It's Official, Folks...

Now that the official announcement has been made at my school, I can let the cat out of the bag.  Earlier this year, I mentioned that change was coming professionally for me and now I can share.

In February, I crossed state lines into Tennessee for an interview for an unbelievable opportunity and things went really well.  So well, in fact, that I was offered a position as a master teacher in a very small grades 3-5 school.

A master teacher spends most of their time assisting teachers by field testing strategies, helping to develop strategies, and then following up with other teachers about the effectiveness of those strategies in classrooms.

Those who are close to me know that this is the direction that I have been trying to go for quite some time.  However, there were a few doors that were shut along the way and I became extremely frustrated.  I knew in my heart that the right thing would come along, but I couldn't help but get down on myself.  Well, a little patience on my part, and a huge leap of faith, and the perfect opportunity has been presented to me.

This new position will require moving from SC to TN (don't worry, I'm not a Volunteer fan, will always be a Tiger girl) in June right as school is out.  There is MUCH to be done between now and then - the end of the year is always crazy, but add moving a house into another state and the level has increased to insanity.

This move is a bittersweet move.  I'm thrilled to be fulfilling a career goal, but I am leaving behind a fabulous group of students, parents, and teachers in my building.

I won't be far and may even drop in from time to time.  I promise.

No Other Place...

The week of standardized testing strikes fear in the hearts of students and teachers across this nation.  Teachers wonder if they have taught in a way that will cause students to remember the important information, if there was something that was accidentally missed when he/she was out sick and a sub was left to fill in for the day, if students will get a good night's sleep and will be ready for the LONG week of testing.  Students are fearful they will forget, they will make a mistake, and that they will let their teacher down.  Pressure sums it up nicely.  I tried my best to reassure my students this week that this was ONE day out of the 180 they are with me through the year, and it is ONLY ONE method to show me what they know.  I hope I was successful.  This week was LONG and it was HARD and we are all thankful that it was over.

But, even with this sort of pressure, I wouldn't trade what I do for anything.

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week and it is quickly followed by Mother's Day.  I find it fitting that these two things are celebrated together.

As a teacher, I have the opportunity to witness some pretty amazing things over the 13 years of my career.  

There is nothing quite like meeting students at the door each morning and ensuring that the day starts fresh.  I've stood in the doorway for 13 years and have seen all sorts of arrivals.  Some mornings I get great hugs and high fives, while others are filled with tears because the morning just isn't working out right or a bad haircut was received and a student doesn't want to go inside.

I've served as a counselor through friendship battles, crushes, and disappointments.  Tears have been shed by students as they try to figure out the next steps to mend relationships with parents.  

I've been a nurse helping with cuts, scrapes, bruises, and broken arms/legs.

I've adjusted lessons because my students weren't getting it and I needed to slow down until lightbulbs went off.

I've stayed after hours to make sure my students understand by hosting tutoring groups, book clubs, and game days.

I've had the opportunity to see students win ballgames, perform at talent shows, or walk the runway.

The end of each year brings an overwhelming sense of emotions for me.  Many bittersweet feelings of saying goodbye to a group who I've given my heart and soul to for 180 days.

I'm coming upon that time soon and the goodbye won't be getting any easier.  I always have difficulty passing my students onto the next grade.  

This year, I've had a revolving door of students, but my 24 core kids have become my own.  I've had a few ask me if I have kids or if I'll have some, and my response is "I have 24, why would I want more."

My students truly are my kids for the time that I have them.  Once they become a part of my room, they become a part of my heart and that is not an easy place to leave.

Belated Easter Egg Hunts, Currently, and More!

I always try to be a regular poster, but gracious me, life has really taken its toll lately.  State testing begins on Tuesday and I am full out panic mode.  There is nothing like trying to finish a unit right before testing. And, when that unit is the Civil War and you are having to shorten and only hit the necessary standards, life just becomes miserable.  I've had to completely change the way that I teach just to get the info into those little brains.

So, this post is a little bit of a dump of all of the things that have been happening since Spring Break.  I think that I am going to do this in a Five for Friday kind of style since I've been wanting to jump on that train as well.  Hold on, it's about to get a bit crazy in here now.

So, Five for Friday is supposed to be random, so random I'll be.

