morning, I would write plenty more :) (maybe lucky for you)

Have a blessed day!

My First Blog Award!!

Wow! I was so surprised this morning when I woke up and found that I was nominated for my first blog award! THANK YOU Elizabeth from Hodges Herald for nominating me!!

7 Random Facts About Me:

1. I love spring and fall for the cooler weather, but not too cold to freeze my tail off.

2. My favorite colors are blue and yellow.

3. I've always wanted to swim with the dolphins.

4. I've known some of my best friends for 20+ years.

5. My husband and I were high school sweethearts.

6. I HATE to do laundry.

7. I LOVE Harry Potter. Books. Movies. Anything Harry Potter :)

Here are my nominees (they are all amazing bloggers and teachers!)

4th Grade Frolics

6th Grade All-Stars

Adventures of a 6th Grade Teacher

Fifth in the Middle

Finding JOY in 6th Grade

Heather's Heart

Inspire, Dream, & Create

Kitchin's Kinder

Mommy, Teacher, & So Much More

My Life as a Third Grade Teacher

Oh' Boy 4th Grade

Second Grade Math Manic

Teaching with Blonde Ambition

Think, Wonder, & Teach

Will Grade for Coffee

Follow these rules to to claim your award:

1. Thank who nominated you.

2. Include a link back to who nominated you.

3. Include the award image in your post.

4. Give 7 random facts about yourself in your post.

5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

6. When nominating, include a link back to their blog in your post.

7. Let the bloggers you nominate know by leaving them a comment.

Again, THANK YOU, Elizabeth :)

Giveaway!

Go check out No Monkey Business because they are having a BIG 500 Giveaway! Do 5 things in order to enter, very easy stuff, and good luck!

Monday Made It #3!

I am linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics once again for Monday Made It! Be sure to stop by her page to check out all her fun ideas and some inspiration from other fellow teachers.

So over the weekend I was finally able to get into my classroom. Let me tell you, it is a train wreck, er... organized chaos. I was assigned the old Literacy Lab for my classroom, so I have piles of stuff to go through. While this could potentially be a GREAT thing for a new teacher, it also adds to my To Do list. I have stuff from previous teachers and stuff from the literacy lab as well to go through. Needless to say I will be hanging out in my classroom most of the week.

Now, on to my Monday Made It.... I made a Calendar for my classroom! I used poster board from Walmart and blue cardstock I had on hand. I printed all my words and such off of Word and cut to fit with cute decorating scissors. I had Scotch brand 5x7 self laminating sheets on hand to laminate the months, however I need to get into the school's laminating machine to do my whole calendar. I put velcro pads on the months, so that they can be removed. I plan on using an overhead marker to write the numbers on..... we will see how this works once it is actually laminated. If they do not wipe off easy enough I will print numbers with velcro on the back to be able to remove. 

I added an "Important Dates" piece so that the students can quickly check for upcoming events.. such as tests, picture days, no school... etc. 

The hardest part was measuring and drawing lines so that it all fit and looked just right. I plan to add a Jayhawk in the upper right hand side once I get access to the school printer :)

So why make my own, you ask? Well, because it was WAYYY cheaper and it matches my decor!

What has inspired you this week?

Teaching with Courage

Courage... humm, well many can attest to having it, but how many really use it? As teachers our courage could amount to something HUGE, no matter how small it may be. I got my inspiration from Kim at Finding Joy in 6th Grade. She shared many instances of teaching with courage, at the end of her post she asked others to share their experiences. My hope, in sharing my experience is to (hopefully) give someone in a similar situation courage to speak out for their students, as this is what I did.

I graduated in May of 2011, as the school year approached I had one interview through all the millions of applications I had filled out. That didn't pan out. I was upset, needless to say. I thought I would NEVER get a job. So, when the anticipation of having my OWN room died down, I applied to be a substitute in several districts around the area. After some time a teacher in my home district asked me to long-term sub, knowing I wasn't real sure of when or how long I would be there. I accepted.

In November I began my long-term spot. Right away I noticed the lack of structure in the classroom. These students have had various subs prior to me and it was chaos. I felt like things needed to change if I was going to stay for an extended time, but I was scared to do anything about it. After some time I pulled up all the courage I had and approached the Principal. At this time, he didn't know much about me or my credentials. I told him I would like to make some changes for the students best interest, and that I felt they were not getting the education they deserved. He questioned me on what I knew or why I would want to change the way the classroom was ran. I was scared out of my mind to say how I felt. But slowly it did come out. Surprisingly, he gave me permission to change things in the class. Time went on, the class adjusted and the Principal visited frequently. I ended up staying 6 months with this class and I felt as if they were my own. 


It was the last week of school and the Principal asked me to an interview for another position in the building that would be opening up. I was offered it on the spot! He said he had high hopes for me and loved that I was flexible and willing to speak up for my students. It was courage that found me where I am today. My students had more respect for me at the end of the year because I made it my own. 


I encourage you to find that courage when you feel something isn't just right. We do this for THEM. We are here to educate, inspire, and mold these kiddos. Give them every opportunity to succeed and reach their highest goals!


Now it is your turn to tell your story of Teaching with Courage! Please add the picture below to your blog with the following link: http://joyin6th.blogspot.com/2012/07/teaching-with-courage.html, if you don't blog and would still like to share your story, I would love to read it so please comment!

Blessings!