Five Things I miss About Teaching

1. My co-workers. There is a tight bond with teachers. NO ONE else understands what we go through put ourselves through, how much time and money we spend, and how great it feels to see those little light-bulbs click on.

2. Making bulletin boards. I LOVE being crafty. I miss all my "teacher stuff."

3. Books. I have a large collection of books for my classroom library. I love recommending good books to kids. I hope ALL the kids in my class, left with a new found joy for reading. Unrealistic, I know, but a girl can dream!

4. Seeing that list of kids for the first time at the beginning of the year. Calling their names out for the first time, I felt like I was calling out the starting line up for the All-Star team. Every year was new and exciting!

5. Just TEACHING. Lesson plans and teacher books. Collaboration with fellow teachers. When you know that "that kid" finally GOT it!

Oh, and I do love SUMMER too! :)

Aughhhh...The beginning of school

So a teacher's job is never done. I have been stressed, overworked, and exhausted since school started on Monday. I currently have 23 seven year olds and one child with extreme special needs. (diapers, seizures, meds, etc.) We have one teacher assistant to share between five teachers. (so pretty much...we have no help!) I'm not sure what part of my exhaustion is related to my pregnancy, but I have never been more physically and mentally drained in my life. I am hoping that as the year goes by, things will get easier. I know that the beginning of school is always the hardest part. I have a wonderful group of kids and a lot of supportive parents. So I try to keep looking for the positive!

We reached 20 weeks on Friday! We are half-way finished with this pregnancy! I cannot believe how fast the time is passing. Emma is really moving. She sleeps most of the day. I guess it's because I am always on my feet and walking. She really wakes up and is the most active when I get home from work and put my feet up! John Allen keeps trying to feel her kick, but everytime he puts his hand on my stomach, she stops moving. Emma must be a little shy! I guess she takes after her mother. (and father!) We head back to the doctor in a week and can't wait. I can't believe I am looking forward to going to the doctor!

Schools Out for SUMMER!

School is officially out for summer! We had our last teacher work day on Thursday! It feels so good to be able to relax and sleep in. I am currently looking for some type of summer job, but I have no idea what I want to do. I would love something that would not require me to be on my feet all the time but that is hard to find. I am hoping to make it to the beach for a day next week and see all of my Ocean Isle Crew! I need a vacation! Pregnancy is going well except for the occasional stomach upset and headache. We go back to the doctor on Monday and can't wait to be able to hear our little baby! We'll keep you posted!

My Second Graders

Well I decided to tell the children in my class today that their teacher was having a baby. I didn't want them to be shocked when they come back to school next year and see my ever growing belly. I created a math worksheet with addition and subtraction problems. They had to solve the problem and put the letter under the problem into the code at the bottom of the page. I told them if they finished early they were NOT supposed to tell anyone! They did a really good job. It was so cute to see the looks on their faces. When all students had finished the worksheet, they had a million questions. They all want the baby to be named after them! One boy even proceeded to tell me what he remembers about being in his mommy's belly. He said he remembered kicking her a lot and that she didn't like it one bit. How sweet! Sometimes I love being a teacher! Kids say the cutest things!