Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?

Wow.  I have sorely been missing out on posting on here.  I apologize.  I don't know how many people follow my blog... so I hope I'm not letting anyone down.

What's happened...

• Pen pal letters.  My kids have been working for about 2 weeks on friendly letters.  You'd be suprised how long it takes to pound out a nice response letter to friends in a different state.  They will finish and send those today.  I'm pretty excited!
• Interview the principal.  My kids were learning about questions and statements.
• Finishing a unit in math!  :)  Last year took me 3 months to complete a unit in math.  I'm excited on our progress.

What's going on...

• Midterms!  :/  I dread this time of year.  It's like crunch time for teachers.  How do you balance your students needs, parent's beliefs, and your curriculum all at once? 

Picture taken from Pinterest

• FEA Club Advisor.  I signed up at the beginning of the year to take on a position as the Future Educators of Alaska Club Advisor.  I knew, and still know, very little about the club.  But I can say with much certainty that I'm VERY excited about this year.  I've got a group of 5 young ladies all really excited about the club.  We've got lots of ideas for activities, fundraising, and service opportunities. 
• Tutoring.  This year I've decided to once again to take time after school and work with my students on skills they're not getting enough of in class.  Thankfully this time I have experience and a club full of kids that want to be part of this.

What's in store...

•  Election Time.  November 6th!   I'm going to be honest with the blogging world and say I've not figured out how to vote here yet... but I'm hoping to figure that all out this weekend.  Wish me luck.  AS FOR THE CLASSROOM... I'm excited to begin a mini unit about elections with my class.  I've accumulated a bunch of resources to use to try to make this next month and the weeks leading to election time as interesting and tangible to them as possible.  Hopefully the time the ballot boxes are being tallied my students will understand the political parties and what it's all about.
• +/- Strategies.  Yay.  I get to teach my kids 4 different ways to get the same answer.... :/  Hahah but really this next unit is all about adding and subtracting.  Wish me luck.
• Halloween:  This holiday is my 3rd favorite of the year.  Christmas is of course my first.  Then the 4th of July.  I love Halloween because it's just another excuse to be silly and creative.  I've already picked out my costume this year.  :) 

On a personal note...

TODAY IS THE 731st DAY OF DATING MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER.

 

 

This wonderful guy has seen me through the ups and downs of the past 2 years. As a couple we've gone through 11 months (yes we've counted...) of separation.  We've worked together at two different jobs.  We have gone on countless dates, silly, romantic, and everyday.  We've had our fair share of disagreements, and frustrations.  We've had our moments where the world stops spinning too.

But above all else this guy has taught me two major life lessons.

1. I deserve someone who thinks the world of me.  Who believes I am beautiful whether I'm dolled up with a fancy dress and make up on... or in his old tshirt and a pair of jeans.
2. Love > than distance...

I tried to live this life on my own.....

It's September 1st.  I've been a 2nd year teacher for about 3 weeks now.  Does it feel any different?  No not really...  but at the same time... it feels absolutely amazing. 

Last year around this time I felt like I was barely treading water.  Spent some nights until midnight working on lessons, grading, organizing, etc.  This isn't what I was expecting.  Several times I thought I was inferior as a teacher and sometimes as an adult...  I called home and cried more than a few times.  I wasn't sure I was going to make it.  I thought, "What the hell have I gotten myself into?!  I thought I was 'MEANT to be a teacher'."

A year later, I am sitting here, doing much of the same things.  I still stay later than other teachers.  I still spend most of my weekends lesson planning and grading.  I still call home occasionally, but without tears because of my classroom.  I still have times where I don't know what to do, but I have accepted that it's okay to not know everything right now.  I walk with my head high.  I'm still treading water, but it's getting just a little bit easier to stay afloat. I know WHO holds my future and "He has plans for me... plans to prosper me and not harm me.  Plans for hope and a future."

Here's to a new year.  With new adventures.  With new memories.  Here's to the best school year yet!