Same Game. New Name.

First of all, a thank you to those of you who have trucked along with me as I have documented (rather inconsistently) my experiences teaching third grade for the past two years. You are quite faithful, and I love you for it.

I kept the original blog title, Footholds of a First Year Teacher through my entire second year of teaching. I figured I was still new enough at the job to justify leaving it alone. However, I will now be going into my third year as a teacher (can you believe it??). And, if I plan to keep this up for much longer, I figured it was probably time to start brainstorming new titles... Footholds of a Veteran Teacher just didn't have the same ring to it. Not to mention, it makes me sound quite a bit older, probably with short, permed hair. 

courtesy of blog.vh1.com

So, with one last tribute to the old interface....

Footholds of a First Year Teacher

Here I will attempt to capture the essence of my experience as I journey the path of a first year teacher.

foot·hold [foot-hohld]

-noun

1. a place or support for the feet; a place where a person may stand or walk securely.

2. a secure position, esp. a firm basis for further progress or development.

....say hello to ElementaryTeacherisms.blogspot.com

I must admit, I'm a little sad to change the blog at all (qualms of the nostalgic); but all the old posts are still accessible, and the I'm keeping the background the same (for now). So really the only difference is the URL. On that note, don't forget to follow me at the new blog site if you'd like to continue receiving updates on my journey as an elementary teacher!

Here's to a new school year in T-Minus 3 weeks!!

Blogger Sabbatical. Highlights of the Offseason.

Here's the thing:

From August to October I was still running strong on lifejuice I had left over from those glorious summer months which I spent in intensive recovery from the traumatic first year, in which almost all joy for teaching was drained from my being. almost.

After that dramatic statement, let me take a moment to say that this year, while it is still incredibly challenging, is better than the first year. To say it is largely more blissful and manageable would be a lie, BUT it is better. Maybe a good analogy would be this: Instead of drowning, I am now treading water. (Still hoping to get to the swimming part someday.)

On really difficult days I am able to remind myself of this change for the better, no matter how slight, and cling to hope instead of snowballing into whythehelldididecidetoteach mode. So that's a plus.

Anyway:
November hit 2011 and I hit a wall.
My endurance, vitality, strength, spirit (whatever you want to call it) as a teacher began to fade. And, let's be honest, when your job is taking that much out of you each day, the LAST thing you want to do after work is revisit the day in your mind. I had absolutely no desire to spend my time writing about my job. Shoot, I'd just lived it for 10 of my 15 waking hours. No thank you.
I didn't even want to talk about my job.
*gasp* you say, "Lindsey, not wanting to talk??"
I know, shocking. But true nonetheless.
Boundaries. It was my way of creating them. AKA trying to keep the insanity of my professional life from bleeding into my personal life. It's a delicate balance.
Thus, the frequency of my posts waned, and then ceased altogether.

However, there have certainly been blogworthy experiences in the past 3ish months that firstyearfootholds fell to neglect. And, I think frequently about how many memories I am letting pass by without note of them.
So, today I am going to bring you up to speed, friends!
Get ready for a fast-forward version of November to now.
Ready?
Here we go!

One of my students brought this framed photo of her baby brother to our class for 'show and tell'. Yep. That's a beer.

I learned you can't be too picky when asking a parent volunteer for help with a bulletin board…

Discovery: Shellac manicure. An elementary teacher's only hope for no chip nails. Amazing.

I did, indeed, take that trip to the Seattle over Fall Break. I had a lovely time with Espresso My Heart.

My students earned the most AR points for reading!! Their reward was smacking me in the face with TWO pies at our morning assembly.

I got really good at make-ahead lunches. That cafeteria crap will kill you. (but I still eat it sometimes.)

I relapsed back into my addiction to tootsie rolls. My students became so concerned that they intervened by declaring that one of them had to stay with me each day during specials to make sure I didn't break into the candy stash that was locked in the closet. Not kidding.

I got a flower.

A pair of panties mysteriously appeared on my classroom floor one day. No one would claim them.

I baked my first Thanksgiving pie.

I became the school mascot. Scary, I know.

I got beat up by a snowboard in Crested Butte over Christmas Break.

Willy still can't quite get the hang of the sign language symbol for 'restroom'….bless his heart.

Okay. That's that.

I feel better knowing at least part of the empty months of my blog have been filled in with a series of random photographs.

