The First Day of the Last Week of School

Can you believe it??!

Joke of the Day

"Miss Sutherland, would you get mad at me for something that I didn't do?"

"No, of course not."

"Good. Because I didn't do my homework!"

Wake Up Sleepy Soul

I just attended a retirement party for two teachers who have both worked at my school longer than I've been alive. One has been dedicated to educating students here for 27 years, and the other, 32 years. Now, if that's not awe-inspiring then I don't know what is. ...I must admit, the whole reception has put me into a very nastalgic mood.

I am struggling for the words to express just what I'm feeling in these moments. I won't try to force out any exhaustive account of my thoughts. I'll just say this: Seeing those women stand before me, thinking about the life in their years, seeing the light still in their eyes, hearing the stories shared by old friends...it revived something in my heart. It stirred a part of my soul that I didn't realize had begun to slowly fall asleep.

I'm sitting here in my classroom, pondering the fact that as I am nearing the end of my first year of teaching, these women are both nearing the end of their entire life's vocation. Both are great accomplishments which seem to mirror each other, in a way. It's a special sort of feeling. One that I can't quite describe.

For these two women, this month marks the end of an era, so to say. For me, it is simply the end of a beginning. And my soul is stirring....

Carnival Night!

What elementary school year is complete without a carnival night? Maybe your school had an annual family bingo night instead. Well, this year, we did both. On the same night! A little crazy? Maybe. Super fun time for families? Certainly.

I'm sure some teachers dread such organized chaos, but I had a blast as I worked the "Sponge a Teacher in 'Da Face" booth! Ultimately, I was only able to recruit two other teachers to share some "face time" with me (pun intended). I guess getting pelted in the face with wet sponges all night long is not most people's idea of fun. But it sure is fun for the kids!! I feel strongly that any solid school carnival needs an activity where the students get to feel like they are torturing their teachers somehow.

Research proves my theory: Sponge a Teacher in 'Da Face turned out to be a huge "hit"! (ha! I'm loving the puns tonight!)

This was one of the less accurate throws. Those were my favorite kind.

Several blows to the face later (some much more severe than others) I surprisingly still have both my eyeballs and am well enough to blog about it! 

Not one to be defeated by the sponge!!!

Actually able to still smile about it like an elementary teacher lunatic!

A special thanks to my step-dad who donated the large sheet of plywood, cut a face hole out of the center, primed it, and equipped the backside with sturdy handles so that anyone brave enough to stand behind it would have a good amount of control. Excellent construction.
Also, thank you to our school art teacher for making the game come to life with such a great painted design! As you can see up close below, it's pretty awesome.

Apparently this is the moment of realization that I've been eaten by a crazed tiger.