The Shelby Life

When I last left you, I described how I was placed as a Kindergarten teacher at Shelby Traditional Academy. Well, the school year has started and is well underway. My life as a Shelby Star has begun and major adjustments have been made.

At the start of this school year, I had a hard time letting Maupin go. Don't get me wrong, I will never forget my time at Maupin but I was letting it affect my life at Shelby. It was always, "Well at Maupin, we did this or Last year at Maupin." I often found myself pining for Maupin, I wanted that old thing back,lol. I was sad all of the time and really wasn't giving Shelby a fair chance because I wanted to be at Maupin so badly. When I think about it, I still miss Maupin but I've got to focus on what's right now. Why is letting go so hard? It just is :( 

I had to snap myself out of being a negative Nancy at work. Like seriously, I had to take a moment to myself and evaluate the way that I was acting. I was feeling overwhelmed, panicky, pressured, and out of place. Let's face it, there are a lot of good teachers that get burned out very quickly and I won’t pretend that I didn't think about a career change. I had to think about how much I love my job and how much I don't want to be just another burned out teacher. God had already told me that this is what I was called to do, so why was I still tripping?!!! I had to get my life all the way together and count my blessings. There is nothing wrong with checking yourself, lol! So after much contemplation, I have challenged myself to live the rest of this year in the positive because focusing on the negative makes my situations worse. When I tell you, that I can feel a world of difference, I am being 100% honest. A weight has been lifted off of my shoulders:)

God continues to bless me because I am working with a great group of Kinder teachers again. They have been patient with me and have done everything to help me adjust to being a Shelby Star. I am very grateful for you Deadra, Angela, April, and Shannon. 

As a way to hold myself accountable for living in the positive, I will be sharing 3 positive things that are happening or have happened to me recently onto each post. I encourage you to leave me 3 positives in the comments, if you like:)

#LivingInThePositive

•          I bought a house, yes I did. First time homeowner on deck!
•          I donated $25 to 2 GoFundMe accounts, both of which will help a college student study abroad.
•      I have started painting again and was able to give someone a piece of my art.

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-Tia

2015-2016 Newsletter Template

Have a Great First Day of School

Tomorrow is the first day of school for  Jefferson County Public Schools and I wanted to wish everyone good luck! Remember to smile and have fun:) 

Teachers put on your game faces and let's have an awesome year. I am ready to take advantage of this fresh start, at a new school. 

I am also including pictures of my new classroom. It is pretty big and I love all the sunlight that streams in.

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-Tia

Summer Updates

Here in Louisville, we have less than a month until school starts. I am silently freaking out but excited at the same time. I have waited patiently and anxiously since school ended, to find out where I will be teaching next year. After obsessing over every email that I have received and every call from a 485 phone number, I have finally been placed! 

Today on July 13, 2015!

I will be a Kindergarten teacher at Shelby Traditional Elementary next year. I am very excited and anxious to meet my new coworkers and working environment. I have heard good things about this school and I am thankful, that God has placed me where he wants me to be. I look forward to learning and growing at this new school. This year will be interesting for me on all accounts! I will start Grad school in August and hopefully, I will have settled comfortably in my new house. Fingers Crossed!!

I feel like it has rained for 40 days and 40 nights here in Louisville! When the sun graces us with her presence, the whole city soaks it up. I have a couple of weekend trips planned and after that I will be ready and amped to start a new school year. A new summer haircut and color may be needed, to celebrate! Enjoy the rest of your Summer:)

Until the next time that life has checked me!

-Tia

Graduate School Writing Sample

I was recently accepted into the Master’s program of my choice and I am uber excited about this new adventure. This fall, I will be attending Georgetown College and working towards a Masters in Teacher Leadership with an endorsement in technology. As I was completing the application, I was tasked with creating a writing sample, which required me to discuss several questions. I thought it would be neat to share my sample, so here it goes, Enjoy!

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

D'Arricka

"Something is not right!" exclaimed Ms.Clavel! Ms.Clavel is the teacher from the popular children’s book and program, Madeline. Madeline has always been one of my favorite characters, even so that I named my car Pepito, after her mischievous neighbor. I used to always wonder how Ms.Clavel knew that something was not right in her school. Now that I am older, I know that Ms.Clavel used her intuition, a skill that most teachers possess. We know that little Tommy is up to no good, while we’re writing on the Smart Board or that Angelica really doesn’t have to use the restroom for the trillionth time in a row! Teacher intuition is a funny thing; sometimes you just have that feeling that something is not right.

