I have a little boy in my class...we'll name him Tyler. Tyler was very nervous to start school. He has some social issues. So at Back to School Night, I though it would make him more comfortable if I asked him to help me out on the first day. I showed him where he would hang his backpack and told him that I hadn't told anyone else about that routine and that he could help me explain that procedure in the morning. And of course when EVERYONE asked where to put their backpacks (which they ALL did...at the SAME time), Tyler was all set to let us know where and how to hang your backpack. You wouldn't think something that simple would need a complete explanation, but it does...and that's what you do for the first several weeks (months) of school.
Anyhow, we had a staff meeting today and at the beginning of each of our meetings, my principal asks for "celebrations" (which I love)...it's such a great way to set a positive climate in the school. And Tyler's 2nd grade teacher told us that she was visiting with his mom yesterday after the first day of school when Tyler came out to join his mom at dismissal time. His mom asked him how his first day was and he said it went great and when she asked what he thought of his new teacher he said, "She has a kind face."
Doesn't that very simple compliment make you want to cry?! It is so sweet and innocent. Made me want to cry...but mostly, I'm just so glad he seems calm and happy!
I forgot my camera, but left it at school so I could take pictures tomorrow...will post soon!
Much love...
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Top Ten Reasons Why I Already Love This School...
The new school year starts day after tomorrow, so referring to that, here's a top ten list of reasons why I already love my new school...
10. One thing has remained consistent...I have a half hour drive from home to school, in opposite traffic on the highway, moving north bound. Somehow that consistency is comforting to me.
9. Every classroom is STOCKED with books. I have been collecting my classroom library since college. Each room has a library 3 X the size of my personal one. Incredible!!
8. My teammate, Stephanie, and I stayed out late last week to work (we're in a portable, which doesn't have an alarm) so we don't have to leave the building when everyone else does. We thought that was great...until we had to pee. We couldn't get into the building to use the bathrooms, so our solution was to go in our rooms, rip off the top of a water bottle, and pee in it. And then throw it off the balcony outside our "cottages." We also decided not to tell anyone about it.
7. I'm in a portable, but my teammates and I are making the best of it and calling them our "cottages."
6. All of the people I work with have been super friendly and inviting and willing to help out!
5. There are many more men in this profession in CO than there are in TX. I think it's such an important influence to have men in the classrooms, so I'm glad there are several in my building.
4. I love my teammates...they are so fun and know how to balance hard work with a sense of humor.
3. I love my principals...they are positive, focused on best practices within the curriculum and instruction, and are genuinely excited to be there.
2. I get to look at mountains every day.
1. I'm working SO hard during the day that I'm finally sleeping well at night!
Will post pics of my classroom tomorrow...
10. One thing has remained consistent...I have a half hour drive from home to school, in opposite traffic on the highway, moving north bound. Somehow that consistency is comforting to me.
9. Every classroom is STOCKED with books. I have been collecting my classroom library since college. Each room has a library 3 X the size of my personal one. Incredible!!
8. My teammate, Stephanie, and I stayed out late last week to work (we're in a portable, which doesn't have an alarm) so we don't have to leave the building when everyone else does. We thought that was great...until we had to pee. We couldn't get into the building to use the bathrooms, so our solution was to go in our rooms, rip off the top of a water bottle, and pee in it. And then throw it off the balcony outside our "cottages." We also decided not to tell anyone about it.
7. I'm in a portable, but my teammates and I are making the best of it and calling them our "cottages."
6. All of the people I work with have been super friendly and inviting and willing to help out!
5. There are many more men in this profession in CO than there are in TX. I think it's such an important influence to have men in the classrooms, so I'm glad there are several in my building.
4. I love my teammates...they are so fun and know how to balance hard work with a sense of humor.
3. I love my principals...they are positive, focused on best practices within the curriculum and instruction, and are genuinely excited to be there.
2. I get to look at mountains every day.
1. I'm working SO hard during the day that I'm finally sleeping well at night!
Will post pics of my classroom tomorrow...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Old Friends + New Friends
I realize that we've already gotten into this week, but I just wanted to post a few pics of my weekend with Amanda and Marisa. The girls came in last Friday evening for a short visit...we had a blast! It was so great to see familiar faces. It was really comforting. I've always said, no matter where I live that my ideal setting would be the atmosphere of my adventures, but with all of my family and friends within it. Maybe that will be my heaven. But for now, I will enjoy my girls coming to see me. Here's a few pics on our hike up the Sanitas...
