2013 Reflections

As I reflect and prepare myself for 2014, I must say that 2013 was very good to me. 2013 certainly was a milestone year for me and it’s all because of TEACHING. I will never forget the day that I started working for JCPS, January 7, 2013. I am so proud of that date and all that it took to reach it. Looking back at my past post and all of the struggles and emotions that I shared on this blog, I feel a sense of gratefulness and fulfillment. I can’t explain how being able to share my struggles through this outlet and reflect on them, has helped me in so many ways. I would like to say thank you to all of my readers and supporters through this endeavor. It is a very unique sense of fulfillment that comes with knowing that other people appreciate and look forward to hearing your words and about the trials of your life. For that, I will always be thankful :)

As 2013 comes to a wonderful end, I just wanted to share with you, some of the things that will stick with me, as I go into 2014.

1) In 2013 I was blessed with 2 full time teaching positions! First as an Early Childhood teacher at Duvalle and finally as a Kindergarten teacher at Maupin elementary. I’ve enjoyed both classes and look forward to ending my first year as a Kindergarten teacher.

SO OFFICIAL!

2) I moved into my own apartment and I love it because everything is mine, even the bills! LOL!

HOME! LOVE!

3) I have grown up! I still have lessons to learn and trials to go through but this year, cemented in me that life is a learning process and who appreciates that more than a teacher?

 

GROWING UP BUT STILL ENJOYING LIFE

4) My Family! They are my biggest supporters and I love them so deeply. 

SISTERS

5) My friends and Sorors, I can’t explain the support system that I God has placed in my life but that I am extremely blessed to have each of them.

FRIENDS

SANDS AND SORORS

6) My Coworkers! First my first assistant, Mrs. Neil:) Now the people at Maupin, specifically my teammates, Adrienne and Jordan. 

7) My teammates! They deserve another shout out because it’s awesome to have work besties! LOL

 

TEAM MATES! THE BEST KINDER TEAM EVER!

What are your 2013 reflections? Feel free to share them in the comment section and I can’t wait to hear them!!

I have enjoyed this roller coaster of a year and I look forward to 2014! Are you ready?

Until the next time that life has checked me,
-T

Please....We Need Your Help

Hello Loves,
I am currently doing KTIP which is an internship for first year teachers, here in Kentucky. A requirement of this program is that I organize and complete a leadership project, with a partner. We decided to organize a book drive because it is a large need. We have set up a donorschoose project to help with our program, please donate if you can and spread the word. Any little bit helps and it would be greatly appreciated! The link is below! Also if you enter the code Disney at checkout, they will match your doantion up to $100!

Donate Here:)

 

Please, its for some awesome kiddos:)

 

 

Thank you!

 

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-T



December Reflections

Hey loves, long time, huh? I’m here checking in and when my life settles down, please expect more post. I am currently almost at a year mark, with JCPS. Come January 7^th, I will have been a paid teacher for a whole year. My, how time flies!

As of now, I am teaching Kindergarten at Maupin Elementary and it has been a very humbling experience. Some days I go home feeling accomplished and some days I go home, completely drained and questioning my career choice. Most days, I am good and even if I’m not, I find a way to be. I’ve learned that each day is a new start and this mindset, has worked well with myself and my kids. I am still very grateful and extremely blessed to be one of God’s chosen leaders of children, as my Mother puts it. 

This year has been very different from my first position and work place. Last year, I knew I was in the right place but sometimes it felt horrible because of the work environment that I was in. At this new school, I’ve actually met friends and people who have a passion for this thing called teaching. I have met people that I can confide in and that encourage me to do better. I still miss my Mrs. Neil from Pre K but I am adjusting as well as could be expected. I like this new school and I love my new team mates, we are the “Wonder” team.

I have 25 students, all with their own vibrant and eclectic personalities and talents. Every day is a new adventure and often they make me cry. Whether its tears of joy, laughter, or dismay, lol.  Sometimes I complain because, I won’t lie it gets hard, harder than I ever imagined but one small thing will happen and smack me back to reality. This is what I chose to do and I actually love it, I love the hard days, the exhausting work, the long hours, and the laughs. It’s hard to put in words, how I feel about what I do.

My biggest concern and task this year is learning not to let this career consume me! I am more than a “Teacher” but sometimes it’s hard not to let it take over my life. Especially when it takes hours to complete lesson plans and to complete my KTIP (Kentucky Teacher Internship Program) stuff. That’s why I am returning to my blog, as a way to let off some steam or enjoy what I love to do, expressing myself. I’ve made a promise to myself to blog more, read more; paint more, just to do more for me. When I decide to give, I often give too much of myself and I don’t like that. It’s high time, that I learn to think about myself sometimes and with the help of saying “no” to certain things, I can do this. I need you to hold me to it!