 It has been a rough school year, closer to terrible if you ask me. My teacher intuition has been kicked into over drive! There is one event that I have dodged writing about because in all honesty it hurts to think about what has happened too much. When I started this blog, I wanted to share my teaching escapades in a rawness that others could understand. I will continue to do that and I am finally ready to let the words flow about D’Arricka.

D’Arricka was my student and she tragically passed away on April 29^th, of this year. She was a spunky little girl and always moved to her own beat. She loved to dance and she loved to read. Her favorite movie was Frozen and she absolutely loved the song, “Let It Go.” She was so full of life, the way that a kid should be. She was special and that’s the piece of her, which I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

I have had a hard time getting through her passing. That first night was the hardest; I couldn’t sleep because I saw her face every time I closed my eyes. I just couldn’t believe that something so tragic could happen to my kid. I remember trying to cheer myself up by going to shop at Target because I freaking love me some Target! I stood in the toy aisle staring at the Frozen dolls and cried my heart out. It’s been rough trying to cope with losing one of my kids and I pray to God, I never have to go through it again.

 I’ve asked why, so many times but in the end, I’ve come to understand that God has a plan. D’Arricka accomplished what God wanted her to and he called her back home. The pain is still there but so is my faith in God’s plan.  I will miss her and I am forever grateful that I was chosen to be her first teacher.

On the last day of school, Maupin was able to have a special memorial for her. I was able to create a slideshow to display at the program and the school planted a pink Dagwood tree in her honor.  I am so proud of my class and how they recognized the seriousness of the event. It was a nice ceremony and way to remember such a sweet little lady.

D’Arricka I hope you know that Ms. Smith loved you and misses you dearly! I am turning my tears into smiles because I know that you wouldn’t want me to be sad. I have your writing entry about me framed and on my wall. I will never forget you, sweet girl. Save me a good book in Heaven!

Special thank yous to everyone that has checked on me or offered me comfort in any way. My Maupin, family you ROCK for helping me get through those tough teaching days and the memorial ceremony.

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-Tia

Maupin

I have always believed in Divine Intervention and that God creates a path that is tailored to the lessons that you need to learn. As I expressed in my previous blog, I have been overstaffed and I am faced with finding a new school for next year. This is the second time that this has happened and my new school will be my 3^rd school in 3 years. None the less, “I’m way up, I feel blessed!” Shout out to Drake! Many moons ago, I learned to accept things that I have no control over and to count my blessings in spite of what may! Even though the road ahead is unknown, I know that better things may come and that good times will follow. Life is such a rollercoaster and that’s what makes it worth living! Life is full of ups and downs, laughter and tears but also learning and growth.

We have a week left of school until summer begins and it will be extremely bittersweet for me. You see, Maupin isn’t just a community of Educators but it’s a family. I can’t fully describe the warmth and love that you get when you become a part of Maupin’s legacy. This family is truly unique and has gotten me through so many rough days as a teacher. I’m not looking forward to leaving and starting anew, with new faces and learning new personalities. Maupin has spoiled me with support and love! I only pray that at my next school, I form relationships as strong as the ones, I’ve made with my Panther family. I love you all and I know that out of this unfortunate situation, something new and fresh will be formed, for all of us.

Instead of saying “Goodbye,” I am saying “see you soon.” I offer my words and thoughts below to each you, please know, that you have left an imprint on my life and that I am grateful for you.

Jordan:

My work BFF and birthday twin! I know this isn’t goodbye, but I just want you to know that I appreciate you. You’re feisty and brilliant! You have a way of calming me down and focusing on the matter at hand. What will I do without you reminding me of things and sharing your stories, every day? We will get through this!

Adrienne: You’ve already went off to do great things but I miss you and I am thankful that we are friends. Without Maupin, that would have never happened. You, Jordan, and I are three peas in a pod. It’s a reality! Lol!

