A New Year...A New Me!

Hello to All!

It has been quite awhile since I have written in my blog but my goal is to at least post to my blog a couple times a week. My original intention was to have this as a way to encourage others and share happy and sad moments along with easy and difficult days but I fell off track. I am hoping that with the new attitude that I have tried to have that I will be more successful in posting and giving you some encouraging words.

So, here we go.

This summer I made the decision that I wanted to be a new me. I wanted to improve some things in my life and hopefully be a mentor or encourager to someone. My goal was and is to have a better attitude overall and make the most of each day. It is so easy to get caught up with daily things that can bother us but I wanted to make a difference in people's lives and be an example for others to look up to. I started off the new school year making all my co-workers gifts for the new Pre-K year. I did this in hopes to start off on a good note. I also wanted to make some better decisions in relation to my classroom.

Today was the first official day with my students and I started out the day with a positive attitude. I knew that there would be moments that stressed me out and other moments that I would just have to laugh but I wanted to end the day on a positive note. As the day progressed we were doing great. Of course the kids were having to adjust to the daily schedule and a new environment but we were making it. Well things began to change around lunch time. Alot of the kids were ready to see Mommy or Daddy or they were hungry or wanted to take a nap; they were not interested in discussing anything at circle time. I asked them what were some things that they wanted to know about Pre-K and they looked at me like a deer in the headlights. I said, okay well what are some things you like about Pre-k. Finally, I started to get some answers but still most of the kids were squirming around, going to the bathroom, untying their shoes, playing with legos, or whatever else you can think of aside from listening. I looked at my co-teacher Tabitha and said "Can you remind me why I love Pre-K so much?" She replied, "We are almost through the day just a little while longer." It was encouraging to me and helped me to get finished with circle time. I had her support with the kids and we finished discussing what we liked about Pre-K and then went to eat lunch.The kids ate lunch and then layed down for a nap. This gave us a break, but before we knew it they were up and raring to go again. We ended our day and as they were leaving I was pleasantly reminded of 19 reasons why I teach Pre-K. Each of their faces were reminders of why I do what I do. They may not always have the best day and neither may I but they are the reason for why I do my job. I don't teach Pre-K for the money, the glamour, the prestige, or cleanliness and simplicity :), but rather I teach for the simple fact that I have the honor of playing a major role in each of these children's lives. I can impact their lives for eternity. I want them to come in to my classroom excited about learning and leave having gained knowledge and inspiration from what we have done throughout the day. I teach Pre-K to be a model for future leaders of our nation. No, I am not perfect but I do have talents and gifts that I can share with my students and hope that at least one word I say will impact them forever.

So, yes I have carried on for a little while today but I have opened my heart up and shared with you my desire. I hope to be some kind of encourager or mentor and that you will be able to see something different in me. I also hope to remind you that the children should be the reason we do what we do. Nothing else matters if we do not do it for the children!

Til' Next Time.
Best Wishes In Teaching!

Stephanie

I'm Back!

I know it has been a long time since I posted lasted but I have been busy. Well all the holidays are over and we are back in the swing of things. I have a new assistant who is absolutely wonderful. She is organized and always willing to do whatever I need her to do. She has helped me in so many ways. She has so much experience and it comes in handy in the classroom. I have also received a new student in class and he is doing great. He has adjusted well to our classroom and is a great example to the other students.

Then, there are of course those that always want to add more excitement in the classroom. I have some who love to be the center of the show and always want to share, be the teacher all day long, and others who just love to talk, talk, talk! I also have a student that has just been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. We knew something was going on but needed a diagnosis. He is such a sweet boy but this is again something new for me to experience.

So in the last couple of months I have experienced many new things. Some days are absolutely rough and make me never want to teach again (like today) and then there are other days that I LOVE what I do and wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.

What we can take from this is that there will always be new things going on in the classroom. It is dependant upon how we respond to everything that will help us look at each day. Our attitude will help us to make it through each day and give the children the best experience that they deserve.

So sorry for the long delay in posting but I'm back!!

Best Wishes In Teaching!

Til' Next Time...