I call this post Old Friends + New Friends because we went out with Cara (a new friend of mine who I met through an old friend and her friend, who also happens to be named Kara) on Saturday night. We had a blast and I really enjoyed being with the old and new.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Things Not To Say While In Colorado...
"I'm from Texas."
So, I'm in district workshops this week. I've been in training on the adopted math program and tomorrow I'll start with the literacy program. If you're a teacher, you understand that these can most often be a beating, but you've got to just make the best of it, right? The instructors know we don't want to be there, since we'd much rather be working in our rooms during the day (considering school starts next week) so God love them that they're trying for Jesus to make it seem like learning about this program is equivalent to soaking up the sun on some great beach in Mexico while sipping on margaritas with a hot cabana boy fanning my sweaty body. Damn I wish I were in Mexico.
So keeping that in mind, I realize that most people in the room with me are feeling that way as well. So we started in groups of same grade level, of which I really like my group...it's a good mix of people, we've shared some good ideas, and we all seem to have the same teaching philosophies. But every now and then, the instructors will ask us to split into different groups. So, I was doing a group activity with three other girls, two of whom knew each other and seemed completely unhappy that they had to move their asses from one end of the room to the other and the other LITERALLY did not speak a word the entire time. Way to collaborate. So I was just trying to keep things lively and somewhat positive. Here was my conversation with one of the miserable girls, I'll name her Queen Misery (QM) because every time I've glanced over at her through out this training this week, she's either rolling her eyes, practically laying on the back of her chair, or half asleep. Like I said before, I realize that workshops are hard, but for the love of everything holy, make the best of a tough/bad/irritating situation. Here's what happened when I first tried to get to know my group...
Me: So what grade will you be teaching?
QM: 1st
Me: Oh cool...I taught Kinder for a year. They were a little too young for me though.
QM: What will you be teaching?
Me: 3rd
QM: So is this you first year in the district?
Me: Yes, I actually just moved here about a week ago!
QM: Oh...where from?
Me: Dallas.
QM: So why did you decide to move here?
Me: Well, I knew I didn't want to live in Dallas forever and it just felt like the right time to try something new.
QM: But why Colorado? Do you know anyone here?
Me: Well, I know a few people here and I have some family here, but my family and I spent a lot of time here when I was younger and I've just always loved it. You know, a lot of people from Texas come up here to ski in the winter because it's fairly close...
QM: Umm, yea, we know.
And THAT was the end of the conversation. I wasn't even finished with my thought when she spouted that out and then our discussion was LITERALLY over. Apparently that pissed her off and she was done talking to me. It was so weird, but I guess now I know I should keep my mouth shut about being from Texas, especially the part about skiing up here when I was younger.
When I got back to the table of other 3rd grade teachers, another person asked where I was from and I told him I wasn't sure I should tell people. He was from Arizona though, so he didn't hold it against me. We concluded that most people who live here aren't even from here anyway. I forgot to ask Queen Misery where she was from...it would have been an even funnier story if I had and she replied, "Delaware."
What the hell happens in Delaware anyway?
So, I'm in district workshops this week. I've been in training on the adopted math program and tomorrow I'll start with the literacy program. If you're a teacher, you understand that these can most often be a beating, but you've got to just make the best of it, right? The instructors know we don't want to be there, since we'd much rather be working in our rooms during the day (considering school starts next week) so God love them that they're trying for Jesus to make it seem like learning about this program is equivalent to soaking up the sun on some great beach in Mexico while sipping on margaritas with a hot cabana boy fanning my sweaty body. Damn I wish I were in Mexico.
So keeping that in mind, I realize that most people in the room with me are feeling that way as well. So we started in groups of same grade level, of which I really like my group...it's a good mix of people, we've shared some good ideas, and we all seem to have the same teaching philosophies. But every now and then, the instructors will ask us to split into different groups. So, I was doing a group activity with three other girls, two of whom knew each other and seemed completely unhappy that they had to move their asses from one end of the room to the other and the other LITERALLY did not speak a word the entire time. Way to collaborate. So I was just trying to keep things lively and somewhat positive. Here was my conversation with one of the miserable girls, I'll name her Queen Misery (QM) because every time I've glanced over at her through out this training this week, she's either rolling her eyes, practically laying on the back of her chair, or half asleep. Like I said before, I realize that workshops are hard, but for the love of everything holy, make the best of a tough/bad/irritating situation. Here's what happened when I first tried to get to know my group...
