Life is Good

Just checking in with a quick update from The Awkward Teacher! I am still saving for a computer and  really contemplating purchasing a Mac Book. I have never had one, so I am a little on the fence about purchasing it because it is very expensive. If you have any suggestions or comments about Macs to help sway my decision, please post them:)

School is going good; I love it when I see my students learning and their little minds working. Behavior is still an issue but I am still trying different things to help with this. I completed my first home visit Friday and it was a really good experience. It was nice to feel appreciated as well. A lot of people don’t understand all the work that teachers do, this is a physical and mental job, and there are no breaks! I'm attached to these kids and I care and love them  like they are my own, so to hear that some parents appreciate what I am doing feels really good!

Funny story, that I just have to share, take a look below:
Me: Why was breaking Baby Bears chair a bad thing for Goldilocks to do?
Boy: Pauses....because.. because she wasn’t going to pay to fix the chair,

Sweet and cute moments like this make me forget any trying moments that we have had since January. I now have a bus monitor, which has helped greatly. My assistant and bus monitor are too awesome for words, just major blessings

Lastly, I have finally started my new health journey and have currently lost 11 pounds. It’s hard but I am determined. I try to wake up and get my workouts over with before work and  it takes a lot of determination, lol. I also treated myself to blonde highlights and a new pair of tennis shoes. Life is good; I’m flowing with the ups and the downs.

3 Positives a Day
1) Spring Break is in 1 week!
2) I started a class newsletter for parents and one of my fellow Pre-K teachers loved it so much, she asked to use the template! Go me!
3) My teaching team  is complete and I think we are going to get these kids in shape. We are the Dream Team and you better believe it:)

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

Be Patient With Me:)

AdI

In honor of Dr.Seuss's birthday, enjoy my favorite quote from him!

Its been a while but hello:) Sorry for my hiatus but I no longer have a computer, it died and I am saving money to replace it. In the mean time, I am doing a lot from my phone until then. Just a quick update because its a little weird doing this from a phone. Sometimes I hate technology but where would I be without it? School is going well and I am enjoying myself. I still can't believe that I have my own classroom. I stop and marvel at how my life has changed at the most random times. I ask God, why he is so good to me but I am always grateful for his love. I am very blessed to be able to work in the school system. There are so many people who are not doing a job that they studied to do but I am. GOD IS GOOD!

Last night I watched some of a movie called, The Hive. It was good, just a little long. One of the teachers in the movie was very judgemental and it was making me so mad. I have a hard time realizing that some people can't deal with obstacles as well as me. Its ok to be upset and frazzled but it is not ok to stay that way. Have your moment and then have your moment where you plan how you are going to make a change. Repeat if needed. Life is too short to stay down for too long:)

Anywhoo, I go back to work tomorrow and I am ready. We just completed a winter break and I enjoyed myself but I do miss my kiddos. Have a great week you guys!
Until the next time life has checked me.

-T

Wake Up, Duty Calls

Hola Amigos! When this week ends I will have completed, one full month of teaching. It’s going by so fast and I am learning so much. I admit, I did have a mini breakdown yesterday. It was just one of those outrageous crazy days. The kids were constantly fighting, tattling, running, etc. You name it and they were doing it. The fighting is the biggest problem which shocks me because I have Pre Kinders, 14 boys and 6 girls. Too much testosterone, lol. I literally had to make my graduation photo my lock screen on my phone, to make it through the day. Maybe I was being dramatic but it helped me, make it to nap time because I was on the verge of tears. 

Then when I got home and had me a nice and cold Pepsi, I started to put some things into perspective. It started when I watched a Facebook video about a woman’s life journey and how she had overcome it to become a business woman and survivor. Even though I was already bummed that I was feeling upset because I never want God to think that I am ungrateful. The video and the amazing song accompanying it, made me feel so little, to feel so defeated by a bad day. Yes, I got it together real quick! Enjoy her story below.

Today was a better day and I even got through the difficult behavior in one piece. My remedy for the bad behavior, finding something to laugh about and dare I say it, enjoying a piece of chocolate. Today I asked my friends for advice and help. So I pose the same question to you, do you have any suggestions on how I can get my behavior under control? The kids are Pre Kinders and between the ages of 3 and 5.

Some of the other staff keep sliding in that maybe I should try to go to Kindergarten next year or transfer. I think not and I refuse to let this kill my vibe. I have heard good and bad things about my school but I don’t care because I am there to make a difference. God specifically chose me to go through this test and I won’t wimp out. To give you some background on my school, it is very urban. I will let you decide what you think I mean by that. It’s in the area where I grew up, the west end and I know the good that I do by being a caring and dedicated teacher to these kids. It will pay off, Glory!

