A High School Girl

This link was shared with us tonight from our principal. I got so emotional when I was watching this. Not to mention, I was full of goose bumps. Brought back memories of my team carrying me off the floor when I tore my ACL in high school! I'm so blessed with wonderful people around me!

http://www.godvine.com/Injury-Turns-into-Inspiration-for-One-High-School-Girl-323.html

Um, HI USHER!

I have work to do, but I have to blog about this... I totally came face to face with Usher today. Bed, Bath, and Beyond. By North Point. Around noon. It is currently 3:00 and I still can't stop thinking about it. Pretty sure that was the first unexpected star besides Joey McIntyre I've ever seen. Normally, I can expect it... like at a show or what not. But to be out shopping randomly on a Sunday? Pretty cool I tell ya.

Now.... back to the books, back to the data, back to the response paper, back to the Kid Talk notebook, back to reality...

Busy Bees

Happy Thursday peeps... well, school is officially back in full force. Kids are assessed (or are currently in the process of). Lesson plans are due. Student interns have arrived. To-do checklists have been created. Routines have been set. Math stations and literacy centers are in the process of being made. Lamination is ready to be cut out. Norms have been taught and practiced. Honesty has been given in order to start the year off right. Collaboration is in the works.

Teachers are busy bees. There is ALWAYS something to do. I heard a CUTTTTEEEE phrase today and I must share it with you...

KEEP CALM AND TEACH ON!

Tomorrow is a new day.

Today was one of those days where I felt as though nothing I said came across right. No matter how I rephrased something, I felt like I was speaking jibberish. I am usually a Monday person. Really. I love Mondays. I like fresh starts and how fresh can you get...a Monday is pretty fresh. Hoping my fresh start is Tuesday... tomorrow is a new day.

Sleep tight friends! I love you dearly!

Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

Pictures: The victim and the enemy.

WOWWWWWZERRS... I can't believe the first week of school is in the past. It was a great first week! I am totally pumped to see them tomorrow and dive into the stuff I have planned.

There is lots I could share from this weekend, but to be honest... I am exhausted. I do want to share a story that happened to me today though...

Today was grocery store day. My agenda every other Sunday is as follows: Trader Joes then Kroger to grab what Trader Joes didn't have. I decided at Kroger than instead of buying chicken this week, I wanted to buy shrimp. I had a weird craving for it so I immediately headed for the shrimp section. When I went to grab the bag, some body part of the shrimp literally STABBED me from inside the bag. After I got over the shock that I had indeed been stabbed, I looked at my finger to notice that I was a victim. A serious victim. I won't go into details. Then, I walked quickly up to the pharmacy to see if they could help me out. Luckily, I knew one of the pharmacists because we grew up together. Without going too in depth, let's just say it was something you would never guess could have happened. A man that heard my story said "Please do this for me, you need to go get your finger checked out. It will probably get infected." Um, seriously? Is this truly something to worry about? Anyone know?

Day 4: Laughter truly is the best medicine!

My tummy hurts! I try to do something nice for someone, but I hurt myself in the end. My sweet, sweet, sweet student intern is leaving tomorrow. I baked brownies for her... well, she gets to eat some of the brownies... I ate a couple spoonfuls of batter. Really Michelle? Since when was that even somewhat of a good idea? I suppose running 4 miles after it wasn't the best idea either. I lay here in pain, but I had such a fab day, I must share...

I got 2 assessments done for all of my students. Might I add I've had perfect attendance all 4 days this week? I could get used to this. I don't like it when a child is out. A) I miss them. B) It means make up work, which is more work for me.

The girl I mentor on our team has turned into a great friend. We have a lot in common and our personalities are different, but similar enough that we get along FABULOUSLY! We were teaching each other different techniques and strategies (yes, she is my mentor in return) after school today... something happened (can't really say bahaha) and literally we giggled to the point of tears. My picture tonight is dedicated to Tracie!

I'm HUGE on children understanding their good/bad choices they make. I've been having quick 1 on 1 meetings at the end of each day with them discussing their point totals. Seeing the joy in their faces when they know they've accomplished something is SOOO precious!

Principal told us today some sad news about school numbers, which results in the loss of a teacher. She asked us if anyone wanted to go to a different school... I immediately got this sick/ "I don't want to volunteer" feeling in my stomach. I love that place too much to leave. My heart hurts for whoever has to put the effort of the move though!

I leave you tonight at 9:30... the earliest I've gone to bed all week. And might I add, I got home today at 5:30ish. A whole hour/hour and a half earlier than each day this week. GO ME!

Night, love y'all

Day 3... a froyo kinda day

Good day, but in our opinion (Lindsey and I)... it was a froyo kinda day!

That's all I got. Night y'all

Day 2: An Even Bigger Success

Successes today...

--Behavior Plan/Rules
--Classroom Community
--Writing the WHO and the WHAT aka the FOCUS

Something I would like to work on? I need someone each day to say "GO HOME!". I was at school till 6 last night and 7 tonight. What? It might seem as though I'm chatting/wasting time, but I assure you... it's constant work. Hopefully, I can get to the point next week where I can leave at a decent time. Wish me luck!

Day 1: A Success

Today was the first day of school. Overall, it was a fabulous day. Things I'm currently pondering from the day...

