Today is my high school band director's birthday. As I wrote on her wall today wishing her a happy birthday, I was in awe of the amount of past students that had posted her birthday wishes. I lost count after about the 5th page! Ms. Ellison was an amazing teacher. She had some very unconventional methods sometimes, but she touched my life in a way that I could never fully explain. She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. She saw something in me musically and encouraged me. Without her, I would not have had the wonderful experience of college band or the scholarship.
Now that I am an educator, I hope that I am touching my students' lives in the way that she touched mine. Thank you Ms. Ellison!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
It's OVER...
the benchmark that is! :)
So another year of benchmark is over and I am SO glad. I look forward to this time every year because there are so many fun things to do in the springtime without the stress of testing.
I know I have mentioned this before, but the group of kids that I have this year I have had for two years. They are a very special group of students to me...more so than they will probably ever know. We truly have become a family over the past two years and I am pretty close with several of their families as well. I'm pretty sure I am going to need some therapy when I have to send them on to 5th grade...just kidding...but it is going to be sad! :(
Anyway, one reason that I love this group is because they are very creative. I knew I wanted to do something fun tomorrow since it is the end of the week and testing is over. I wanted to show a movie, but I hate showing a movie just to show one. SO, I always try to connect it to something. I picked the Princess and the Frog. I checked out every version of the book I could find and the kids did a poster project which they LOVED. Well, my very creative kids decided that we needed to have a frog-themed day. One kid is bringing his pet frogs from home so we can "observe" their behaviors. They planned "frog" games to play outside like lily pad hop (with hula-hoops) and frog races with burlap sacks. We are also making some frog crafts. To stick with the frog theme, I decided to make some "frog" sugar cookies and "crowns". Josh and I had so much fun tonight decorating the cookies. I am looking forward to the fun that is to be had tomorrow.
Despite the stress that it sometimes brings, I KNOW with all my heart that I am in the perfect profession for me. I am very lucky!
So another year of benchmark is over and I am SO glad. I look forward to this time every year because there are so many fun things to do in the springtime without the stress of testing.
I know I have mentioned this before, but the group of kids that I have this year I have had for two years. They are a very special group of students to me...more so than they will probably ever know. We truly have become a family over the past two years and I am pretty close with several of their families as well. I'm pretty sure I am going to need some therapy when I have to send them on to 5th grade...just kidding...but it is going to be sad! :(
Anyway, one reason that I love this group is because they are very creative. I knew I wanted to do something fun tomorrow since it is the end of the week and testing is over. I wanted to show a movie, but I hate showing a movie just to show one. SO, I always try to connect it to something. I picked the Princess and the Frog. I checked out every version of the book I could find and the kids did a poster project which they LOVED. Well, my very creative kids decided that we needed to have a frog-themed day. One kid is bringing his pet frogs from home so we can "observe" their behaviors. They planned "frog" games to play outside like lily pad hop (with hula-hoops) and frog races with burlap sacks. We are also making some frog crafts. To stick with the frog theme, I decided to make some "frog" sugar cookies and "crowns". Josh and I had so much fun tonight decorating the cookies. I am looking forward to the fun that is to be had tomorrow.
Despite the stress that it sometimes brings, I KNOW with all my heart that I am in the perfect profession for me. I am very lucky!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday Musings
Not much going on with me tonight, so here is some randomness...
1. Benchmark started this week, and although it makes for a LONG day, I am very proud of my kiddos. I have learned that you really can't tell how they do while they are taking the test and it is better to not stress yourself out and just wait for the results in May.
2. Josh and I went to a meeting yesterday for a mission trip we are going on in May. We will be going with some youth from my home church, Elm Springs United Methodist, to Birmingham, Alabama. We are traveling with a group called YouthWorks. The best part is that my sister will also be going...I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I think she is pretty cool! ;)
3. Okay, this one is more of a vent...does anyone else find it really annoying when girls on Facebook complain ALL the time about their pregnancies? Now, I know that when I am LUCKY enough to be pregnant again, it isn't going to be great all the time. I know you get tired, and crampy, and swell up (just to name a few)...but SERIOUSLY, complaining all the time is so annoying. Anyway, I didn't mean to offend anyone....just please remind me of this if I start complaining too much next time!
4. My awesome sister-in-law and I are going to start to train for a 5k this Sunday....yes, you read that correctly...me, running! As funny as it is going to look (I have a waddling problem!), I'm going to give it a try. Amanda sold me when she told me the training schedule is called "from couch potato to runner". We will see how this goes!!
Anyway...enough randomness from me! Have a great week!
1. Benchmark started this week, and although it makes for a LONG day, I am very proud of my kiddos. I have learned that you really can't tell how they do while they are taking the test and it is better to not stress yourself out and just wait for the results in May.
2. Josh and I went to a meeting yesterday for a mission trip we are going on in May. We will be going with some youth from my home church, Elm Springs United Methodist, to Birmingham, Alabama. We are traveling with a group called YouthWorks. The best part is that my sister will also be going...I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I think she is pretty cool! ;)
3. Okay, this one is more of a vent...does anyone else find it really annoying when girls on Facebook complain ALL the time about their pregnancies? Now, I know that when I am LUCKY enough to be pregnant again, it isn't going to be great all the time. I know you get tired, and crampy, and swell up (just to name a few)...but SERIOUSLY, complaining all the time is so annoying. Anyway, I didn't mean to offend anyone....just please remind me of this if I start complaining too much next time!
4. My awesome sister-in-law and I are going to start to train for a 5k this Sunday....yes, you read that correctly...me, running! As funny as it is going to look (I have a waddling problem!), I'm going to give it a try. Amanda sold me when she told me the training schedule is called "from couch potato to runner". We will see how this goes!!
Anyway...enough randomness from me! Have a great week!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Back to life...Back to reality
Spring break has come and gone and boy was it WONDERFUL! Josh and I had an amazing time at Disney World. It was so fun to see Josh's reactions since it was his first time going. We had a very busy 7 days and I think we came away seeing almost everything. I am pretty sure it is impossible to see it all in one visit.
I have to admit that in the back of my mind I couldn't really believe that we were there. I had originally planned to spend spring break putting the finishing touches on a nursery and preparing for our baby. I know that God has a bigger plan for us and I just need to keep reminding myself of that.
So, now the dreaded benchmark test is next week and let me just say that I am SO ready for it to be over. I will say that I haven't been stressing myself out over it. If I have learned anything this year, I have learned that life is too short to stress out about things that are out of my control.
Anyway, that is about all that is new with me. Hope everyone has a great week!
I have to admit that in the back of my mind I couldn't really believe that we were there. I had originally planned to spend spring break putting the finishing touches on a nursery and preparing for our baby. I know that God has a bigger plan for us and I just need to keep reminding myself of that.
So, now the dreaded benchmark test is next week and let me just say that I am SO ready for it to be over. I will say that I haven't been stressing myself out over it. If I have learned anything this year, I have learned that life is too short to stress out about things that are out of my control.
Anyway, that is about all that is new with me. Hope everyone has a great week!
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