I left a few things out so I could write more meaty posts regarding those events. 

In other words, more posts to come.

Stay tuned!

A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every passerby leaves a mark.

Chinese Proverb

Unplanned Redecorating

Are you curious about what's been going down at my school lately?

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

Happy Monday!

This is a perfect example of what ONE very upset student can do to a classroom when they lose their mind. Whilst throwing scissors at people, I might add. 

Thankfully, this is not a picture of my room. It is, however, a friend's classroom who teaches across the hall from me. God bless her. God bless us all.

Hello, Seattle

Just booked a trip here for Fall Break!!!!!!!

So pumped to be doing something cool with my vacation days. 

So in need of a getaway.

So looking forward to exploring the city with EspressoMyHeart!

What is Important?

If you don't know what's important,

Then everything is important.

If everything is important

Then you try to do everything.

If you are attempting to do everything

Then people will expect you to do everything.

And, in trying to please everyone

You don't have enough time to find out what's important.

If you don't know what's important................ (repeat. you get the idea.)

 

Wise words, eh?

I think I need to read this to myself a thousand times over.

Also, I really wish I had been given this last year.

Gelecek Yıl?

Just applied here on a whim. Bah!!

Choice Words

Schoolwide email I received today from my principal:

"Please be very careful talking in hallways...remember not to use unkind words when talking about students even if that student has made bad choices.  Words like brats, turds, etc should never be used by teachers.  Certainly there are days when kids are stinkers and make bad choices but if a parent hears you call their child a brat, even if you mean it in a kidding way, they might be very offended. I have a friend that is a teacher and she calls her kids turds, also not something I would want said here so please just be aware of what you are saying.  I am certain every teacher here loves all their kids but visitors might not know that so please keep positive thoughts and words on your mind."

There's just something about your boss using the word "turd" so freely in an email...I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I read it. But, they say laughter is good medicine. So, yeah. That's about all I have to say.

Braving New Frontiers

So yesterday after school, my principal held a "faculty meeting" which really turned out to be some announcements followed by an organizational meeting to start a PTA at our school site. I guess calling it a faculty meeting is one good way of getting a significant amount of teachers to show up?

Once we'd voted on becoming a PTA, membership dues, and standing rules, it was time to elect the officers. At my school, we have a whopping three parents who are consistently involved and dependable. And one of them is not even the parent of a child that attends our school - she's the mother of one of the teachers! As you can see, we don't have much to work with here. So, naturally, those three parents had been pre-slated for the offices of president, vice president, and treasurer. We'd naively assumed that would be a sufficient slate. The state PTA president (who is actually really cool btw) intervened. She had some strong words to say about the importance of the role of a secretary.  She even went so far as to say that the office of secretary, in her mind, is on the same level of importance as the president. She gave quite a schpeel. She didn't leave out the fact that this office could be a teacher, since it is the pTa after all. Since the only three parents in attendance had already been voted into other offices, a teacher it would have to be. The PTA rep opened the floor for volunteers.

Crickets. The silence was so silent, that I think I did actually hear a pin drop. Then some knucklehead thought to ask a question. It was a simple question, really. There was no intent behind it other than genuine curiosity. "How many meetings per year is the secretary required to attend?" I heard myself asking aloud. … BOOM. I was the scape goat. Suddenly everyone was filled with encouraging words and exclamations of how simple the task would be (although, strangely, no one seemed to be jumping at the opportunity themselves) and how it would absolutely be manageable for a second year teacher. Save one unnamed staff member, who was sitting near me and discretely whispering, "Dooon't dooo it." Looking back, I'm wondering who I should've listened to… It's likely that in the near future she'll have an opportunity to say, "I told you so." She may have been the only one who really had my best interest in mind. Time will tell. Either way, I was sworn in and signing my life away on the X before I really knew what was happening. It's all a blur, really. How many life lessons will it take before I learn to just keep my mouth closed?

Alas, I am secretary of my school's PTA, charter member of the state PTA. Wowsa.

Here's the twist: my school has never had a real PTA before now. So, in actuality, I'm one of the four founding members of our school's PTA. Annnnd I have no idea what the heck I'm doing. But, I do know that I'm accountable to the IRS if I don't have accurate records to show that our spending matches our budget. Goody.
Praise God the state department is offering a training on Saturday. Although I'm not thrilled about giving up my day off, I meant it when I said I have no idea what the heck I'm doing.

