2nd week. Conquered.

Hello all! My second week went great! In our class, we implemented the tattle jar. The kids write down their tattle, fold it up, place it in the jar. Yes, they're anonymous when they write them. I determine if it's a tattle or something serious.

It was a Roll Tide kind of day...

Ups and Downs

Today was great in some aspects and low in some others.

Great

1. I GOT MY FIRST BIG GIRL PAYCHECK

2. My boss lady said my lesson plans were perfect.

3. I got complemented on some of my classroom management crafts

Low

1. My toilet is leaking water into my room.

(That's kinda a huge deal..) 

It's Friday, Friday!

In the teaching world, they say the first week of school is one of the hardest in a school year.  I survived!  Today, a parent made cupcakes and brought them for our class.  I am very grateful for this precious thing.. but we will not have cupcakes for awhile.  Icing. was. everywhere. I guess it goes with the territory.  At this school, the principal lets the students watch movies while the teachers prepare the next week's homework and graded papers folder.  This is great for me because my abundance of patience runs thin on Friday afternoons. Luckily, one of my kids brought in Despicable Me for us to watch.  According to him, it was appropriate for school because "it ain't got no cussin in it." 

I also let my kids draw on my board, this is the message I got..

Messages like these make it all worth it.

Surprises/Gifts

This week has been filled with surprises.  On Sunday, I was given stamps to award papers with from my awesome brother K and sister-in-law J.

On Monday, one of my parents came up to me and asked me what type of microwave did I prefer.  I told her that I was not picky.  Yesterday, I got one.  And my class is forever grateful.  

One woman came in my classroom and said, "I made these teacher bags as a fundraiser last year.  I'm giving free ones to all the new teachers."

I guess it's more official now..

My aunt and uncle sent me beautiful flowers. 

 

Today, after taking a break from lesson planning, I saw where I had a text on my phone.  It was a video from my Alpha Gams singing "Here's to Barbara, she's an Alpha Gam!"

I love surprises!

First Day of School! First Day of School!

Today, it was just my students and me.  We had fun.  We decorated bookmarks, colored, counted to 200, learned about place value, talked about ourselves, and learned about Heaven.  I have a photo to post later.  It's of my coworker/colleague after our first day of school.  However, I am too lazy to upload photos right now.  You best believe that after I post this, I am getting in the shower and calling it a night.

I felt like this after my first full teaching day of internship.  However, I didn't have to come home and type lesson plans or Livetext.  Hallelujah chorus, anyone? 

First Day Jitters?!

Tomorrow is my first day with my students?!  How am I feeling?  If nervous, excited, scared, daring, blessed, and content were combined into one feeling, that would be me right now.  I'll let you know how that goes!

Also, best of luck to the Alpha Gam squirrels coming back on campus to being Work Week.  Enjoy it ladies, you'll miss it when it's gone!  I can't wait to come back during recruitment and crown my successor for the Rush Ring!  A little tip from the champ:  Chug one of these before everything.  You'll have wings!

I wonder just how many diet red bulls I drank before a recruitment event?  I will say that I have no desire to drink them again..

Also, here's a picture from the moment that I won the Rush Ring!  I love the sweet memories!

I miss Katie Brooke!

4 years ago today...

If you know me, you know that I have a HUGE memory.  I can remember funny birthday, Christmas, etc. moments. I'm not one for remembering a full day. However, on this date in 2008 I remember very well.  I was about to enter college as a freshman the next week and I was spending my last moments of summer at the beach.  I was about to become Aunt Barbara to a set of twins really soon. On this day, we had a water spout..

And then we get a call from big brother K.  He told my mom that due to somethings with my sister-in-law J, the twins (who were scheduled to make their debut that Wednesday) were most likely going to be born that day.  With that being said, my dad, mom, and I made a flying trip back to Birmingham.  While on the way, K called.  The babies were born and they were fine!  When we got to the room, the babies had been brought to the room.  I was kind of scared about holding a newborn.  The youngest I ever held was probably about 9 months. 

However, K asked if I wanted to hold my new nephew, J, I didn't hesitate. I didn't stop smiling while holding him.  He was/still is my perfect nephew.  

The next day, I got to hold my pretty little niece, M, for HOURS.  I did not mind.  Like her little brother, she was also/still is practically perfect in every way. 

I love being Aunt Barbara to both of these two.  They never seize to amaze me.  3 years ago today, M said MY NAME.  Also, J could say his numbers at a very young age. That completely made my whole day!  I love babysitting them, asking them questions to hear their witty answers, watching Disney movies with them, reading to them, and just being around them.  I know they are both child prodigies.

Happy Birthday, J and M!  Aunt Barbara loves you so much!

Meet the Teacher/My Classroom!

Hello all!

Tonight was Meet the Teacher.  I met most of my students and their parents.  Y'all, I have the CUTEST kids.  Like seriously, they are too precious to handle.  I know it's going to be a great year for second grade.  I am so blessed to have the parents that I do.  ALL of them asked me what could they do to make my life easier.  I'm not joking.  One mom even volunteered to help laminate things and plan class parties.  She's my new best frandddd as of late.

I know you've all been waiting for this moment..  Here are the pictures!  For before pictures, click here.

Ready for Recruitment!

I love analog clocks..

Positive Group Behavioral Incentive 

Class helpers

Outside Door!

Almost there!

