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.

 

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!

 

 

I hope you love it! Happy January-let the countdown to summer begin!

 

 

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!