Me: So what grade will you be teaching?
QM: 1st
Me: Oh cool...I taught Kinder for a year. They were a little too young for me though.
QM: What will you be teaching?
Me: 3rd
QM: So is this you first year in the district?
Me: Yes, I actually just moved here about a week ago!
QM: Oh...where from?
Me: Dallas.
QM: So why did you decide to move here?
Me: Well, I knew I didn't want to live in Dallas forever and it just felt like the right time to try something new.
QM: But why Colorado? Do you know anyone here?
Me: Well, I know a few people here and I have some family here, but my family and I spent a lot of time here when I was younger and I've just always loved it. You know, a lot of people from Texas come up here to ski in the winter because it's fairly close...
QM: Umm, yea, we know.
And THAT was the end of the conversation. I wasn't even finished with my thought when she spouted that out and then our discussion was LITERALLY over. Apparently that pissed her off and she was done talking to me. It was so weird, but I guess now I know I should keep my mouth shut about being from Texas, especially the part about skiing up here when I was younger.
When I got back to the table of other 3rd grade teachers, another person asked where I was from and I told him I wasn't sure I should tell people. He was from Arizona though, so he didn't hold it against me. We concluded that most people who live here aren't even from here anyway. I forgot to ask Queen Misery where she was from...it would have been an even funnier story if I had and she replied, "Delaware."
What the hell happens in Delaware anyway?
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Like a Dream...
I've just arrived in Colorado! Sucks that my last post leaves one wondering if I even have a job before moving out here, but let's just chalk that up to a VERY busy summer and move on! I figured it would be a lot easier for me to write now that I've had a change of pace.
The last few days have seemed very dream-like. Even as I was leaving Dallas, it didn't feel like I was moving. This change has seemed fairly quiet. That's sort of the only word I can think of to describe it. Not that people didn't know I was moving, but it just sort of happened...and in a quieter way than when I moved to Boston, but frankly, that seems to be fitting since to some degree, I needed more quiet space in my life.
I stopped in Hays, Kansas for the night after driving 8 1/2 hours on Saturday. Please take my word for it...you don't need to put "get out to Hays" on your list of things to do. The dream-like sequence started there. Have you ever had that dream where you are watching a scene, and you think maybe the people in the scene can see you and might acknowledge you, but then they never do, so you figure they can't really see you at all? That's what happened to me several times on my drive to Colorado. And even though the experience was weird in a sense, I think it was kind of good that I did it on my own...not to mention the fact that I had so much crap in the car, I couldn't fit anyone in the front seat if I wanted to.
But, I'm finally here! And even though I'm in the midst of transition (which is frequently accompanied by a bit of fear, nervousness, a little loneliness), I am seeing the beauty that it entails. One of my new teammates said today that she couldn't imagine picking up and moving somewhere completely new. That seems to be the case with a lot of people I've talked to recently, but as I told her, it keeps things interesting and fresh and allows me to remember that there is so much to experience. I can't imagine staying in one place my whole life! It is incredible here! I sleep with the windows open and it gets cool at night! My drive to school involves viewing mountains off to the west...let me repeat...MOUNTAINS!! They are an incredible sight! I was blessed to watch the sun rise on my drive to Frisco each morning. Now, I can give thanks for another natural wonder to marvel at each day.
I met two of my three teammates today and I'm really excited about working with them! They are very welcoming and friendly...I think it's going to be a good year. I have another new experience...I'll be teaching in a portable this year, which I've never done before, but the whole team is out there (as well as the 2nd grade team), so at least we're all in the same boat. My principal told me yesterday that they are voting on a new bond this year which would add another wing to the school (possibly be next year). But for now, I'm trying to figure out how to arrange my furniture and all of my teaching stuff that I shipped up to the school (wish I would have taken a picture today of a few of the boxes that had literally busted open...way to go UPS...please consider this a notice that I will never use your company again!).
Two funny things to end with...