I am still loving my new place and have slowly but surely been able to fix it up. I am excited for the things to come. Thanks for loving my blog and listening to my musings.

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-Tia

Miss Kindergarten: Scotch Expressions Tape {organization ideas!}

Just wanted to share this neat blog post about using tape to help with classroom decor. What she created is super cute!

Miss Kindergarten: Scotch Expressions Tape {organization ideas!}: I love crafting and I love organizing so when Scotch Expressions Tape asked me to review their new line of tape, just in time for the back...

Classroom Prep: Part Dos

Hello There! I am very excited to be able to post blog post twice in one week! I decided to wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday to purchase my own personal laptop. I also decided not to get a MacBook for the time being but this could all change before November because I am that indecisive about big purchases. Before I share an update about my personal life, I would like to share some pictures of my classroom. I plan to add more things, as my finances increase, don't judge me, lol!!

Welcome to Ms. Smith’s room!

Word Wall and its framed with teal border:)

First Bulletin Board of the year! Whooray for Kindergarten!

Calendar, voice levels, and weather.

My motivation board includes pics of some family and friends!

The view of the room from the door. I love my table numbers, I used thread to hang those!

Those banners were made from scrapbook paper and ribbon.

I painted the sign on my door and I got the Owl picture off of Google.

I am very passionate about reading, so I took extra time to plan my library. I plan to hang a hoola hoop chandelier.

Its okay not to know but its not okay, not to try! That's my 2013 mantra for my kiddies and the "No opt out" policy:)

I love it so far but I'm trying to add more color because let’s face it, bright colors make me happy! I think I am just a little, tincy, wincy bit obsessed with chevron print and the color teal. I need more, I tell ya, more!!

Last night was my first ever parent orientation at school and it was awesome, awesome, awesome! The kids and parents loved the room, so all of that hard work was worth it!#Winning

They also commented on my love of Owls,lol. Great conversation starter!

Before I leave, I just wanted to share that this weekend is dedicated to lesson planning and car shopping! Whoot, whoot!!!! Today was staff orientation---> Love! Monday is Professional Development and Tuesday the kiddies come!!! I am excited and nervous at the same time but mostly excited!!!

Until the next time that life has checked me!
-T

P.S. Special shout out to the staff at Maupin, I feel very welcomed and can tell that this is a school dedicated to their students. Which is the reason that I wanted to be there. I have an AMAZINGLY AWESOME Kindergarten teaching team.

Classroom Prep: Part Uno

The time has come for me to start preparing my classroom for the upcoming year. I am very excited to start this school year and can’t wait for my official first day of school. I have spent three days setting up my classroom and I am still not done. I just dropped in to show you, the pictures of some cute milk crate seats that I completed for my classroom library. Peep, the pictures and tutorials below.

Milk Crate Seats

Materials:

Milk Crates

Fabric (1yd = 4 crates)

Plywood

Staple Gun

Ribbon

Foam Mattress Padding 

• Pick out your fabric and purchase the correct amount to complete your seats. Hobby Lobby has great prices on fabric ( shameless plug)
• Purchase milk crates to match your fabric. I purchased the milk crates that are used for filing, from Wal-Mart.
• Purchase your plywood. Make sure to take your milk crate into the hardware store with you. This will allow the wood cutter to cut your wood down to the perfect size. 
• (Keep your wood scraps! They can come in handy for future craft purchases.) 

Directions:

• Trace the outline of your plywood rectangles onto the mattress padding. You want two pieces for each crate
• Cut your fabric into 4 rectangles. The rectangles should be about 3 inches bigger than the plywood rectangles.
• Spread 1 fabric rectangle out and place your two mattress cutouts on top of the fabric. I purchased a mattress pad that had grooves in it, so I just placed the two grooved sides together leaving a smooth surface on top.
• Place the plywood rectangle on top of the mattress padding.
• Pull the fabric over the mattress padding and staple it to the plywood. 
• Pull the fabric as tight as you can. I had to staple around the cushion two times to get the fabric, as tight as I wanted.
• Optional: I made a loop with some ribbon and stapled it to the corner of each cushion, to create a pull tab. The pull tab makes opening the milk crate storage ottoman easier.
• Revel in your success and complete the remainder of your chairs.
• Make sure that you complete each ottoman by placing your fabric the same way, each time.

I love these things and they were super easy to make. I plan to make more and will be sure to post those when I am finished. Stay tuned pictures of my completed classroom; I can’t wait to share it with you!

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-T