Yael:

You’re one of the best people that I have met. You have a heart of gold and true passion for what you do. I am grateful that we were brought together through Maupin and that we are Sorors! There are plenty of days that I surely would not have been ok, if I didn’t have you around to comfort me and make me smile. Thank you for being so awesome!

The Pit Stop crew! Mrs. Morgan, Ms.Runyon, Ms. Drummond, and Jamea:

Moments with you have been priceless and full of laughs. Morning and afternoon pit stops to discuss the day’s events with you, were always a great beginning and ending to each day. They say laughter is food for the soul and you ladies always made sure I got a good helping each day, thank you!

Mrs. Robinson:
My first year at Maupin and as a Kindergarten teacher would have been so disastrous without you! Always checking on me, offering me advice, support, and helping out when Mrs. Cochran had to be out. Thank you for all of your help; I’ll always be one of your “Boo Boos” J

The Original Team Kindergarten: Megan, Kelly, and Ellen

Thank you for the advice and support as we started Team Kindergarten 2.0

Mrs. Cochran:

No matter what you think, you’ve taught me a lot. I love your ideas and willingness to work through any obstacles that we faced in our class. I think that you are a woman of great strength and full of kindness. I admire you for that! I know that you have awesome ideas and goals for West Louisville and I know that you will achieve them because you are great!

Ms.Tomika and Stacey:

Team Kindergarten would not run smoothly without you two! Maupin wouldn’t run smoothly without you! I love you both! Thank you for being our partners and offering your help.

Maupin Family:

The future holds great things for us. We will go to new places and shine. That’s a guarantee!

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-Tia

It's Happening.....Again

Open House in October

I have had the itch to write for some time now and with the on sight of several unwanted snow days, I have finally been awarded with the time to do so. I am wishing that this urge last for a while, as I’ve missed sharing my adventures on my blog.

The biggest thing that teaching has taught me in the last two years is that being flexible is the best quality that a teacher can have. You know the roll with the punches kind of thing and someday I am going to master it to the right consistency of perfection.

With learning to be flexible comes the curveballs and when I say curveballs, I mean gigantic, astronomic fireballs that just keep coming! It is with great dismay, that I am finally ready to acknowledge that next year; I will no longer be a Kindergarten teacher at Maupin. My school will be closing and reopening as The Milburn T. Maupin Catalpa School of Innovation which will focus on the Waldorf teaching method. I haven’t quite wrapped my head around it but I am for sure with absolute certainty that I do not fit in the equation of being a Waldorf educator. Bummer! This means that I and almost all of my coworkers are overstaffed because we do not want to stay. Unfortunately for me, this new school will be my 3^rd workplace within 2.5 years. Which in short means, another set of interviews, another staff to get to know, another administration to become familiar with, and another school environment to become accustomed to. Since I am doing the roll with the punches thing, I am coming to terms with my situation. All I know is that teaching has meant the world to me for the past 7 years and that’s all I want to do.

I have been asked several times, why I am leaving and why not stay. My answer will so eloquently follow. In order to stay, I will have to take a training for 2 weeks on Waldorf style teaching for the next four summers, get accustomed to not using technology, and loop with my students to name a few. The term looping in short means that I will follow my students and teach them at each grade level until they exit the elementary program in the fifth grade. I would also have to apply for a position and complete an interview which is not a guarantee to get hired. Although I love the artistic components of this program, I just do not believe that this is a good fit for me and my creative genius. In a nut shell, I am not a fan of this teaching style and I can say with clarity that staying is not an option.

I would say I have a dilemma on my hands but since I am rolling with the punches, I will say that I have an untapped opportunity in my mist. I will be honest and say that my last year and half of teaching has not been sunny skies and rainbows and trust me, it has been far from it. I am teaching at a rough school, its stressful, it’s a heavy burden at times, and it’s full of pressure. Once you make one breakthrough, another obstacle or three presents themselves.  I am seeing this opportunity as a way to start fresh and fall deeper in love with the field of education. I am so certain that my next school will allow me the opportunity to grow and help shape the lives of many students. I am ready for the experience; I am equipped with what I need to start fresh! After all, I am perfecting my ability to be flexible and rolling with the so called punches! I am a teacher, hear me roar! Too much?! I think so but I want you to roll with it:) 

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-Tia