"The Best of Me"

In the previous post, I told you I need more time for me, doing the things that I love. Honestly, I don't even really know what those things are.

I have never been on to read "for fun." I always admired people who did but never really understood. I have, for what I can remember, only read one book just because - "The Lovely Bones." I read this in high school I believe. (By the way, the book was better than the movie that came out a few years ago.)

Anyways.... The past few years I have read  A LOT, but for educational purposes. I read books for school and books to help me with school. Never a book because I wanted to. I think this has happened for several reasons.

1. I don't have time. Read for fun - what is fun?? :) Definitely haven't had time for that.
2. I am so used to reading to learn. I can't remember the last time I read something without a highlighter and pen beside me.
3. Even if I wanted to purchase a book, I would have no idea where to even start. The bookstore and library is definitely overwhelming.
4. Reading is something that I believe needs to be fostered when children are young. I don't really remember ever reading when I was younger. In high school, we were assigned books - we never got to choose - and they always came along with assignments.

One thing that I really like about the school that I teach at is that we have D.E.A.R. time every day for 30 minutes. D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read. This is a time where students get to read whatever book they choose, for fun. No assignments. No questions. Just enjoyable reading. If I had had that when I was younger, I may actually enjoy reading.

Lately I have yeared for quiet, relaxing time. Being with 8-9 year olds all day and then coming home to a 2 and 5 year old makes for a very busy and noisy day. The thought of reading has actually sounded really good.

Yesterday, when I was at Wal-Mart picking up a few organizational items, I decided to purchase a book. Wal-Mart does not have a very large selection but I actually liked that - it wasn't overwhelming for me. So, I decided to go to the Best Seller's section. I figured I couldn't go wrong there. If it was a Best Seller, it must be good, right? So, with much hesitation, I finally picked one....

"The Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks.


I have heard of him but really know nothing about him. I have to start somewhere so apparantly this is where I am starting. I am oddly looking forward to reading, so I hope I am not disappointed. I am on chapter 3 and so far so good.

In Need of Balance

I never realized how difficult being a teacher would be. I was not prepared for the amount of time and preparation that goes into teaching. Statistics show that half of teachers quit within 5 years. I can definitely see why. Being a teacher is not an 8-5 job, especially when it is the first year. (However, I will NOT be a part of that statistic.)

Every day for me is a new day. I have to figure out what I am going to teach, how I am going to teach it, make sure I have all necessary papers made and copied. Then I have to figure out what I am going to take for a grade, grade it (I have 52 students) then figure out when I am going to test them, make sure they will be ready for their test, etc. I also have all of this at the start of the week. Lesson plans are due on Monday for the entire week. Then at the end of every day, I have to find the bottom of my desk because it is buried under papers, games, supplies, etc. from that day. I am exhausted just from writing all of that. Needless to say, I LOVE being a teacher but it is a very time consuming job, something that no one understands besides another teacher.

Lately, I have felt very overwhelmed from how much time I feel like I devote to school-work. After school, in the evenings at home, on the weekends, etc. I just haven't been able to find a balance. I have no time for me, let alone my family or friends.

This week starts the beginning of the 3rd 6 weeks. (I can't believe I have already gone through 2 grading periods!!) My goal for this 6 weeks is to get myself organized and find a balance and stop spending so much "overtime" on school work for free. I want to be able to exercise, cook dinner, play with the kids, clean, (Yes, I actually want to clean. Can you believe that!?) and spend time with my family and friends.

In finding this new balance, I am also hoping to blog more... so stay tuned!

Happy Fall!!

The two most precious people in my life.

I'm Alive!

I just wanted to touch base and let all know that I survived my first week of school. It has been a long, overwhelming, exhausting, frustrating and exciting week.

"Jungle Bucks"

I made these for my classroom to go with my jungle theme. :)

I am not sure how they will be earned or what they will be able to "buy" with them but I am going to shoot for more non-material objects, like extra time on the computer, lunch with the teacher, sit at the teacher's desk, etc. I may do a few small items like pencils and erasers but I am not going to do the typical "treasure box." I just don't want to bribe kids with toys. With the pencils, it will teach them to be responsible because I will make them "buy" one if they do not come prepared.

So far I have made them in $1, $5 and $10 bills. I also have $20, $50 and $100 that still need to be printed. Since I am going to be a math teacher and all, they will be able to practice trading smaller bills for larger bills.

Got MY keys!!!

This morning I went to the school and picked up MY keys to MY classroom. :)  It is all so real now!!

Since I can lock my door now, I went ahead and took some things up there since it was early and I was able to leave the kids at home asleep. I figured it would be easier to carry things without having to worry about them running off.

Unfortunately, the teacher's desks, chairs and small cabinets were all in boxes and needed to be put together. However, there were sooo many parents there helping getting things set up. It is exciting to see that there is going to be a lot of parent involvement.

While I was there, I got my desk put together and was able, with some parents, to get my student desks and chairs put in my classroom. I was glad I was able to get the desks set up because I was able to see how much "extra" space I will have. Now I know what things I can and cannot bring.

Standing at the door....

My board will be going on that orange wall.

I have my ESL (English as a second language) certification exam on Monday so I am hoping I can get back in there on Tuesday. :)

Today I got to see MY classroom!!

Below are pictures around the room...

Starting with... walking through the door... (windows on the opposite side.)

 The wall on the side of the door.

 The wall on the left.

 The wall on the right.

 Looking at the door.

I am so excited to start moving in!!  There will eventually be a board and furniture but they haven't been put in yet.