1.  Yesterday was my student teacher's last day in the classroom.  It was a very emotional day for her, as well as for all of the kids. We had a reception at Clemson on Thursday evening and then spent most of the day celebrating her on Friday.  I had a dad come in and create a video of the kids for her and it was a hit.  Jordan, we wish you well on your journey. Looking at this pic I feel awfully frumpy.  There was a time when I was the fresh faced 22 year old :)

2.  Gluten Free cupcakes are not real cupcakes.  For our celebration party, I chose to make cupcakes for my kids.  I have 2 children who are gluten free so I spent a bit of time looking for a gluten free cake mix.  This girl does not do scratch.  Found one at Wal-Mart by Duncan Hines.  You can't go wrong there, right?  Well, they were different.  I guess if you can't eat the real deal, these will do, but I can eat the real thing and these were not it.  However, my GF kiddos who had them in class thanked me profusely for the most delicious cupcakes ever.  It was great to see them smile when I placed it on their desk instead of an alternative.  On a side note, that GF cake mix is $5.  Not cheap.

3.  Every night this week, with the exception of Friday, I arrived home after 7:00 pm.  That's a stinking long day.  I arrive at school around 6:30-6:45 and I work my fanny off until I leave.  The year of those early arrivals is making me a tired woman.  Not to mention all of the other end of the year things that need to be done.

4.  QR Easter Egg Hunt - This is an oldie, but technically it counts as a 5 for Friday because I just found the pictures yesterday.  They were on my cell phone.  I created a fraction activity for students to review all of the standards for our fraction unit. I placed the QR codes on Easter Eggs and hid them on our hallway.  Students used their iPads and the QRafter app (free) to find the problems and solve.  The hunt was a huge success.  We have done several QR activities since then.  Next steps are to have the kids make their own QR activities.  Can't wait until PASS is over so we can do this.

5. Currently - I'm totally cheating on my fifth random fact of the week, but I'm late to the party with Farley!  

 Listening/Loving:  There are moments when silence is absolutely golden and today is one of those moments.  I've been so stressed this week, that even the sound of the radio yesterday was getting on my nerves.  I ditched my Saturday morning routine of catching up on television and replaced it with silence.  My body has needed this moment of quiet.  Exercise would probably do me good, but it is raining this morning and cold.  Really wanting to go to bed instead.

Thinking:  PASS testing begins on Tuesday and I pray to goodness that my  kiddos are ready.  I think that we all hold our breath this time of year.  I've taught everything I can in as many ways as I know, but now it is up to them.  I expect most to do well, but I know there are some who will get frustrated and guess.  Crossing my fingers that the ones I know are able to push to exemplary will do so.  Sure wish I could have another week to review :)

Wanting:  I need a clone to do all of the things that I have scheduled for this week - packing boxes, 3 after school meetings, Testing, cleaning, cooking (Ha! That will be the first to go).  I don't have enough hours to get it all done by myself.

Needing: Just a few hours with nothing to do!  

Summer Bucket List:  I'll be in training MOST of the summer - Common Core, Coaching, etc.   So, this bucket list is my if I could, I would list.  I am desperate to see my nieces in Louisiana.  I saw them for just a few hours at my grandfather's funeral this spring and it broke my heart to see them cry as I left.  I just need a few days with them all to myself.  I want to just lay out on the deck of a lake or in a chair at the pool or even a quick trip to the beach, but not thinking that is in the cards.  I have training 4 out of 6 weeks this summer.   Need to exercise every day!  I am so ready to get back to running, but I don't know if my knees and ankles are going to be up to the task.  A friend wants to do the Music City Half Marathon, but if I had to run today, I don't think I would make it to the mailbox and back.  Need to get in gear!

**Head over to Farley's spot on the web and check out the recent additions to the Currently page!

***Head over to Doodlebugs to check out the other 5 for Friday posts!

April Currently...

I don't think I've posted for almost a month.  To my faithful followers, I am sincerely sorry.  I have lots of irons in the fire, so to speak.  Some of those things I can tell you about, but others I have to keep to myself a little longer. 