I got A LOT done today!  I mean a lot.  My day started with my boss came in my room and looked around.  She told me my room looked very inviting.  She also complimented me on my very adorable sandals.  I am so thankful to have her as a principal. I know she's going to be a delight to work for! 

I got my folders ready for Parent's Night.  I can't wait to meet my sweet friend's parents!  I also laminated a few things..  

This doesn't look like much.. but believe me.  It was a lot.  

Pictures to come tomorrow after Parent's Night.  I promise!

Yin and Yang

When I choose teaching as my career path, I knew I would have days that were better than others. However, I figured that would be when my kids arrived.  Today was great in some places and not in so many others.  It started off with a meeting.  Meetings are.. meetings.  I'm new, so I learn valuable information.  It's not boring. For the past week, the former teacher has come back and helped me TREMENDOUSLY. 

I was able to work in my classroom for the rest of the day. Which was great. I got a lot done and finished my first week's lesson plans.

I had CPR training..which would have been okay if it didn't last for 3 hours at the end of the day. I was exhausted. 

Also, the drive home wasn't all that great. Because

1. Someone went under the speed limit

2. There was an 18-wheeler behind the guy driving slow

3. Someone didn't use a turn signal

4. Someone pulled out in front of me

4 driving pet peeves of mine..

On a positive note, I met 2 of my cutie kids today. Too precious. 

My First Day!

Well.  Today was my first day. Luckily, it was a teacher work day.  I really need to thank the person that invented these days into the calender.  It's so relaxed. Anyways, the first part of the morning consisted of breakfast and a group meeting with the principal.  I was also surprised to find out that another classmate, A, got another teacher position that they offered.  I'm really excited about working with her.  It's also great to have someone to relate to.

Tonight consisted of writing lesson plans. IT'S SO MUCH BETTER THAN INTERNSHIP. Man. Alive.

My room is almost complete to my liking. I'll post photos then!

My First Post/How it all began..

Well... Heyyyyyyy.
This is my FIRST blog post..ever. I always told many people that when I started teaching, I would begin a blog about my teaching experience.  So here it is...my heart on a sleeve.. kind of..

* DISCLAIMER:  Due to minimal sleep in the past 2 days, I apologize for any typos..*
I guess I should start by telling you how my teaching job started. I recently graduated in May. Since then, I have been searching for a teacher position in the state of Alabama.  Let me tell you, if you are offered one (public or private), consider yourself L-U-C-K-Y. It's hard in this economy. And when I said that I looked at teaching jobs all over the state of Alabama, I was not lying. I drove 2.5 hours to have a preliminary interview.  If you know me, you know how hard it would be to leave my family in Montevallo. Anyways, I never heard anything from that interview.  During the months of June and July, I had 2 interviews with 2 schools. During this time, I sent out thousands DOZENS of cover letters and resumes to different schools across the state. When I heard nothing back from both of those job interviews or the cover letters, I seriously doubted that anything was going to go my way.
On July 26th, my dad made the suggestion that I need to make sure that my "professional attire" was assorted from my casual attire.  He commented that I needed to "prepare for rain" which is from the movie, Facing the Giants. Being his favorite the great daughter that I am, I listened and obeyed.  My clothes were sorted.. now what??
Fast forward to July 31st.  My big brother M was visiting my house for his usual weekly visit.  He was discussing what type of cake he wanted for his upcoming birthday and what day did he want to celebrate his special day with our mother. My mom tends to bend over backwards for her children, which is why I love her so much (If you're reading this mom, just know that I think your the most perfect mom ever).  She usually makes homemade cakes for her babies and baby-in-laws. However, my brother wanted his family party on Sunday. This Sunday also happened to be the day after my parents came home from week long beach trip with my big brother, K and his family.  Even though I am thoroughly convinced that my mom is SuperMom, I know she would be super stressed about getting a cake made.  Being the best sister ever, I volunteered to make the cake. I mean, I'm unemployed and live at home. I need to earn my keep.  My mom declined my offer and M said that a store bought cake would suffice.  No one in my family has EVER turned down my baking..ever. I take after the best! My dad told me the reason I could not make the cake was due to the fact that I would be preparing my classroom.  Of course, I jokingly agreed. It's common in this family.
Skip on up to Tuesday, August 7, I check the State Department of EDU's website.. NOTHING.I check one of my too many email accounts. I come across this email stating that there is a 2nd grade teacher position available at a local, private school.  If you know me well, you know that 2nd grade IS my grade. With little hesitation, I decided to make contact with them.  I could not get an answer on the telephone, so I emailed the principal.  When I heard nothing back from the email, I questioned if I should call the school again. This time, the secretary picked up. Within the hour, I had an interview in place for the next day.
My interview went lovely. The principal told me that I would know something within the afternoon.  I waited.. and heard nothing in the afternoon. My aunt and uncle graciously invited me out to supper. When we returned back to their house, I was having a polite conversation when I got the call. Of course, the first people that I call are my parents. I mean, they let me stay rent free in their house. The rest is history. I went the next day and started arranging the future classroom of Ms. C.  I haven't had a moment to breathe since.  I'll also sleep when I'm dead.

*PS: I'm slowly being convinced that my dad can see into the future. I had no time to make a cake this weekend.

Here are some photos I took of my classroom. I promise it looks much better now!

From the back right corner

Front right view

Front left view

Back Left view

How I announced it on Facebook

After I rearranged 

My school has the classroom rules set up.. I have a few more to display..