It's a Good Day to take Care of You

This summer, I have taken a lot of time to do some self-care. I define self-care, as doing things that give attention to you, physically, emotionally, or mentally. I really had an emotion filled year and many of those emotions were very heavy.  Last year, I found myself being broken down because I did not take the time to build myself up. I was unhappy with the fact that I was overstaffed, placed in a school I was unfamiliar with, that I was dealing with several unsupportive people in my life.

I have decided that I did not like the way that I was dealing with life last year and I know for sure, that I do not want to go back to that place.  It was super unhealthy for me to fold into myself, to not talk about what I was going through, and to not take time to do things for me. Well, I’m over that and I realize that I need to take care of me first, in order to do for others.  I think as teachers, we often find ourselves just running on a motor and doing things that we know need to be done. It is very easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of dedicating ourselves to the success of our students, both academically and mentally. I cannot stress enough to you, the importance of taking care of you, so that you can be in tip top shape to change lives. Very cliché, I know but it still rings true. So, enjoy yourselves over this break. Do something that you have never done or just do something that you know will bring you joy.

I am hoping to return to school refreshed and ready to learn the ropes of 4^th grade. I am very excited to be branching out into new territory and I have definitely been pinning my life away on Pinterest. I have found many great ideas to implement in my new classroom and cannot wait to share my 4^th grade stories with you.

I am still in Grad school and after my summer classes; I will only have 4 more to go. The end is near but the work is not done, lol. The classes are definitely helping me improve my time management skills because I have surely been on the struggle bus with that!

I literally have 2 weeks of summer left before Ms. Smith the teacher returns and I am making sure that I cram as much fun as I can into my schedule. This includes more Netflix binges of Greys Anatomy, a Maxwell Concert, a trip to Gatlinburg, a new haircut and lots of time with family and friends.

Here’s to new possibilities, adventures, learning curves, and being filled with joy because that it what we deserve!

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-Tia

The Return of Shatia

I have contemplated writing a blog about my latest year of teaching many times and each time I have had to stop myself. Honestly, each time I have attempted, it would have just been an outlet to bash so many things and that is not what I want to do.  I wish I could say that my year was full of nothing but delightful experiences but it was not! I had a very trying year and I contemplated leaving teaching! A lot of veteran teachers have told me that there would always be years that shape you as a teacher and this year, was that year for me. Listen, after this year I feel undefeated! I feel like I am the champ!

In an attempt not open old wounds, I will only address a couple of situations from my school year. The first being, when I was told, that I did not love my students.  As a teacher who cares deeply for her students and tries to go above and beyond for them, I found this comment to be very hurtful. Whoever said that words will never hurt me, I truly believe that they were in denial. I have never been so hurt in my life! I am seriously holding back tears because if anything could almost break my spirit, it would be you telling me that what I wake up every day to do was worthless because I don’t love the very students that I am teaching.

 Nothing can prepare you, for getting through an emotional pain that hurts so much, you can practically feel it. Nothing! I went through an inner battle and I asked a lot of questions, mainly, I asked, WHY????!!!!!!  I binged on Pepsi; it was literally the only thing that calmed my nerves some days. Then one day as I was rushing around to prepare for dismissal, one of my students gave me the firmest hug and told me that I was the best kindergarten teacher ever, and happily skipped along to her spot on the carpet. In that moment, I was reminded that what matters is how my kids feel about me. How they know I love them because I told them every day that I did. How they know, that I have high expectations for them. How they know, that I will tell them when they have done wrong and how I expect them to tell me how they will do better. How they know, that I will greet them every morning by name and with a smile because I did it every day that school year.  I was letting the views of a hateful person deter me, when all I had to do was look at my students and see that I was giving them all the best pieces of me.

I had a lot of “Come to Jesus,” moments this year, lol. In particular, I will be returning to Maupin as a 4^th grade teacher and I will be participating in the Waldorf program. In my last blog about Maupin, out of anger and confusion, I was unopen to this new program. Never say never because you just never knowJ    so here is to taking risk, for putting myself out there, for daring to be brilliant, and for being the best damn teacher ever! Shatia returns to Maupin, the remix is always fire!

Until the next time that life has checked me!

-Tia

P.S. I had some major self-care in Jamaica during Spring Break on my first cruise! Thanks to that self-care, I haven’t had a Pepsi or soda since mid-April. Progress!!!!

Free Online Resources for Technology Based Projects

Listed below, are some resources that can be used to get free images, videos, and music. It is very important to acknowledge and state your resources.

https://www.fotolia.com/Info/Images/FreePicsOfTheWeek

Free Images!

http://www.melodyloops.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwuPi3BRClk8TyyMLloxgSJAAC0XsjZPryiDi_N9AHlzb6MyZ67prh8o4T2cLp8Ip7hu8FAhoCExXw_wcB

Free Music!

http://www.melodyloops.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjwuPi3BRClk8TyyMLloxgSJAAC0XsjZPryiDi_N9AHlzb6MyZ67prh8o4T2cLp8Ip7hu8FAhoCExXw_wcB

Free Videos!

Happy Creating!

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-Tia

EDU 560: Georgetown College

Hello!

I am very excited to get through my current class but also nervous! We have about 3 big assignments in the class and one is to present a Professional Development that is technology related. Let me just say that I feel butterflies when I think of presenting something to adults. I remember when I took a Communications Class in Undergrad and how nervous I would get when giving my speeches. I truly hope that I have grown out of that phase. There is no time like the present, to get better at something I wasn’t too good at.

I have been thinking about what I could give the PD on and I have several ideas. Maybe I could present on how to create Smart Board activities, ways to creatively present information to your students, or how to use a Learning Management System. I am super excited to get started and to learn new things! Hopefully that excitement will help with the public speaking, lol! 

Let me tell you, my Kinders are obsessed with our computers, the Smart Board, and the class IPADS. They cannot get enough of them! It would be super awesome if I could figure out how to incorporate the use of these items into our daily schedule even more! Hmm, the wheels are turning! Let me know if you have any suggestions on how I could do this or cool apps to download.

Until the next time that life has checked me!

-Tia

Welcome New Authors!

Hello everyone,

I am currently in graduate school at Georgetown College for my Masters in Teacher Leadership with an endorsement in technology. In my current EDU560 class, I will be working with three other teacher leaders. I will be using my blog for this class, so please look forward to some great new post! I have invited my group mates and Professor to add/or edit the post that I make for the class. Welcome!

Until the next time life has checked me!

-Tia