Day 18
Happy Thursday! It’s a great day because I’m alive, and if you’re reading this you’re alive. WAKE UP. It’s time to live, y’all. So I’m really excited because Tyler is coming tomorrow. We are excited to see what the next chapter holds for us and for each of us individually. Returning to Charlottesville wasn’t number one on Tyler’s list, but I have high hopes that we will find something that fits his outdoor style. I mean, if you look at things to do in Charlottesville, they’re almost all outside… https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g57592-Activities-Charlottesville_Virginia.html Something that I’m looking forward to is exploring the vast number of nature trails and “easy” hiking trails. We (and mostly me if there are lots of other visitors) love to go to the White Oak Falls. They are so so sooooo beautiful if you have never been there. And it is totally worth a little chill to go swimming and touch the waterfall. Thanks to the Cavalier Marching Band for showing me that little trail I love. PLUS, we have, quite literally, a bajillion wineries, cideries, breweries with cool tours and gorgeous landscapes to picnic….. A girl can dream :) Anyway, I’m running late today (if you couldn’t tell, mom), so I got to go! Peace and love, y’all!
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Day 17
I didn’t say anything yesterday, but a friend of mine at work is going through a really rough time. Her family was in a tragic accident and I can’t imagine how tough it is to lose so many people you love, unexpectedly and simultaneously. If you’re reading this, please pray for her and her family. I know our school will do something to show our support, but I hope that our prayers can help heal her through this time in her life. It is so difficult to understand losing someone you love until you actually lose them. I lost three of my grandparents and a few great aunts and uncles. I was sad when they were gone, especially my grandparents who I was closer to, but what was worse was to see the sadness in my parents to lose their parents. It really makes you look ahead and say, I don’t know when that will be me. When my parents time comes, will I be as strong as they were? I’ll tell y’all...the day my grandfather died was the first time I really saw my dad cry. I know he cried before, of course, everybody cries. That day, he was sobbing. Love is a powerful thing. Let’s try to cherish it. Here’s a challenge for my readers, even if you are far and few between: If you have a loved one you couldn’t live without, call them today. Day 15
Happy Sunday! Luckily, we will get one more day’s break from students tomorrow. This will be a great opportunity to write plans, do some homework, and come up with some sort of interactive foldable thing on quadrilaterals… Yesterday I played frisbee until about 2pm. It was a really great time, despite the fact that we lost all three of our games. The team played hard, especially with low numbers for the last game. Without being able to attend much practice last semester, it was tough jumping into the game and feel like I understood how my teammates played. Plays had changed and players improved with new skills while I was gone. Being sick doesn’t help too much either. Let’s just add another thing when my knee started to hurt yesterday. It was killing me just to walk on the sideline. I tried massaging it, wearing my brace, taking ibuprofen, iced it last night, but nothing seems to really work. I think it might be my IT band acting up but I really don’t know. I’m going to try to play today then plan to rest later. We will see how it goes. Until tomorrow, tata for now!
Day 14
Hey, guys. I don’t feel good this morning. I didn’t feel very good yesterday. I was so hot at school that at lunch, I went to the nurse to double check my temperature. Bad thing is, I usually don’t get fevers when I get sick. My mom is just getting over some sort of week-long cold that makes you ache and cough. I had a tingle in my throat Monday and said, it will pass. LIES :(
Today, it’s going to be hard to talk at school. Maybe it will get better with the day as I drink more water. Hopefully I can help these kids learn something for their test tomorrow.
Go Math! Amy
Day 13
I have to tell you guys, sticking to this morning routine can be hard. I keep pushing the clock… I think I can do the routine in an hour and a half instead of two hours if I prep the night before. For example:
Yesterday, I left my phone at school, then I went to ride my bike and it had a flat tire. By the time I got to frisbee, everyone was leaving because it was indoor practice and the second half is working out. I worked out for a few minutes then walked home with my roomies. Overall, my stress level decreases each day as I get a little done and try to feel organized. I’m pulling kids out for small group today, wish me luck! **Pictures to come NOW**:)Day 12
Last night, I finished my classroom! I’m so excited to finally have it set up and ready for students. Formally, I’d love to have everything typed up and a little more organized, but for now, sticky notes and handwriting is just fine. We will see if I can keep up with my system I’ve created. So students will look over the expectations, which coincide with most of their classrooms and the school rules. They can earn breaks by completing their work and following expectations, including the expectations for working in a small group or independently. If those expectations are not being met, the student’s name will go on the board and they will be asked to take a break for 1 minute. If they choose to take that break, they will get a smiley, return to their work after their break. This process would continue if work is getting done in reasonable intervals, such as ten minutes or a certain number of problems. Subsequently, students would receive a moved seat by themselves to work independently. From there, students would head to the “chill zone,” where they would have to fill out a think sheet, then call home and office referral after that. I’m hoping that with my expectations laid out and offering a focus zone space and a break zone system that students will find their niche to stay on task outside of the busier classroom. At the end of the group, students would self rate themselves based on three factors
Wish me luck and please, please, please, comment with any advice!