All I have to say, guys, is that when I googled "PTA secretary" THIS is what came up:


Not kidding.
Apparently I will, like it or not, grow to look like this woman by the time my year-long term is complete.

The upside is, holding this position as a second year teacher will look killer on my resume.  :)
So, I will embrace my new role as PTA secretary. This is merely another life experience. And what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Right?

Represent.

Is it sad that when I saw this advertisement at Quick Trip it reminded me of my students?


scary. right?

Appreciation is Appreciated

This week I have been shown some love.

I received my first gift of the school year from a student.

He came to school on Monday with his left hand swollen to twice its normal size. Not kidding/should've taken a picture. He said a butterfly bit him (he meant a bee stung him). His mom sent him to school anyway, and said it would be okay. I sent him home, and said he needed to go to the doctor. 

He brought me this dog when he returned to school on Wednesday (with a much more normal-sized hand). I guess he loved me so much for forcing his mom to take care of him that he decided a Valentine's Day stuffed animal was most appropriate.

Today a local coffee catering company voluntarily set up their bar in the teacher's lounge and spent the morning brewing delicious made-to-order beverages for all the staff. 

A cold front came through today with some light rain - it seemed to be the perfect morning for a coffee bar. And I certainly can't complain about starting my day off with some heart-shaped latte art. :)

Giving Back

"Our company has enjoyed great success over the years, largely due to the incredibly intelligent people who manage it," Hilco chief executive officer Jeffrey Hecktman said in a statement. "We believe that education, above all other factors, is the foundation of commercial success and so we have decided to do what we can to help ensure American children receive the best education possible. The book donation was only our first step in a continuing commitment to align our corporate resources with the needs of public education."

I'd like to say thank you, Hilco, for recognizing the value of public education.

Check out the full article here.

Tether Troubles

I'll never forget the time when one of the parents stood up in the middle of last year's 5th grade graduation ceremony and yelled to her kids,

"We got to GO!! My ankle bracelet is BEEPING!"

Then high-tailed it to the door.

chilin like a villain

Only at a school like mine…..    Or is it common for your students' parents to be on house arrest? Feedback?

Thanks, 5th grade teachers, for giving me a darn good reason to laugh out loud :) 

Caffinated

I went to a coffee shop tonight to have a "grading party" with a couple of my friends who are also teachers. Grading is almost always more enjoyable in good company.
It wasn't until 10pm rolled around, and I found myself wondering why in the world I don't feel tired yet, that I realized I forgot to order my latte decaf…
Upside: I'll get more work done tonight. Plus, the blog is getting updated.
Downside: Getting out of bed tomorrow morning will surely not be very fun.
Note to self: No caffeine after dinner on a school night.


Update: I was up until 1AM (!) when I finally forced myself to lay down and go to sleep. BUT it turns out I can be highly productive in the wee hours of the night. I analyzed all my students' literacy assessments, and used the data to organize my students for small group instruction in phonics, word study, and comprehension. I changed my daily literacy work station routine. I also reconfigured my tightly-packed daily schedule to incorporate time for much needed math fact practice AND math intervention. HECK. YES.

Teachers 1/2 to Eat, Too!

 Okay fellow teachers, who doesn't enjoy a pot of creamy fondue?

Would if taste even more delicious if it were half-price??

Well, you're tastebuds are in luck.

Teachers and administrators can ring in the school year with a sweet deal. In September (Sunday through Thursday), a school ID will get teachers and administrators a half-priced Big Night Out, The Melting Pot's decadent four-course fondue dinner. It's our way of saying "thank you" for all you do!   Offer is valid at OKC Bricktown location only. Find out more info here!

It Starts.

I woke up this morning from a dream about administering and grading my students' spelling inventory. I already spend about 10 of my waking hours concerned with such things. Must I also be on the job while asleep? Come on, brain, give it a rest. (pun intended).

Sophia

I have a darling little girl in my class who I'm beginning to believe was sent by God to love me this year. She now tells me multiple times a day that she loves me, in the most adorable way. It may sound silly, but for me right now it really is something special to be reminded on a daily basis that I am lovable - straight from the heart of a child. (Even if it is a third grader who adores me, after all.) At recess on Thursday, she snuck up and kissed me quickly on the cheek. So darn cute. Yesterday, she came up to my desk, gave me a hug and said, "You're my flower."    Is that not the sweetest thing? She said it with such simplicity and sincerity. I think she may be an angel. Maybe not, but it was certainly an admiration for my heart to treasure.