We had the first round of state testing 2 weeks ago.  In addition to that, the end of the quarter arrived, report cards were due, and Spring Break happened.  Upon my return to school on Monday, I have to print awards for our awards day the next week.  Normally, I would have a week to do so, but I'm headed out on Wednesday to Williamsburg with my kiddos for 3 days.  Whew!  We return on Friday night at midnight, I have an alumni award luncheon on Saturday morning and then go back to normal routine.  Add in there that there are only 20 days - yep, 20 - until state testing!  I've yet to finish the last 2 social studies units, so there is just a tad bit of stress in my life.  My husband and I are moving in June so we are in the process of finding a new home as well.  If I stop and really think about what is going on in my life, I may just crawl in the bed and pull the covers over my head.  So, to blog on a regular basis, is a little overwhelming.  But, thanks to Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade I have something to offer you today.  Enter the April Currently.

*I am limited to the amount of channels that I get on the television at the cabin at the beach, so I watch what I can, when I can.  Terrible movie!

*Loving life at the beach this week. Technically, I'm a little drive from the beach, but the cabin sits on the dock of a creek and I have enjoyed every minute of it.  We went to the beach one day and I was dressed in a down coat, jeans, and a sweater.  Not exactly beach weather, so my little creek dock was perfect. 

*Thinking this week has gone by terribly fast.  Don't all breaks?  I'm not ready to go back.

*Wanting the year to end, not because I'm ready to say goodbye to my kids, but I'm ready to say hello to new opportunities.  I can't talk about them yet, but I will soon.

*Needing to prepare for Williamsburg.  I'm not even remotely ready, but will be.  Say a prayer as I board a bus Wednesday morning at 6:45 and spend the next 3 days in confined places with 56 other people.

*Advice:  Always be open to new opportunities.  Whether they be moving grade levels, schools, or areas of your personal life.  They will cause you stress, yes, but will make you grow tremendously. 

I'm linking up with Farley today!

A Failed Sense of Success

With each spring, students and teachers begin the daunting task of standardized assessments to track student progress and teacher effectiveness. This year is no exception. In August, I made the transition into a 4th grade classroom - and although I love my students more than I could imagine - I would jump at the chance to avoid 4th grade standardized testing.  This past week, we began the first round of MAP testing - a computer based standardized test that tests Reading and Math. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be eyeball deep in PASS writing assessment. And honestly, I have no idea what they will do.  I do know that I have taught my fanny off all year to prepare students for writing.  But, after Friday's "pre-test,"  I'm not at all confident that their performance will be where it needs to be to receive "Met." 

This "season of testing" brings with it a slew of emotions from students and teachers that those in power will never understand until they have ushered a child out of the room because of stress induced tears, or cleaned up unfortunate accidents that will linger in the memories of those scared to take a test, or tried to explain to a beautifully gifted student that just because they did not meet their target goal, they aren't stupid.

I know in the depths of my soul that I am good at what I do - that I am really good at what I do on a daily basis. But, there is nothing that shakes me to the core than a list of scores with my name attached and a handful of students who dropped a point or two, or missed their target by 1 measley point. I am that student who misses a goal and then questions their ability. Test scores do it to me every year. I wait with my toes curled in my shoes, every muscle tensed, for that first score to roll off of the printer. With every click of the mouse, I wonder, "Did he do it? What do we need to do to grow further?" Today, when the first score rolled off of the presses, I was pleased there was growth, but the target was missed by a hair. I believe in accountability and I do believe in testing, but I want my kids to be able to use the resources I've taught them to use!

Doubt, insecurity, questions - flood my mind. What could I have done better? Where did I lose them? At what point should I have stopped and tried a different tactic? Did I spend too long here, not enough there? How many more days until the next test? Is the project approach really working or did I miss the mark? What class can I take to make myself a better teacher? How can I get my scores to be off the charts like others?

And yet, here I sit on my couch going through all of these emotions, only to discover that - my kids laugh while they learn, my students can podcast, create Haiku Decks, navigate Animoto,  manipulate texts, draw to learn, and a boatload of other things. My kids smile when they see me outside of school. They like me enough to join me at the movies on a Saturday. They wave at their basketball games. They write stories about me. They try over and over and over until they understand. They thank me for choosing to be a teacher. They want me to be their teacher next year.

So, to those in charge of testing, could you create a measurement that would test how well my students can make you laugh, communicate with you about their learning, draw or sculpt the events of a story, create a poem with a complicated rhyme scheme, or anything else that requires 21st century learning skills? If you can, my class will gladly volunteer to pilot the new program. And then, you will have an accurate sense of success in my classroom ,with my students, and with their teacher.