Day 11
Today’s going to be short, y’all. My head is pounding and I’m hungry. I shouldn’t have slept in so late but here I am. What I think I’ll talk about today is how I think I should try to feel less stress, despite the number of things on my to-do list. If you know me well, I have to write down everything to remember it. If you tell me to remember something, I definitely won’t if you don’t see me pull out my phone and put it on my list. Today I have a lot I am trying to get done on my regular to do list and my teaching to do list. I need to get this stuff done so that I can help my students in my own room. Last week, I didn’t pull anyone for small groups, 1) so I could get to know them 2) so I could finish my classroom and my expectations so it’s not utter chaos
I feel like finishing my classroom is important, and you think it would take no time at all. WRONG. I stayed after school like every day and I only got one or two things done. Today, I hope that I can finish, but I’m done stressing. I prioritized my list so that I could get the most important things done first. Hopefully that will help me keep from stressing. My other advice is plenty of water, take breaks for food and mental breaks, and try to have fun crossing things off your list.
Good luck to me and you on getting more done and keeping stress-free!
Day 9
PHEW! Y’all. This morning is a little rough. I am pooped. My brain cannot stop thinking about all the stuff I want to do at school. It’s exciting and wonderful and I know that my intentions are really great to help students in the best way that I can. BUT, I can barely stop to think about what to say when people ask, “how’s the new job?” or “how was your Christmas break?"
I’ll just say a bit here while I’m spitting out words.
My new job is going great. I’m really enjoying getting to know the other staff, the students, and my way around my job. What I mean by that is what teachers would normally do in a two-week time span before students arrive (or more, depending on the teacher and level of experience), I’m doing it while I’m teaching, while I’m still a student (classes start next Wednesday, AH!), and while still being a twirling coach and having a life. So quite frankly, this job is kinda nuts, but I know I will get settled in once I finish setting up. Ideally, I will complete my mission before classes start. *I’m taking 12 credits, 9 of which are online, because I have to be full time to get the scholarship I received from Curry.
My Christmas was wonderful. I shot my first duck, I got many wonderful presents, I spent some precious time with my family, and made some big plans with Tyler that will come into play this semester.
Tomorrow I’ll have to brief y’all on how Granny won Cards Against Humanity at Christmas dinner. Peace and love, y’all
Day 8
How was my first day? Let me tell you, I was anxious. So much so that I arrived at 8am to an empty parking lot. Whoops; hello two hour delay! Since I tried so hard getting ready, I didn’t leave time to make a good breakfast, so I went to Tropical Smoothie. I knew they had some smoothie deal for breakfast, called “grumpy hour.” LOL
After breakfast, I got to school early, giving me time to bring all of my stuff in. In the chaos of coming back to Charlottesville on icy roads, adventuring to TS and back, my fish did not fair as well as I did… Let’s just say he didn’t look too good when I left school last night. I wanted him to be a living part of the room for kids to watch as a calming, focusing, or taking a break method. He can’t really do that dead. I’m hoping for the best when I go in this morning (I did try to send him down the potty graveyard, but when I went to get him out, he wriggled in my hands, so I had to give him his fighting chance)
Today I’m working on my expectations, decorating and organizing. My to-do list is quite daunting, but hopefully I can teach SOMETHING to SOMEONE today.
Ta-ta for now! (as Tigger would say)
Day 7
One Week of Journals! Woot! Woot! I’m pretty excited about doing my routine and journal for 7 days in a row. I’ve always wanted to start my blog and this is just a simple way of doing that. I promise at some point I’ll write a longer, more interesting post. Today I’m a little sleepy because I GOT UP AT 6AM. I made it y’all. And by 6, I mean 6:15… I was extra sleepy since I woke up at 4 and I’m not really sure if I was dreaming or sleeping or just laying there honestly. When I’m anxious, I don’t always sleep super well. If you’re wondering why might I be anxious? MY FIRST DAY AT MY FIRST REAL TEACHING JOB. My timer went off, so I’m out, folks. Pray for me! UPDATE: The day was filled with anxiety and excitement. I have lots of support and I know it's going to be a great semester!! |
Facts:I'm a teacher, I have a baton twirling team, and I'm chasing the good life. Like and Follow
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