3 A Day Positive Rant

• I still get tickled when I hear the kids call me Ms. Smith.
• I am Blessed! Oh yes, I could be at a low end job not doing what I love but instead I am doing what I love and making some money while doing it. 
• I LOVE owls and my V- Day bulletin board is going to be full of Owls:) Excited, I am!!

Until the next time that life has checked me.

-T

P.S.

Meet our new class pet, Po! The kids voted and Po won! I am excited because Po was my suggestion, lol.

Adjusting

Hello. 

It has been one hell of a ride being a Pre K teacher so far. Sigh..... My class is great on all counts except for behavior. I can’t seem to get them on board with listening and behaving. Everyone keeps saying that it’s going to take time and that it will be hard because they didn’t start out with being disciplined in August. I refuse to believe that these kids just don’t have it in them because I know they do and I know I will find a way to bring it out of them, eventually. So, I am still looking and trying new ideas, just pray for me saints! 

Right now, I just feel so drained and tired. I am getting used to the new routine, so here is a toast to, ADJUSTING! I pretty much stay to myself at the school though. I have casual conversations but to be honest I haven’t had a reason to let my guard down at this new work place. I am perfectly fine with it at the moment but I have never felt like that in my work environment, so I can say that I am adjusting to that as well. 

Even now, I should be painting some orders and mailing off my give a way prize but my body is just so sore. I think once I get my exercise routine down, I won’t be as sore. SMH, I am living life one day at a time. It seems to be working in my current situation. I don’t want to seem to crabby and tired, so I will say that I am still in awe with the fact that I working in my dream profession. I love being in front of my class teaching and I just love it when they participate, which they always do:) I had a very successful circle time today! (Just wanted to get that information out,lol) 

Lastly, when I say that I am BROKE, I mean it. Which is one of the reasons that I haven’t mailed off the give a way prize. I was ashamed to admit that I just don’t have the money right now but I realized that this blog is all about me being able to reflect and share my struggles and successes with other people. I have had 3 jobs within the last 3 months, so my funds have not been steady:(. But again, I am ADJUSTING,lol. One thing I have learned in the profession is that you must be flexible! There is no way around it.

3 A Day Positive Rant

• This is the end of my 3rd week with JCPS.
• I am one week closer to actually getting a paycheck! Once I see my paycheck, I for sure will have a new burst of energy. LOL
• Tomorrow is Friday. Enough Said. 

Until the Next time life has checked me.

-T

#ImATeacher

Peeks in.... Hello. Sorry for my absence but my new career has me tired most nights. I asked for this so I am not complaining. I love every bit of this new experience. I wont say it has been easy because it has been far from it. I teach pre school at an urban inner city school and I have 19 rambuctious  students. Getting behavior under control has been my biggest struggle, nothing that I have tried has worked, not even a treasure box. Jeez, you would think free toys would excite some kids:) 

Yesterday, one of my line sisters asked me do I feel like I have a sense of fulfillment now that I have started teaching professionally. Yes, I do feel fulfillment right now because when I am in front of my class teaching, I know that there is nothing else that I would rather be doing. I have found my calling in life and everyday for the past two weeks has reminded me of how blessed I am. I know as I get older I will form different career desires but right now, I am loving the path that God has chosen for me.

Today was a difficult day but I am just going to go to bed and start fresh tomorrow. Thank God for my wonderful and awesome assistant! We make a great team and I am so lucky to have her, in this first year of teaching.

3 A Day Positive Rant

• My bulletin board is so cute, lol.
• I went shopping and bought some new staples for my teacher wardrobe. 
• I bought some new eyeglasses that are super cute and I can see better.
• (Dont judge my extremely superficial positives today,lol.) 

To my give away winner, I suck so much for the delay in sending your prize. Something extra is in your package. Two major job changes in one month, have worn me out.

-Until the next time that life has checked me. 

Happy New Year: 2013 Has Arrived

Remember its Happy New Year, not Happy New Years! LOL! I would like to wish a Blessed and prosperous year to all of my readers. I am a testament that 2013 is going to be the year of blessings and fulfilled dreams. The best thing about a new year is a regained sense of hope and the positivity that comes with it. I hope that everyone has enjoyed their break, many blessings to you and your families in the New Year of possibilities.

I have had a great break and am patiently anticipating my first day as a teaching professional here in Louisville. I still smile randomly knowing that I have reached yet another peak on this road to success. I am in the mist of adding more goals to my list, updates will come later :)

3 A Day Positive Rant

We are too Blessed to be Stressed. Amen!

It’s a New Year but there is no "New Me." Let’s make it a point to better ourselves in this New Year, To do things that we have never done, and to make many lasting memories. 

I brought the New Year in exactly where I needed to be the most, Church! Chile, we had that Old Time Religion going on until 12am. I am an old soul at heart.

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

 P.S.

I am on Ruzzle, if you are too, lets play a game! My name is "sheteach"