March Currently

Wow! Didn't realize that it had been an entire month since I last posted. Life has been busy to say the least. I have had 3 interviews for new possible positions - will tell more about that in a later post, traveled out of town for one of those interviews, said a final farewell to my grandfather this week, made a flash of a trip to Louisiana - 1400 miles in 2 days is hard, and have tried to keep up with my classroom. Thank goodness for a student teacher! I was thrilled to see Farley's Currently up this morning to get me back on track. I'm not making in promises about regular postings yet.

Listening:  Saturday morning is the morning that I play catch up with all of my TV from the week.  Love my DVR.  Yes, I'm a fan of the Carrie Diaries...love me some Carrie Bradshaw.  In addition to that, I watch New Girl, Downton Abbey, Gray's Anatomy, and Days of Our Lives ( I know, terrible, right?!)

Loving:  Love my new suitcase my husband surprised me with yesterday.  it's me - sorry I don't have a pic - black and white polka dots.  I'm traveling to DC this week and needed new luggage.  I went to TJ Maxx to find some shoes to walk around DC in (unsuccessful), and found a fabulous suitcase for only $40, but I didn't get it.  When I got home I was deeply disappointed in myself.  However, my Prince Charming saved the day.  When I got home from work yesterday he asked me to go get something out of his truck, and what do you think was there....yep, that fabulous suitcase.  Love him for that!

Thinking:  I have a lot of changes coming in the next few months and my to do list is growing.  Our 4th grade is getting ready for the state writing assessment, we are headed to Williamsburg in a month with our classes for an overnight field trip, and teaching the rest of the year.  Not to mention everything that needs to be done at home.  Can anyone say, clean?

Wanting:  To fast forward to summer.  I LOVE my class, but I'm exhausted.  We started a new grade level in our building and it has worn me out completely!  I'm ready for summer vacation!

Needing:  to clean and organize my mess of a house.  

Like: Samoas cookies - Kudos to the Girl Scouts!

Love: Shoes - it's an obsession of mine

Hate:  Sassiness - If I sassed the way some kids do, my mom and dad would have had my tail.

Head over to Farley's Place to see what is currently going on with everyone!

Currently...February

The beginning of the month brings new to do lists and Farley's Currently.  I like her gift to the new month so much better!

Listening:  Every Saturday morning I have the same routine - sit in the recliner with a cup of coffee (or several), add a dog to my lap, and watch all of the television from the week that I didn't have time to watch.  So this morning's line-up began with New Girl.  I love Zooey Deschenal and the twisted humor of this show.  

Loving:  This semester I have a student teacher with me and she is amazing!  I have to admit though, it's not easy relinquishing your classroom over to someone.  This is just as much a learning experience for me as it is her.  My students love her and she has connected with them so well.  

Thinking: I have an eye appointment in a few hours.  It's terrible that teachers have to spend Saturday doing tasks like this, but it's been put off for far too long.  I realized just how bad it was last week when I thought a tree was my husband when I was walking the dog at dusk.  Terrible!  I always have a hard time picking out something that I have to wear every day, so the pressure to choose the right pair is tremendous!

Wanting:  A change...I've gotten into that funk of an attitude that I think demands change in some way. I cut 6 inches off of my hair, and that didn't do it.  I've been teaching for 13 years and I'm thinking a change may do me well.  I don't want to leave the career by any means, but thinking of moving up the food chain if I can.  

Needing: to do a PILE of laundry.  I hate it!  I let it pile up all week and then start on Sunday. The fact that I have to wear only navy, white, and khaki all week means I have to wash 5 pairs of khakis and 5 white or navy shirts.  It's a beast!  I have so many clean clothes that would allow me to put it off even further, but the uniform requires that I do it.

Pet Peeves:  Know-It-Alls:  I can't stand people who think they know it all and are completely unteachable!  I don't need to know your opinion on everything or even your distaste about it.  Just listen.

Tights that sag - All winter I am on the lookout for tights that don't sag throughout the day.  There is nothing worse than the crotch of the tights creeping all day.  But, apparently, making tights with a waistband is a think of the past.  I can't stand it!

Link up with Farley over at Oh'Boy 4th Grade and add your Currently.