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"

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to everyone and I hope that you have enjoyed this Holiday season thus far. Continue to enjoy your loved ones and your time off, if you have it. Just a quick update on my new teaching position, I go to sign my contract in the morning. I am so nervous but also just ready to jump in. I hope that my new students will enjoy me and my style. I know that this will be hard transition for them, adjusting to a brand new teacher. With God anything is possible, so I know this second part of the year is going to be interesting. I hope that you stay along for the ride:)

3 A Day Positive Rant:

I enjoyed a great Christmas day with my family including being able to pass out gifts for the first time ever!

I had a pajama day today and I am not ashamed to say, that I loved it! LOL!

My sister is spending the night with me. You have to love that quality T I M E!

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

Well.....It Finally Happened

Remember that big opportunity that I talked about in my last post? Well that opportunity was an interview with The Early Childhood department of Jefferson County Public Schools! That was the interview that landed me in my own classroom, thus putting on the start of a new journey and completing my struggle to gaining my own classroom. I am still in shock, excited, and scared all at once!

The interview was Tuesday and I woke up feeling horrible, go figure. My voice was gone, I was coughing horribly, and I tossed and turned form nervousness all night. I took a steamy shower and drank some hot coffee to help my throat and voice. I arrived at the interview sight early, as I always do. As I sat in the waiting chairs, I said a silent prayer to ease my nerves and to ask God to direct me as I went through this interview. Several people passed me with Hellos and well wishes, including a lady who asked was I ok, when I was doing my prayer. When I replied that I was praying, I saw the approval in her eyes, lol.

The first part of the interview was a written portion. I was given twenty minutes to answer the question; I think it took me about 8 minutes to complete my answer. I was so sure in my response and as with every other test I have taken, I knew that I had done my best. In actually, I think this written portion gave me a chance to calm my nerves a little more, seeing as I am a horrible interviewer and test taker.

After the written portion, I waited and waited to start the interview. I was interviewed by 9 or 10 individuals, it all seems so foggy now, lol. I answered all of the questions truthfully and took deep breaths before going on. I did the same thing that I have done at all of my other interviews but I said several times, how I know this is what I want to do with my life. Jesus, IDK if I sounded convincing but I was speaking from the heart.

After the interview, I went home and I almost had a panic attack! My mind was racing, my heart was racing, and I was just a total mess. I had to call my Mother to help me calm down.  I don’t know if I knew that this time was it or what but I will never forget that feeling of anxiety! The next morning, I was on my way to work, with the music blasting because that just what I do. I promise you; out of the blue I said to myself, I need to check my phone. So at a stop light, I reach over to dig through my purse for my phone and I see that my Granny had just called. It was kind of eerie, especially since my phone was on silent, and not where I could feel that it was vibrating. My first thought was panic because my Granny wouldn’t call me this early unless it was urgent. So I call and she says that JCPS just called and gives me the number. With my heart pounding, I make this call. The lady that I am asking for is in a meeting but the lady that answered the phone reveals that she was going to offer me a job and did I accept! I probably yelled YES but all I know for sure is that a yes left my mouth. She took down my cell phone number and said that she would call back with the appointment to sign my contract. I am not crier, I never cry unless I am deeply moved or spirited but I confess that I bawled like a baby in my car. I had to pull over and give myself a moment.

I only told certain people about this at first because I never received her call back that day. I waited until the next day to call and hear that I got the job a second time, lol. I think it was pure shock that all my hard work has finally paid off. When I think about this journey, I realize that I have learned a great deal about myself and I have proven that I am a fighter. Yes, I have had my doubts and my worries but the one thing that I have held onto is my faith and hope that something would happen. Once, I realized that I truly would not know when it would happen and left it completely in God’s hands, he showed me who was boss. Thank you so much to my readers and supporters for listening to me and giving me the opportunity to reflect. I am still going to keep this blog up because I will always be the Awkward Teacher.

3 A Day Positive Rant:

1) I have a paid professional teaching job. God is so awesome.

2) I received a deferment on that $20, 000 loan, who I can now contact and tell them that I have obtained a teaching position. To God be the glory, now I can work that loan off by doing what I love. 

3) A new adventure awaits me, as an official Early Childhood Teacher. I have my own students to love on, nurture, and teach now. The struggle has only made me appreciate this moment so much more.

There is so much more Awkwardness to share!

Until the next time life has checked me.

-T