-Read The First Day Jitters... their shocked expressions at the ending was priceless!
-Got a GREAT assessment of how my students write... can't wait to watch them grow!
-Learned who was shy and who likes to be known
-Quickly realized I have such a supportive teacher that I work with not only outside, but also inside the classroom as well
-Discovered my classroom is not as accessible as I thought for everyone's needs (brainstorming tonight)
-Realized that my students have never seen a Bright Link... I let them "play" on it. They had a blast!
-Thankful I was so cautious with dismissal and spent a good amount of time figuring all of it out... the words "Ms. Wexler" and "orange sheets" were never put together over the intercom
-I am a pretty big fan of my students already. They rock!

Just got home from step class... I had to get out this built up energy! Can't wait for a fab year! Day 2... bring it.

SYTYCD CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel so fortunate to have been in the very same room that Melanie had her first audition for So You Think You Can Dance in!!!!!!! I am thrilled and can't think of a better person that deserves this. AHHHHHHH, yay!

Emotional.

I'm filled with so many emotions...

Hopeful for a speedy recovery for little Caden
Happy for Ariane
Sad she's leaving me
Excited for Open House
Scared about my flight home
Antsy for school to begin
Nervous for Melanie in SYTYCD
Frustrated that the doctor doesn't know what's wrong w/me
Worried I'm not going to be ready to fly out
Honored that a handful of people recognized my efforts today

I think I need to sleep. I forget what a good night feels like... maybe tonight

Pray for the Stanley Clan!

My heart is SUPER heavy for this family. Adam and Becca grew up with me. Their little one is sick. I pray the Lord watches over little Caden and the whole fam. Love them SO much!

http://thestanleyclan.blogspot.com/

Get excited... I'M BACK!!!!

This blogger girl is about to come back on the scene... the blog scene that is. I have been hiding for wayyyy tooooo long. And I apologize. I didn't realize how many people actually read my blog until I get comments from them saying they want more! Well, peeps! It's coming... I swear.

This time next week (hopefully I'll already be asleep).... will be the night before the 1st day of school. What an exciting time in the life of a teacher, but most importantly... in the life of a student. Thoughts that run through those little minds... What's my teacher going to be like? Will he/she be nice? What am I going to wear? What will we be learning this year? What fun will we have? I wonder who is in my class that I know? I can't help them with the clothing part, but I CAN help them succeed and enjoy school. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO super stoked about this year.... wanna know why? I'll tell you why...

-4th year vet... yeah, can't believe it!

-New ideas... LOVE learning over the summer then bringing it to life! This year I have new reading strategies I plan on using (the "Beanie Baby" approach)

-Working with a fabulous teacher for science, social studies, and writing! This specific lady is probably the happiest/most positive person I've ever met. Her energy and love for life is addicting... don't be surprised if I am happy 24/7... she is AMAZING!

-I have 14 boys at the moment out of 21... at first... not gonna lie... I was a bit worried, but then I realized... HEY! These little ones were placed in your room for a reason. You were meant to be in their lives this year and help them grow. I could not be happier to meet these students!

-I'm going to be a WRITER! My dear friend Lola (yes, she hugged me last time I saw her, we're bffs) is helping us out become better writing teachers. I already have my artifacts board ready to go. Can't wait to see writing explode on the page! Bring it on.

-I'm headed to being ESOL endorsed! Every Wednesday night, I will be learning new ways to help the ESOL population (and everyone else) as a teacher. I look forward to the opportunity to learn more. Not to mention... if I pass the GACE, I could potentially be ESOL certified!

-I'm a mentor to our new 2nd grade teacher! I was honored that I was asked again to be a mentor. Not to mention... this girl rocks. We've already decided we heart each other tons! She called our friendship/mentor/mentee status: "A match made in heaven". Excited to help her out and show her the ropes of our school!

-I have visitors to watch ME run my classroom the first few weeks. A friend is coming to watch me day 1 and 2 then heading back to her masters work. Another is a girl I don't know yet, but I saw in an email I get to meet her tomorrow. She is with me for a few weeks. Pretty exciting. I would have LOVED in my student teaching life to have seen what the weeks before and during the first week looked like. It's like a dream of a prospective teacher.

-My volunteer Mrs. Kubis is coming back AGAIN!!!!!! This will be her 3rd year with me. I am tearing up writing this because it makes my heart smile that she devotes her Tuesdays and Thursdays to help my children in Reading and Writing. LOVE her soooo much!

-I get to learn how to use a standards based report card. I'll get back to you on this one... not sure my thoughts yet :)

-I know this might not mean anything to you non teachers, but I did it! I finally did it. I have been closely hoarding my kidney table for the past (going on) 4 years. I used it a lot my first year, but didn't much the rest due to having bigger groups that I meet with at two rectangular combined tables. This year I GAVE IT AWAY!!! I got the jackpot of landing a circular table in the place it. Pros: It's smaller and doesn't take up as much space. It is a good center area for the kids. I can take quick data at it. Cons: I haven't thought of any yet. SUPER stoked!

-BRIGHT LINK!!! I am one of the lucky ones that gets to experience the amazing technology in my classroom. A Bright Link is similar to a Smart Board, but apparently better. I've played around with it a lot and cannot wait to conduct lessons on it. However, one of the programs is not responding to my laptop correctly... our technology worker in our school is on it though to help me find a way to use it! Can't wait to blog about the Bright Link!! Shout out to my fabulous principal on that one... Thank you for working really hard to get this technology in our school! I appreciate your dedication to this and I know it will truly make a difference in teaching the kids... my excitement to start the year has definitely pumped up because of it!

Well, friends. It's almost midnight and I am awake. Hearing that blasted alarm at 5:30 is not going to be a delightful sound to my ears. I must hit the hay! Night night, much love! I've missed you ;-)