Monday, January 4, 2016

January Freebie Time!

It's official. Winter break is over. I have truly enjoyed the past two and a half weeks at home with my own kiddos. in my PJs til noon (sometimes all day). naps. using the bathroom whenever I want. watching movies. Ahhhh I loved it! Well, its a good thing that it has ended cuz those sort of days can be pretty addictive! And as much as I fantasize about a break that never ends...IT'S OVER Y'ALL! Time to set the alarms & put away the yoga pants. I've actually spent a little bit of my break working on some school stuff (I know, I know but I just can't help it!) I get to spend the next 2 days logging a few professional development hours and then on Wednesday I will be greeted by my 20 smiling kinders! I loved my break but I also missed those cuties! I've been trying to tweek some of my center activities a little bit & I just finished up these playdough mats to practice sight words.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snow-Much-Fun-PlaydoughLiteracy-Center-472917
 
You can download the entire set of sight word mats from my TpT shop for FREE this week! Check it out by clicking on the pic!
 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snow-Much-Fun-PlaydoughLiteracy-Center-472917
 
I hope you love it! Happy January-let the countdown to summer begin!
 
 

Saturday, January 2, 2016

H.E.L.L.O 2016! This is why we teach...


Happy 2016 y'all! I just have to share a bit of my New Year's Eve celebration with you. It was truly the inspiration that I needed to begin 2016...
First of all, I would like to say that I love my job. I love teaching. I love seeing children grow. and smile. and learn. I truly love it... BUT...there are days that I feel overwhelmed, underpaid and unappreciated. I'm sure y'all have experienced similar feelings also. So here's my lil New Year's Eve inspiration story:

We had not made any "big extravagant" plans to ring in 2016. So, at the last minute, went to dinner with friends. Nothing crazy. Dinner at a local family-run restaurant (which I have to say was DELish!!!) After dinner I was approached by a former parent. And by former I mean that I was her son's teacher about 15 years ago so it has been quite sometime since I have seen him (or her). She began by saying, "I have always wanted you to know..." and then she quickly became very emotional & covered her face. A million things ran through my mind. Was she upset? Was she happy? Did I do something that I had not realized? What? WHAT was it??? A few moments later, she looked up, wiped the tears from her face, grabbed my hands, and then began again, "I have always wanted you to know how much of a difference you made in my son's life. I was not a good mom. I did not have my priorities straight. He loves you. I love you for everything you did for him & for those words. Those kind words that you always said to him."  As you can imagine, tears streamed like a river. And for the next 30 minutes I listened to her story. Words cannot describe how I felt. My heart was overflowing!

As I reflect back on our conversation, I am again filled with emotion....I had no idea of this child's story. As teachers, we all have children that we worry just a little bit more about & wonder if there is more to their story, but this wasn't one of them. I am so grateful for this experience. It was truly a blessing of inspiration for the new year. So when I return to school next week to a classroom full of lil faces, I will remember these things:
1. Behind every face is a story-perhaps a story that we will never know.
2. Kind words & gestures DO make a difference.

And THIS, my friends, is why I teach!!!

Have an awesome 2016 y'all!