One: As many of you know, my mother is crazy (are all mother's that way?). Before I left on Saturday morning, she told me that she wanted me to write my dad's cell phone number on a piece of paper and put it somewhere safe. At that point, she was still sane and thinking that was a good idea, I told her that I'd do so and stick it in my pocket. Apparently that's not what she had in mind. She wanted me to put in my bra. That's about the time when I kissed her, reminded her that I loved her, and immediately left the house.
Two: As many of you know, I'm a bit of a daddy's girl. :) I love my father...he is THE most amazing man...and I'm not just saying that because he's my dad. He really is. He is grounded and realistic and practical, but funny! After unloading my car when I arrived on Sunday afternoon, I found Jackie, the floating cabbage patch doll that once belonged to my older brother Ben. At some point in our adult lives, he became a family joke and we would hide Jackie in various places around the house and surprise each other (I know, we're weird). But it was a much needed laugh to find out that Jackie had, in fact, traveled all the way to Colorado with me. I'm currently planning his next trip!
Much love to all...
The last few days have seemed very dream-like. Even as I was leaving Dallas, it didn't feel like I was moving. This change has seemed fairly quiet. That's sort of the only word I can think of to describe it. Not that people didn't know I was moving, but it just sort of happened...and in a quieter way than when I moved to Boston, but frankly, that seems to be fitting since to some degree, I needed more quiet space in my life.
I stopped in Hays, Kansas for the night after driving 8 1/2 hours on Saturday. Please take my word for it...you don't need to put "get out to Hays" on your list of things to do. The dream-like sequence started there. Have you ever had that dream where you are watching a scene, and you think maybe the people in the scene can see you and might acknowledge you, but then they never do, so you figure they can't really see you at all? That's what happened to me several times on my drive to Colorado. And even though the experience was weird in a sense, I think it was kind of good that I did it on my own...not to mention the fact that I had so much crap in the car, I couldn't fit anyone in the front seat if I wanted to.
But, I'm finally here! And even though I'm in the midst of transition (which is frequently accompanied by a bit of fear, nervousness, a little loneliness), I am seeing the beauty that it entails. One of my new teammates said today that she couldn't imagine picking up and moving somewhere completely new. That seems to be the case with a lot of people I've talked to recently, but as I told her, it keeps things interesting and fresh and allows me to remember that there is so much to experience. I can't imagine staying in one place my whole life! It is incredible here! I sleep with the windows open and it gets cool at night! My drive to school involves viewing mountains off to the west...let me repeat...MOUNTAINS!! They are an incredible sight! I was blessed to watch the sun rise on my drive to Frisco each morning. Now, I can give thanks for another natural wonder to marvel at each day.
I met two of my three teammates today and I'm really excited about working with them! They are very welcoming and friendly...I think it's going to be a good year. I have another new experience...I'll be teaching in a portable this year, which I've never done before, but the whole team is out there (as well as the 2nd grade team), so at least we're all in the same boat. My principal told me yesterday that they are voting on a new bond this year which would add another wing to the school (possibly be next year). But for now, I'm trying to figure out how to arrange my furniture and all of my teaching stuff that I shipped up to the school (wish I would have taken a picture today of a few of the boxes that had literally busted open...way to go UPS...please consider this a notice that I will never use your company again!).
Two funny things to end with...
One: As many of you know, my mother is crazy (are all mother's that way?). Before I left on Saturday morning, she told me that she wanted me to write my dad's cell phone number on a piece of paper and put it somewhere safe. At that point, she was still sane and thinking that was a good idea, I told her that I'd do so and stick it in my pocket. Apparently that's not what she had in mind. She wanted me to put in my bra. That's about the time when I kissed her, reminded her that I loved her, and immediately left the house.
Two: As many of you know, I'm a bit of a daddy's girl. :) I love my father...he is THE most amazing man...and I'm not just saying that because he's my dad. He really is. He is grounded and realistic and practical, but funny! After unloading my car when I arrived on Sunday afternoon, I found Jackie, the floating cabbage patch doll that once belonged to my older brother Ben. At some point in our adult lives, he became a family joke and we would hide Jackie in various places around the house and surprise each other (I know, we're weird). But it was a much needed laugh to find out that Jackie had, in fact, traveled all the way to Colorado with me. I'm currently planning his next trip!
Much love to all...
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