Hablo Español…Un Poquito

On Tuesday, in our first faculty meeting of the year, my principal announces the staff members who will be translating for each grade level during Parent Orientation Night. My ears perk up when I hear her say, "And for third grade we have Miss Sutherland." Wait. What? Did I hear correctly? Was I just designated as the translator? That would be a yes. This should be interesting!

So, tonight I translated two 20ish-minute presentations on basic need-to-know info for parents about various expectations in third grade. Now, when I use the term "translated" I mean it in a loose sense… It basically means I said in Spanish my own, somewhat simplified version of what the speaker was saying haha. Exact translation is still out of my league, people. But, it was actually pretty cool. And being thrown into situations like tonight only help to improve my Spanish-speaking skills.

The parents were certainly gracious with my rough language skills, and I made it a point to end each session with, "Gracias por escucharme con mi espanol malo." They got a kick out of it. ;)
It's kind of nice to know I'm utilizing those 30ish credit hours of Spanish I earned in college (Although it's possible I will be cursing my Spanish Lit class until the day I die.). I really like helping non English-speaking parents communicate who, otherwise, feel virtually helpless in regards to involvement in their child's education. That being said, it doesn't mean my brain feels any less fried after tonight. Speaking Spanish always sends my head into major thought burnout. Certainly an optimal night to veg out in front of the NBC Thursday night lineup. :)

Extraordinary Perseverance

Today we had our first new teacher quit. Two days and he was done.

It is, of course, sad - both for him and for his students; but for me it's also humbling. I can easily remember myself this time last year, a mess who was constantly second-guessing and only above bailing by the grace of God. It causes me to realize that my first year of teaching was accomplished through measures of extraordinary perseverance. Not everyone makes it through this job. My job. 

But    I made it through, guys.   

I made it through   !!!!!

Maybe this is something that should have hit me closer to last May, but I think after a summer of debriefing my mind is coming back to me and I am finally beginning to feel some of that joyful,  "I DID IT!" feeling. Accomplishment. Satisfaction. Booyah. All of the above. 

I can't tell you how many times I felt like a failure last year; but, I think Ralph put it well when he said, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." I worked my butt off, I had the life sucked out of me almost entirely, and yet I'm somehow on the other side of it now. ?

It's the best kind of surreal.

So far, I have been able to re-enter the same environment with a level of ease that was entirely foreign to me 12 months ago. It's kind of amazing me.

(I didn't even go up to the school AT ALL this past weekend. The first weekend of school. Do you know how incredible that is??)

On one hand, I'm afraid to hold my breath… it's only been three days, after all. 

On the other hand, I'm all for embracing the sunny side of life. That's three days off to a better year of teaching!

So, after many dark hours of fantasizing about trading my career in education for any mindless data entry job I could hunt down; I would like to encourage those of you out there who may be feeling just as disillusioned about teaching as I was: 

Based on my experience, (though quite limited, it is relatively rich) your life as a teacher will actually get better. It's not just something people say to make you feel better in the moment. You are a professional. You are skilled and equipped to improve the future generations of our society. (no pressure). But seriously, you can do this. Even better, you can do it well even without trading your soul and spending your Friday nights cutting out lamination. I promise.

Sincerely,

One who's been there

When the world says, "Give up,"

Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."

- Anonymous

Fast Facts from the First Day

More on first day details at a later time, but for now I would like to say that I simply could not have imagined a better start to this school year. In comparison with my experience last year, it was a cakewalk. After today, I feel hopeful. Hopeful that what people always say, about it getting better each year, might actually be true.

Also, I left the building today at 5:35pm.
Yes, that should surprise you.
If you paid attention to my posts at all last year, you'll note that 5:35 is considered a VERY early night for me. It still wasn't easy - I had to make a conscious decision to cut myself off. But the important point here is that I chose to feed my life outside of school. For once, I wasn't the last car left in the parking lot.

Depressing view from last year.

Since I was not working in my classroom until all hours of the night, my evening ended like this instead:

:)

To top it all off, I purchased some new music. A very chill album, at that :) Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars. Great harmonies. Thanks, Meliss, for the recommendation.

On that note, I should be asleep.

Goodnight :)