Let the school year begin....

Classroom is set up.....

Children have been met.....

Staff seem to be positive....

Expectations have been set.....

LET'S GET STARTED!!!!!

Today we had our open house. It seriously was one of the best ones I've ever had! The kids were super sweet, the parents seemed to be involved and nice, and I got to see some of my "old" students!! That is one of the best parts of starting a new year! When you see a child running down the hallway to come give you a hug is one of th best feelings!!! ESPECIALLY when it's one that was a difficult and they still want to say hi! I don't know if it was because its my fourth year, or if I just prepared more, but I felt confident and so comfortable!! God truly places you in places where you are meant to be! 

I am ready! It is my prayer that I can maintain this enthusiasm and excitement all year!! As said befor, last year was a learning experience for many reasons! I'm ready for this new year!! 

I hope everyone else had a great open house! Ill let you know how my first day goes! Can't wait to see those smiling sweet faces on Monday morning! I know I don't get paid a lot and it can be a challenge, but I have the BEST job EVER!!!! 

A keynote speaker at our School system pep rally today said one of the best statements.....

(May be a little paraphrased)

Every challenge has a little gift wrapped up inside of it!!

That's my job!! It's a challenge with all the logistics and government pulled into it (and sometimes the parents)......but the gift of teaching a child is well worth it to me!!! :)

Happy New Year to all teachers!!

A New Beginning...

Well...it's that time of year again! Summer is wrapping up, students are buying new book bags, new clothes, new folders, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new teachers name!!

In the mean time, teachers are fixing up rooms, buying new clothes with our most recent pay raise............ .....what? One can dream, can't she???

Well, my room is coming together! Right now, we are looking at about 21 students to start the year off. That number will probably change, but that's not a bad start! I'm only teaching reading this year, so itis nice to not have to worry about math manipulatives and anchor charts!! I'm still trying to get the logistics down for how departmentalizing works, but ill figure it out! 

I am really looking forward to this year. There are going to be many new things, as well as new faces for our staff! Departmentalizing, possibly co-teaching, staff wellness (which we have several fun things we are working on for our staff), grade chair again, Box Tops coordinator (did it last year, but didn't do much with it), and NEW KIDS!! I will have two groups this year.....one of them HAS to be wonderful!! :) like I said before....my kids last year taught me a lot!! :)

So next week starts the unending planning of classrooms, lesson plans, staff wellness, and more! We are even having a "Pep Rally" for all teachers in our district to try and get excited about this school year!! It's not a pay raise....but what can ya do?? Smile and keep on trucking!

Tomorrow is my last day of summer vacation. What am I doing on this day?? I will be spending it hiking up a mountain with a friend of mine!! I told her she may regret it later!! :) Then we will be ending the day with a dinner at TGIFridays with our teammates, and a couple of honorary teammates!! :) Should be a good time!

Good luck to everyone who has already started, or starting next week!! Another year coming.....hold on and enjoy the ride!!

By the way....today was great at work because I got this visit from a very special and handsome husband!!! He surprised me by coming to see my room!! Made my day!! Don't be jealous! :)